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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

The Seven Dwarves

44 replies

emmanana · 16/08/2011 21:17

To think it's sad that society hasn't really moved on since the Victorian ages when disabled people were considered a form of entertainment, and people queued up to gawp...

OP posts:
worraliberty · 16/08/2011 21:19

Tell me you're not serious?

2shoes · 16/08/2011 21:19

your not wrong, but then seeing as people still think staring at disabled people is ok, doubt it will change

squeakytoy · 16/08/2011 21:20

YABU considering the people in the documentary are voluntarily involved in acting..

worraliberty · 16/08/2011 21:21

Oh ffs it's a TV documentary?

I thought the OP meant pantomime Blush

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 16/08/2011 21:22

Erm, well I see where you're coming from. But from what I have seen, these people have every day jobs, and then do panto for extra money/as a stepping stone in to an acting career. So I don't think they would consider themselves to be exploited. So why shouldn't they do something they enjoy and that pays well?

nancy75 · 16/08/2011 21:23

I am in 2 minds about it, my first thoughts was the same as emmanana, but then there is the fact that the people involved work in the industry and it will probably help their career - also it is obviously their choice to be in whatever tv program they want and condescending of me to think they shouldn't be in it. I know I am rambling here!

herethereandeverywhere · 16/08/2011 21:26

Why would their height/stature be deemed any different to build, hair colour, race (eg: Othello), gender etc when being auditioned for a role in the pantomime?

Not sure how the freak show analogy applies here TBH. These guys and girls seem like an ordinary bunch of jobbing actors to me.

GingerWrath · 16/08/2011 21:29

I am 2 inches off being officially a midget, not sure about this programme.

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 16/08/2011 21:31

If you watch it right now, one of the actor's twin sister is raising these very concerns.

maypole1 · 16/08/2011 21:31

Oh my days they wanted to be in this tv show stop being upset on others behalf

Original poster
emmanana · 16/08/2011 21:32

It's not the fact that they are auditioning for/working in panto that is made me write on here; it was the idea of the 'series' is being promoted as almost comedy entertainment.

OP posts:
IggyPup · 16/08/2011 21:33

I know for a fact that at least six of them are not happy.......

joric · 16/08/2011 21:35

I agree with herethere
One bloke has just said ' I'm playing a part of one of the dwarves in Snow White and the seven Dwarves - I'm playing a part that is in the title of the pantomime'
I really don't think it's a freak show.

joric · 16/08/2011 21:36

X post with OP

frankie3 · 16/08/2011 21:36

I disagree, emmanana. I think that a series like this can show people that dwarfs are just normal people and help people not just think of them as entertainment.

worraliberty · 16/08/2011 21:39

But surely you watched the 'comedy entertainment' serious you're complaining about? Confused

Chummybud1 · 16/08/2011 21:45

It's their choice, they are dwarfs, small people who think and decision make the same as the rest of us, it's not exploitation as they are consenting adults. I say good on them for taking every opportunity that comes along.

Takitezee · 16/08/2011 21:46

I'm not watching it but surely when you're an actor you get parts partially due to the way you look whether it's height, colour or facial features. Isn't it just plain common sense that a smaller person would play a dwarf?

fifitot · 16/08/2011 21:49

It's not meant to be a comedy surely? I have watched some of it and found it interesting. It's a documentary about dwarfs and they are showing some of the difficulties they face. Its not being presented as a freakshow at all.

EdithWeston · 16/08/2011 21:56

It's no different, really, to any other reality show.

GreenEyedMumster · 16/08/2011 22:01

IggyPup that's brilliant. :o

festi · 16/08/2011 22:04

these people are actors of thier own free will who are empowered and very capible of advocating thier wishes to be represented in any way and paralel with anyone else entering into reality TV and I doubt very much they are being exploited any more or any less than anyone else in other reality TV. I think actually you have flipped this on it head and got the total wrong end of the stick OP so yes I would say YABU I think programmes that include others who are or could be pushed to the margines can only be positive. I see it no different than things like small teen big world.

Original poster
emmanana · 16/08/2011 22:05

Actually, I think may be slightly BU, having just finished watching to the end of the episode. Maybe it's just me being hormonal. I judged the prog by the trailer, which I thought was taking the mick out of people with Achondroplasia/genetic illnesses.

OP posts:
pigletmania · 16/08/2011 22:07

YABU, these are intelligent people able to make their own decisions, if they want to do acting so be it, nobody is forcing them to. Like another poster has said, they hold down regular jobs, the pantomime is probably to supplement their income. They probably feel happy in their own skin to do this, good on em.

omnishambles · 16/08/2011 22:08

I didnt think it was a comedy at all - am I missing something. It was actually very interesting.

There's something about that Max too...