These Reality Shows Are Less Real Than You Think

There's no guilty pleasure TV quite like reality shows. Whether you're following the lives of a group of friends or watching talented hopefuls trying to succeed in what they're good at, these shows can provide great entertainment. However, you should never be fooled by the reality label in reality shows.

Pretty much every one of these series is fake to some degree, from people not being who they say they are to producers meddling with everything that happens on screen. Once you know how all these shows are faked, it's hard to see them in the same light again.

The Real Housewives reshoots scenes or has pauses in between certain moments

Ever since 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' debuted in 2006, the franchise has become one of the biggest names in reality TV. The amount of drama these housewives bring every season ensures that viewers are always thoroughly entertained. However, it seems all these explosive scenes might not be exactly what fans of the show may think.

According to Jezebel, people who watched filming for 'The Real Housewives of New York' in Southampton were surprised by the way the cast members acted. Supposedly, people would stop in the middle of discussions so that cameras could be properly set up. They'd also sometimes reshoot the same scenes multiple times. It makes you wonder how much is actually real.

The Voice allegedly doesn't let singers perform what they want

The US is no stranger to reality competition shows. Since it arrived here in the early 2010s, 'The Voice' has proven to be one of the most popular. The series has drafted in stars like Miley Cyrus, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, and Ariana Grande as coaches to help contestants turn their talent into a career.

Unfortunately, all is not as it seems. According to a social media post by Adam Wiener, he was asked to compete on 'The Voice' but turned it down. He wrote that the series is pre-cast, and the producers have far too much input in what the contestants do. Allegedly, they decide the songs and style of music that people perform.

Masterchef supposedly puts words in people's mouths to create certain personas

If cooking is more your thing, then a reality show like 'Masterchef' may be more to your liking. Every year, aspiring chefs appear on the series to earn themselves a nice cash injection and potentially turn their passion into a career. However, Ben Starr - a former contestant - has alleged that what you see on TV isn't necessarily that authentic.

According to Inquisitr, Ben has claimed that the portrayals of contestants on the show are fictionalized and sometimes intentionally humiliating. What's more, these personas are allegedly created by the editors, who take different strings of dialogue and combine them to make entirely new statements. At least the food that people make in this series is still legitimate, right?

Jersey Shore was apparently edited within an inch of its life

During the early 2010s, MTV viewers got to know the people of Seaside Heights through the reality show 'Jersey Shore.' Following the lives of a group of housemates, it was one of the first series to really popularize this style of reality show. Unfortunately, it wasn't entirely authentic, with Snooki saying that the show was extremely edited.

She said in 2018 that "Nothing [on the show] made sense to us" because of how much the editors had messed with the content. Though she denied that the show was scripted in any way, the editing still messed with the reality of what happened quite significantly. That makes us wonder how things really went down on the show.

Last Comic Standing misled the judges - and viewers - when it came to voting

Humor is something that can bring a lot of people together. Unfortunately, when it comes to 'Last Comic Standing,' all this show did was push people apart. Take, for instance, the second season, where a group of celebrity comedians were invited to help decide who should make it to the final. This included people like Brett Butler and Drew Carey.

After voting, the judges were stunned by who made it to the final. It turns out that the producers apparently had more of a say over who progressed than the experts brought in to help decide. Throw in the fact that the show also edited some great performances to look bad, and it's clear this one was full of fakery.

Survivor may have more producer intervention than it appears

As reality competition series go, 'Survivor' is easily the most successful. It's been going since 2000 and spawned over 40 seasons in that time. Unfortunately, while it might offer plenty of drama and compelling changes, all is not necessarily as it seems. For example, some past contestants have alleged that producers helped them to get food or fire.

Moreover, the jury speeches are allegedly rehearsed beforehand, with Corinne Kaplan revealing as much on Reddit. Much of the cast is also apparently made up of people that producers have scouted themselves, with several of them claiming that the results are rigged. Stacey Stillman made such an allegation after the first season, with Dirk Been supporting her claim.

Property Brothers isn't quite the home makeover you might expect

There's something about home renovation and relocation shows that is so enjoyable to watch. Perhaps it's because it's so easy to relate to wanting to give a home a makeover or find your dream property? Don't be fooled by all these programs, though. Series like 'Property Brothers' apparently aren't what they might appear to be.

For instance, the portion of the show where people look around houses and decide what to go for is usually fake because the buyers already have a place secured. Moreover, the Property Brothers don't actually renovate the entire house, with claims that people on the show can't have both their kitchen and their bathroom done.

Dance Moms had plenty of fake drama, according to Maddie Ziegler

'Dance Moms' is one of those reality shows that can make for great entertainment but also raise quite a few concerns. After all, with the stuff that these children were subjected to, you sometimes have to wonder how much of it was really ethical. Of course, that's assuming that everything that happened in the show was even real.

According to Maddie Ziegler, who first came to fame on the series, plenty of the drama was fabricated. She told USA Today that "producers set it up to make us all yell at each other," with some of the moms filming fake fights. Maddie stated that the women would film an argument, then "start talking and laugh about it" afterward.

Love Island may involve a lot of producer meddling

'Love Island' has become one of the biggest reality series in recent years, with the franchise spawning hit shows across the world. Unfortunately, none of these iterations may be as real as some people want them to be. Jay Younger, who appeared on the British version in 2022, revealed some behind-the-scenes gossip in a podcast appearance earlier this year.

A lot of what he shared involved producer involvement, including revealing that the bombshell opening lines aren't always the work of the contestants. He also said that arguments might be encouraged by the producers and that they're "very good at emotional manipulation." He also threw out that Islanders are apparently sometimes fed questions by those behind the cameras.

Long Island Medium has been accused of employing cold readings

When you lose someone special, it can be hard letting them go. Some people seek out mediums to try and contact those who have left this world, which is why shows like 'Long Island Medium' have found success. However, there's perhaps a good reason why Theresa Caputo's show finished some years ago, and it's to do with the program's legitimacy.

Throughout the show's run and beyond, people questioned just how real it was. Ron Tebo, a private investigator, actually accused Caputo of doing cold readings, where mediums use vague statements that make it appear as though they're receiving information from the dearly departed. It seems that some former fans of the show have also accused her of the same thing.

Vanderpump Rules can reportedly be just as fake as its parent show

When a show is successful, it's not uncommon for it to spawn a spin-off. 'The Real Housewives' franchise has done this several times over the years, with the Beverly Hills series giving us 'Vanderpump Rules.' Unfortunately, just as the parent show may not always be legitimate, the same apparently goes for this Lisa Vanderpump-fronted spin-off.

One instance of the show being fake comes courtesy of Stassi Schroeder, who stated that she apparently had to stage a breakup for the series. Another question about the legitimacy of 'Vanderpump Rules' was raised when Kristen Doute appeared in a scene where her necklace kept disappearing and reappearing. Evidently, producer meddling was involved in that.

Bridezillas may have misled the cast as to what they were filming

Getting married is supposed to be one of the happiest moments in a couple's life. Unfortunately, some of the reality shows centered around weddings don't always reflect this. 'Bridezillas,' for instance, put far more emphasis on the stress that people experience and showcased these brides as heartless monsters in the build-up to their big day.

Why would these women agree to appear on a show that presents them as such? Well, possibly because some of them were misled as to what they were filming. Cynthia Silver says that she believed she was appearing in a documentary called 'Manhattan Brides,' with Julia Swinton-Williamson making a similar claim. The latter even sued the program for misleading her.

Storage Wars is full of fakery, according to David Hester's lawsuit

A reality show about storage lockers might not seem all that exciting. However, with the cast of characters that bid on these lockers and some of the stuff they find inside, 'Storage Wars' proves to be surprisingly compelling television. Of course, you shouldn't believe everything that you see, according to former cast member David Hester, who previously sued A&E.

In his lawsuit, the man claimed that some of the items found in the lockers were placed there in advance, which takes some of the fun out of the show. He also alleged that the interviews are scripted, the auctions are faked, and that the network pays for storage lockers that the stars themselves can't afford.

Naked and Afraid allegedly sees contestants provided with certain supplies from producers

'Naked and Afraid' is a little more of an unusual reality show. It's sort of like Survivor' but if the contestants didn't wear any clothes. Although it's a slightly bizarre concept, the series has produced 15 seasons since its debut a decade ago, with viewers enthralled by the way the contestants manage to live off the land.

Unfortunately, it's possible that their survival in the wilderness isn't entirely down to their own actions. Some past contestants have claimed that production has provided them with all manner of supplies not available in the wilderness, including prescription medication and sanitary products. Producers also supposedly have a hand in breeding conflict and creating villains among the cast.

Pawn Stars may not give an accurate account of what really happens

Reality TV over the last few decades has shown us that you can make a program about almost anything. Just look at 'Pawn Stars,' which now has over 20 seasons and chronicles the activities that play out at a Las Vegas pawn shop. Evidently, there's plenty here to keep viewers entertained, but not all of what you see is real.

Apparently, 'Pawn Shop' is fake in the way that it gives an inaccurate impression of what daily life is like at the real-life location. For instance, the shop's proprietor, Rick Harrison, is allegedly only around for half of the year, even though the series makes it seem like he's always available. Supposedly, he goes completely off the grid for months.

American Pickers might not be as spontaneous as it often appears

'American Pickers' might be facing some trouble with ratings ever since Frank Fritz left the show. However, there's no denying that it's been one of the History Channel's biggest hits throughout its run. Just like a lot of reality shows, though, it's not necessarily as real as it appears, with production having quite an influence at times.

Apparently, people will show up at a location weeks before the cast to identify whether there's anything worthwhile there or not. Producers also allegedly haggle over the price of things before everyone else arrives, with claims that a few items have even been placed there by the crew. At least the history of these items always seems to be legitimate.

The Hills reportedly had quite a few storylines that were fabricated

When it comes to reality television, 'The Hills' is a classic. One of the earliest of its genre, it put people like Lauren Conrad, Heidi Montag, and Spencer Pratt on the map. As anyone who's seen this show may have guessed, though, it wasn't always that genuine. In fact, it was often criticized for appearing to fabricate storylines.

Some of the questionable storylines on the show included Brody Jenner and Lauren Conrad's relationship - which was reportedly staged - and Heidi crashing Lauren's Teen Vogue party. Montag admitted to Us Weekly about the latter being scripted, saying that she had no idea she was crashing a work event for her former friend. The producers had apparently set it all up.

The Jerry Springer Show may have been fake because of its guests

'The Jerry Springer Show' is probably one of the most infamous programs that has ever aired on television. The amount of drama that Springer's guests created put some reality shows to shame. However, while Springer previously claimed that 98% of the show was real, viewers at home may well question that. So, what is the truth here?

Well, this might be a situation where the show itself wasn't necessarily to blame but rather the people who applied. It's possible that guests were looking to get their 15 minutes of fame by applying for the show with exaggerated stories of real-life problems. That's likely why things seemed to become more outrageous as the show went on.

Project Runway may leave many decisions in the hands of the producers

When it comes to reality competition shows based around fashion, there are a few programs that stand out from the crowd. Project Runway is definitely one of them, with the series debuting almost two decades ago now. Across 20 seasons, we've seen some amazing looks and irresistible drama, but should we believe everything that we've watched?

Not according to Jack Mackenroth, who appeared on the show in its fourth season. Supposedly, the producers are responsible for deciding who stays and who goes, with the footage then reportedly edited to make those decisions believable. Diana Eng from season two also says she had to film a certain scene twice because producers weren't happy with it.

Basketball Wives doesn't offer a real insight into the lives of these women

Considering how popular basketball is in the US, a reality show centered around the wives of NBA stars was perhaps inevitable. 'Basketball Wives' premiered back in 2010, with the show still around to this day. Similar to programs like 'The Real Housewives,' this series provides a good dose of drama, but not everyone is a fan of what it offers.

Matt Barnes, who used to star in the show, has called 'Basketball Wives' his biggest regret. Why? Supposedly, the entire series is staged and scripted, so it wasn't that fun to be a part of. Tanya Young has also seemingly supported these claims, telling The Daily Beast that producers pit the stars against each other to purposely create drama.

Fixer Upper was fake in a similar way to many other shows

Chip and Joanna Gaines are easily two of the biggest names in the world of home improvement. Thanks to the success of their HGTV series 'Fixer Upper,' they've managed to establish a brand and become pretty big stars. Even though viewers adored 'Fixer Upper,' not everything on the show was reportedly real, just like other similar programs.

According to David Ridley, who featured in season three, people already owned homes they wanted to renovate when they appeared in 'Fixer Upper.' So, the house viewings were effectively redundant. Furthermore, Rachel Whyte claims that certain points of discussion were filmed multiple times until producers were happy with the content. Whyte admitted it was hard remembering everything that she'd said.

House Hunters allegedly expects people to fake everything themselves

We've seen at this point that home improvement shows tend to be fake in similar ways. The biggest issue seems to be that the house viewings are all pointless because people have already secured a property. However, no series seems to be quite as bad as HGTV's 'House Hunters' when it comes to this element.

Supposedly, it's on the people who feature in the show to find houses to look around and pretend that they're interested in them. Bobi Jensen once appeared on the series and later revealed as much, saying that she had to ask her friends to let her use their houses for this purpose. It's lucky for her that they agreed.

Cupcake Wars gives contestants more advanced warning than it may appear

Reality competition shows about baking are hard not to enjoy unless you don't have a sweet tooth. 'Cupcake Wars' is one that's done well for Food Network for years. Unfortunately, as with seemingly every other series in the reality genre, not everything that you're told is entirely truthful. The main problem here is with the ingredients.

Although it may appear as though the contestants are surprised with an odd choice of ingredients on the day, that is just a ruse. According to someone who appeared on the show, people learn about the ingredients months in advance. This allows them to come up with something cool to create that will taste amazing despite the questionable ingredients.

Pimp My Ride makeovers weren't as quick and effective as they appeared

'Pimp My Ride' returned to the UK in 2022, marking a return for the reality show that hasn't been seen since 2007. In the US, the program managed six seasons in the 2000s before it called it quits, racking up quite a reputation during that time. Unfortunately, that wasn't necessarily a good thing, judging by what people have said.

Seth Martino, for instance, couldn't even drive his car home after the show pimped it up, with the man consequently spending $1,700 to fix it. Others found that the changes to the car only worked briefly or even put people's lives at risk. What's more, people were reportedly left waiting half a year for the changes to be completed.

Restaurant Stakeout went to great effort to fake the content

Anyone who runs a business and worries that their staff aren't pulling their weight may well see the appeal in 'Restaurant Stakeout.' After all, the premise of the show was that William Jack Degel would use hidden cameras to see what happens in various restaurants and identify any issues. The problem was that the series was so exaggerated.

According to the owner of the Mount Ivy Cafe, which was featured in one of the episodes, the producers faked quite a lot of stuff. That included hiring an actor to play a bad waiter and telling genuine employees what they should do. People also reportedly had to change clothes regularly to make it look like the days were different.

Hell's Kitchen reportedly casts some people simply because they're outrageous

It's worth noting that there are different degrees of fakeness in reality shows. Each of these programs will be altered to some degree to ensure that it makes for good TV. 'Hell's Kitchen,' for example, comes across as a lot more authentic than some shows, given that the contestants are genuinely cooking and their interactions aren't scripted.

However, where this series can be accused of faking it comes with the casting. According to Emmy Magazine, only around half of the people brought onto the show are there because of their talent in the kitchen. The other half are picked because they're more outrageous characters, increasing the likelihood of creating drama that plenty of viewers will find enticing.

Say Yes to the Dress sometimes ignores the needs of the brides

Finding the perfect wedding dress is important for so many women when it comes to preparing for the special day. Even if this is an outfit that might only be worn once, getting the right look matters so much to a lot of brides. That's why 'Say Yes to the Dress' has been such a big show for TLC.

Although this is an excellent opportunity for brides to pick their perfect dress on TV, it does have its setbacks. One of the biggest issues is that producers don't always listen to people's needs, such as with Amanda Lauren. Her preferences and budget were reportedly ignored, meaning what people saw on the show wasn't authentic to what Lauren actually wanted.

America's Got Talent is apparently nowhere near as real as it appears

The nation is full of talented people, which is why competitive shows like 'America's Got Talent' make for such great viewing. The things that some of the contestants on this program can do will really blow your mind. It's just a shame that the series has reportedly been responsible for allegedly faking a lot of things over the years.

That apparently includes having plants in the audience to make people cheer or boo, depending on who the producers do and don't like. Supposedly, a lot of the contestants who do well are actually recruited by the producers beforehand, with people also reportedly manipulated to act certain ways on the show. The show was even sued because of its actions.

Britain's Got Talent crowned a winner after reportedly misleading viewers

Just as 'America's Got Talent' is big here, 'Britain's Got Talent' is pretty huge across the Atlantic. Unfortunately, it seems the spin-off is just as guilty as the parent show of not being entirely authentic. In fact, there was a particular issue in 2015 that really got people upset, and it was all down to who won.

Jules and her dog Matise proved popular with viewers until it emerged that a stunt dog was actually used for some of the more impressive parts of their final act. Thousands of viewers complained, with the government getting involved and declaring that the show had misled viewers. Everyone who had voted consequently got their money back.

American Idol is supposedly no stranger to faking this and that

When it comes to reality competition shows, few have had an impact quite like 'American Idol.' This is the show that's given us stars like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson, and it still pulls in millions every season. Unfortunately, just because it's become an American institution, that doesn't mean it's free from claims that it's not always genuine.

Not only are contestants allegedly given a limited list of songs to audition with, but a lot of the drama you see is apparently exaggerated. Mariah Carey previously shared that her beef with Nicki Minaj was apparently heavily pushed simply because it made for good television. Moreover, some of the sob stories are reportedly fabricated by contestants to get attention.

Keeping Up With the Kardashians supposedly wasn't scripted like people think

People tend to either love or hate the Kardashian family. Regardless of your feelings about them, though, there's no denying that they've really made a name for themselves and generated immense success since their reality series began. Was 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' that genuine, though, or was it simply another reality show that faked everything it could?

According to former producer Delphine Lorin, the program was more genuine than people gave it credit for. According to her, the show wasn't scripted. Instead, producers told the cast what they should talk about, and the women then took it from there. Some viewers aren't convinced, though, believing that certain scenes were scripted to make them as dramatic as possible.

Catfish is often more about helping scammers to come clean

If there's any series that deserves to be on a list of fake reality shows, it's 'Catfish.' After all, the MTV program is about people pretending to be someone else and leading others on. Considering that premise, fans have naturally wondered how much of the series itself is genuine and whether it's as fake as the people it tracks down.

Interestingly, one of the least authentic things about 'Catfish' is who actually contacts the show. While the episode might usually frame it as the person being scammed who wants help, Marshall Eisen of MTV says it's often the catfish that asks for help in coming clean. This doesn't typically work with the narrative the show tries to spin, though.

Toddlers and Tiaras allegedly brought out the worst in some people

'Toddlers & Tiaras' is one of those reality shows that some people might find it hard to look back on with a positive perspective. Even when the series was on the air in the late '00s and early '10s, it was considered highly controversial. People simply couldn't warm up to what all of those children were doing.

Unfortunately, it seems that the controversial nature may have pushed the cast to behave more dramatically or dress their daughters more inappropriately to generate attention. All publicity is good publicity, right? Moreover, Maxine Tinnel, who appeared on the series, told the New York Post that much of the drama was manufactured or manipulated to be bigger than it actually was.

Southern Charm has reportedly aired events completely out of order

If modern-day aristocracy is something that you're interested in, a show like 'Southern Charm' is going to be to your liking. The series is all about the personal and professional lives of socialites in Charleston, with the program debuting almost a decade ago now. It's too bad that the show is reportedly lacking in authenticity at times.

Danni Baird has called 'Southern Charm' out for messing around with the chronology of events, airing scenes far earlier than they actually took place to create storylines. What's more, it seems that not everyone who features on the show actually even lives in Charleston. One couple reportedly resided in Florida while filming the first season.

Alaskan Bush People might simply be leading viewers on

Almost ten years ago, Discovery Channel premiered a new reality series called 'Alaskan Bush People.' Offering an insight into the lives of the Brown family in Hoonah, it's allowed viewers to see how some people manage to live off the grid. There's just one problem - the Browns might not rely on nature as much as they claim to.

According to Radar Online, several neighbors have previously spotted family members coming and going from Icy Strait Lodge throughout the day. There have also been claims that they've fabricated stories for the sake of drama, like when the family was awoken by several shots outside. According to Alaska State Troopers via Anchorage Daily News, no such shots were ever reported.

The Apprentice doesn't offer the amazing prize that you might expect

'The Apprentice' has long been a captivating series on both sides of the pond. Unfortunately, as compelling as all the challenges might be, it seems that being on the series isn't actually that great. For those who emerge victorious in the US series, the main prize appears to be having the title of winning 'The Apprentice' and little else.

Supposedly, the accounts for many of the show's past winners reveal that their jobs have mainly been to act as a spokesperson for the brand and its former host. In fact, Randal Pinkett - who won the show during its early days - is reportedly back doing what he did before competing because the reward wasn't as great as it was advertised.

The Bachelor apparently employs all manner of tactics to create compelling TV

If you're looking for love and want to appear on television, there's no shortage of shows to go on. One that's been around for a long time is 'The Bachelor,' although you might want to think twice about appearing on it. Chris Bukowski has admitted that whatever you do, the producers will edit you to appear a certain way.

According to Amy Kaufman, producers also track women's cycles so they can exploit people's heightened emotions. She actually wrote a book about her experience, where she said that "frankenbiting" is employed as well. This is where all the audio is rearranged to create a narrative that works for the producers rather than what really happened.

Cake Boss apparently fabricated storylines for the sake of content

For those with a sweet tooth, 'Cake Boss' is another great series to watch and get hungry over. The creations that Buddy Valastro Jr. is able to bring to life are truly remarkable and prove that baking really is an art form. Unfortunately, just because the food looks amazing, that doesn't mean everything that you see is real.

It seems that storylines on the show have been faked, like the time that Buddy's second cousin, Claudio, was getting married. Supposedly, there never was a wedding, and they'd simply made this up for the sake of content. Someone who visited Carlo's Bake Shop reportedly learned of this after the fact and was consequently put off watching the show.

Breaking Amish seemingly told viewers one lie after another

The Amish lifestyle is one that probably seems incredibly foreign to a lot of people. That's why a show like 'Breaking Amish' could have been good for providing some insight and educating those who weren't in the know. Unfortunately, there was so much drama and accusations against the series that it ended up being something of a mess.

Not only did the show lie about Jeremiah Raber never leaving the Amish community before, but it also made out that Rebecca Byler and Abe Schmucker hardly knew each other before filming. Raber's ex-wife - Naomi Stutzman - was even apparently offered "whatever she wanted" to not expose what she knew about Jeremiah that the show had hidden from viewers.

RuPaul's Drag Race has gotten better at hiding some questionable editing decisions

When it comes to the runways, the heartfelt stories, and the talent, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' is seemingly the real deal. However, this staple of the LGBTQ+ community isn't without its controversy. For one, the series has been known to edit confessionals to create certain narratives, with clips from different interviews spliced together to achieve this.

Though it's not so obvious now, it was clear to see in the early days of the series when contestants could wear whatever they wanted in confessionals. Several competitors have also spoken out against the show's producers. That includes Jaremi Carey, who claims they were goaded into saying things that would show them in a bad light.