Living the Dream - Full Series

This outlandish take on The Truman Show sees vineyard worker Sam taking part in a 'reality' show where the housemates are actually fakes. The cast play up to the cliches of reality TV across 10 episodes, while dodgy host Mark Ferguson sets ridiculous challenges (cockroach eating, wet t-shirt reading). Guests include Charlotte Dawson (episode three), Matthew Ridge (five) and TV executive Andrew Shaw (seven). In episode six Sam creates turmoil by admitting he's ready to leave. The Spinoff 's Alex Casey called it a "one off, never to be repeated format". The cast were only told the show's secrets after winning their parts. Sarah Thomson ('rich bitch' Tiffany) later played an undercover cop on Shortland Street.

The premise of this completely fake 2004 reality show has stuck with me. Sure, I was 12 at the time that it aired, but it's scientifically proven that this is the peak age of insisting that you are the star of The Truman Show after you watch it one rainy lunchtime at intermediate.

– Alex Casey of The Spinoff, writes about Living the Dream for a 2016 NZ Herald list of NZ's worst reality TV shows

Key Cast & Crew

Awanui Simich-Pene

As: Rima

Robin Scholes

Co-Executive Producer, Co-Executive Producer, Subject

Sam Chambers

Subject

Sarah Thomson

As: Tiffany

Mark Ferguson

Presenter

Katie Wolfe

Director, Subject