Top 25 Biggest TV Conspiracy Theories of Each Year (2000 - 2024)

“Survivor” (2000-)


For the most part, “Survivor” is the real deal. But, like all reality shows, there is a little bit of editing trickery. Before challenges, Jeff quickly goes through the course and explains to the contestants what they need to do. He then tells them to get into position, and the challenge begins. However, it always goes so smoothly that some started thinking, “Hang on, there’s no way the contestants remembered all of that.” They don’t. According to Today, both Jeff and the game’s constructor walk through the challenge with the players, explaining each section in detail and even allowing the tribes to strategize. Of course, they just don’t film that part…

“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” (1998-2014; 2018-)


British Army major Charles Ingram was the third contestant to win the top prize on the British version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” During his appearance on the show, Ingram struggled with many of the questions but then seemed to make a series of improbable correct guesses, leading the producers to suspect that something was amiss. They were so suspicious that they refused to hand over the money and launched an official investigation. While reviewing the footage, they found that someone would cough when the correct answer was said - sometimes it came from a waiting contestant, Tecwen Whittock, and other times from Ingram’s wife, who was watching in the audience. All three were officially charged, receiving fines and suspended prison sentences.

“The Bachelor” (2002-)


Romance on "The Bachelor" tends to be polarizing. It's also meticulously manufactured. Producers plan dates, arrange interactions, and basically keep the cast trapped. Cynics have long suspected that even the Bachelors' decisions are predetermined. In 2018, former executive producer Scott Jeffress confirmed that contestants really are advanced or eliminated partially based on audience response. Contestant-turned-Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky claimed that this practice extends to the spin-offs. There are assurances that producers only completely control how rose ceremonies play out, and that their influence on stars declines as the competition progresses. Of course, the unfair pressure placed on these courtships is well-documented. Directly or indirectly, "Bachelor Nation"'s controversial love stories give too much agency to off-screen Cupids.

“American Idol” (2002-16; 2018-)


It's no secret that “American Idol” hopefuls have mere seconds to wow scouts and producers in a series of preliminary auditions. The real mystery is how a lot of so-called singers get past that round. The popular theory was that the producers included some of the worst auditions for comic relief. Indeed, "American Idol"'s strange or downright terrible singers are such a phenomenon that televised auditions were arranged around that trope. However, out of concern that this tradition was exploitative, producer Trish Kinane ended it with the show's 2018 revival. "American Idol" is popular and entertaining enough without having to publicly humiliate people.

“Saturday Night Live” (1975-)


Serving as “SNL’s” musical guest in October 2004, Ashlee Simpson kicked things off with “Pieces of Me.” Viewers experienced déjà vu as Simpson performed her second song, hearing the vocals for “Pieces of Me” again. Simpson appeared equally confused, as the song was supposed to be “Autobiography.” She attempted to hodown her way out of this awkward incident before jigging off stage. Closing out the episode, Simpson claimed that her band started playing the wrong song, although viewers suspected lip-syncing was afoot. While there were technical issues, Simpson soon confessed that she had lost her voice before going live. Supposedly unknownst to Lorne Michaels, Simpson opted to use a pre-recorded track, which didn’t go as planned. Simpson eventually returned to “SNL,” but the baggage followed.

“Hell’s Kitchen” (2005-)


Gordon Ramsay is hailed as one of the most popular chefs in the world and one of the biggest jerks on TV. Especially in its American adaptation, Ramsay hosts the aptly named "Hell's Kitchen" with deliciously diabolical intensity. Many fans are skeptical that he's really bringing that much heat. He is notably more reserved on such other shows as "MasterChef." True, Ramsay has his share of feuds with other celebrity chefs. But his TV apprentices assert that he's a great and patient mentor. He also has a reputation of being devoted to family, philanthropy and fans. The caricature of his perfectionism is just an entertaining alter ego. As cranky as Ramsay does get when his restaurants lag in quality, he clearly takes his brand seriously.

“Cash Cab” (2005-20)


The fast-paced quiz show "Cash Cab" played to the fantasy that anyone could win big at any moment. Riders in the cab won money from host Ben Bailey based on correct answers to a series of questions. Many viewers assumed that contestants' winnings didn't actually come in cash. Sure enough, the dollar bills that winners flashed at the camera were props. They later received their prize money by mailed check for tax purposes. That is, if they didn't void their winnings by divulging production secrets. "Cash Cab" was serious about its illusions. Some contestants have even defied the NDA to reveal that they were recruited before entering Bailey's taxi. But the prop bills perfectly reflect how "Cash Cab" is deceptive down to the title.

“The Sopranos” (1999-2007)

As “The Sopranos” finale abruptly cut to black, many questioned if their cable had gone out. Upon realizing this is how David Chase intended to conclude his revolutionary series, some described it as the ultimate anticlimax. Others argued that the ending contained a deeper meaning, pointing to past episodes from the season foreshadowing Tony Soprano’s sudden end. The most telling clue is when Bobby wonders what death feels like, believing everything just goes black. As this theory gained traction, Chase tiptoed around giving a definitive explanation. According to HBO spokesman Quentin Schaffer, “There are definitely things there that [Chase] intended for people to pick up on.” In 2021, Chase essentially confirmed Tony’s death, although fans had already canonized the longstanding theory by this point.

“Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-)


Medical residents are known to work unhealthy hours. Apparently, so are medical show casts. Playing Dr. Izzie Stevens on “Grey’s Anatomy,” actress Katherine Heigl was termed difficult to work with and regularly spoke out against onerous working conditions. In 2008, she withdrew her name from Emmy consideration because she felt her role was underwritten. So the following season, Izzie was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Co-star James Pickens Jr. soon confirmed popular suspicions that this arc was written to keep Heigl in line. Izzie "just happened" to make a remarkable recovery after Heigl's contract negotiations. Her on-set antics still got her axed after Season 6, but she's now more critical of her own behavior than the show.

“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (1992-2009, 2010-14)

As the decade closed, it appeared we were entering a new era of late-night helmed by Conan O’Brien. With the regime change imminent, suspicions started circulating that Jay Leno wasn’t eager to hand over the keys. Reaching a compromise, NBC gave Leno a primetime series airing five days a week before O’Brien’s “Tonight Show.” “The Jay Leno Show” suffered in the ratings, arguably factoring into O’Brien’s shrinking viewership. People foresaw two possible outcomes. A) Leno’s show moves to 11:35 p.m. with Conan airing after midnight (which technically wouldn’t be tonight). B) Leno returns to “The Tonight Show.” With O’Brien unwilling to hurt the show’s legacy with a timeslot change, he signed a $45 million settlement while Leno resumed his old job.

“Lost” (2004-10)

“Lost” ignited a plethora of theories, one of the most popular being that the island was purgatory. The creators insisted the characters weren’t in limbo. As the series progressed, the theory didn’t seem to hold water. That was until the final season premiered in 2010, introducing the “flash sideways.” This seemingly wasn’t the past, present, or future. While some assumed it was an alternate timeline, others suspected this could be heaven, hell, or - you guessed it - purgatory! In the finale, the characters realize they’re dead. The flash sideways was a middle ground between life and death, giving them a chance to move on. Although they don’t call it purgatory, this is a rare case where a theory was wrong until it was right.

“Dexter” (2006-13)

Season 6 of this serial killer drama introduced two new villains: Professor James Gellar and his protege Travis Marshall. Or could it be just one new villain? It didn’t take long for audiences to notice that Gellar only interacts with Travis, who engages with several other characters. Every time Dexter gets close to Gellar, he mysteriously slips through his fingers. Even if you didn’t immediately pick up on this, the theory quickly spread across most of the show’s viewership. Meanwhile, the showrunners seemingly thought they had a bombshell on their hands, waiting until the end of episode nine to reveal that Gellar is dead and Travis was the Doomsday Killer all along. Rarely has an audience been so underwhelmed to see their theory proven correct.

“House Hunters” (1999-)


This enduringly popular show sees a couple touring a number of houses - typically three - and then choosing one to buy. But as many have long suspected, there’s not actually much hunting to be found on “House Hunters.” People involved with the show have come forward throughout the years claiming that they had already purchased their house before appearing on the show. Producers typically have them tour their own recently-purchased home, along with two other random houses they have no intention of buying. These houses are often volunteer homes, Airbnb rentals, and even places belonging to friends of the cast and crew. After touring all three houses, the couple then “chooses” their own in a staged debate filmed for the camera.

“American Idol” (2002-16; 2018-)

Before premiering in January 2013, the new season of ​​“American Idol” was already generating buzz due to a supposed feud between judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj. The first sign of bad blood surfaced when TMZ shared a leaked video of Minaj seemingly threatening Carey at auditions. While Minaj downplayed the video, Carey said that she felt “unsafe” at work. The leaked altercation was omitted from “Idol” Season 12, although viewers still sensed a rivalry brewing between the two judges. When the season wrapped, Carey and Minaj announced within a few hours of each other that they wouldn’t be returning. Despite previously claiming that she’d made amends with Minaj, Carey later called the show “like going to work every day in hell with Satan.”

“The Cosby Show” (1984-92)


This sitcom helped define the 1980s with its topical themes, cozy atmosphere, and lead performance of Bill Cosby, who grew to be known as “America’s Dad.” But there was an intense, underlying darkness circulating the show, even if many people didn’t want to believe it. Rumors swirled that Cosby had a history of sexual violence - a history that stretched back twenty years to the mid-60s. Women like Joan Tarshis and Wendy Williams made reference to Cosby’s sketchy history while the show was still airing, and the tabloid National Enquirer ran stories about the allegations. However, these claims were largely ignored. It wasn’t until 2014 that Cosby’s downfall truly began, and we can never return to “The Cosby Show” in the same way.

“Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-)


It was this medical drama that made Patrick Dempsey a star. So it was kind of odd when he suddenly up and left in April 2015. He claimed that he wanted to spend more time with his family, but some fans thought there were ulterior motives. They were somewhat vindicated in 2021, when the book “How to Save a Life” was published. While it’s true that Dempsey left over scheduling issues, that wasn’t the whole story. The book’s authors reveal that Dempsey turned into a nightmare, often “terrorizing the set” and bringing up “[HR] issues.” They also claim that “some cast members had all sorts of PTSD with him.” The details are murky, but his behavior led to his swift exit from the series.

“Pawn Stars” (2009-)


As viewers have long suspected, “Pawn Stars” engages in a lot of behind-the-scenes trickery. People don’t just waltz into the uber-busy store, sell that King Arthur sword they had laying around, and walk out rich. “Pawn Stars” isn’t exactly scripted, and many of the items and sellers are indeed authentic. But they don’t just walk in - they are vetted by the producers beforehand, and guests are kicked out of the store to film the pre-planned segments using background extras. This process often requires multiple takes, and the guests are often coached on how to behave on camera. Executive producer Brent Montgomery also told the cast members to buy items they otherwise wouldn’t have in order to make good TV.

“Sex and the City” (1998-2004)


Carrie Bradshaw and Samantha Jones were a breakthrough for female friendship on TV. Sadly, that dynamic was plagued by rumors of tensions between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall, especially over salary. These rumors were confirmed after the series finale. Pay disputes even factored into the show's end. Fans thus suspected that Samantha was written out of the revival series "And Just Like That..." out of spite. Well, Parker later announced that Cattrall wasn't even invited to return. It was simply understood that she wouldn't be interested after begrudgingly doing two "Sex and the City" movies. Luckily for fans, Cattrall made an appearance in the second season of "And Just Like That...". Whether Samantha is here to stay may still depend on Cattrall and Parker.

“The Walking Dead” (2010-22)


It’s not rare for shows to diverge from their source material, but this one had many curious aspects that had fans raising their eyebrows. Jeffrey DeMunn’s Dale Horvath was killed off in a rather abrupt manner, and long before his print counterpart died in the comics. This was a rather curious decision. But it also coincided with the controversial departure of showrunner Frank Darabont, who was fired over budgetary disagreements. As DeMunn is a regular in Darabont’s films, viewers knew the timing wasn’t just a crazy coincidence. Back in 2018, DeMunn confirmed the theory to Cleveland.com, stating that he quit the show after Darabont was fired.

“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)

“Game of Thrones’” final season wasn’t exactly what fans were expecting. Maybe that was inevitable considering how many conflicting theories had amassed over the years. Even when a popular prediction came to fruition, though, it played differently in our heads. A notable example is Daenerys Targaryen’s fate. Many made the argument that Dany could emerge as the Mad Queen and ultimately face a betrayal at the hands of the one she trusts most: Jon Snow, the true heir to the Iron Throne. That’s essentially how things played out with Dany torching King’s Landing and Jon stabbing the woman he loves. This theory might’ve been accurate, but the execution made everyone feel as if the rug had been pulled out from under them.

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (2003-22)

For more than a decade, few TV personalities appeared friendlier and more down-to-earth than Ellen DeGeneres. Her welcoming persona was called into question in 2016 after Kathy Griffin alleged that an angry ​​DeGeneres made her cry over the phone. Two years later, The New York Times asked DeGeneres about the rumors that she was unkind to her employers. DeGeneres’ fanbase was generally willing to write these accusations off as mere rumors until 2020 when multiple ex-staffers claimed they experienced harassment, racism, and toxic behavior on set. DeGeneres apologized and three executives were let go, but this wasn’t enough to save the show. Since the series ended in 2022, DeGeneres has struggled to win back audiences who no longer view her as TV’s nicest host.

“The Bachelor” (2002-)

Matt James made history as this reality TV franchise’s first African-American male lead. From the beginning of Season 25, Rachael Kirkconnell was seen as a frontrunner to win James’ heart. Around the same time, multiple TikTok users accused Kirkconnell of racist behavior. James stood by Kirkconnell, as the rumors could be chalked up to people online making baseless claims. That was until photos revealed Kirkconnell attending a ​​plantation-themed party during her fraternity days. Host Chris Harrison defended Kirkconnell, which ultimately led to his exit from the show. Meanwhile, Kirkconnell came out on top in the final rose ceremony, which had been filmed prior to the controversy. To the surprise of nobody, James later shared that he split with Kirkconnell following the photo debacle.

“Stranger Things” (2016-)

Season 4 of this cultural phenomenon introduced a mysterious being from the Upside Down known as Vecna. We later learn that Vecna is Henry Creel, who became Dr. Brenner’s first test subject at Hawkins National Laboratory. Some might’ve sensed a connection as the season unfolded. Yet, this theory can be stretched back even further. In 2016 when “Stranger Things” debuted, the cast was asked about their favorite theories. Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin, shared a theory that there were ten other test subjects before Eleven. While some may be dead, others could’ve been sent to the Upside Down where they turned into monsters. Obviously, there was no mention of Vecna, but this theory basically came to fruition six years later.

“Vanderpump Rules” (2013-)

As Season 10 of this reality series was airing in March 2023, TMZ broke the news that Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval had broken up after the latter supposedly cheated on her with Raquel Leviss. Months before #Scandoval started making the rounds, there were already whispers of an ongoing affair on Reddit. These rumors were further fueled in August 2022 when a source claimed that Sandoval and Leviss made out at Scheana Shay’s wedding. Madix seemingly addressed the rumors in January 2023, saying that she didn’t have an open relationship with Sandoval. When the affair made headlines two months later, Sandoval and Leviss issued apologies to Madix. Although Sandoval and Madix would both return for Season 11, Leviss exited amid the controversy.

“Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” (2024)

By 2024, people were well aware of Dan Schneider’s alleged history of toxic behavior during his time at Nickelodeon. Yet, numerous former Nick employees still claimed that Schneider was only the tip of the iceberg. The speculation surrounding the “first kids’ network” culminated with the docuseries “Quiet on Set.” Several individuals came forward with troubling stories about Schneider, corroborating past allegations about the fallen TV icon. What’s more, the stories painted a pattern of irresponsibility at Nickelodeon, which failed to protect some of its young stars. Among the most tragic cases was Drake Bell, who revealed that Brian Peck abused him. Peck’s arrest, trial, and brief sentence made few headlines years earlier, intensing arguments that the media had wiped the story under the rug.


Which conspiracy theories stick with you years later? Let us know in the comments.