Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To worry Xfactor is abusing the mentally ill

105 replies

Springyknickersohnovicars · 20/09/2011 21:03

for their viewing figures.

celebrity.aol.co.uk/2011/09/20/x-factor-ceri-rees/?ncid=webmail2

OP posts:
OpenMouthInsertFoot · 20/09/2011 21:06

Yes. It does and it always has.

They reject many good singers so that they can give a place to people who they know will get a good laugh.

I remember something a couple of years ago about there being FOUR auditions before the tv show, and they put all these awful singers through all of them. Just so they could be abused by the panel and laughed at by the nation.

If you've been put through several auditions, what are you going to think? Imagine then, the shock when you get ridiculed?

Vile, vile show. I wish people would object to it by refusing to watch.

Original poster
Springyknickersohnovicars · 20/09/2011 21:06

Whoops peaked too soon. They gave her seven minutes, she can't sing, she's had four auditions, it's cruel. She's clearly mentally unwell. I know Susan Boyle was too but she had talent, they are using the mentally ill to get up their viewing figures.

I don't mind at all when people are up their own bums and are useless but Ceri Rees is not a well woman and AIBU to this this is unfair and the mentally ill who need more protection? They are not for entertainment purposes.

OP posts:
ll31 · 20/09/2011 21:07

did wonder tbh at the time - show is v exploitative in any case.

Meglet · 20/09/2011 21:08

YANBU. It's got nastier and nastier. I stopped watching it a couple of years ago when I realised they were exploiting vulnerable people.

OpenMouthInsertFoot · 20/09/2011 21:09

"they are using the mentally ill to get up their viewing figures."

Yes. And shame on the people who tune in to point and laugh. It's no different to the old circus freak shows and the like. What's sad about it is that the reason they do it, the reason they set up people to be laughed at - is you can guarantee people will be queueing up to laugh. That's the most disgusting part of all.

StayFrosty · 20/09/2011 21:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Springyknickersohnovicars · 20/09/2011 21:10

Too right it is exploitative, I'm on the verge of boycotting it. As I said if people are full of themselves and useless I'll be entertained by them thinking they can sing even though that is cruel on my part too. I know that.

But there is a line and that is when people are mentally ill and USED by a tv show. I didn't laugh at her, I cringed and died a lot inside while she was on.

Horrible.

OP posts:
nethunsreject · 20/09/2011 21:10

I gave it up many series back for this reason. Well, that and it is utter shite. It is indeed Bedlam.

StewieGriffinsMom · 20/09/2011 21:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Springyknickersohnovicars · 20/09/2011 21:11

Actually after watching that audition I am not on the verge, that's me done. Stuff them, if that is how they want to treat mentally ill people, I'll have nothing more to do with it.

OP posts:
CrosswordAddict · 20/09/2011 21:13

How come the same people can be on as contestants three or four times?

ThatsNotMyBabyBelly · 20/09/2011 21:14

Agree totally. BGT is just as bad, as is Big Brother if you ask me.

NormanTebbit · 20/09/2011 21:16

DP and I can't bear to watch it. Poor souls being manipulated then torn apart by millionaire pop stars

Curiousmama · 20/09/2011 21:17

Agree totally, have stopped watching it after Saturday. Was already feeling very guilty but enjoyed the good singers.

CrosswordAddict they only put her on all those times to laugh at her Sad

pigletmania · 20/09/2011 21:17

I know its really horrible, but I don't think those pointing and laughing realise that these people have been through 4 auditions and have MH problems. I am sure if they realised they would not be laughing. There are some idiots who do genuinely think that they are wonderful when they are not, but this lady really looked quite vulnerable.

pigletmania · 20/09/2011 21:18

SYCO (simon cowel) just dumps them when he has had enough. Good thing Susan Boyle is doing it for herself on her own.

bemybebe · 20/09/2011 21:18

I absolutely boycott it. On the grounds of being in poor taste on all levels.

RedBlanket · 20/09/2011 21:19

It's an awful nasty show. I saw the last half of it waiting fog Spookx to start. Wont be watching it again though.
They go through 3 auditions before get in front of the judges, no surprise that many of them are somewhat taken aback when they are told they aren't good.
Bringing people on who they know are rubbish just so the audience can have a laugh at them is shocking. I hate it.

Wouldn't surprise me if they invited back that poor woman who was on at the end.

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 20/09/2011 21:20

Can't watch it. Seriously some of it makes me cringe with shame- humans are a very cruel species imo. The show has got nothing to do with finding "new talent" and everything to do with making so-called great telly. The judging panel are kidding themselves if they think they are there to discover and nuture talented people Hmm

Original poster
Springyknickersohnovicars · 20/09/2011 21:21

I think it is great for Susan Boyle and the chicken man, cant remember his sond, though he was mentally ill he has had a great time out of it even though he was mentally ill. Then I kept watching. But it has gradually become more and more exploitative of the mentally ill to the point it is turning my stomach.

Not any more, X to the X abuse the mentally ill factor.

OP posts:
Original poster
Springyknickersohnovicars · 20/09/2011 21:22

sond where did that come from? Name. scratches head at self.

OP posts:
soverylucky · 20/09/2011 21:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ifancyashandy · 20/09/2011 21:24

Not all people audition 4 times. Some do turn up on the day and get to see the judges. And let's remember that no-one is forced to take part.

That said, I can see that SOME people are exploited and asked to come back.

CharCharGabor · 20/09/2011 21:25

It's horrendous! I will never be watching it again, it's so sad to watch someone set up like that :(

carlywurly · 20/09/2011 21:27

YANBU. It's distressing to watch. I saw some of it on Sunday and was reminded why I stopped watching.

Would be far preferable if they put a genuine representation of the crowd through rather than just the great, the awful and the mentally unwell. Sad

Swipe left for the next trending thread