TV Shows - filming vs airing time

[graychalk]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone here might know the time discrepancy between when a TV show episode is aired vs when they were filmed (preferably for reality TV, game shows, or competitions)?

I googled this, but most information I came across were for TV series and sitcoms, and the time seems to vary anywhere between 2-6 weeks. If I'm understanding it correctly, it seems the early episodes were filmed earlier but the latter episodes may have a shorter time discrepancy. Also, the time has been shortening in modern days as opposed to back in the old days.

What I'm curious about is whether this applies to reality TV or reality game shows. Does anyone know anything about this?

ETA: Or shows that involve the audience or fans to vote for contestants (along the lines of Dancing with the Stars but not completely live?)

Comments

[kate_nepveu]

The AV Club has a few columns about this in its Expert Witness series:

Judging by when this person said he taped and when the YouTube clips are dated, Wheel of Fortune runs on roughly a 6-week delay: http://www.avclub.com/article/wheel-fortune-winner-chad-mosher-consonants-vowels-218632

Jeopardy takes a taping hiatus in the summer, so presumably they stockpile (there are Jeopardy forums, though, where I bet you could get better answers): http://www.avclub.com/article/whats-it-be-one-jeopardy-clue-writers-216093

This person said the Price is Right had about a three-week delay: http://www.avclub.com/article/what-happens-when-you-win-ithe-price-is-righti-101445

I think some reality-competition shows might be filmed entirely before the season airs, though--you'd probably want to check the specific one you're modeling on, but I had that impression about the SyFy makeup/special effects show _Face Off_.

[graychalk]

Thank you so much, for the info and especially the links too! I've been reading them, and the site has a lot of other stuff that was helpful in working out the details I need to insert.

The type of reality-competition shows that I'm modeling after would likely fall along the lines of Dancing with the Stars or even American Idol, mainly the part where the audience/fans would have a say in deciding the winners... so it seems some of it would have to be somewhat live (I think).

Anyhow, thanks again for your help!

[kate_nepveu]

FYI: http://www.avclub.com/article/broadway-brothers-talk-life-so-you-think-you-can-d-218868