Is That Show Real or Fake ?
Does Reality TV Exist Anymore?
Is it Really True TV or Fake Drama?
I'm a huge fan of reality TV, when I pick up the remote I completely skip over movies and sitcoms, I'm scanning for something from the world of real TV.
Many of us are entertained by the unscripted entertainment of reality television, but sometimes there might be one episode or a number of events that cause us to wonder "Is that TV show real or fake?".
I for one tend to loose interest when I realize that everything is scripted, after all, I'd like to believe that the real world drama is more entertaining than made up entertainment.
I decided to explore some of my favorite programs and some of the more popular shows on television to find out what's real or not. Do real TV shows simply deceive & trick the audience? Feel free to cast your vote in the polls, join in on the debate and have your say In the comments.
Images on this real or fake show page are in the public domain
The Jerry Springer Show
Over the top rowdy outrageous risqué are just a few of the words that come to mind for the Jerry Springer show. Typically guests will end up fighting each other over an existing issue or secret revealed on the show.
The show almost always begs the question can such an outrageous story be true, and if it was would the parties concerned really put it on national television? How likely is it that these confrontations would turn into physical altercations that not only start at the drop of a hat but also die and start again like a switch.
There's a lot to be said about what makes this show seem fake but the frightening part is the fact that it could actually be real!
Springer Show - truth or fraud?
What do you think, is The Jerry Springer show real or fake?
The Maury Show
Maury in the case of your show, "you ARE NOT" telling the truth!...or are you?
Paternity tests and lie detectors are a staple of the Maury show. The story changes but often the results are the same. If a female has been on the show with a failed paternity once chances are (no matter how much she says she is 110% certain this time he's the father) he isn't the father either.
Maury you made us believe your guests were real but our poles "detected that was a lie" ...or did they?
What do you say, is The Maury show real or fake?
The Steve Wilkos Show
We know the popular "Get the hell off my stage" - but is it all staged?
A number of guests come on this show accused of child molestation, abuse or some other serious moral vice punishable by law.
It's hard to believe that these guests often come on the show to take a lie detector to supposedly clear their name only to be proven guilty. Surely by now they know it's impossible to deceive a polygraph so why would they time after time go on television to prove their guilt? Seems unlikely, is it all just a script?
What are your thoughts, is The Steve Wilkos show real or fake?
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Catfish The TV Show
Is the show catfish really just "bait and switch"
Catfish the tv show definitely seems legit, two guys on a mission to help someone find out if their internet love is someone who is essentially real or fake, but is the show fake? On the surface it seems real, but some elements seem scripted.
The show presents itself as simply a project by two guys investigating a story, Nev does most of the investigation and Max records it all, so why is there at least one additional camera operator? That aside, it all seems true until someone who they are waiting to meet for the first time for instance shows up with a not so well concealed mike or some other snafu? These incidence make it seem at least slightly misleading, so it begs the question is it real?
The TV Show Catfish
What's your opinion, is Catfish the TV show real or fake?
WWE
Most of us know by now about props being used in WWE for the dramatic effect, but that aside is it mostly real? Is it only the story lines & scripts that are fake but otherwise it can be considered a true sport?
Are the moves and sometimes injuries real or is it simply a stage for choreographed moves and acrobatics? Can wrestling really be considered a sport or are we simply watching the performance of actors dancers and acrobats?
Wrestling
How do you feel, is WWE real or fake?
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Duck Dynasty
Is this show a Quack? If it's not real then it's just one for the birds.
The show would have us believe that despite the millions made on duck calls the men of duck dynasty live simple lives possibly not unlike the lives they lived before their fortune.
Well they sure look the part, but looks can be deceiving. It might seem a little Beverly Hillbillies, but are the for real?
What's say you, is Duck Dynasty real or fake?
Available for Download
Mermaids: The Body Found / The New Evidence
Is Mermaids The New Evidence or The body found real? We smell something fishy!
Title title seems false, but the fact that this is a documentary styled program aired by Animal Planet which appears to present evidence from experts and witnesses you can't help but pay a bit of attention.
Would animal planet present a documentary that's completely false, and even come out with a follow up claiming even more new evidence? Should we expect from them truth in programming?
What do you believe, is Mermaids 1&2 real or fake?
Coming up
Stay tuned, next we'll take a look at some more programs that sometimes seem misleading, deceitful, unrealistic or otherwise mostly untrue including Cheaters, Paranormal activity, Bar Rescue, Hell's Kitchen, Tabitha Takes Over, Real Husbands of Hollywood, Hotel Impossible, All Worked Up, The Legend of Mick Dodge, Love & HipHop, The Bill Cunningham Show, Bridezillas, Naked & Afraid and more.
What shows do you think are fake & why. What shows would you like to see listed here?
Interesting--I have long thought that these shows must be highly scripted--I am not at all sure that these shows could survive without that scripting though
I think Springer really set the bar extremely low (as far as how much reality there was), but also really high (as far as how much guaranteed drama there would be).
Even shows like the 'bachelor' and 'bachelorette' are highly scripted. Great hub and fun to read.
I hate to say this, but we don't watch television. I just stopped by to welcome you and say thank you for the following.
We've had Jerry Springer over here on commercial tv (as opposed to 'Auntie' BBC). Pandemonium. Someone thought it might be a good idea to put 'Judge Judy' on over here as well. A sort of reality show that smacks of variety.
'Big Brother' still has a large but shrinking following here. The format is stale, 'fly-on-the-wall' sort of stuff with the 'inmates' pairing off and the unpopular or miscreants being voted off. Cries of 'rigged' echo in the press, but no-one I know gives a stuff.
The rest don't get over here - maybe Down Under, although we have wrestling here that's more theatrical than real, with 'performing' names. We used to have more of it every Saturday on ITV with names like 'Big Daddy' (his real name was Shirley Crabtree) and 'Strangler' etc.
You could make more of this, add a few personal impressions - be caustic!
I have not seen any of these shows, but I do like Big Brother. I also like watching paranormal shows like Ghost Hunters purely for the entertainment and history. Do these count as reality TV?
Duck Dynasty is the only show on your list that I've watched. I've also read books by many of the Robertson family and, indeed, they have not forgotten their roots and appreciate everything they've gained along with their fame. Most importantly, God and family are in the forefront for them, always. Overall, I'd say most of these are probably more real than fake. You know what they say, truth is stranger than fiction!
I am not a big fan of reality TV because I do believe that most of it is fake.
There is nothing wrong with your selection, I just don't have television :) Sorry, I guess I should have mentioned that, but didn't think of it until you replied. Anything I see on these programs would be online. You picked popular programs so I think you'll get a good response.
I feel bad not being able to leave a better comment, but I have not seen these programs. However I did enjoy reading about them and your title is what brought me here, so well done :)
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