Amish Mafia Reality Show Accused of Being Fake to Premiere on Discovery Channel [WATCH VIDEO]
A new Discovery Channel series "Amish Mafia" is a reality show that follows a small group of Amish law enforcers as they dish out justice in Lancaster, Pa. But the show is accused of being fake because it contains many "re-enactments" of the real stories.
The reality show follows a man called "Lebanon Levi," the leader of the pack of Mennonite mafia who are part-Sopranos and part-sheriff of their Amish community.
"I make sure that the peace is being kept and everybody is obeying the rules," says Levi.
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In preview clips of the show, viewers see the gang-like crew cock their guns, ride around in their buggy and pay visits to seemingly troublemakers in their neighborhood.
But as much as the show is controversial, some critics have accused the show of being fake.
"Amish Mafia," which airs Wednesday on the Discovery Channel, are "based on eye-witness accounts, testimonials and the legend of the Amish Mafia."
A report by ABC News notes that the episodes contains "re-enactments" that are based on stories that are the "God-honest truth."
The criticism has led Discovery Channel to post a disclaimer at the beginning of each episode.
Still, other critics believe that the "Amish Mafia" reality show could be the "next big thing."
"Reality television and the Amish are really a match made in TV heaven," media critic Michael Levine told ABC.
He described the new show as having controversy, being outrageous and being mysterious.
Other Amish-related shows on TV include National Geographic's "Amish: Out Of Order" and TLC's "Breaking Amish."
When "Breaking Amish" aired, it was also accused of being fake. TLC admitted that most of the show was not authentic in statement: "There is a lot of information floating around about the group featured on 'Breaking Amish.' Much of it is not true, but some of it is -- and is addressed in upcoming episodes."
"Amish Mafia" will premiere tonight, Dec. 12, at 9/8c on Discovery channel. (Watch the trailer below.)
