There’s nothing on TV. It’s an interesting phrase considering that a standard Time Warner Cable subscription includes hundreds of channels in both standard and high definition. A quick scroll through the channel guide reveals a rich variety of networks that cater to all different walks of life. And yet, there’s nothing on.

The fact that so much of what is broadcast these days can be considered “nothing” is not good. Classic networks have been reduced to the point of producing sensational shows with the singular aim of producing viewing numbers rather than providing a truly original entertainment art form. The classic example is MTV, a station that seems to have forgotten exactly what made it a mainstay in cable television.

Recently, other networks have taken MTV’s lead and started producing reality shows depicting different occupations and lifestyles that exist across the U.S. At first glance this sounds like a good idea. Ice Road Truckers and Whale Wars are both hit shows.

The problem is that some of the more recent shows simply aren’t real. They may serve to inform the public that some of these jobs or lifestyles exist, but aside from that they are exaggerated dramatizations of the truth.

Appalachian Outlaws

This show aired in late 2013 on the History Channel and follows several groups of characters that harvest ginseng in the appalachian mountains in Virginia. It features quite a colorful cast of mountain folk as they fight to harvest the cash crop and sell it to outside sources. Because ginseng is becoming ever more scarce, there are a lot of confrontations on the show as the harvesters are very territorial and tend to get their crops from spots in the woods that they designate as their own.

Although it is an interesting look at a little known cash crop and those who harvest it, it wouldn’t be a show with that alone. The over-the-top conflicts that arise between characters are a huge red flag as to the authenticity of the series.

Here is the description for the episode titled “Tit for Tat” taken from the History Channel website:

“Tensions in the Appalachian Mountains are about to explode. Greg Shook and his truck get a reminder from the Simpsons, and their guns – outsiders best get out. A deal goes sour for ‘senging buddies Ron and Obie, and they come to blows. Tony’s only hope of filling an order comes from an unlikely ally, and after Mike Ross uses his tomahawk to send a message to the poachers raiding his family’s land — they return with an explosive reply.”

Without knowledge of the show’s premise, one would think that this description was for an episode of some show about narcotics dealers. The worst part is that there is no disclaimer stating that the show is a dramatization, leading the viewer into thinking that everything they are seeing is authentic.

This is the latest in a long line of these faux reality shows that have been proven to be false. “Amish Mafia,” “Moonshiners” and “Storage Wars” have all been proven as false by sources within the shows and, more importantly, common sense. The worst part is that these shows air on channels that are otherwise held in high esteem. “Amish Mafia” and “Moonshiners” both air on Discovery Channel, while “Storage Wars” airs on A&E.

Although these shows do have entertainment value, they could also potentially and inadvertently blight the reputation of these otherwise respected networks. Discovery Channel and History Channel have provided some excellent programming in the past that is both informational as well as entertaining. If these reality shows continue to spawn, these networks could eventually end up taking the same route as MTV.