Tonight on 20/20 ` from a nobody to being world famous in NZ. We follow the making and possible breaking of the two leads from TV2's Step Dave. I remember thinking, 'They should recast me right now. I can't do this.' We also meet the ultimate step family. How do I explain my family? Big, busy. Complicated. And run Step Dave through his paces. First things first. Cheers. Then from sex symbol... This is my money-making machine. This is what I do. ...to single mum Now I'm a mum. I have a little boy to think about. Will you be open with Floyd about what you do? Kia ora. I'm Sonya Wilson. When producers of the new comedy-drama Step Dave cast two relative unknowns in the lead roles, they took a big risk. Jono Kenyon and Sia Trokenheim did have the chemistry the producers were looking for, but would they cope with the professional and personal pressure of carrying a primetime television series? And how would Jono handle the additional challenge of being a real life step dad for a day with a family that redefines, well, what it really means to be a family? Here's Erin Conroy. And action! TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB'S 'WHAT YOU KNOW' Logan's cool, Jasmine's fine; it's Scarlett. We're about to go on set of the country's next big-budget TV series, so you would expect at least one famous name in a starring role. And action! But not in this show, no. Both the leading lady and man ` never even heard of them. I just don't wanna be Step Daddy-o. Because before any of this, the stars, Jono Kenyon and Sia Trokenheim were, quite frankly, nobodies. And here they are acting with a lead who is, 'Who?' We follow them as they take their first steps to becoming famous in NZ. And because Step Dave is a show about a step family,... We're gonna make your life hell. We're gonna make your life hell. Bring it on. ...we challenge Jono to be a real-life stepdad for a day. No, there's definitely no bottom bit. Dine and dash is it? Dine and dash is it? Ow! The premise of the show is that Dave ` Jono's character, meets Cara ` Sia. I can take you if you wanted. They spend a night together in a hospital waiting room. It's late, and also I... But that sealed the deal. Even if Dave is just 24 and Cara is 39 with three kids, soon, Dave will become step Dave. OMG. So, that promo was on a lot over the holidays. Have you had any reactions to that? It's funny how suddenly old acquaintances or old flames pipe up with a message saying, 'Hey, Jono. I haven't seen you in ages. What are you up to these days? 'Do you fancy catching up for a drink?' It's a big-budget set complete with all the trimmings ` trailers, robes. They could have got a robe that actually fit. And it might have your name on instead of James. Yeah, he was he was the original Dave, but, you know, he had an accident. Everyone you see here is depending on Jono and Sia to pull it off, and don't they know it! Can I do this? Am I good enough? In fact Jono had spent more time working as a barman than acting on a TV set. I was working at a bar. You know, I was doing everything that, you know, a 23-, 24-year-old guy does ` just hanging out with my mates, chilling. Blueberries. Blueberries. Blueberries. There you go ` you can have one. Sia had some experience in her native Sweden. Thought I'd be here for six months to a year, and 13 years later, here I am. I'm not going anywhere. I love it here. I'm a Kiwi now. Then came the potentially life-changing opportunity to audition for a brand new show. 'This Cara lady sounds incredible. Um, there's no way I'm gonna get it.' My flatmate said to me, 'If somebody gets the role over you, 'it means they're better at being you than you are.' (LAUGHS) There was a tension between them, a nervousness between them and the way that they kissed that made me think, 'Ooh, that's a romantic-comedy relationship worth tracking.' Then the call from the agent comes. She goes, 'Can you come over for a cup of tea?' You've got the role,... You got Dave. ...but you can't talk about it. Ohhh. It was, like, 'Yay! Oh.' So, yes, we took a risk on them. PHARRELL WILLIAMS' 'HAPPY' And almost overnight they are thrust into the spotlight. Cute. Nice. That's nice. Photo shoots, interviews. Why do you think that's so important to your character? Promotion of all kinds. Tell us about this adventure. Have you been with an older woman, Jono? Dramatic pause. Dramatic pause. (LAUGHS) It's all about trying to win an audience, but they're about to face their toughest crowd. At Jono's house, his friends and family have gathered to watch the first episode go to air. Oh man. Nerves are running high. OK, here we go. But as the show begins... GROUP: Ooh, go, Jono. GROUP: Ohhh. ...and all the way through,... Why is he in the nuddy? Why is he in the nuddy? Logan! ...they're making all the right noises. GROUP: Yay! I think they're genuinely relieved that they do actually like the show. Really good. It's a relief for me too, cos they're terrible liars. (LAUGHS) They have a few laughs on set as well,... Standby to shoot. ...but it's a lot of hard work. Were there times when you just thought, 'I can't do this'? Yeah. Yeah, definitely. I have to prepare for the next day every night that I come home. I listen to my lines that I record into a little Dictaphone as I'm driving home. I come home and I have to sit with my scripts to learn the next eight, 10 scenes for the next day. But... (SIGHS) this industry can be like a drug ` as much as you hate it, you just want more. and people want more of them. As their profile grows, the VIP invites start rolling in. I'm more nervous about this than I am about bloody getting my arse out for the nation. My friend wants a selfie. Everywhere they go... My boyfriend's gonna hate this. Step Dave! ...more attention. GIRLS SCREAMING I went to beer fest the other day. It was crazy. And people were queuing up for photos. It blew my mind. As NZers tune in to Dave and Cara's love story, it's time for Jono and Sia to say goodbye. After five months in production, today it's a wrap on Step Dave, and we're here to capture some of those final moments. I remember the first day of filming. I felt so uncomfortable and insecure and like a fish out of water. And I remember thinking, 'They should just recast me right now. I can't do this. I'm not good enough. 'I bet you they wanted something different that I can't deliver.' It's by far one of the most difficult and bravest decisions I've made, I think. No regrets. It's gonna be really good for all of us. You have to stop. I know. And cut. It's been a hell of a ride. (CHUCKLES) It's been a hell of a ride. (CHUCKLES) That is a season wrap, Step Dave. CHEERING Every day you've made us laugh and cry, and I'm so proud to be able to share that with the rest of the country, so thank you. How are you feeling right now? > Dunno. Good. Good. Yeah? It's a big, big deal for you, huh? For everyone. I was speechless, just because I` I'm really proud of it too. And I'm proud of everyone who` who made it with me. Proud of a show that's struck a chord with viewers. Well, it's about us in 2014. (LAUGHS) They're so funny and real, and that household is chaotic. And I think there's a lot of people out there that recognise that family. There most certainly are. Are you a model? He's got all the right lines to say. And we've found one with a very unique take on the meaning of family. How do I explain my family? Um, complicated. (LAUGHS) You've accepted a challenge to spend a day as a stepdad with a real-life step family. > Yes. (LAUGHS) That's after the break. Welcome back. Step Dave is a show about a stepfamily, and so we decided to put its star Jono Kenyon's parenting skills to the test. We placed him with a real-life family to play stepdad for a day. And the family we found, well, lets just say that they could be in a reality TV series all of their very own. PAROV STELAR'S 'ALL NIGHT LONG' We put out a call... How do I explain my family? Big, busy. Complicated. (LAUGHS). ...for a real-life step family. Everybody thought that I had two mums, like, married. I've been asked once if she's my sister. We have four parents. I've got lots and lots of brothers and sisters. She's like my daughter too. We're one big blended chaotic mess. (LAUGHS) We all know a step family. Maybe not quite like that one. Are you ready? But Jono has agreed to join them for a day as a real-life stepdad. I think I'm ready. I just don't want to end up in the courts at the end of the day. We've given him a study pack. How old are these girls? How old are these girls? Um, I think she's 11. Herb and Jude. So while Jono's trying to get his head around that, let's meet the family. We'll begin with Jude. She married a man called Adil. They had three kids ` Wade, Reid and Carys. But then Jude and Adil split up. When a relationship ends, it's hard. How did you handle your breakup? Because the focus was so much on the kids and what was best for them, that sort of helped us get through it. Um, yeah. Lots of talking, eh. Like, we just... We'd` We'd meet for lunch and stuff like that, and that's where the tears would happen, so we didn't have those conversations anywhere near the children. I think the defining moment for me was picking up Wade from school one day, and he was really upset. And I said, 'What's the matter, buddy?' And he said, 'The kids at school told me that dad hates you 'because you don't live with him any more.' I was devastated and all that, but you have to keep going, because you have to. Like, we had three beautiful children who adored their father as much as their mother, and neither of us wanted to have that, um... you know, those negative thoughts coming from each house. After some time, Jude got together with a new partner, Herb. I needed my kitchen redoing. The kitchen man came to put up the cabinets and said, 'Oh, I can't put the wall one up because I need a plasterer. 'I've got a mate, really nice guy, do you a good deal. I'll send him.' Did you do her a good deal? I've done the whole house. (LAUGHS) Herb moved in, followed by Tiana, the youngest of his four kids. She started calling me Mum quite soon after because, obviously, the other kids were and she was only little. And so, yeah, it was a bit of an adjustment to... to opening my heart to loving another person's child as much as I loved my own. And you were helping to raise another man's three kids. In a way I felt like an intruder... as far as her ex-husband, Adil, goes, you know. Yeah, it was quite hard. That's right, let's not forget about Adil in all of this. BOTH LAUGH BOTH LAUGH I thought he was all right, actually. You know, when you see there's, uh, another father figure in the household. Uh, I remember the first time it was very very hard. You probably think about the moments they're sharing with those kids and what influence they have over them. How's it going? How's it going? Good. How's it going? Good. Good. How's work? How's work? Yeah, not so bad. Now its a case of both men sharing moments with each other's kids. Right, you got everything, Carys? Right, you got everything, Carys? School shoes? Right, you got everything, Carys? School shoes? Yeah. Adil picks them up from Herb and Jude's every Wednesday. Have a nice day at school tomorrow. Even though Tiana is no relation to Adil, it's been something that's happened for a long time now. The first couple of times I remember turning up and just, um, picking up my three kids, cos it was my weekend, and going home. I found it hard, myself, leaving her on the doorstep, watching her, I guess, three, you know, sort of, brothers, sisters, um, leave without her. I felt like, 'No,' you know, 'I need to have her there as well, as part of the family.' Tonight, they'll stay at Adil and Hanna's house. Oh, yes, then along came Hanna. Who is this floozy, young floozy come in. I was feeling a bit, 'Ohhh,' you know. I'm the female version of Dave, being the stepparent and being younger and not having had kids before. Would she know how to be a mum, a 'mum' to the` to the children? We did do a lot of talking about things. And I was always very aware that Jude was their mum and, you know, what Jude says goes. And now how involved are you with the kids? I'm just as involved as Adil is. Yeah, just as involved as Adil is with... with the kids. Mm. MOTORWAY TOUR'S 'YEAH YEAH YEAH' So that means no matter whose kids are whose, a parent is always on hand to drop them off, pick them up, love and support them. Tiana goes with Hanna,... Carys goes with Herb,... and Jude is there for Zahra. Oh yes. Zahra ` Adil and Hanna's baby daughter. Just thought we'd make things a bit more complicated. Just thought we'd make things a bit more complicated. Yeah. How are you with 7-month-old babies? > 7? 7? Months. > 7? Months. > Babies? Oh, I'll guess we'll find out. Yes, we will. Hi! Hi! Hey, how are you? You must be Hanna. I am. I've been learning the names in the car. Because today, Jono's step-parenting skills will be put to the test. It takes four of them to achieve all of this, so we've selected a couple of tasks for you. Four, in fact, with up to six kids. Here we go. Here we go. Right. You watching, Mum? And it all starts with holding the baby. Ooh. Ooh. Why is everyone laughing? Hello! There's a morning feed,... In another 18 years, this will be a wine. ...then the transport. Oh, I think I forgot the bottom bits. No, there's no bottom bit. No, there's definitely no bottom bit. And they're off. First stop... Shh. Look, it's got an elephant on it ` it must be good in curries. Shopping for a blended family is definitely a new experience for our step Jono. Where's your shopping list. Do you need tomato paste? Where's your shopping list. Do you need tomato paste? Doesn't say. Jazz ballet is next, but there's no time to rest. Can you do our hair? Do... Do your hair? I'm joking! AMERICAN AUTHORS' 'BEST DAY OF MY LIFE' Time to check in. I've been doing this for just over half a day now, but it's not over yet ` I've still gotta cook dinner. If anyone out there knows anything about me, I love my curries, so to be asked to make a packet-mix butter chicken is heartbreaking. First things first. Cheers! I'm hungry! Oh! The boys are home from cricket. Hey, buddy, how you doing? Good to meet you, man. And Wade... Reid. Wade's the other one, isn't it? Wade's your brother. Reid. Better name than Wade, mate. And, um, I was practising yours in the car. Oh yeah? Oh yeah? Ardie. Adil. Adil. Ardo. Adil. Ardo. Adil. Jono's work here is done. Hello, mate. Oh! I got competition. Hello, mate. Oh! I got competition. We thought we better pick up pizzas just in case. But he has made a tasty curry. And with his stepkids safe and well fed, Jono shares his final thoughts. I still can't tell who's in whose family, which is... is a great sign, you know. And` And they all talk to each other like they are one big family. You can tell they got each other's backs and enjoy each other's company, and that's... that's pretty special. That's pretty special. I know from the outside looking in with other relationships that I've heard about and the way they work, it must look totally strange and weird. I think Hanna's done an amazing job, for this young blonde bombshell. OK, I said it. (LAUGHS) Have you learned a lot about parenting from Jude? Yes, yeah, Jude's an amazing mum. You really are. She's` Oh. Oh. (CHUCKLES) She's awesome. She's awesome. Don't you start crying too! Oh no. OK, guys, final shot. We're all gonna have a big family photo. Hello! Wade, everyone, get in. One big crazy family, absolutely, but, yeah, like I say, built on lots of love, so yep. One, two, three,... ALL: ...cheese! What a cool family and a very good sport Dave was too. And for fans of Step Dave, you can catch the show here on TV2, Tuesdays at 8.30. Now, last year, we brought you the story of twin sisters Amy and Sarah. When Sarah lost her second baby and couldn't have any more children, Amy offered to be her surrogate. But Amy had a history of fertility problems and less than a 15% chance of falling pregnant with their chosen method of conception ` a $2 syringe. Despite those incredible odds, Bennett Smith was born on April the 2nd 2013. Here's Erin Conroy again with an update on the $2 baby. BOTH CHUCKLE This was the story of two sisters and a shared pregnancy. BOTH: Ooh. BOTH: Ooh. BOTH LAUGH You're having a baby brother. You're having a baby brother. Yay. Squirt's a boy. And we were part of it too. Well, this is unexpected. I know. Come over, Sarah. Tell us everything. Well, this morning, things started chuggin' along. < Really? < Really? Yeah, I was a bit cranky. Woke up. I was like, 'Oh, this feels a bit different.' Bennett Smith, aka Squirt, was born just a few hours later. BABY SCREAMS He's crying. Hey, baby. UPBEAT MUSIC Hey, little Bennett. So, there was no way we were gonna miss his first birthday. He's very playful, likes to create a lot of mischief, and he's a true Mummy's boy. Aw. Aw. He loves his Mummy. And Amy is still happy with just being Auntie. We actually forget that he came from me. Like, cos it's so natural, eh. It's just so natural, like, her just being Mum and me just being Auntie. And has it made you clucky at all? A little bit until I see the shitty nappies and.... (LAUGHS) and the tantrums. (LAUGHS) Stay away from my uterus! Oh, he's so cute. Next up on 20/20 ` a peek into the life of a showgirl. This is my money-making machine. This is what I do. Venus Starr is an artist proficient at never baring all; yet tonight, this femme fatale reveals all,... I've been really scared about this. ...exposing more than just skin to 20/20. Welcome back. When your image is your career, you're always on show. Such is the life of a showgirl ` make up, glitter, 10-inch heels and layers of costume. 20/20 has been given a glimpse into the creation of a woman who survives on this kind of mystery, an adult entertainer who thrills and scandalizes, an artist who sells illusions and dreams. Here's Hannah Ockelford with Venus Starr. MILEY CYRUS' 'WE CAN'T STOP' # Hands in the air like we don't care. Making art gets me high. I love it. I enjoy getting naked and being sexy. I mean, every woman loves that. Jack Nicholson's mother was a stripper. He turned out pretty cool. (LAUGHS) But you're not a stripper? But you're not a stripper? No. No, I'm a showgirl. # Can't you see it's we who 'bout that life? # And we can't stop. And we won't stop. A showgirl, a tattoo model and a circus-trained burlesque performer,... This is my money-making machine. This is what I do. ...Venus Starr is an artist proficient at never baring all; yet tonight this femme fatale reveals all,... I've been really scared about this. ...exposing more than just skin to 20/20. It's me being able to tell everybody how it really is. REFLECTIVE MUSIC Just another Monday morning. Oh, you know, here we are back at the office. Yes, while you're turning up to work,... Can't actually backflip onto the horse, Pete. Sorry. ...so is Venus. A bit frisky. A bit frisky. Venus. He is a little bit. It's a fantasy world, and her career, all carved out of an unusual set of skills. I've always been naturally quite athletic and fit. And I saw circus, and I was, like, 'This is amazing.' I came over to NZ to train with a Russian circus trainer, um, and the rest was history, really. I fell in love with it... What's your signature style? Neo-burlesque circus showgirl. It's definitely not traditional burlesque. I'll just hang around, shall I? What about your look? What about your look? Tattoo Barbie. (CHUCKLES) UPBEAT MUSIC (LAUGHS) I know. I come all the way from Uzbekislavia to do this for you. It's at events like this that the tattoo Barbie plies her trade. Acts that awe and a body to boot. In my view she is easily one of the greatest burlesque performers and stars of the circus world in the world today. UPBEAT MUSIC She is a big deal she is a NZ tattoo model who appears internationally in magazines and in your dreams. UPBEAT MUSIC I was so worried about the wind blowing out from underneath me, cos the silk can go. And I'm sort of trying to get the fabric. It feels like someone was watching over me just then. It's cool. (SIGHS) It is hot. (PANTS) That shit is not easy. We good? She's working a niche market, but to them, she's a hero. Good God, woman. You just blow me away. Good God, woman. You just blow me away. Stop it. Thank you. Are you adored by men or women? I have a larger female fanbase, which is really cool. Hello again. I noticed that at Erotica, I had a lot more girls coming up to me for photos and signatures, as opposed to guys. I'm just so happy I finally got to see you do them. I'm so glad you got to see it. I'm so glad you got to see it. Oh yeah, I was like front-row seat, man. Venus has done what so many of us aspire to; she's turned her dreams and talents into a business. I was very broke, and I was a starving artist, but in my heart, I wanted to really get to where I am now, and I worked bloody hard for it. Are you selling yourself, your body? Definitely. Yeah, I'm cashing in. Make money while you can off it. Why not? But I don't really do it to be liked. I do it because I like it. What's your real name? (CHUCKLES) Let's not put that in there. My middle name's Blyth. I can tell you that much. (LAUGHS) She's inviting us into the reality of her day job ` ELECTRONIC MUSIC the one she does after dark. I'm a public servant by day and a glamour gal by night. CLUB MUSIC Sorry. I feel like I'm spraying hair spray in your face. (LAUGHS) What sort of characteristics make up a really good burlesque performer? Confidence, absolutely. Costume, character, training and dedication. Are there big personalities in an environment like this? Definitely. Everyone thinks they're all fabulous. I mean, I think I'm fabulous; everyone else thinks they're fabulous. And they deserve to. This is a gathering of those seduced by the glam fantasies and nostalgic imagery of burlesque,... ELECTRONIC MUSIC where images of the bizarre and beautiful and notions of both elegance and lust get satisfied. WOMAN: Twenty minute call, everyone. WOMAN: Twenty minute call, everyone. Thank you. Oh my God. I'm not even close to being ready. Holy shit. Our camera is privy to the finessing of every look, every persona, including Venus Starr, the headlining act. Can you give it up without any further ado for the wonderful Venus Starr?! AUDIENCE CHEERS HEAVY ROCK MUSIC PLAYS Every audience requires a different touch. Be they impressed or shocked,... # One, two, three. ...Venus aims to entertain. I am the business when I'm on stage. You need to completely, truly believe in yourself, and then others will too. So when I'm up there, I'm gonna be like, 'Yeah, I am it right now.' Is the idea to get people excited? I think it's to definitely to turn them on and excite them, get a bit excited. But, then, you're not going to get the full package, so it's the art of tease. AUDIENCE CHEERS This is glamour. Glamour right here. There's another side to this blonde bombshell ` a softer side, perhaps. What were you cooking before in your little bucket? (YELLS INDISTINCTLY) (YELLS INDISTINCTLY) OK. Well, that sounds great. Floyd was unplanned and difficult to manage for a artist whose body is her canvas. I was basting myself in, like, cocoa butter every night like a chicken, because I was, like, 'I can't get stretch marks.' I had a c-section, which also cut through all my muscles that I'd worked so hard over the years to obtain and train for, so that I really struggled with mentally, because you're really strong physically; then next minute, you've got nothing This is where Miss Starr shines bright. I've been so much more focussed now that I'm a mum. Cos I was very selfish before I had him, and as an only child as well, it was all about me and my career, and it still is, but now I'm a mum, and I have a little` little boy to think about. He's my main priority. Sorry. Just being Mum. I come last in my house. (CHUCKLES) I seriously come last. Did it feel like your career was over? I was really worried, but I was also OK with that because I was going to have a beautiful little boy that was mine, and it's really cool being a mum, and then I'm still going, and I think I came back stronger. I was determined, really, yeah. Her pregnancy inspired her to create her own production. How we going for time? We've got 15 minutes, ladies. Yes, mistress. Yes, mistress. Yes, mistress. These days, she's not just a performer; she's the boss Can you just talk to Coco exactly what she was doing? If you run out, you know where they are? if you need me for anything, let me know. Thanks, girls. DANCE MUSIC Diamond Carousel, brought to life by Venus' affinity towards decadence, mystery and sexuality. It's so easy. I just say ridiculous, filthy shit, and you love it. I have found your level. If this isn't your scene, you might not realise Venus has lured sought-after international acts to her stage,... It's good. Exciting. Exciting. Running like a smooth steam train right now. ...including the reigning world champ of burlesque, Imogen Kelly ELECTRONIC MUSIC This is more than a show; it's an experience. It's a sell-out, which is awesome. Very exciting. Always the last night is the big one. so it's the` Really good energy. You tired at the moment? You tired at the moment? I'm extremely tired, but you know what? I've got my game face on. I just wanna make sure everyone's happy. Cos if everyone's happy, I'm happy. That's because by all accounts Venus is a perfectionist, fussing over every detail AUDIENCE CHEERS I'm always trying to push the envelope a lot more and then there's the shock tactics, but, I guess, for me, I really like to be quite out there and really be able to do what I want and see how far I can go. Will you be open with Floyd about what you do? I'll always be open with him and explain things, and I want him to know what's going on. The earlier you do that and are open with him, he'll understand and be open minded. REFLECTIVE MUSIC He'll have to be, because Venus sells her body to support her family. You're living and breathing in a night club. And that means regular slots in strip clubs around the country. I have actually lost a few of these in my time. I lost one mid-performance doing a silk routine. And it fell off, and I caught it mid-air, and I went 'la!' We're in the private rooms at Calendar Girls with Venus as she adorns her already decorated body. Glitter come's out of my son's lunchbox. I don't think you could be a showgirl without glitter in your life. It's like tools of the trade. Are her many tattoos. My mum was really really not impressed that I had tattoos. It's taken her a while to come around. I still don't think she's completely cool with it, but she puts up with it. So, yeah, it's been a pretty rough road for us. Love you, mum, but, you know, you're hard woman. You're a hard woman. (CHUCKLES) This is a showgirl's bread and butter. This is how she pays the bills. I'm my own boss. I will start when the club's full of people. I'll choose when I want to go on. A lot of girls will pole-dance for the night. I will come in and do the feature performances for the night as a different flavour for the punters, whereas the other girls will work for the night until closing time. Everyone's, like, 'Oh, you're a stripper. It's the same thing.' It's actually` It's quite different. The difference is, Venus will never lose her last layer. Do you get scared of people rejecting you? Definitely. All the time. Yeah. But I'm beginning to let it go, and I don't read a lot of things now, because you can't make everyone happy. Venus what sort of things upset you? When people think I'm really plastic and fake, like I've had a lot of surgery. I'm completely 100% real. No part of this industry is easy. It's rife with bad hours, travel and booze fuelled punters. UPBEAT MUSIC But it's also a world surrounded in mystery, titillation and extravagance, and it's those bits that fuel this ultra-femme sex symbol. I guess you have to be thick-skinned and tough in the industry, but I'm really not. You do kinda project the bad girl image. I'm so not a bad girl. I'm just the biggest pussycat. Next up on the show ` what really goes on in the dark at the movie theatre. You gotta do little tricks to... to get them to buy concessions. You gotta do little tricks to... to get them to buy concessions. OK, like? Well, in my theatre, I've got an exhaust pipe that runs from the popcorn machine into the actual auditorium. They'll come out to buy some popcorn. You used to pipe the smell of popcorn into the auditorium? Oh, no, we still do pipe the smell of popcorn into the auditorium. Welcome back. What goes on when the lights go down in the cinema? Tonight, we get the goss from the people who see it all, and sometimes it's not the movie that's the horror show. FILM RATTLES You're packed inside a big dark room with a couple of hundred total strangers. What's that smell? What's that guy doing? What's that on my foot? Is that legal? That can't be clean. We are on a journey, swabbing theatres across the land and grilling the experts... There's nothing more crazy than owning a movie theatre. ...to bring you the truth. There's no law that says they have to clean these seats. There's no law that says they have to clean these seats. Yeah, that's disturbing. What goes on inside a movie theatre once the lights are down? Well, you can tell by what goes on inside a movie theatre with what you find after the movie. OK. Go on. Used condoms. Used condoms. Really? You got a romantic comedy, it's like a mile-high club. It's gonna happen in your theatre. Have you ever caught somebody in the moment? Yes. But if nobody complains, let them get away with it. Some theatres get paid to play those endless trailers you must endure before the main event. # Where the money at? # But they all need to sell a lot of concessions just to stay afloat. And wait until you hear this. You gotta do little tricks to... to get them to buy concessions. You gotta do little tricks to... to get them to buy concessions. OK, like? Well, in my theatre, I've got an exhaust pipe that runs from the popcorn machine into the actual auditorium. They'll come out to buy some popcorn. You used to pipe the smell of popcorn into the auditorium? Oh, no, we still do pipe the smell of popcorn into the auditorium. Absolutely. (CHUCKLES) And if we didn't all fall prey to the concession stand, our ticket prices would skyrocket. It's a nacho cheesy, hot diggity doggy trade-off. And there is another problem with all that food. You know, a lot of theatres have problems. I don't wanna say this. I won't say it. Come on. Uh, you may have some little creatures running around your feet at night. Roaches or rodents. You've gotta really make sure that you've got a good exterminator. God, theatre owners are gonna kill me. Remember I said we took samples? WHISPERS: We're gonna go in and try swab the seats and the floor without anybody noticing. We did this in a bunch of New York and Los Angeles theatres and we came back to Dr Philip Tierno to analyse our results. The seat and other areas of the theatre are contaminated with the public that sat before you. On theatre seats, armrests and even 3-D glasses sealed in plastic, we found traces of all kinds of live organisms with big, scary names, microscopic bugs that can cause things like food poisoning, boils and sinusitis. In a Manhattan cinema, we detected bacteria usually found in cattle and soil. Don't ask me. On seats in both LA and New York, we found bacteria common in human faeces ` more understandable, just as gross. Are there government laws as to how often you have to clean these chairs? No, unfortunately. There should be. Micrococcus luteus on the armrest? You know what? That's almost forgivable. This is not. People who are texting while you're trying to watch the movie ` you might as well bring a flashlight and shine it over your shoulder at people behind you. The Alamo Drafthouse chain, which has a zero-tolerance cell-phone policy, recently banned Madonna from all their theatres for allegedly texting during 12 Years A Slave. Until Madonna apologises, she is not welcome at the Alamo Drafthouse. Listen to this voicemail left by another patron kicked out for a similar crime. I didn't know that I wasn't supposed to text in your little crappy ass theatre. Seems like she maybe had a little bit too much to drink and gave us a piece of her mind. And it was very, uh, charming in its own way. You know what? The chain used this as a public service announcement before R-rated movies. OK? So excuse me for using my phone in USA, Mag-nited States of America! They gotta go. And I've had that happen many times. Robert Bucksbaum, who, remember, will never break up a courting couple, will kick you out for cell-phone use. You've got a stricter policy on cell-phone use than you have on having sex in the theatre? Absolutely. You know, if you're not bothering another customer, you get away with as much as you want in a movie theatre. And that's why, when all's said and done, going to the movies is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Or off, perhaps, if you're those kind of people. Well, that's behind the scenes at the movies. Next on 20/20 ` ever wondered what's happening to your bag while you wait at the carousel? What is one of the biggest misconceptions that we have about how our bags are handled? That we care. (CHUCKLES) Is the first-class bag handled better by baggage handlers? No, no. Just cause we see that tag on that bag, that doesn't mean it's gonna get any priority. In fact, that first-class priority tag might make your suitcase more attractive to a sticky-fingered handler. Welcome back. You check your bags and settle in for your flight, hoping to be reunited at the other end. Well, sometimes your bag takes a very different journey, some of which are flat-out bizarre. FUNK MUSIC When travelling, Meaghan McCord wants what we all want ` for her bags to arrive safely. So last October, the Atlanta jewellery designer thought nothing of packing $6000 worth of baubles, then boarding a flight to New York City to meet clients. Were you nervous about the idea of checking your bag with jewellery in it? I just sorta thought, 'Oh, it'll be OK. Can't carry all this stuff, cos it's heavy.' At the baggage carousel, anxiety. Waiting, waiting, waiting, and then this bag never showed. Meaghan was flabbergasted, but not this guy. What is one of the biggest misconceptions that we have about how our bags are handled? That we care. (CHUCKLES) For 13 years William Henry has worked as a so-called rampie. In his book, The American-Made Baggage Handler, he unloads the secrets of his profession. Well, you should assume that this bag is gonna be handled in the worst way. This rampie likes the push-over technique. So, folks have been standing here for a while. What's going on back there? They're in no rush. As they deliver the bags to the claim, these bags can fall out of the cart on to the ground. Turbulence on the tarmac. Bags rolling down like tumbleweeds. In reality, though, more than 99% of checked luggage arrives unscathed. But last December alone, there were nearly 224,000 reports of mishandled bags in the US. That includes damage, delay, loss and theft. You have hundreds of bags, and you become numb to the process. Tim Cigelske was a rampie for two years. What was your most egregious mistake? I loaded the wrong bags in the wrong plane. The engines are going, flights coming in at different times, confusion, and things can go wrong. Think life is better in the front of the plane? Think again. Is the first-class bag handled better by baggage handlers? No, no. Just cause we see that tag on that bag, that doesn't mean it's gonna get any priority. In fact, that first-class priority tag might make your suitcase more attractive to a sticky-fingered handler. How does a baggage handler look into a bag? Cos I imagine there are cameras all around the airport. They find places that are not monitored. Like these guys caught red-handed on hidden cameras in the belly of a plane at JFK Airport. This one goes through a wallet and scores cash. This one snags some new headphones. As long as they got that bag in an area that's undisclosed, unmonitored, unsupervised, they can do what they want with that bag. Meaghan knows that for sure. Her missing bag finally arrived to her Atlanta home 23 days later with an unwelcome surprise. Let's put the gloves on. Why the rubber gloves? Just wait and see. Did you recognise any of these things? Did you recognise any of these things? Well, these are my jeans. And they're turned inside out. And they're turned inside out. So somebody had worn these? And they're turned inside out. So somebody had worn these? Yeah. Then I find shoes, two sizes too big. So this isn't even your shoes? So this isn't even your shoes? No, and then here comes the really gross part. The dirty panties. Ugh, so you found someone else's underwear in your bag? Ugh, so you found someone else's underwear in your bag? Yes, pre-worn underwear. Ew. OK. And then comes the jewellery bag. So I open it up, and I was just devastated. So they took all of your jewellery except for these pieces? So they took all of your jewellery except for these pieces? It felt violating. So what's a weary traveller to do to brace your beloved bag for impact? First, buy a four-wheeler. When we load a plane, if it doesn't have the wheels, they'll throw it, kick it, toss it. But with four wheels, they can just roll the bag. Next, find a bag as strong as a tank. What is it made of? This is the same material the NFL uses for their shoulder pads and F1 uses for their racing cars. And as secure as Fort Knox. Luggage that does not have zippers immediately gives people who steal luggage less, uh, options. And believe it or not, never check in too early. If you do it more than two hours early, they don't even have things set up for your flight yet. And if you're really paranoid about keeping track of your bag, technology to the rescue. For 90 bucks you can get a tracking device like Trakdot. I packed it in my bag on a recent trip to LA, and just after landing, ta-da ` I got an alert on my phone. My suitcase was in LA too. Ah, the joys of reuniting with your bag. Now, if you want to see any of tonight's stories again, you can head to our website. It's... You can also email us at... Or go to our Facebook page ` we're at 20/20 NZ ` and let us know your thoughts on tonight's show. Well, thanks for all your feedback. Do keep those story suggestions coming in. Well, that's our show for tonight. We're on a break for the next few week,