Reality TV, with its unscripted drama, has always walked a fine line. We’ve all wondered why people willingly subject themselves to such shows. Since its rise in the 90s and boom in the early 2000s, reality TV has given us moments we can’t help but cringe at. But sometimes, it crosses a line. Producers and executives have exploited contestants, created unnecessary risks, and come off as incredibly insensitive. Let’s dive into ten times reality TV went way too far.
Fear Factor Goes Donkeys
In early 2012, NBC pulled a ‘Fear Factor’ episode where contestants had to drink donkey semen and urine. Eating gross things isn’t new on these shows, often excused as “foreign delicacies.” But donkey semen and urine? That’s a step too far. Photos of the stunt leaked, making producers nervous. The episode, titled “Hee Haw! Hee Haw!” eventually aired on Danish TV and later on ‘Fear Factor’s’ YouTube channel. Host Joe Rogan even said, “In a healthy society, you’re not supposed to eat animal d###, but guess what, here you have to eat animal d### if you want to win $50,000.” NBC never explained their decision but forbade contestants from speaking about it. It was the last episode NBC ever filmed.
That Thing About Miriam
Believe it or not, British Sky1 show ‘There’s Something About Miriam’ actually happened. Six men tried to win over Miriam Rivera, much like ‘The Bachelorette.’ The twist? Miriam was pre-op transgender. She was born a woman but still had male genitalia, something revealed only after she picked the winner. The contestants were shocked and filed a lawsuit to prevent Sky1 from airing the show, citing deception. They settled for a large sum, and the show aired in 2004. The public widely criticized it for exploiting transgender people and deceiving contestants for a cruel reaction.
The Swan’s Cosmetic Surgery Horror Stories
‘The Swan,’ a reality TV show from the early 2000s, was once called “the most sadistic reality series of the decade.” Contestants underwent extreme makeovers, including cosmetic surgery, with one eliminated each week. Inspired by ‘The Ugly Duckling’ fairy tale, it was criticized for its superficial message. Season two contestant Lorrie Arias attributes her mental health problems to the show’s lack of follow-up and unresolved surgery complications. She now suffers from bipolar disorder, lupus, and depression. “I had the most surgeries of any Swan in the history of the show, and it has all gone to absolute sh#t. I am a 300-pound mess of a person who is afraid to go outside,” Arias said.
Pageant Mom Gets It Horribly Wrong
‘Toddlers And Tiaras’ is often awkward, but in 2011, it sparked outrage when a three-year-old was dressed as a prostitute. Wendy Dickey, Paisley’s mom, put her daughter in a costume resembling Julia Roberts’ character from ‘Pretty Woman’: a tight blue mini skirt, thigh-high black boots, and a blonde wig. The outfit sexualized a child, crossing a line. Sherri Shepherd from ‘The View’ said, “Your job is to protect your child … if you don’t think pedophiles are watching this show, I have a bridge I want to sell you.”
Naked And Afraid’s Near-Death Experience
Australian survivalist Manu Toigo nearly died in the Panama Jungle on ‘Naked And Afraid.’ Contestants must survive in the wilderness for 21 days. Toigo contracted dengue fever from a mosquito bite, a potentially fatal tropical disease. Rushed to the hospital, she was diagnosed with dengue hemorrhagic fever. Toigo said she arrived just in time and spent two weeks hospitalized, followed by months of physical therapy. Despite this, she called it “the most epic experience I could have ever done” and returned to ‘Naked And Afraid’ in 2019.
Hot Or Not?
There was a show called ‘Are You Hot?: The Search for America’s Sexiest People.’ Contestants showed off their “hotness” and were judged on physical attractiveness. ABC canned the 2003 series after one season due to low ratings. Looking back, it’s easy to criticize early 2000s reality TV for superficiality, but this show truly takes the cake.
Big Brother’s Turkey Slap
A ‘turkey slap’ is a vile term for sexual assault. It occurred on the Australian ‘Big Brother’ in 2006. Two male contestants, fueled by alcohol, pinned down female contestant Camilla Severi, and one slapped her face with his penis. The incident aired on Big Brother’s late-night show, leading to outrage. The pair were removed, and the late-night show was axed. Despite no police charges, the men received death threats, and the Australian Prime Minister said the show should’ve been pulled off air.
Shots Fired During Vehicle Repossession
During filming for ‘Repo Games,’ a man was charged with attempted murder. The hosts offered owners of vehicles in danger of repossession a chance to pay off the debt by answering trivia questions. In Las Vegas, Carlos Barron confronted the crew for blocking his driveway, turned irate, and opened fire. No one was hurt, but Barron was sentenced to 90 days in jail and five years of probation.
Gay Bachelor’s Cruel Twist
Bravo’s ‘Boy Meets Boy’ mirrored ‘The Bachelor’ but with a gay lead and suitors. The twist? Half the contestants weren’t gay and were only pretending. Bachelor James Getzlaff was only told later. If James picked a gay partner, he’d win a cash prize and trip. If he chose a straight partner, the deceiving male would win $25,000. James picked a gay partner, but they split up before the trip.
Transgender Outing on Survivor
On ‘American Survivor: Game Changers,’ Jeff Varner outed his tribe-mate Zeke Smith as transgender at Tribal Council. Zeke hadn’t revealed he was born female. Jeff used this information to show Zeke wasn’t trustworthy. The move backfired. All contestants were furious, and host Jeff Probst rebuked Jeff’s tactic. Varner was promptly dismissed 6-0. Probst stated, “I cannot imagine anyone thinking what was done to Zeke was okay on any level.”
Reality TV continues to push boundaries, sometimes with disastrous results. These moments remind us to reflect on the ethics and impact of unscripted television.
What are your thoughts on these shocking reality TV moments? Leave your comment below!
