Anything for Ratings: Decades of Lowbrow

Pedro Fonseca
2025-12-11

What isn't pure sensationalism in this world?
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157 min

This documentary takes a deep dive into the history of Brazilian broadcast television, focusing on the decades when the pursuit of the number one spot in the ratings pushed every ethical boundary. Through a detailed analysis and interviews with people who experienced it behind the scenes, whether as viewers or industry insiders, the film brings back the era of live variety shows, hidden camera pranks, the rivalry between Gugu and Faustão, and the PCC scandal. More than just a nostalgic look back, the film questions how sensationalism and the exploitation of poverty shaped the behavior of a nation raised in front of the screen, revealing the secrets of a TV industry that wasn’t afraid to get bizarre to hold onto its audience.