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Mumsnet TV show starring Mumsnetters ready to view. Please tell us what you think...

290 replies

Carriemumsnet · 18/01/2010 16:12

You may remember at the end of 2009 we asked for volunteers to be filmed having the Mumsnet hair cut and take part in a Mumsnet TV makeover etc. Well the final cut of the first Mumsnet e-TV magazine show is now up and ready to view (and before we go any further there's definitely a starring role/Mumsnet book/our undying gratitude for anyone who can think up a snappier title for the show. Anything other than Mumsnet Magazine TV show would be an improvement).

Made for Mumsnetters and starring - who else - Mumsnetters, the current plan is that this will be a regular show bringing you all the MN staples - AIBU, beauty tips, MN makeovers, sleb interviews, some political stuff - the works.

This episode is a trial run to see what works (and what doesn't). We already have an idea of what doesn't work (mostly any time MNHQ get involved/appear ) but we think you'll agree that the Mumsnetters are great - absolutely star material.

You can find the show in the MNTV slot on the right hand side of the page on Chat, AIBU, Site Stuff, webchats, Telly addicts, competitions and active conversations. Please take a minute (or seven) to have a look and then tell us what you think of it. All suggestions and feedback welcome (but do be gentle with us...). Oh and don't forget a name for the show.

Thanks and enjoy,

MNHQ

OP posts:
BEAUTlFUL · 20/01/2010 16:49

I would prefer TV created by Mumsnetters, literally on webcams. Like that fab MNTube idea. A home review of a baby monitor, complete with dropping it, swearing, baby waking up halfway through... That would be very sweet and funny.

Or a MNer waving the webcam over her sleeping DH's face, whispering "AIBU to want to kill him for napping all weekend??" etc

solo · 20/01/2010 16:43
BEAUTlFUL · 20/01/2010 16:40

Just call it MNTV.

EleanoraBuntingCupcake · 20/01/2010 16:18

marslady is fabulous, she should have her own show

FrameyMcFrame · 20/01/2010 15:46

what Maisiedot said.

solo · 20/01/2010 15:09

OK, OK, can someone pleaeaease tell me how I can view this?! please

Maisiedot · 20/01/2010 13:18

Thank you!

Aranea · 20/01/2010 13:15

That's a really good idea, Maisie. That and 100's idea of MNTube would both be much better ways of capturing the spirit of MN imo.

PollyTechnique · 20/01/2010 13:05

Good idea, Maisie.

Maisiedot · 20/01/2010 12:57

Oh... I hardly ever post and now I've written an essay...

Maisiedot · 20/01/2010 12:56

As someone who comes to Mumsnet for the wealth of experience on here, rather than the banter (although the banter is fun!) I have often looked up old threads where people have asked for help with their babies? sleep problems, weaning problems, a weaning diary, pregnancy diary, etc etc (ie whatever I am despairing about at the time) and wondered how they turned out.

I wonder if it might be a nice idea for willing participants who have previously asked for and received advice to come on and talk about what they did, what they did with the advice they received on Mumsnet (maybe it was a heated thread etc etc) and how it went and what advice they might give to anyone else facing a similar situation in the future. It goes further to humanise the situations on here, links potentially super valuable past threads back to current situations, and potentially also raises the subject for current debate again. To be fair a lot of the subjects on the bigger ?topic? areas are ?classic? subjects ? they keep coming up again and again so it could also be updated easily with a new person / thread / advice with minimal effort to keep it fresh.

VintageGardenia · 20/01/2010 10:48

Apart from lighting / upskirt / stairs issues I think the main problem - if this is meant to be an extension of MN for MNers, rather than a trailer for MN, or something - is that once you remove the spontanaeity from MN and introduce selection and editing, it immediately wilts. I think that's why any piece in eg newspaper is met with disappointment. Shoehorning in in-jokes and rehashing old ideas (no offence) doesn't come off. Some things confusing - the haircut thing - that would be of absolutely no use to anyone wanting to cut their own hair, it's only amusing if you've read the threads about the MN chop. That old grape thing - what a lovely wee munching child in the film btw - doesn't represent AIBU, which is not about rant but about opinions, briskly expressed, so I agree with the people who said better argue it than rant in a dark corner.

As an extra feature of the site, MNTube would be a better idea than a produced LooseMN or MN Hour or whatever because it would be content created by MNers, instead of MN content harnessed and tamed. The richness of the site imo is in the fact that the content is dynamic and unpredictable, on a good day.

Bravo to the participants btw.

DecorHate · 20/01/2010 10:30

Phew, have seen it now. At the start all I could find was an interview with some politician - thought we had been bought out by the campaigning wing of one of the main parties! Much relief to find the real clip about frocks and hair [shallow emoticon]

largeginandtonic · 20/01/2010 09:54

Excellent idea 100!!

WeWantYourDoofDoofs · 20/01/2010 07:54

MNtube!!!

Farking brilliant idea 100

AitchTwoOhOneOh · 20/01/2010 00:41

lord save us all from tv jeopardy.

sausagerolemodel · 20/01/2010 00:27

Cards on table - I make a living producing TV so this is said with my worky hat on. I hope its helpful

Thought it was bloody good, given that its a first attempt with (I assume) next to no budget (in TV terms) well done...

It would help if it was clear what and who the audience is for this? i.e. are you planning it to be close to this pilot in content/length as a clickable addition to MN as its exists already, purely for existing MNers?

Or something bigger and better part funded by sponsorship (i dunno, pampers or something) on its own platform or pitching it to a broadcast channel?

If the former, then I think that it works quite well but you could make more of the opinions of mumsnet and make it more newsworthy and current (to drive people to click on it once a week or whenever) and cover the politics more . Invest in a decent tripod .

If the latter, I think the content would need to be edgier, but I think that would be easy to do with the great resource that is MN and the people who inhabit it at your fingertips. And I suspect this would be the best way to monetise it (apologies for wanky terminology) - I mean get it to pay for itself.

Agree with the many others (and I think I also mentioned this with regard to the waitrose stuff) that a more Loose Woman approach would make the most of your material - I love the way you combined expert opinion with MN opinion in the books - You should try this approach for the TV. Might take a bit of trial and error but it would help it feel more reflective of the web-site.

Also the top and tail at MNHQ could be more relaxed again, (although top marks for presenting well if you haven't done it before) and you should come back to the three of you to link the films more often.

Make-over - OK if a little predictable and could be shot a bit better. For me, it was too long, but then I'm not keen on these bits on GMTV either. You could make it a bit more hard-nosed - like the guy comes round and actually forces you to bin all the stuff that he thinks doesn't suit you or something. Add a bit of jeopardy.

AIBU - you could make a lot more of this and it could be really interesting, Need expert opinion, possibly a debate? I like the anonymity angle. Think this could be a lot of fun and stimulate a lot of debate.

Hair-cut - was fun enough and contributors all good (this went across the board by the way - that is your gold dust actually - contributor finding for TV is normally a drag but you have zillions of amazing people ready to go - don't underestimate this resource, esp if you are thinking of pitching this anywhere) BUT it was thrown away - this could have been a five minute piece on its own and didn't explain properly how to do it or importantly why it works the way it does. Could do a different one every week and do colour stuff too -experiments for fun.

Will Young IV - entertaining enough content but set-up looked uncomfortable - (I am thinking perhaps you didn't have any option over where/how it was filmed? Having three questioners sitting on the sofa made it look and feel a bit crowded and uncomfortable (visually, I mean).

MNtube is a fun idea but it would have to be really carefully produced.

I am just wondering idly if the breakdown of the content (beauty/AIBU etc) in any way reflects the traffic of those particular parts of the web-site? Or if it should?

Other ideas for elements you might want to include

gadgets and product reviews for home and kids/babies stuff. (cheap and cheerful)

Travel and holidays - family friendly resorts, stuff to do with the kids etc (should be able to get this paid for)

Book Club - well it worked for Richard and Judy - get a tie in with Waterstones. Lovely.

Hope this is helpful. And good luck, I think you're off to a flying start.

solo · 20/01/2010 00:03

Well, I still can't see this! harumph!

mamazon · 19/01/2010 23:02

now THAT is a sterling idea 100

CitizenPrecious · 19/01/2010 23:01

MNtube would be geeeenius

ahundredtimes · 19/01/2010 22:52

Okay, so this is just a venture for MNers to enjoy, featuring MNers doing things for the laugh.

I think it's fun. You'll attract those that don't mind us all gawping at them, and we'll all enjoy the gawp very much. Everyone seemed to have fun making it too. It's like a home movie innit.

(If it is meant to be as a larger, diversifying branding thing, then the issues re production and format might matter a bit more!)

Am shocked at 8 mins information.

I know what else would be fun. MNtube. Where MNers do home filming themselves - a rant, a tour of their wardrobe, a whispered piece of vitriol during a MIL visit, a keenly felt beautifully articulated piece on global warming, a demonstration of HTT techniques, a chat with another MNer and they can post it on the MN channel. Oooh. I'd love that. I'd be RAPT.

MegBusset · 19/01/2010 20:30

I thought it was pretty dull (sorry). If I had flicked over and caught it on TV I would have turned over straight away.

mamazon · 19/01/2010 19:34

it was a genuine wow. i really didnt think it would make any difference but it did! i was stunned. my eyelashes really were poking my eye lids.

it was amazing

AitchTwoOhOneOh · 19/01/2010 19:25

you were hilarious, mamazon.
WOW. lololol.

FredAboutAFred · 19/01/2010 19:20

aitch
have mailed you abotu GR