Food Porn Reality Television Show Exploits Food Bloggers

Reality show has really sunk to all time lows with the advent of CBS’s new reality show, The Briefcase. The show pits two cash-strapped families against one another. In a nutshell, each is offered a suitcase of $100,000 cash and the option to keep it or give away, with the knowledge that another family is out there suffering the same or worse fate. Basically, a television network valued at $30 billion is asking families that are near destitute to fight over the very thing the network has in abundance: money. In a MUCH smaller way, a new reality television shows offers to exploit food bloggers as well.

Here’s the scoop: I received an email from a casting associate for a company that is owned by A&E. Remember when the network used to actually produce television worthy of its name: Arts & Entertainment?

“We are casting for a new series on FYI (an A&E Network) called “Food Porn,’ hosted by acclaimed celebrity restaurateur Michael Chernow (co-owner of The Meatball Shop).”

As many food bloggers know, we are constantly hit up for free information and promotion from brand managers and publicity companies. In the past, when casting associates have contacted me, they’ve offered to pay talent fees + travel expenses for interviews. When I asked how much I’d be compensated for my time including compiling restaurant recommendations, travel and on air time, their response was simply, “We are not compensating people to appear on the show. This is a chance for you to promote your blog and social media sites. I’m wondering if you had any cool recommendations for the hottest dishes and restaurants in Atlanta. It would be awesome if you sent me a list of like your top 5 faves!”

Why wouldn’t any blogger drop what they are doing for the opportunity to be on this show? Did you catch that word “chance” in the email? You could put hours of your time to get the best recommendations for this #foodporn show and they would be more than happy to usurp your hard work with zero credit to you. You work tirelessly to make your blog outstanding. Don’t be taken advantage of by these shameless opportunists.

We did reach out to A&E to find out how many bloggers they planned to have on their shows, how many cities they planned to visit for a quote or some input, but got no response.