So, this week the news spread that Makoto had done a porn scene. That fact is tawdry and sad. As reasonable consumers of reality TV and of this mostly wholesome show in particular, we mostly wish the cast members well. Part of our engagement in Terrace House is seeing these people succeed, not only in the relationships they explore and create while on the show but also in their lives outside the show. We all cheer when Guy wins the tournament in Bali. But the news about Makoto is not the only touch of scandal the show and its cast has experienced. Reality TV has its dark side and part of that arises from how these shows are structured and created.
Thanks to Google Translate, it's not hard to take a look at the news stories that have focused on the show in Japan where it's far more popular (simply copy and paste テラスハウス into your browser.) Late in the original run (BGND) a producer was accused of sexually harassing one of the house members. There has been no evidence before or after the accusation that such harassment occurred. A similar rumor surfaced in the first run that cast members have been offered significant amounts of money for love-confessions and kisses on screen.
Producer manipulation is an inevitable part of any reality TV show. I am fairly sure that the house members are being paid to be on the show. It is likely that some of that payment only comes after the episodes are released: such an approach is a time-tested and effective way to enforce the kinds of NDAs which are necessary to prevent spoilers and maintain interest in the show.
However, it's highly unlikely that cast members are being paid for particular story lines. The housemates know that the producers want stories, and they know that their screen-time will depend on being able to provide story lines. Because the show has no confessionals, I suspect that the housemates interact far less with the production staff than other similar shows.
However, it is clear that no dates, scenes or group events at private venues occur without alerting the production staff ahead of time since releases must be signed (at least in the US) for everyone who appears on screen. Most small businesses are happy to accommodate the show since the advertising is more than enough to compensate for clearing parts of the venue for an hour or two. I do pity the production assistant that had to reach out to all the restaurants that Yusuke made reservations for in the hopes that Lauren would go the dinner with him after the movie.
I do think that other than the location management, the production staff is fairly hands off. They almost certainly arrange the various previous member cameos that happen, but I doubt that they are meeting with the house members frequently and suggesting things to do or say. I suspect that the housemates spend far more time with the tech who is putting on and taking off their mics as they enter and leave the house and replacing batteries as necessary.
I do think it is likely that there is some mild pressure from the production in some situations for some house members to leave the show. I do think any couples which form are expected to leave reasonably quickly to make room for more stories.
Another dark side of the show has been its relationship to Japanese Idol culture. Terrace House has had idols on the show at least twice. I can see why they did so in the first run. It was a way to increase the cachet of the cast as whole by including a successful member of AKB48 in the house. However, idols are contractually forbidden to date in the Japanese idol industry. That fact is hugely sexist and problematic. It also places pressures on the young women in that position who appear on this show that no other housemates have had to face. Rie handled those pressures like a pro. Riko did not, and I actually sympathize with both Hayato and Riko in that situation. The show's choosing to cast any idol is problematic when so much of the focus of the show is on developing romantic relationships. I think the show is hoping for a line where an idol will sacrifice her career for the sake of love which is some particularly foul patriarchal bullshit right there.
It's easy to dismiss the idol issue as something that's only a part of current Japanese culture. However, it was not that long ago in US culture when Brittany Spears' loss of virginity was similarly suppressed. Just because we have not formalized the idol creation process in the same way as Japan does not mean that it is easy for young female pop stars in the US to navigate similar sexist marketing issues.
The surface of Terrace House is one of clean architectural lines, stylish clothing and food porn. Always remember, however, that it is a show, and despite the mantra of "no script at all" there are dark currents under that surface.
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