11 episodes

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 BBC Radio 4

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 387 Ratings

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

    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

    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

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

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

    Pandora Sykes and Sirin Kale analyse how Love Island became a finishing school for influencers and a commercial juggernaut through its association with fast fashion. Featuring interviews with Megan Barton-Hanson, Dr Alex George, and many more.
    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/Lifted Entertainment/Motion Content Group
    Sausages, Adam Buxton
    Trying on Love Island x I Saw it First outfits… is it worth the money!?, Roxxsaurus
    Ethical Fashion, Brett Staniland
    The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett, Steven Bartlett
    Let’s Talk Business: Meet My Manager (Finally), Molly Mae Hague
    Blindboy Undestroys the World, Rumpus Media for BBC 3
    Olivia Attwood video on influencers flying to Dubai for work

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

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

    Sirin Kale and Pandora Sykes slip into the moneyed world of the Californian 0.01% with the help of a Real Housewife and a Selling Sunset realtor, to examine property porn, toxic wealth, and why audiences want schadenfreude. Featuring interviews with Real Housewife's Taylor Armstrong, Selling Sunset's Mary Fitzgerald, plus the show creators and more.
    Producer: Hannah Hufford
    Executive Producer: Pandora Sykes
    Executive Editor: James Cook
    Content Producer: Hannah Robins
    Technical Producer: Giles Aspen
    Archive credits:
    The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Evolution Media
    Dallas, Lorimar Productions
    Desperate Housewives, Cherry Productions
    Selling Sunset, Done and Done Productions
    ABC News, ABC

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

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

    Pandora Sykes and Sirin Kale look at how these BAFTA-winning reality shows became national treasures and explore why the ingredients for a good reality show are the same, wherever they are set. Featuring interviews with Spencer Matthews, Georgia Toffolo, James Lock, plus many more.
    Producer: Hannah Hufford
    Executive Producer: Pandora Sykes
    Executive Editor: James Cook
    Content Producer: Hannah Robins
    Technical Producer: Giles Aspen
    Archive credits:
    The British Academy Television Awards: 2011, Whizz Kid Entertainment
    The Only Way is Essex, Lime Pictures
    Made in Chelsea, Monkey Kingdom
    Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Hot Sauce
    The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East, Bauer Media
    What We Don't Post, Nicola Hughes and Tiffany Watson
    I’ve Been There: Amy Childs and Cosmetic Surgery, Nine Lives Media

    • 51 min
    6. Climbing The Ladder: Keeping Up With The Kardashians

    6. Climbing The Ladder: Keeping Up With The Kardashians

    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

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

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

    Pandora Sykes and Sirin Kale tread a nostalgic path back to their teenage years and The Hills, which birthed reality’s first wave of lifestyle influencers. Featuring interviews with Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, 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 OC, Wonderland Sound and Vision
    Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, Go Go Luckey Productions
    The Hills, Done and Done Productions
    Nightline, ABC News Productions
    Velvet’s Edge with Kelly Henderson, Nashville Podcast Network

    • 50 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
387 Ratings

387 Ratings

Impartial1 ,

Excellent stuff

Really enjoyed this. Found it insightful and intelligent while also revelling in nostalgia for some do they shows. Definitely a worthwhile listen.

LEAHBLISH ,

Surprised

In 1993 I took part in The Living Soap which was the first reality TV show (as we know the format) We had the first diary room with pieces to camera. Admittedly it wasn’t the best show but a lot was learnt about how not to do a reality TV show and it had a cult following. I was surprised that it didn’t get a mention as it preceded Big Brother by quite a few years.
I met Pandora Sykes at an event soon after this podcast aired and mentioned The Living Soap. She couldn’t have been less interested!

KENNYPV ,

Excellent Podcast

I worried this would just be a walk through the history of reality TV but it was so much more than this. Forensic, challenging and not afraid to face into the issues we have seen from this genre. Presented by two outstanding journalists. Excellent listen. Highly recommended.

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