So yes, this show does live up to its title in the sense that it gifts someone a new home. That much is true. What you don’t really see on HGTV is how high the tax for the house is.
Those who win the prized home also win an obligatory tax that’s worth 40% of the whole property value. A nice little IRS bonus. This means that, sadly, it is very rare for any of the winners to actually keep the house.
Chrisley Knows Best
'Christley Knows Best' follows the lives of real estate legend Todd Christley and his family. It first premiered in 2014 and has since spawned no less than eight seasons and three spinoffs. Apparently, the show's success shouldn't be credited to authenticity.
An inside source from the show's set admitted that most of the dialogue on it is scripted. Not only that but in an effort to keep the comedy going, scenes that didn't turn out as funny as Christley imagined get re-shot. Funny yet fake.
Deadliest Catch
'Deadliest Catch' is another reality show that shouldn't be called real. They paste scenes from different occurrences into one for dramatic effect, plus the show is actually damaging the fishing industry and real-life fishing crews.
You see, the fishing crews on the show make their money from being on TV, unlike the people who fish for a living. This means that they don't have a quota to meet and can offer their loot for a much lower price, making it harder for actual fishermen to sell their own catch. Fishy and fake.
Designed to Sell
Let's say someone participated in a reality show that renovated their house so you can sell it. Let's say they're not interested in selling anytime soon. HGTV found a nice (fake) way to deal with those kinds of participants in 'Designed to Sell'. They just host a fake open house.
That fake open house is full of fake potential buyers. Not only that, but the show requires that those fake potential buyers film more than one end so they can edit different scenarios. Additionally, the show has reportedly done some bad repair work that the cameras were careful to not let in the frame. Maybe they should rename the show 'Designed to Fake'.
Love It or List It
Would you choose your own home after a professional redecoration or a brand new one? Or better yet, a fake reality show broadcasting the dilemma? This was the 'Love It or List It' format, as viewers and participants were led to believe.
One couple who went on the show reported that their home was left needing repairs after the redecoration (holes in the floor, painted-shut windows, and more). Another couple said the producers had them record both endings and aired the one saying they chose to move even though they decided to stay at their home. Sneaky and fake.