The Unscripted Files with Madelyn Cunningham

Industry news expert Emily Wilson joins Madelyn to discuss the latest trends in entertainment, including new Netflix projects, the spin-off of NBC Universal, and updates on major media mergers. They also share insights on upcoming shows, industry shifts, and personal favorites. Special Guest: Emily Wilson.

In this industry news minisode, Emily and Madelyn discuss major industry shifts like Fox's aquisition of Roku and the exit of a major Netflix executive. Special Guest: Emily Wilson.

This episode covers the latest industry news including the Paramount Warner Brothers merger lawsuit, new podcast and TV series launches, the rise of digital dating shows, and shifts in viewer habits between YouTube and Netflix. It offers insights into current trends shaping entertainment and media strategies.

It's the Monday minisode! This episode covers the latest trends and updates in the television industry, including new programming, renewals, and strategic moves by major networks like Warner Brothers Discovery, Fox, and NBCU. Emily Wilson and Madelyn analyze the current landscape, highlighting the dominance of celebrity-driven reality shows, the return of familiar IP, and innovative opportunities...

Welcome to The Unscripted Files—a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the world of unscripted entertainment. Hosted by development producer Madelyn Cunningham, this series celebrates the talent and ingenuity behind some of your favorite reality TV and unscripted shows. From early industry breakthroughs to behind-the-scenes challenges, we explore the untold stories of the creators, producers, an...

Madelyn foregoes a guest interview this week to talk about what she learned in the process of selling her first TV show. She shares insights on navigating the creative industry, emphasizing authenticity, collaboration, and resilience. She discusses the importance of staying true to your vision, reframing rejection, and the power of positive thinking.

Madelyn and Emily cover the latest developments in the unscripted TV industry, including updates on Taylor Frankie Paul as the former Bachelorette, The Warner Brothers Paramount Merger, Hulu's new reality TV slate, and industry controversies. Special Guest: Emily Wilson.

In this episode, Adam Wilkenfeld shares insights on democratizing the entertainment industry through his platform, ShowReelie, which connects creators with producers. Topics include how to develop ideas, protect IP, and navigate the path from concept to sale in unscripted TV. Special Guest: Adam Wilkenfeld.

Emmy Award–winning producer Pam Glennon goes behind the scenes of Your Mom, My Dad, unpacking what really happens on an unscripted set—from the nuanced roles producers play to the invisible decisions that shape every moment on screen. She shares her unconventional path into the industry, hard-earned advice for freelancers looking to maximize every opportunity, and the surprising lessons she’s taki...

This episode with Emily Wilson covers major industry updates including Paramount's leadership changes, new series announcements, the closure of RealScreen, and trends in reality TV spinoffs. Emily Wilson shares insights on industry shifts, upcoming shows, and the significance of industry events. Special Guest: Emily Wilson.

What does it really take to tell stories from the edge of the world—and the edge of human experience? In this episode of The Unscripted Files, Madelyn sits down with documentary producer Jennifer Tocquigny, whose career has taken her from the Amazon rainforest to maximum-security prisons in South Africa. Jennifer shares what it means to fully immerse yourself in a story—physically, emotionally, an...

This episode covers the latest industry news including the postponement of The Bachelorette due to controversy, Disney's AI investment withdrawal, Warner Music's artist documentaries with Netflix, and the shift of traditional game shows to digital platforms. Experts analyze the implications for casting, AI's fragility, and content strategies in entertainment. Special Guest: Emily Wilson.

This week on The Unscripted Files, Madelyn sits down with Jessica Shikami, Director of Development at Blink49 Studios, to unpack the evolving landscape of unscripted television—from true crime to dating formats to the rise of immersive, world-built competition shows. Jessica shares her journey from MTV-obsessed kid to development executive, and breaks down what it really takes to sell a show in to...

Welcome to The Unscripted Files—a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the world of unscripted entertainment. Hosted by development producer Madelyn Cunningham, this series celebrates the talent and ingenuity behind some of your favorite reality TV and unscripted shows. From early industry breakthroughs to behind-the-scenes challenges, we explore the untold stories of the creators, producers, an...

In this episode of The Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham sits down with Rob Schulte, host of the hit podcast Vanderpump Robs, to unpack how fan culture and online discourse are reshaping reality television. Rob—named a Vanderpump Rules expert by NBC—dives into the evolution of ensemble reality shows, why casting authentic friend groups is nearly impossible to replicate, and the moment real...

Madelyn and Emily discuss the latest developments in the Warner Brothers acquisition, the impact on the unscripted industry, and the innovative formats emerging in entertainment. They explore the nostalgia for early 2000s reality TV and the rise of documentaries, as well as the trend of micro dramas and vertical content catering to modern viewing habits. Special Guest: Emily Wilson.

Malik Johnson's path into nonfiction didn’t begin in a pitch room - it began filming his grandfather’s church sermons at age twelve. From producing live television on Live PD (where he learned to build story in 20 seconds) to working on culturally resonant documentaries like The Milli Vanilli doc, As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial, and How Music Got Free, Malik has built a career centered on point o...

Nicky Huggett shares her journey in the documentary and media industry, discussing her transition to freelance work, the evolution of development practices, and the challenges faced in the current documentary landscape. She emphasizes the importance of female perspectives in storytelling and the impact of celebrity in production. Nicky also compares UK and US development practices, offering insigh...

AI is dominating conversations across Hollywood — but what does it actually mean for the unscripted television industry? In this season-opening episode of The Unscripted Files, host Madelyn Cunningham sits down with former unscripted producer turned AI executive Simone Buteau to break down the realities, myths, and gray areas surrounding artificial intelligence in development, production, casting,...

Welcome to The Unscripted Files—a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the world of unscripted entertainment. Hosted by development producer Madelyn Cunningham, this series celebrates the talent and ingenuity behind some of your favorite reality TV and unscripted shows. From early industry breakthroughs to behind-the-scenes challenges, we explore the untold stories of the creators, producers, an...

In this reflective episode, Madelyn Cunningham reviews the key insights and lessons learned from her podcast over the past year. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity over judgment, the power of asking for what you want, and the significance of embracing failure. Madelyn shares memorable moments from her guests, discusses the art of pitching, and highlights the value of saying yes and focusin...

This Monday minisode of unscripted industry news with Emily Wilson discusses the latest developments in the bid for Warner Brothers Discovery, AMC's new all-reality streaming service and the revival of Bridezilla, as well as Bravo's upcoming spinoffs and reboots. A new board game IP has entered the chat with Shark Bite and Apple announces a culinary docuseries with Awkwafina. Special Guest: Emily...

Diana Nolan shares her journey from a high school student producer to an executive producer in the true crime genre. She discusses her early experiences in storytelling, the challenges and rewards of working in reality TV, and the importance of empathy and sensitivity in true crime productions. Diana emphasizes the value of mentorship, team building, and creative problem-solving within budget cons...

In this Monday minisode, Madelyn and Emily Wilson discuss the latest trends in the entertainment industry, including new competition formats like 'Win The Mall' from Netflix, the rise of celebrity sports shows, and the growing influence of YouTube creators. They also touch on significant industry changes, including executive resignations at the BBC and recent award wins for documentaries, highligh...

Sebastien Basset, a seasoned associate producer, talks about the challenges of working on large culinary competition formats like 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, Holiday Baking Championship, Spring Baking Championship and more. He describes how his role supports pre-production, production and post - and how he manages to keep notes on up to 24 contestants at a time on high intensity shows. Sebatien...