Summary

• Reality shows are often accused of being fake, but some, like "Survivorman" and "The Last Alaskans," offer authentic portrayals of life.
• While shows like "The Great British Bake Off" aim for honesty, others like "Bridezillas" have faced criticism for misleading participants.
• Even though beloved reality TV shows like "Queer Eye" and "The Voice" have faced accusations of being partially staged, they still draw in viewers with their heartwarming content.

For the last 20 years, reality shows have progressively taken up more space on small screens, including The Real Housewives franchise, but some of them seem fake. Since there are so many willing participants and relatively low production costs, networks embraced the new format. Reality television is also shaping the way that viewers perceive the world, influencing politics and popular opinions.

Even though it's common knowledge that some reality shows are softly scripted or even staged, it's easy to enter into their fantasy worlds, and fun to discuss the cast and their conflicts.

These shows are often described as guilty pleasures, but they don't have to be. While histrionics and memorable sound bites fuel a lot of reality shows, many others try to offer genuine insights into unfamiliar milieus. Reality television is an arena for honest portrayals of everyday life and meticulously edited content. That's why it's sometimes hard to distinguish between real and fake reality shows.

The Most Fake Reality Shows

Some reality shows just don't seem real. Scandals erupt that seem to prove the fakery, or the scenes shown onscreen feature heightened drama that feels so histrionic. It's easy to get the proverbial "bad feeling" about the shows below:

Alaskan Bush People (2014-)

Alaskan Bush People brings the drama, but there are suspicions that there's more to this rugged series than meets the eye. The family are supposed to be out there roughing it, but they were spotted in Alaskan bars and hotels, sparking allegations that they don't really live in the woods (and off of the land). If they're faking it, their ruse has paid off.

The Brown family is famous, just like Sister Wives' Brown family.

The family's been grieving since patriarch Billy Brown ed away on February 7, 2021. His death was a heavy blow and the family has weathered other storms. For example, Billy and his son Joshua Brown got into trouble with the law due to alleged fraud. They were convicted of falsifying their application to access monies from a state fund. Their charge was a misdemeanor and each received a 30-day sentence.

While the family's controversial, a lot of people who fit that category make it big on reality TV. Viewers want emotional fireworks and the occasional dirty deed. So, it's no surprise that the Browns rose to fame and still claim the spotlight. While it may not be the most authentic reality show out there, it's interesting.

Storage Wars (2010-)

Storage Wars is an iconic series that entertains, but one of its former cast , the "Yup" man, Dave Hester, accused the show's producers of planting exciting items in lockers to boost the show's drama quotient. Dave and Storage Wars producers had a nasty legal battle but later made peace.

Dave, who'd left the show, returned - however, he was dealing with health issues. Now, in 2024, he's focusing on his auctioneer business, adorable pugs, and foodie activities.

Other cast have also made headlines. Brandi ante, who's looking skinny after breaking up with Jarrod Schulz, now has a new man. She seems very happy with her boyfriend, Clifford Beaver. Meanwhile, Jarrod's lying low - however, after the split, he did post a shot of him with a new woman.

The cast have also clashed onscreen. Dave, known as a wily and coldhearted instigator, drove the other cast berserk, to the point of sparking physical altercations. How did he work his black magic? He would keep bidding on lockers he didn't even want just to make them pay more. This show's fun - full stop.

Selling Sunset (2019-)

Selling Sunset is so LA - it's sun-soaked, decadent and steeped in money, glitz and power plays. Instead of the usual actor/server dynamic, a la Vanderpump Rules, the focus is on real estate. Sure, all the "rich people" homes seem to look the same after a while, with their plate glass windows facing the Hollywood Hills, but it definitely has a vibe.

Watching this is like being dipped in honey. It's so unrealistic as to be soothing.

So-called realtors (yes, they have licenses - this is just a bit of sarcasm) swan into the office in high glam regalia -these over the top fashion victims show major cleavage, sport some aspirational labels (Gucci, Vuitton...the usual), and wear too much makeup. It's fun. They get into catfights in front of their boss, ring a really loud bell, and generally spice up the usual real estate reality format with their antics. However, no one could call this dream vision of Los Angeles life real.

It feels fake and that's because it probably is. The conversations are straight out of Melrose Place. Women fight over men and listings. Men play the field. Sure, it's a good time, but if one wants gritty, "so real" entertainment, they should stay away from Selling Sunset.

Some conversations have all the veracity and depth of adult film dialogue, but hey, people watch adult films too, don't they?

Long Island Medium (2011-2019)

Stream now on Fubo & Discovery+

Long Island Medium documents the life and career of Theresa Caputo, a self-declared psychic. Caputo is best known for her spunky personality, voluminous blonde hair, and ability to speak with the dead. On her show, she often approaches strangers on the street to give them psychic readings.

Psychics are often met with criticism, and Caputo is no exception.

According to Daily Mail, private investigator Ron Tebo called her a:

"vulture preying on the most vulnerable."

Tebo claims that Caputo engages in "cold readings," which lead subjects into confirming vague statements. More than likely, Caputo has also left some once-adoring fans with the same impression. So, it's safe to say that the medium is probably not as omniscient as she would like fans to believe. However, Long Island Medium is still an entertaining reality show.

Naked And Afraid (2013-)

Stream now on Hulu & Discovery+

Naked And Afraid is a survival show in the vein of Survivor, albeit with an obvious twist. The show transports participants to exotic locations, strips them bare, and films them while they attempt to live off the land. However, several former contestants have revealed that Naked And Afraid is not as upfront as intended.

This bizarre adventure is supposedly heavily produced to breed conflict and create villains among the cast, and the production crew also supplies contestants with amenities that would not be available to them in the wilderness. Behind the scenes, they are handed prescription medication, tampons, and even vitamin B supplements.

RuPaul's Drag Race (2009-)

Stream on Hulu & Paramount+

RuPaul's Drag Race features contestants competing in drag. In a single season, they exhibit skills ranging from celebrity impersonations to lip-syncing. The show is best known for its fierce looks, snide comments, and incredible lip-syncs. Unfortunately, waistlines and contouring are not the show's only illusory elements.

According to a Vulture interview with former contestant Jaremi Carey, the show adds soundbites taken out of context to create storylines. Jaremi (Phi Phi O'Hara) returned to RuPaul's Drag Race because he was promised a redemption arc. Instead, he claims that producers were drumming up drama behind the scenes and goading him into saying things that would reflect poorly on him. Jaremi wasn't the only cast and crew member to call RuPaul's Drag Race a fake reality show.

The Real Housewives (2006-)

Stream now on Peacock

The Real Housewives is Bravo’s poster child reality TV show. The franchise follows affluent women from several different cities in the US in their day-to-day lives. In addition to going on frenzied shopping sprees and lavish vacations, the women argue over perceived slights and throw each other under the bus at every turn.

Although the show might depict a reality foreign to most viewers, it professes that all the interactions and relationships on the show are authentic. Curious onlookers who caught the New York cast filming in Southampton reported that the process looked like something you would find on a studio set. As per Jezebel, the cast would pause during their discussions to wait for camera set-ups and shoot multiple takes of the same "scene."

Basketball Wives (2010-)

Stream now on Bet+

Basketball Wives follows the lives of women married to prominent basketball players. Shaquille O'Neal's ex-wife Shaunie O'Neal and Doug Christie's wife Jackie Christie were among the show's cast. The series' women usually get into outrageous disagreements and come together in "ponderosas" to work things out. However, not everyone has been happy about their participation in the spectacle.

According to Complex, former cast member Matt Barnes said that participating in the show is his biggest regret. He revealed that the entire show is staged and scripted. Basketball wife Tanya Young backs up his claims. In a detailed article from The Daily Beast, Young explains how producers pit women against each other and sow discord within the group.

Bridezillas (2004-2020)

Stream now on WEtv & Hulu

Tying the knot is a monumental event in anyone's life, but the women on this show take getting married a step further. The brides-to-be often come across as demanding, spoiled, and stubborn. Bridezillas delivers on what the title promises. The most minor hiccups can knock the blushing brides off their rockers and provoke incredible reactions.

Not all brides have been pleased with the Bridezillas treatment. Per Salon, former participant Cynthia Silver says she was tricked into believing she was participating in a documentary titled Manhattan Brides. Additionally, according to Life & Style, Julia Swinton-Williamson, from the show's second season, had a similar experience and sued the show for misleading her.