2022-05-10
4 分钟The dumbest genre in entertainment, or the one that tells us the most about ourselves? Since its conception, reality TV has divided its viewers. Introducing Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV, a new 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 questions raised by the format. Producer: Hannah Hufford Executive Producer: Pandora Sykes Executive Editor: James Cook Content Producer: Hannah Robins Technical Producer: Giles Aspen Archive credits: Love Island, ITV Studios Big Brother, Endemol UK The Only Way is Essex, Lime Pictures The Late Review, BBC The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Evolution Media
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Oh, I got a text.
The dumbest genre in entertainment or the one that tells us the most about ourselves.
Ever since its conception, reality television has been making headlines.
I had no idea that it would pretty much taken over Britain.
It is still the number one topic on Twitter.
When it's on, you know, it changed the face of TV and the sort of nature of television and celebrity and, you know, some might even say society itself.
It's generated millions of fans, dominated our TV channels and birthed some truly iconic stars.
So I remember vividly seeing Jade's audition tape for the first time.
The whole process of the Big Brother just reminds me of when you really want the Chocolate Factory.
They weren't singers, they weren't dancers, they didn't claim to do any of that.
They just lived their lives and that was worthy of our attention.
If you go to Essex, everybody knew who Mark Wright was.
I ain't a footballer, I ain't a stockbroker, I'm a promoter.
I deal with girls, I deal with ass.
It's also been called trashy bottom feeding and the end of civilization.
First of all, I think it's a situation of elemental cruelty.
The show was called one of the cruelest shows that was ever made.
Let's just make some vulgar TV and see if all these people tune in and watch it.
I'm journalist and broadcaster Pandora Sykes.