TV Time Machine # 27: Popstars episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 28, 2026 · 1H 33M

TV Time Machine # 27: Popstars

from The Custard TV Podcast · host Luke Knowles

Matt, Luke and Dawn hop aboard their TV Time Machine to visit January 2001 and watch the whole first series of Popstars from ITV. The show that introduced us to Nasty Nigel, Darius and Kym Marsh, as well as being the pre-cursor to music reality shows like Pop Idol and The X Factor. It was a strange show, part reality show, part docuseries, the experience is a strange one. The show feels from a bygone era, a time when reality TV was still in its infancy and so it feels more genuine. What are your memories of the show and of Hear'Say?

Matt, Luke and Dawn hop aboard their TV Time Machine to visit January 2001 and watch the whole first series of Popstars from ITV. The show that introduced us to Nasty Nigel, Darius and Kym Marsh, as well as being the pre-cursor to music reality shows like Pop Idol and The X Factor. It was a strange show, part reality show, part docuseries, the experience is a strange one. The show feels from a bygone era, a time when reality TV was still in its infancy and so it feels more genuine. What are your memories of the show and of Hear'Say?

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TV Time Machine # 27: Popstars

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This episode was published on January 28, 2026.

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Matt, Luke and Dawn hop aboard their TV Time Machine to visit January 2001 and watch the whole first series of Popstars from ITV. The show that introduced us to Nasty Nigel, Darius and Kym Marsh, as well as being the pre-cursor to music reality...

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