A. Nightmare reality show

This week, a professional association representing 25,000 U.S. psychotherapists and counsellors accused the producers of a new reality show of risking the mental health of the show’s 10 contestants by making them stay awake. Paul Dobson, a spokesman for the association, said, “We are concerned that this programme is likely to put the health of participants at risk.” Mr Dobson said the makers of Sleepless had asked the association to participate, but that they had declined on the grounds that sleep deprivation is harmful to health. “What are these shows going to do next – hunger strikes?” he said. The association’s complaint follows concerns over psychological effects on contestants on other reality shows, including I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! and Big Brother. “Contestants desperately want to win big money for participating in these shows and nobody thinks about the risks to their health,” said Mr Dobson, “not even the contestants themselves.” 

B. New show criticised

A new reality series has come under fire from children’s organisations for making a Big Brother–style show that involves kids as young as 8. The new show, Alone at Home, will show 20 youngsters between the ages of 8 and 11 living in a house without adults for more than 10 days. Shanti Singh, a representative from a parental organisation, said, “We are very worried about the children's psychological and physical well-being.” According to the series producers, parents will be observing the children via CCTV from another house on the same street. They claim that the four-part series is an “ambitious and interesting documentary”.

C. How reality changed my life

I was made to sign a “confidentiality agreement”, so all I can really talk about are my feelings. It all started when I got a call from a casting agent. “Hi, this is Susan,” she said. “We absolutely love you!” In a rush and a flurry I was told to send in an audition video and wait for their call. I did as I was told and waited, feeling excited and anxious. Finally, the next call came. “Congratulations, you’ve made the semi-finals!” This, of course, meant a whole new round of auditions, contracts and background checks, about which I was not allowed to mention a word. I found out not long after that I had made the finals! And then came the word: I was on the show! Such excitement! The first day of shooting arrived. “Contestant on the set,” came the call. I was incredibly nervous and I didn’t want to disappoint the producers. “Stop acting!” they kept telling me. “This is reality!” I worked so hard that day, and worried so much during the weeks that followed. Had I done a good job? Was I doing the right thing? I had signed a contract to allow the series producers to show “the real me” to millions of viewers. Then, after months of patiently waiting, I read in the news that the show had been cancelled and would never be shown. Disappointed? Sure I was, but in the end I still think it was a valuable experience and I never once wished that I hadn’t begun that journey. The truth is, it made me realise how important it is to be motivated, encouraged and enthusiastic about what you and the people around you do.