BBC Radio 4 · Entertainment

Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV

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

Episodes

Reality television, spearheaded by the cultural phenomenon Big Brother, fundamentally reshaped celebrity and social discourse by prioritizing a performative, codified version of "authenticity." This genre introduced the concept of the "ordinary celebrity," where individuals gain fame through 24-hour surveillance and ma...

Introducing Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV

10 May 2022

AI processed

Reality television has evolved from a niche entertainment experiment into a global juggernaut that reshapes celebrity culture, fashion, and even political landscapes. While shows like Big Brother and The X Factor birthed iconic stars who achieved fame simply by living their lives, the genre's rise is inextricably linke...

Follow this podcast in Podwise

Open in Podwise

Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV

Episodes

Offstage: Inside The X Factor - Episode 1

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

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

8. Lifestyles of The Mega-Rich: The Real Housewives & Selling Sunset

7. The British Docusoap: The Only Way Is Essex & Made In Chelsea

6. Climbing The Ladder: Keeping Up With The Kardashians

5. The Birth of Scripted Reality: Laguna Beach & The Hills

4. The Makeover Era: The Swan and What Not To Wear

3. The Wild West Years: There’s Something About Miriam and Who’s Your Daddy

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

1. The Social Experiment: Big Brother Is Watching You

Introducing Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV