Criminal

Ghostwatch

Oct 31, 2025
In this captivating discussion, radio personality Kevin Reiter shares his alarming experience with a live prank that spiraled out of control, revealing the chaos that ensued when a staged murder confession went public. Horror screenwriter Stephen Volk dives into the controversial BBC broadcast Ghostwatch, exploring its authentic presentation and the viewer panic it triggered. Both guests reflect on the ethical boundaries of media and the lasting impacts of their respective incidents on public trust and the legacy of broadcast horror.
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INSIGHT

Television Can Disguise Fiction As Fact

  • Ghostwatch was crafted to look exactly like live investigative TV to test whether viewers trust what they see on screen.
  • Stephen Volk intentionally blurred documentary and drama conventions to provoke that question of belief.
ANECDOTE

Production Choices Amplified Authenticity

  • Stephen Volk and director Leslie Manning studied live TV mistakes and used handheld cameras and long takes to mimic authentic live broadcasts.
  • They even cast real BBC hosts and some real crew to heighten realism.
ANECDOTE

Viewers Called In About A Shadowy Figure

  • During the live-style show, viewers called in claiming to see a shadowy figure in the girls' bedroom footage.
  • The studio played along and Michael Parkinson feigned not seeing it, heightening audience doubt and tension.
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