I always thought Axe Men was fairly realistic. I’m sure it’s scripted in some ways, e.g. Shelby, but I’m not sure how much scripting they can do. The editing is probably contrived more than the show is scripted.
I think the Pawn Stars show is pretty close to reality except that they have to pre-determine and research the items they are going to discuss and then line up the experts.
I think the people on those 2 shows and Duck Dynasty are pretty close to how they are in real life. Or I could be wrong.
Somebody tell the sheriff on “Moonshiners” to just watch the show and he will be able to ID the culprits and bust them right away. And does Tickle really deserve his own reality show?
I think you are correct. The situation is set up, and the people say and do ... whatever. Then it's edited into something watchable by the show's intended audience.
I like "My Fair Wedding."
I was watching when they pulled one of the river logger boats down the highway. It came off the trailer hitch and went into the ditch. By sheer coincidence, they had mini cams in place looking down at the hitch, on the tongue pointing towards the hitch, and at least two cameras set up in the ditches on the exact stretch of road where the trailer came unhooked. Lucky for the editor to have so many shots to choose from on an accident.
I largely agree, with the caveat that the "wacky" interpersonal stuff straight out of a bad sitcom is rather obviously scripted.