A disturbing documentary detailing how one man was broadcast to an entire nation while living naked and alone in an apartment is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
In 1998, Japanese comedian Tomoaki Hamatsu was invited to what he thought was a TV audition. Upon arrival, he was led into an apartment, asked to strip naked and complete a series of mundane tasks such as filling out coupons.
Hamatsu would remain in the small apartment for a total of 15 months as he worked to reach the ultimate goal of winning ¥1 million, which is ¥1.13 million (£5,755) when adjusted for inflation, in prize money.
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There was just one catch, Hamatsu was unknowingly being broadcast to the entire country on a TV show called Susunu! Denpa Shonen (translated as 'Do Not Proceed! Crazy Youth').
Unbeknownst to Hamatsu - also known by his nickname 'Nasubi' - and without his consent, his every move was being watched by over 17 million viewers every week.
When he finally exited the apartment, he was awarded with a grand 'prize' of toilet roll.
Well over two decades on from Hamatsu's ordeal, people are, of course, looking at the controversial TV show from a different point of view, with documentary The Contestant highlighting the cruel and unethical early days of modern reality TV.
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Watch a trailer for the documentary below:
Originally airing in 2023, The Contestant makes the early days of Big Brother certainly look tame.
Hamatsu begins the series alone and naked in the apartment with no food. He proceeds to fill out coupons in magazines and eats whatever he receives, including dog food.
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It even predates psychological comedy-drama film The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey, which similarly tells the story of a man who was unaware that his entire life is a TV show.
The documentary film will now air on BBC Four tonight (17 June) at 10pm, and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
The documentary has received favourable reviews from viewers and critics, branding the reality show one of the 'most evil' shows on TV.
Meanwhile, Hamatsu later clarified the door to the apartment wasn't locked, however, if he wanted to leave, he would have had to have left naked.
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"Tsuchiya was a very famous producer," he said of being asked to audition for the show. "I felt honoured to have gotten picked. He, to me, was like a person in the sky.
"I had admiration for him. But that changed. He became evil. My respect eventually turned to anger.
He added: "I did not want to be naked. I told him that a million times. But he insisted. I did it. Then I told him that I did not what to be broadcasted."
Topics: BBC, Documentaries, TV
Brenna Cooper