Not So Tru TV: Ma’s Roadhouse

 

Ma's Roadhouse Cast Photo: Courtesy Tru TV

 

Anyone who knows me will tell you I love my reality TV, fist pumping Jersey Shore, vacuous America’s Top Model, I’m even reading Tim Gunn’s latest book. So sue me, it’s a damn good watch when you feel like switching your brain to the “off” position.   I know most of it is scripted and certainly not real, but there are certain tenets in reality that you just do not break when you are presenting something as “reality.”

Rule #1: If the show is based on a business, any products featured in the show should be available in that business.  It’s just sad to see the look on tourists faces when they are told that something does not exist.

Rule #2: If you are going to feature something that can be easily sourced on the Internet, make sure it’s actually ON the Internet.  It’s kind of easy to get caught being scripted.

Rule #3: Businesses featured in reality TV should be real businesses.  Part of the fun of reality is going to a place you saw on TV.  Imagine if Food Network went to fake restaurants on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

The tag line for Tru TV, a network dedicated solely to reality television, is “Not Reality.  Actuality.”  Well, hate to break it to you, but Ma’s Roadhouse is far from Actuality.  I’ve had the opportunity to visit Stroker’s Icehouse on three separate occasions within the last month.

Reality Infractions

Violation of Rule #1: You can not get a Texas Tea, or even a Long Island Iced Tea, at Strokers.  When I asked for one, the bartender said, “Rick doesn’t like promoting that kind of heavy drinking to bikers.”  Good policy, I think, as I glance at the shelves of liquor behind the bar.  She continues, “Ma kind of does what she wants, though.”  LOL.  Nice cover, hun.  I’ll believe that like I’ll believe the health inspector wasn’t a bad local Dallas actor.

View a clip from the episode.

 

Rambo Tells Lena that Miss Slayer Needs to See Her

 

Violation of Rule #2: Daphne Slayer, enough said.  Lena makes a point of saying, “she’s all over the Internet.”  Being the cynical person I am, I picked up my laptop and Googled “Daphne Slayer.”  NOTHING.  Daphne Slayer UK.  NOTHING.  Oh man… really?  If you are going to say a person is all over the Internet and she’s a major pop star in the UK, at least put up some fake promo pages or something.  Talk about an amateur screw up for scripted reality.

View a clip from the episode.

Violation of Rule #3: There is no such business as Coochies Cakes in or around Dallas.  In fact, I couldn’t find a cake company with that name at all.  Best, the car decal they used for the delivery vehicle looks like bad puff paint.

View a clip from the episode.

 

AMS Productions shooting a wet t-shirt contest at Stroker's.

 

Yesterday, I was there during the taping of their 15th Anniversary party… wet t-shirt contest and all.  I will be very interested to see what ends up on television.  By the way, they do wear gloves in the kitchen.  I watched them make my nachos. They do not wear hair nets.

Have you caught any obviously fake reality on television recently?  If so, shout back!

Travel Note: If you have the urge to do Stroker’s while you are in Dallas, you should.  Stroker’s Icehouse has $1.50 jello shots, cheap beer and decent bar food.  It’s a good place to hang out, check out bikes and have a generally fun and cheap day.  Their bike shop has a great selection of apparel and biker merchandise.  I bought my purse there and I love it.

You owe it to yourself to stop by Reno’s Chop Shop as well.  I’ve had several people mention the place when I say I’ve been to Stroker’s.  They say Reno’s is more “real.”