AIBU to think that programmes like these are fake?

[FollyTrolly]

Just started watching this www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04fd8ns/britains-compulsive-shoppers and it just seems unplausible. Are they actors there?

It reminds me of a similar one on Channel4 I think where an earth mother type lady claimed that she drinks her own urine. That was just jokes.

But BBC?

[SinglePringle]

They are not actors. TV has strict guidelines about such things and if a production company is found to have faked aspects of the programme then they are heavily heavily fined by OFCOM.

A further repercussion is that the Broadcasters would then refuse to commission other programmes from them, meaning they'd no longer get any business and would go to the wall.

There are rigorous casting procedures for contributors and fakes (people putting it on) wouldn't be likely to be able to withstand it.

Actors just aren't used.

TV producer here...

[dancestomyowntune]

two of the women on that particular show are known to a friend of mine. sadly they are not faking it.

[catgirl1976]

Slightly different, but I moved house recently and the place I was storing my stuff whilst between houses was being filmed for the UK version of storage wars.

The guy running the place told me they turned up with a lorry full of stuff, placed in a unit, locked it and then started making the programme

Totally fake

My faith in humanity was ruined! :)

[SinglePringle]

It won't have been totally fake for the reasons stated above. I've been making these programmes for neigh on 20 years.

There will have been a reason - the stuff will have been owned by the contributors or similar.

Faking just isn't worth the while of the production company. The guy who owned the storage unit won't have known the full story.

[UnderCurrent]

So pringle are you saying programmes like Jeremy Kyle are real? I always assumed some of them must be actors. If I ever catch part of a programme it always seems to involve a DNA test. Surely there can't be that many men in the country who want to learn they're a father on national telly.

[SinglePringle]

Absolutely real. No actors. It's just not worth it to the producer or production company.

If a producer knowingly engaged an actor, they'd never work again (we are nearly all freelance) and a production company would lose that and other commissions. By law (OFCOM are overseen by the government and can impose hefty fines) television production companies and broadcasters are not allowed to knowingly mislead the audience - faking would be taken very seriously.

[gentlehoney]

SinglePringle, if the programmes don't use actors, why are the roles often advertised in "Star Now"? and why do we see the same people in different reality shows with supposedly different names and circumstances?

[itsbetterthanabox]

They are real.
There are people with all kinds of issues and conditions out there.
If you use actors you have to pay them!
If it got out that they faked a documentary on a mental health disorder especially on the BBC there would be outrage. These things are meant to be a help to those struggling who watch them.

[Aeroflotgirl]

That woman spending £££ on designer stuff and being 7k in debt , I thought my designer spending was ott, I spend what I am and always broke but not in debt.why is she still spending, when she is in debt and her parents encourage it and don't see it as a problem. I could not part with 4k for a bag let alone money not my own. I expect her parents will help her pay it off, they seem very wealthy.

[Andrewofgg]

Mr Desai, Prime Minister of India I forget when, drank a glass of his own urine every morning (known as a Desai cocktail) and lived to an enormous age. Each to their own!

[SinglePringle]

Sites like Star Now get used to advertise it's true. But anyone who applies via that site (or from seeing a flyer or being approached on the street) still have to go through the same casting process. By using such a site, you know any potential contributors are at least interested in beig on TV but they still have to fulfil the criteria for being on the show.
Background checks will be done, they'll be passed by the channel (and lawyers) and if their story fits the programme, then they stand as good a chance as any of taking part.

[WaffleWiffle]

As an aside, I believe that Storage Hunters is made up and uses actors. My DH loves the show

[SinglePringle]

It's not made up and doesn't use actors. For all the reasons stated above b

[OnIlkleyMoorBahTwat]

I always thought that Secret Eaters had to be fake because surely no one is dim forgetful enough to claim that they never overeat, snack or stuff their face like the participants in the show, only to be totally baffled when they confront them with the evidence .

[DownstairsMixUp]

I always think the people that sell the cars on wheeler dealers are fake.

[YouTheCat]

The people might not be fake but the situations/scenarios are manipulated and loosely scripted. Plus all these programmes are cleverly edited.

Can't be bothered with any of them these days and have no respect for anyone who'd think it is a good idea to be on one either.

[Fuckalella]

Unfortunately I think they are mostly real. On This Morning last year there was a girl and her partner who drink their own urine - she used to be in my class at school!

[Mrsjayy]

catgirl the american storage wars are fakes too lovey the bald headed guy was auditioned to take part he used to be a comedian its all staged I was gutted when I read it, no they are not fake my sister could have been on that programme no problem her shopping and spending is very very ott

[gentlehoney]

An example of an established actor who is clearly acting in umpteen reality shows because his situation and details vary in each one.....www.starnow.co.uk/grahamp

It is so easy to check out someone's background that I find it hard to believe that nobody bothered to find out if it was an act or not, and it is offensive to the actors who are hired to play a part to imply that they are duping the producers.

It is only light entertainment, and it doesn't really matter, but lets not pretend the people and situations are always "real"

[ProfYaffle]

Singlepringle I get that Uk programmes are regulated but is it the same in the States? There are some American 'reality' shows I find very hard to believe. There was one called something like 'World's worse tenants' and it was sooo stilted and wooden I can't believe it was a genuine fly on the wall documentary.

[gentlehoney]

Oh dear. I cant get the link to work, so this is copied from the "Star Now" page for Graham Winston-Peters.



QUOTE...
Graham WINSTON-PETERS
London, United Kingdom
Actor, Model, Musician, Dancer, Film & Stage Crew, Photographer
I am an award winning television actor and member of Equity .I am very confident and multifaceted , outgoing and totally at ease in front of the camera . I have played many varied acting parts/ roles and have appeared in top rated ITV and BBC TV programmes such as ASHES TO ASHES ,LUTHER, EASTENDERS,...
more
The Interceptor , 2014 BBC. 'The Dr.'s Dinner Party' BBC1 2014 ,Winter Wonderland (Lead role as Santa) , Babylon ( Police criminal investigator) , Paddington Bear The Movie , Silent Witness (Darren Mournsey) , Law and Order UK ,Whitechapel, (character Harry Barnett) , 2013 ,Surviving In Da Hood ,( 2013 feature film) ,LUTHER 3 , BBC1 ,2013, Britains crappest criminals , Channel 4 ,Featured role as a Russian armed agent , acting with Catherine Zeta Jones and Bruce Willis in RED 2 ,HUNTED , BBC1 (Featured club bouncer) ,Lead role as 1940's gangster Vinnie in 'The Card Game' , 'The Councilor' , 2012 , CUCKOO , BBC3 , (Featured role), Best uk programme pilot show 2012 award , NEWTON'S LAW , (Lead role) ,Lead role as detective in thriller 'Flipbook' 2012 ,Royal Television awards BBC , Best actor nomination for performance in 'JESSE' . MAYDAY , BBC1 , 2012 ,'RUSH' 2012 , Featured role in new BBC1 prime-time drama series NEMISIS ,2012 .Lead role as superhero 'Blade' in feature for Danish tv , Sky advert as footballer , NABIHA , (Featured role) 'Never Played The Base' , The Sweeney , (police) ,JESSE ,2011 , leadrole playing Elvis Presley .Law and Order UK ,Luther 2 , BBC , (Featured character ,Porn Mr.Big 'Sweetpea'),Tesco advert , 2010,Kill Keith , Dying To Be Famous[feature film] ,Romeo Is Dying (feature film) ,Brightstarr viral , My Family , BBC1 , The Scum That Rises BBC3 , HOLBY CITY , MINDER, MIDSOMER MURDERS XII ,Hotel Babylon BBC July,Corporate video shoot, July 2oo8,LITTLE SOLDIERS , ITV1,HARRY POTTER , Channel 4,THE BIRTHDAY, THE BILL ITV,May 2oo8 [gangster] ,Wedding TV ,feature part ' Outnumbered , series 2 , BBC1 THE BILL , ITV (security) ,Talking To The Dead, Midsomer Murders XI ,Itv,MENS HEALTH WEEK , C4, guest, Lead role in ITV news reconstruction of large murder case,playing the part of STEVE WRIGHT. 2oo8,Big Brother Celebrity Hijack , {guest speaker} The Bill ,ITV (Night club bouncer),November 2007 ,I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here-Now , (guest speaker) , November 2007 , Property Boot Camp with James Max from THE APPRENTICE , November 2007 ,Balls Of Steel , Channel 4 , ,MIDSOMER MURDERS XI -midsomer life , November 2007 , ITV ,High maintanence wives , Channel 5 , October 2007,BBC Media film [playing the role of a TV producer] , September 2007 ,MIDSOMER MURDERS , 'Left For Dead' ITV, Sept 2007,'ASHES TO ASHES'BBC1,Featured role as Eastend cocaine dealing gangster ,Telstar,2007, BBC1August 2007 ,Lead role in 'THE HYDE CONSPIRACY , ,THE REAL HUSTLE , BBC3 ,Lead role in 'Confessions of a mobile cleaner ', SKY , July 2007,Catwalk Dogs ITV ,Eastenders BBC1, playing a relative of the MITCHELL family in 3 different episodes,June 20O7,The Heavy ,feature film starring Vinnie Jones . The Bill , ITV 2OO7,,HONEST starring Amanda Redmond, ITV 2007, MIDSOMER MURDERS, We seek him here , 2007. Hanrahan Investigates, channel 5, Pictures of Innocence (Midsomer Murders)ITV Nov 2006. Various student films. Cast as lead in Ultimate Blunders 2006 . Heroes & Villains film 0ct 2005. BBC docu-drama Elisabeth David , Eve's Demons feature film, co starring role. 'The Salesman' cable channel ,2007 ,
Honour or Valour. (World War 2 Drama). Friends and lovers C4.The Looky Likey Show ITV, also featured in several pop videos including The Feeling 'Never Be Lonely' and 'Love it when you call' , . Hidden camera show (Bravo)Aug 2006 ). Midsomer Murders ITV (The Axeman Cometh)Sept 2006.
Modeling
Modeling experience: Part-time model - paid commercial work
Feature with my wife IVY PINK in Trinny & Susannah 'Great British Bodies' with feature in THE RADIO TIMES , June 2oo8 .I have also been a model for MEN'S HEALTH and fashion.Many articles wrote in national newspapers THE SUN , THE TIMES and NEWS OF THE WORLD , Sunday Mirror , The Voice, and for my perfomance as 'Santa Claus' at Europe's Biggest shopping centre WESTFIELD at Shepperds Bush i had fantastic comments in major newspapers.I am confident , well spoken and extremely entertaining always giving totally reliable work to every project undertaken.
Music
Vocal ability: Lead singer Like to join a band: No
Vocal range: Mezzo-Soprano
Singing styles
Pop
Favourite genres
Pop
Rock
Country
Influences: Elvis Presley

Runner up in a South London singing competition 2008 , featured in The Feelings pop video's 'love It When You Call ' and 'Never So Lonely' . appeared on ITV's 'Who Dares Sings!' and sung in front of 6oo people in a top night club in Amsterdam in an Elvis tribute concert.Karaoke singing champion .Currently to be seen in the new SCOUTING FOR GIRLS video no.1 hit 'This Ain't A Love Song].I play the part of a very angry groom who loses his flight at a busy airport . Special radio slot guest speaker on RAY D'ARCY national Irish radio and BBC's Steve Nolan show .I also have recently appeared on ITV's THIS MORNING talking about reality tv .Special guest with my wife Ivy on BBC radio Birmingham in April 2010.Ivy and myself were guests on LBC radio in April 2011 . Appeared with 'BANG ON' and 'WILL YOUNG' on pop videos and feratured on 'KAP BAMBINO' hit . Appointed Judge in high profile music show in London's West End and had rave reviews .
TV & Reality
Bring Back The Magic (Christmas Day) as 'Graham & Ivy' , This Morning , ITV1 ( Graham & Ivy , studio guests) , The Alan Titmarsh Show ' Special guests 'Graham & Ivy' ITV1 , 2013 ,'Big Brother's Bit On The Side' {Guest speaker} ,ULTIMATE WEDDINGS , 2011 ,IF IT's BROKE FIX IT .(winner) , with Craig Phillips from BIG BROTHER ,The X-factor (Sofa pundit family),Olivia Lee Show,Rob Brydon Show , BBC2 ,Four Weddings [Winner] 2010,BRITAIN'S EMPTY HOMES , BBC1,Gutted ,COACHTRIP Series 3 as 'Graham & Ivy' , Channel 4 ,Wogan's Perfect Recall , BBC1 ,Pants off dance off , MTV,A1 , The road musical , Channel 4 , SEX and MONEY , [special guest] , KINKY CLEANERS , Lewis , ITV 2oo8, ITV, Who Dares Sings! , ITV ,Trinny and Susannah , The Great British Body , ITV ,Celebrity Mr& Mrs ,HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIAGRA , Virgin1 , ITV ,Million Dollar Wedding,The Wright Stuff,[guest speaker] ITV, Car advert for Sky TV ,October 2oo7 ,MARKET KITCHEN [special guest] ,ATTRACTION , ITV ,DOCTOR,DOCTOR, [special guest ] , CHANNEL 5 ,ELVIS PRESLEY tribute act ,Spanish TV,A Place In The Sun , Home Or Away , Channel 4 , channel , 2oo7 .Trinny and Susannah ,Undress the nation ITV ,Castaway exposed (Speaker), BBC 3, May 2007. Dirty Rotten Cheater, BBC May 2007. Let Me Entertain You [guest speaker] BBC , 'Get Your Act Sorted' -The Showdown E4 , April o7, Car Booty BBC1, March 07. The Last Enemy BBC1, March 07.Comic Relief does Fame Acadamy , March 07. Colin & Justin Show Feb 07. Confessions of a Salesman for ITV Jan 2007. BBBM (Special guest)Channel 4 Jan 2007. Party Animals BBC2.I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here ITV (audience spokesperson). D8 programme,[contestant]; The Big Idea sky ITV. I Want To be a property Developer Channel 5. Charlie Brookers Screen Wipes BBC. , Big Brothers Big Mouth 2006 weekly speaking slot and own VT'UNDERCOVER BROTHER', Cleanaholics Discovery Home And Health May 2006. , While you were sleeping( Channel Four) Hold that Million Pilot Quiz Show ITV. Took part and filmed several documentaries for cable television. Aviation documentary for Channel 4 2006. Karaoke Superstar for ITV , Celebity Big Brothers Big Mouth 2006.( guest speaker] , Chantelle Living the Dream C4, ,. Trisha Goddard C5,Vanessa's Real Lives (ITV). Perfect Strangers BBC. Ultimate Blunders (Discovery Channel) Deal or No Deal 2005 (Pilot).Bootsale Treasure Hunt , ITV , [winner] ,Boot Sale Challenge , ITV ,
Elvis Tribute Concert filmed for Dutch Television. Karaoke Night ,Christian O'Connells Sunday Service . Shortlisted finalist for BIG BROTHER in 2009 and 2010 .
Dancing
Dancing ability: Expert

END QUOTE

[honestpointofview]

Hi Prof

You are sort of right re World's Worst tenants. If you look at the press release it states " The series showcases the most compelling stories in his career through reenactments of many of the actual confrontations that Howard and his team have experienced over the years."

So it is actors reenacting scenes!

www.spike.com/press/2012/05/08/spike-tv-evicts-nightmare-neighbors-with-new-original-series-worlds-worst-tenants/

[SinglePringle]

No idea about the States. And there is no ruling that says someone can only appear on one show. Personally I don't like regular contributors on my programmes but it is allowed.

Look, I've been overseeing the casting on shows similar to those mentioned for 20 years. I have never cast anyone who turned out to be a fake. Nor have any colleagues I've worked with. Believe it or don't believe it.

A channel routinely allowing production companies to use actors or 'fakes' would lose their government granted charter. Billions of pounds worth of business gone. It's just not worth it.

And - as an aside - let me ask a question: are you proud of your jobs? Want to do well at work? Do you get a sense of satisfaction from your employment or career? So do we in telly! It's a fun job - not glamorous and enormously hard work (I am often in the office from 8am till 1am) but I love my job. Why would we want fakes? We'd know we were doing a shit job! Makes no sense.

[SinglePringle]

But Honest, they are clearly saying they are using re-enactment. No wool being pulled over any eyes - they've put it in the press release .

[honestpointofview]

Hi Single

That is very true. - they also put it at the bottom of the credits. I was making the point that some of these programs can use actors even if you think it is a documentary. There is nothing to stop Storage Hunters doing the same thing. It is the also same as Judge Judy which lists at the bottom that all monetary awards are paid out of a fund held by the producer of the show. Whilst they are upfront it does slightly diminish the programme as Judith Sheindlin "shouts" at people and tell's them they will have top pay, when they won't.