When did TV documentaries become all about celebrities and ‘being’ and stop being about people actually doing something?

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I used to absolutely love documentary festivals with a friend of mine, but we kind of fell out of love with them around ten years ago. It felt like every film we saw focused on who people were, rather than what they did. After yet another movie about someone’s personal struggles—whether it was a boy experimenting with makeup or a girl with a weapon—we left a screening and my friend perfectly summed it up. She said, ‘It’s all just about being now. Whatever happened to people actually doing things?’ It really struck a chord with me.

Documentaries still play an important role in investigative reporting. However, my friend was right about what we often see on TV. There’s plenty of what TV channels call “factual entertainment,” but it often feels repetitive – usually involving two celebrities driving around, sharing personal stories, and occasionally buying houses or expensive artwork.

Honestly, sometimes it feels like TV just wants to shock us – especially on Channel 4, where they’ll bring on someone to talk about… well, intimate things. And when they do have an expert, it’s usually just to have a celebrity ask them questions! I miss seeing actual people doing interesting things, you know? Where’s the footage of real life happening?

Things weren’t always as they are now. When I was growing up, I watched people like Keith Floyd, Ann Ladbury, and Fred Dibnah. They were incredibly passionate about what they did – cooking without strict recipes (and often with a glass of wine!), creating clothes from patterns, and taking apart chimneys. They pursued these interests because they loved them, and recognition followed naturally, rather than being the goal itself.

The term “geek,” simply meaning a strong and dedicated interest in a specific subject, has unfortunately gotten a negative reputation – often linked to an unkempt appearance and a focus on hobbies over self-care. But I’d much rather have an enthusiastic, knowledgeable expert who’s passionate about sharing their knowledge than a polished celebrity who’s just being paid to pretend to be interested.

We’re starting to see a welcome return of intelligent, niche programming on television. While Dr. Hannah Fry is a brilliant storyteller, the current standout personality is Guy Martin.

Martin, originally from Grimsby, first caught the attention of TV producers during a 2009 TT race while riding his bike. He’s passionate about anything mechanical, demonstrated by projects ranging from building boats to achieving a world record for the fastest toboggan ride. Unlike some celebrities, Martin prioritizes genuine content over fame – he even turned down the chance to host Top Gear. Now, he faces the challenge of staying true to himself while also meeting the expectations of TV producers.

His newest project focuses on traditional, hands-on careers – the kind that often involve early mornings and physical labor (though he hasn’t asked for my help yet!). He clearly respects these professions, and even after almost twenty years in the spotlight, he still chooses to work with his hands, fixing trucks and driving tractors, rather than taking on television roles.

You might not know Wintergatan, a Swedish band, but over 276 million people have watched their frontman, Martin Molin, play a unique instrument he created with 2,000 marbles on YouTube. However, Molin eventually stopped using the instrument because it wasn’t reliable enough for touring. Like Molin, this particular tech enthusiast is incredibly determined and doesn’t give up easily.

Francis Bourgeois might not sound exciting when described as a TikTok creator, model, and brand ambassador. However, he’s actually a passionate trainspotter, and his love for trains has earned him a huge following online.

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I’m really excited about this Channel 4 documentary! It’s fascinating to watch him explore the possibility of going to space, but it’s also incredibly grounding to see him realize what it really takes. He admitted he needs to rely on his actual engineering skills, not just his social media following, to impress a real astronaut – and that’s a powerful moment. It shows he understands that practical knowledge is what truly matters when you’re dealing with something as complex as space travel.

These days, we’ve lost many traditional skills like car repair, sewing, or even basic home maintenance. That’s why being able to effectively share your talents and interests – to promote yourself – is so important for keeping those skills alive. And it highlights the joy of connecting with others who share your passions.

When Guy Martin’s host family of dairy farmers throw him a party, the bubbly is popped, the burgers are turned, but where’s Guy? In a corner, showing the farmer’s son what ChatGPT has to say about hydraulic engine fluids. Doing stuff. Enthralled, enthralling.
Mission to Space with Francis Bourgeois begins on Sunday 25 January at 6:50pm on Channel 4.

Authors

Caroline Frost

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2026-01-21 11:40