Ahhh, TLC. With such informative shows as Cake Boss, Little People, Big World, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and 19 Kids and Counting.
It's no wonder they call it The Learning Channel!
Ahhh, TLC. With such informative shows as Cake Boss, Little People, Big World, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and 19 Kids and Counting.
It's no wonder they call it The Learning Channel!
Rules that the educators that populate The Learning Channel's programming have to follow every single day.
Right?
And nothing is more real than following a strict set of rules that determine how you act.
They don't just have to watch what they say on TV either, it's offscreen too.
Remember, TLC is trying to portray these people's lives as reality, so they need to act like it when the cameras aren't rolling.
Just like a mom or dad, TLC will make sure that you're not spending too much money.
However, the network doesn't shy away from sending some of them on expensive trips... so they can get some good footage.
Well, considering they need as much footage as possible to make your life a TV Show, then it's no surprise these stars rarely get any alone time.
That's the price of fame, I guess.
It's not just private lives, public lives and spending habits that are controlled, TLC also has to watch what you say on social media.
In fact, they're extremely cautious of this.
So, if you hadn't already guessed, a lot of the things on TLC are scripted.
It is imperative to the survival of a lot of shows that their stars follow a script.
This may seem harsh, but it's for a pretty decent TV reason.
The people on the TLC shows can't play music because the network doesn't want to pay for the rights to use the songs.
Remember when your parents made you keep the door open when you had... ahem... "a friend" over? Well, imagine that but it's a gigantic TV network.
All your romantic relationships will be monitored by TLC.
That's right, a special attorney for showbusiness. And they have to be present before you sign anything.
This is mostly just a tip and not a rule, but it might as well be.
I know. I know. It's hard to believe that the show that featured a man literally in love with his car is fake, but you have too.
Yes, some of the addictions on My Strange Addiction are... hm... "embellished".
You'd think that a network like TLC would have money coming out the wazoo, but if they do they certainly don't flaunt it.
Some of the actors on shows are considered "volunteers" and a lot of the child actors never even got paid.
TLC makes you go through extensive background checks before you get on their shows.
90 Day Fiancé star Paul Staehle had to do this, and his criminal record didn't help him at all.
Most of the time this isn't true, in fact, they'll give you a whole warehouse of dresses to choose.
However, sometimes, it's one of four. They do that to speed up the filming process.
Any time there's a celeb team up, they have no problem breaking an alliance.
But that could just be for views, tbh.
I'm of course talking about when someone says "don't worry, we won't film this" or "don't worry, we'll cut it out in post".
TLC stars are advised never to believe that.
Not only did most of these beauty pageant stars not get paid, but they would often get forced into them by TLC.
Yeah, turns out it wasn't the parents!
It's all about those rating numbers kids!
Where would we be if we were watching TV that was only about good people?
We mentioned the background check, but every major star has to have SOME drama right?
Well, not too much. They have to keep quiet about really serious things.
Otherwise, TLC will be coming for you.
The network wants to make sure that the show upholds its look.
Speaking of which...
Our 90 Day Fiance entry should have given that away.
A lot of the shows are, in fact, scripted.
There have been plenty of scandals behind some of the most popular shows!
Which is your favorite TLC show? Let us know in the comments!
Networks can be pretty cheap, but it's not up to you to have a say in what gets spent.
You just have to go along with it!