The Greatest Show Never Made

STAR RATING: ***** Brilliant **** Very Good *** Okay ** Poor * Awful

In 2002, the 'reality TV' craze was riding high, after Jade Goody's victory in Big Brother, but for those who didn't get through to that, an ad was placed in a personal column for a reality show to rival that. A group of distinctive, quirky personalities were asked to give up their homes, lives and jobs for a year to appear on a new show to rival BB, only for the show to never materialise, leaving each of the individuals without their dream moment. Twenty years later, the group are reunited, while the failed producer, who now goes by the name of N Quentin Woolf, looks on.

With the recent resurrection of Big Brother, the original 'reality TV' production, on ITV (I think), it's timely that this intriguing little production from Amazon Prime has risen up, documenting a production that wasn't so lucky. It caught my eye to begin with given the dark edge it seemed to possess, given this was a group of people who were asked to give up everything about their lives, but as it turns out, this is a largely light hearted and fluffy piece that looks back with a sentimental glint.

The group on display are the usual type of exhibitionists and extroverts, who in one way or another have to show off and stand out, but none are particularly unlikeable or overly narcissistic in any way, and even as their dilemma was unfolding, they seem to react to the situation with humour and resignation, which is much the way they appear in the present, without much in the way of bitterness. The man behind it all, Woolf, seems genuinely contrite and regretful over everything that happened, just a situation that spiralled out of control. The apparent naivety of the participants comes off as a reflection of the time, as one of them laments, a column ad like that in the present day would scream alarm bells, but at the time, it's more conceivable that people could get sucked in.

Director Ashley Francis-Roy condenses everything into a neat and succinct three episodes that ensures everything doesn't become overwhelming. It's a fact-is-stranger-than-fiction tale, that is fitting for the modern reality TV obsessed world we live in. ***

3rd episode is the best, you can honestly skip to that cause that is where it all comes together. The style of documentary might be the best part because it's old footage, and new footage recreated in the flat all the original footage took place in.

As an American, I don't know how much this made news when it occurred but it's interesting the levels of fame it illustrates.

If you're looking for a different type of documentary that is kinda cult mentality/ what people will do for a piece of fame / somewhat of a redemption story - This show will itch that scratch quite well.

TLDR: just watch the final episode.

As Episode 1 of "The Greatest Show Never Made" (2023 release from the UK; 3 episodes ranging 42 to 49 minutes) opens, we are reminded that reality TV was exploding everywhere, and the biggest show was of course Big Brother, making stars out of the contestants. One day an ad appears in a London publication called The Stage, calling for contestants for a year-long new reality show. A number of candidates apply, and show up for the first audition... At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this mini-series is directed by Ashley Francis-Roy, an up and coming British talent. Here the director reflects on the madness that was Britain in the early 00's, including reality TV. This mini-series looks at how a con-man tries to make a reality TV show out of nothing, literally. One of the talking heads appearing in this observes today: "Back in 2002 people were more trusting, today it would be called for what it is: a scam." That just about sums it up. It nevertheless is fascinating ton see how the contestants take it all, and even more so, how they reflect on this now 20 years later. That said, the 3 part mini-series could've probably been deal with in a regular 90 min. Documentary.

"The Greatest Show Never Made" started streaming on Amazon Prime just this past weekend. I read an interesting review about it in Friday's NY Times. If you are a fan of reality TV, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

The current trend of docuseries, covering a single topic over several episodes, has caused series like this one. While the topic is intriguing it appears that the producers felt compelled to stretch this topic, painfully over 2 hour long episodes. In truth, the subject could have been edited down to a tight 60 or loose 90 and, in turn, have been a more successful production.

Unfortunately, the direction taken was to repeat footage, interviews, etc. Again and again to fill an unnecessary void in order to achieve 3 episodes. If that was not the case, then perhaps the producers should reconsider there choice in career path.

The first episode takes way too long a time to state the obvious about reality TV in the late 90s and early 2000's.

Persist anyway. It's worth it.

In episodes two and three the characters start to come out more and the tale develops into a very interesting drama.

Finally in episode 3 the series builds into a story about young people reaching for their dreams, facing disappointment and then looking back at how our decisions make us who we are.

It all came together in a welcome closure by the end.

Finally in episode 3 the series builds into a story about young people reaching for their dreams.