Tel Aviv, Israel ? Take a bit actor yearning for stardom, a cheeky director and hidden cameras.

The result is “The Steve Show,” reality TV with a twist: The star had no idea he was being filmed, and the producers had no guarantee he would allow the show to go on the air.

A big gamble, producer-director Yigal Shilon admits, but one that has so far paid off.

The popular Israeli TV series also has brought fame to its hero, the hapless Steve Frankel, though not in the role he believed he was playing.

“We decided to take the story of an actor in a soap opera and follow him getting the role, and base it around life behind the scenes in the world of show business, from unknown to star,” Shilon said.

“In fact, he isn’t a star, but he becomes a star by default because of being the victim of this hoax,” Shilon said.

The first of the seven episodes topped ratings. The final segment — in which the hoax is revealed — runs Dec. 15.

Though the show is — so far — a hit, not everyone agrees with the principle. Paul Porush, who teaches media studies at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, said he found “The Steve Show” distressing.

“It’s like watching someone being tortured,” he said.

Israeli producer Yigal Shilon works in the editing room of the Reshet studios in Hertzliya near Tel Aviv. Shilon is the producer of The