emilywake Of course the show is fake, but, let's face it, you aren't going to have the real people one there. Food Network spiced up the stories. They even put in the credits that everything is a "reenactment". That means that it's based on real events, not necessarily about Stiles and his crew. In other words, a real group of people did go through the events, but Food Network, for ratings' sake, exaggerated the story and events. Believe it or not, people do hire mystery diners to undergo a typical service and to infiltrate the staff. People actually get paid to do what Stiles and his team does, but not to the extent the show portrays. It's made to show real events entertainingly. And IT does it's job. Sure, things seem obvious to us as outsiders, but I've lived in a house for over three years and didn't notice big things in corners of the room or on furniture. Remember, it's entertainment based on real events, not actual events taking place. That's why I love this show. It's entertaining.

jnbbookworm Our only complaint... it's not on often enough.We've seen all the negative reviews, and it can only be surmised that the folks writing the very poor reviews are precariously like those thieves being caught on the program. Why else take such a negative stance on a program that gives the viewer/consumer insight as to what unfortunately takes place when dining out at times. Swindlers protecting swindlers if you will. My family and friends love this program. Even though some scenes may seem staged, we see it as a necessary part of programming to inform the viewer of the progressing story line. Season 12 Episode 6, "From Russia Without Love" had an extremely satisfying ending. We'll say no more, as we don't want to spoil it for the viewer, but if you get a chance to watch this one, grab it. This program is an eye opener for those of us who still believe "honesty is the best policy." Watch and learn people.

Carol O This show is so obviously fake that watching it makes my stomach turn. The contrived situations are too over-the-top to be believable, and the acting is atrocious. As a viewer, to be fed such garbage is insulting. I am baffled by The Food Network's decision to ignore the repeated viewer requests to stop this show's production. Their decision also leads me to question the veracity of the network's other shows. The producers are demonstrating that they value moronic fabrications over thoughtful portrayals of authentic situations. Please join me in letting The Food Network know that continuing to air such junk will lead only to a decline in their ratings.

tpgames Fake or not, its brilliant! When you do a reality show about people who have done criminal things, you do have a possibility of a Tort Law case unless you change just enough facts so that no one can say that "Johnny B Smith" did this and "Johnny A Smith" did not. Thus, this show can't be 100% real, without a huge chance of being sued. You are going to have reenactments, actors playing the parts and so on. You are going to have dramatizations. This is USA, after all. With that said. I LOVE this show! Its fresh. Entertaining: I think its fun to watch what they come up with next just to keep this show new and different. I don't care if its fake or not. Every show has something new to see. I look forward to seeing what the employees are going to do next and what the next "scam" is going to be.Spoiler Bit: Reality: Yes people can too trim off too much meat. This does happen. Yes, people do too steal. People do face harassment on the job. All the things depicted in this show can and do happen. Those who think it doesn't, has never taken Criminal Justice classes to the extent I have. Yes, some of the happenings are more likely to happen at a private party, but still, its entertaining. Some of the situations may be over the top. The Octopus looking beer bomb that is potentially lethal, for example, I'd expect to see more at a frat party then at a restaurant. Homeless person sleeping in VIP room with the person having the key, but not coming back? Obviously, the locks had to have been changed in reality. Let's face it, we like to see people do dumb things like that beer bomb drink.The truth though, I know for a fact that some restaurants have been victims of food fights, bad management where the place that did not have a food fight, looked like it had one. I know that people do take tips illegally, make food that is not authorized (and not just because of food allergies). The depictions in this show may be dramatized, but they can happen and is fun to watch.