# Most of Reality Show Cast walks off set. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 22, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672 "2012-02-22T22:16:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/1 "2012-02-22T22:16:56Z")
I’ve been waiting for this to happen. At times casts on these reality shows are treated like animals in a zoo. The producers rattling the bars to provoke reactions and make big ratings. Last week contestants on Top Chef had to ski a mile and shoot targets for their ingredients. They also had the shock twist of a returning contestant. The Biggest Losers cast finally took a stand. They already put up with enough crap from the trainers screaming at them. Its kind of nice when the zoo animals bite back. 😛 I’m sure things have already been smoothed over and the hamsters are back on the producers treadmill. Got to crank out those ratings. > [@](#): > > Insiders tell TMZ the remaining contestants have walked off the show and are now threatening to quit completely. > > It all stems from a secret twist reportedly planned by producers. The move would introduce former contestants into the mix to compete for the $250,000 grand prize. > > Sources say the remaining “Biggest Loser” contenders decided to bolt in the middle of shooting an episode because they think the twist could hurt their chances at the big prize. Now producers have shuttered production for a week to figure things out, reports TMZ. [http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749\_162-57382691-10391698/biggest-loser-contestants-reportedly-threaten-to-quit/](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57382691-10391698/biggest-loser-contestants-reportedly-threaten-to-quit/) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/2 "2012-02-22T22:26:00Z")
Your analogy to zoo animals and hamsters fails because these people all volunteered for this. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/3 "2012-02-22T22:29:38Z")
I’m sure the contestants all signed something before filming began that gives the producers the right to re-introduce (or introduce) new players at any time during the game – it’s not the first time it’s been done in a reality competition. It’s not even the first time on _Biggest Loser_, and I only saw 3-4 seasons of that show. Still the producers can’t broadcast a season where the last 8 people (or whatever) quit, so they’ll probably work something out. I had heard that this season’s cast was especially whiny; I guess that was right. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/4 "2012-02-22T22:34:47Z")
Reality Shows use a lot of cheap tricks to get those over the top reactions we see in the promos. Sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and booze is a guaranteed formula. Not to mention the leading questions like “How do you feel about Carla lying to you?” reaction “Carla is a filthy bitch” then Back to Carla, how do you feel… Works every time on those Housewives shows. Why people volunteer for these shows is beyond me. Biggest Loser pretends to change lives. But, most of these people gain the weight back in a few years. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/5 "2012-02-22T23:22:07Z")
I made the call at the end of last season. I was talking to my mother who was a big fan. It seemed to me that the show has always been a big lovefest. Lots of hugging and crying when someone leaves. Lots of “the game isn’t important, what’s important is changing my life.” it seemed to me that since the ratings are getting lower they were going to bring in people just for their abrasive personalities in hopes of having villains and more conflict. I have only seen a little of this season but it looked like my prediction was right. ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/6 "2012-02-23T01:47:17Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Your analogy to zoo animals and hamsters fails because these people all volunteered for this. 🙂 And they are far more desperate than hamsters to get their ugly, useless faces on TV. And possibly less intelligent.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/7 "2012-02-23T04:20:05Z")
No sympathy. Who would sign on for a reality show and then be surprised at the treatment they receive? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/8 "2012-02-23T17:58:00Z")
More confirmation of the walk-out. It was the final four on Biggest Loser. I haven’t watched in a couple years. The show hasn’t focused on genuine life changes in a long, long time. Its a strategy game now with many people more interested in the prize money than actually getting healthy. A shame because the people that join BL to get healthy find themselves in all this reality show drama. > [@](#): > > I was told by a source that it’s the week before Final Four, and this mutiny comes after makeovers (free clothes, haircuts, etc.) and a meeting with Michelle Obama (free…awesomeness) and a trip to Hawaii (need I say more?) [http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/pop\_culture\_blog/biggest\_loser/the-biggest-loser-season-is-officially-the-worst-ever-now/article\_fbbec36e-5e22-11e1-8274-001a4bcf6878.html](http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/pop_culture_blog/biggest_loser/the-biggest-loser-season-is-officially-the-worst-ever-now/article_fbbec36e-5e22-11e1-8274-001a4bcf6878.html) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/9 "2012-02-24T18:39:55Z")
I for one think this is a good thing. I wish more people would realize that there is power in numbers. I signed a contract with a bank–it doesn’t mean I don’t think they are assholes when they jack up my rates just because they can. Bringing people back from the past to compete is unfair, and I’m glad these people aren’t going to sit around and take it. And I wouldn’t call them whiny, either. Whiny people never actually do anything about their problems. These are people who are standing up for themselves, and refusing to be pushed around, contract or no. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/10 "2012-02-24T19:51:28Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > No sympathy. Who would sign on for a reality show and then be surprised at the treatment they receive? They don’t really need sympathy. They’re not slaves, regardless of what they signed. If they don’t feel that they’re treated appropriately, they don’t have to go back to work, just like you or me. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/11 "2012-02-24T20:00:05Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > No sympathy. Who would sign on for a reality show and then be surprised at the treatment they receive? This reality show bills itself as more than just schlock TV. Many contestants apply to change their lives, and it does happen (plenty fail). That being said, only people who have never seen the show would not expect crazy game twists. This would hardly be the first time they’ve brought back previously-eliminated players. I stopped watching last season because it’s now just two (TWO!) hours of the same thing every week: workouts, yelling, crying, stupid games, and awkward in-show ads for crap. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/12 "2012-02-24T20:01:57Z")
It sounds like they’re threatening to leave because their chances of winning the money have decreased considerably, which is fraud, rather than umbridge at the way they’ve been treated. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/13 "2012-02-24T20:19:57Z")
I stopped watching Biggest Loser a couple years ago. 1. The constant “I need to be here!” Yeah, you all do otherwise you wouldn’t be on Biggest Loser. 2. The disinginuous vote. Not the vote itself but the 5 minutes of “OMG this is so sad i think they can do it on their own they are an inspiration for me” BS that precedes each person’s vote. 3. The constant denial that this is a game despite it being a game. I remember one season a contestant got an advantage really early on, like first of second show, and used it strategically for the endgame. You would not believe the vitriol the other contestants and trainers had for her since “it is not a game.” 4. Alison Sweeney. Is it obvious all of her (over-dramatised) acting chops are from soap operas. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/14 "2012-02-24T22:08:36Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I stopped watching Biggest Loser a couple years ago. My SO watches this show each week. I catch it once in a while, but it seems to me the earlier seasons spent more time on aspects of nutrition, diet, exercise, etc. Ya know, the stuff that helps people become healthier. Now it seems like a huge drama-fest with no content, as well as a shill for Subway. It should be called “The Biggest Snoozer”. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/15 "2012-02-24T22:13:54Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > My SO watches this show each week. I catch it once in a while, but it seems to me the earlier seasons spent more time on aspects of nutrition, diet, exercise, etc. Ya know, the stuff that helps people become healthier. Now it seems like a huge drama-fest with no content, as well as a shill for Subway. It should be called “The Biggest Snoozer”. Yeah, my wife and I watched it for 3-4 seasons a while ago, but we noticed the same thing. It was nice at first to see the teams work together and support each other’s weight loss. Later it just became packed with manufactured drama and product placement. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/16 "2012-02-24T23:07:56Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Your analogy to zoo animals and hamsters fails because these people all volunteered for this. 🙂 And while mileage may vary, in general the animals are getting a better environment to live in, not a far worse one like dumbasses who go on reality shows. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/17 "2012-02-24T23:13:32Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > … > 4) Alison Sweeney. Is it obvious all of her (over-dramatised) acting chops are from soap operas. Her narration of contests is simply atrocious, as is her handling of the voting. But she’s pretty… 😃 The oddest thing is that she handles the live finales extremely well. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/18 "2012-02-24T23:33:01Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > And while mileage may vary, in general the animals are getting a better environment to live in, not a far worse one like dumbasses who go on reality shows. Yeah..well…lions and polar bears don’t act like selfish assholes either. ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/19 "2012-02-25T01:35:19Z")
Me and the missus have been watching this year’s biggest loser. The contestants this year are easily the whiniest and more annoying set of people I can remember on the show. People sign up for reality shows… It is what it is… As far as I know I can’t remember people having keggers on TBL show… We really enjoyed watching last season’s show and the contestant were hard working people who really put it out their and lost a lot of weight and at the end looking fucking impressive. The drama was kept to a minimum and most of the focus was on decision making and improving self esteem… What seems to have happened this season is two strong dominant personalities have pretty much rolled a weak group of people who should know better… Resulting last week in something I’d never seen on the show before… the contestants on one team… (Bob Harper’s) actually sabotaged a weigh in… From what i understand they kicked the two assholes off of the show and taping has restarted… ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672/20 "2012-02-26T22:00:02Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Yeah..well…lions and polar bears don’t act like selfish assholes either. Maybe not always, but I’ve definitely seen some selfish assholery from animals before. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-of-reality-show-cast-walks-off-set/613672.md?page=2)