Reality TV Show Secrets That Will Change How You Watch TV

2 years ago

1. Producers Can Influence Decisions

Image Source / VultureOn those big shows where contestants pit against each other and get voted out or stay to the end, the producers can actually influence this decision. On shows like The Bachelor, you might think it's only the man looking for love who can decide which potential bae he wants to stay, but the producers can have a hand in it - because obviously, they'll want the more entertaining people to stay longer for ratings.

2. Some Seasons Can Be Filmed Straight After Each Other

Image Source / NetflixWhen you're tuning in to your favourite reality show and you have to endure that horrible year-long wait for a new season, you might be thinking the stars have waited that long to film, too. But actually, seasons can be filmed continuously back to back as though they never stopped - which makes it worse we have to wait so long for it when it's already done!

3. Security Can Be Very, Very Strict For Certain Shows

Image Source / ITVThis applies to those reality shows, like The Masked Singer, where identities need to be kept secret while the show is ongoing. This security applies to the contestants and staff, including not being allowed to use their phones in case they disclose any information, and can mean very strict protocols.

4. Makeover Show Budgets Can Be Huge

Image Source / POPSUGARWe love those reality shows where people get amazing home makeovers, but we all know how expensive DIY can get - so imagine doing a whole house to that standard! But even if you're already thinking the budget is huge, it's probably even bigger than you think. The designers responsible get paid the big bucks to do it, but most of it will go on the construction costs.

5. There Can Be An Alcohol Limit On Certain Shows

Image Source / DistractifyOn those shows where contestants are seen lounging or partying, like Love Island or Bachelor in Paradise, they're going to be drinking alcohol. And it makes sense why there would have to be a strict limit otherwise everyone would be off their face (but then again, that'd be fun to watch, surely?). Strict rules can be as specific 'two drinks per hour'.

6. Contestants Might Have To Re-Wear Clothes On Certain Shows

Image Source / Surrey LiveThe worst thing about this can be that it's usually cooking or baking shows where clothes have to be re-worn for continuity if episodes are filmed at different times. So all that sweat and stress that goes into cotton after slaving in a hot kitchen has to be then be re-worn. More of a reason to be a more tidy baker or cook!

7. Some Shows Might Provide Clothes For Contestants

Image Source / Showbiz Cheat SheetWhile baking shows make their contestants not only wear their own clothes, but wear them more than once, other shows are out here supplying a whole wardrobe to their contestants. For talent shows like The Voice, for example, contestants wear their own clothes on audition day but are then given a new wardrobe for performances after.

8. Producers Can Influence Pairings For Dance Shows

Image Source / Digital Spy

On big dancing shows like 'Dancing with the Stars', the contestants themselves and their dance partners actually have no say at all on who the dance pairs will be, or who they'd like to be coupled up with. It's the producers who decide all of that, which I imagine is based on either most or least chemistry (for laughs?).

9. Dating Shows May Not Show All Couples

Image Source / Women's HealthWhen you're watching a reality dating show, like Love is Blind, you might think you're seeing every single couple - which would make sense. But actually there can be couples on the show that you never get to see - and couples who actually find love and get engaged, too! This is because, if there is too much success with the engagements, producers won't have enough episode length to show every single one.

10. Some Contestants On Reality Shows Have No Idea What Time It Is

Image Source / Sky NewsAs you can imagine, on shows where contestants aren't allowed their phone, they can't just pull their phone out to check the time. But some shows also don't have clocks around, such as inside reality show houses or villas, so contestants have no idea what time it is. They can truly feel like they're in this secluded little bubble, with no sense of time or space.

11. The Rose Ceremony On 'The Bachelor' Is Influenced By Producers

Image Source / The RingerOnce again, producers of a reality show have a very big influence over the order of things - and with The Bachelor, that order of things is specifically the order of contestants on the rose ceremony. They will decide the order in which eliminated contestants will be rejected.

12. Some Contestants For Certain Shows Have To Meet A Very Strict Checklist

Image Source / Digital SpyThis can depend on the show, but it's very likely for shows where candidates are chosen for personal reasons, like Queer Eye candidates who are chosen to have their makeovers. They have to meet a very huge checklist about who they are and why they should have a makeover, or the requirements needed.

13. Very Short Episodes Can Take Hours And Hours To Film

Image Source / The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionWhen you're watching a 30-minute episode, you might think that they take that long to film - maybe an hour tops with bits edited out. But actually very short episodes can take over half a day to film, maybe around 10 to 14 hours just for a half-hour episode. That's the amount of footage that can be cut!

14. Private Investigators Can Get Involved For Potential Reality TV Contestants

Image Source / Variety

When contestants for certain shows, like The Bachelorette, get to a certain stage of the audition process where things start to get a little serious based on checks like psychological and personal life, private investigators can even get involved to double check things, like who their friends are and their history.

15. There Might Be Some Extra Judges You Don't See

Image Source / The SunOn some shows that require the expertise of judges, such as cooking shows like 'Top Chef', you might not see all the judges involved. This usually happens if the judges you see on screen actually can't make a decision and they need another input, so they might turn to another elected judge to help them with the decision.

16. Some Shows Pay Contestants Weekly Rather Than A Lump Sum

Image Source / Hertfordshire MercuryWhile most reality shows pay contestants a set sum for taking part in a show, separate to any money they may win, some shows can get paid per week. Especially those shows that have contestants being voted out every week, they can get paid week by week based on how long they've been there.

17. Families Looking For Their Dream Home On 'House Hunters' Are Already Far Along In The Process

Image Source / GQWhen you're watching a reality TV show about people searching for their perfect property, you might think they're starting from scratch and then going through the whole process on the show. But actually, people who appear on the show are already far along in the process to the point where they're pretty sure which home they want to go for.

18. Rehearsals For American Idol Can Be Harsh

Image Source / Rolling Stone

The contestants performing on the singing show American Idol actually have a very non-stop rehearsal process. As soon as elimination on a Thursday for one week was over, the remaining contestants would pick their songs and start recording them straight away. They then continue rehearsing for the whole weekend, and then three more times for the Tuesday.

19. The Masked Singer Contestants Can Choose Their Own Costumes

Image Source / TellyMix

One key feature of The Masked Singer, of course, is the iconic outfits that each singer has to use as a disguise. Where you might think this is one thing producers would have a hand in, the singers actually do have a say in what costume they want to wear. It might not be the choice of absolutely any of them, but they could make a decision out of two or three.

20. The Bachelor In Paradise Days Can Be Very Long Work Shifts

Image Source / Entertainment WeeklyWatching The Bachelor in Paradise, you might think the crew get to spend their days lounging in the sun - but they can have very long working days. For example, the bartender for the show works a full 8/9 hour shift, and then may have to come back for an evening shift if there's a Rose Ceremony that evening, too.

21. Staged Homes On Makeover Shows Can Include Personal Items From The Stagers

Image Source / BBCWhen you see those amazing staged homes on makeover shows, you might assume that every single item featured is bought brand new, but actually some stagers use their own personal items that haven't been bought new to put in the property to stage the room or home. This could be personal furniture items or accessories that they own.

22. Huge Reality Shows Require NDAs

Image Source / Digital SpyBig reality shows like Keeping Up With the Kardashians require an NDA for every single person who appears on the show, not just the main cast. Kris Jenner is so strict about this she even apparently has a stack of NDA documents ready by the door to give to people. Despite being strict, it does make sense!

23. Some Reality TV Challenges Can Be Discussed Before They Start

Image Source / The New YorkerFor those adrenaline-packed TV shows like Survivor, teams are given challenges to complete and it's made to look as though they're told what the challenges are with no prior knowledge and then sent on their way. But actually contestants know about the challenges before they start, and are even allowed to discuss strategies beforehand.

24. The Oppenheim Group Isn't Just The People You See On The Show

Image Source / YahooSelling Sunset is one of the biggest reality TV shows out there, and you might think that the only real estate agents that work for the group are the main women you see in the office. But actually there are more people you don't see that work for the Oppenheim Group, including men, who we never see on the show.

25. There Can Be Very Long, Awkward Silences During Camera Set-Ups

Image Source / InsiderFor shows like Shark Tank, contestants walk into the room and stand in front of judges and get into it straight away. But, in reality, there might be a long, awkward period where they walk in and have to stay silent until the camera crew can set up properly, and then they can speak. So they have to endure a long silence just staring at each other.

26. Auditions For The Voice Actually Have Several Days Of Rehearsal

Image Source / Digital SpyWhen you're watching a talent show, you see the contestant nervously waiting backstage and then walk on to perform in front of the judges for the first time. You might think this is the very first time they walk on that stage - like I did - but apparently that's not the case! For The Voice specifically, contestants get to prepare and rehearse for several days, working with the band and wardrobe, before they do that 'first' audition!

27. The Team On Reality Show 'The Amazing Race' Is Absolutely Huge

Image Source / Network TenWhen you think about it, The Amazing Race is going to need a huge team based in all the worldwide locations, rather than just one studio. But it might be even bigger than you first thought. The team on The Amazing Race consists of over 2,000 people! This includes the people responsible for setting up the race and working out the logistics.

28. Producers Of Dance Shows Have Final Say On The Song Choice And Theme

Image Source / Entertainment WeeklyOn shows like Dancing With the Stars, you might think the contestant and their partner choose which song they'd like to do and what theme they'd like to have. But - once again - it's the producers' opinions that count. They have the final say about the song choice and theme, even if it's not the one the dancers wanted.

29. On Food Dates, Nobody Eats

Image Source / Entertainment TonightOn dating shows like The Bachelor, you'll often see pairs going on one-to-one dinner dates, at a table with plates of food. But they don't eat any of it! This is because they don't want viewers having to watch people eat, as well as listen to the chewing sounds on the microphone. What a waste of food!

30. The Pod Dates In 'Love Is Blind' Last For HOURS

Image Source / Netflix

Love is Blind sees first dates happening in an enclosed (yet cozy-looking) pod where two people will talk for a bit. But, what can seem like a short amount of time on screen is actually hours and hours for each date. Some of the dates can last for around four or five hours - which might not be so bad when you're out on a real life date, but sat in a tiny pod for that amount of time with nothing else to do is painful.

31. Sometimes we don't even see all of the exciting stuff

Image source/ The everygirlThe process has to be very rigorous when it comes to deciding what material makes the cut in a series. And even if there are multiple exciting parts, if it has been shows once the rest may be cut. For example, in Love is Blind not all the engagements are shown.

32. Producers decide who stays and who goes

Image source/ BustleSometimes on dating shows such as the Bachelor, the choice of the Bachelor seems shocking and not what we expected them to do. This may because they actually did not decide who stayed. The producers influence these decisions based on what will create the most views and drama.

33. Some castings happen a year in advance!

Image source/ YouTubeCasting is so important because who is on the show makes the difference between a successful and unsuccessful show. So, the casting process is probably longer than you think. For some shows, the cast are chosen a year in advance to ensure they secure the best people.

34. Some people are chosen for being the WORST

Image source/ YouTubeWhen you watch some talent shows you may wonder how some people made it through the casting process when they are completely terrible. But producers prefer to pick the very best...and the very worst. This is what adds the most entertainment, rather than those in-between.

35. Prize money is not given all in one chunk

Image source/ BillboardOn shows such as Love Island America's Got Talent the money may not be transferred immediately, or all in one go. Instead, the money will be transferred over a period of time in smaller chunks. This is for a variety of reasons as well as helping the winner to better manage their money.

36. On renovation programmes they keep everything you see!

Image source/ YahooWell, this isn't the true in all cases. In fact some programmes used to remove some of the pieces after the show. But on Property Brothers, whatever you seen shown on the show, the home owner gets to keep. Right down to the added furniture and extra artwork and details.

37. It's not all down to the public vote

Image source/ YahooWhen it comes to talent shows the contestants are chosen by the public. Or so we thought. It turns out that in some shows the producers still have an influence over who stays and who goes. This is usually in the case of a public vote tie when a decision has to be made.

38. Contestants have their own filming team

Image source/ CBS newsIf you've watched Amazing Race, you may have wondered who gets the footage. The contestants on the show have their own filming team who follow them wherever they go so that they can capture their every move, things which could not be documented if the contestants had to film themselves.

39. Producers encourage couples not to break up

Image source/ distractify.comIn some reality dating shows, producers do not want coupled to break up because viewers want to see the couple. On Love is Blind, producers would strongly suggest that couples, especially popular couples, do not break up and that they at least remain together until the altar.

40. Contestants get 'freshened up' a lot

Image source/ YahooTo make TV, producers always want people looking best so contestants are always taken back stage to hair and makeup for a freshen up and a quick touch up. For example on The Masked Singer, before the big reveal the celebrity is taken back stage for quick changes before they go back out on stage.

41. Sometimes contestants can use their own equipment

Image source/ The cheat sheetOn some competitive shows, contestants are sometimes allowed to being their own equipment from home rather than using the ones provided on set. For example, on 'Chopped' constants can bring their own knives from home so that they can work with their preferred equipment.

42. There are a lot of pauses and blank space

Image source/ GlamourWhile what we see is a continuous roll of action and drama with the occasional dramatic pause, the reality is much different. On certain programs, for example, Love Island USA, the contestants have to leave huge gaps in-between what they are saying. This is so the editing team can cut things, and still have the dramatic pause.

43. They reshoot lots of 'real' scenes

Image source/ CBSReality shows should really, according to their title, be simply showing us what exactly happened. Well, that's not entirely the case. While the producers like to keep the show as natural as possible, there are scenes which are asked to be reshot so that they can hear or get a better angle etc.

44. Editing makes things look a LOT different

Image source/ Hidden RemoteWhile we think we see what really happens, the power of editing makes things appear very different. For example, things can be cut and played at different times to make something that could have looked reasonable, completely different. It can portray people in exactly the way producers like.

45. A lot of the words are actually words of the producers

Image source/ vivamodernaWhen we hear the contestants or people on the reality show talk, we assume they are words from their own mouths. But producers they will ask them a question but when the star answers, they will ask them to answer in full so that it makes sense even when their part in the conversation is edited out.

46. The producers ask very leading questions

Image source/ screenrantBut more than that, the questions are far from neutral. So when you think somebody is giving a very opinionated answer or talking about somebody else, it is probably because the producer asked about it. These questions are as leading as 'wasn't Sean horrible to Tracey last night'.

47. Some personas are created just for TV

Image source/ popsugarWhen we see reality TV, there are never mild people - the kind of people you meet in everyday life. Instead, there are usually very extreme kinds of characters. A lot of these are personas that have been created for TV. For example, Gordon Ramsey when he is not being filmed is a totally different person to when he is because it creates TV interest.

48. Producers use some questionable tactics

Producers on some shows use tactics which we would not think were even allowed. For example, on TailDaters a couple were having a date which was going steadily well. So, producers took him out, talked to him and gave him some drinks so that when he returned to the date he was acting totally different to how he initially had been.

49. Some dating contestants are not even single

Image source/ bravoOn dating shows you would assume that all of the people you see are single, however that is not the case. The producer on Millionaire matchmaker admitted half of the girls you see in the room were actually in relationships. They have been asked to participate regardless of their relationship status.

50. Some 'real' people are paid actors

Image source/ YouTubeWhen you watch reality tv the assumption is that these people are exactly that, real, not actors. But on some reality tv shows for example, Pawn Stars, have paid actors on the show. So some people on the show are paid to act a certain way, or cause extra interest.

51. Producers sometimes use hunger and exhaustion as a way to make drama

Image source/ feelingthevibeSometimes the contestants are so hungry and tired that it fuels arguments and disagreements that would not usually have arisen. For example, in The Bachelor a lot of the drama moments where the contestants blow up seemingly perhaps over nothing, is because they are purposefully shooting when people are at their lowest.

52. 'Sob story's' are required

Image source/ essenceSob story's have become an essential in USA reality competitive tv shows. In fact, if you don't have one then the producers might just make you up a whole new backstory as they do on American Idol. This is a way to create extra sympathy and interest from the viewers.

53. The food was cold before it arrived to the judges of Top Chef

Image source/ napatruffleOn Top Chef there was an issue with the food going cold before it was served to the judges while they were getting the perfect food shots. After judge Tom Colicchio complained the contestants now have to make two dishes so that one can be used for the shots and one can be tested by the judges.

54. Some reality TV is dangerous

Image source/ it.dplaySome reality TV is dangerous to those involved. For example, on Man Vs. Food the concept revolved around eating as much as possible during the food challenge within a set time. However Adam Richman could no longer be insured and he had to stop for health reasons because it was so unhealthy.

55. The producers ask people to take on certain personas

Image source/ popsugarIf everyone was lovely on reality TV then producers would not have the dramatic show that they hoped for. And, this is what viewers tune in to see. So, producers ask people to take on certain personas. For example, somebody may asked to act the 'mean girl'.

56. They coach people on how to act 'real'

Image source/ glamourProducers coach people on how to act during their shows. This is very ironic considering reality tv is supposed to be about real people showing their actual selves. But in certain shows, producers will coach people on how to act real when they deem certain reactions 'fake'.

57. Reality TV shows contain paid actors

Image source/ kissnewsWhile we now know that reality TV contains a lot of falseness, some shows take this to the extreme. On Family Jewels, almost everybody is a paid actor. Which, surely means that it has to be considered as a soap opera or some kind of tv drama - rather than a reality tv show.

58. Producers spread rumours

Producers really will use any methos possible to create drama. Sometimes on reality tv shows they start spreading rumours to cause drama and create fights between those involved. Especially if things are what they would consider too calm. This tactic is used on RuPaul's Drag Race.

59. They are told what to talk about

You'll have noticed in reality shows that they always seem to be focusing on the right topics at the right time, for example, when that person is about to walk in. The reality stars are told what to talk about. For this reason, you never catch them talking about random topics such as how the weather is or what they ate for tea the night before.

60. Some reality TV is totally scripted

Image source/Reality TV is not exactly reality tv at all. The Hills is what is called 'soft scripted'. This is where they are told what to talk about but they are not told exactly what to say. However, in Total Divas it is completely scripted so contestants are told exactly what to say.