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.
The HGTV Dream Home Giveaway
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.
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'.
Chopped
Comparing to other shows on this list, a lot of what you see on 'Chopped' is actually real. However, since we're talking about food, and since filming takes such a long time, there are some adjustments.
One such adjustment is letting the judges try the food when the time is up so they don't have to eat it at room temp. They film the actual judging much later. Also, the producers sometimes stir the pot by hiding some pantry items or deliberately stocking it with a limited amount of a certain product. So mean!
Guy's Grocery Games
Singer Guy Fieri has transitioned into a career as a celebrity chef a long time ago. His show involves challenging other chefs with culinary tasks. Some of you may not know, but Flavortown Market, the famous grocery store where the challenges take place, is all fake.
Well, the products are real, and so are the aisles, but that food that isn't being used gets donated to local charities. So the place may be fake but we're not mad about it.