“Shattered,” the reality show that deprived its participants of sleep, was one of the most controversial programs of the 2000s.
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The reality show “Shattered” premiered in 2004 and featured a group of participants aged 19 to 33 competing for £100,000. To claim the grand prize, the contestants had to stay awake for 7 days.
The 10 competitors were constantly monitored by cameras, and if any of them closed their eyes for more than 10 seconds, £1,000 was deducted from the total prize amount.
To ensure the participants’ safety, they were allowed to sleep only one hour per day and had no access to medication, alcohol, drugs, electronic devices, cell phones, or musical instruments.
While dealing with sleep deprivation, the participants faced challenges that made it difficult for them to stay awake, such as having to remain in a warm and cozy room while holding stuffed animals without blinking.
Throughout the competition, some participants began to experience hallucinations, while others became hostile and irrational, all due to the adverse effects of sleep deprivation.
Each day, one competitor was eliminated, and the last person to fall asleep won the cash prize, which, in this case, was Clare Southern, who managed to stay awake for an impressive 178 hours.
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