Yahoo Finance Why Todd Chrisley Nearly Turned Down “Chrisley Knows Best”: 'Not Putting That on TV for Everyone to See'
In May 2023, Savannah Chrisley revealed that she and her family members had a new project in the works amid their parents' incarceration
USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Todd Chrisley in 'Chrisley Knows Best'Though Chrisley Knows Best went on to become a fan-favorite reality series, Todd Chrisley had his reservations about putting his family in the spotlight.
During an appearance on The Adversity Advantage Podcast, his daughter Savannah Chrisley revealed that when the reality star was approached with the idea of a series showcasing his family's life, he refused.
Savannah said of his hesitation, "My oldest half brother from my dad's first marriage, he struggles with, you know, mental health, drugs, you know, all of it. And my dad was like, I'm not putting that on TV for everyone to see."
The Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley host explained the implications of growing up in the "South" and the expectation to be "perfect" and hide things behind closed doors. After shutting down the idea on multiple occasions, Todd finally agreed and the family pitched a "sizzle reel" to 10 networks.
Savannah claimed that nine out of the 10 networks wanted to take the show "straight to series," one of them being Oprah Winfrey's.
Fans eventually became acquainted with the Chrisley family through Chrisley Knows Best on USA Network. Premiering in 2014, the show followed the close-knit, well-off Southern family led by Todd and Julie Chrisley as they navigated the ups and downs of daily life together.
Related: Chase Chrisley Is 'Extremely Proud' of Savannah's Fight for Their Parents: 'You Are That B----'
Its popularity led to a spinoff titled Growing Up Chrisley, focusing on Savannah and her older brother Chase, 27.
Both shows were ultimately impacted by Todd and Julie's ongoing legal troubles. After they were sentenced for fraud in November 2022, the USA Network quietly aired Chrisley Knows Best's 10th season at a late-night time slot. Growing Up Chrisley's fourth season concluded in October 2022 after a six-episode fourth season.
In May 2023, Savannah revealed that she and her famed family members were "filming some fun stuff coming up" amid their parent's stint in prison.
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"You're gonna have all the uncomfortable conversations," she said on her Unlocked podcast. "You are going to see how we're navigating as a family through having two parents that are incarcerated. You're gonna see how my grandparents are dealing with things, how Chase and I are dealing with things, him and the wedding process, how I do not necessarily agree with it."
Savannah added, "You're going to see literally every single aspect and there is no holding back, including Chloe asking me what tampons are, so..."
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