Did the outset of the 2000s truly embody such poisonously regressive views on gender, sexuality and other baseless biases? Over the years, a general agreement has formed – initially through numerous documentaries detailing the undignified scrutiny aimed at Britney Spears, and now, poignantly highlighted with the heart-wrenching docudrama, “Miriam: Death of a Reality Star”, airing Monday on Channel 4 at 9pm.
The docudrama is based on the life of Miriam Rivera, a Mexican-American transgender female who had dreams of becoming famous, powered by her aspirations and a challenging childhood in Mexico. Unfortunately, her dreams made her an easy prey for the creators of the reality show “There’s Something About Miriam”.
This now somewhat obscured show, which broadcasted on Sky in 2004, had an Ibiza-style fun setting, recalling an early version of Love Island. The show had six contestants trying to win Rivera’s heart. The gimmick was that Miriam was a transgender woman, which was crudely encapsulated by the show’s narrative that she was “more Steve than Eve, more Arthur than Martha”, inducing horror and silence.
Even for 2004, the program was unequivocally disgraceful. Moreover, it was the same period when a transgender woman won Big Brother, produced by Endemol, who was also responsible for “There’s Something About Miriam”. Regardless of the prevailing ignorance regarding transgender issues, it did not justify the opportunistic portrayal of Rivera’s sexuality or the delight taken in manipulating the six contestants.
Gareth Smith, a psychiatrist and mental health adviser roped in by the producers towards the end of production when they realized the series could potentially be controversial, termed this “cruelty TV”. He called it “unethical, absurd, vile and repellent”. Smith pointed out that Rivera was treated like the butt of a cruel joke, and it was no laughing matter, because it was about her life and contestants who were not given the opportunity for informed consent.
Rivera passed away in 2019 and her demise is set to be discussed in the third episode. The major issue with the premiere episode, which is otherwise comprehensive and insightful, is that it offers little clarity regarding Rivera’s inner thoughts towards the show or the misleading situation she committed to. She remains enigmatic, forming an ambiguous part in the heart of the film.
Rather, the spotlight shines upon the extreme facets of reality television during the early years of the 21st century. In an attempt to outshine the array of Big Brother offshoots, show creators pushed the limits. This resulted in the controversial show, There’s Something About Miriam.
Out of the six participants, two consented to be interviewed. Toby Green was unique in suspecting Miriam’s transgender status, leading to his exit once the producers found out about his suspicions. However, the others were more than content in their pursuit of Miriam’s affections. Aron Lane, another participant, admitted finding Miriam alluring and couldn’t deny his attraction.
The programme sparked a significant row as the contestants turned to legal measures to block the show’s airing. Sky released a disclaimer pre-credits, attesting to the removal of There’s Something About Miriam from versatile platforms years ago, reaffirming it is not reflective of Sky’s perceptions of gender identity or inclusivity.
The silver lining is that such a show concept is unlikely to be approved today. However, the internet teems with hateful attitudes towards trans individuals, seeping into the real world eventually.
Recollecting the central idea of the show, a producer shared it centred around six men vying for attention from their dream lady, only to find out she was biologically male. The producer accepted the use of the term ‘man,’ stating it was necessary for learning and growth, admitting the word ‘trans’ was not used then, but they are more informed now.