The Circus Has Ended - Thank God !

[Pigmy Pony]

Yes and that is the really worrying aspect of it.

What was that quote..."Nobody ever lost money by underestimating the taste of....."

the problem with my position is that Im just going to be considered a snob for telling them what to do. Most JK or gogglebox fans would just tell me to F off.

Im serious that we have bred a significant base level of morons. In truth it was always that way though.

Surely the aim should be to raise standards. Im not against light entertainment. All I am saying is that you dont make programmes which exploit people in a patronising, cruel and cynical way.

Hey, leave Gogglebox alone! I like the Malones, they seem quite normal. Not too keen on the hoity-toity older couple though, they look like the sort who only watch TV when they have to. When she says "What a load of old rubbish" in a Janet Street-Porter style, I want to chuck something at the telly. Not that I ever watch it though - I much prefer more highbrow programming, like all the super-discerning folks on here

[Minstrel SE]

Personally I think it's utter crap.

However I don't feel I have the right to impose my opinion on others and tell them what shows they should watch or take part in.

Thats where its all wrong though Gary.

You must have a line of taste that you dont want to see crossed so its a question of where that line is.

Im not trying to be like the nanny state but we have to step in at some level and say stop the humiliation. Its dangerous crap and thats the main point

I dont think you can counter this by saying I have no right to impose my opinion on others. Thats what a society with any laws or organisation does. You are living everyday with someones judgement imposed on you. Hopefully that is mostly for the good

Its an unacceptable programme and the silent majority have turned a blind eye for too long

[Minstrel SE]

Hey, leave Gogglebox alone! I like the Malones, they seem quite normal. Not too keen on the hoity-toity older couple though, they look like the sort who only watch TV when they have to. When she says "What a load of old rubbish" in a Janet Street-Porter style, I want to chuck something at the telly. Not that I ever watch it though - I much prefer more highbrow programming, like all the super-discerning folks on here

Im with Marco on this one so you are outnumbered If I heard Craig Cash do that stupid voice ever again I would smash my TV right in...he should be ashamed of himself.

Gogglebox is dross but Im not asking for that to be taken off air

[Pigmy Pony]

Hey, at least you're honest!

Marco.

Hey, it took some balls to admit to watching The One Show, two in fact, which is exactly two more than the presenters have between them

[Gaz]

I don't think most of the silent majority could give a toss tbh.

I honestly believed the people in it were actors and the stories made up.

It's difficult in discussions like to disagree without sounding offensive and the statement I'm about to make is absolutely not meant to sound as such but just because you say the programme is unacceptable doesn't mean it is. Yes you find it unacceptable, I don't like it, but millions of people, rightly or wrongly, enjoy it.

[Marco]

....and which is a sad reflection/indictment on our society. As I said, social media is largely to blame for 'our' (although I certainly don't include myself in this) obsession with sharing our lives in public with complete strangers, and which has largely given birth to these diabolical 'reality' shows.

Marco.

[Gaz]

I'm not sure that's entirely accurate, again I'm using Google as a source.
Facebook started in 2004 and in 2005, when Jeremy Kyle first aired, was only in use in 21 UK universities, so JK certainly predated Facebook.
Maybe the other reality TV crap came along later and was boosted by people posting what they're doing on social media.
I don't know as I don't use social media or watch reality TV. (unless you count I'm a celebrity get me out of here)

[mikmas]

I'm not sure that's entirely accurate, again I'm using Google as a source.
Facebook started in 2004 and in 2005, when Jeremy Kyle first aired, was only in use in 21 UK universities, so JK certainly predated Facebook.
Maybe the other reality TV crap came along later and was boosted by people posting what they're doing on social media.
I don't know as I don't use social media or watch reality TV. (unless you count I'm a celebrity get me out of here)

Yep - and 'Reality TV' (as it came to be known) goes way back further than that with the prototype for 'Big Brother' being first broadcast in 1993.
'The Living Soap' featured a bunch of students living in a flat (paid for by the BBC) who had to live under the gaze of a bunch of cameras 24/7. At that time most of us who had 'the internet' had to put up will dial-up modems and wait half an hour to download a tiny photo

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...n-1511568.html


If we want to be really pedantic, this was preceded by the 1974 BBC series 'The Family' which featured a 'fly-on the wall' account of the day to day life of an 'ordinary' British family':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYNGRqXKkSA


At that time 'the internet' was nowt more than two cans and a piece of string (if you were lucky)

[Marco]

Sure, but the point is, the introduction of social media, in particular (not just the Internet), has increased the popularity of all this 'reality' bollox, by 'normalising' the broadcasting of your life (and its problems) in public to all and sundry, thus made the situation now much worse!

Marco.

[walpurgis]

I blame Jerry Springer.