If you are struggling to put your best forward, then you might be told to fake it until you make it. Unfortunately, for anyone who means you well, that is not the best piece of advice considering how much people hate ending up with the shorter end of the stick. Still, television shows do not learn their lessons, and they keep weaving a web of lies, thinking the audience will not know the difference between real and fake. One show that has come under fire for lying to its viewers is “Love It or List It.” Fans are outraged that the series has been lying to them, and now that the 15th season has recently premiered, they cannot stay silent anymore. So, let’s see if it is entirely fake or there could be some elements of reality.
The renovations
Most couples usually go on the show to get the upgrades at a discounted price, but the outcome has not always been to their liking. Although Hilary is supposed to work her magic to increase the value of the home so the owners can decide if they want to keep it or sell it, one couple claimed that they were cheated. As reported by CBC, Jeanine and Norman paid over $175,000 to have their home renovated. Under the contract, the couple agreed to have Kenny Gemmill or a reasonable alternative to do the renovations. The show brought in Van der Griend to work on the house, and as per the episode, the owners loved the outcome. However, the couple noticed the “high-quality renovations from an experienced professional” that the show’s producers had promised were a lie. Jeanine and Norman saw the damage that posed a substantial danger to the family hence sued the production company, adding that the contractor was an actor.
It is not an isolated case because Murphy and Sullivan also sued the company for shoddy work after paying $140,000 into the renovation fund, but the case was dismissed. The couple signed a nondisclosure agreement, so there is not much about what happened outside the court. Still, the fact that the renovation was terrible enough to initiate legal proceedings is proof of how much the production company lies to the audience about the homeowners loving the results.
Staged endings
Hilary pushes the owners to love the renovations while David entices them to list it and get a profit from the increased resale value. Of course, viewers see what couples choose, but sometimes, owners are forced to do what is best for the show. According to a Reddit chat, many people have witnessed how far the producers will go in putting on a show yet claim it is reality television. One person said that his uncle and aunt were featured in one episode in which they had to record both the “love it” and “list it” endings. The network decided that the “list it” recording was the best hence aired it although the couple loved it thus stayed in the house. Several people commented on similar endings in which homeowners say they will do one thing but end up doing the other, all for the cameras.
The premise of the show also entails Hilary and David talking to the homeowners to get details of what they would like their home to look like in the end. The couple also lists the renovations they would like done while Hilary hands them the budget. However, according to another Reddit user, this is also for the cameras. The producers will do what they want and disregard the owners’ desires. Further, even if at the end of the episode, we are shown that renovations are complete, it is not always the case. The contractors have deadlines to keep, and if your home’s renovation is not done by the time they have to move to the next house, you will have to live with the unfinished repairs until they can get back to you; if they ever do.
The houses shown for sale are not for sale
David is tasked with finding a house that is within a couple’s budget and fulfills their needs. He has to take the owners through several houses until they find one they want to move into and sell their current house. According to CountryLiving, Matt and Marci decided to keep the home, but the episode showed that they sold it. One of the houses that David took the couple to look at belonged to their neighbor, and filming was done for the entire day, knowing well it was not for sale. Moreover, in the suit filed by Murphy and Sullivan, none of the houses that David showed them was for sale.
Staged conflicts
Watching the show, you might wonder how some of the couples have remained married for so long if they rarely agree on anything. As it turns out, they have to bicker for the show to have some drama. After all, even other reality shows like “Temptation Island” admit to casting singles who are dramatic and with great personalities. One person on Reddit claimed that his aunt and uncle were asked to argue a bit more since the renovation process was dull due to minimal structural constructions, but the couple refused.
So, is the show completely fake?
Big Coat Productions admitted in the lawsuit against the company by Murphy and Sullivan that it is not in the business of construction but television production. Therefore the funds that the homeowners pay are not primarily to pay for the cost of renovations. Instead, they are to create a stage set for the filming of the series. Now, that is the best way to clear up the air on whether the show is fake or not; therefore, if you still complain that the show is fake, the production company does not have to argue with you.
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