This article was originally published on TVBee
Beauty and the Geek
In an effort to bring a new kind of reality dating show onto our screens, The WB commissioned an idea created by the one and only Ashton Kutcher. Instead of focusing on two groups of incredibly attractive people, Beauty and the Geek gave goofy nerds the chance to win over the hearts of beautiful women. This new concept took the world by storm, and many hoped that such an experiment would work in real life. But would it?
Well, if the show is anything to go by, probably not. That's because much of Beauty and the Geek was actually fake. Some of the geeks were actors, and nearly all of the beauties were paid actresses.
American Idol
You probably don't need us to tell you that American Idol is still on our screens. In fact, it's still one of the most popular audition TV shows that this world has to offer. And while the fact that this show has been going strong since 2002 certainly stands for something, rumors of it being fake have come out of the woodwork over the years. Yes, apparently it's not as "real" as it seems.
Although some of the contestants on this show do audition of their own accord, some of the best singers the show has ever seen were actually scouted by talent scouts associated with the show.
Pawn Stars
Over the years, Pawn Stars has become so popular that lines of fans queue up outside the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas every single day. However, some would say that the result of this show is this tourist attraction, rather than a legitimate television show. That's because rumors have suggested that most of this show is scripted, and none of it is as natural as it seems.
In fact, producers apparently find people with the most unique items ahead of time - and the price of each item is decided between the producer and the customer before the cameras start rolling.
Dance Moms
Although the main reason people loved the Lifetime show Dance Moms was because of the dancing, there's no doubt about the fact that all of the catfights and confrontations made the reality show extra juicy. Every week there was a new drama, which made many fans beg the question; is it real? Well, while the dancing and the childhood excitement were all real, former cast members have stated that much of it was staged.
Producers reportedly set up many of the scenes we saw on our screens and made sure that all of the cast members were fighting or annoyed at each other. By doing so, they kept it interesting.
Cake Boss
If you've ever looking for a show that makes you crave cake and sweet treats, Cake Boss has got you covered. This show first came onto our screens in 2009, and we said goodbye to Buddy Valastro and the rest of the gang at Carlo's Bake Shop in 2020. And while fans assumed that this TLC reality show was all real, it seems as though it was more of an extension of the truth.
Apparently, Buddy Valastro doesn't even work in the cake shop - and only makes an appearance when the cameras are rolling. And as if that wasn't enough, some of the weddings mentioned on the show aren't real at all.
Hell's Kitchen
Once upon a time, Gordon Ramsey was just an ordinary English chef. But then Hell's Kitchen came along and changed all that. When Fox Network gave the chef the chance to scream and shout at fellow chefs in front of a kitchen full of customers, the show took off in a way that nobody expected. Today, Gordon is one of the richest TV chefs the world has ever seen. But that doesn't mean that Hell's Kitchen was real.
Insiders close to the show have confessed that much of each episode is actually scripted, and the "customers" we all see on the screen are actually paid actors who are tasked with making the show even more dramatic.
Judge Judy
Courtroom dramas can sometimes be intense and boring, which meant that Judge Judy perfectly filled a gap that many of us didn't even know needed filling. This reality show saw real-life people stand in front of the iconic Judith Sheindlin and hash out their problems in front of a televised courtroom. And it's safe to say that the show proved popular, as it was on our screens for over two decades.
And while the cases on this show were all real, it's been reported that Judy didn't conclude the case in real time. Instead, the outcome of each case is decided before the cameras start rolling.
Duck Dynasty
Who knew that a reality show about a duck-hunting family could be so entertaining? A&E probably didn't realize just how popular and famous Duck Dynasty would become when it first came onto our screens in 2012, but there's no doubt about the fact that fans fell in love with the bearded family. And while fans appreciated their rough-around-the-edges lives and personalities, it seems as though the Robertson family is totally different in real life.
According to reports, much of the drama we saw between this family was made up for the cameras - including their cursing! It's been rumored that producers added extra bleeps even when the cast wasn't cursing.
90 Day Fiancé
When TLC brought this new show to our lives, it was clear from the get-go that it was going to be popular. After all, how many other reality dating shows allow people to "import" a partner with the intention of marrying them before their tourist visa expires? And while some former cast members of this show maintain that this show is all real, others have come forward and stated that it's anything but.
Former cast member Jay Smith even claimed that TLC faked storylines about the couples - including the fake Tinder story - and that they just had to go along with it as part of their contract.
Ghost Hunters
There are two kinds of people in this world; those that believe everything on Ghost Hunters to be associated with the paranormal, and then the skeptics. Whatever category you fall into, there's no doubt about the fact that this show has become incredibly popular over the years. The Syfy series stayed on our screens for over a decade, but was it real? Or was it fake? Unfortunately, it was the latter.
According to insiders, most of the show was scripted and made to be as "paranormal" as possible. Plus, they reportedly use camera and sound tricks to make us think that what we're seeing is real.
Love Island
Most people love a reality dating show, and while Love Island could have easily gotten lost amongst the rest of the reality dating shows, there's no doubt about the fact that it has stood out from the crowd. Yes, it must have something to do with the fact that the ridiculously attractive contestants are always in swimwear! And while many couples from Love Island series' across the globe are still together, some of it is reportedly fake.
Producers heavily edit each episode to be as juicy as possible, and apparently much of the drama we see on our screens is manufactured and directed by those behind the scenes.
Restaurant Stakeout
There's nothing quite like watching someone dramatically get fired, right? Reality shows have been showing us this for decades, and Restaurant Stakeout was probably one of the best for giving us all what we wanted. This show saw Willie Degel attempt to give restaurants a new life by firing the awful staff, and the whole thing was dramatic on so many levels. Unfortunately, much of what we saw on our screens was totally fake.
Apparently, the producers screened each restaurant before they filmed to make sure there were enough bad employees to fire. Then, they even asked the staff to work poorly so that he'd have more of a reason to fire them.
Long Island Medium
There's something super interesting about things you don't really understand, and that's perhaps why Long Island Medium has proved to be so popular over the years. While viewers are in two minds as to whether they believe this medium really does have a sixth sense, Theresa Caputo entertained us all for almost a decade. However, there's no doubt about the fact that Theresa has been involved in scandal after scandal.
Her personal life aside, critics of Long Island Medium have suggested that Theresa is a crook. And they've even accused the medium of receiving personal information about her guests through an earpiece to make herself seem more authentic.
Toddlers and Tiaras
While some people found Toddlers & Tiaras extremely adorable and cute, there were other people who found this TLC show to be super weird and cringe-worthy. Seeing these young children dress up in fluffy dresses and tiaras for over-the-top pageant shows just didn't sit well with some people, especially as each episode was fraught with drama and arguments. But you might be happy to know that much of the show wasn't real.
Apparently, producers write scripts for certain parts of each episode to ensure that there's enough drama to keep viewers interested. So, the toddlers are basically just paid actors on the show.
Breaking Amish
TLC has the ability to bring new and unique shows into our lives. And while we never thought we'd need a show like Breaking Amish in our lives, we instantly fell in love with the concept and the cast. After all, it's not every day you watch traditional Amish youngsters head to New York for their rumspringa. Unfortunately, it seems as though Breaking Amish wasn't quite as real as we all thought it was.
Not only did producers add paid actors to the cast, but they also fabricated many of the storylines we saw. Former cast member Jeremiah Raber even stated that only "60%" of the show is real.
The Hills
Many people dream of being young and living in Los Angeles, and The Hills brought that dream to life. This MTV show followed the likes of Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge, and Heidi Pratt as they traversed their careers and turbulent friendships in LA, and there's no doubt about the fact that it was super juicy. The show was on our screens for six seasons and even spurned a spin-off show, but was it all fake?
Since leaving the show, Heidi and Spencer Pratt have come out of the woodwork with shocking claims. They stated that much of the show was scripted, and they even had to shoot their scenes multiple times to get the best shot.
Survivor
Do you remember when Survivor first came onto our screens? Well, this reality show has been entertaining viewers since the year 2000, and CBS seems to be doing something right. After all, the show is still going strong today - even though many former producers have come forward with claims that the show isn't as real as it seems. Although the contestants do have to live on a remote island, it's not as hard as it seems.
In the past, producers have admitted to using stunt doubles for the contestants on the shows. While this is to keep the contestants safe during the tough challenges, it still doesn't make sense.
Cribs
The reason celebrity-based reality shows are so popular is that we love getting an inside look into the lives of the rich and famous. And MTV Cribs gave us this. This show allowed us to walk inside the homes of some of our favorite celebrities and figures in the entertainment world, and we truly saw how the other half lived. But did you think that all of the houses seen on the show were the celebrities' real homes?
Apparently, they weren't! Sure, some celebrities welcomed us into their real abodes, but others rented fake cribs specifically for the show. One woman even sued the network when her house was leased for filming.
Keeping up With the Kardashians
Keeping Up With the Kardashians might not be on our screens anymore, but that doesn't mean that we've had to say goodbye to this family. The Kar-Jenners have since switched from E! to Hulu, and it seems as though they're even more famous than they were back in 2007. As the pioneers of reality television, this family has made billions of dollars from their reality show and their subsequent business dealings. But how much of it is real?
While almost all of the storylines on this reality show were real, there's no doubt about the fact that producers used heavy editing to make each episode as juicy as possible.
Last Comic Standing
Last Comic Standing might not be on our screens anymore, but fans of the show definitely have fond memories of it. After all, this show perfectly blended a reality show with comedy, and there's no doubt about the fact that it gave us all a laugh. And while you'd be forgiven for thinking that the judges decide who the last comic standing should be, it seems as though that isn't how it worked at all.
Not only did the producers choose who won the show, but they also edited the performances of some good comedians to make them look bad. That must have been a kick in the teeth for the comics.
Property Brothers
You can't fake property shows, right? Well, you might want to think again. Although you may have thought that adorable Canadian duo Jonathan and Drew Scott couldn't possibly fake a show like Property Brothers, it seems as though these real estate moguls switch up their process to make it more entertaining on our screens. This involves using nifty camera tricks, and multiple shots of the same scene to get the best one.
Not only do these brothers only renovate some of the houses they work on, but former homeowners have stated that they had to film exchanges countless times before it was eventually approved.
Southern Charm
When it comes to reality shows, there's no doubt about the fact that Bravo reigns supreme. As the brain behind the Real Housewives and Below Deck franchises, Bravo is full of popular shows - including Southern Charm. This show has been on our screens since 2014 and is still going strong today, and fans love to tune into the Charleston cast each week. But is any of this show real?
Well, apparently not. Former cast member Danni Baird has previously stated that many of their episodes were pre-scripted and that most of the people you see on your screens don't even live in Charleston.
The Voice
The Voice has led us to believe that fame and fortune aren't as far away as we thought, as this show gives regular people the chance to become singing superstars. But how regular are these people? Although some people do generally apply for the show and get the chance to sing in front of the judges, a former contestant has come forward to state that they didn't apply at all. Instead, they were approached.
As if that wasn't enough, producers apparently also have the final say on everything the performer does on the show, including the songs that they choose and their overall musical style.
Jersey Shore
It's amazing to think that we went so many years without the likes of Snooki or Pauly D on our screens, but Jersey Shore only came into our lives in 2009. This MTV show took the world by storm and fell in love with the drama and mess that followed the youngsters living in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. But it turns out that some of the show is actually incredibly fake.
In fact, a lawyer who worked close to where the cast filmed was quick to point out that all of their scenes were rehearsed and filmed over and over to ensure that they were perfect.
Naked and Afraid
The Discovery Channel has brought us amazing nature documentaries over the years, but they've also tried to dip their toe into the world of reality television. Their contribution? A show about naked people trying to live on a deserted island with very few resources at their disposal! Although Naked and Afraid sounds like a crazy concept, it's become extremely popular over the years. In fact, it's currently in its 15th season.
And while there's no doubt about the fact that these contestants are indeed naked, they're not as afraid as you'd think. That's because producers do actually provide them with basic necessities and luxuries, such as sanitary products.
The Apprentice
Before Donald Trump became one of the most infamous men on the planet, he was a profitable businessman - and that's exactly why he was asked to host The Apprentice. It was his job to find the next best businessperson to hire over a collection of tough challenges, and it was always fun for people at home to guess who he would be hiring next. However, it seems as though this wasn't an on-the-spot decision.
The firing scenes were highly exaggerated by the producers, and apparently, the person was decided way before the firing was filmed. They even knew that they were the ones getting fired!
Undercover Boss
Although many reality shows are dramatic and often negative, Undercover Boss offered something a little different. In this show, hard-working people were rewarded for their unwavering loyalty to their jobs - and that's the reason why so many people enjoyed watching it. And while many people at home couldn't understand how the boss didn't blow their cover, it seems as though there's a reason for that. Some of it is fake.
Some reports suggest that employees cottoned on to the fact that their boss was undercover, and others state that many of the promises made to the employees were all made up for the show.
The Simple Life
Before they both became moms and businesswomen, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie were dubbed as the "dumb blondes" of the Hollywood social circle. Famous for their rich parents and their wealthy lifestyles, The Simple Life followed these two as they attempted to live a simpler, normal life. The show was both hilarious and humbling for the pair, but Paris has admitted that the show wasn't as real as it seemed.
Although the girls did work on farms and cook their first-ever meals on this show, Paris has admitted that they exaggerated their personalities and reactions to make the show more interesting.
RuPaul's Drag Race
It's amazing to think that RuPaul's Drag Race has been on our screens since 2009. After all, it's like we don't remember life without it - but we also wish we had more of it! As the only popular drag show on television today, this show has given drag queens the chance to take the mainstream media by storm. And while we're sure that they appreciate this exposure, some former contestants have come out with some damning claims.
They claim that the producers intentionally get them upset or mad, and then heavily edit the episodes to make certain people look bad, while others are portrayed as the victim.
Catfish
Although Max has since left the show, Catfish is still going strong - and proving that you should never take "my camera is broken" as a legitimate answer! This MTV show has captivated viewers for years, as it follows people as they uncover the identities of their online lovers. And while the storyline of each episode is thought to be real, everything you thought about this show is actually fake.
Instead of being approached by those being catfished, the producers are reportedly approached by the catfishes themselves. Then, they restructure the chain of events to make it seem the other way around.
House Hunters
There's nothing more exciting than hunting for the house of your dreams, and so it made sense when HGTV made that concept into a show. House Hunters has been on our screens since 1999 and has so far seen 233 seasons and countless spinoffs. And while audiences have loved following couples and individuals as they have searched for their dream house, it seems as though it's not as real as you thought.
According to rumors, many of the people you see on this show have already bought their house by the time they're on the show. So, they fake the whole process.
Storage Wars
In 2010, A&E Network introduced us to a concept that we'd never thought of before; storage unit auctions. Storage Wars proved to us that when you don't pay your rent on a storage unit for three months, the unit is sold to the highest bidder - and there's always going to be a buyer. But when Dave Hester was fired back in season 12, he decided to reveal some home truths about the show.
He claimed that the show was all fake and that almost all of it was scripted. As a result, he was sued by A&E network and forced to pay over $120,000 in legal costs.
The Bachelor/The Bachelorette
From the romantic roses to the chaotic competitions and the dramatic declarations of love, you probably don't need us to tell you that both The Bachelor and The Bachelorette are textbook reality dating shows. These shows have captivated viewers for years, and fans find themselves sucked into every new season. And while it would be easy to assume that this show is all real, it seems as though it's not.
Apparently, both shows are scripted and the producers work extremely hard to not only create drama but then fabricate extra drama during the editing stage. Yes, the producers control everything.
Teen Mom
MTV has brought us some impressive shows over the years, and it's safe to say that Teen Mom is one of them. The moms on this show have shot to stardom after sharing their adventures of being young mothers, and various spin-offs have also made their way onto our screens. And perhaps one of the best things about this show was how real and raw it was. But it wasn't 100% real.
Although all of the storylines and the dramatic breakups shown on-screen were all real, it's been noted that the producers edit some of the scenes to make them seem even more chaotic.
Fixer Upper
For people who love interior design and DIY, HGTV has got you covered. This network is full of home shows that will get your creative juices flowing, and Fixer Upper is one of them. Hosted by Chip and Joanna Gaines, this show has become a worldwide phenomenon - and fans love watching the team fix up a house and transform it into a farmhouse-chic paradise. Unfortunately, it's not all real.
According to reports, the guests on the show have already bought their house when they're shown three potential options by the pair. Also, the team often only "fix up" certain rooms of the house - rather than all of them.
Divorce Court
If offered the choice of watching a rom-com or a dramatic reality show, there's a high chance that most people would go for the latter option. And that's exactly why shows like Divorce Court have become so popular over the years. This show made its way onto our screens in the 1950s and has since come back time and time again in different formats. But there's one thing we know for sure; it's not real.
Apparently, actors are paid to appear on the show - and they're tasked with making up a fake marriage with its own fake problems. Some are real, but most are fake.
The Real Housewives
When it comes to reality show franchises, none will ever come close to the fame and popularity of The Real Housewives. Created by Bravo, these franchises stem across the globe, from Beverly Hills to Dubai. And over the years, fans have fallen in love with their favorite cities and the cast members - including Teresa Giudice. But when Teresa was in the midst of legal troubles, she actually swore under oath that the show wasn't real.
The reality star claimed that everything we saw on the show was fabricated by the producers. And while some of the conversations are real, they're steered by those behind the cameras.
Big Brother
Big Brother is always watching... and that was certainly the case with CBS's Big Brother reality show. The idea behind this show was simple. The network placed strangers in a house under 24/7 surveillance and watched as they completed challenges and lived amongst each other. And while we didn't ever see a producer on our screens, it seems as though this reality was heavily influenced by those who were off-camera.
As the producers edited 24 hours of footage into hour-long episodes, they were able to create heroes and villains, and storylines that there pretty far removed from the truth. So, it's no wonder that fans loved how juicy the show was.
Vanderpump Rules
After reigning supreme on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Lisa Vanderpump couldn't give up the opportunity to have her own spin-off show that followed the lives of her staff at her SUR restaurant. Vanderpump Rules has since become one of the most talked-about reality shows on our screens today, but that's not to say that everything we see is completely true. Some scenes are fabricated and re-shot to perfection.
Apparently, many of the cast members don't actually work at SUR anymore. And when certain scenes showed inaccuracies in terms of the jewelry worn, it was clear that some scenes are shot many times.
Wife Swap
It's no secret that married couples often get stuck in a rut. They grow accustomed to their routine, they stop trying, and they circle around the same problems again and again. Wife Swap aimed to give married couples a new perspective on their relationships, and viewers loved watching this play out on their screens. And while this show has been rebooted countless times, it seems as though it's not real at all.
Apparently, producers meddled in the wife swaps so much that what the cast members later saw on their screens was a completely different storyline. Sometimes, they even hired people to play these married couples!