Cue the Sun!

The Invention of Reality TV

By: Emily Nussbaum

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 15 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

The rollicking saga of reality television, a “sweeping” (The Washington Post) cultural history of America’s most influential, most divisive artistic phenomenon, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning New Yorker writer—“a must-read for anyone interested in television or popular culture” (NPR)

“Passionate, exquisitely told . . . With muscular prose and an exacting eye for detail . . . [Nussbaum] knits her talents for sharp analysis and telling reportage well.”—The New York Times (Editors’ Choice)

In development as a docuseries from the studio behind Spencer and Spotlight

LONGLISTED FOR THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION

Who invented reality television, the world’s most dangerous pop-culture genre? And why can’t we look away? In this revelatory, deeply reported account of the rise of “dirty documentary”—from its contentious roots in radio to the ascent of Donald Trump—Emily Nussbaum unearths the origin story of the genre that ate the world, as told through the lively voices of the people who built it. At once gimlet-eyed and empathetic, Cue the Sun! explores the morally charged, funny, and sometimes tragic consequences of the hunt for something real inside something fake.

In sharp, absorbing prose, Nussbaum traces the jagged fuses of experimentation that exploded with Survivor at the turn of the millennium. She introduces the genre’s trickster pioneers, from the icy Allen Funt to the shambolic Chuck Barris; Cops auteur John Langley; cynical Bachelor ringmaster Mike Fleiss; and Jon Murray and Mary-Ellis Bunim, the visionaries behind The Real World—along with dozens of stars from An American Family, The Real World, Big Brother, Survivor, and The Bachelor. We learn about the tools of the trade—like the Frankenbite, a deceptive editor’s best friend—and ugly tales of exploitation. But Cue the Sun! also celebrates reality’s peculiar power: a jolt of emotion that could never have come from a script.

What happened to the first reality stars, the Louds—and why won’t they speak to the couple who filmed them? Which serial killer won on The Dating Game? Nussbaum explores reality TV as a strike-breaker, the queer roots of Bravo, the dark truth behind The Apprentice, and more. A shrewd observer who adores television, Nussbaum is the ideal voice for the first substantive history of the genre that, for better or worse, made America what it is today.

©2024 Emily Nussbaum (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Nussbaum serves as a helpful guide to reality TV’s past and present, peppering Cue the Sun! with well-researched details, lively anecdotes, and primary-source accounts of the genre’s checkered development across decades. . . .”—Los Angeles Review of Books

“Sweeping . . . Nussbaum shines a light on the people who have made some of television’s most beloved and most controversial reality shows.”—The Washington Post

“Passionate, exquisitely told . . . with muscular prose and an exacting eye for detail . . . [Nussbaum] knits her talents for sharp analysis and telling reportage well.”—The New York Times

Solid reporting

A smart analysis of the most important and troubling program trend in TV. And as it turns out national politics

a good synopsis of the history of reality tv

very interesting to see how much reality tv has evolved for contestants and crew. it's true for to write that reality tv is kind of just a long commercial and the stars are spokespeople. looking forward to more analysis from others on this topic.

Great review of reality tv and how it emerged

Thoughtful informative discussion of the evolution of reality tv. It provides great context to the subject of reality tv.

Enjoyed Every Minute

Such a great combination of interesting and fun. A great read if you love learning about American History and culture.

A must for reality tv junkies!

I really loved this book. Someone who is a pop culture obsessed as myself this was a must listen. I enjoyed hearing about how the early concept of reality tv can date back to the radio show days and enjoyed hearing the behind the scenes scoop.

Everything I Wanted to Know

I learned so much in Nussbaum's first book and this one was also full of revelations of interest to me. I'll read whatever she writes.

Looked like a fun read. Nope.

I enjoy reality TV as a distraction from daily routine. Thought this would give some insights and stories behind what we see on the screen. Well, it is to a degree. However, it reads like a treatise for a Masters Degree in Entertainment History--if there were such a course. A dry resitation of facts and interviews with show creators.

As the book progresses it becomes more and more critical of the Reality industry. Toward the end the negitivity starts to read as a call to ban Reality. That may well be the authors view. But this is not what I came for. In the end felt it was a dull recitation of grivenances of cast, crew, and producers. If that sounds good; this book's for you.

This would be great except for TDS

This book started great, with a nice history outline and interesting details until out of left field there was some reference to mary trump watching tv with her 6 year old son. Why she decided to turn an otherwise interesting story into a full Trump bashing at the end is beyond me. I can’t think of any reason to turn this book political except the author must be suffering from severe TDS.

Somehow made this topic boring

Somehow madethe topic of the start, ethics and behind the scenes stories of reality TV incredibly DULL and one note. The same point made over and over and over.
I think a lot had to do with the narration. She made everything sound the same. No emphasis or excitement. Sounded like AI wrote and the read this book. I do not recommend. Glad I had saved up credits, so I can get something else.

Some insights but…

The tale gets as sordid as reality shows enter the era of Survivor. That particular chapter is never ending but the one about Big. Brother is so troubling.The author makes a weak argument about The Apprentice and reality shows affecting politics. Lots of interviews and research, but the performance leaves much to be desired. Glad to be done.