I've been assured by someone whose family member was a creator and writer for the show that the premise is absolutely true and Ronald had no idea the whole thing is fake. Still, I find it incredible that he can possibly be that naive. I served as a foreperson on a civil suit and, while we had some odd characters on the jury, it didn't come close to that level of absurdity. I've been told that they filmed many, many "normal" days and interspersed the crazy ones carefully so that Ronald didn't "get it" and they also had multiple scenarios ready if they thought he was getting suspicious. Still, the mobile chair made of crutches and, even worse, the scene where James bounces on the bed for Noah and Jeannie? Really?!! C'mon!

The other problem is that the show does not remain true to its artifice. What is the point of having characters other than Ronald talking directly to the audience by themselves and in character? We're in on the joke. Anything staged that's not for Ronald's benefit doesn't make any sense.

It is funny and it is silly and I suppose one shouldn't watch it too critically. But it's a problem when there are things that make you seriously doubt the key premise at the heart of the show.