First, we found out that pro wrestling was fake, and now they tell us that reality shows are way more scripted than we realized. Why? Because entertainment (and ratings) can’t be left up to chance. Here are some behind-the-scenes stories.
PROJECT RUNWAY (Bravo, 2004–08; Lifetime, 2009-present)
Premise: In this show hosted by model Heidi Klum, aspiring fashion designers compete to create the best new clothing line. Story: The judges send a contestant home at the end of each episode, but critics charge that it’s not the least talented one who gets booted, but the least entertaining. The proof, they say, is in the closing credits, which contain a disclaimer that says that the final decisions are made by the producers—although during the show, the judges make it sound like it’s their decision. “Project Runway has separated itself as the most shameless of all the reality shows in keeping around contestants who have no business being there just because they ‘make good TV,’” said Entertainment Weekly’s Dalton Ross.
Even some of the “real” moments are faked. One morning, Season 2 contestant Diana Eng woke up to find a camera staring her in the face. “They scared me so bad I jumped and screamed. They said that it wasn’t good enough, so I had to pretend to wake up again.”
AMERICAN IDOL (Fox, 2002-present)
Premise: Hoping to land a recording contract, amateur singers compete before a panel of judges. Viewers call in to vote for their favorite performer; whoever gets the fewest votes is off the show.
Story: After Season 8 contestant Ju’Not Joyner was voted off, he said of the show: “It’s a fixed thing if I ever saw one”—referring to how the producers had labeled him a troublemaker after he called the show’s contract a “slavetract.” He also wouldn’t let the show do a story on how he grew up in “the ’hood.” Ju’Not said, “They wanted me to put that out to the world and expose my personal business for ratings. I wouldn’t do it.”
World’s most famous people, according to a U.K. poll of kids: 1) Simon Cowell, 2) God, 3) the Queen.
HELL’S KITCHEN (Fox, 2005-present)
Premise: Aspiring chefs compete against each other in a working restaurant; one contestant is eliminated at the end of each episode. The winner—chosen by chef Gordon Ramsay—receives a coveted job as head chef at one of Ramsay’s restaurants.
Story: Part of the premise is that the participants work long days and are cut off from the outside world, but many of the show’s contestants have complained that they were treated like prisoners. “They locked me in a hotel room for four days,” said Jen Yemola, a 2007 competitor. “They took all my books, my CDs, my phone, any newspapers. I was allowed to leave the room only with an escort. I couldn’t talk to my family.” The production crew are also under strict orders not to interact with them. Contestant Jessica Cabo said, “The only person I ever felt close to was the sound guy, because he was sticking a microphone up my shirt every day.”
AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL (CW, 2003–present)
Premise: In this show created by supermodel Tyra Banks (who’s also the lead judge), young women compete for a modeling contract.
Story: The rules make it clear that the contestants must not have previous experience as a model in a national campaign, and they can’t be friends of Banks. That’s why viewers complained in 2007 after Saleisha Stowers, 21, won the crown over fan favorite Chantal Jones, 19. For one thing, Stowers appeared in a Wendy’s commercial a year earlier (she says she was acting, not modeling). In addition, when she was 14, Stowers attended a “self-esteem camp” hosted by Tyra Banks. Then word got out that over the years, Stowers had modeled at several functions where Banks was present, including once on her talk show. Her rival, Jones, said, “I looked like an amateur because I am. Saleisha wasn’t exactly an amateur.”
Ever notice how reality-show contestants say, “I’m not here to make friends,” and then later they all talk about how they’ve become such good friends? Turn to page 341 for more unreal reality stories.
De fence budget: The U.S. spends about $203 million dollars per year on barbed wire.