Fact: House Hunters on HGTV is scripted. You’ve probably wondered where they find enough stupid couples that would buy a home from only three options. Sorry to burst your vicarious bubble, but HGTV employs what they have dubbed “scripted reality”.
Is House Hunters scripted or real? In a few instances, House Hunters on HGTV is scripted in the traditional sense. The show features real homebuyers who are searching for a new property, and the process of selecting and purchasing a home is genuine. The homebuyers on the show are not actors, and they are genuinely looking for a house to buy. There have been some situations though where they have HGTV House Hunters scripted reality.
While the show typically features real homebuyers who are genuinely searching for a new property, there have been a few cases where individuals with acting backgrounds were cast in the show to portray home buyers.
One notable example occurred in 2012 when a blog post written by a participant claimed that the show was looking for actors to play the role of home buyers. The fact that actors on House Hunters controversy could be real, started a serious internet storm, and led to discussions about the House Hunters reality TV show authenticity.
In response to the controversy, the show’s producers and network clarified that while some participants might have acting backgrounds, they are still real homebuyers who are in the process of finding a new home. The involvement of individuals with acting experience does not necessarily mean that the show’s outcomes or decisions are scripted or predetermined.
It’s important to remember that reality TV shows often strike a balance between authenticity and entertainment value. “House Hunters” aims to provide an engaging and enjoyable viewing experience while still showcasing the genuine process of home buying. While some aspects might be enhanced or adjusted for television purposes, the essence of the show remains focused on the real-life house-hunting experiences of the participants.
However, while the overall concept and house-hunting process are real, there have been some claims and reports suggesting that certain aspects of the show might be somewhat staged or reenacted for better television. For example, some participants may have already chosen a home before being filmed, and the show recreates the selection process for the camera. Additionally, there have been instances where certain properties shown on the show were not actually available for purchase or had already been bought by the time of filming.
One of the most apparent enhanced aspects of “House Hunters” is the re-creation of decision-making scenes. In real-life house hunting, making a significant life decision like buying a home involves careful consideration and in-depth discussions between the homebuyers. However, in the interest of television entertainment and time constraints, these discussions are often re-enacted for the camera. This allows the show to capture the emotional moments and conflicts that may have occurred during the decision-making process, enhancing the drama and engagement for viewers.
In an interview with Good Morning America, producer Bobi stated,
We’re making a television show, so we manage certain production and time constraints, while honoring the home buying process. To maximize production time, we seek out families who are pretty far along in the process.
Often everything moves much more quickly than we can anticipate, so we go back and revisit some of the homes that the family has already seen and we capture their authentic reactions.
Because the stakes in real estate are so high, these homeowners always find themselves RIGHT back in the moment, experiencing the same emotions and reactions to these properties.
These practices, known as “re-creations” or “enhancements,” are common in reality television to ensure that the show remains entertaining and engaging for viewers. However, they do not necessarily mean that the entire show is scripted or that the decisions of the homebuyers are influenced by producers.
It’s essential to remember that reality TV shows often strike a balance between authenticity and entertainment value, and “House Hunters” is no exception. While the house-hunting process is genuine, some aspects might be adjusted or recreated to make the show more visually appealing and engaging for the audience. So, is the TV Show like Chopped real or fake? Something you will just have to decide.
References:
Pomarico, N. (n.d.). 6 surprising things you didn’t know about HGTV’s “House Hunters.” Insider. Retrieved July 26, 2023, from https://www.insider.com/surprising-facts-about-hgtv-house-hunters-2018-6#some-of-the-houses-the-hunters-look-at-apparently-arent-even-for-sale-5
hookedonhouses. (2012, June 15). HGTV Responds to the House Hunters “Scandal.” Hooked on Houses. https://hookedonhouses.net/2012/06/15/hgtv-responds-to-the-house-hunters-scandal/
Turns Out, Everything You Knew About “House Hunters” Was a Lie. (2023, May 3). House Beautiful. https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/entertainment/a43771168/house-hunters-truth-secrets/
Archive, V. A., & feed, G. author R. (2019, June 20). The secrets behind HGTV’s smash hit “House Hunters.” https://nypost.com/2019/06/20/the-secrets-behind-hgtvs-smash-hit-house-hunters/
