Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV
BBC Radio 4
The dumbest genre in entertainment, or the one that tells us the most about ourselves? Since its conception, reality TV has divided its viewers.
Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV is a 10-part audio documentary written and presented by journalists Pandora Sykes and Sirin Kale. They've been fans of reality TV since they first watched Big Brother as pre-teens and they've spent a fair amount of time defending reality TV when people are snobby about it, or dismiss its importance in our wider culture. But they've also been troubled by what they've seen in the genre: the exploitation; the lack of aftercare; the impacts of sudden fame.
Using interviews with the creators, producers and stars of some of the most iconic reality shows of the last two decades, and leading cultural critics of today, Unreal explores how reality TV has shaped entertainment, fashion, beauty, celebrity and even politics - and some of the ethical issues raised by the format.
Producer: Hannah Hufford Executive Producer: Pandora Sykes Executive Editor: James Cook Content Producer: Hannah Robins Technical Producer: Giles Aspen
10. A Format In Crisis & The Future of Reality TV: Love Island, Part 2
00:52:479. The Influencer Sausage Factory: Love Island, Part 1
00:46:298. Lifestyles of The Mega-Rich: The Real Housewives & Selling Sunset
00:53:017. The British Docusoap: The Only Way Is Essex & Made In Chelsea
00:51:136. Climbing The Ladder: Keeping Up With The Kardashians
00:50:455. The Birth of Scripted Reality: Laguna Beach & The Hills
00:50:174. The Makeover Era: The Swan and What Not To Wear
00:53:363. The Wild West Years: There’s Something About Miriam and Who’s Your Daddy
00:44:502. The Talent Show Boom: Pop Idol and The X Factor
00:49:421. The Social Experiment: Big Brother Is Watching You
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