semblance - The way something appears on the surface, often without revealing the true nature or reality behind it.

In spite of their their kids' constant uncontrolled behavior, when they were outside they managed to keep up the semblance of calm, even though things were not so calm inside their house.
rigmarole - A lengthy and complicated procedure that is mostly a waste of time (sometimes pronounced rigamarole)

Gino just wanted to renew his driver's license, but the rigmarole at the DMV meant he would spend hours talking to lots of people, and he ended up leaving without his license.