Producers are, understandably, hesitant to talk about who gets paid what on reality TV shows. There's enough bitterness between contestants already, without giving them a chance to compare paychecks in public. However, under the constant media gaze, information has come out that most do, indeed, get something.

Unfortunately, the two shows you cite specifically, "America's Next Top Model" and "Top Chef," are among the more secretive ones. No information has been released about what, if anything, they give their contestants, aside from a shot at fame in their given fields.

Other shows have been a little more open about their compensation, and, according to the experts, the amount depends on the type of show.

Shows with big prizes, such as "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race," tend to give a descending amount of the purse to every contestant. In 2005, "Today Show" reality-TV expert Andy Dehnart reported that the winning team on "The Amazing Race" takes home $1 million, while the first team to get the boot gets $1,500 for their trouble.

However, some shows also offer cash stipends for their contestants. In 2007, Dehnart reported that "Big Brother" house guests get about $750 per week (though he said that the check for the all-star season reportedly went up to $4,000 per week), and that "Real World" roommates get something, too, though they won't say how much.

"I used to say it was enough to buy a used car," executive producer Jonathan Murray told "USA Today." "Now it's probably not quite as big a used car."

"American Idol," the biggest reality show on the block, is a more complex setup. According to "USA Today," the would-be pop stars don't get anything unless they reach the final 12, at which point they must join the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union, and they begin receiving a proper paycheck of at least $921 per episode. Union membership means they also get royalty checks for reruns and DVD sales of the episodes in which they appear.

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