Is The Bachelorette scripted? We're taking an in-depth look at whether the show is fake or real. Some viewers already have their minds made up that the show is anything other than reality based now that the Clare-Dale-Tayshia drama has erupted into a season like no other.
The final nine seconds of the October 27 episode featured Tayshia Adams emerging from a swimming pool with a knowing grin on her face. Obviously, this was orchestrated by the show's producers and not something achieved by chance. Tayshia was called upon to replace Clare after she fell in love with Dale Moss. However, after rampant speculation, viewers are skeptical that the whole ordeal wasn't just drummed up by producers to sweeten what might otherwise be a dull season for the show. Some have even spoken out on social media that they believe the entire formula is fixed and scripted. The Bachelor franchise has been dogged by rumors of preordained scenarios. From meltdowns to "right reasons" speeches, there's excellent proof that not everything is organic in Roseland.
Perhaps the most damning evidence about the show's authenticity comes from reality TV mainstay, Jamie Otis. The 90 Day Fiancé after-show host dished the dirt on the producers' meddling back when she was courting Ben Flajnik during season 16. She said she was offered alcohol before an encounter with Ben, “Then we were talking about what I’m going to do and that he’s going to pull me [to the side] first and I would just go and I would kiss him and make out with him,” Otis said. “And I had barely spoken [on the show] … and then the rest is history.” However, it was her exit that raises a few eyebrows about how things go down on The Bachelorette: “During my exit interview, a producer asked, ‘Don’t you miss your family?’ and I just lost it,'” she said. “So, as I’m talking about my family and how I miss them, I’m then asked about how I feel about Ben. I’m crying, and it appears that I’m devastated that Ben didn’t choose me.”
There are a number of reality shows that utilize scripting as part of their narrative. The Property Brothers are excellent at explaining their processes with nary a stumble or slip of the tongue. It's obvious that there's some sort of predetermination of what they're saying to the audience. Another reality program that has a scripted format is the House Hunters franchise. None of the participating home buyers are just explaining their experiences off the tops of their heads. In the dating world, shows like MTV's Next and even the popular Netflix hit Love Is Blind clearly benefitted from witty writing to really make those stories and one-liners pop. Most TV shows and even films that are reality-based do rely on some sort of outline or syllabus to keep them on track. If The Bachelorette utilizes something like that for its production needs, it's not the same as a room full of writers penning every side-eye, snarky remark, or back-stabbing alliance.
Reality television is never actually reality based. All the most popular shows admit to allowing minor interventions from the producers. Of course, few of them will cop to being scripted. It's probably safe to say that the genre is authentic as it can be with a full camera crew and creative team behind it. Now, should fans be leery about believing everything they see on these shows? Absolutely. Many of them are sensationalized versions of everyday life. To even get these shows on the air, executive producers often encourage subjects to heighten their outrageous behavior. The Bachelorette hasn't stayed on TV all these years by being a responsible docu-series. No, it's hot-tubbing, tears, abs, passport stamps, French kissing, and formal wear all the way, baby. It doesn't take a script to achieve the aforementioned; just a cheeky network with deep pockets.
Source: Life & Style