Unreal

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Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV

Podcasts

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

9. The Influencer Sausage Factory: Love Island, Part 1

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: 10. A Format In Crisis & The Future of Reality TV: Love Island, Part 2

10. A Format In Crisis & The Future of Reality TV: Love Island, Part 2

BBC Radio 4 - Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV, 10. A Format In Crisis & The Future of Reality TV: Love Island, Part 2

How one of TV’s most popular shows became mired in tragedy and controversy.

How one of TV’s most popular shows became mired in tragedy and controversy. Where did it all go wrong? And is this the end for reality TV?

Sirin Kale and Pandora Sykes look at how one of TV’s most popular shows became mired in tragedy and controversy. Where did it all go wrong? And is this the end for reality TV? Featuring interviews with Megan Barton-Hanson, Dr Alex George, Jake Cornish, Rachel Finni and many more. 

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

Archive credits:
The Victoria Derbyshire Show, BBC  
Love Island, ITV Studios/Lifted Entertainment/Motion Content Group
This Morning, Granada Television 
Caroline Flack: Her Life and Death, Curious Films 
1Xtra Talks with Richie Brave, BBC 
Sophie Gradon On Internet Trolls, Radio Aire 
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee meeting 14 September 2021, Parliamentary Recording Unit  
The Great British Bake Off, Love Productions 
The Voice, Wall to Wall 
Big Brother, Endemol UK

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Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV

10. A Format In Crisis & The Future of Reality TV: Love Island, Part 2

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