Julie Christie on Reality TV Secrets, The Truth About Matthew Ridge & Marc Ellis, Damehood Criticism

Dame Julie Christie is a powerhouse businesswoman and TV producer.

She became a Dame in 2017 and in late 2024 she was named “Legend of the year” at the NZ TV awards.

She has been called many things over the years- the Queen of Reality TV is a popular one.

One newspaper columnist called her a Cultural Vandal once- we get into all the criticism in this conversation.

Me? I’d call Dame Julie Christie a mate. And a person with a big heart and an even bigger work ethic.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about her early years growing up and how that shaper her, her path from journalism into TV, the TV shows and the huge careers she helped build, the criticism and backlash, work life balance, her thoughts on the state of reality TV now with shows like Love Island, regrets, reflections, lessons and much much more.

You may or may not know the name- but you have definitely consumed hours of TV made by Dame Julie over your lifetime. And you are about to learn more about a great New Zealander- one who is incredibly reluctant to talk about herself- so this is a rare treat.

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**The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guests and may not reflect the views of the show sponsors**

00:00 Introduction 08:47 Early Life and Family Backgroud 15:07 Career Beginnings and Journalism 24:14 Criticism and Public Perception 40:04 The Success of Unscripted Television 51:39 Balancing Work and Family Life 56:39 The State of Local Television in New Zealand 01:01:51 Innovations in Documentary Filmmaking 01:05:39 The Craft of Reality Television Production 01:19:07 Navigating Scandals and Loyalty 01:30:54 The Future of New Zealand Television 01:51:28 Legacy and Personal Growth