![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/222\/2018\/04\/satisfied-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a>I\u2019ve filmed several sizzle reels (it\u2019s a 3-10 minute tease that is filmed to attempt to sell a show to a network) a few years back. They were well received by several networks and we were excited by the buzz. One morning my production company (at the time) phoned me to tell me that\u00a0a network executive was in town and he wanted to meet with me.<\/p>\n\u201cThis is great news, Kristy,\u201d my agent gushed.<\/p>\n
I was nervous by the news, but excited too. \u201cI\u2019ll call you as soon as he leaves my office,\u201d I reassured my agent.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou better,\u201d she laughed excitedly, hanging up.<\/p>\n
He wore dark pressed jeans and a light colored button up shirt, and greeted me with a hug.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s talk about this,\u201d he set down the contract between us.<\/p>\n
I looked at him confused, knowing all too well that he knew all too well that I couldn\u2019t sign anything without my production company and attorney with us.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve followed you on social media for some time. You\u2019ve been on our radar, but the thing is, Kristy, is that I like you.\u201d<\/p>\n
I gave him a smile, with confusion, and thanked him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like you so much that I think this,\u201d he pointed to the contract, \u201cis a terrible idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d I stuttered.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou love Chuck, your husband, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded that I did.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou love your privacy, and your kids love their privacy too, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we do, but this isn\u2019t a reality show\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter if we have cameras in your home or not, it consumes every part of your life. There\u2019s judgement. There\u2019s ugly people who come out of the woodwork that could break the bravest. There\u2019s ego. There\u2019s money that causes money issues. And often times there\u2019s divorce.\u201d<\/p>\n
I put my hands in my lap and soaked in his words.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me ask you \u2013 what is your intention for this show?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo find a space that can broaden my ability to help others,\u201d I answered without hesitation. It was true too. I didn\u2019t want fame, and sure money helps pay the bills but I read for enough people who had a lot of money only to discover years ago that whatever tax bracket you are in money causes problems. I honestly wanted to help people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is your space, Kristy,\u201d he said waving his arms around like a magician. \u201cAnd there\u2019s other ways to broaden your audience than chancing with a television show.\u201d<\/p>\n
The phone call to my production company didn\u2019t go so well. My agents were understandably angry. When I heard the news about Theresa Caputo<\/a> and her husband Larry<\/a> separating\/divorcing it wasn\u2019t surprising to me, after all a television executive had shown me a crystal ball. Some believe it\u2019s a television stunt for ratings, and even if it is that still damages lives and reputations (so have I ever told you of the show that wanted to pay Chuck and I lots of money to pretend to be divorcing all because he hated me being a medium? Yeah, that was a thing). Even though much of reality television isn\u2019t reality at all, it plays with the reality of the people.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve seen many paranormal teams break up because they\u2019ve tried to get a television show and it NOT happen, or one or two were chosen to film a sizzle, causing all kinds of hurt feelings. For me, although I\u2019m a risk taker, this isn\u2019t a risk I\u2019m willing to take.<\/p>\n So as you turn on your televisions and watch your favorite shows, know that there\u2019s great editing making everything look picture perfect. There\u2019s acting, even in reality shows. And also remember they are people with feelings too.<\/p>\n