Popstars

Popstars is a UK talent show series that was broadcast on ITV in early 2001. It was the first UK series of the international Popstars franchise, and was billed as a documentary on the formation of a modern pop group. The series began with audition rounds of aspiring singers performing songs before a panel of judges. The best performers were selected to come to London for further rounds of auditions. Over the weeks, the judges eliminated various singers from the auditions until just a few singers were left in contention. In the final weeks, five contestants were chosen by the judges to form the new pop group Hear’Say. The programme then showed the group recording and promoting their first single, documenting their first ventures into the music industry. The first series of Popstars proved popular with audiences, and a second series followed in 2002.

Directed by Jonathan Dowling, Bill Toepfer, Popstars leans on a strong ensemble — Nigel Lythgoe, Nicki Chapman, Paul Adam — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2001.