Secret-camera show films in Fort Salonga supermarket

A woman squirts water from a bottle onto the floor at the supermarket, then pretends to slip and fall. She tells the manager she's going to sue.

Or an overweight woman at the supermarket has a cart full of junk food and a young child. A man berates her for not feeding her child more healthy food.

If you came across those situations, what would you do?

On Sunday and Monday, an ABC television news show called "What Would You Do?" hosted by John Quinones, was filming at the IGA supermarket on Route 25A in Fort Salonga using those very scenarios.

The show sets up scenes with actors and hidden cameras catch people's reactions. Other segments have focused on anti-Semitism, gay bashing, physical abuse and other "hot-button" topics, Quinones said.

"It's a real eye-opener," he said. "We all judge based on appearance, and so often we're wrong."

The show puts people in uncomfortable ethical situations in which they must make a decision about whether to get involved. While some walk away, others intervene.

At IGA Monday, at least one man refused to lie for a woman who faked slipping on the floor, then asked him to back her up.

Most of the customers took the filming in stride. But not everyone. At least one unsuspecting person was angry about being caught up in the show.

Another customer shopping at the IGA said she felt ambushed when she inadvertently walked into the middle of the filming.

"We feel really offended," said Richard Gilbride, who said his wife, Doreen, came home in tears after unknowingly running into the scenario involving an overweight mother being berated for buying junk food for her child. "What gives . . . ABC the right, to play with people's emotions? . . . They should have the courtesy of posting a sign saying they are taping."

Doreen Gilbride said, "I got so upset. I didn't think it was funny at all. And you're using a child? Whether an actor or not, that is wrong."

When approached afterward, she refused to sign a release giving the show permission to use her appearance.

Quinones and his producer, Danielle Baum, said that although they don't legally need to get permission to film in public places, the show always does, and won't put on camera anyone who objects.

They don't post warnings when they film because the concept of the show is to catch people's instinctive responses. They also don't film children other than the actors, Quinones said.

"We thought it would be fun for the community," said store owner Tommy Reichert. The store was not paid for use of its property, said both Reichert and the show's producer.