The Secrets Of I’m A Celeb

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In this week’s Q&A, The Secrets Of I’m A Celeb, Marina & Richard reveal those that test run all the trials on I’m A Celebrity and the work that goes into each moment of TV gold.
We dig into the stats as to which is the most successful chair to be sat in on House of Games.
Why are dates given in Roman Numerals at the end of shows?
How do you get on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame?
Your questions answered on The Rest Is Entertainment with Richard Osman & Marina Hyde.
Producer: Neil Fearn + Joey McCarthy
Executive Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport

Inside This Episode

Reach Plc’s Article Volume Targets
The hosts revisit a previous podcast episode that criticised Reach plc‘s article volume targets, highlighting the immense pressure journalists faced to churn out content. Following their critique, there was an internal meeting at Reach Plc, leading to a reduction in these targets for smaller regional newsrooms, which were no longer encouraged to copy popular stories from across the network. The hosts emphasise that their comments were aimed at the management rather than the hardworking journalists, celebrating this as a win for better journalism practices.
Quote: “Following the podcast episode, there was an internal meeting with the big guns.”
I’m a Celebrity Trials Production
The Secrets Of I’m A Celeb! Behind the scenes of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, trials are meticulously crafted by a dedicated “trials team,” who brainstorm, design, and test these challenges months in advance. Participants seen in previews are team members who repeatedly rehearse the trials to ensure smooth execution. The hosts also discuss the complexity of bush tucker trials, noting that food portions are deliberately nauseating but not excessively so, striking a balance for optimal viewer reaction.
Quote: “The food…has to be pitched at just the right level of nauseating.”
Hollywood Walk of Fame Process
The process of receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame involves a third-party nomination, often initiated by an agent, followed by review by a secretive committee. The Walk, which currently has over 2,700 stars, allows nominations across various categories such as film, music, and television. Notable absentees include Julia Roberts and Bruce Springsteen, with some celebrities declining the honour due to its commercial nature or dislike of being walked on. Muhammad Ali’s star, uniquely mounted on a wall, exemplifies such exceptions.
Quote: “There is only one star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that you cannot walk on, and that is Muhammad Ali’s.”
BBC News Roman Numerals
The use of Roman numerals for copyright dates by BBC News originated from Hollywood studios seeking to obscure the actual release year of their films. This practice aimed to maintain a timeless appeal, tricking audiences into perceiving content as new. While it adds an air of sophistication, the hosts debate its relevance today, especially for news broadcasts where the audience is already aware of the current date.
Quote: “They wanted to be obscure about when it was actually released.”
House of Games Seat Placement
The seating arrangements on House of Games, hosted by Richard Osman, are thoughtfully planned to balance dynamics and highlight personalities. While statistics suggest seat four has a slight advantage, this is likely correlated with experienced or confident contestants often being assigned there. The arrangement mimics dinner party seating, ensuring participants interact well and are comfortable throughout the recording.
Quote: “Seat 4 is the biggest advantage…like the Grand Prix one.”
Cliffhangers in TV Seasons
TV shows that end on dramatic cliffhangers, such as Game of Thrones, usually reshoot scenes rather than using leftover footage. Even with detailed source material or planned scripts, future episodes are rarely finalised during the current season’s production. This ensures flexibility for adjustments based on audience reactions, casting changes, or creative shifts, though it requires significant additional effort during pre-production.
Quote: “Scripts are never finished; they just sort of surrender to production.”
Desert Island Discs Selection
On Desert Island Discs, guests select songs that represent significant moments in their lives, rather than simply choosing favourites. The process is deeply personal and reflective, often unveiling untold stories about the guest’s journey. Despite this freedom, producers might intervene if selections lack variety or connection to life events, ensuring a meaningful narrative.
LINK: Listen to Richard Osman’s Desert Island Discs episode on BBC Sounds.
Quote: “It’s a story, a journey through your life.”

Media Mentions

Television Shows

Music

Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips
Bandwagonesque by Teenage Fanclub
The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani

Hot Takes

“Chris Pine is getting a star… Bloody hell.”
“Def Leppard? Come on. Dr Dre? Yeah, alright.”
“The trials on I’m a Celebrity are more produced as a sort of entity than quite a lot of actual whole shows.”
“They wanted to be obscure about when it was actually released… They thought it was classy.”
“Seat 4 is…the Grand Prix one.”
“Gwen Stefani’s not getting in. She’s got one song, but carry on.”

Notable Numbers

50–57: Approximate number of stories about Martin Lewis posted by Reach Plc in one day.
2,700: Number of stars currently on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
$50,000: Cost of maintaining a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.