Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV

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

Sirin Kale and Pandora Sykes look at how three men called Simon are responsible for the gold rush of talent shows in the early noughties and why the format no longer feels fit for purpose. Producer: Hannah Hufford Executive Producer: Pandora Sykes Executive Editor: James Cook Content Producer: Hannah Robins Technical Producer: Giles Aspen Archive credits: The X Factor, Fremantle Media Britain’s Got Talent, Talkback Thames Star Search, 2929 Productions Popstars, Warner Bros. Television Pop Idol, 19 Television A Better Me: The Official Autobiography, Bolinda Publishing Misha B video discussing her experiences on and after The X Factor Cher Lloyd’s video on her X Factor experience Walk The Line, Syco Entertainment

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

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

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

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

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  6. Climbing The Ladder: Keeping Up With The Kardashians

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

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

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

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  1. The Social Experiment: Big Brother Is Watching You

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  Introducing Unreal: A Critical History of Reality TV