Rating: 5 stars
Headline: An eye-opening memoir, unveiling the hidden backstories behind reality TV production in the 2000s
Review:
I have to admit, I am a bit of a reality television fiend. I used to be worse, but having sat through an entire series of Love Island in 2018 and realised my whole summer of nightly viewing could be condensed down to a eight minute “best of” reel, that was when I knew something had to change. Of course, nothing would really change until 2022, after my friend and I went on binge viewing of Netflix’s The Ultimatum. At 4am I was pumped full of iced tea and questions, mostly about myself.
It is because of my historic relationship with it that I have always remained fascinated by the history of reality television. Using their set nickname, “DJ Cash Bar” pens this no holds barred memoir, Back Focus: My Life Behind the Reality Lens. The camera operator, turned author, began their career in the early-mid noughties, during the often dubbed “Wild West” period of reality TV. Think There’s Something About Miriam and Kid Nation, but before I Wanna Marry “Harry“. It was around the dawn of reality television, where producers were still grappling with the genre and constantly pushing the boundaries (and budgets) to see what sticked with a growing viewership. Rules and safety were scarce and participant welfare was, in cases, non-existent.
Reading this memoir is both a fascinating and disturbing read, showcasing some of the challenging conditions placed on those working behind the scenes to churn out instant hits. The thirty hour working days and the ingrained abuse of drug and alcohol is to only but scratch the surface of the culture. As a memoir, it is well written and gives a lot of detail to the various productions the author-camera operator worked on. No colleagues or production titles are named directly, however the book contains enough crumbs to easily establish the full facts (alongside the production’s associated on-screen controversies).
While a lot of exposure has been given in recent years to the experience of participants and “cast” on reality television, it feels only fair that those behind the lens get their turn too. Within Back Focus: My Life Behind the Reality Lens, there is no glitz or glamour, replaced instead with cold, sober truths and, somewhat ironically, the harsh reality of television production during the noughties.
AEB Reviews
Links:
Reedsy Discovery Review: AEB Reviews – “Back Focus: My Life Behind the Reality Lens” by DJ Cashbar
Purchase Link: “Back Focus: My Life Behind the Reality Lens” by DJ Cashbar (Amazon)
Author Website: Back Focus by DJ Cash Bar (backfocusbook.com)
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My Housemate's a Mermaid 