Favorite non-scripted television shows

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by patteeu

Undercover Boss looked like a great concept, but it only took one or two episodes to make it clear that the whole thing was fake. The concept might have made a good one-time documentary if you could find the right corporation with the adequately low profile boss, but it's impossible to make a series out of it.

Yup. It's pretty clear that the people are in on it.

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Yup. It's pretty clear that the people are in on it.

I work for a company that was on Undercover Boss. They knew.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by patteeu

Undercover Boss looked like a great concept, but it only took one or two episodes to make it clear that the whole thing was fake. The concept might have made a good one-time documentary if you could find the right corporation with the adequately low profile boss, but it's impossible to make a series out of it.

The main way you can tell is people don't look at the camera, nor do they seem bothered by the camera. It's obvious they're being coached.

I enjoy Pawn Stars, but it's about 95% bullshit. Show participants have to sign waivers before they appear on camera, although the actual negotiations are supposedly legit. The store is closed while episodes are filming, and when the store is open, the stars don't work the counters anymore. That doesn't bother me so much, but some of the dumbass story lines they toss in are starting to grate a bit. Like an employee's going to call in sick and then stay home playing video games with a camera crew filiming him. Like Corey's going to give up that gig if he doesn't get an ownership share. Please.

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by frazod

The main way you can tell is people don't look at the camera, nor do they seem bothered by the camera. It's obvious they're being coached.

I enjoy Pawn Stars, but it's about 95% bullshit. Show participants have to sign waivers before they appear on camera, although the actual negotiations are supposedly legit. The store is closed while episodes are filming, and when the store is open, the stars don't work the counters anymore. That doesn't bother me so much, but some of the dumbass story lines they toss in are starting to grate a bit. Like an employee's going to call in sick and then stay home playing video games with a camera crew filiming him. Like Corey's going to give up that gig if he doesn't get an ownership share. Please.

Yeah that's what drives me nuts about those shows. American Chopper turned into all drama like that once Junior and Senior split. Scene opens, Junior is sitting on his couch, Mikey knocks on the door "Hey, can I talk to you?". Like they were just filming Junior hanging out reading a magazine. And like if Mikey really had something personal to say he wouldn't wait until the cameras weren't around. So grating.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by frazod

The main way you can tell is people don't look at the camera, nor do they seem bothered by the camera. It's obvious they're being coached.

I enjoy Pawn Stars, but it's about 95% bullshit. Show participants have to sign waivers before they appear on camera, although the actual negotiations are supposedly legit. The store is closed while episodes are filming, and when the store is open, the stars don't work the counters anymore. That doesn't bother me so much, but some of the dumbass story lines they toss in are starting to grate a bit. Like an employee's going to call in sick and then stay home playing video games with a camera crew filiming him. Like Corey's going to give up that gig if he doesn't get an ownership share. Please.

Honestly, it's why I stopped watching Pawn Stars. It's garbage.

[Cheater5]

Alaska: The Last Frontier.

Dual Survivor is interesting, but they obviously have a team of camera men/support staff in tow. Cody and Joe are fun to watch. Survivorman may not be as exciting, but Les Stroud is no doubt out there by himself and it's definitely not scripted.

Tried watching Duck Dynasty a few times but couldn't get into it; too much 'Hyuck-yuk' telegraphed humor, and it just seems waaaay too contrived. I'll just watch The Beverly Hillbillies if I want to see a funnier version of rich rednecks.

[blaise]

I used to watch Chopped but it just got too repetitive.

[Dayze]

South Beach Tow - seems legit.

[loochy]

I've really enjoyed Gold Rush over the last few years.

[OmahaChief]

Big fan of Ax Men and Gold Rush.

[Direckshun]

Whose Line Is It Anyway

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Whose Line Is It Anyway

There's one I can like. I'm not into the Duck Dynasty, Ice Road Trucker, etc. genre, but improvisational comedy is great. Somewhat more scripted, but still improvisational, I'm a big fan of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

[Sassy Squatch]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Whose Line Is It Anyway

They brought it back. Already had some great moments and got renewed for a 2nd season.

[Fire Me Boy!]

My favorite is Game of Thrones. I can't believe they get away with showing so much death right on screen, but I guess since it's reality...