Here's a breakdown of the evidence for and against the show's authenticity:
Evidence Suggesting It's Not Completely Real:
* Edited for Drama: The show's editing is undeniably focused on creating compelling drama. This includes emphasizing conflicts between buyers, highlighting unusual finds, and emphasizing dramatic bidding moments.
* "Plant" Items: Some viewers have claimed to have recognized specific items in the storage units as props that were planted by producers. This could be done to increase the drama or to give buyers more valuable items to find.
* Buyer Relationships: The show's focus on rivalry and drama can make it seem like the buyers are at odds all the time. However, some buyers have admitted that they are actually friends off-camera and their on-camera interactions are exaggerated.
* Auction Mechanics: Some viewers have pointed out that the auction process on the show doesn't always seem to follow the traditional rules of storage auctions. This could be due to editing for the sake of entertainment.
Evidence Suggesting It's Mostly Real:
* Real Storage Units: The storage units are not made up. They are actual storage units that people have abandoned.
* Real People and Real Stakes: The buyers are real people with real money invested. They are buying and selling items, hoping to make a profit, and the stakes are high.
* Genuine Finds: While some items might be "planted," many of the items found are genuinely interesting and valuable, and some buyers have made real fortunes from their storage unit purchases.
The Verdict:
It's likely that Storage Wars, like many reality shows, is a combination of real-life events and production techniques designed to create compelling television. While the show may not be completely unscripted, it's safe to say that the basic premise – buying and selling the contents of abandoned storage units – is rooted in reality.
Ultimately, the level of "fakeness" is a matter of opinion. Some viewers are willing to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the show for its entertainment value, while others are more critical and find the staging and editing to be too obvious.