• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, December 26, 2012

Wait, you mean there's an cable TV reality show that is a fake? No, it's worse than that. A contestant is suing over total fake-ness -- that A&E's nearly whole big-rated show "Storage Wars" is fake, complete with A&E producers regularly planting valuable memorabilia in storage units to be uncovered.

This comes from accuser, David Hester, called "The Mogul" on the show, who says he was wrongly terminated by A&E. Lots of cash will make up for this errant TV producing decision we are guessing. Truth in advertising takes a precedent here. I'm concerned other reality shows may get hit with the same stuff. Hopefully, those singing competition shows aren't having more voting or even lip-syncing issues. Please!

For years, people have regularly complained reality TV producers can push a story line in certain directions -- out of the realm of reality. Reality video editors have a history of crazy overtime hours, filtering huge volumes of footage to be distilled into a meaningful storyline.

The bottom-line: All calls of fake-ness and manipulation hasn't hurt viewership to any degree. TV consumers might even understand there is a certain element of production readjustment with reality -- as well as a new kind of "reality' awareness of participants.

But it doesn't matter because these shows look the part. Advertisers go along with it -- at least those marketers who can stomach the wild unscript TV content these days.

Much hasn't changed. Reality TV show participants see a future monetization point of view. Most importantly, high and low profile "talent" get paid in reality shows -- just like any other performers, and in that regard they need to perform. Viewers and advertisers don't want to pay for ho-hum, dullsville performances. TV producers always push the product, the characters, the storyline.

Pete Rose, the former disgraced Major League Baseball player who has admitted to gambling on baseball games, is now reality TV show fodder. His new show, "Pete Rose: Hits and Mrs." will start up on TLC next year.

I'm guessing Rose won't be suing TV producers for whatever trauma and duress he goes through in its filming, resulting in cries that the content is "fake." The focus of the series is his impending marriage to a former Playboy Playmate.

Well, that's got to be real.

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