Lights, Camera, Reality

So, he hired Robert Galinsky as a coach and the rest is TV history.

New York Reality Show TV student Leo Fernekes receives his diploma from the school's founder, Robert Galinsky.

(Evan Cohen)

Bouncing Back

Jorge made it to the final three competitors on Animal Planet's "Groomer Has It." He didn't win the cash prize, but he did win a little bit of fame and a healthy dose of confidence.

"Now, going down the street, people with dogs know who I am," said Bendersky.

Since leaving the show, he's dedicated himself to making guest appearances at pet stores and running his own fan Web site where he sells Jorge-themed T-shirts and mugs.

"Who knows?" he said. "Maybe I do have a future in the entertainment industry. You know, 'Grooming Dogs with Jorge.' Jorge-licious. Let's make the dogs Jorge-licious!"

But for now, he's doling out tips to other wannabes at the Reality TV School.

Students like Donato DeMarinis are eager to learn the tricks of the trade. Once upon a time, he was on the game show "Deal or No Deal." The notoriety he experienced was fantastic, but fleeting.

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"Once it all came to a crashing end, inside I did not want it to end," lamented DeMarinis as he recalled his short-lived 15 minutes of fame.

"No," he said, "I needed more."

In hopes of landing another TV gig, he enthusiastically enrolled at the Reality School. The irony of having to take a class to learn how to be real is not lost on DeMarinis.

"It is the most bizarre and sick thing I have ever found, and it is the best thing that I have ever found," he said.

"It is ironic to have a class to be real," admitted Galinsky. "I believe that the culture is such that we've been numbed and layered and people have been jaded. It's not easy for people to let their true selves out and feel comfortable and safe with that."

How to Be a Reality TV Star

Casting agent Risa Tanania says the training will absolutely help students get cast. Reality TV, she says, is a serious business.

"People who want to either be in the spotlight, or have a story to tell, or have name to sell, or whatever it is, this is a very serious avenue," said Tanania.

"People should start to take note a little more," she continued. "People are mocking reality TV a little bit, but it's not going anywhere."