Girl Friday (TV programme)

Girl Friday was a British television programme that aired on Channel 4 in 1994. The show was a reality television experiment that challenged a group of eight women to survive on a remote, uninhabited island in the South Pacific for a month with limited supplies and no contact with the outside world. The island was chosen for its challenging environment and limited resources.

The women, selected from a pool of applicants, had varying backgrounds and levels of outdoor experience. The programme documented their struggles to find food, build shelter, maintain morale, and resolve conflicts. The focus was on their ability to work together as a team and adapt to the harsh conditions.

The series was presented in a documentary style, showcasing the day-to-day challenges and triumphs of the women. It aimed to explore themes of survival, human nature, and the dynamics of a small, isolated group. The women faced challenges such as finding fresh water, dealing with unpredictable weather, and overcoming disagreements within the group.

The series proved popular with viewers, generating discussion about the women's resourcefulness, resilience, and relationships. It was notable for its early use of the reality television format, pre-dating some of the more well-known survival-based reality shows. The show's title, Girl Friday, is a reference to the archetypal loyal and efficient female assistant, highlighting the women's need to be resourceful and adaptable in order to survive.