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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that Long Lost Families on ITV is sad bad and dangerous.

40 replies

LimitedAppeal · 03/05/2012 21:42

?

They track down a bloke who abandoned his young daughter twenty years after buying her a pair of wellies one afternoon saying he would come back. He didn't and never contacted her again.

But he sits on a sofa in the States with his new wife and new grown up daughter saying 'It was too difficult, blah blah..' and nickey campbell does the glistening eye shit. And they all moon over the grandson this man never gave a second fucking thought about til a camera turns up.

Simplistic?

or is it me?

Simplistic dangerous bullshit?

Or is it me?

I really really hope that Nicky and his side-kick wife tina have sat on their designer sofa and talked this one through. Doubt it.

To be a really honest programme they have to find a few shitbags who simply are not interested in knowing the kids or family they abandoned.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 03/05/2012 21:44

I'm assuming people have to apply to track family down?

And then agree to be filmed etc?

JaneFonda · 03/05/2012 21:45

But there have also been lovely stories, involving adopted children and lost siblings.

The point of the programme isn't to be another Jeremy Kyle.

I think it's just you.

Kellamity · 03/05/2012 21:46

Aw don't knock it it's lovely reuniting all these people. We have a similar story in our family and we love to be reunited. A long complicated sad story like many of these.

Sunscorch · 03/05/2012 21:46

They do find shitbags. They find shitbags who want to look like half-decent people on camera, but don't give a toss after that.

All the real shitbags they find don't give consent to be a part of the programme.

Kellamity · 03/05/2012 21:47

"we would love to be reunited" that was meant to read.

megapixels · 03/05/2012 21:47

I loved all the stories I've watched on that, but I was quite Hmm at that dad. I hope the poor girl doesn't get her heart broken by him again.

ToothbrushThief · 03/05/2012 21:48

YABU
This is what the 'finder' wants. Even if the long lost person disappoints or doesn't want to know, at least they know.

imogengladheart · 03/05/2012 21:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FreudianSlipper · 03/05/2012 21:54

i agree (once started a thread about it) this should not be entertainment

its a very personal time and i am sure in time most will regret being filmed, and it is very hard building a relationship with a long lost parent after the initial excitement many stories do not end up happy but having grown up not knowing my ad and tracing him i understand the need to do so (mine has ended up ok but it was not easy)

Original poster
LimitedAppeal · 03/05/2012 21:56

this abandoned daughter one is shocking. what a knob. disguised with jangly soft music and comfy cardis. good telly guess. but bloody shallow. no follow up 'aftercare' like mr reviled Kyle's prog

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 03/05/2012 21:57

Just watching it now. I think I like it most when siblings are united. There's no issue of abandonment then.

ToothbrushThief · 03/05/2012 21:58

I do hope they give good counselling and also share misgivings about this reuniting

Original poster
LimitedAppeal · 03/05/2012 21:58

oh dear. he doesnt mean it. that 'dad'.

OP posts:
goonies · 03/05/2012 21:58

Some of the stories are so moving, and rewarding for those involved, .... In the case of the dad who walked out on a 5 year old, I am not so sure he deserves another chance. I feel so sorry for his daughter who obviously has an empty space in her life, I doubt he has one.

ninjanurse · 03/05/2012 21:58

I felt uncomfortable about this girl and her american father. 'oh I never stopped thinking about her'....well he was the adult, he wouldnt have had to try that hard to get in touch at some point...

The story of the three sisters before that was lovely and heart warming though...

Original poster
LimitedAppeal · 03/05/2012 21:59

me me me me. notice? poor bloody girl

OP posts:
imogengladheart · 03/05/2012 21:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kellamity · 03/05/2012 22:01

It's awful having a hole in your family. Not knowing if the "other" family even know you exist. I enjoy this programme and am only so sorry we have left it too late for my dad. Sad

WilsonFrickett · 03/05/2012 22:02

Mine walked out in me when I was 5. If he or a tv crew turned up on my door step seeking televised reunion I would not be responsible for my actions. But let's just say it would be more Kyle than Kylie...

LeeCoakley · 03/05/2012 22:03

Those sisters were lovely. I hope they remain good friends.

HokeyCokeyPigInaPokey · 03/05/2012 22:03

I left it to late for my dad too, i would have loved to have a programme like LLF to turn to for help when i was younger.

LeeCoakley · 03/05/2012 22:04

There were no letters this week. Up to now the parties have written letters to each other.

puffinnuffin · 03/05/2012 22:08

YANBU!

Original poster
LimitedAppeal · 03/05/2012 22:12

That poor abandoned girl ".. 'is hoping' to meet her dad in america this summer." Result. Sad

OP posts:
AubergineKenobi · 03/05/2012 22:13

The daughter wanted to meet her Dad and I expect that she would not have been abel to rest until she found him. The show made that happen. He may turn out to be a shit but at least her questions will be answered.

I have siblings I have never met and I can't find them myself. If a show did it for me I would be grateful. Even if they turned out not to be interested once the cameras were off I would still be pleased to have met them once and to have got a few questions answered.