The host was Dermot O'Leary and the prize? A potential fund of 100,000 pounds - approximately $185,000 American. Sound tempting? Better question - Would it be worth risking your health? The money was reduced each time a contestant was eliminated.
The show proceeded as planned, ending up with only three finalists and a jackpot of 97,000 pounds - approximately $180,000 American. The sleep off began Saturday afternoon at 3:45 p.m. Two of the contestants dropped off about half an hour later, within seconds of each other. The finalist, Clare Sothern, managed to stay awake for another two hours to win the jackpot.
Channel 4, where the program aired, assured viewers that "We have gone to great lengths to assure the health and safety of the contestants." But how is that possible when the premise of the show - sleep deprivation - is, in itself, a danger to health and welfare?
Many viewers issued complaints. The new government watchdog, OFCAM, is investigating the show. Dr. Gary Wood, Social Psychologist at the University of Birmingham has labeled the program very dangerous because, not only did lack of sleep make the contestants uncomfortable, it also altered their state of consciousness. He went on to call the show "humiliation TV" that put people's health at risk and could have caused them psychological damage.
Ask reporter Matt Roper what he thinks of the idea behind "Shattered." He went without sleep for 65 hours and declared himself "Shattered." He believes the TV Reality show is the "most sadistic show ever." He kept a diary of his experience from 8:30 a.m. of Day One when he started his sleepless marathon, and ending at 8:30 a.m. of Day Four when he woke up on the sofa, after finally succumbing to the need to sleep about 2 a.m.
He also took three tests before he started his marathon of wakefulness, and again 56 hours later. His results reveal how important sleep is to our mental ability.
I don't condone this show's actions. I find the whole idea irresponsible and lacking in feeling. But it does do one thing. It reveals how important sleep is in our lives and how dangerous it is to try to curtail the amount of rest our bodies and minds need.
