All right, here we go.
In order to further aid Tony while he investigates the possible man-made feature underwater—she goes perfect—Ken will utilize a tethered remote-operated vehicle, or ROV.
All of that is every bit as rich and wonderful and magical and amazing as a chest full of diamonds and rubies.
From fans thinking the show is scripted due to the cringeworthy acting, to the endless re-recaps narrated into the show, here are The Curse of Oak Island‘s most controversial moments.
First up: Fans actually think the show is scripted.
The Curse of Oak Island is a long-running reality TV show on the History Network, all about Marty and Rick Lagina who are on a treasure hunt adventure on Oak Island, Canada.
They’ve been at it for 10 seasons now, and it seems like a lot of fans are really digging the show.
Here’s the twist: some fans are starting to think it’s not as real as it seems. Yep, they’re saying it might be scripted.
You see, Curse of Oak Island is supposed to be about the Lagina brothers searching for buried treasure like pirate loot and ancient artifacts. Most people believe they’re putting in a ton of time and effort.
But here’s where the debate kicks in: some fans have spotted moments that make them wonder if the show’s scripted, which makes the whole premise controversial.
For instance, fans think Billy Gerhardt might be putting on a bit of a show. Some say he’s so convincing, it makes them wonder if the entire thing is staged.
Here’s the scene that got people talking:
The team found some intriguing wooden stuff, and out of the blue, Billy asked Rick to pick up some sticks. It didn’t go down smoothly, and fans thought the acting was pretty cringe.
Others chimed in saying the whole show now feels like a stage performance.
Then again, some fans think it’s just good TV. They believe the show throws in a few scripted lines or scenes to make it more exciting—to keep us all hooked.
So whether it’s real or not, it’s still a fun watch for many.
Next up: Jack’s controversial way of cleaning so-called valuable artifacts.
Jack Begley, a familiar face on The Curse of Oak Island, is no stranger to the physically demanding tasks of treasure hunting.
In Season 6, Episode 14, there was a moment that rubbed fans the wrong way. Jack was once again seen using a high-pressure fire hose to clean spoils—delicate items like paper documents and fragile artifacts.
Reddit users pointed out that Jack’s trusty 1,200 PSI hose seemed to damage anything resembling paper.
Another thread mocked his tendency to go overboard with the hose on rocks, which clearly made viewers cringe.
By this point, it wasn’t just about damage—it felt like a frustrating, ongoing pattern.
Now let’s shift to the show’s hard-to-believe premise.
The Oak Island mystery started in the 1700s when a young guy stumbled upon a strange man-made pit—dubbed “The Money Pit.”
People began to speculate it held buried treasure—not just any treasure, but pirate loot, Shakespeare manuscripts, and even the Holy Grail.
Wild, right?
In the first three seasons, Rick and Marty realized something: the mystery breeds misinformation and wild guesses.
That led to major skepticism about the show’s authenticity.
Even top-tier archaeologists couldn’t escape the controversy.
In Season 4, the Lagina brothers brought in Laird Niven, a top archaeologist in Nova Scotia. The hope was that his presence would silence the doubters.
Thing is, fans still weren’t convinced. They pointed out the difference between proper archaeological digs and the kind of digging happening on Oak Island.
It seemed like even Laird was okay with the more rushed, less careful methods.
Next up: Exaggerating everything too much.
Every time they find a small clue, it feels like they hit the reset button and chase a brand-new theory.
Sure, it’s TV. They want to keep us hooked. But fans feel like it’s dragging on—kind of like Ancient Aliens in its later seasons.
People are hoping the Laginas can read the room and eventually call it quits rather than milk it for more seasons.
Also: Less truth, more entertainment.
Fans can’t help but notice that the show leans more toward entertainment than truth—like many History Channel programs.
They believe the brothers genuinely want to find treasure, but the wild theories—Knights Templar, pirates, lost manuscripts—feel like a guessing game.
And those “random experts” who come in with out-there ideas? Yeah, fans are skeptical.
Remember the “ancient Roman sword”?
One of the most memorable (and embarrassing) moments was when they thought they’d found an ancient Roman sword.
Turns out, it was just a modern decorative piece that tons of people had bought online.
Still, before the truth came out, there was a pub scene where someone asked, “We don’t actually think the Romans were here, right?”
Rick confidently replied, “Well sure, why not?” and the crew erupted in cheers—except for the guy who asked, who just sat there stone-faced. Classic.
Is the show just a money-making machine?
Some fans believe the show helped fund the Laginas’ expedition and without it, they might’ve stopped years ago.
So, while it’s not fake, the TV money clearly plays a big role in keeping it going.
The show’s biggest formula: “Maybe.”
Every episode, Marty asks an expert, “Is this man-made?” and the expert replies, “Maybe.”
Cue dramatic pause. Then the narrator asks, “Could this be the final clue?”
It’s all vague—“suggests,” “might be,” “possibly”—even for the smallest discoveries.
Lastly: Too many recaps, not enough content.
Episodes are full of flashbacks and recaps. Without them, the show could be much shorter.
The team talks about a small find (like a shoe sole from 2004), gets excited about burnt wood, then someone suggests it might be from the 1998 Boy Scout trip.
Meanwhile, others spin wild tales about Viking runes, Marie Antoinette’s jewels, or the Holy Grail.
In short, The Curse of Oak Island is a popular but often doubted show. It’s filled with suspense, but viewers question the findings.
Will the Laginas strike gold? Or is the thrill really just in the hunt?
Let us know your take—do you think there’s real treasure, or is it just for entertainment?
