Controversial television

Big Brother Scandal Continues

Well where else was I going to start with this weeks look at controversial television programs?

It has been reported that Danielle Lloyd has been interviewed by police detectives although she wasn't charged or cautioned with any offence. The former Miss Great Britain and ex girlfriend of football star Teddy Sheringham was accused of racist bulling along side fellow reality TV housemates Jade Goody and Jo O'Meara.

After the meeting a spokeswoman for Danielle Lloyd said

"It was very constructive and we were pleased to have met them. As we have said all along, Danielle will be fully co-operating with them."

she also said the meeting was arranged at Danielle Lloyd's request.

Jo O'Meara who was also accused of racist bullying has also issued a 900 word statement, use this link if you wish to read the Jo O'Meara statement in full, for those of you who can't be bothered here are a couple of extracts of the Romford girls statement so you get the jist:

"I have been asked why I did Big Brother. It was simply because I needed the money,".

"I may lose my house and the fee offered was a lifeline which I took."

"Am I the first person in the world to make a mistake or say regrettable things? I am devastated, sorry and honestly have no idea what to do next,"

"I think that as a group we would all have coped better if some of the surprise stunts hadn't been pulled by Big Brother.

"Jade and her family entering the house late and the introduction of a slave/master culture is bizarre by anyone's standards and automatically creates tension and a divide."

To be honest I'm not going to get into the whole was it wasn't it racist debate as its been covered so many times already on other sites, I will say that watching Jade made me want to give her a slap though as she is obviously a dumb ignorant bitch lol.

Jo O'Meara statement does raise a very interesting point as to the responsibility of producers Edmol who make the Bog Brother television program. They have on many previous occasions been accused of creating tension among the people in the Big Brother house in the search for television ratings. It appears that no lessons were learnt from the series when they had to put security guards in the house as tensions boiled over.

Edmol seems to exploit any housemates on the television program to raise the viewing figures for Big Brother, I mean it gets boring very quick and audiences dwindle with every year so they need to create this controversy just to get people watching which I don't think is very ethical especially on the non celebrity show.

Finally for the Big Brother part of this controversy on television week I have to say I think Channel 4 on the whole the best terrestrial television station in the UK and should drop Big Brother like a stone. Every time they put it on I have to turn Channel 4 off, its a shame that the channel that brings us the likes of Shameless, Lost (although they were tight and didn't keep it), Ugly Betty, Peep Show, Trashbat, Teachers etc etc can't keep its viewing dynamic as normal for large parts of the year due to Big Brother.

More controversy on Channel 4

As if the Big Brother controversy wasn't enough for the directors of Big Brother they have also managed to get in the news again this week for a series of programs that were due to be aired and dubbed "wank week" by Channel 4.

I don't think I need to go into detail of what was due to be aired, but it appears Channel 4 television has decided to postpone the series with a spokesman saying "The programs are not currently scheduled but will be shown in due course," and Channel 4 television commissioner Andrew MacKenzie previously said the series was the type of "provocative and mischievous" material that the channel should be covering.

To be honest I feel that Channel 4 has postponed the program due to the negative press created by the backlash caused by this years "racist" Big Brother. Also I hope they show it (which they no doubt will) as its this kind of taboo television programming that has made Channel 4 stand out in recent years (look at the autopsy series which was fantastic and caused a huge outcry before it was aired).

Top Gear Insults Headway

Another notable controversy caused by a television program this week was Top Gear, I know I had a moan about the quality of the program in a previous thread, but I actually find the controversial remarks by the presenters a breath of fresh air (especially on the BBC) and if sometime slightly tasteless they aren't ever the kind of comments that offend me personally.

Headway which is a charity for people with brain injury's said it received 50 complaints relating to comments made by Jeremy Clarkson and James May. Jeremy Clarkson ask Richard Hammond if he was now mental and James May offered him a tissue incase he started dribbling on the Top Gear television show last Sunday.

Peter McCabe who is the chief executive of Headway said

"This has created such anger among members of Headway. It really was offensive and insulting to all those people living with brain injuries.

"I think the whole way the show handled the issue was wrong. They should not have shown the crash.

"It just glamorized fast driving and gives the impression people can make a full recovery from head injuries.

"That is not always the case."

In response the BBC said

"Top Gear's audience is familiar with the irreverent tone of the program and this was typical of the type of exchanges that take place between the presenters. It was certainly not intended to cause any offence.

"The item showing Richard's crash could not have been a clearer illustration of the dangers and excitements of speed."

For myself tasteless and insulting are something that I actually watch Top Gear for even after last weeks review of Top Gear I for one will be watching this week and hoping that its better than last week.

 

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