The Newsroom

Spoof Newsflash causes complaints

(June 2006)

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NE
Newsreader
Andrew posted:
Newsreader posted:
I would have thought people would have guessed when the newsflash was that 'The Queen has lost her handbag'. Not normally something that makes the national news! Also this was well publicised as the theme of the show at the Palace (in the Radio Times and elsewhere).

Well obviously, but the report went something along the lines of
Jonathan Ross - We now cross over to Huw Edwards for some breaking news
Huw Edwards - Good Evening, there's been a serious incident at Buckingham Palace tonight, we can now cross over to Sophie Raworth who has the latest, Sophie
Sophie Raworth - Indeed Huw, the Queen has lost her handbag...

I can understand how many people who arn't totally familar with TV presentation could have been worried for a few seconds

Personally I think they should have had the usual Headline graphic reading 'Lost Handbag' up from the start, which would have avoided all this fuss


True. I did see it. Perhaps the tone of the intro could have been changed or if Huw had said about the Queen's handbag before crossing over to Sophie.

Perhaps if they had used Nick Ross and Fiona Bruce doing the spoof Crimewatch report instead (they used this later on). This wouldn't have been used for a news report and would not have been taken so seriously while preserving the spoof seriousness of the report.
PE
Pete Founding member
seamus21514 posted:
It was a joke! The complainers need to get a life. Or they could at least put a ticker saying that it was a joke.


being in america and being only 12 as you are, do you even know what this is about or are you just posting randomly to up your postcount.

Because if it's the latter that means you're the new spiringunhacked and not the new ryan pannell Sad


The ones on those BBC2 things were always done with the "tv lines" over them and the camera zoomed in and out and stuff. They also have graphics which look slightly wrong to help highlight it's fake.
BA
Bail Moderator
The BBC apologised yesterday for a hoax that provoked 70 complaints during the Queen's party for children at Buckingham Palace.

Seems someone added an extra 30... Seriously though, 70 people out of the whole of the UK... Put things in perspective...
NB
NerdBoy
I didn't see the incident in question but I can see why people would get confused between BBC news and a panto, I usually do.

The way it was handled did seem quite poor from the reports I've read, I believe there should always be a visual clue to alert viewers from the outset - i.e. not full screen, huw with spotted bow tie or a bad mock up of the actual newsroom. Can you imagine what they'd have done if something did happen at the party later on? How could they convince viewers they were for real?! It does nothing for the image of BBC News to be involved like this.

[FADE TO BLACK]

"We now cross to Huw Edwards in the newsroom for a news report..."

"Errr please take this seriously, it's not a joke. There's been a serious incident at the palace. Let's cross to Sophi..."
PB
PremiumBrand
I was at work at the time and I had to do a double take on the TV when it started. Programme literally had just started and Jonathan Ross did a very serious sounding intro into some breaking news. His slight stutter and unsureness to what was going on made it more convincing.

Then from there on there was no real sign it was a joke until the two comedians appeared with Sophie.

It was very good and got us all laughing at work. I don't see why people feel the need to complain it was funny. Get over it lol.
SE
seamus
Hymagumba posted:
seamus21514 posted:
It was a joke! The complainers need to get a life. Or they could at least put a ticker saying that it was a joke.


being in america and being only 12 as you are, do you even know what this is about or are you just posting randomly to up your postcount.

Because if it's the latter that means you're the new spiringunhacked and not the new ryan pannell Sad


The ones on those BBC2 things were always done with the "tv lines" over them and the camera zoomed in and out and stuff. They also have graphics which look slightly wrong to help highlight it's fake.


Yes, to celebrate the Queen's 80 th birthday, they had a party for kids, and they had a skit with a lost handbag....Its on the news, cause americans seem to think that the UK's royalty is their's also. People all flew Union Jacks on Diana's funeral, and it was televised.
SP
Steve in Pudsey
I was wondering what the hell had happenned - I was in the pub after the England match and BBC ONE had been left on but with the sound off.

I wonder why, given that it was a kid's production, they didn't use Newsround for the fake newsflash?
JO
Jonathan
Hymagumba posted:
seamus21514 posted:
It was a joke! The complainers need to get a life. Or they could at least put a ticker saying that it was a joke.


being in america and being only 12 as you are, do you even know what this is about or are you just posting randomly to up your postcount.

Because if it's the latter that means you're the new spiringunhacked and not the new ryan pannell Sad


The ones on those BBC2 things were always done with the "tv lines" over them and the camera zoomed in and out and stuff. They also have graphics which look slightly wrong to help highlight it's fake.

My God, he's twelve and American?!
I think this is ridiculous, I bet it was people like Seamus who complained anyway - people who have way too much time, boring and were never taught humour.
PH
Phen
Bail posted:
Seriously though, 70 people out of the whole of the UK... Put things in perspective...

If I'm not mistaken, broadcasters treat 1 complaint as if 20 people complained. I think this is because for every 20 people who are offended, only 1 will actually bother to do something about it. Therefore in the BBC's eyes, 70 people complaining really means 1,400 people are unhappy. Thats a bit more substantial I think.
SE
seamus
Jonathan posted:
Hymagumba posted:
seamus21514 posted:
It was a joke! The complainers need to get a life. Or they could at least put a ticker saying that it was a joke.


being in america and being only 12 as you are, do you even know what this is about or are you just posting randomly to up your postcount.

Because if it's the latter that means you're the new spiringunhacked and not the new ryan pannell Sad


The ones on those BBC2 things were always done with the "tv lines" over them and the camera zoomed in and out and stuff. They also have graphics which look slightly wrong to help highlight it's fake.

My God, he's twelve and American?!
I think this is ridiculous, I bet it was people like Seamus who complained anyway - people who have way too much time, boring and were never taught humour.


I AM NOT AMERICAN. I AM IRISH. I LIVE IN AMERICA. DON"T YOU DARE CALL ME AMERICAN.
NB
NerdBoy
If people aren't as stupid as we think, then why are there strict rules on 'news bulletins' in dramas? Stuff like no full screen reports or some graphics have to be wrong. Surely people will be intelligent enough to figure it out after a few seconds (as that's usually how long they last)?

They make up the rules to suit themselves Rolling Eyes
CW
Charlie Wells Moderator
Still I think the complainers need to get a grip, there were notable clues that it was a spoof...
1) The BBC continuity introduction was for the show and not for BBC News. Why would they link to Party at the Palace and leave it to Jonathon Ross to hand over to the newsroom a mear matter of seconds later if it was a genuine bulliten.
2) As mentioned the newsroom backdrop was the night time backing, despite it still being daylight.
3) It wasn't as if they kept people thinking it was a serious news bulliten for several minutes, within a minute it was clear it was part of the show storyline.

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