logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
56m 43s

1. The Social Experiment: Big Brother Is...

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Pandora Sykes and Sirin Kale wind back to Britain's first ‘official’ reality show, to look at how it became a global phenomenon, the importance of authenticity, and how Jade Goody created a new type of celebrity - famous for simply being herself. Featuring interviews with housemates Nick Bateman aka 'Nasty Nick' and Brian Dowling, and Big Brother's Creative Director Philip Edgar Jones, plus many more.

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

Archive credits: Big Brother, Endemol UK Candid Microphone, Colombia Pictures Candid Camera, ABC Television The Family, BBC The Late Review, BBC The Reunion, Whistledown Jade: The Reality Star Who Changed Britain, Blast! Films Stars in Their Eyes, Granada Television Celebrity Big Brother, Endemol UK Prime Ministers Questions, Parliamentary Recording Unit Bigg Boss, Endemol Shine India

Up next
May 2022
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. ... Show More
52m 47s
May 2022
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 P ... Show More
46m 29s
May 2022
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 Armstr ... Show More
53m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
Reality TV
<p>Looking to justify your reality TV habit? Listen in as we explore why this genre deserves to be taken seriously, with both its positive and frightening impacts on our society and psychology. Topics covered: -The history of reality TV—how the format and drama originated -Behin ... Show More
48m 13s
Jul 2022
A Ridiculous History of Reality TV, Part One: An Origin Story
However you define it, reality TV is a giant in the world of entertainment. From soap operas to game shows and the hazards of dating, it seems almost any genre can find a home in reality television. But how did we get here? How did this global phenomenon begin? In part one of thi ... Show More
41m 35s
May 2022
235. I've been to Split several times, with Sirin Kale and Pandora Sykes
This week on Fortunately Fi and Jane are joined by the journalists Sirin Kale and Pandora Sykes, hosts of the podcast Unreal, a critical history of reality TV. Unreal looks back to the earliest days of the format and takes us all the way to today, featuring iconic shows and stars ... Show More
54m 16s
Aug 2023
Queen for a Day
Why are we so attracted to stories of people suffering on television? And what happens after the cameras turn off? In our final episode, Jonathan explores the origins of reality TV and uncovers his family’s shocking connection to a very early reality TV game show. Angelina is an ... Show More
44m 11s
May 2018
Reality TV: Social Experiment Or Predictable Mess?
This week we’re talking about Reality TV: we reflect on Mitch’s insane experience doing Big Brother Canada, we breakdown the history of Reality Television and Greg has a meltdown about how much he hates ALL OF IT.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See ... Show More
49m 43s
Dec 2023
the self-obsessed sister
Hellooo, secret keepers! Today, Gemma returns to help us unpack a health secret so big, that we needed to call in the big dogs (experts). Thank you so much to Garnier for making this episode possible. Check out the Garnier website to find out more about the Glossy Pineapple Hair ... Show More
27m 53s
May 2022
Almost Famous OG: Show Me the Money
Our OGs Bob Guiney and Trista Sutter are throwing it back with Bachelor Pad favorites Michelle Money and Tenley Molzahn.   Find out how it really feels to be the victim of a “bad edit” and how you can be redeemed after being framed as a “villain”.   And, Tenley and Michelle share ... Show More
58m 14s