List of Controversial Reality TV Shows

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This is a list of Reality TV shows that have been considered controversial. Controversial Reality TV Shows are televisions programs containing unique aspects possibly causing excessive news media attention and potential harm to person(s)' dignity causing extreme empathetic response and/or outrage from viewers.

  • There's Something About Miriam (UK, 2004) - A show in which heterosexual men tried to woo a woman, without knowing she was a male-to-female transexual. This led to several of the contestants suing the producers.[1]
  • Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay (US, 2004) - Two heterosexual male contestants competed against each other in convincing family and friends that they were homosexual, with the most convincing would win a cash prize. However, the show drew criticism from several groups including the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and was never broadcast.[2] Reality Casting by Isabel Reyes
  • The Farm (UK, 2004) - Several animal rights groups including PETA criticised this show. There were also many viewer complaints regarding a scene in which Rebecca Loos extracted semen from a pig.[3]
  • Space Cadets (UK, 2005) - Ten contestants spent weeks training in a fake astronaut training camp, with three being selected for a 'space flight'. However, the flight was entirely simulated in a warehouse in Suffolk. After some time in 'space', the hoax was revealed to the contestants.
  • Who's Your Daddy? (US, 2005) - An adopted adult was placed in a room with 25 men, and asked to select who she believed her biological father was. If she guessed correctly, she would be awarded a $100,000 cash prize. Six episodes were planned, but the series was cancelled due to the controversy after broadcasting the first.
  • Birth Night Live (UK, 2006) - A live broadcast from the maternity ward of Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham showed a boy being born by cesarian section.[4]
  • Celebrity Big Brother (UK, 2007) - Ofcom investigated the show following a record number of complaints regarding allegedly racist comments made by several contestants towards fellow contestant Shilpa Shetty.
  • The Big Donor Show (Netherlands, 2007) - A terminally ill woman will select one of three people in need of a kidney donation to receive her organs after death. Producers claim the show had been made to highlight the shortage of organ doners.[5] However, on the night of broadcast the show was revealed to be a hoax.[6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Reality show men sue Sky over transsexual 'trick'
  2. ^ GLAAD Applauds Fox for Shelving Homophobic Program, 'Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay
  3. ^ Pig Sick Farmyard furore as Five lets Rebecca Loos on porker
  4. ^ Channel Five to show live birth RCOG Statement on the programme
  5. ^ Outcry over TV kidney competition (BBC News)
  6. ^ Dutch relieved but ruffled by kidney hoax