Reality TV Meets Repossession

A few local South Jersey residents will have their 15 minutes of reality TV fame in upcoming weeks—although some probably wish the outcome was a bit different.

Last fall, Spike TV brought its reality series, Repo Games, to New Jersey for the first time. The show filmed a number of episodes locally, including in Gloucester Township, Wenonah and Paulsboro. 

Repo Games, a mix of game show and reality TV, is perhaps an inevitable sign of the times: entertainment and the economy wrapped into one program. Co-hosts Josh Lewis and Tom DeTone travel to different areas of the country and go to homes of people who are in danger of having their vehicles repossessed.

The hosts play a trivia game with the car owners. Answer at least three out of five questions correctly, and the repossession is called off and the show covers all outstanding payments. But choke up on trivia, and the car is repossessed and towed away on the spot.

Filming the show is always an adventure, as the car owners are actual people who are in danger of seeing their vehicle repossessed, Lewis says.

“We're dealing with what is dealt to us,” said Lewis. “The repo companies actually give us what's up for repossession. We're not just picking people.”

Contestants don't know what's going on when the show's tow truck pulls up, so chaos often ensues as people storm out of their homes, demanding an explanation. Lewis said that New Jersey was particularly vocal in that regard.

“In New Jersey, they're very open and honest with their emotions,” said Lewis. “They're loud, they have no problem expressing themselves. Jersey people keep it real.”

Lewis said a number of people stick out in his memory from the New Jersey episodes. A few women charged the production in anger and crew members even stared down men wielding baseball bats.

But it was an encounter with a dog that Lewis really remembers.

“At this one place, I came out of the truck,” said Lewis. “As I'm getting out, I start see people coming out of the house. Then, this little short ball of rage came after me with a pit bull on a chain. He kept letting the chain go longer and longer. I started to explain to him what the show was about and I had to time how long I had left to explain the show before the pit bull finally got up to me.”

“There's some times where I have to question how I ever got into this business,” he added with a laugh.

Once the show is explained to the contestants, Lewis said they're generally very cooperative and play along with the game. Obviously, contestants that win are thrilled with the final result, but Lewis noted that even losing contestants don't get too upset, because they know what they're getting into.

Lewis also found time to enjoy Jersey delights during filming. 

“I love New Jersey,” Lewis says. “Its very friendly, from the hotels and the restaurants, all the way to the neighborhoods. The food was fantastic, I ate some great Italian food when I was down there.”

Repo Games' second season debuts on Wednesday, March 28 at 11 p.m. on Spike TV. For more information on the program, visit the show's website.