We all know reality TV has nothing to do with reality, but you might be surprised by the rules contestants have to agree to before appearing on your favorite shows. Things might seem out of control when you watch them on TV, but things are even crazier behind the scenes. While you might dream about appearing on an episode of Real Housewives or Top Chef, you might want to check the contract before agreeing. Here are the craziest reality TV rules.
Fake Drama
If you ever needed confirmation reality TV is fake, check out the contract for The Real World. Anyone appearing has to agree to let the producers manipulate footage of them that may portray them or situations inaccurately, for the sake of entertainment. So when people blame the editing for making them look bad, they’re not lying. Other shows have found ingenious ways to get around the “fake” issue. In 2014, Bravo allegedly added a clause that meant Real Housewives’ contracts only lasted eight-weeks, so if they were boring they could be kicked off. That’s pretty brutal!
Wet Paint
No Spoilers
No one likes spoilers. Most shows have a clause saying contestants can’t reveal what happens before the season finale, but Top Chef takes it to the extreme. Any contestants caught leaking information about the show or any big twists in the competition will get hit with a $1,000,000 fine and get removed from the process. Another harsh rule is that chefs are not allowed to add any food to their plates after the buzzer, even if it means going to the judges half-finished. So cruel!
Daily News
Intense Examinations
The Bachelor has some of the strictest rules in reality TV; to get on the show, you have to go through many stages of an audition process including an intense 600-question psych evaluation. The intrusive Q&A delves into everything in the contestant’s past from relationships to mental health. Even if they get on the show, it’s not easy. They don’t have access to phones, laptops and aren’t allowed to see their families or leave the villa without permission. Is this a dating show or a prison?
Elite Daily
Romance Rules
Dating reality TV shows might be all about love, but they have strict rules when it comes to sex. On Bachelor in Paradise contestants have to ask a producer for permission to hook-up and if there’s any worry over consent issues, they have the power to stop the couple at any time. The UK’s Love Island forbids any fornication while drunk and couples that do have sex must visit a psychologist afterwards. These shows also require contestants to submit to STD testing before they’re allowed to appear. So not that romantic after all.
She Knows
Pay Yourself
Reality shows are made on shoestring budgets, meaning contestants are usually footing the bill for any costs involved in appearing. On Botched, patients are expected to use part of their appearance fee to cover their surgery and hospital visit. Fixer Upper requires a renovation budget of $30,000 and if you’re on The Bachelor you have to pay for your own wardrobe. The strangest money saving rule goes to Big Brother though, where housemates aren’t allowed to sing. If they do, a producer will appear with a sign telling them to stop as they don’t want to have to pay the artist royalties.
Medium
