What Reality TV Is Like Behind the Scenes

Reality TV producers are pulling back the curtain on your favorite shows.

From World of Dance to American Idol, producers put in 18-hour days with no overtime pay. Some even sleep at the studio.

And they’re largely not unionized… for now

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[Gfish]

Even if you hate reality Tv Workers are still workers. They deserve a living wage just like anyone else.

[artfulalias]

Who could have predicted that consolidation and monopoly would lead to exploitation?

[Speed_of_Sloth]

I hope joining a Union becomes the norm and not the exception.

[Caterfree]

Amazed and disgusted by people in the comments basically saying people who work on reality TV shows don’t deserve worker protection rights bc they make “trashy TV shows.” Like, idc abt reality TV either, but if you wouldn’t say that about someone working at a confectionery or a potato chip factory who wants better working conditions via a union, maybe shut up and learn some solidarity with these workers too.

[ogre]

This isn't a reality TV production problem. This is a capitalism problem. I have worked in IT, Network Operation Centers, and now a rubber factory. The challenges are the same: constantly more work for not more pay.

[zephaniahgreenwell]

Capitalism ensures that there is always a more desperate man.

[harmonizedigital.]

I know a guy who does camera work on reality TV. They don't pay for hotels even if you have to go out of town. You have to sleep in the car. Jobs are short term.

[CeruleanSky]

I stopped watching television a long time ago because it’s mostly sh*t programming. However, the people who work in the industry behind the scenes most certainly deserve to be paid a fair wage and treated with respect.

[VCR]

When your eggs and chicken nuggets are from free range chickens but your TV shows are not produced by free range humans

[the.masked.one.studio]

Please be aware, this is the arts industry in general.

[xelaander]

I work in Nigeria in the entertainment industry and we don't have NDAs as crazy as this. The shittiest we have is denying culpability on the part of the show's EPs

[VictoriousGardenosaurus]

My cousin works behind the scenes on some recognizable reality shows.

He was out of work for like the first 5 months of the year. following the streaming wars, over saturation of content, and a possible strike, there isnt as much new content being created as the previous decade.

Always been a show to show type thing, without long term guarantees of employment.

[pull_up_the_roots]

Wow, I didn't know how bad things were for folks working in production on reality shows! These workers deserve dignity, fair wages, and fair treatment. Thank you for reporting on this!

[MileHile]

Non-disclosure agreements should be outlawed for EVERYTHING but IP. Full stop.

[JMcMact]

NDA’s only exist to coverup all forms of abuse.. Whether it’s employment, or a lawsuit, even marriage, it’s power and money versus those who are harmed by, and in need of money.. The negotiations themselves are how much will it take to pay you off, and shut you up. Knowing that, they should be completely abolished.

[AmyWhoLovesFlowers]

Changing their titles from the misleading "producer" term would help 1000% ! Unscripted Production Assistants, Unscripted Writers, Unscripted Editors would be far more sympathetic and understandable to all.

[B-rian]

"Reality TV" is the worst thing that has ever happened to the entertainment industry.

[NA_erFan]

Reality TV toxic to more than just the way?

[woesiohans]

Reality TV is awful. It's always been about lowest budget to get "anything" as content.

[frankisawesomee]

Imagine working with celebrities and being more poor than the fast food workers!