- List of Controversial Reality TV Shows
This is a list of
Reality TV shows that have been consideredcontroversial . Controversial Reality TV Shows are televisions programs containing unique aspects possibly causing excessivenews 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-femaletransexual . This led to several of the contestants suing the producers. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1074689,00.html Reality show men sue Sky over transsexual 'trick'] ]
*Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay (US, 2004) - Two heterosexual male contestants competed against each other in convincing family and friends that they werehomosexual , with the most convincing would win a cash prize. However, the show drew criticism from several groups including theGay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation , and was never broadcast. [ [http://www.glaad.org/media/archive_detail.php?id=3673 GLAAD Applauds Fox for Shelving Homophobic Program, 'Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay] ] 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 whichRebecca Loos extractedsemen from a pig. [ [http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004462161,00.html Pig Sick] [http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1320989,00.html Farmyard furore as Five lets Rebecca Loos on porker] ]
*Space Cadets (UK, 2005) - Ten contestants spent weeks training in a fakeastronaut training camp, with three being selected for a 'space flight'. However, the flight was entirely simulated in a warehouse inSuffolk . After some time in 'space', the hoax was revealed to the contestants.
*Who's Your Daddy? (US, 2005) - Anadopted adult was placed in a room with 25 men, and asked to select who she believed herbiological 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 ofQueen's Medical Centre inNottingham showed a boy being born bycesarian section . [ [http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1872628,00.html Channel Five to show live birth] [http://www.rcog.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1709 RCOG Statement on the programme] ]
*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 contestantShilpa Shetty .
*The Big Donor Show (Netherlands, 2007) - A terminally ill woman will select one of three people in need of akidney donation to receive her organs after death. Producers claim the show had been made to highlight the shortage of organ doners. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6699847.stm Outcry over TV kidney competition (BBC News)] ] However, on the night of broadcast the show was revealed to be a hoax. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6714287.stm Dutch relieved but ruffled by kidney hoax] ]References
:* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6700327.stm How reality TV shocked the world (BBC News)]
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