2. Kayfabe Country

About this episode

Jamie explores the world of 1980s WWF wrestling and the implications of shared illusions in society.

In episode two, Jamie ventures into the strange world of 1980s WWF wrestling - where performers and fans share an unspoken agreement to treat the whole spectacle as real. A shared illusion where everyone knows it's fake, but plays along because it feels true. It sounds like harmless fun. And for a while, it was. But Jamie soon wonders: what happens when an idea like that escapes the ring and changes the world? Credits: Presenter: Jamie Bartlett Series Producer: Tom Pooley Sound Design: Rob Speight Production Coordinator: Neena Abdullah Original music: Coach Conrad Editor: Craig Templeton Smith A Tempo+Talker production for BBC Radio 4.

People in this episode

Host: Jamie Bartlett

Topics covered

• wrestling
• illusion
• entertainment
• society
• culture

Keywords

• WWF
• wrestling
• kayfabe
• illusion
• 1980s
• entertainment
• society

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 4, Tempo+Talker

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