Preview

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

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

By: Jacques Peretti
Narrated by: Jacques Peretti
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

  • 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:

    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.

    ©2022 Audible, Ltd (P)2022 Audible, Ltd
    Show more Show less
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
Episodes
  • 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.

    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • 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.

    Show more Show less
    29 mins
  • 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

What listeners say about Edge Of Reality: The Story TV’s Too Scared to Tell

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    57
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    53
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    53
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Illuminating

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!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great peek behind the curtain

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very interesting!

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).

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Intriguing and revealing!!!

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

well presented

Interesting topics
very disturbing use of psychology
fails to connect reality TV and larger fall of society.
There is a link. Romanticized narcissism, e.g. "The Apprentice ", has helped create the toxic world we see now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sacrifical Lambs & Blood Stained Curtains in OZ

Reality TV:
the ever churning, billion dollar meat factory, that is grounded in using human cattle as their exploitative money pigs, as well as the sacrifical lambs of network TV; Thus, the general public typically unaware of who is the real winners of their exploited Innocence & the ensuing collateral damage? who is Oz? And what the F@%#! is not being told and the truth behind the many shattered lives in this evil business of alluring consumption of plastic.

This podacast dives into the deep end , taking us for a ride and breaking down the many angles and sub genres of mystery and intrigue that is associated with real life death and tragedy that is directly associated and linked with the reality TV business and its cut throat associates & executives , willing to dismantle the human spriti and heart , in order to suspend the truth in order to insert their reality and subversive methodologies of a very manipulative and malevolent nature, where true evil resides, and the Neon Demon stakes its claim upon the heads of the innocent.

While the elite socialites & dime a dozen circus clowns who deal in the false utopian projection with million dollar budgets in order to maintain the cash cow pig farm & cast, in Nepotist fashion & modern fallacious sensibility of ethical standards in entertainment, and its code of conduct. This podcast delves into the truth and gives a voice to the hushed minority of its victims, that begins to unfold a very clearly defined set of answers, that holds a very dark truth and hidden secrets; Of which, yes, have always seldom been whispered as a known quantity, but never truly explored this properly & professionally with the main priority being the people & victims of the charm & the sharp teeth in its duality & invasive sense of manic ownership of "its cattle cast & production"

Amongst the more aware & disenchanted , or apathetic aufmdience - The savage nature of this vain & audacious industry, is not simoly just a questionable set of problems or shady ethics or conduct, this is a literal meat factory, sacrificing people at a break neck speed in order to extract every cent out of whatever they deem your spirit and personhood is worth - and the extent of that is automatically monetary , these people have no worth spiritually or otherwise, and this Podcast seeks to simply explain that, "Not all that Glistens is Gold."

The stories here are fantastically well done, the attempt to reign in the empathetic side of a dehumanizing goalies in the industry and remind you of its humanity and the ethical transparency that has always been lacking in what we are told and sold in the marketing and advertising, as well as the glitz & glam phenomenon, overriding any need or attempt by studios to ensure the safety of those they exploit. And as we all know - is a far cry from what we can expect from Hollywood & a new breed in 2000 of cut throat producers, writers and executives, all fighting to find that next big show and those next big stars, at the expense of anyone and everyone ready and willing to sacrifice themselves to "The Neon Demon" -

The vision here is clear - to explore the mysterious and unknown, by way of interviews and research in uncovering and pulling back this curtain of OZ, giving a voice to the silenced and muted, and is so complete and well developrd, defined in its chapters and creative attempt to tell the stories of those who have been abandoned and cast aside, in life & even in death, their humanity is of no consequence, totally lacking importance in Hollywood , but here, the aim is the opposition of madness & evil, & when it comes to the money & the machine, there is no excuse for the lack of code of conduct policies, the mental health protection of these peoples well being, or even understanding the impact that may be had here, yet the role that is taken is the oath of the least resistance, wholly controlled by producers and handlers, that are entirely in over their heads when it comes to the truth of its totality in layers and scope, and not just simply the implied stress or panic that is associated with this type of environment.

Nothing presented is true in Hollywood, by any stretch of the imagination - it is a malevolent beast , seeking its victims and sacrifical lambs, to spill their blood & have their cake and eat it too. all the while - these are real people, these are real spirits, totally being thrown into the blender for the consumption of their very essence and being , and coming away with nothing after sacrificing everything, filling the pockets of these studios, while their entire personhood and safety is in jeopardy now, suffering in the delights of their handlers lust for blood & demand for their all devout faith & branding the knee in worship & supplication to the gods of the living dead, as spiritual nourishment and the feeling frenzy for their appetites.

the empathy & emotion that is evoked in this process is palpable & cold, as for any person willing, listening to this is both chilling and full of goosebumps and fantastic editing and engineering with intersections and twists or turns, but very clearly defined in its objective and vision to say what has needed to be said and told for 20+ years now. For those of you who did not grow up or were coming of age during this time, it is really hard to explain just how massive and huge reality TV was in the Kate 90s and early 2000s , and the overnight success and phenomenon it became, as well as the utterly abysmal and insufferable methods that were totally becoming oversatursted cringe & forced down for consumption, many having zero originality or any redeeming qualities,

Thus the sacrificial sheep, the disposable, the exploited, the totally unethical treatment & disservice to the actors or "unpaid extras" or "underpaid competitors" , holding far less stake in their claim for reimbursed payment to use their image & likeness, as they are loopholed & ripe to order as a cheap and low cost money grab that seeks to disenfranchise the very people making this possible or even skyrocketing their fame in the public view - yet the unwitting & ignorant were totally used as the ritual sacrifice for their Faustian Exchange & Deals , that basically became the mold to churn out even more epoison and toxic mindsets and pursuits of Hollywood , etc.

That has in many ways and parts, played as a large and looming shadow over the social dynamics and problems we see today in how we treat and speak and interact with one another Ina supremely detached fashion, igniting a pandemic of Narcisism and Sociopathic psychology, with an all- american ideology of the freedom to invert social ethics and values and turn it I to a fertile ground for the dark & self destructive illusion, as the pursuit of happiness by way of false utopia and the false reality that has been created now, that demands a profit & wealth from gossip , control & manipulation by handlers not seen since the late 60s and egos so large it has never been conceived of prior.

it is trou Ling, to be so debased that your vulnerable and impoverished are being exploited, literally by any means possible, who simply had no other choice or direction, and the outcomes of tragic and seldom lying spoken whispers regarding these truths - finally have a voice - !

please consider expanding your podcast and continue to move forward in uncovering and pulling back the veil for the public!
Your quality is incredible , in every way and every layer of production and your ability to harness the voiceless and give them a loud and firm platform, to be acknowledged and heard, that otherwise goes sight unseen and apathy takes its usual course. I would love to see you take this same framework in storytelling and audio drama, into other areas of the lesser known and disenfranchised.

Wonderful work & quintessential epitome of professional audio dramatization & production, writing & evoking the right emotion in how this vision is pursued for the Podcast & the respectful and dignified worth that is given to those you cover, who deserve & need your insight & capable expertise, to bring this to the world and show us all just how disgusting OZ is, behind the curtain, pulling the strings, with real peoples lives & spirits.

Enough is Enough - I hope more & more people really take heed in listening & hearing - what the truth is & maybe consider thinking before consuming what you are fed, without asking what the ingredients are & the recipe is in what they are siphoning and the synthesizing to then present a Creme Brulé, that is in fact & truth , made of people's extracted energy & spirit, even using their deaths & tragedy, to exploit further for even more money & required sacrificed Innocence to Ba'al.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting and disturbing listen

Personally not a fan of reality TV, saw The Apprentice and eventually figured out the drama driver's were kept on and not eliminated.

Well thought out and very sad podcast. I did occasionally wonder if the podcast was also exploiting some of the people again.

Worth a listen and an internal dialog about watching reality TV.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!