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Edge Of Reality: The Story TV’s Too Scared to Tell

By: Jacques Peretti
Narrated by: Jacques Peretti
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  • Summary

  • In July 1997, the first contestant voted off the first episode of the first ever reality TV elimination show took his own life.

    Expedition Robinson was the first show of its kind anywhere, and it was going to be remembered not for breaking the mold of television, but for a death, the first of at least 40 suicides linked globally to a reality TV show.

    In this powerful series, journalist Jacques Peretti charts the meteoric rise of reality TV from the early days of Survivor and The Contender through to The Bachelor, Married At First Sight, The Circle and Love Island.

    For the first time TV Insiders reveal the lengths the industry is willing to go to to make the most sensational viewing possible, and the collateral damage that followed. The damaged lives of the everyday people who sold their souls to entertain us. And throughout, we talk to – or try to talk to – the people pulling the strings behind the scenes.

    Some of the testimonies shared in this series are deeply personal and sensitive in nature. To help those contributors who may need support, the producers of this show have offered them access to a counselling service for free.

    This series contains discussions about mental health, trauma, sexual abuse and suicide which some listeners may find upsetting. If you have been affected by any of the themes in the series please find links to organisations that can help you below:

    Samaritans - call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie.

    You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).

    National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK - Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (open 24/7).

    SANEline - If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).

    Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.

    Survivors of Bereavement By Suicide - www.uksobs.org

    Other international crisis helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

    ©2022 Audible, Ltd (P)2022 Audible, Ltd
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Film & TV Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Ep 1: Welcome to Jurassic Park

    Ep 1: Welcome to Jurassic Park
    Jun 29 2022

    In the late 90s, early 2000s, TV producers were let loose to come up with the craziest, most boundary pushing show formats they could imagine. In this first episode, Jacques meets Charlie Parsons – the British TV Executive who came up with reality’s first elimination format and unearths the origins of this global experiment in human behaviour. Did those early innovators consider the human cost to their creative thinking?

    This episode contains discussions around trauma, mental health and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. If you feel affected by any of the themes in the show please visit the show page for the series where you will find links to organisations that can help you.
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    33 mins
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  • Ep 2: The Island

    Ep 2: The Island
    Jun 29 2022

    Following filming on a remote island, the first contestant ever to be voted off a reality TV show takes his own life. The Swedish network broadcasting the show is faced with a choice - go ahead and release the rest of the series after a man has died, or junk the whole thing. They decide to broadcast the show and half the country tunes in to watch.

    The show, Expedition Robinson, sets a template for reality TV.

    This episode contains discussions around mental health and suicide which some listeners may find upsetting. If you feel affected by any of the themes in the show please visit the show page for the series where you will find links to organisations that can help you.
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    29 mins
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  • Ep 3: Million Dollar Carrot

    Ep 3: Million Dollar Carrot
    Jun 29 2022

    As reality TV starts to dominate the schedule the man behind the success of Survivor and The Apprentice, Mark Burnett comes up with a new reality format with a million-dollar prize, The Contender. Before the series broadcasts another contestant will have died.

    This episode contains discussions around mental health and suicide which some listeners may find upsetting. If you feel affected by any of the themes in the show please visit the show page for the series where you will find links to organisations that can help you.
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    47 mins
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What listeners say about Edge Of Reality: The Story TV’s Too Scared to Tell

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Awesome

Excellent one! Feed me with a emotional feelings all through the story, exactly from the beggining straight to the very end.

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Absolutely excellent

A very well researched and presented documentary series.

Difficult to listen to at times, but well worth it.

Highly recommended.

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Best podcast that I've listened to

Interesting, sad, and shocking from start to finish. I was already not a fan of reality TV for much of what was covered in here but there was even more I wasn't aware of. If you're a fan of reality TV give this a listen, you'll be thankful that you did

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very interesting

Interesting inside account. unsurprising to hear the horrors of the industry but a good listen.

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Fascinating!

The level of detail in this research and the interviewees questioned make this show an incredible listen. A much needed podcast and a real eye opener into the twisted world of reality TV.

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Top tier

A phenomenal documentary series. Tremendous work from Jacques Peretti. A fascinating deep dive into reality telly.

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Frightening and ey opening

As a watcher of some reality television - The Apprentice, Gogglebox, Four In a Bed- it never ceases to amaze how such disparate people get on at all. Now, thanks to this brilliant series, I do. 21st century gladiatorial carnage sells and there is little to no safety net provided for those who fall.
Fabulous in its research and execution, I urge you to listen.

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Wow

This podcast really opens your eyes to the dark side of reality tv … well worth a listen.

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Hugely enjoyed this eye opener!

As someone who was just hitting their teens when Big Brother arrived on the screen, reality tv has sort of always been there. This series had me hooked from episode one as it asks questions I’ve genuinely never thought to.
Thoroughly enjoyed Peretti’s style and hope to hear more from him in future!

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Well researched and gripping

I would highly recommend this podcast. It is well researched, well produced and compelling subject matter.

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