to be amazed that something as psychologically manipulative as X Factor is allowed on air?

[moondog]

I've been watcihng it for the 1st time.
I can't beleive they are allowed to toy with people's lives like this, building them up, playing with them and then casting them aside.

What an unbelievably unpleasant concept.
I feel tainted for having watched it.

It is no different from the talent shows of yore - 'New Faces' 'Opportunity Knocks' et al.

T'was ever thus. Just re-developed. And the contestants will have been told about the twist weeks ago. And the final 16 would have been psyc tested to ensure they were able to cope with it.

Don't like it? Then vote with your remote.

ILT, are you seriously saying you have never seen a person with SN or MH issues mocked on X factor?

I don't even watch the bloody programme, and I know of several examples.

I really don't know how anyone can watch it and not feel somehow tainted afterwards.

Get a grip.

How can you take this stuff seriously? It's made by idiots, for idiots, and invites idiots to take part.

And OP if you have no teenagers or equally immature fans in your household I can alomst understand but it is all pervasive - you can't escape it so how you can have avoided this thought for so long is amazing!

My sisters friend went on alone. You do see a few who go by themselves. Also family and friends can't stop an adult who is dead set on auditioning if they want to. The show should have an ethical responsibility not to use people with sn/mh problems for entertainment.

"This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make..." Yawn.

"This won't be the last we see of her/him..." Really?

"I can't believe the public has voted this way?" Umm?

"I'm making my decision on tonight's performance and that alone..." Am now comatose...

I am not an idiot.

is it ok to mock people who do not have SN or MH issues?

just want to get that clear in my head, as you seem to be focusing solely on people who you suspect have SN or MH issues.

If you're going to stick by your argument then I suggest you do not pigeon hole people...

Also can't believe how disloyal friends can be...

Take one or two people out of a group to make a NEW GROUP and discard the rest?

Girls and boys... friendship and loyalty count for nothing. Now shut up and buy your tickets to the live shows...

I think it's safe to say that when people are genuinely unaware that a theatre full of people are taking the piss out of them then they are being exploited.

So you only suspect that one or two has MH/SN issues?

I misread, I thought you had concrete proof!!

the exploitation in the earlier rounds makes for uncomfortable viewing.

However...

Once they get to the later rounds they know what they're doing, and in fact, most of them have been pre-invited to be there so it's not all new to them.

And yes of course they all have careers at the end of it - there will always be supermarkets that need opening.

Vampires.....I agree! Was thinking that myself

SunRaysthruClouds Im certainly not an idiot or an immature teenager either come to that. I dislike this snobbery about what people enjoy watching on TV, we all enjoy different things at the end of the day and I do enjoy watching it at the end of a busy and stressful week at work.

Ummm yeah - just because someone may be a little eccentric or deluded that doesn't indicate a clear diagnosis of SN or MH issues.

And I think you'll find that in the cut-throat world of showbusiness that loyalty is left at the door. That wouldn't surprise anyone in the business and the fact that it upsets you marks you out, IMO, as ever so slightly precious.

Moondog, you are right as ever.

It's true, ILT.

Why make it into something it's not, hey?

I fully expect some mad mumsnet campaign to pop up soon ' let's ban x factor'' or some such rubbish!

Under what law should it be 'banned'?

Under the law of 'Don't you bloody dare enjoy something that we worthies have deemed incorrect'. That law.

Ah I see, thanks Bats.

Under the law against the stultification of the nation?

I have never seen anyone with mental health problems mocked because of their mental health difficulties - there however have been many people told the truth about their singing abilities. People can be deluded about that with out being mentally ill - I would really doubt that anyone suffering from a serious mental illnesses that can cause psychosis and delusions such as schizophrenia has been on the show when unwell.

melancholista "under the law against the stultification of the nation?"

Ah I didnt realise you could speak for the entire nation.

The people who audition for X Factor and the likes, are desperate for "5 minutes of fame" regardless of talent IMO.

So most people will endure the "point and laugh" thing because the goal was to get on TV.

And I despise this "blame the TV execs" stuff, that's just bullshit IMO - are we really a nation of complete and utter eejits who cannot think for ourselves? Seems like the OP thinks so

"The show should have an ethical responsibility not to use people with sn/mh problems for entertainment." to an extent I agree - in fact I don't think any of the bad auditions should be let through. However

who is the decider as to whether someone has sn or mh issues?

If you start discarding people based on your perceptions of them having sn/mh issues then you are starting to tread on very shaky ground wrt discrimination.

Should people be exploited for entertainment? absolutely not, but it is fairly evident that many who are being "exploited" know exactly what they're doing and are happy to be there purely because their desperate for their five minutes of fame. The tricky part comes when we, the disapproving masses, think that someone should not be put through based on someone's perception of whether they have sn and/or mh issues. Who is qualified to decide that? And in fact should they even be allowed to?