Scandals that Rocked the Discovery Channel and the History Channel

Alaskan Bush People Admitted they were Fraudsters

The scandalous show’s cast admits that they lied about living previously in Alaska. The Brown family confessed in 2016 that they had been receiving government grants as a result of their lies. Both Billy Brown and Joshua “Bam Bam” Brown were each found guilty of second-degree unsworn falsification.

Alaskan Bush People Admitted They Were Fraudsters

The scandalous show’s cast admits that they lied about living in Alaska. The Brown family confessed in 2015 that they had been receiving government grants as a result of their lies. Both Billy Brown and Joshua “Bam Bam” Brown were each found guilty of second-degree unsworn falsification. There have also been controversies about whether the family actually lives in the bush or not, as it has been claimed that in between shooting the family actually lives in comfortable hotels and that their cabin was actually built by locals and not ‘with their bare hands’ as they claimed.

The Real Show Starts After American Guns is Cancelled

The All-American Wyatt family, who owned Gunsmoke Guns in Wheat Ridge, Colorado were just the ticket when it came to satisfying America’s gun fetish; until the show attracted some controversy, unrelated to obvious explanations of the problematics of a show promoting firearms…

The Real Show Starts After American Guns Is Cancelled

It was thought that tragic gun-related incidents such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting were the reason Discovery decided to cancel American Guns, but they insisted that the show was not canceled, just that they had chosen not to renew it. There were no plans to air reruns, in spite of the last episode being aired in 2012.

Gunsmoke Guns: Burglarized after American Guns’ Show Was Cancelled

After their show was canceled, the Wyatts had a stroke of bad luck. The Wheat Ridge Shop was burgled and it was potentially something that could have been prevented and was irresponsible on behalf of the owners. Although the business was high-profile and sold weapons, the roof had not been reinforced and the rest is history.

Burglarized After American Guns’ Show Was Cancelled

On February 27, 2013, unknown perpetrators cut a hole in the roof of the gun shop and made off with twelve handguns and three rifles. Little did the Wyatt family know that this was just the beginning of their troubles.

Richard Wyatt Wasn’t Actually Allowed to Sell Guns

Wyatt had broken the law and lost his Federal Arms License in the middle of shooting American Guns back in 2012, before the robbery. After that, he continued business at Gunsmoke and sold weapons through a Federal Firearms License that didn’t belong to him.

Richard Wyatt Was Not Actually Allowed To Sell Guns

It seems Wyatt thought his actions were some kind of a clever loophole, however, he was indicted for conspiring to sell guns without a license, receiving more than six years in prison in 2016. He had moved the address of another gun shop called Triggers to the address of his gun shop. He didn’t own Triggers, but none-the-less, customers were diverted to Triggers to fill in paperwork after purchasing a firearm at Gunsmoke.

$1.1 Million of Robert Wyatt’s Income was not Reported

Nine days after the robbery, the IRS raided the store. They had already had an eye on Wyatt since 2010 for suspected tax evasion and because the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives suspected he might unlawfully be in possession of six fully automatic weapons. On closer inspection, the shop’s records did not add up.

1.1 Million Of Robert Wyatts Income Was Not Reported

Between 2009 and 2012, Wyatt failed to report a personal income of $1.1 million and was charged with filing a false tax return. Along with the charge of conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, Wyatt was found guilty on ten felonies. The other nine were counts of tax fraud and tax evasion.

Up next: How American Guns show helped gun thief sell a stolen gun

American Guns Enables Gun Thief

As if the antics of the head of the Wyatt family wasn’t enough of a scandal; there were more shady happenings around American Guns, like the time the show contributed to the sale of a stolen gun. It was an antique Colt Pistol worth about $20, 000 which was brought in by one Wylie Newton on the last episode of season one.

American Guns Enables Gun Thief

Unfortunately for Newton, someone who knew about the robbery was watching and recognized the gun from a private Museum in New Mexico. Perhaps Wylie only realized that it’s not the best idea to sell stolen weapons on TV when the authorities were promptly alerted and he was charged. We reckon this may certainly have contributed to the end of this television show.

Sons of Guns show also sees arrests: Kris Ford and Stephanie Hayden

This story could have turned out worse for Discovery, seeing as the Hayden family of Sons of Guns, which aired between 2011 and 2014 on Discovery, turned out to have serious criminals in their midst. After her father’s heinous crimes came to light, Stephanie Hayden Ford and her husband Kris were accused of cruelty to juveniles and also arrested.

Sons Of Guns Show Also Sees Arrests: Kris Ford And Stephanie Hayden

Stephanie Hayden’s nine-year-old son was hit so hard by his step-father, Kris, on his lower backside that there was bad bruising. Stephanie was also arrested as she had been present in the room at the time, according to her son, whose father pressed charges against the couple.

Dual Survival Co-host accused by Cody Lundin of trying to kill him

Discovery was hit with a lawsuit when Dual Survival’s host, Cody Lundin claimed that his co-host, Joe Teti threatened to kill him during filming. The incident was framed by the producers as Lundin losing his sanity; but he says that his co-host, Teti, was actually threatening him with an ax and wanting to bury him on the mountain. This all led to Lundin taking the show to court for defamation of character, but Discovery prevailed.

Dual Survival Co-Host Accused By Cody Lundin Of Trying To Kill Him

According to Lundin, he was presented as losing his sanity. But the judge ruled that, as the show is mainly only somewhat true anyway, it is hard to rule about some specific things being taken out of context as most other things were too.

Contestants are assisted by Crew members on Naked and Afraid

Fans of the show Naked and Afraid were understandably not impressed after contestants let it slip that the show wasn’t genuine. The idea is – one man and one woman’s survival skills are put to the test when they spend 21 days in the wilderness. It wouldn’t mean a thing if they were getting help from the crew and not relying on their own skills.

Contestants Are Assisted By Crew Members On Naked And Afraid

The Daily Mail called out the show after it was revealed that a contestant was helped by the crew when she got sick after eating a turtle. She was allegedly given two IV drips for dehydration and also rice, bread, and baby food. Although no-one objects to the help given under life-threatening situations; the tabloid suggested that it was dishonest not to mention the help.

Naked and Afraid Contestant furious Over Alleged Show Manipulation

Honora Bowen and Matt Struzel were competing side by side in Brazil on Naked and Afraid, in the finale of season 3, when Honora gave up from heat exhaustion leaving Matt to complete the challenge. Or so it seemed until Honora let us in on some of the show’s secrets. On her blog, she said she was pushed into starting an argument with Matt to add drama to the episode.

Naked And Afraid Contestant Furious Over Alleged Show Manipulation

She says she didn’t tap out because of heat exhaustion but rather had developed a bladder problem. Even though she had asked to tap out several times due to the complaint, the producers would not let her go, finally attributing it to ‘heat exhaustion’ on the show.

Counting Cars: Average

After the popularity of Pawn Stars, the show’s car expert, Danny Koker, got his own show called Counting Cars in 2012. Set in Count’s Kustoms Auto Shop, the show centered around the buying, customization, and re-sale of rare cars.

Counting Cars Average

In spite of the fact that visitors to the shop are seen oohing and aahing, the reality of the shady location, combined with the blatantly overpriced goods, bad customer reviews reflect how quite a few left with a less-than-complimentary impression, as well as there being some scandals about misinformation about cars and some in-shop scandals.

American Pick n Choosers

Fans of American Pickers no doubt felt cheated out of the genuine treasure hunt thrill. While they thought that Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz were traveling cross country, tirelessly digging though worthless junk and stumbling upon grand finds, assisted by their glamorous store manager Danielle; it turns out that most of the actual process is conveniently left off-screen.

American Pick N Choosers

Turns out the collections are sent to producers who sort through them and choose the best items. These are then discovered by Wolfe and Fritz on the show. Not quite as thrilling, is it?

Pre-picked Experts

The pre-picked strategy of American Pickers is replicated in the seemingly endless parade of experts that Rick Harrison produces on Pawn Stars to examine artifacts. No, he doesn’t find them himself. Yup, it’s the producers doing the picking again.

Pre Picked Experts

What you see on screen is all pre-arranged, with producers arranging the experts from behind the scenes and not Harrison himself.

The Wheels may Come Off

In yet another Pawn Stars spin-off, old antiques are dusted off and brought back to life on the show American Restorations. Doing professional restorations takes years of experience and a lot of hard work, but fans have noticed a certain lack of diligence in some of their work.

The Wheels May Come Off

For example, as one fan pointed out in the episode “Secret Fan”, the wheels of the go-kart were put on crooked, making the cart wobble. It may seem like a small detail, but for the fortune they charge, it’s suggested that people would be better off looking elsewhere for their antiques to be restored.

Shopkeepers Just for Show

Pawn Stars fans have come to expect to find The Old Man, Corey, Chum Lee and Rick in their natural habitat, their shop. The show follows them as they examine antiques and old valuables to possibly purchase. Perhaps this was an accurate view of their lives before the camera crews, but that’s kinda deceptive nowadays.

Shopkeepers Just For Show

The cast and crew are now only present at predetermined times (not that often), and specifically for the purposes of making the show because the filming hinders normal business functioning.

Staged Negotiations

So on American Pickers we already know the collections are pre-picked by producers, so the discovery of the goods is staged. Then what about the selling part? I guess nobody would be surprised to hear that the negotiations are pre-arranged too.

Staged Negotiations

While Mike, Frank and the seller seem to bicker over the price on the show, the end price has already been negotiated between the producers and the seller. The whole negotiation is just an act.

Up next: What you didn’t know about Swamp People

Viewers were Furious when No-One was Actually Eaten on Eaten Alive

False advertising is not something to be played with and is taken very seriously. The Federal Trade Commission has created guidelines that advertisers should stick to closely. Viewers were simply outraged when Discovery aired the Eaten Alive episode featuring Paul Rosolie trying to get eaten alive by a 20-foot anaconda.

Viewers Were Furious When No One Was Actually Eaten On Eaten Alive

After annoying the snake for a while, and only getting his head swallowed, Rosolie had to be rescued by his crew when he thought his arm was going to be broken. This after the network had been hinting for months that the dude would actually be eaten. Needless to say, the incident definitely cost the network something in terms of reputation.

The Eaten Alive Antic Also Attracted Criticism from PETA

Over the angry voices of disappointed viewers online, animal activists like PETA expressed their major concerns. They said that it was just an opportunity for the likes of Rosolie to antagonize a snake for ratings while wearing a carbon fiber outfit and a helmet that supplied him with oxygen. Many pointed out that had the snake actually eaten him alive, producers would have had to cut the snake open to get him out.

The Eaten Alive Antic Also Attracted The Criticism Of PETA

PETA expressed how the so-called ‘wildlife expert’ should be ashamed of tormenting the animal. Similarly, Discovery should be ashamed of affording him the opportunity to do it.

Next up: The pressure was really on for Mama June

Mama June Dating a Child Molester took Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Off the Air

After bringing a convicted sex offender into the mix by dating him, Mama June caused the show to be canceled suddenly. Discovery’s TLC picked up some serious slack for the incident, which caused outrage amongst viewers.

Mama June Dating A Child Molester Took Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Off The Air

After molesting Mama June’s daughter, Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell, Mark McDaniel was arrested and spent 10 years in jail on charges of sexual offence. McDaniel, who is 10 years younger than Mama June, was accused by Caldwell of repeatedly molesting her in 2002 while she slept alongside her then 3-year-old sister. But when he showed up in the family’s lives again as Mama June’s new beau, the outrage sparked the show’s cancellation. Mama June only apologized after they broke up.

Mama June’s daughter, Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell, Sued her Mother for Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Money

Just because Here Comes Honey Boo Boo was taken off the air didn’t mean the family stayed out of the headlines. According to Mama June’s daughter, Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell, her mother and the network withheld more than $200 000 in profits from her, resulting from the series, so she sued.

Mama June Daughter, Anna Chickadee Cardwell, Sued Her Mother For The Money From Here Comes Honey Boo Boo

According to Caldwell, her own daughter was also owed about $100,000. Apparently, the family was paid $22,500 from TLC per episode which was meant to be shared amongst the kids. Mama June says they money was deposited directly to them and never received any of it. TLC remains quiet.

You won’t want to miss the scandal on Pawn Stars. Keep Reading to find out!

The Swamp People and the Law

Spending your days hunting alligators in Louisiana sounds like just about the scariest thing you can think of. Turns out it’s not as scary as the legal woes of Jay Paul, Chase Landry, Nick Payne, Randy Rivers Jr, and RJ, many of whom have been arrested for assault amongst other things. But topping the list of most serious offenses, Trapper Joe Lafont takes the cake.

The Swamp People And The Law

After beating his girlfriend up in a hotel lobby in 2012, it seems Trapper Joe made it something of a hobby since then, racking up similar charges in domestic abuse in 2013 and 2015.

Conveyor Belt Reality Stars

Changes always hit reality shows hard and are somewhat unavoidable, but when season five of Swamp People ended and they moved into the sixth and seventh seasons, fans became increasingly fed up as twelve cast members were inexplicably replaced as if they hadn’t meant a thing.

Conveyor Belt Reality Stars

Leaving fans in the dark and not sharing the reasons behind the cast changes, the History Channel is also somewhat hostile when it comes to former cast members popping up and giving their own reasons why they were fired from the show.

Unplugged or Untrustworthy?

It’s supposed to be a reality show set in the wild outdoors, with real Mountain Men living lives of old without modern comforts or conveniences. It’s the dream of many and there really are those living this simple existence. But some people feel cheated, pointing out that many on the cast are not being honest.

Unplugged Or Untrustworthy?

It seems that when Jason Hawk is not pretending to be off the grid, he runs an online store; whilst Tom and Nancy Oar switch on their TV and enjoy their cable subscription.

Staged Spontaneous Conversations

The producers on some of these History Channel reality shows are known to stage so many things on the shows; including the items to the experts; but did you realize that even some of the casual conversations you see have alwso been set up.

Staged Spontaneous Conversations

In most cases, the seller is found beforehand and then a setup meeting is made between the sellers and the experts to appear on camera. So Rick, for example, has plenty of time to study the item and be ready to chat with whichever expert is on their way.

Fritz in it Only for the Money?

You’re supposed to think that American Pickers Stars, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz are really into what they do and that they’ve been hunting for antiques all their passionate lives long before the show started. But Fritz has been deceiving us all along.

No One Likes Fritz

It is true that Woolfe has indeed been collecting antiques since his youth; but Fritz, on the other hand, seems far more interested in the money side of things. Viewers can see it in his eyes that he is really not as excited about interesting new finds, as his co-host is.

Outspoken Opinions

Danny Koker of Counting Cars’ fame has some pretty ‘out-there’ views and he is not afraid to express them publicly. In an interview on The Morning Show, Koker went on a rant about how hybrid and low-emission vehicles were pretty much useless.

Outspoken Opinions

In doing so, he was negating environmentalism, saying that it was made up by the media, and continued to embarrass the network by insisting on openly expressing his Trump-supportive political opinions during the elections.

The Hunting Lies

So real-life hunters watching Swamp People and similar shows are often offended by the fact that the realities of hunting are not conveyed in the show. Some frustrated viewers have complained fiercely about the way things are represented on Swamp People.

The Hunting Lies

It is suspected that the alligators are dead already before the cast is seen to be wrestling them. Of course, the largest ones are chosen for the screen, so people are led to imagine that these huge creatures are far more common than they really are.

A Poor Eye for a Purchase

Viewers love the banter between the staff and customers over price, but if you’ve been paying attention, you know that most of the negotiations are somewhat staged. It’s usually the case that the staff get a good deal, but there have also been some unwise purchases.

A Poor Eye For A Purchase

Some of these bad purchases they admitted to; like the time Corey bought stolen Rolex watches and the time they bought cubic zirconias. But these mistakes can be very expensive. The fake Willie May uniform cost them around $10,000!

Not All Smiles for Chum-Lee

He is a favorite amongst Pawn Stars viewers due to his amiable personality, but even Chumlee’s disarming nature couldn’t save him from the long arm of the law in early 2016.

Not All Smiles For Chum Lee

It wasn’t as bad as it could have been, considering the drugs and unlicensed weapons that were found when police raided his house. He got off with a couple of years probation, so the show could carry on.

Street Outlaws was expected to be a dud

Only now is the cat out of the bag. Viewers recently learned from Justin “Big Chief” Shearer something they would never have let us know before. The show was really not expected to do well at all. What started as a small gathering attracting small media companies, grew beyond anybody’s expectation.

Street Outlaws Was Expected To Be A Dud

Even producers were surprised that the show survived the first season. They had already decided that a second season wouldn’t be commissioned.

Next – So you thought you knew the Moonshiners?

Off-screen threat

The very definition of moonshine tells you that the show must surely fall in the grey areas when it comes to the law, so producers have simply included this aspect in the show when the Moonshiners are stopped by the police when they’re filming. It always makes for good TV.

Off-Screen Threat

Some more serious brushes with the law are not caught on camera though, like the time the police came to Tim Smith’s home to ask him about the show. Allegedly, he invited them in for dinner. The question of how come he has yet to be arrested if he is making moonshine has been raised, with the network claiming it is just dramatization and no real liqor is being made.

Street Outlaws Become Actual Outlaws

For racers strutting their stuff on Street Racers, the thrills and fans are likely outweighed by the consequences. A number of racers from the show have been threatened by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to have their licenses revoked.

Street Outlaws Become Actual Outlaws

In spite of an uproar over this, the NHRA has stuck to their guns. They feel it is irresponsible for licensed drivers to promote illegal and dangerous activities, adding that they hoped drivers would “do the right thing”.

They’re All Spies

The story goes that Joe Woods of Street Outlaws was super skeptical when he was approached by producers about a show about illegal street racing. First of all, it sounded too good to be true, and then there’s the legal status of the sport. He concluded that the network was a secret spy operation.

They Are All Spies

When they first started filming, Woods, was still completely mistrustful of their intentions and even thought the whole set-up was an underground sting operation. Who can blame him?

Virginia State Lets the Cat out of the Bag

Producers were not upfront about the nature of Moonshiners with Virginia Alcohol authorities. As viewers kept asking why they were being allowed to brew illegal moonshine, Virginia let everyone know that they were not showing illegal alcohol on the show.

Virginia State Lets The Cat Out Of The Bag

The cast, however, maintains that the State of Virginia is just bitter because they have just not been able to catch them making the moonshine.

Fake Giant Shark Documentary on the Discovery Channel

Shark Week on Discovery Channel in 2013 was a record year for viewership of all previous shark weeks. That’s because they had been advertising a documentary called “Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives”, featuring a giant, living 70-foot prehistoric shark that turned out to be a hoax.

Fake Giant Shark Documentary On The Discovery Channel

Although you might have seen a megalodon a million or two years ago, the ruse did not go down well with viewers who took to the internet to complain about it. The 4.8 million viewers who tuned into the show ending up feeling cheated, while Discovery raked in the profit of the high ratings.

Surely the Discovery Channel Should Check Backgrounds?

Reality TV is full of drama and that’s why we love it. But Discovery Channel scandals keep coming thick and fast. One would expect them to vet the people they include in their shows, at least excluding convicted rapists in the mix.

Surely The Discovery Channel Should Check Backgrounds?

Adding salt to the wound is the fact that many of these stars, especially on the popular shows, can earn up to $10 million per season. Where is the responsibility of networks like the Discovery Channel to put ethics over ratings? We think this question is well passed dead in the water by now.