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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:
LadyBeagleEyes · 20/09/2011 22:08

I just think that after Susan Boyle, everybody should get a chance.
She would have never have made it as I would imagine the producers knew that she had learning difficulties beforehand, but she proved that she could sing
and is now a star
I don't believe she regrets it for a minute
So basically, never give any slightly vulnerable a chance, just in case they get mocked
While we sit and laugh at the deluded and talentless wannabees who have perfect mental health.

.

Original poster
Springyknickersohnovicars · 20/09/2011 22:12

Lady it is completely different to give those with talent who are mentally ill a chance, that's fine.

It is completely different to put a mentally ill person up front who can't sing as an object of ridicule.

OP posts:
carlywurly · 20/09/2011 22:12

Everybody should get a chance to be auditioned. And then should be sent through purely based on talent. Nothing else. And that clearly isn't what's happening.
Susan Boyle is a red herring here. She was talented. Her LD's shouldn't and didn't make a difference to her success. Neither should they for anyone else who is talented - LD's or not.

carlywurly · 20/09/2011 22:13

I don't think that end bit made sense. Am tired!

Poley · 21/09/2011 07:37

How refreshing to read that some other people actually dislike that horrid programme too!
It wont be long before it is scrapped, surely. Its had its day I reckon. I remember the bile aimed at Jedward, and theyre just 2 young boys enjoying themselves.
Lost all respect for Gary Barlow.

MrGin · 21/09/2011 07:42

To worry Xfactor is abusing the mentally ill

Yes, but they do have the option of turning it off.

OpinionatedMum · 21/09/2011 07:42

Yanbu.

Original poster
Springyknickersohnovicars · 21/09/2011 07:44

Mr Gin I think if they keep on exploting the mentally ill more and more people will turn off. This last one has done it for me personally. No more X factor in my house.

OP posts:
ledkr · 21/09/2011 07:45

I started a thread about this on Saturday,it was aggreed on there too.
I remember feeling the same way about David Ike tho,he was on all these tv shows clearly suffering from delusional pshychosis and everyone was laughing at him,same with Charlei Sheen more recently.
It hardly contributes to a more positive attitude towards mental illness.
Lets hope the people who laugh never get to experience it first hand.

OpenMouthInsertFoot · 21/09/2011 07:45

Can you sing? No. Goodbye. Yes. Go through.

It is that simple. Someone who has no singing ability should not be put through and is only put through so people can laugh. That is disgusting. More so when it is a vulnerable person with no singing ability. That is the key question. Can they sing or not. Putting someone through who can't sing is not right. Because they are only going through to be laughed at.

And re the whole 'choice' thing. You make a 'choice'. Well, there's choice and there's choice, frankly. A person with mhp may make a 'choice' to go on a tv show and be ridiculed, time and time again. A person with dementia may make a 'choice' to walk down the street in their nightie. A child may make a 'choice' to run across a busy road. A drunk may make a 'choice' to jump into an icy river in the middle of the night for a skinny dip. There are myriad reasons why a 'choice' may not be a choice at all. Do we say their choice. Or do we look at people and see the reasons why they may need to be supported in their decision making?

ledkr · 21/09/2011 07:46

Turning off will hardly stop the people being humiliated tho will it?

OpenMouthInsertFoot · 21/09/2011 07:50

No, but it will say that society does not condone it, televise it and encourage people to enjoy it. You can't always control what thugs might do or yell in the street, you can't stop vile people who enjoy laughing at others in the street but you shouldn't condone it or legitimise it by having it beamed into your living room. imo anyway.

MrGin · 21/09/2011 07:56

Turning off will hardly stop the people being humiliated tho will it?

The ratings and revenue from these ' humiliation TV' programs are massive. People lap it up.

Stop watching them and they'll think twice about publicly humiliating people on live TV.

It's actually the viewers I think need a bit of therapy.

MittzyTheVixen · 21/09/2011 08:03

I think everyone has got a right to apply, presumably of their own free choice, but the programme makers choice to televise those who are obviousy only there for the point and laugh factor, makes them, the producers despicable.
It is like a 'freak' show and it is sad we have progressed so little despite all our other advancements. But people will watch it, it says as much about 'people' I think.
But humiliation of people who believe that they might have something to offer instead of releasing them with dignity isn't going to draw in viewing figures.
It is a crap, sad indictment of certain aspects of society.

Whatmeworry · 21/09/2011 08:16

Never watch the show...whole thing is crap.

fairyqueen · 21/09/2011 08:23

This song sums it up
www.mitchbenn.com/video-stuff/570/sing_like_an_angel.html

MumblingRagDoll · 21/09/2011 08:27

I can't bear it.

Pagwatch · 21/09/2011 08:33

The stupid thing is that I think most people watching are far more interested in the unlikely contestant who has a fantastic voice or the talented but older contestant having one last shot at making it types. You can sometimes sense the awkwardness in the room when someone sings and 'we' are meant to laugh at them..
I don't know how many people do enjoy it when someone confused or emotionally frail ends up in front of the judges. I think the show producers think they need to appeal to worst common denominator viewers but I don't think they are right.

And it is noticeable that the most vulnerable people are often attending alone. The show could protect vulnerable people by having additional checks upon anyone who wants to audition alone but that won't do that because they think we like it.
I think they are wrong. But maybe I think better of the population than they do.

ledkr · 21/09/2011 08:45

The switch off arguement can be applied to many other inappropriate tv programmes and of course will have some impact,however as x factor continues to be so popular it should also be up to the tv execs to ensure that it does not become the bullying mocking spectacle it has done.
Its a perfectly good format with just singers who are good getting through and the bad ones being weedled out.The audtition process is very lengthy so there is no need for vulnerable people to reach the public humiliation stage.
There was a mentally ill man in the hospital waiting room the other day.He was responding to auditory hallucinations.I didnt pull my dd away with hushed explainations,i explained later about mental illness in an age appropriate way.
Even at 9 she wouldnt have been rude enough to stare or laugh.
Mental illness shouldnt be ignored but neither should it be mocked and ridiculed.

Ifancyashandy · 21/09/2011 08:58

Someone being deluded about their ability to sing does not mean they are mentally ill. Not does it equate to SN.

YankNCock · 21/09/2011 09:04

YANBU. All those 'talent' shows have been nicknamed 'Britain's Got Delusions of Grandeur and/or Mental Health Issues' in our house. I don't watch any of that shite any more.

Pagwatch · 21/09/2011 09:06

Ifancyashandy

Nobody said it did. We are talking about people who have been on the show who clearly do have issues, so not sure what your point is.

Original poster
Springyknickersohnovicars · 21/09/2011 09:07

I've said I don't mind watching those who are deluded that they can sing to my shame but when a person is clearly mentally ill and can't sing that's not entertainment.

OP posts:
Ifancyashandy · 21/09/2011 09:08

Point is that we 'point and laugh' at those who can't sing. Doesn't mean we are laughing at the mentally ill.

Pagwatch · 21/09/2011 09:15

Ok.
But firstly I don't tend to point and laugh at those who think they can sing but can't. I usually just find it embarrassing.

But secondly there is a difference between a person who has a regular life with friends and a job and a social circle having one foible and being embarrassed on tv. Awful I am sure, but their abilities, friendships, regular life mean they will usually recover.

That is not the same as someone who has mental health issues or sn who is probably isolated and with few support systems or resources to get them through.