And just like that... MAFS is over

For you to deduce that people watch these programmes because they enjoy the downfall of others is way off the mark.

Life isn't as black and white as you think it is. Shame you see things in this way.

humilliating how exactly? By suggesting that if you take pleasure from the downfall of others you’re a sadist?

Meh. If you consider that to be humiliating then maybe you need to ask yourself why.

But it takes a person with certain sadistic traits to be entertained by the humiliation and downfall of others, which is what reality tv is primarily about. @ThereAreOnlyShadesOfGrey

And yet you are taking obvious pleasure in humiliating the people who have chosen to watch this programme in the past! Hypocritical.

I think it’s entirely possible to state that no woman deserves to be raped while at the same time acknowledging that having unprotected sex with a stranger is a spectacularly stupid and irresponsible thing to do. On both sides.

The man not pulling out aside, pregnancy and STD’s are a real possibility, and nobody would be sympathising if either of those had occurred.

As for people saying that intelligent people can watch these shows, I agree. But it takes a person with certain sadistic traits to be entertained by the humiliation and downfall of others, which is what reality tv is primarily about. Remember, some of the most intelligent people in history have also been some of the most dangerous, and unpleasant.

Ok, you win.

Perhaps prompted by the victim blaming that was so prevalent yesterday.

Yes we can all agree that what’s gone on is dreadful, however it’s turning into a bit of a competition on here to see who is the most outraged.

I think that we have to face the fact that it's us women that watch tripe like this.

It's not men watching it.

I shouldn't have to say it but I obviously don't mean ALL women watch this at all, but for those that do, the vast majority are going to be women.

I can't stand any reality TV that is based on interpersonal relationships. So tedious.

I don't even like Bake Off.

I do like watching rugged men driving trucks.
I don't feel bad about this as they're gonna drive them anyway.

Seriously dodgy from the get go TBH, who on Earth thought it was a 'good' idea?!!🙄😠

Don't get rid of Ice Road Truckers though, I love that.
Rugged men driving trucks. Swoon.
There's a couple of women, too.
I don't swoon over them, though. Though well done to them. I wouldn't want to do it.

I'm such an idiot though that I didn't realise that they're safer driving on the frozen lakes with a camera crew around.

Anyone else wince at the MAFSAUS reference on Death Valley?

Sorry not deliberately being flippant but all the important stuff seems to have been said already here.

As it should be.

@ArmchairTourist Like so much of reality TV, it's a licence to be cruel because we all know that nastiness sells better than decency

I think the worst programme for that was Real Housewives of Atlanta, Beverly Hills etc al. Nasty character assassination, group bullying, sniping, gossip and critique positively encouraged. Social media consumption and the celebrity gossip columns that increasingly take up space in readership diminishing newspapers and magazines has a huge role to play in facilitating these shows, people are hungry for new content and desire a constantly revolving fresh round of influencers. These shows are part of that massive machine.

I'm actually not sure the programme itself will actually be axed after all.

Gosh, it’s getting crowded up there on the moral high ground.

I agree. I have never understood why anyone with any self-respect would agree to appear on such a programme, or why anyone with any decency would watch one.

Who would I get an STI from?

I've never actually watched the programme, either the UK or the Australian one. But I know all about it because it's frequently discussed on Gogglebox (are Channel 4 going to pull all those episodes too?) I also know all about it because one woman of my acquaintance cannot wait until each programme is over so she can tear into whatever contestant she's taken a dislike to. She puts anyone down who doesn't share her enthusiasm as "a snob" Like so much of reality TV, it's a licence to be cruel because we all know that nastiness sells better than decency. I'm reminded of that line in Gladiator where Russell Crowe throws his arms wide in the area and bellows at the crowd: "Are you not entertained?"

You would think condoms would be part of the deal with all of them shagging each other.

She consented to pull out sex, which he did not do. Similar to stealthing imo, which is recognised as rape

Do you see stealthing as rape?

Why do you think rape is less horrific if someone has made unwise decisions before? Is it 'less bad' as it's partly their fault? Does that also apply to murder & theft victims in your view?

This reminds me of seeing an episode of The Bachelor - the American version, many years ago. It happened to be on the near finale episode of that particular season or something and it must of been whittled down to two women (The very premise of the Bachelor was misogyny on steroids) anyway I watched in horrific fascination as these two women supposedly went head to head for his affections. I was surprised to see he had to attend dinner at the home of the family of each of the two women and give a spiel on why she was so special to the disapproval or enthusiasm of the varying family members at the dinner table etc etc...extra scripted BS etc.

Anyway in this particular episode there was also an evening date with each of the women (separately) and there was clearly a push either by the programme or the bachelor himself to suggest spending the night together and being intimate and having sex.

One of the women acted like she was only to eager and the suggestion was they spent the night together.

The other woman was not happy to go that far, I cannot remember why,it may have been that she felt it was inappropriate, or felt the relationship wasn't solid (which, lets face it it wasn't) because he hadn't chosen either of the women...yet.

I remember the disapproval coming from the bachelor and the insinuation from the programme narrator that she was being...uptight and not as fun as the other contestant. Not open to being vulnerable and less emotional or that she clearly didn't really want him and other such nonsense. It was not so subtle coercion and shaming.

I think this MAFS debacle could potentially open the doors to other claims from other similar format programmes. Channel 4 seem to be aware of that and are not really accepting the claims, just saying their safeguarding was good as far as they were aware at the time. Probably because they know the potential for this to become a flood.

So what's all the fuss about children viewing porn on their phones. Within a few years it'll be on Channel 4.

Geordie shore showed filmed sex. So reality TV has already been there @MrsScarecrow😖

Totally agree. Naked dating, some program about Virginity and other such programs should be banned. The programs are basically to get two strangers to have sex. How long before we get the action filmed.The people who appear are all 'wanting to be famous' or narcissistic - probably both. Blind Date was a bit of fun ( originally)

Rape is when you don’t consent to sex. She did consent.
Well done you, just isn’t something you I’d recommend unless you want a baby or an STI.

Oh are you part of that JIMS mob?