This month (August 2015) the latest incarnation of Celebrity Big Brother kicks off on UK TV. The University of Warwick's top ranked department of Film and Television Studies is internationally renowned for research into film and television so it is no surprise that Sir Peter Bazalgette, who brought the Big Brother TV format to the UK, came to Warwick earlier this year to accept an honorary degree. You can use the buttons on the right of this page to hear a podcast interview with Sir Peter that was recorded when he received his Warwick honorary degree.

In the interview he reflects on how the Big Brother format was predicted and condemned by the 1968 television play “The Year of the Sex Olympics” written by Nigel Kneale of Quatermass fame. He also points out that while in the rest of the world sex scandals formed the most popular parts of their early Big Brother shows in the UK it was class conflict that first popularised the show.

Warwick may have a handful of places available in clearing in Film and Television Studies in 2015. Warwick’s clearing hotline number will be 024 7653 3544 and it will open at 8am on Thursday 13th August.

You can play or download the full podcast through the links/buttons on the right of this page or via this link: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/podcasts/upload/?podcastItem=sir_peter_bazalgette.mp3

For further information please contact:

Peter Dunn, Director of Press and Policy,
University of Warwick
Tel UK: 024 76523708 office 07767 655860 mobile
Tel Overseas: +44 (0)24 76523708 office +44 (0)7767 655860 mobile/cell
Email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

PR 149 PJD August 2015

Podcast: Sir Peter Bazalgette - Honorary Graduate Winter 2015