Television Workers and Labor Advocates Shed Light on the "Real" Reality TV

It's no secret reality shows like the Real Housewives of NYC can be just as pre-constructed as traditional sitcoms.  But according to Lowell Peterson with the Writers Guild of America East, employees in reality television face much harsher working conditions than employees in scripted television.

"People in that part of the industry work brutally long hours without overtime pay, without health or pension benefits, without paid time off, and without the basic protections they deserve," he said.

Peterson says low-level reality tv workers aren't unionized.  So positions like assistants and writers aren't given fair benefits while their executives make millions off successful shows. 

Freelance producer Lauren Veloski says she's experienced this abuse for almost a decade.  She says it's created a culture of fear within the industry.

"I've been heartbroken to see on several shows an implicit, hushed understanding that we are each highly disposable, and can be easily replaced," she said.

Veloski, Peterson, and other advocates want New York City officials to help better regulate working conditions in the industry.