JV
I don't think it even got a mention in Newsround over the weekend or on Monday, which is a bit sad - at least Ed Petrie has paid tribute to him though.
I guess it's because a lot of today's CBBC viewers might not have known Tony that well, seeing as he's been off screen for a few years... either that or they don't want to mention it for fear of upsetting viewers (their coverage of Mark Speight's death had to be carefully worded and even said he hadn't been killed by someone else).
Death is a hard thing to cover on a children's programme, but if it is a story they think is going to affect children badly they do always refer viewers to a special section on their website.
James Vertigan
Founding member
buster posted:
No mention in either of this week's Blue Peters...
I don't think it even got a mention in Newsround over the weekend or on Monday, which is a bit sad - at least Ed Petrie has paid tribute to him though.
I guess it's because a lot of today's CBBC viewers might not have known Tony that well, seeing as he's been off screen for a few years... either that or they don't want to mention it for fear of upsetting viewers (their coverage of Mark Speight's death had to be carefully worded and even said he hadn't been killed by someone else).
Death is a hard thing to cover on a children's programme, but if it is a story they think is going to affect children badly they do always refer viewers to a special section on their website.
BU
I do remember reading in Richard Marson's book about Blue Peter that the head of CBBC at the time (who I think was Alison Sharman) objected to BP mentioning the death of Caron Keating on the programme. Obviously there have been changes in both sides' staff since then but if they have trouble covering a former presenter dying I guess the designer of the logo isn't going to get a look in!
RD
But I remember Caron's death being mentioned on the programme. It was a shot tribute at the end of the first BP after her death.
buster posted:
I do remember reading in Richard Marson's book about Blue Peter that the head of CBBC at the time (who I think was Alison Sharman) objected to BP mentioning the death of Caron Keating on the programme. Obviously there have been changes in both sides' staff since then but if they have trouble covering a former presenter dying I guess the designer of the logo isn't going to get a look in!
But I remember Caron's death being mentioned on the programme. It was a shot tribute at the end of the first BP after her death.
GS
I don't think its anything to do with airbrushing of the show's history - just that making an announcement about the death of someone does create potential for upsetting very young viewers, and its the editor's responsibility to make sure that all necessary steps are taken.
All things considered, perhaps they don't feel its worth the effort.
That wouldn't be my view, but it may be theirs.
Gavin Scott
Founding member
JCB posted:
2/3 years ago I'm sure BP would have mentioned his death. These day's tough they seem reluctant to acknowledge the shows history. I think the only reason they acknowledged the shows 50th Birthday was because they knew there would have been a public uproar if they didn't.
I don't think its anything to do with airbrushing of the show's history - just that making an announcement about the death of someone does create potential for upsetting very young viewers, and its the editor's responsibility to make sure that all necessary steps are taken.
All things considered, perhaps they don't feel its worth the effort.
That wouldn't be my view, but it may be theirs.
BU
But I remember Caron's death being mentioned on the programme. It was a shot tribute at the end of the first BP after her death.
I know - I saw it, you misunderstand me. What Marson was saying was that there was resistance to it being included, which presumably he overcame.
I do agree with the point that 2 or 3 years ago BP would have mentioned it!
RDJ posted:
buster posted:
I do remember reading in Richard Marson's book about Blue Peter that the head of CBBC at the time (who I think was Alison Sharman) objected to BP mentioning the death of Caron Keating on the programme. Obviously there have been changes in both sides' staff since then but if they have trouble covering a former presenter dying I guess the designer of the logo isn't going to get a look in!
But I remember Caron's death being mentioned on the programme. It was a shot tribute at the end of the first BP after her death.
I know - I saw it, you misunderstand me. What Marson was saying was that there was resistance to it being included, which presumably he overcame.
I do agree with the point that 2 or 3 years ago BP would have mentioned it!
JO
I don't think its anything to do with airbrushing of the show's history - just that making an announcement about the death of someone does create potential for upsetting very young viewers, and its the editor's responsibility to make sure that all necessary steps are taken.
All things considered, perhaps they don't feel its worth the effort.
That wouldn't be my view, but it may be theirs.
I agree - and personally, I don't think I would have mentioned it - I would say most viewers wouldn't have heard of him these days.
Gavin Scott posted:
JCB posted:
2/3 years ago I'm sure BP would have mentioned his death. These day's tough they seem reluctant to acknowledge the shows history. I think the only reason they acknowledged the shows 50th Birthday was because they knew there would have been a public uproar if they didn't.
I don't think its anything to do with airbrushing of the show's history - just that making an announcement about the death of someone does create potential for upsetting very young viewers, and its the editor's responsibility to make sure that all necessary steps are taken.
All things considered, perhaps they don't feel its worth the effort.
That wouldn't be my view, but it may be theirs.
I agree - and personally, I don't think I would have mentioned it - I would say most viewers wouldn't have heard of him these days.
FA
I don't think it even got a mention in Newsround over the weekend or on Monday, which is a bit sad - at least Ed Petrie has paid tribute to him though.
They mentioned it on Newsround over the weekend, only as a small read piece over visuals, though weirdly they mentioned him as being the first presenter of SMart, of course he did the SMart Hart series with Kirsten O'Brian, but this came towards the late 90's.
James Vertigan posted:
buster posted:
No mention in either of this week's Blue Peters...
I don't think it even got a mention in Newsround over the weekend or on Monday, which is a bit sad - at least Ed Petrie has paid tribute to him though.
They mentioned it on Newsround over the weekend, only as a small read piece over visuals, though weirdly they mentioned him as being the first presenter of SMart, of course he did the SMart Hart series with Kirsten O'Brian, but this came towards the late 90's.
NW
There was a nice tribute on
Richard and Judy
on Watch tonight, they showed a clip from one his programmes in the 1970's and then interviewed Colin Bennett (the Caretaker) from it, who also had one of the original Morph's on show, although time had taken it's toll on Morph. 
Nice to see nevertheless.
Nice to see nevertheless.