Who would show up for you?

Famebot · 2023-06-02T20:58:35+00:00

So, this is a weird one (and slightly lighthearted) but I was watching an old episode of Gladiators and thinking about the rows and rows of people that contestants always had with them holding banners and cheering, their apparently massive families and huge number of work colleagues. I'm not sure that I would even have filled one row 😂 So, who would have shown up for you if you'd been a contestant?

NameforMN · 02/06/2023 22:04

Same as you OP, one row at a stretch..I have a tiny family , and a few friends..it's my 50th soon and DH wants a party , until I point out the lack of people to invite 😂

Fladdermus · 02/06/2023 22:08

I think if I was a contestant on Gladiators the whole town would turn up ... to laugh at the absolute spectacle I'd make of myself.

MargaretThursday · 02/06/2023 22:11

If I know TV they'd probably have the banners ready made to hand to anyone turning up to watch.

Throughalookingglass · 02/06/2023 22:11

Fladdermus · 02/06/2023 22:08

I think if I was a contestant on Gladiators the whole town would turn up ... to laugh at the absolute spectacle I'd make of myself.

:) :)

Reminds me of someone I vaguely knew who was on a gameshow. Despite being an elderly man who lived alone with a borderline drink problem, he can supporters in the audience holding banners. He's dead a long time now and I still wonder who the people cheering him on actually were!

I wouldn't even need a full row. I'd struggle to fill three seats!

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 02/06/2023 22:20

Nobody for me, sadly (not that I'm ever likely to qualify for Gladiators, or want to!!)

When I watch this type of programme, and reality shows where they get letters from home and have excited video messages from huge groups of people, it does bring it home that the type of people that are successful enough and driven enough to get on these types of shows can do it BECAUSE they have that support network. It's causal; it's not an accident. The reason that you don't have contestants on I'm a celeb with no one to meet them off the bridge, or Bake Off contestants with no one at the final garden party, or gladiators contestants without numerous people in the front row waving flags, is because the people that don't have a support network don't get that far in life, or push themselves forward, generally. I think the role family support plays is vastly underestimated in terms of life outcomes. And yes the example of TV shows is a frivolous example but I think it can be extrapolated into wider life situations too

Ginger1982 · 02/06/2023 22:39

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 02/06/2023 22:20

Nobody for me, sadly (not that I'm ever likely to qualify for Gladiators, or want to!!)

When I watch this type of programme, and reality shows where they get letters from home and have excited video messages from huge groups of people, it does bring it home that the type of people that are successful enough and driven enough to get on these types of shows can do it BECAUSE they have that support network. It's causal; it's not an accident. The reason that you don't have contestants on I'm a celeb with no one to meet them off the bridge, or Bake Off contestants with no one at the final garden party, or gladiators contestants without numerous people in the front row waving flags, is because the people that don't have a support network don't get that far in life, or push themselves forward, generally. I think the role family support plays is vastly underestimated in terms of life outcomes. And yes the example of TV shows is a frivolous example but I think it can be extrapolated into wider life situations too

Hmm, not sure I entirely agree. Are you saying that people need loads of family and friends to get places in life in general? I have a small family. We are fairly close and like each other, but I'm not sure they would have all given up their time and traipsed to the NIA to cheer me on. Doesn't mean I haven't done well in life, does it? Or am I deluding myself that I have any form of 'support network?'

Hummusanddipdip · 02/06/2023 22:45

I'd be able to fill a few rows. I have a huge family, both parents are from large sibling sets, I'm one of 38 cousins on one side. Although not everyone would come, a fair chunk would because we love a family do, even though the majority of us are in our 30s and 40s now, we still get together for huge family parties several times a year. It's great fun.

However I'd be low on the friend side, maybe 3 seats?

megletthesecond · 02/06/2023 22:47

My DS would show up, he's a good sport.
My mum was annoyed having to stay over when I had a general anesthetic, I doubt she'd be waving any banners for me.

Barold · 02/06/2023 22:53

I reckon 2 friends and my mum at best. I feel like any frivolity while waving the banners would be them absolutely taking the piss rather than genuine cheering though. 😂

Fortunately, I don’t think there’s any danger of me or them encountering this type of situation!

NorthWestThree · 02/06/2023 22:57

I reckon I could fill a couple of rows, my parents, DH, my kids, BIL his wife and child, then my 3 besties, plus 4-6 other friends! If it was something with a comical element (such as me attempting to be on Gladiators!) I could probably rustle up a few colleagues too.
Do you remember Eunice, and all her supporters with their t shirts "I'm.Eunice's niece" "I'm Eunice's Mum" - I want all my supporters to wear that. "I'm NW3's best friend" "I'm someone NW3 vaguely knows from work" 😁

Throughalookingglass · 02/06/2023 23:01

Ginger1982 · 02/06/2023 22:39

Hmm, not sure I entirely agree. Are you saying that people need loads of family and friends to get places in life in general? I have a small family. We are fairly close and like each other, but I'm not sure they would have all given up their time and traipsed to the NIA to cheer me on. Doesn't mean I haven't done well in life, does it? Or am I deluding myself that I have any form of 'support network?'

Show quote history

I think I understand and agree with what Theredfox is saying.

A supportive family pushes and encourages people to enter, they don't see it as a big deal to jump on a train or into their cars, to support another member of the group. Its taken as a given that they will do that. They aren't waiting to be asked. They are there for each other and that one person entering the show is seen as their 'representative' rather than a solitary figure doing it sole.

That doesn't mean that people who don't enter shows are successful but they are less likely to put themselves forward in the first place because to do so means they are taking on the physical and mental load independently. People who have large support networks have others to both encourage them to put themselves out there and they are there every step of the way - succeed or fail.

I'm from a small family who would laugh and scoff if I suggested doing anything out of the ordinary whereas many 'contestants' have support to build them up and to lift them up should they fall.

UnicornsAndRainbows23 · 02/06/2023 23:01

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 02/06/2023 22:20

Nobody for me, sadly (not that I'm ever likely to qualify for Gladiators, or want to!!)

When I watch this type of programme, and reality shows where they get letters from home and have excited video messages from huge groups of people, it does bring it home that the type of people that are successful enough and driven enough to get on these types of shows can do it BECAUSE they have that support network. It's causal; it's not an accident. The reason that you don't have contestants on I'm a celeb with no one to meet them off the bridge, or Bake Off contestants with no one at the final garden party, or gladiators contestants without numerous people in the front row waving flags, is because the people that don't have a support network don't get that far in life, or push themselves forward, generally. I think the role family support plays is vastly underestimated in terms of life outcomes. And yes the example of TV shows is a frivolous example but I think it can be extrapolated into wider life situations too

This is an excellent post and so so true

sofasofa42 · 02/06/2023 23:03

To get on gladiators they would have worked closely with a gym. So that explains the people. All the gym nuts and family will attend etc

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 02/06/2023 23:08

@UnicornsAndRainbows23 i am a mental health nurse and you are absolutely spot on.

Throughalookingglass · 02/06/2023 23:08

ETA Sometimes you hear expressions like 'My mum is my biggest cheerleader', 'My Dad is always there with a cup of tea and a hug'.

Don't underestimate the strength of having this unconditional support.
A strong family unit is the backbone of its members. The encouragement, lack of judgement and positivity creates ideal growing conditions for self assurance and confidence to try new things.

I don't have it but I am envious of it.

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 02/06/2023 23:17

Throughalookingglass · 02/06/2023 23:08

ETA Sometimes you hear expressions like 'My mum is my biggest cheerleader', 'My Dad is always there with a cup of tea and a hug'.

Don't underestimate the strength of having this unconditional support.
A strong family unit is the backbone of its members. The encouragement, lack of judgement and positivity creates ideal growing conditions for self assurance and confidence to try new things.

I don't have it but I am envious of it.

I could not agree more, your post is spot on.

Opplesandbononos · 02/06/2023 23:17

No one. I had to discharge myself from hospital against medical advice whilst i had a small bleed on my brain because i had no one, not 1 person, to look after my children.

So im pretty sure no one would come to cheer me on.

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 02/06/2023 23:27

I'm really sorry to hear that Opples, I hope you're fully recovered now.

Being on Gladiators looks a bit shit anyway x

caringcarer · 02/06/2023 23:53

DH, 3 DC, 2 dgs, FS, 4 sisters, numerous nieces and nephews (cos I've been a generous Aunt) a few friends, a couple of colleagues maybe. That's about it. If it was something where you get buckets of slime thrown over you possibly a few of my ex students 😜.

caringcarer · 02/06/2023 23:55

Opplesandbononos · 02/06/2023 23:17

No one. I had to discharge myself from hospital against medical advice whilst i had a small bleed on my brain because i had no one, not 1 person, to look after my children.

So im pretty sure no one would come to cheer me on.

That's so sad @Opplesandbononos. I'm a Foster Carer now and looking after a child in the very short term whilst a parent is in hospital is something I'd do. I also have a long term DFS.

Kingdedede · 02/06/2023 23:59

Do you think it’s possible to create that environment for your kids if you didn’t have it yourself? I’m definitely surrounded by a lot of ‘can’t’ people.

DramaAlpaca · 03/06/2023 00:21

I'm in Ireland. The whole feckin' village would turn up for a laugh

Relatives, real friends and work colleagues would fill a few front row seats.

Ginger1982 · 03/06/2023 08:01

@Throughalookingglass so is it a numbers thing then? My mum is incredibly supportive and would do all the things you've said, but she is one person.

musixa · 03/06/2023 08:07

Not quite the same thing, but a colleague was describing the funeral of a woman where there'd been an enormous turnout - over 100 people - and it got me wondering how many would be at mine if I died tomorrow. The rather depressing conclusion was that I'd struggle to hit double figures.

Throughalookingglass · 03/06/2023 10:48

Ginger1982 · 03/06/2023 08:01

@Throughalookingglass so is it a numbers thing then? My mum is incredibly supportive and would do all the things you've said, but she is one person.

Think about how incredibly supportive your mum is. She is just one person. Now think what it must be like to have five people like your mother all being so incredibly supportive?