Unreal

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Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV

Podcasts

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

Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV: 6. Climbing The Ladder: Keeping Up With The Kardashians

1. The Social Experiment: Big Brother Is Watching You

6. Climbing The Ladder: Keeping Up With The Kardashians

BBC Radio 4 - Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV, 6. Climbing The Ladder: Keeping Up With The Kardashians

America’s First Family and how they created an entirely new category of uber-celebrity.

The story of America’s First Family, the Kardashian-Jenners, and how they leveraged reality tv to redefine beauty ideals and create an entirely new category of uber-celebrity.

Sirin Kale and Pandora Sykes delve into the story of America’s First Family, the Kardashian-Jenners, and how they leveraged reality tv to redefine beauty ideals and create an entirely new category of uber-celebrity. Featuring interviews with Keeping Up With The Kardashian's executive producer for all 20 seasons, plus @NorisBlackBook creator, and many more.

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

Archive credits:
Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Bunim-Murray Productions
Oprah's Next Chapter, Harpo Studios
X17onlineVideo's video of Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian with paparazzi 
Kim Kardashian’s Business Advice, Variety

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Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV

6. Climbing The Ladder: Keeping Up With The Kardashians

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