The Year of the Sex Olympics

An interesting TV movie from the late sixties, Year of the Sex Olympics was in many ways a precursor to reality TV and its effects on television audiences. It is most notable for featuring Nigel Kneale, of Quatermass fame. Kneale was a confirmed antique, seeing society as being controlled by the "masses" who had no respect for art and culture, but instead were manipulated by media corporations and government officials. The movie's not nearly as risque as it sounds, but the idea in and of itself is hilarious and sustains the first third of the movie (which is about how far I've gotten). Definitely not for those who like the "Real Housewives of Orange County". It is noteable that Kneale was not the only person who expressed a prescience concerning reality TV. Peter Watkins's Privilege in many ways also predicted elements of reality TV that would later become standardized.