October 27, 2022

77. Ambushed: Can reality TV humiliation break us?

32 minutes

On the 6th of March 1995 Scott Amedure reveals his growing sexual attraction to a friend in front of a large studio audience. Behind the scenes, Jonathan Schmitz is waiting to meet a secret admirer. Jonathan is led on stage of the Jenny Jones Show and each man is revealed to the other. Scott’s face lights up but Jonathan’s expression is inscrutable, and the crowd erupts with laughter around them. Just three days after filming, Jonathan Schmitz shot his friend Scott in the chest, killing him there and then. But was Schmitz fully culpable? What happens when shame becomes public?

On this episode of Bad People Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen question the duty of care producers have to contestants, the line between entertainment and exploitation, and the consequences of public humiliation on a national scale.

CREDITS

Presenters: Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen

Producer: Laura Northedge

Assistant Producer: Hannah Ward

Editor: Anna Lacey

Music: Matt Chandler

Academic Consultant for The Open University: Dr Sarah Laurence

Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins

Commissioning Assistant Producer: Adam Eland

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