Edge Of Reality: The Story TV’s Too Scared to Tell Podcast with Jacques Peretti cover art

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

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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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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:

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.

National Alliance on Mental Health - The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or helpline@nami.org

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

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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.
    Show more Show less
    47 mins
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All stars
Most relevant
Excellent podcast. Great production, and Jaques does a fantastic job throughout! I won't say who I thought the voice belonged to when first listening, (though I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one to make the comparison,) but that should be taken as an immense compliment.
While not a fan of the "reality" tv genre as viewing entertainment, I admit I considered applying for the competition after seeing the first episode of Survivor. This podcast not only validates the misgivings that held me back, but also exposes facts, and moral atrocities far beyond what I imagined. The travesty is that these things can possibly continue even in the midst of our hypersensitive social climate.
Great job, and great listen!

Illuminating

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I was glad they were able to get some of the people who worked behind the scenes to lend their perspective. added a lot to the show

Great peek behind the curtain

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Me too from the US have watched many reality to almost all and this was great awesome work and coverage thank you for the kinds words of Sophie and letter read from Sophie mom.

Awesome Work

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A fascinating story, well told. I binge listened in one day. Personally, I detest reality tv but this podcast raises a lot of interesting questions, not least about the nature of reality. This podcast is also well produced and has NO ADS (as it should be for all podcasts on audible for paid subscribers).

Very interesting!

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As a fan of reality tv I don’t think I will ever view it the same. Thank you for sharing the dark truth behind the screen and for telling the stories of those unable to tell it themselves.

Intriguing and revealing!!!

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