Abstract
Popular histories of the reality talent show often position programmes like Opportunity Knocks as key generic precursors to the popular formats of today. But the visibility of such shows in such popular histories — and in popular memory — disguises the fact that the genre has been almost totally neglected in both television historiography and celebrity studies. In drawing upon archival documentation, this article looks at early examples of the broadcast talent show in Britain, with a particular focus on radio's Opportunity Knocks, and examines the institutional and cultural discourses that surrounded them.