Reality TV: America's fast track to fame and fortune

Although Bachelorette Trista Rehn found love on prime time, most of the other contestants from 'The Bachelor' said they regretted being on the show. Picture / Reuters

LOS ANGELES - With over 100 shows and $50 million in prize money, reality TV has become America's fast track to fame, wealth and even true love.

But if you want a piece of the action, you'll need perseverance, nerves of steel and plenty of time on your hands.

"Most people think it is just really easy to get on these shows and at this point almost everyone knows someone who knows someone who has been on reality TV. (But) It is much less accessible than people think," said Matthew Robinson, author of "How to Get on Reality TV."

Some 25,000 to 50,000 people seeking their 15 minutes of fame apply to audition every season for top shows like "Survivor," "Fear Factor" and "The Bachelor." "American Idol" -- which offers the winner a chance to become a pop star -- is by far the toughest on which to land a spot with more than 100,000 aspiring contestants.

"Survivor" puts contestants in remote locations where they must use their wits to stay in the competition. Contestants in "Amazing Race" make an around-the-world journey while "The Bachelor" features an eligible man and a group of potential mates. On "Fear Factor" participants have to perform stunts including eating all manner of insects and offal.

Robinson, a Hollywood screenwriter and self-confessed reality TV junkie, tells wannabes how to survive auditions and what casting directors are looking for. He passes on some sage advice from past contestants who have been there, eaten that -- and mostly wished they hadn't.

"Almost all of them regret it, with the exception of everybody on 'Amazing Race,' all of whom loved it. The "Bachelor' people I spoke to said they totally regretted it and ended up looking like idiots.

"The experience of being on these shows is pretty traumatic. I feel for a lot of people who come out of it totally shell-shocked," Robinson said.

A hunted woman

Amaya Bruescher, who was a contestant in "The Real World" in 1999, said she had to dye her hair, change her look and still wears hats to avoid being recognized.

Although the bloom has gone off reality television for US networks, which are offering more scripted drama this season, Robinson said most reality shows saw a 20 to 30 per cent increase in the number of would-be contestants.

Robinson said he was surprised at the hurdles potential contestants have to go through, including spending several days sequestered in a hotel, full medicals by three separate doctors, psychological tests and background checks by private investigators.

"Most people quit their jobs to get on these shows. People definitely sacrifice a lot," he said.

Money is one motivating factor along with fame, although most of those who try out are simply thirsting for a once in a lifetime adventure. For "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette" you really have to want to fall in love. And on prime time television, no less.

Reality television has made such inroads into the schedules and affections of the American public over the past five years, that the genre now has its own Emmy TV award category.

Short-lived shows like "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire", "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance" and the adoption show "Who's Your Daddy?" pushed the genre to its limits, but Robinson believes reality is here to stay.

"I don't think it's a fad. It's a matter of cost. You can do an entire season of 'The Bachelor' for the same cost as one episode of 'ER'," Robinson said, referring to the popular hospital drama.

"Reality TV makes good economic sense. And, perhaps more important, these shows are just plain entertaining."

- REUTERS