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

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Recent Reviews

TchotchkeVoilà

One of the best documentaries, period, I’ve ever consumed

I’m always trying to explain to skeptical friends why reality TV matters and raises compelling social questions. This series really lays it out in a compelling, empathetic, and critically important way. I was riveted for all ten episodes and learned a lot about subjects I thought I’d already read about ad nauseam. P.S. To my fellow Americans: you may need headphones for the TOWIE episode (if you don’t already watch the show), because the comments on accent differences between Essex and Chelsea…leave us American scratching our heads!