Reality televisionis often not as real as one might think. Production plays a significant role in the storylines for each season, andGold Rushmight not be any different. According to various sources,Discovery Channel’sGold Rushoften uses a script as a guideline, and fans can tell.
Gold Rushhas followed various mining teams for the last 15 years.Gold Rushbegan with a group of men who lost their jobs and decided to turn to gold mining despite the risks in Porcupine, Alaska.Mining for goldis dangerous but lucrative.Gold Rushhas been capturing the risks miners take all across North America, but how much of it is real?
There Are Rumors That ‘Gold Rush’ Is Scripted
Gold Rushcan be unpredictable, as the nature of mining is risky, so planning some events, like mechanical failure, is impossible. However, some aspects like certain fights seem to be scripted and at least one cast member has confirmed this.The rumors about a script started withJimmy Dorseywho, according to Looper, admitted that most of the show was scripted, including his ownexit from the show. Dorsey was the youngest member of the Hoffman crew before he left. Although Dorsey was very aware ofsafety violations being made, he was criticized for pointing them out, which made him feel like an outcast. Dorsey andGreg Remsburggot into a physical altercation, andTodd Hoffmanthreatened Dorsey with a rifle to convince him to leave.
Dorsey claimed later that although he felt like an outcast and that the fight with Remsburg was real, his exit from the show was constructed and heavily directed. Dorsey stated thatGold Rushis scripted, including his firing from the Hoffman team. However, because of the events that transpired,Dorsey’s words are biased, and other production members have different opinions.
Sometimes ‘Gold Rush’ Needs a Script
Series producerEd Gorsuchdoes not deny that there are portions ofGold Rushthat are scripted, but for good reasons. Gorsuch told Reality Blurred that it can be difficult to keep people tuning in to “guys who dig the ground and wash rocks and look for little bits of metal.“Keeping people invested in the charactersand events meansGold Rushmust spend time pushing a narrative. So, although some events are scripted, the production ideas are more of a guideline than anything.
Additionally, more “scripted” dialogue occurs because thecameras do not catch everything the cast discusses. AlthoughGold Rushtries to capture as much as possible, it follows a planned week-to-week, as Gorsuch stated, to focus on a character or attempt at a storyline.Planning out a storymeans sometimes conversations and discoveries off-camera are missed. When something vital happens, they repeat the story for the show to ensure audiences do not miss anything. Even with a script, mining is unpredictable.
This Discovery Series Is ‘Deadliest Catch’ Meets ‘Gold Rush’
‘Bering Sea Gold’ follows boats braving the elements to mine gold in the sea.
Fans Can Tell When The Show Is Scripted
Gorsuch’s admission thatGold Rushuses a script as a guide does not stop fans from pointing out situations that feel unrealistic. Reddit user u/oldmanonsilvercreek brought up how unrealistic some aspects can be, specifically how fast some events occur, or thatTom Beetswould have known his water license was amended, and whether or not things have been stolen, saying, “Yes, it’s always been scripted, but come one.” Another user, u/Top-fig8643, complained thatParker Schnabelis always complaining about almost being bankrupt, but Discovery was bankrolling the project, so that cannot be true. In both instances, otherfans defended the show in the comments. Regardless of if the show is scripted,fans still enjoyGold Rushand the stories of these miners.
Ultimately, most ofGold Rushis real, butthe show pushes certain stories to keep people entertained, and it works.Gold Rushwill always have fans because, regardless of whether some aspects are recreated like Gorsuch admits, the risk the miners take to get their lives back on track will always captivate an audience. Whether or not the drama is real or staged, the gold they find is very real.
