Are game show contestants obligated to join the actor’s guild? Is reality TV any different than just a game show?
TV actors are represented by the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), who consider reality TV show participants contestants that are competing for a prize, not performers. Same thing with game shows. Therefore, since they are not performers, they are not in the union.
I have heard of some static between AFTRA and SAG that involves SAG wanting to briung reality TV show people in. Like any union, they want more people (especially well-known people on well-known shows) to increase their influence.
First of all, SAG initiation fees are more than you’d usually win on a game show. It was close to $1000 to join around 1990 . Second, the union is for professionals. Back when my daughter was acting, and joined SAG, AFTRA let in anyone willing to pony up the cash, but SAG only allowed in people with one real job. You then had to join before starting the second one.
I’d guess multiple appearances would count as one job. My daughter did a 12 part video project that counted for AFTRA that only counted as one gig.