In the extension of POPSUGAR’s pilot season of POPCAST, host Tim Dormer interviews the masterminds that work behind the scenes on some of the biggest reality TV shows in Australia. 

In episode fourteen, Tim is joined by Bachelor In Paradise contestant, Jake Ellis. Ellis first appeared on our screens after appearing on The Bachlorette Australia during Georgia Love's season; and then returned to reality TV to find love on Bachelor In Paradise.

After hearing from the masterminds of reality TV throughout season one of POPCAST, Ellis speaks up about being part of the production of one of the biggest TV franchises and and how the producer’s tricks of the trade have impacted his life post-reality TV.

In this episode we hear about:

• Jake's initial reason for applying for The Bachlorette (01:28)
• The opportunities that came for Jake after appearing on reality TV (02:35)
• The truth behind making a real connection on reality TV (03:25)
• The hesitation for Jake to appear on Bachelor In Paradise (04:22)
• The lessons Jake learnt after appearing for the first time on reality TV (05:18)
• Jake's thoughts on how Producers portrayed him on Bachelor In Paradise (06:20)
• The power of editing and how it played into the famous love triangle on Bachelor In Paradise (08:05)
• The relationships Jake had with the cast and crew (09:51)
• The characters who were on the show to play up for the cameras (11:01)
• The importance of making friends with the Producers (13:00)
• Jake's thoughts on contestant's actions and whose responsibility it is (13:44)
• Jake's on-screen persona affected him in the real world (15:22)
• Jake's thoughts on the manipulation of story lines by editors in post-production (19:23)
• Storylines centered around drama vs. actual love stories (22:01)
• What it's like for Jake to be public figure (23:01)
• The navigation of Jake's relationship with Megan post Bachelor In Paradise (24:11)
• Jake's thoughts on whether reality TV is a good platform to find love (27:16)
• The pressures of having a relationship on TV vs. the real world (29:18)
• How Instagram has played a role in Jake's life after reality TV (31:07)
• Whether Jake would ever return to Bachelor In Paradise (36:11)

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In the extension of POPSUGAR’s pilot season of POPCAST, host Tim Dormer interviews the masterminds that work behind the scenes on some of the biggest reality TV shows in Australia. 

In episode thirteen, Tim is joined by award-winning Australian television editor, Luke Huggett. Huggett has spent the last eight years editing popular and award-winning TV programs such as The Block, I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Australian Survivor and MasterChef Australia. As an editor, Huggett sees just about everything captured on camera and plays a pivotal role in what you see on some of your favourite reality shows.

In this episode we hear about:

• What life is like as a reality TV editor and what do they do(01:02)
• How much influence Luke has on a reality TV storyline (01:59)
• How Luke can change a story by adding layers to footage (04:14)
• The difference between enhancing vs. manipulating (05:39)
• An editor's ability to manipulate scripts (08:30)
• Approval processes once an episode has been edited (09:24)
• The tell-tale signs if something has been taken out of context (10:59)
• Luke's confrontation with a reality TV contestant (12:12)
• How Luke started his career in reality TV (13:49)
• Luke's experience in Africa working on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here (15:21)
• Luke's opinion on which reality TV shows are well-produced and edited (17:41)
• The different reality TV show formats and how to plant a story hook (18:45)
• Luke's perspective on the real portrayal of reality TV contestants (22:21)
• The editing process when portraying stressful scenes or challenging moments (23:33)
• Editors working with producers to get a certain reaction or outcome (25:39)
• The character profiles and what editors expect from certain personality types (29:04)
• The differences between working with unknown talent vs. celebrity talent (30:13)
• What shows Luke would join as a contestant after working behind-the-scenes (32:52)
• Luke's perspective on how reality has changed through the years (36:06)

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In the extension of POPSUGAR’s pilot season of POPCAST, host Tim Dormer interviews the masterminds that work behind the scenes on some of the biggest reality TV shows in Australia. 

In episode twelve, Tim is joined by Logie award-winning producer, Laura Waters. In the past decade she has produced all five of Chris Lilley’s ABC/HBO/BBC comedy series, We Can Be Heroes, Summer Heights High, Angry Boys, Ja’mie: Private School Girl and Jonah From Tonga, as well as overseeing the production of a range of comedy and documentary series.

In this episode we hear about:

• Laura's point of view of storytelling within reality TV (01:29)
• The commonalities between scripted television and reality TV (01:58)
• Why Laura got into making television and into entertainment (03:17)
• Laura's motive to to create her documentaries Year 12 Life and My Year 7 Life (05:24)
• Laura's experience casting young talent (08:33)
• Laura's duty of care during production of cast members (12:07)
• Laura's experience working on The Graceland Happiness Project and what made it her scariest project (18:51)
• How Laura developed the series and how production rolled out (20:23)
• How Laura addressed the raw topic of mental health and her responsibility as a producer (22:19)
• The distinction between over-produced and under-produced storytelling (22:50)
• Laura's favourite reality TV shows (28:15)
• The reality TV shows that are well-produced (29:42)
• How you can identify when a story isn't being authentically told (31:25)
• What Laura needs to do to get a certain reaction or outcome on camera (35:48)
• Laura's first appearance on reality TV in America (39:58)
• Whether Laura would ever want to be followed around by cameras (42:58)
• How would Laura be portrayed on a reality TV show (43:33)
• Laura's perspective on the enduring appeal of reality TV (45:56)

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In the extension of POPSUGAR’s pilot season of POPCAST, host Tim Dormer interviews the masterminds that work behind the scenes on some of the biggest reality TV shows in Australia. 

In episode eleven, Tim is joined by Australian TV and radio host, Mike Goldman - best known for his various roles on Big Brother Australia. With over 15 years experience working in reality TV, Mike was privy to just about everything that went on behind-the-scenes and shares his experiences working on one of Australia's favourite reality TV shows.

In this episode we hear about:

• How Mike first started on Big Brother (00:51)
• How Mike worked with producers to create a story(02:13)
• The footage we didn't see on camera but Mike was privy to (03:30)
• The duty of care when creating reality TV (04:27)
• The production differences between overseas reality TV vs. Australian reality TV (05:14)
• How producers get a certain reaction or an outcome (06:27)
• The business of reality TV for contestant (09:10)
• Mike's experience working with live reality TV crowds (11:30)
• How Mike's script to camera needed to influence audiences at home (13:29)
• Whether Mike would ever participate as a reality TV contestant (14:30)
• Mike's perspective on the portrayal of reality TV contestants (15:47)
• How far can you push the boundaries of reality TV before crossing the duty of care line (18:06)
• The effect reality TV has on Australian culture (19:25)
• Mike's thoughts on how contestants should treat their reality TV journey (21:00)
• Mike's perspective on the enduring appeal of reality TV (22:26)
• Mike's favourite and real moments while working on Big Brother (24:25)

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In the extension of POPSUGAR’s pilot season of POPCAST, host Tim Dormer interviews the masterminds that work behind the scenes on some of the biggest reality TV shows in Australia. 

In episode ten, Tim is joined by Marion “Maz” Farrelly. From Big Brother and Dancing With the Stars to The X-Factor and Farmer Wants a Wife, Maz has worked in just about every genre of reality TV. The only thing that’s consistent is Maz’s three golden rules to creating compelling and successful reality TV. 

In this episode we hear about:

• Maz's view on creating a story for reality TV vs. a documentary (01:04)
• The golden rules Maz's team follow in order to produce in every reality TV show (02:08)
• Maz's approach to casting characters (04:39)
• The importance of set design and its role within reality TV (06:09)
• The best advice Maz received while working in reality TV (09:23)
• Maz's insight into making things happen on camera (11:41)
• How transparent Maz is with her audience (14:45)
• What happens during a contestant's psychology test before a show is filmed (17:01)
• What resonates best with a reality TV audience (27:45)
• The strategy Maz would play if she were a reality TV contestant (28:24)
• How drama is created between contestants and/or TV judges (35:46)
• The differences between producing a reality TV show in Australia v. the UK (39:12)
• The evolution of reality TV and how its changed in the last 10 years (40:36)

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In the extension of POPSUGAR’s pilot season of POPCAST, host Tim Dormer interviews the masterminds that work behind the scenes on some of the biggest reality TV shows in Australia. 

Episode nine of sees host Tim Dormer interview one of Australia’s most successful television producers, Alex Mavroidakis. As an experienced executive producer with close to 20 years of experience, Alex shares his experiences working on some of Australia’s most talked-about TV shows including Love Island and Big Brother, and the enduring appeal of reality TV.

In this episode we hear about:

• How Alex describes the role of a reality TV producer (01:10)
• What Tim was like as a contestant on Big Brother and what makes a good reality TV contestant (02:20)
• Whether producers create storylines for reality TV contestants (08:22)
• How reality TV has changed since 2001 (12:30)
• How Alex launched his career as a television producer (13:50)
• Whether Alex forms a relationship with contestants during filming (16:42)
• The nature of the editing process (18:50)
• What goes on behind the scenes between the crew on set (24:32)
• Whether Alex would ever join a reality TV show, knowing what he knows on the ‘other’ side (28:05)
• The scandal surrounding Grant and Tayla from Love Island (35:40)
• Why reality TV has staying power (44:30)

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Episode eight of POPSUGAR Australia’s podcast, POPCAST, sees host Tim Dormer interview one of MasterChef's original success stories, Hayden Quinn. Since appearing on the cooking show series in 2011, Hayden has solidified his place in the Australian food and media scene. And while he's certainly enjoyed his fair share of success post-MasterChef — among them cookbooks and TV shows — he maintains that finding your feet once the cameras stop rolling is far from an easy task, with as many lows as there have been highs. 

In this episode, we hear about:

-             Hayden’s humble beginnings studying marine biology and lifeguarding [1:20]

-             How his love of food began [2:00]

-             What made him apply to be on MasterChef [4:05]

-             The calibre of people on a show like MasterChef [5:25]

-             How MasterChef has changed the way people see food [7:05]

-             What it’s really like making food television [8:20]

-             Thinking on your feet and coming up with ideas in the competition [11:50]

-             Working hard post-reality TV to further your dreams [16:30]

-             Dealing with the pressure he puts on himself [21:30]

-             The expectations of living up to a public profile [23:15]

-             Interacting with celebrity chefs on MasterChef [24:45]

-             Building relationships with the producers and the nature of trust

-             His relationship with model Jax Raynor being in the spotlight [34:17]  

-             His views on people going on reality TV now [36:58]

-             The enduring appeal of MasterChef [37:45]

-             What life’s like for him now [41:11]

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Episode seven of POPSUGAR Australia’s podcast, POPCAST, sees host Tim Dormer interview Married At First Sight’s Ryan Gallagher. Despite entering the show with the best of intentions, Ryan found his “wife” Davina’s heart to be elsewhere — with fellow contestant Dean. Instead of wallowing, Ryan has turned betrayal into opportunity, and is enjoying the early success of his newfound comedy career. Davina, Dean and any other reality TV ties are now firmly in the past, and in case you were wondering (you were), yes, he's definitely on the lookout for a special lady. 

In this episode we hear about:

• Life immediately after Married at First Sight (01:00)
• Why Ryan applied for reality TV (01:59)
• Ryan's thoughts on 'love' and Married at First Sight (03:00)
• Ryan's initial hesitations around reality TV (04:25)
• The nature of Married at First Sight (06:08)
• Whether Ryan ever got used to the cameras rolling (09:20)
• The story behind David and Davina's relationship (10:50)
• What it's like to deal with public scrutiny post-show (12:00)
• The concept of '15 minutes of fame' (13:40)
• How Ryan survived putting his heart 'out there' (15:30)
• Whether Ryan feels his time on the show was accurately portrayed (16:09)
• Ryan's relationship with Davina now (16:55)
• What's next for Ryan's comedy career (19:50)
• How Ryan likes to 'switch off' (25:30)
• How Ryan deals with social media (25:48)

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Episode six of POPSUGAR Australia’s podcast, POPCAST, sees host Tim Dormer interview The Bachelor’s genuine and refreshingly honest Noni Janur. Despite being sent home by Richie Strahan in episode nine of the 2016 series, the swimwear designer has gone on to further her label and live by a contagious message of positivity. In Noni’s revealing interview with Tim, she admits her motivation for signing up for reality TV, the unexpected psychological effects of being on a national platform, and how she unexpectedly found love with none other than The Bachelorette’s Sam Johnson.

In this episode we hear about:

-        What made Noni want to join The Bachelor (00:46)

-        What reality TV show Noni really wanted to go on (01:50)

-        Noni’s motivation for joining a reality TV show (02:40)

-        Whether Noni was looking for love when she signed up for The Bachelor (04:20)

-        The psychological nature of love and dating on reality TV (05:20)

-        How Noni knew she wasn’t The One for Richie Strahan (07:00)

-        What life was like when Noni exited the show (09:00)

-        What Noni was really competing for on The Bachelor (11:00)

-        Whether she was portrayed accurately on the show (12:00)

-        How she got together with Sam (13:00)

-        How they make their long distance relationship work (14:50)

-        The downside to social media post-reality TV (16:45)

-        What Noni is up to now (22:30)

-        How Noni and Sam’s relationship is impacted from them both being on reality TV (24:00)

-        Where reality TV is headed next (28:20)

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Episode five of POPSUGAR Australia’s podcast, POPCAST, sees host Tim Dormer interview one of Sydney’s golden couples — Matty Johnson and Laura Byrne. After Matty’s heartbreaking turn on The Bachelorette in 2016, Laura won his heart on The Bachelor last year — a modern day romance, and very much the real deal.Matty and Laura’s revealing interview with Tim covers the reality of falling in love on TV, and how they’ve coped with the ongoing public examination of their relationship. 

In this episode we hear about:

• What life has been like since The Bachelor ended last year (00:47)
• How it felt to be ‘watched’ after the show ended (02:00)
• The most frustrating experience post-show (04:00)
• Why Matty decided to return to reality TV for a second time in 2017 (04:45)
• How The Bachelor contestants are cast (05:26)
• Laura’s motivation to sign up for The Bachelor (06:26)
• How reality TV has changed over the last few years (08:15)
• The downside to social media (09:28)
• Matty’s public heartbreak in 2016 (12:00)
• Matty and Laura’s infamous meeting before The Bachelor at Bondi Icebergs (14:00)
• Whether they were portrayed correctly on the show (15:45)
• How producers help push the storylines forward (17:30)
• The impact The Bachelor has had on Laura’s jewellery brand Toni May (20:25)
• Whether the experience of The Bachelor has affected the way they think about love (24:00)
• If Matty and Laura regret falling in love on a TV show (26:00)
• If another reality TV show is on the cards (27:00)
• Their plans for the future (30:50)

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Episode four of POPSUGAR Australia’s podcast, POPCAST, sees host Tim Dormer interview one of reality TV’s originals, Bree Amer Wilkes. In 2004, Bree was wrongly evicted and sent back into the Big Brother house to face her suspicious housemates. She went on to place second, exiting a fan favourite and going on to find success behind the camera as a producer on My Kitchen Rules. Bree’s honest interview with Tim gives an insight into the question we all want answered – how scripted is reality TV?  

In this episode we hear about:

• What made Bree decide to go on Big Brother as a contestant (02:31)
• How Bree’s Big Brother experience would be different today (05:15)
• Bree’s TV experience immediately after Big Brother, from contestant to talent (06:20)
• Bree’s unexpected opportunity post-Big Brother (09:15)
• What really happened throughout Bree’s wrongful eviction saga (10:00)
• Feeling the wrath of her suspicious Big Brother housemates (12:40)
• How Big Brother changed over the years (17:30)
• Bree's dual experience as a contestant and producer (18:00)
• The casting process between producer and contestant (19:21)
• The editing process in reality TV and how people are really represented (23:15)
• Whether Bree would reappear on reality TV (26:15)
• Bree's relationship with fans today, and life post-reality TV (26:57)

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