Surviving Reality: This Is Not That Show is a gripping tale of fame, fierce competition, and betrayal from behind the scenes of reality TV. In 2013, the author was selected as one of ten contestants to appear on Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge, a hit SyFy reality series that captivated millions with its $50,000 prize and a coveted job at Jim Henson's Creature Shop in Burbank, California.

Chosen from nearly a thousand hopefuls, the author's excitement quickly turned to disillusionment. From the moment the contestants arrived at the cast house in Studio City, California, the magic of being associated with Jim Henson began to unravel. Verbal abuse from the production team, a toxic living environment, cult-like behavior, and producer-approved cheating shattered the dream before it could fully begin.

Just when the cast thought they had weathered the worst, the ultimate betrayal struck—a fellow contestant plunged a metaphorical knife into the backs of not only the competitors but the entire production team. It may have been the final nail in the coffin for the show, a fan favorite that never returned for a second season.

Think you know reality TV? You don't know the half of it.

Surviving Reality has been hailed as a bonus episode, a behind the scenes peek that goes way beyond the creature suits and puppet builds.