I am not a big fan of TV, almost everything I watch is recorded but I do like checking out the best acts of America's Got Talent, Britain's Got Talent, and The Voice on YouTube. I wouldn't be able to sit through a full show and all the nonsense, but there are some amazingly talented people that are worth watching.
I generally avoid all these bullshit reality type shows as I'm pretty sure it's mostly staged. Many have come forward to most of the big shows saying as much.
I want to talk specifically about America's Got Talent. After watching a few YouTube videos and reading some behind the scenes details about the show, I find it amazing anyone auditions for the show.
Let's first talk about the $1,000,000 prize on America's Got Talent. Did you know this prize is actually a 40 year annuity worth around $25,000 before taxes? This isn't enough to allow you to even quit a secondary job much less your main job. Many contestants are 30-40+ years old and may not even see the entire 40 year annuity.
While being on America's Got Talent can really make or break your career regardless if you win, the contract is ridiculous. Let me read a few sections I have heard quoted by others.
"In exchange for being seen by millions of viewers each week, everyone must agree that producers can trick, exploit, and embarrass them -- and even depict their personal stories in a manner that 'may be factual or fiction' -- and they can't sue for any reason"
"I further understand that may appearance, depiction and portrayal in the program may be disparaging, defamatory, embarrassing… and may expose me to public ridicule, humiliation, or condemnation"
Does this make you want to run out and try out for America's Got Talent?
After taking that into account, this next part should be particularly disturbing.
"Hidden cameras may be used to film contestants in bedrooms, bathrooms, dressing rooms or "any other area in which a person under other circumstances might have a reasonable expectation of privacy"
Granted they won't show you pooping live on the show, but there is no degree of privacy when you are under contract and they will hold nothing back to exploit that.
They are free to harass you, lie about your backstory, and defame you, but if you are inaccurate about any detail about yourself they can sue you and your family for up to $5,000,000.
It is also supposedly stated in contract that you are legally on call for up to a year to participate in any unscripted reality show they choose to for you.
While being on stage in front of millions would be absolutely amazing for anyone wanting to become famous overnight, the chances are insanely low even if you have what it takes. In fact, you may not even move on in the competition even if you get the majority judges vote. Many contestants have come forward saying they got 3 or more votes out of 4 and were told they were put on "stand by" or even cut from the show completely.
Other contestants have stated what is done on stage is completely determined by America's Got Talent, the contestant has some input but the final act is decided and directed by America's Got Talent.
Rumors are some acts are not even real, some of the magic acts are potentially done in post production with assistance from America's Got Talent crew.
One contestant Cas Haley said he was told by America's Got Talent Producer to make a young female contestant to cry on camera by convincing her she was moving on when in fact she was not.
These shows can be entertaining, but that's all they are. While many of the contestants are very talented, don't believe a word you hear.