FanFare

Faking It was an early British reality TV show. Its challenge was based on Shaw's Pygmalion: experts get a month to train a member of the public to the point where a panel of their peers would be unable to pick them from a group as an imposter. Often there might be a loose connection between the existing and new occupation of the candidate: "Sheep sheerer to hairdresser" or "Show girl to show jumper", for example. The trainee would live with the experts for the month and would usually undergo a makeover as well as training by actors. After their test - they would return home - either reluctantly or gratefully. [more inside]
posted by rongorongo on Oct 10, 2023 - 4 comments

ShortsTV presents a theatrical release of the five Oscar nominees for Best Documentary, Short Subject [more inside]
posted by Eyebrows McGee on Feb 15, 2019 - 2 comments

In the 1980s, "Bros" were one of the biggest bands in the world - for 15 minutes. [more inside]
posted by fearfulsymmetry on Dec 29, 2018 - 4 comments

3rd in the series of Michael Apted's "Up Series" documentaries, this episode tracks our more mature and insightful protagonists as they enter adulthood, exploring both their lives and their thoughts about the two earlier films. Lynn is married and running a bookmobile, Simon works as a meatpacker, Sue seems happy as a travel agent, Paul the same as a bricklayer, Bruce studies advanced math and calls himself a Socialist, wealthy Suzy smokes and seems quite world-weary, Charles (making his last appearance) waxes philosophic, no-longer-so-shy Nick studies physics at Oxford, Neil squats in poverty, Peter lives in a dump with college roommates and taxi driver Tony and posh John argue about who came off worst in the earlier films. Spoilers for the entire series allowed as we continue weekly every 7 years to 56 Up. [more inside]
posted by mediareport on Aug 3, 2015 - 4 comments