Reality TV

I have to make my annual apology for watching “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here” in spite of making a determined effort not to be drawn into it. I blame my wife really, because obviously I would never allow myself to sink to such depths. Unlike Alan, we do watch television at some time on most days and are able to find something acceptable on most occasions, albeit with some difficulty considering the number of channels from which we have to choose.

Coming back to “Celebrity”, I once again have to admit to quite enjoying it now that the numbers have been reduced to people that I mostly actually recognise. Why some of them would want to put themselves through the hardship and humiliation though, is hard to understand. Maybe it would be better if the programme was renamed “I’m not a Celebrity, Get Me Into Here” and then it would make more sense. I find myself feeling very sorry for the animals and other creatures brought into the programme for our entertainment. Some of it verges on the disgusting, and I do feel guilty for participating in it; some is very funny, but again I still find myself with feelings of guilt. Not enough it would seem to stop me from watching the show!

One programme I have watched, once only, is “Hard Spell” which I really feel is exploitation at its worst. Seeing children in the glare of the spotlight being grilled publicly is upsetting to my mind. Mostly you would have to blame their pushy parents who crave the attention that their offspring will bring to them. Admittedly, the spelling powers of some was impressive, but does it really matter, and can any amount of success of the few justify the utter sense of failure felt by the many as they are paraded for the world to see. As adults, we should be protecting our young from this, not bullying them. In the same category was “Junior Mastermind” and I think John Humphreys should have known better.

Another celebrity programme that I had initial doubts about is “Strictly Come Dancing”, but with this one, I can see some cause for enjoyment. The format is excellent and the adults taking part are there of their own free will and it is interesting to watch the week by week improvement of the participants. The one unfortunate aspect of this show is that the voting of the public seems to be based upon their public familiarity rather than their dancing ability. How Julian Clary succeeded above Aled Jones, I just do not know, and how Denise Lewis seemed to be in danger over losing out after dancing so brilliantly, I cannot understand. Obviously, the gay vote is greater than the either the cultural or the athletic following.