Over the past two decades, reality TV has exploded all over the world, and is now one of the most-watched genres in the history of television. The premise of the genre suggests a view into the lives of real people with real issues, mostly doing things to entice the curiosity of the viewer. Many shows attempt to bring the star of the show a little closer into orbit with the everyday viewer at home. Behind the scenes, a lot of these shows are anything but real, especially as they often employ a convoy of scriptwriters to help producers spice up a specific storyline. Editing can also affect how any cast member is perceived, and as the shows on our list of popular reality shows illustrate, more often than not a prominent villain is nothing more than the work of an imaginative team of producers.
40 Popular Reality Shows That Are Far From Real
1. Pawn Stars
When it comes to fake reality television, ‘Pawn Stars’ takes the cake. Fans love watching its stars interacting with “walk in” customers who are ready to sell their prized possessions for a fortune, or leave with egg on their faces after finding out that their item is worthless. As it turns out, show leads like Rick Harrison don’t even work behind the counter at the pawnshop to begin with, as a manager he is usally in the office rather than the shop front. Interactions are vetted, participants sign waivers before appearing on screen, and shooting is done in a private area. This gives producers the chance to anticipate what may happen in the interaction, and takes away any real astounding moments when someone brings in something that is actually valuable. Then again, you don’t expect people with high value items to head to a pawn shop to begin with, especially if they can get a better deal from an auctioneer or private collector.
Pawn Stars
2. Love It or List It
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but in reality a lot of the families on this popular home makeover show don’t really consider moving out of their homes, especially if HGTV is going to pay for all the renovations in the first place. The alternative houses they are forced to go view are often not even on the market to begin with! If you’re excited to be a participant, don’t put too much merit in hosts David and Hilary giving you expert advice about your home. The pair may be a spunky duo, but in reality they’re actors, not renovation specialists. It’s well known among industry insiders that the confrontations are staged, and any kind of building or structural problems are mostly discovered well before they even start the renovations process.
Love It Or List It
