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This 1 x 60 documentary by Julie Burchill was the first proper commission of Jacquie Lawrence (SKY One's newly appointed Factual Commissioner) and was quite a big risk for all concerned thanks to a notoriously TV-shy and vocally challenged presenter, a counter-intuitive argument that went against the orthodox philosophy txing on a fluffy channel not best known for authored polemics. But, despite everyone's fears, Chavs was a monster hit and instantly became a cause celebre, kickstarting debates, articles and follow ups all over the media. Even now Chavs remains SKY One's highest rating documentary ever - and has now successfully spawned an entire series of authored docs on SKY with big name presenters like Janet Street Porter, Piers Morgan and Francis Fulford. Awareness-wise, Chavs was again very successful and the programme received rave reviews everywhere from The Sunday Times to the New Statesman - this was the first time a non-acquisition terrestrial programme had ever done this and SKY received enormous benefits from this different demographic. But, aside from all the heat generated by Chavs, the biggest achievement was convincing the reclusive Burchill to finally appear on camera - something she had resisted for about ten years. As one reviewer said, 'best of all is watching Burchill fidget her way through interviews like an angry, impatient teenager'.
Broadcaster: RCTI
Format: 1 x 60"