The US seems to really go in for this stuff.

I've watched the US "Undercover Boss" and the UK "Undercover Boss". The US one is filled with sob stories and people crying and horrible situations, etc. etc. The UK one talks about how the people do their jobs. If I'm going to watch one, I prefer the UK one.

And I've seen the same comparison on other shows. Dancing/Singing Reality shows ... the US ones are full of the sob stories during the audition, in other countries the kids just audition.

So if the OP has seen docos or whatever based in the US, they are probably adding that sort of colour to appeal to the US market.