DU
It's only time before people literally die for reality TV.
Can I suggest the "evil twist" this year is that housemates are shot at regular intervals- those with the most "chav-like" characteristics first until the sole survivor ("semi-chav") is declared the winner of fag money and psychiatric counselling for life.
I'd watch.
Can I suggest the "evil twist" this year is that housemates are shot at regular intervals- those with the most "chav-like" characteristics first until the sole survivor ("semi-chav") is declared the winner of fag money and psychiatric counselling for life.
I'd watch.
KA
Yes - do the nation a favour and shoot them in the first hour of this over-trumpeted sensationalist pantomime!
Katherine
Founding member
tsunami__active posted:
Can I suggest the "evil twist" this year is that housemates are shot at regular intervals- those with the most "chav-like" characteristics first until the sole survivor ("semi-chav") is declared the winner of fag money and psychiatric counselling for life.
Yes - do the nation a favour and shoot them in the first hour of this over-trumpeted sensationalist pantomime!
TV
But why would anyone compel themselves to watch Big Brother when they have four other channels to choose from?
The once-great Channel 4 continues on its downward slide; it's bad enough they have recommissioned BB at all, but to extend the run is really taking the wee-wee; C4's downmarket slide has not gone unnoticed by TV critics in their reviews of 2004.
For God's sake put this chav TV out of its misery once and for all.
marksi posted:
Simon, remember that even those people who don't like Big Brother would consider it more entertaining than Pages from Ceefax. With possibly the singular exception of yourself.
But why would anyone compel themselves to watch Big Brother when they have four other channels to choose from?
The once-great Channel 4 continues on its downward slide; it's bad enough they have recommissioned BB at all, but to extend the run is really taking the wee-wee; C4's downmarket slide has not gone unnoticed by TV critics in their reviews of 2004.
For God's sake put this chav TV out of its misery once and for all.
MA
But why would anyone compel themselves to watch Big Brother when they have four other channels to choose from?
The once-great Channel 4 continues on its downward slide; it's bad enough they have recommissioned BB at all, but to extend the run is really taking the wee-wee; C4's downmarket slide has not gone unnoticed by TV critics in their reviews of 2004.
For God's sake put this chav TV out of its misery once and for all.
Yes, EVERYTHING'S AWFUL. Won't someone please think of the children?!
tvarksouthwest posted:
marksi posted:
Simon, remember that even those people who don't like Big Brother would consider it more entertaining than Pages from Ceefax. With possibly the singular exception of yourself.
But why would anyone compel themselves to watch Big Brother when they have four other channels to choose from?
The once-great Channel 4 continues on its downward slide; it's bad enough they have recommissioned BB at all, but to extend the run is really taking the wee-wee; C4's downmarket slide has not gone unnoticed by TV critics in their reviews of 2004.
For God's sake put this chav TV out of its misery once and for all.
Yes, EVERYTHING'S AWFUL. Won't someone please think of the children?!
TV
Well let's compare Channel 4 then and now:
1985
Brookside
Dispatches
Right To Reply
Education Extra
Cheers
2005
Big Brother
Wife Swap
Friends
Friends
Friends
How Clean Is Your House?
A definite jump from public service to ratings chasing.
1985
Brookside
Dispatches
Right To Reply
Education Extra
Cheers
2005
Big Brother
Wife Swap
Friends
Friends
Friends
How Clean Is Your House?
A definite jump from public service to ratings chasing.
MA
You seem to have missed:
Shameless
The West Wing
The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off
The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
Time Team
to name but a few...
tvarksouthwest posted:
Well let's compare Channel 4 then and now:
1985
Brookside
Dispatches
Right To Reply
Education Extra
Cheers
2005
Big Brother
Wife Swap
Friends
Friends
Friends
How Clean Is Your House?
A definite jump from public service to ratings chasing.
1985
Brookside
Dispatches
Right To Reply
Education Extra
Cheers
2005
Big Brother
Wife Swap
Friends
Friends
Friends
How Clean Is Your House?
A definite jump from public service to ratings chasing.
You seem to have missed:
Shameless
The West Wing
The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off
The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
Time Team
to name but a few...
IS
Isonstine
Founding member
I can't stand Big Brother anymore...but it is important to note that Channel 4 still produce more documentary content than ANY other terrestrial channel..and in 2003/4 produced more hours than they have since launch.
John Humphries didn't seen convinced by that...but you cannot dispute the facts.
John Humphries didn't seen convinced by that...but you cannot dispute the facts.
BO
That this programme remains so popular is truly worrying. It clearly demonstrates how stupid so many people are.
I totally admit that I found Big Brother 1 compelling television. It was an untried (in Britain) experiment which was thoroughly interesting. However, after five series, it is just so predictable and dull.
As channel 4 claims to be a public service broadcaster, why don't they sell the rights to ITV and just allow it to rot there. They must realise that it peaked at the end of its first series and has just declined since.
I totally admit that I found Big Brother 1 compelling television. It was an untried (in Britain) experiment which was thoroughly interesting. However, after five series, it is just so predictable and dull.
As channel 4 claims to be a public service broadcaster, why don't they sell the rights to ITV and just allow it to rot there. They must realise that it peaked at the end of its first series and has just declined since.
TV
I'm not saying C4 has stopped making quality programmes altogether - there are these and others besides. But these programmes are not the headline-grabbers and the change in C4's strategy is painfully clear.
marksi posted:
You seem to have missed:
Shameless
The West Wing
The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off
The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
Time Team
to name but a few...
Shameless
The West Wing
The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off
The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
Time Team
to name but a few...
I'm not saying C4 has stopped making quality programmes altogether - there are these and others besides. But these programmes are not the headline-grabbers and the change in C4's strategy is painfully clear.
KA
Time Team I agree with; excellent show, brilliant team cohesion great viewing, but Channel 4 have MURDERED the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures! Ad breaks that ruin continuity, but this year took the custard cream, removing the lecture theatre! Perhaps it's because a lecture theatre on telly is too geeky, too learned or too brainy for Channel 4?
Dumbing down?
Katherine
Founding member
marksi posted:
The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
Time Team
to name but a few...
Time Team
to name but a few...
Time Team I agree with; excellent show, brilliant team cohesion great viewing, but Channel 4 have MURDERED the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures! Ad breaks that ruin continuity, but this year took the custard cream, removing the lecture theatre! Perhaps it's because a lecture theatre on telly is too geeky, too learned or too brainy for Channel 4?
Dumbing down?
MA
I wondered how long it would be before someone said the "dumbing down" phrase.
Oxford English Dictionary definition of "dumb":
To become dumb, speechless, or silent. Destitute of the faculty of speech.
You could say that the phrase itself is an example of what people mean when they say "dumbing down".
Oxford English Dictionary definition of "dumb":
To become dumb, speechless, or silent. Destitute of the faculty of speech.
You could say that the phrase itself is an example of what people mean when they say "dumbing down".