In the light of current concerns about TV phone-ins, trust and the dangers of the internet, Anthony Lilley charts the rise of TV shows starring ordinary people, from The Golden Shot to Big Brother and beyond. By paralleling this with the explosive growth of computer games and the web he will discuss the challenges and opportunities which are arising as new technologies cause the areas to converge. How are expectations and uses of media changing, what might happen next and what are we going to do about it?