Reply #2: Reality shows are really cheap to make

[XemaSab]

Take a show like Twin Peaks:

You're got to pay for the pilot to be filmed on location, which involves sending location scouts and a film crew to Seattle and ostensibly paying to rent the Kiana Lodge, the timber company headquarters, and the Mar-T. There are also additional locations to film at, such as the Johnson house, the Palmer house, and so forth.

You've got to rent cars and get props. You've got to find a passel of actors, hire them, and fly them up to Seattle.

You've got to pay the actors who play Cooper, Truman, Andy, Lucy, Hawk, Ben, Sylvia, Audrey, Johnny, Josie, Katherine, Pete, Doc Hayward, Donna, Eileen, James, Ed, Nadine, Norma, Shelly, Leo, Bobby, Ronette, Sarah, Leland, and Laura Palmer.

You also have to pay for food and lodging for the cast and crew.

And all that's just for the pilot. If it's picked up, then you have to pay to have all the sets rebuilt on a sound stage. You also have to find additional locations for outdoor filming in Southern California, and you basically have to pay all the above expenses every week, week after week. And let's not forget the additional cast members that were added as the series went on.

In short, a show like that costs BUCKETS of money.

Compare that with having a camera crew follow a midget around.

That costs PENNIES in comparison.