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.

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.

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.