‘Celebrity IOU’ Viewers Claim the Show Is ‘Fake’ After Noticing This in Rob Lowe Episode
The Season 9 premiere of Celebrity IOU definitely had fans talking. The episode featured Rob Lowe teaming up with Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott to renovate the home of his longtime friend and assistant, Carol, but seeing the footage had some viewers convinced that the premise of the show is “fake.”
“Firstly, the whole premise of this show is that it is a surprise. The person doesn’t know they have been chosen and the brothers and celebrity showing up is a big surprise. Well, when they were opening all her cabinets and drawers they were all cleaned out already,” one person in the HGTV Reddit forum wrote.
Several others chimed in to agree. “I had the exact same reaction to the empty kitchen – production really missed the boat on that! It was very clear that every drawer and cabinet had been pre emptied!” another person wrote, while someone else added, “I came here to see if anyone else noticed the empty drawers and cabinets too! #1 reason I now know it’s all fake. I don’t know anyone who has even one empty drawer.”
Celebrity IOU features celebrities saying thanks to a loved one by surprising them with a home renovation, but fans are not so sure about the “surprise” aspect after seeing this new episode. “Her house was suspiciously spotless [when they showed up],” another viewer wrote. Someone else said, “It’s so incredibly fake and phony. All of it!”
HGTV
Lowe was heavily involved in the renovation for Carol and made sure to give the Scott brothers his input about the renovation. In fact, there was even a slight disagreement at one point when Jonathan asked whether a blanket on the sofa should be straight or gathered.
“We’re not doing any of that,” Lowe told him. “We’re going to fold it, and we’re going to place it on top. There’s no tucking like it’s a bed!” Drew jumped in and jokingly added, “It’s not called a tuck [blanket], Jonathan! It’s called a throw!”
Luckily, in the end, they were able to work together to give Carol the renovation of her dreams.
Celebrity IOU, Mondays, 9/8c, HGTV
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Here's my thought, so what. I enjoy the show whether it's a surprise or not. The renovation is not fake & like seeing the transformations. Bottom line is simple, if you do not enjoy watching certain shows or moves, do not like certain authors do not watch nor read them. Do not understand understand why people feel like they need to send so many negative remarks out, enjoy what makes, ignore what doesn't
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Ok, so it’s not really a surprise. I don’t care - none of these shows are 100% as portrayed. It’s entertainment. It’s fun watching the celebrities get involved and providing a way to give back to their loved ones.
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I worked for Cash & Cari on HGTV back in the day, And I can tell you first hand that every one of their reality shows are completely scripted. They would invent a problem to have every episode, imply that employees were showing up late when they weren't, just dumb crap. We also were told that House Hunters was shot AFTER the home was purchased, and basically all a lie. 🫤
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I agree completely. My sister and I watch House Hunters and look for clues as to which home they already purchased. Such as a family with a young daughter and two sons. Watch the episode to see a house with a little girls room and a boys room with bunk beds. Or look at the wardrobes in the closet to see if it looks like what they wear. Or cultural enrichment decor based on the family. Etc.
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Every show on these networks is fake. Do you ever see the shows where the renovation budget is 40k and they redo the entire house. The pricing is absolutely not real. You can't even do just the kitchen on their budgets let alone a whole house.
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All "reality" shows are fake or scripted.
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It was never a surprise which confused me since it’s supposed to be. She met the brothers and they told her what they were planning to do and got her input. Fun show watching Rob Lowe with Scott and Drew.
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It called editing. For time sake, everything is cleared out after the person leaves. As far as her house being clean, maybe that's how she lives.
Was a great episode.
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If you think it is fake, don"t watch it.
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You can’t watch a show until it is filmed. They can’t have everything single thing they do on it. The show would be boring and weeks long.
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I figured the surprise element is fake cuz the homeowners, who supposedly know the celebs intimately, opened the door and stepped outside instead of waving them inside - every episode on that show are the same - homeowners step outside instead of inviting them inside or just walk away expecting the celebs to follow behind like everyday normal thing. Never happens. And the surprise element is tough when there’s a cameraman filming close to the front door. These renovation gift receipents failed to give an authentic surprise acting because they’re not actors. That’s my first clue - why the hell did they not invite the celeb inside or surprised to seen a cameraman filming right there. Eye rolling 🙄 really
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I did notice the empty drawer and cabinets one had a few dishes. They were ready. And the disagreements I felt a little uncomfortable with. Why idk
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It was so in your face with the fake surprise in the driveway, the immaculate house & the obvious pre emptied cupboards. It would be less offensive to viewers to admit it was all preplanned & agreed upon. You can still show up on the special start day with a band or whatever but don't pretend to hide or pretend to be surprising someone. Change the openings so they don't imply your viewers are stupid & believe it's a surprise.
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I don't understand why it's a big deal. Let it be! It turned out gorgeous!
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Who cares. It’s just entertainment.
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Of course the show is fake. The whole premise of a rich person waiting until they can be on TV to help a much deserving contributor to their life and success is self-serving and vomit-inducing. I watched all of the property brother shows until this one came out. Then, watching them felt icky.
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