These People Who Have Been On Reality Shows Share What Is Real And What Is Staged
Have you ever wondered how fake certain shows are? Here are some answers.
Reality TV loves to sell itself as unscripted, but viewers have always suspected there is a lot more happening behind the scenes. From makeover shows to dating competitions and home renovation series, the question is usually the same, what is actually real?
That is exactly what one Reddit thread set out to answer, with people who had been on reality shows sharing what was staged, what was reshot, and what really happened when the cameras were rolling. Some of the stories are funny, some are messy, and a few are surprisingly honest.
Here is what they had to say.
What Not to Wear
"My friend was on What Not to Wear, and I was in the audience of people who were there to react when she came out from behind the curtain with her new look. She came out over and over again, but our cheering was never enthusiastic enough for the producers. After about 10 takes, we were screaming our heads off, totally hysterical, as if we'd just seen her rise from the dead. So that part was fake; I thought she just looked alright."
Reality television often blurs the line between scripted entertainment and genuine experiences, leading to viewer confusion. This phenomenon can lead to what some experts refer to as 'media consumption dissonance,' where viewers struggle to reconcile their emotional engagement with the awareness of staging. This insight highlights the complex relationship between reality TV and audience perception.
Finally, a relatable sob story
"Sob stories on singing shows-it's not the contestant's fault!"I made it through a few rounds for a well-known singing show, and they BEG you for sob stories. On my very first application form, I was asked about the most difficult moment in my life, what obstacles I'd overcome to be there, and whether I had ever experienced bullying, etc.They pretty much make you tell them a sob story. So I wrote all about my heartbreak when I ran out of coffee."
Wow!
"My sister's fiancé was on 16 and Pregnant. The children are real."
That one was refreshingly straightforward.
Love It or List It
"My aunt and uncle were on Love It Or List It. They had them record both endings, and the network chose which one they thought was best. They are still in the house and they love it, but the show says they listed it."
Pawn Stars
"Everything on Pawn Stars is scripted too. They bought a Jeep from my friend, and he was even told when and how to smile or smirk during the interview."
"I know someone who visited the shop as a tourist, and they pulled something out of the back and handed it to him to sell."
That is a lot less spontaneous than the show makes it look.
Cash Cab
"Some friends of mine went on Cash Cab. One guy was chosen the day before and told to come with up to four friends to a certain spot the next afternoon. They met a producer who hailed the cab and were told they were going to 'a game show.' They had to reshoot getting into the cab because my one friend said something like, 'What are the chances?! We're on our way to ANOTHER game show!'"
Yikes
"I have worked on several reality shows. Some are more fake than others, but they are all heavily scheduled and formatted, never spontaneous.I worked on a certain MTV dating show where one of the contestants tried to escape the house in the middle of the night, and one of the production assistants had to tackle him in the front yard and drag him back into the house. It's like prison; they are completely cut off from the outside world (no computers, books, phones, or watches), and they are fed mostly booze. They all go insane.Also, if the show doesn't air, they don't win their prize money. This is standard for all competition reality shows."
Ratings > reality
"I have a friend who signed up to audition for a show that she thought was 'The Bachelorette' or something similar. I guess it's standard practice to not give the actual name of the show and just say, 'We need good-looking, energetic young women for blah blah blah.'"So she got called back, went through a few different interviews and a screen test. Finally, they told her that the concept was that she would be running a pawn shop with another woman. She is a dental assistant with no experience remotely related to the pawn business."Pawn Queens" ended up being on for two seasons, and they gave her a backstory about how and why she got interested in the pawn business. Not exactly SHOCKING, but it was pretty interesting to see that they basically looked for attractive women first, then put them into a proven concept ("Pawn Stars"-type reality show)."
Shark Tank
"A friend of mine was on Shark Tank recently. The episode hasn't aired yet, so we don't know how they will edit the story, but they did get an actual deal with actual money from Mr. Wonderful."
Supernanny
"A friend of mine worked as an art director on the American version of Supernanny. She said pretty much everything was real, maybe edited together to make it a bit more dramatic, but the family interactions were genuine. And she said Jo Frost is a very sweet, warm woman who really does her best for the kids."
I always wondered about this
"In the very first episode of Top Chef they ever filmed, Tom Colicchio flipped out because the dishes the contestants had cooked were getting cold while the film crew took 'food porn' shots of them. From then on, all the contestants have to prepare two dishes: one for the judges to sample and one for the cameras to pan over and show the audience."
House Hunters
"It's a requirement to be on House Hunters that you are already closing on a house. It's free advertising for the agent and a way to be on TV for the couple.That being said, I still watch the hell out of those shows. It's interesting to see what $x gets you around the world."
Say Yes To The Dress
"Probably no one on Reddit watches it, but Say Yes to the Dress is real. One sister and a few friends have gotten their dresses there, and while they didn't appear on the show (you get asked when you make your appointment), their experiences were the exact same as on TV.Yes, the consultants really are that personable. Yes, you sit where the show is filmed. Yes, the people on the show really work there. No, they won't show you anything outside your budget, and yes, they really do bend over backwards to find you discounts if you need one (like on the show).I know there are probably cheaper places to buy a wedding dress, but Kleinfeld's is gorgeous and exactly like it is on SYTTD. The only thing that might be 'faked' is if girls or their families are told to be super picky about the dress for ~dramatic effect~.Fuck most of TLC's other shows, though.EDIT: YAY, MORE PEOPLE WATCH THAN I THOUGHT.Edit 2: Again, I've been there a few times, but we were NOT filmed for the show. I can't speak for how real the dialogue is or isn't. BUT the store and its employees are as cool, nice, and friendly as on TV!"
Restaurant Impossible
"I was on Restaurant Impossible a couple of years ago. They say they have a $10,000 budget for the renovation; that definitely does not mean they use it. The host, Robert Irvine, was only there for about an hour a day during the three-day venture, just to get in the way and whine about things for the camera. They made up this whole story about how my boss would lose everything and cause so much stress on his marriage and family if the restaurant failed. They had us 'walk this direction with a sullen look' to show that we felt underappreciated as employees. We had four employees actually walk out because of some of the comments Robert made. We also did not get paid any extra for any of this. But while all of that was annoying, I will say this: the Food Network did pay almost $4,000 for a very local construction crew to come in, which is awesome for local business and support. The food was very awesome, and I got to learn some insane techniques from world-class chefs at the very start of my career (I am a chef myself now). It was a very neat and exciting thing for a small town and definitely brought our community together. And while the business did still end up failing a year and a half later, my boss was totally fine because he bought out another restaurant and is now very successful elsewhere."
Reality vs. Perception
Reality TV often blurs the lines between authenticity and performance, leading to a psychological phenomenon known as cognitive dissonance. Viewers may find themselves grappling with conflicting emotions when they realize that the drama they enjoy is often staged.
This dissonance can lead to a deeper engagement with the content, as viewers create narratives that justify their preferences.
And that is why reality TV keeps people talking long after the episode ends.
Social psychologists have studied how the editing and presentation of reality television can manipulate viewer perceptions. The use of selective editing can create false narratives, making mundane interactions seem dramatic or contentious.
This manipulation taps into our innate desire for storytelling, which can override our critical thinking. This phenomenon may explain why viewers often accept staged elements as real, leading to a skewed understanding of relationships and conflict.
In exploring the intricate world of reality television, it is evident that these shows are meticulously designed to provoke powerful emotional reactions from viewers. The article highlights how understanding the behind-the-scenes production techniques can enhance the viewing experience, allowing audiences to engage with the content more fully while remaining aware of its scripted elements.
This critical perspective is essential as it enables viewers to enjoy the drama and excitement without being misled into believing that every moment is genuine. By acknowledging the psychological strategies employed in shows ranging from The Kardashians to various dating formats, audiences can appreciate the entertainment value while recognizing the artifice that often lies beneath the surface.
Impact on Self-Perception
Watching manipulated reality shows can distort viewers' self-perception and expectations. A study by the University of Michigan found that individuals who frequently consume reality television often report lower self-esteem and increased comparison to unrealistic standards of beauty and success.
To counteract these effects, mindfulness practices, such as self-compassion exercises, can help individuals recognize their intrinsic worth beyond media portrayals. Engaging in regular self-reflection and celebrating personal achievements can foster a healthier self-image and resilience against external pressures.
The relationship between reality television and psychological well-being is intricate and layered.
Wait, WWE got backlash after Kiana James’ wardrobe mishap, see the broadcast controversy.
