It was real. How do I know? Because Gavin just stood there, head out of frame, and didn't say anything into the microphone. If it had been a work, Gavin would have kept up a running commentary telling viewers what was happening. He didn't have the presence of mind to do this, he was so startled and nonplussed by the jackbooted intruders. Hence, totally real, baby. Gavin was "disappeared," just like those poor sods in Argentina during the 80s who used to get pulled off the streets into cars, and were never seen again. Gavin is in DC-Gitmo.