I know Tony has done a post about working with the film crew, but I was just remembering some fun antics and thought you guys might want to read a little about what it was like to work on a reality show.
The film crew was fantastic! They loved their jobs, loved the long term nature of the show (most of their life had been going from one gig to the next), and loved working on a “real” reality show. I got to hear stories of some of them working for other shows where it was encouraged to set up disagreements or fights to get more viewership. Despite the long-term nature of the show, however, it still seemed as though we would make friends with them, then they would be let go and new ones would be hired. That was not my business, but still sad to see good friends go.
One bit of “movie magic” was the episode that was supposed to be my first day on the job. This was certainly NOT my first day, it was just a day they picked a few weeks into my employment to pretend that it was the first day. I had to pull into the parking lot several times, get out of my car and walk to the clinic a few times, all while clients were there, wondering what on earth I was doing. It was, frankly, embarrassing, but the best part was when I was introduced to the office and Charles greets me to show me around. The first clip done, he comes up to me, all excited acting and says “alright, so just go ahead and take off all of your clothes and I’ll show you around.” We had to re-shoot that one after all of us fell out laughing.
Early on, they got an idea to make a character out of me. They tried at first to get me to fully embrace my southern roots and the producer, Jon, asked me if I could say things with more of a southern drawl and more stereotypically southern phrasing like “I was happier than a pig in shit!” I flatly said no. I understood the risks that were going to come with putting my professional skills on national television to be assessed and critiqued by vets all over the world, I was not about to make a caricature of myself.
When they found out I was pregnant shortly after I arrived, they decided to make it their center of every thing that I did. I would do a case and get asked the question “Are you afraid this could hurt your pregnancy” or “Weren’t you worried about your baby while doing this”? I was very patient (I think) for a very long time, but after becoming more friends with them, having a late night emergency with them involving maggots, and getting the ridiculous question asked for the 97th time that day “Are you afraid that the maggots are going to affect you or the baby and why?” My smart-ellic side came out and I got very quiet and serious, looked dead into the camera and said “yes, actually, there’s a condition where the maggots will burrow in through your belly button and infect the baby, which then pupates and eventually bursts from your abdomen and eats everyone”. The field producer just said “Cut” and we were done. I apologized for my antics, but he said that he was also tired of the questions from DC (headquarters).
One thing you will get tired of with cameras following you around all the time is definitely cameras following you around all the time. It was one thing when they were there for the cases you were seeing, but sometimes, you just wanted to research a case in a book or online or even just stare into space without having to worry about being filmed. One of the times I rebelled against the cameraman filming me do EVERYTHING ended up being a pretty good clip. I was hungry and trying to eat without having to worry about smacking or crumbs on my face in front of national TV, but Mikus, a very good friend, but also stuck to a camera would not leave me alone, so I intentionally went over, grabbed an obscenely large handful of animal crackers and ate them as sloppily and ridiculously as I could. I don’t actually think Dr. Pol was there watching, I’m pretty sure that was just an edited-in clip.
Everyone had to be mic’ed (microphone attached to them) before a scene could begin. Sometimes, if I arrived too early to an emergency or a farm call, the crew would ask me to wait in the driveway so they could get to the client and get a microphone on them before I arrived or you wouldn’t be able to hear what was said. This always gets me in reality shows when they are going to “surprise” someone, but when they get there, the surprised person is already Mic’ed up and ready to go.
There were also numerous… upon NUMEROUS times where I was asked to re-enter a room or driveway so they could get different angles, or get the jeep going through a large puddle just so. The best was when it was after a farm call and doing multiple shots of the same scene was keeping me from returning to work. The worst were when I entered a room and gave bad news but the crew wasn’t ready for it and asked me to give bad news again – to real people about real medical issues with their pets.
The interviews you see with the doctor on a chair with a barn scene background were all filmed in the garage at the clinic with a projector putting up the image that you see behind us. This was the time that the field producers would ask us questions about the cases they shot with us. There would be a multitude of cases all piled up on one day for us to remember. They would be like “you remember Buddy, the beagle?” No. Then, they would have to show me the transcript of what was done and said, sometimes weeks before the interview. Sometimes I would be like “Oh, yeah, of course I remember Buddy!” and sometimes we would go over the entire transcript and I would just say “Whatever, it was a pyoderma, I’ll just answer general questions about pyoderma”. It was interesting though, the producers definitely wanted a certain answer from you and so they would word questions to get you to answer like they wanted. It was a dance; sometimes we were in sync, sometimes I just said “just tell me what you want me to say!” when I was really tired.
Working on a TV show has certainly changed by perception of watching any “reality” show. Now, Tony and I will watch one and chide back and forth about what questions the producers asked to get that specific answer from a character or how they may have trimmed the clip to make it look like someone was angry with someone else when maybe they were just bored and sighed, but the clip was then inserted as a reaction to someone else.
Overall, I had a blast working with the film crew. I got to know most of them and even became good friends with some of them. They came from all over and had all different stories. Some were local, some were from Los Angeles, or even the Virgin Islands. Some were party happy in their early 20s, some were older family men. Some were a shoulder to cry on or an ear to complain to, some took me under their wing and helped me along. All of them were fantastic people and I miss them dearly and hope nothing but the best for every single one of them.
*** Disclaimer – all the medical things you see on the show were real – patients, clients, problems. ***
I appreciate this post! The more the veneer is rubbed off the entertainment industry, the more I am content with my everyday life instead of wishing I was a tv/movie personality. It sounds like fun for those who want to participate, though. I’m glad you enjoyed your time with PVS and on the show.
This explains why some want less camera time. It sounds exhausting on top of an emotionally draining profession. I’ll admit though I’ve learned a great deal and appreciate your effort.
I agree, and I was just enamored of the grit and strength you had on the show, especially while rolling a cow for LDA or pulling a calf while pregnant. I know you are a strong gal, and I’m sorry that media has to “pester” women about what’s considered safe during pregnancy….I was a birthing nurse for 28 years so I get that. Women are amazing and thank you for sharing the behind the scenes reality with us 🙂
Thanks for the insight as it is always interesting to hear the real story of what was behind the story.
I know reality shows are not 100% reality, though I know the vet ones are mainly so.
I have a friend who is ex-Amish who has been in some of the Amish-themed reality shows and she said they are ALL scripted and unreal. She was dressed up in Amish clothes as though she is still Amish (she left her Amish life about 28 years ago, as did a few of her siblings, but most of her family is still Amish and most shun her). She did these shows for the money as she is a single mom with two boys to finish raising,
Anyway, glad to know you had such a fun time and made some good friends!
Thanks for sharing this! We certainly do miss you at Pol Vet. I hope that someday you might find your way back to another vet show ❤️
My Emily behind the scenes are always interesting for those of us who weren’t there. It gives us a much greater appreciation for the magic that you guys brought to the show. Thanks very much for this insight glad you’re doing well.
Wow had no idea how much work (extra) was needed for that show…exhausting….
Wish you would do more like this…love to hear about WHAT WE DIDN’T SEE ON SHOW. It’s educational ….. how a show is produced.
Miss you!
I’m afraid I couldn’t get too in depth without stepping on toes and rights and stuff.
Was there a craft service (food & catering) around like on most sets?
Yes, we were provided with lunch everyday.
Dr. Emily, thanks for the insight into how ‘show biz’ really works.
I worked for Warner Bros. for 15 years and saw it first hand. You are a star no matter where you are.
Great read! I love behind the scenes stuff!
Glad to get some insights of the behind the scenes, hope you and the family are well. I miss seeing you (I watch the reruns with you). Be safe and take care.
Great blog. Did any of them have animal science in their backgrounds? Did they love reality or the vet work?
i was pretty excited today when i checked my email and there you were.. great post.. so many people miss you but you have so many memories and so many fans… hope all is well with you and Tony and the kids… take care and be safe.. the show just isn’t the same without you…
Thank you for sharing that. That was fun.
Thanks for sharing, Dr. Emily. I’ve often wondered how some scenes were shot, but I never imagined it was THAT much of a hassle sometimes. I hope they paid you well for what you did (for them). I miss seeing you on Pol Vet and think you are a terrific vet, large and small animal. My dad was a vet.
I loved this blog! It was really nice to hear from someone on the “inside” tell how things are done. I’ve always suspected that most reality shows are staged but glad to know things at the clinic were genuine (which I did suspect were). Thanks for the good info and keep up the good work. Still miss you on the show.
Thanks for sharing. I am happy you and your family are thriving in Virginia.
Love behind the scene stories. I remember the episode where you ate the animal crackers. Funny. So many memorable moments. Just saw the Winston the pot belly pig episode again. Loved it. The episode showing the older lady waiting to hear whether her cat was going to live or die was very moving. I also loved the ones with your children. You are very much missed on the show. Dr. Pol is amazing to be able to do all he does at his age. I hope you are enjoying Front Royal.
If you had it to do over again, knowing everything you know about it now, would you have worked at Pol vet?
Like others here, I really enjoyed this post! Hearing about the “making of” the show is really interesting…thank you for sharing! You mentioned having to do multiple takes in a situation where you were giving bad news to a client…that had to be really difficult. I’ve wondered if there were times that the clients refused to participate and didn’t want the cameras around…did they have to agree to be filmed?
My mother and I watch the show both current and past seasons all the time, and we miss you on the more recent episodes. We are so glad that you are enjoying life and that you have more time to spend with your beautiful family. Keep on writing! Best regards from Mt. Pleasant 🙂
Hi. I’m in the Entertainment business, and am/was aware of what is done in reality, along with the “behind-the-scenes” antics and norms. I do have one question, that I think I know the answer to, but would like to know out of curiosity.
The filming (actually, video!) isn’t done 365 days/year, correct? The crew comes and goes? My guess is that they come out every 3-4 months (the seasons of the year) for a few weeks, and then depart until the next session. Is this correct? What is the filming schedule?
As I said, I’m just curious. I can’t imagine them being there every day, all year.
Good to hear some of your insights. Thanks for sharing!
I think I understand why Dr. Brenda wants less participation next season. It sounds like it’s so much more work with the filming. Being a large and small animal vet is enough work by itself. I watch all the new and old episodes, especially the ones you were in. I certainly miss you and Tony, but PVS is still amazing. I’m glad you found a good place to work, and can spend more family time. I’ve recently moved and trying to find all new doctors for myself, and a new vet for my 3 senior cats. I live in Texas, so there isn’t any way you could help me. Just telling you. But when you moved you had to go through the same thing for you, Tony, and your kids. Be well. Love.
Thank you for this inside look at the show. I watch the episodes over and over.
Miss you and hope you and your family are happy and well.
Thanks for your insight into “reality” shows. I enjoyed reading about the shooting and the scripting. Having to re-do arrivals, etc also takes time out of your busy day. This will give the rest of us something to look forward to the next time we watch. Thanks, Emily.
Interesting info! Sure miss seeing you on TV. The show is definitely lacking a certain quality in your absence!