NOT THAT’S REALITY

Shows that never made it on air

There are reality shows where you can’t stop but think, “How did this show see the light of day?”

But for as many shows you’re shocked got on the air, there are many more that devastated producers when they didn’t make it.

At the recent RealScreen Summit, an annual reality-TV conference in Washington, producers spilled stories about the one that got away — series that were pitched but simply failed to make it on TV. Some just had bad luck, but some are as absurd as you might expect.

BIG WEED

Premise: An Apprentice-style show where 10 people compete to work with one of Colorado’s top marijuana dealers. Why it failed: The first line of the sizzle reel may have made some network executives wince: “Every day I commit two felonies: I sell drugs and launder money,” boasts the star, who brags he has the best weed in the world. Another factor that hurt: A couple of other marijuana shows were already on the air, said producer Jim Berger, and they hadn’t rated well. Its real downfall, however, was how advertisers would feel — particularly on History channel, which expressed interest but has a more conservative audience. “Ultimately, ad sales was dead against it,” Berger said.

UNTITLED WAXING SALON SHOW

Premise: People in deep personal conversations with their waxers — while they’re getting hair removed. Why it failed: It was disgusting. “I thought this was the greatest idea ever,” producer Eric Schotz said wistfully. He showed a cringe-inducing clip of a woman getting a Brazilian bikini wax while talking about an upcoming date. “Mother of God!” the woman yells. “How has technology not come up with something better than this?” Schotz said that when he pitched it to Lifetime, the exec just stared at him before she politely declined.

HOT DATE

Premise: The Bachelor ... with porn stars. Why it failed: In the words of one producer: “You have to ask?” Apparently it got an “angry pass” from a male-centric TV network.

ROAD EATS

Premise: Truck drivers share tips about the best places to eat on the road, and cameras follow them as they uncover delicious food. Why it failed: Office politics. It’s still tough for producer Michael Hoff to talk about this one — everyone had high hopes that it was going to be a hit. But there was a sudden management change at the top of the network, and the new bosses weren’t fans of the show. “You get great notes on the first cut ... and then it’s ‘This is not what we want, this is not what we’re thinking,’ ” Hoff said. The show imploded, which meant layoffs and legal issues, since there was a contract for 22 episodes. Hoff wouldn’t disclose the network: “There’s too much carnage.”

THE MISTY COPELAND PROJECT

Premise: Misty Copeland — the first black ballerina to be appointed principal dancer for the American Ballet Theater — would mentor aspiring young dancers. Why it failed: “Dance is tough on cable,” said producer Rebecca Toth Diefenbach. For every Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, there’s a dancethemed docu-series that doesn’t make it. The show was in development at Oxygen, and with a famous name like Copeland, it seemed like a no-brainer — but the network couldn’t figure out a way to make it work. “There was a huge fight at the top” over whether the show could go forward, Diefenbach said. Ultimately, it was a no.