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Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

The dumbest genre in entertainment, or the one that tells us the most about ourselves?

Journalists Pandora Sykes and Sirin Kale explore how reality TV shapes our lives and the ethical questions raised by the format, featuring iconic shows and stars.

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

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Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV: 2. The Talent Show Boom: Pop Idol and The X Factor

1. The Social Experiment: Big Brother Is Watching You

2. The Talent Show Boom: Pop Idol and The X Factor

BBC Radio 4 - Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV, 2. The Talent Show Boom: Pop Idol and The X Factor

How three men called Simon are responsible for the gold rush of talent shows.

How three men called Simon are responsible for the gold rush of talent shows in the early noughties and why the format no longer feels fit for purpose.

Sirin Kale and Pandora Sykes look at how three men called Simon are responsible for the gold rush of talent shows in the early noughties and why the format no longer feels fit for purpose. 

Producer: Hannah Hufford
Executive Producer: Pandora Sykes
Executive Editor: James Cook 
Content Producer: Hannah Robins
Technical Producer: Giles Aspen

Archive credits:
The X Factor, Fremantle Media 
Britain’s Got Talent, Talkback Thames
Star Search, 2929 Productions
Popstars, Warner Bros. Television
Pop Idol, 19 Television
A Better Me: The Official Autobiography, Bolinda Publishing 
Misha B video discussing her experiences on and after The X Factor 
Cher Lloyd’s video on her X Factor experience 
Walk The Line, Syco Entertainment

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV

2. The Talent Show Boom: Pop Idol and The X Factor

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