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Showbiz Tonight
Special Edition: Showbiz Reality Secrets
Aired December 28, 2011 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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A.J. HAMMER, HOST (voice-over): Now on a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," reality shows secrets revealed.
"SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" with the startling secrets behind reality shows. All the tricks, all the smoke and mirrors, are some reality shows actually fake?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The fact that they throw new a room full of women that normally you wouldn`t want to be with. They`re not your type of people. They don`t enjoy the same things you do. So that`s a recipe for disaster.
HAMMER: Reality star Kendra Wilkinson spent most of her 20s on reality TV, from stripper to "playboy" girlfriend to wife and mom, and Kendra Wilkinson is right here to reveal her secrets about reality TV.
And Kelly gets candid "Dancing with the Stars" champion Kevin Monaco reveals what it`s really like behind the scenes. This is a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," reality secrets.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And welcome back to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." it is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. This is a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," reality TV secrets revealed.
Now, tonight we are in fact blowing the lid off all the big secrets behind TV`s biggest reality shows from the Kardashians to the "real housewives" even "Dancing with the Stars." Reality TVs biggest stars are telling showbiz everything. And some behind the camera, of course make it all happen.
"SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" Jill Simonian has been doing serious digging, and you have got to see what she found out.
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JILL SIMONIAN, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Some of the most watched shows on TV. Drama, fights, competition.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Congratulations!
SIMONIAN: And "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" has got to ask just how real is reality TV?
TROY DEVOLLD, REALITY TV PRODUCER, AUTHOR: I think that people misunderstand the level of manipulation in reality programs.
SIMONIAN: Troy Devolld has been a reality show producer for more than a decade and he is author of "reality TV c an insider`s guide to TVs hottest market." Devolld re reveals to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" some of the biggest secrets behind reality show, like scenes that are staged and conversations that seem off the cuff but are somewhat scripted.
DEVOLLD: There`s a certain thing we are sort of following action. You understand things are brilliant, things are happening and start to realize, well you know, if I get this person in the room with this person and we just say in the conversation, they could you please have a conversation about last Thursday night then you`ll end up getting something great back.
SIMONIAN: Jeana Keough of Bravo`s "Real Housewives of Orange County" say knows this tactics all too well.
JEANA KEOUGH, FORMER STAR, REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY: Nothing to print.
SIMONIAN: She tells "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" all the housewives we love so much aren`t the friendly neighbors they seem to be.
KEOUGH: The fact that they throw you in a room full of women that normally, you don`t want to be with. They`re not your type of people. They don`t enjoy the same things you do. So, that`s a recipe for disaster.
SIMONIAN: "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" can also reveal you often won`t see and hear the whole real story, thanks to a reality TV trick and where sound bites are chopped up and edited called "Franken bites."
DEVOLLD: An extended bite, and its cut into 17 pieces. If you hear something and you don`t see it happen on camera -- you don`t necessarily trust the bite.
SIMONIAN: Troy Devolld says reality shows can paint a pretty distorted picture by compressing months of shooting into a single episode.
DEVOLLD: It`s such a destination of time when you`re shooting for three or four months. You tend to use the product that`s most amplified. The things that are coming in that are really dramatic and really big.
SIMONIAN: And are there any reality show stars more dramatic or big --?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You don`t.
SIMONIAN: Than the Kardashians. Kim`s younger brother Rob tells "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" that when it comes to his family and their reality show empire, what you see is what you get.
When you do watch "keeping up with the Kardashians" or any other of the Kardashian branded shows, do you feel everything is portrayed accurately?
ROB KARDASHIAN, KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS: Yes, for the most part. People who watch our show don`t necessarily know me or my family on a one on one level but this is giving them a better chance seeing who I am.
SIMONIAN: For reality stores like Rob, reality competition shows like "Dancing with the Stars" are -- well, more real. And no one knows better than Kristin Cavallari who started hit MTV reality shows, "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills" and then moved on to "Dancing with the Stars."
KRISTIN CAVALLARI, STAR, THE HILLS: I mean they`re completely different. You know that obviously very physically demanding. And this one requires a lot more of me. So, you know this I have to bring my "A" game where the other was like filming a soap opera.
SIMONIAN: Yes, because in the end, it`s "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" can tell you most reality shows are just that -- soap operas, and just like scripted soap operas, even reality shows can seem surreal, because what you see not always the reality of what really happened.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My god!
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HAMMER: Have you ever wondered how reality show cameras catch all the drama? Are they really following reality show stars 24/7? Well, I went straight in the stars of reality TV`s "Big Rich Texas` to find out and I asked Bon Blossman and Whitney Whatley, what`s it really like to have a camera following your every move?
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BON BLOSSMAN, REALITY STAR, BIG RICH TEXAS: One thing to the episode, we sometimes get surprised with, oh my God. I mean, a lot more happened than what we actually saw. For example, in my (inaudible) mystery party, it was five hours of taping, and what actually --
WHITNEY WHATLEY, REALITY STAR, BIG RICH TEXAS: We really see like six.
BLOSSMAN: Yes, you see six minutes.
HAMMER: Right.
BLOSSMAN: And what actually happened was Pam, my nemesis, threw something at me, and she actually got kicked out of my party from my doctor`s wife`s friend, and, you know, all of it -- once it was paired down, it looked like she had the upper hand.
HAMMER: Anything you`ve experienced that would be a huge surprise to those watching reality TV that may not be? Because we all know you`re shooting tons of footage. Only so much makes it on. What would be something that would really surprise us, do you think?
WHATLEY: About the editing. Like what we were saying earlier. That it`s different when it`s edited than what you see.
BLOSSMAN: Also there`s a lot that -- I think there`s more drama that goes on behind camera. Behind-the-scenes.
WHATLEY: Yes.
HAMMER: For all the drama we see play out on the shows.
BLOSSMAN: That is nothing. That is subdued.
HAMMER: That doesn`t touch really? That`s a little scary to me.
BLOSSMAN: It`s scary to me.
HAMMER: You`re living it.
BLOSSMAN: I know. T`s like once the cameras stop rolling, that`s when the drama happens. When the show premieres and like all in the fans start commenting, that`s when the actual drama, the cyber bullying, we`ve even had some what we call laugh top gate happen. Like one of the cast members was accused of stealing another cast member`s computer. Another one who wasn`t a cast member, but a temporary, you know, I guess a cameo, they were accused of opening a checking account, writing thousands of dollars of checks and take off back to California, and it`s like all of this is like, this is show-worthy material.
HAMMER: So, there`s a show going on behind the show.
BLOSSMAN: We always say that God, why are the cameras not here? It`s almost a curse.
HAMMER: I`ve heard they call you Botox Bonnie, which seems strange to me; because you`ve always been so candid about getting Botox, even let the cameras in during a Botox procedure. Why do you think there are so many haters throughout?
BLOSSMAN: I think most people that get Botox don`t admit it and I do. And it`s like (inaudible) has talked about it before. It`s like, are you sure you want to admit it? I said, yes, I do. Because I`m over 40 and I don`t have wrinkles on my forehead and I don`t want people to think that, why doesn`t she -- what`s wrong with me? Why am I 40 years old and no wrinkles? I want to be honest.
HAMMER: Have you ever had a time bomb when you thought I really enjoy doing the show but it`s not worth it in the end to me?
BLOSSMAN: I`ve never thought that, actually. I did read some of the hate at times and got consumed with it and wanted to defend myself, especially from another cast member. That`s when it goes a little bit beyond, you know, crosses the line. But I just, you know, I`m dealing with myself, I`m not going to look at it. I know it`s out there. Probably say I`m an alien, I have horns and I`m hiding them, whatever.
HAMMER: are you -- can you set the record straight?
BLOSSMAN: Yes, I am an alien. I have horn and have to tie my ears back.
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HAMMER: Appreciate their candor. You can catch Bon and Whitney on "Big Rich Texas" on the STYLE Network.
Well tonight on our special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," reality secrets revealed. Kendra Wilkinson has really grown up on reality TV. She went from stripper to successful wife and mom.
Now, what`s the secret of making a career of reality TV? Well, Kendra is right here to reveal how she thrives in front of the reality TV cameras.
Plus, a "Dancing with the Stars" insider. Its Kelly Monaco revealing what keeps the hit dancing competition running. Here`s a hint.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There`s lots of glitter. Lots of tanning cream, lots of hair spray, and lots of double stick tape.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Amazing what you can do with that double-stick tape. This is a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," showbiz reality secrets.
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BROOKE BURKE-CHARVET, ACTRESS: We love television. Unfortunately there`s not enough time top really show what goes on behind the scenes. It`s a lot of emotions, a lot of fear, a lot of nervous energy. A lot of rehearsing literally from the moment they step on the dance floor. It`s pressure unlike anything up to me. I`m celebrity students, never done in front of the world and getting judged for it.
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KENDRA WILKINSON, REALITY TV STAR: What`s that stuff out there in front of our house? What the (bleep).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bank -- foreclosure notice. What the hell happened? We just got this place. How are we getting kick out at this place?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s reality star Kendra Wilkinson with her family getting the shock of their lives with the cameras right there to catch it all for her hit show "Kendra and Eve" getting caught up in a foreclosure drama is pretty personal stuff to expose on TV, but are there any deep, dark secrets that Kendra won`t ever reveal?
I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Welcome back to a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," showbiz reality secrets.
And right now Kendra gets candid. There`s no doubt about it, Kendra Wilkinson is a reality show vet. You know, before hit show Kendra on E! she of course star on `the Girl Next Door." She competed on "Dancing with the Stars." It seems that Kendra Wilkinson has spent her entire 20s in front of reality TV cameras. And as if her life hasn`t been enough of an open book on TV. Well, she has written a very intimate and personal memoir called "being Kendra." cribs, cocktails and getting my sexy back.
Ravishing star Kendra Wilkinson joins me right now from Hollywood. Good to see you, Kendra.
WILKINSON: Hi A.J. How are you doing?
HAMMER: I`m Excellent. So, let`s get right to one of this big bombshell that you reveal in your book. It`s a secret that you put in here about your off-camera relationship with Louis Van Amstel. Louis of course was your partner on "Dancing with the stars."
Here`s what you wrote. We clashed constantly, he called me dyslexic. He asked if I was learning disabled. Part of me thought this is what selling out looks like.
Wow. Listen Kendra, I know and this is about your personal experience, but I have to wonder if perhaps one of the great secrets of "Dancing with the Stars" is that partners often butt heads behind the scenes. Is that it?
WILKINSON: Yes. I mean, you know, the clip before said that, you know, "Dancing with the Stars" most real out of all the reality show, but, I mean, we practice for, like, five to six hour, and all you see is one minute of the rehearsal before the dance. So, I mean, they just put what they can into the mix, and that`s what you get, but there`s so much more that happens behind the scenes. You know?
You know, there was a time where I couldn`t do a rondo right or couldn`t do -- I didn`t know the language, really, but I just -- I couldn`t pick it up as quickly as I thought I could and it didn`t work out to well.
HAMMER: Well, I`m sorry we didn`t get to see that, but it`s interesting to know there is a lot more fire going on behind the scenes than we actually get to see in the limited amount of time they have to show it on the show.
Now, you got your big reality break as one of Hugh Hefner`s girls in "the Girls Next Door." And you were barely out of your teens at that time. I have to say, it looked like you were living the ultimate glamorous life when watched you on the show.
But, here`s what I want to know, when the lights went off, was it really as glamour as what we got to see or was a lot of it just a lot of show for the cameras?
WILKINSON: You know, we didn`t really -- we didn`t really, you know script that we were. So it is -- it was what it was. I mean, I am who I am, and I was, you know, that`s why I`m called like the sporty girl and the tomboy. It`s because --
HAMMER: Would you have been riding ponies on the beach, off on mega yachts like you were and doing all these sort of things if it wasn`t for the TV show?
WILKINSON: Not at all. Not at all. I think, you know, that lifestyle was -- it was very, a glamorous life. And that`s really how it was even off camera though, like we would go to Europe, even off camera. So, I mean, we just wanted to share our lives with the world.
HAMMER: Well, looked like you were having a darn good time doing that. Now, your book is called "being Kendra, cribs, cocktails and getting my sexy back." And on your reality show, Kendra, you show with vivid detail how you`re getting your sexy back. And in fact, in one episode you whip out your "Dancing with the Stars" moves with your hubby Hank. I want to take a look at that.
WILKINSON: Come on. Let`s samba.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We could samba right over here in this bed.
WILKINSON: Come here. I want to see if I remember the dance.
WILKINSON: Was that it? Wait. It was -- one, two -- Was that it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. I don`t care what the dance is.
WILKINSON: Wait, wait. Come here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want to have sex.
HAMMER: I just want to have sex. You got, obviously, were having big fun there. But, here`s one of the reality secrets people want to know. You`ve got to help us out.
Is there ever a moment when you say, all right, guys, the cameras are off. Get out of the room. This is all private. Or when you sign up to do this kind of thing, do you even have the power to do that?
WILKINSON: Yes. I`ve been on TV nine seasons with the same production company and, you know, do. When you get on that -- when you have a good relationship with your production company you have a little bit more power and -- but I love to show. That`s the thing. I love to share my life. I love to be who I am and I love to make mistakes on TV. I hate looking perfect.
HAMMER: I have to imagine every now and then you just kind of give the guys, running the cameras a look and they know, we have to get the heck out of here.
WILKINSON: I mean, when it comes to the baby, when it comes to the baby, I mean, he has his feeding times. He has his nap times. So, those times are off limits.
HAMMER: That`s fair. Alright. Kendra, great to see you. Kendra Wilkinson, appreciate you being here. Make sure you get her book, "being Kendra, crib, cocktails, and getting my sexy back."
Now it`s bachelor bombshells. The reality secrets behind the bachelors. The show that really helped put reality TV on the map. I spoke with bachelor, Bob Guiney. Bob of course started the show`s fourth season. And get this. He thinks reality TV just isn`t keeping it real. Watch.
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HAMMER: I watch the "bachelor" and the "bachelorette" and it`s hard to avoid the feeling that some of it look as bit staged. Give me a real sense of how much of it is actually staged, because it`s not all spontaneous. Right?
BOB GUINEY, REALITY TV STAR, BACHELOR: No. To be really honest, I think that the entire landscape of everything has changed, because when you know, back in the day when I did it, which I sound like my grandpa, you know walking uphill both ways to school, but it was still kind of new. You know? You`re still going through the situation where you`re, I think, feeling the whole thing out. Trying to figure out what was a real situation and what wasn`t.
And granted, you still had a lot of things that were crazy, you know. Always on private jets and in Belize, in Alaska, and all these different circumstances that you don`t normally have in your everyday life, but now I think people go on there and before they`re even on the show they`ve created characters that they are going to play.
You know, I`m going to be the villain, for example, or whatever, is how they go into the whole mix, and I think that`s actually interesting, too, because I think it really affects the way that people behave on the show.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, grandpa and I, thinking Bob`s right. Reality shows just keep getting more and more scripted. They need to get back to reality.
Coming up, the secrets behind "Dancing with the Stars." the original champ revealing just how real the reality dancing competition is, and is it really as glamorous as it seems to be?
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There`s a lot to glitter. Lots of tanning cream, lots of hair spray, and lots of double-stick tape.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Kelly gets candid. This is a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," showbiz reality secrets.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NINA GARCIA, PROJECT RUNWAY: What goes on behind the scene, a lot of fun! We have a blast. I don`t know. We laugh a lot. We fight a lot. Sometimes I wish the cameras were behind the scene, because so much goes on and we have such a fun time, but there`s really good chemistry between Michael, Heidi and myself.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I give you the champions of "Dancing with the Stars."
(END VIDEO CLIP) HAMMER: She was the first champion on "Dancing with the Stars" and now Kelly Monaco is taking us backstage to tell us exactly what goes on behind the scene on that show, and why double-sided tape a dancer`s best friend.
Well, many people know Kelly Monaco was the star on "General Hospital." But a "Dancing with the Stars" victory led her to a new challenge. Reality TV. She`s starring on the show on E! It`s called "dirty soaps" which follows soap stars offset.
When I spoke with Kelly, she shared with me the secret she learned firsthand about "Dancing with the Stars" and answered the big question, exactly how real is her reality show?
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HAMMER: Always have the distinction of being the very first mirror ball trophy winner on "Dancing with the Stars." Anything that goes on behind the scenes of show that might shock or surprise us?
KELLY MONACO, STAR, GENERAL HOSPITAL: There`s lots of glitter, lots of tanning cream, lots of hair spray, and lots of double-stick tape. And the girls, because there was that almost wardrobe malfunction, have to know where pasty is, just in case.
HAMMER: Pasties, sign a rider saying I will wear pasties.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: You know, Joy Behar told me what pasties are.
MONACO: Really?
HAMMER: I`m proud to announce. I had no idea prior to Joy Behar.
MONACO: That`s hilarious.
HAMMER: We`ve seen no shortage of wild interest in show like "the Real Housewives, like "Jersey Shore" like the Kardashian variety of shows, but you know, people are watching this and I think most are sitting back saying I don`t think what we get is really what`s going on.
MONACO: OK.
HAMMER: You know, there`s a lot of talk that there is a great deep of script or at least circumstances put out there to play out in certain ways on reality TV. What is the reality of that?
MONACO: With "Dirty Soap" and what we are doing, it`s different. You have professional actors that are exposing their jobs. What we do every day. We have actual jobs that we`re going into, and you get a sneak peek behind the cameras, behind the scenes. You`re going to the make-up room up on the set. You could see all the stuffs. And in character and then you get to come home with this. We have the most outrageous story lines on the planet. We can`t possibly top that with our real lives.
HAMMER: That`s true. No, that`s true. And I think that`s a great distinction to make in the case of your show, in the case of "Dirty Soap" what you see what you get is what is sounds like?
MONACO: Yes. I mean, what you see isn`t always what you want.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And now, the showbiz line-up. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour, showbiz reality secrets. Show me the money.
We reveal the secrets behind the biggest reality shows on TV. So, how do your famous stars keel rolling in the dough when the cameras stop rolling?
The secrets tonight from a "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" insider.
And more big reality secrets reveal, the "Carfellas" on the secrets of their success.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know what the problem is; you buy with your (bleep) instead of your he.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I should have done this on my own so I could have a nice, pleasurable drive by nice instead of your bald - (bleep) in passenger seat busting my balls.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Big cars. Big guys. Big secrets.
This is a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," showbiz reality secrets.
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HAMMER: Now in a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," showbiz reality secrets. Show me the money.
Tonight, the explosion of reality shows that are helping people who are struggling with their bills.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`re redefining what life is as a middle-class American, and they`re getting that information from TV. HAMMER: Could reality TV be the golden ticket for some people trying to beat the recession? A show that will help you buy luxury guns for bargain prices, "the fashion hunters" reveal their biggest reality secrets.
Big car, big guys, big secrets, about buying cars. The stars of "Carfellas" share the secrets of their high octane drama on and off-screen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Know what your problem is? You buy with your (bleep) instead of your head.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I should have done this on my own so I could have a nice, pleasurable drive by myself instead of your bald (bleep) in the back seat busted my balls.
HAMMER: These "Carfellas" reveal their reality secrets.
A special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," showbiz reality secrets starts right now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Welcome to this special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," showbiz reality secrets. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York and tonight, show me the money.
Larger than life, richer than rich. So much of what we see on reality TV is the more is more lifestyle. The Kardashians, anyone? Come on. Do you live like that?
Well, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" can now reveal that there is a new wave of reality shows that are taking a reality check and really focusing on the reality of keeping a job or keeping a roof over your head.
Tonight on this special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," we are revealing the secrets behind those shows.
We begin with CNN`s Christine Romans for "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT."
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CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: From the Kardashians to the housewives and the millionaire matchmaker.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, girls. Ready to meet the millionaires?
ROMANS: We know Americans love shows about people with money, but when did watching economics struggle become entertaining?
HAMMER: Now reality television is reflecting something so major going on in everybody`s lives, the economic downturn.
ROMANS: Call it recession TV. There`s pawn stars.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 15.
ROMANS: Down sized.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is this over here?
ROMANS: American pickers.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of people look at this stuff as their savings account, like, hey, I bought this. I think it`s worth more money.
ROMANS: Repo games.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Call in the morning.
ROMANS: A&E network just shot a pilot called "Job Whisperer." A show about finding a job and even sesame street introduced Lily, a Muppet struggling with hunger.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You don`t even know when you`re going to have your next meal or not. That can be pretty hard.
ROMANS: So, is reality TV becoming too real to watch?
JEFF GARDERE, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: There will always be the escapism type of TV, whether it`s scripted, whether it`s reality where people are just frivolously just spending money and having a lavish lifestyle. Sometimes we need that, but I think we`re redefining what life is as a middle-class American, and they`re getting that information from TV.
ROMANS: For now, many Americans will dream of a fairy tale wedding through our TV sets.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: You just saw, that show is about people down on their luck seems to be popping up everywhere, and downsized is really leading the way, this new wave of recessionality TV.
Stars on "downsized" is patriarch at the Bruce family. They are blended family of nine, and they just kind to stay above the poverty line.
Well, I talked to Todd and he revealed all the money secrets behind the show and told me why it might just be his family`s golden ticket out of their financial crisis.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Great to see you, Todd. Your show, I think, does show just how your family suffers and struggles, workers in a real, real way. This is obviously something that millions of people can identify with.
We`re so used to, Todd, seeing shows featuring the likes of the very rich Kardashian, for instance. So, why do you think your show took off? Not having money is not exactly sexy and a whole lot of fun to watch on reality TV in a lot of people`s minds?
TODD BRUCE, DOWNSIZED: Right. Well, I think that -- first of all I think we`re good looking but maybe not sexy, as you put it. But I think people have a connection with us because we are the all-American family that didn`t live an exorbitant lifestyle but we had nice things and lost those things. So people are you know, they can connect with us because so many people have gone through it.
HAMMER: Yes, it is so identifiable. And your family`s struggle with money is truly at the core of every episode of "Downsized." There was one scene in particular that really attracted a lot of attention. This involves you telling your life Laura that you bought a truck, Todd. Let`s watch what happened there.
BRUCE: We just -- got a truck.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What?
BRUCE: You`re the proud owner of a truck.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m -- what?
BRUCE: I mean, this is a really good deal. And it`s a good older truck with a diesel in it. You can drive the van. Get the kids back and forth. You don`t have to put all the personal mile on it because that`s her personal vehicle. This I can use for work. So, the garbage in the back, all the stuffs that I need to home on materials.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, congratulations for you.
HAMMER: See, Todd, I`m a guy who loves another guy buying a truck, but this buying that truck really kicked off a bunch of controversy on the show`s web page. I want you to listen to what someone named Ksharp7 wrote to your wife Laura on the page. "He wastes money trying to fix that massive van you don`t need and then buy as truck. You spent a grand on clothes from your bonus and he was ticked. The truck should have gone back and then put up for sale. Why you are cleaning houses, doing fitness, tutoring, waitressing and teachings and all he does is small jobs? Why doesn`t he wait tables, too?"
HAMMER: I can imagine Todd, that doesn`t feel good to you. So, I`m curious what the secret is to you to deal with all the negativity and criticism that so often comes with doing a reality show?
BRUCE: Well, I think you develop some thick skin, but you have to remember the good that goes along with all of the bad. Typically people don`t chime in as much to tell you all of the good that we`ve done, but you know, we get e-mails where, you know, Rex had an asthma attack. One of the sons had an asthma attack and people were writing in, blogging saying we appreciate you guys putting that out there.
So, you try to focus on the good things we`ve done for the community. Sharing our story and letting people know that they`re not the only ones in the situation.
HAMMER: And, of course, what I have found, a little piece of advice I can give you, is that people tend to right more when they`re unhappy with stuff that you do than when they`re happy with stuff that you do.
BRUCE: Right.
HAMMER: But your show has you right now, you know, making money, trying to survive with a little money to begin with, and you know, a lot of the positive things that are happening for you and your family right now, with the show being on, are going to help you get back on your feet financially.
What kind of secrets can you reveal to us about that sort of progression for you? Are you starting to make a little money and really see things on an upturn for you guys?
BRUCE: Well, I think that the show does a good job of depicting where we are as things progress, but you always -- for example, you know to answer the question about the blogger that wrote in. You know, you don`t get to see all of our life.
For example, I have washed dishes in a local restaurant, installed satellite TVs on the side, but you go out there and I think Dean, our financial planner was good about what kind a slapping me in the face saying, hey, you`ve got to get back out there. You have to get it done for your family. So, it doesn`t matter what you find to do, you have to do something.
HAMMER: So, I`m curious, Todd. Because your show is obviously about you trying to survive and as the show becomes more successful, you`re going to make more money. Are you concerned you`ll be too successful and you might actually lose the show as the result to that? It`s a catch 22 the way I see it?
BRUCE: It is a catch 22, but we set out with a goal to help -- eve help just one person. I share this story a lot with here in phoenix, there was a gentleman that shot his two young sons and himself because he was distraught over losing his cars and houses and all of that.
So, we set out with a goal to help people. We think we`ve done that. And if we become so successful, the business turns around, the economy gets better, then we no longer fit the profile of the show, then we`ll be happy for that.
HAMMER: Well, yes. I mean it really, in the end, you`re doing well and hopeful hi it will mean bigger and better things for you. I think you`re doing a great job.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: All the secrets behind reality TV`s downsized.
More "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" reality secrets revealed.
Real secrets that can help you with your life and the fashion hunters. The new reality shows that will help you buy luxury duds for bargain basement prices. We`ve got stars of "fashion hunters" revealing their secrets to money saving consignment shopping.
But, "Real Housewives" secret revealed the perfume, the brands, the $25,000 sunglasses. How does reality TV payments of big bucks off-screen. "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" insider, tells all.
This is a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," showbiz reality secrets: show me the money.
Right now the Kardashians clash over money with their mom.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All you about is money.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s not all I care about. I care about your future. I`m building something for you are guys so when you`re my age you don`t have to work so hard.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Life is about memories, experiences.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You choose showing me, teaching me a lesson? A real manager wouldn`t give a (bleep) about half the things I do for you. A real manager would work 9:00 to 5:00 and that`s you go the extra mile. And that`s what you guys forget. It`s (bleep) up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What did you pay for these?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. So I paid $5.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What? OK. That one was $10. I`m going to die.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s fashion. It`s drama, but at a fraction of cost.
Tonight we are getting behind the reality show secrets of consignment shop fashion.
Welcome back to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
You`re watching a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," showbiz reality secrets: fashion hunters.
Yes, but remember Kardashians? There`s a brand new reality show in town and it`s not all about the luxurious highfalutin big money lifestyle of the rich and famous. It can be about bargains too.
It`s a brand new reality show secret and I heard all about it from the cast member of Bravo`s new hit show "Fashion Hunters`" Andrea and Karina Lepner.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Great to have you guys, here. I love the premise of this show. Let`s talk about some secrets right now. We`ve got a dish on them.
The new show is on Bravo, "fashion hunters." All about the daily drama at the so ho consignment shop you guys run called second time around. You pull back the curtain on what`s involved in getting amazing expensive labels in your shop and then you sell they are for a fraction of price. It`s really a pretty vicious market.
So Karina, give me a sense of the drama you guys face on a daily basis doing this. I can only imagine.
KARINA LEPNER, CAST MEMBER, FASHION HUNTERS: I mean basically, I mean it is. It is really difficult first of all just to get those high-end items and to get our high-end clients in. I mean just like we curate the shop really well. And it just, it just, it involves a lot of networking and a lot of like -- you know, just --
AMBRIA MISCHE, CAST MEMBER, FASHION HUNTER: Going out and extracting the merchandise.
HAMMER: And what makes it perfect for reality TV, is the demand for this kind of stuff, the kind of prices consignment shops sell them for is extraordinary. And there`s no shortage of drama on this show "Fashion Hunters".
I want to take a look on what happens when a woman walks into second time around. She`s got a couple of Chanel bags she wants you guys to sell. Let`s see what happens here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My God. My God. Ambria, it`s very rare we get Chanel bags in the store.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I actually got them at a garage sale.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What did you pay for these?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. So I paid $5.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That was one $10. I`m going to die. So, I pay $10 for this, you guys can get me $3,000 for it, I would -- die, on the spot.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, this bag is real, you need to cut me a deal, because I want to buy this bag.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s really not fair for Karina just to take it before we`ve even consigned it.
HAMMER: I love it. So people really kind of freak out over these situations. Give me a sense, or, are people, when the cameras are off you know, stuff we may not see, are they ducking it out trying to get the bags and shoes that you guys selling on the set?
MISCHE: Obviously it`s a store. It can be really quiet and calm, and then had an item comes in, like a $4,000 jumbo Chanel bag, that`s obviously a high demand. I mean, the tension can go from 0 to a hundred in five seconds and then suddenly you have women kind you know - which Karina calls it hawking. They start looking at it. Then well, I was here first. I`d offer this much. And I get really tense. You have to know how to get these women in line.
HAMMER: You worked very hard to bring in the extraordinary fashion labels to sell at a fraction of what you know, we would pay at retail. And of course, this is worlds away from what we see "the Kardashians" and "the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" wearing and using on reality TV. It`s sort of a different mode.
Given me a sense what you think the secret is behind the success of a show like yours? Is it simply the economic downturn or is it so much more than that.
LEPNER: Well, I think it is a little bit of both. I think basically the success of this show is -- people just being able to come in and find these fabulous deals nap is the best kept secret. I mean just coming in and finding high-end you know, items for a third to a quarter of retail, and I just -- you know --
MISCHE: Even the wealthy right now are looking for a return on their investment, if you will.
HAMMER: Yes, of course.
MISCHE: So like, maybe a lot of the "Real Housewives" should be shopping at our store.
HAMMER: And if a little hair pulling actually happens and is caught on camera because everybody wants that same Chanel bag, then so be it. Great to meet you, guys.
Best of luck with the show.
MISCHE: Thank you.
LEPNER: Thank you so much.
HAMMER: Appreciate you being here.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And there are more big reality money secrets tonight. So just how much do TV most popular reality stores stand a profit from their new-found success. And you name it. They`ve got clothing lines, perfumes, appearances, even paid to tweet.
"Keeping up with the Kardashians ". "Jersey Shore" and "The Housewives" franchise. Is reality TV, millions away to go these days? If you want to make big bucks? I`ll get the inside track from a true Hollywood insider "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Dana Wilkey. She let us in on the secret to cashing in.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: What an amazing success you have been. Separate from "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." You threw these amazing, elaborate out of the box parties. You do them here. You do them over in Europe. You`ve had tremendous success, and now you`re developing into reality TV which is a booming business for a lot of newcomers that leads to many things.
What is the insider`s secret, in your mind, to making the most out of the opportunity you`re given by all the exposure you receive from reality TV?
DANA WILKEY, STAR, THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS: Well, I think it`s really important to remember that as a business person, you have to look at a business as if you`re famous or you`re not fame famous. If you have a good idea and can execute, you should do it. Use the fame only as a promotional tool. I don`t believe you can make any business work just by being a reality star.
HAMMER: People do seem to be shocked, though, how much money you can make, once you have made it in reality TV. I mean, people freak out when they hear the Kardashians, the situation from "Jersey Shore" among other reality stars pocket literally millions and millions of dollars.
Would you consider all of them to be the exception to the rule or is it really possible is for anybody whose made a name for themselves to pocket big bucks?
WILKEY: They`re an exception to the rule, for sure. I don`t believe -- Bethany, for example, they said $140 million. Turns out she had eight. I mean, you know - I think it`s a lot of it is, you know, inflated.
HAMMER: So, as a successful business woman though, what`s your suggestion or your take on the biggest hint, the biggest tip, for making financial success out of your reality opportunities?
WILKEY: I would say have a real viable business. So, if your business would work without being famous, then it`s likely to work with you being famous. A bit little easier.
HAMMER: No kidding. Great. Thank you, Dana. That was terrific. Appreciate it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Tonight, can jail lead to reality success? Well, that`s one of the fascinating secrets revealed about one of my reality TV guilty pleasures "Carfellas."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know what your problem is? You buy with your (bleep) instead of your head.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I should have done this on my own so I could have had a nice, pleasurable drive by myself instead of your bald (bleep) in the passenger`s seat busted my balls.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I love these guys. The big guys with the big cars revealing their big money secrets, coming up.
This is a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," showbiz reality secrets: show me the money.
And now, the divine Miss M has some advice for "Jersey Shore" star Snooki.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETTE MIDLER, SINGER: And I have advice to anybody who is in that situation is to save your money. Listen carefully. Learn what it is to have money. Try to make it last as long as you can. Get some dignity so that you don`t look like an idiot when you`re 40. You know? And prepare. Prepare for the worst.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stay on your side!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you know about (bleep) anything?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You are wrong, Mario. You`re wrong!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s a pizza.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Arguing over pizza? Hey, that`s nothing for these guys. You have got to see "the Carfellas" in action really doing what they do best.
Stars of the new hit reality show "Carfellas" reveal the secrets of their success.
HAMMER: And quite frankly, I don`t know what took reality TV so long it finds these guys but I am very happy that the folks over at discovery finally did find them. Now, their road to reality TV has been a bumpy one, including jail time for co-star Mikey D.
But Mikey and the crew say they`re real life run-ins are actually the secrets of the found reality success.
HAMMER: So Mikey, you know, it`s no secret you spent time in prison. You did it, if I have this right, three years on racketeering charges. And there are a lot of people are getting into the TV world that would shy away from letting people know that. They don`t want that kind of history, criminal record or anything like that out there.
But, it`s right there, it`s in the show`s promos. You own it. Did the show`s producers say to you yes, we want this on? We want people to know about it or we`re not doing the show?
MIKEY D., CAST, CARFELLAS: No, They didn`t say that. But what they did say was they want us to be discovery is really into being real. They did not want us to be fake. They didn`t want big transaction. So, I just don`t know I am like an open book. It is what it is. I get some things that I`m not proud off, you know. But, you know, something you get past it. Now, my family is my priority and you know, this is what we`re doing.
HAMMER: Goes back to real is real, and we know with some reality shows that`s not necessarily case. Look, I`m a car guy. So, I love watching shows like yours and you`re in the business of selling and buying cars.
We see you in one particular episode trying to buy a classic "Carfellas" try to buy a classic Cadillac. And we get to hear your absolute final offer and we get to hear what the seller is offering you, which I would think is a trade secret in your business, but let`s watch how it plays out.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are a lot of flaws on this car. We have to get this car six thousand or less.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What did you ask?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ve asked $7,500.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow. It`s worth it, man.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow. I got to put a lot of money into this car. I think the car`s worth probably about $4,000.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you kidding me, man? No way.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I went up to $4,500? That make a deal?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No way, I can`t do it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m going to pay you cash.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Charity, man? Someone else offered me more money.
HAMMER: Yes, I think he was a little offended there. So are you guys at all worried that revealing trade secrets could hurt your business.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not really. I mean, they`re not really trade secrets. You never want to pay with the person us asking. And anybody would do the same thing. Somebody`s asking one price, want to pay lower. Sometimes you get the price, sometimes you don`t. You meet in the middle, the car is yours.
HAMMER: Well again, bottom line guys. I love that your reality TV is really reality TV. And I love that you put it all out in. It`s great to meet you both, Mikey D. Thank you both so much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Even if you don`t care about cars, and I love those guys, perfect for reality TV.
And that it for a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," showbiz reality secrets.
Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer.
END
