MovieChat Forums > Hacking the System (2015) Discussion > I really want to like this show...

I really want to like this show...

posted 9 years ago by iplaygames2
3 replies | jump to latest

...I think it has a lot of promise. There are some tidbits of solid information put forth by Bushwood as the host. I think they really need to solidify the acting though. There's no way some of the scams he shows were done as they want us to believe. Case in point, the ticket scalper segment. The host approaches a scalper to buy a ticket, and the narration is telling the viewer how to avoid paying top dollar. The 'scalper' was such a poor actor, he tried so hard to avoid looking like one but failed miserably. His body language, including looking RIGHT AT the camera at one point, was laughable. I wouldn't mind these segments if they didn't try to act like the host was actually out 'on the street' doing the scams, and instead just brought people back into his shop area to demonstrate.

[–] western_rk 9 years ago

The cameras were not hidden to any guy looking at the camera is no clear sign of staging the show. I'm sure though, techniques are being shown on actors that are told how to react or how not to react more likely. I can see a real scalper getting angry real soon if that exact scenario played out.

[–] kingzac 9 years ago

I agree on everything, the "hidden camera" angle is poor, it's obvious that a salesman/waiter/scalper is going to notice two or more moving cameras in their vicinity, and the acting is amateur.
Just say it's being acted out as an example and it will be a lot easier to enjoy.

[–] wel_da_war 9 years ago

I have been a fan of Brushwood since about 2011. He has a YouTube show called "Scam School" that's very entertaining and awesome. He's recycled some of the stuff from it on here, but overall it is awesome and informative.

I do agree with you, however. They say "we set up hidden cameras" in some of the scenarios but then they cut from one of the "hidden" cameras that is low quality to an obviously high quality "professional camera" shot, meaning somebody was actually there filming it. I do believe that some of them are real, like the guy in the fake valet scenario. He was super pissed and his face was blurred, which means he didn't sign a release. I also am about 99.9% sure the scenario with the rattle snake was total *beep* It was most likely a trained snake that had been defanged.

Overall, it's a good show and this is only the first season. Hopefully, it will be much better the next season. This was obviously a trial run and it's gotten really good reviews so far.

No questions. No answers.. You just accept it and move on.

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