to think X Factor exploitation and humiliation has reached a new low

[Servalan]

So tonight on the X Factor there was a woman in her 50s humiliating herself - likening herself to Madonna and murdering a Lady Gaga song

OK, fair dos, she's put herself up for it, anyone entering the competition could be setting themselves up for ridicule - it's been the format of the audition shows from day one.

That aside, I am horrified at the decision by whatever producer was responsible to film her 2 teenage children in the wings and to make entertainment out of their crippling mortification. The woman's daughter looked like she was about to burst into tears.

I would bet anything that they are going to be getting a shit time at school next week - and who knows for how long :(. I think the show has crossed a line here and there is absolutely no justification for humiliating children for the sake of entertainment

Last year 10 million people watched. This year that's fell by 2 million. So people are waking up :o

We'll be watching something else next Saturday.

Last Night of the Proms is on. Excellent. From the ridiculous to the sublime.

Just bumping this thread to say that Ofcom are now investigating this.

I thought in recent years it had got better but taken a step back the guy who is homeless how patronising they were towards him was very uncomfortable to watch. Too overwhelming for him we did not need to see this

I think out of all the judges Tulisia seems to be the most sensitive Gary is a twat

Can´t believe it has to have been this bad for people to turn off/not watch in future tbh.

I just had a look at the homeless guy segment and he's really vulnerable. It has become a parody of itself, a bit 'Hunger Games'.

Ofcom received 35 complaints about the segment, with people raising concerns about the impact on the teenagers.

Do you think all the complaints came from this thread? :o

I'm glad they're investigating, hopefully it won't happen again then.

It's the modern version of the Victorian freak show and it's shameful - it makes me think that most of the general public are morons, too stupid and gullible to see it for what it actually is, same goes for any reality TV shite.

I think that in a very generalised sense, people who don't like being criticised will feel uncomfortable about X-factor, and those who are comfortable hearing criticism about themselves will love it.

Its because we all tend to empathise with the people on stage to a greater or lesser degree, and some of us quite enjoy a good 'slap in the face' when we feel we need it, and even appreciate it... whereas others would find this unbelievably cruel and mortifying.

We refused to watch it last series and have stuck with it this series.

I cannot watch something that condones ridiculing in public, people who may be emotionally vulnerable, who will certainly be mocked afterwards.

what get's me is when the judges pretend to be nice and caring; hypocritical shites all .....likewise the presenters when they make 'wincing' faces to camera; if any of it happened anywhere else there would be questions in court/tribunal/professional bodies.teachers would be struck off for less...perhaps we should bring back tours around bedlam, or the stocks? these were all entertaining at the time too

Pulled this old post of mine from another thread as i feel its relevant here too.

carernotasaintThu 09-Aug-12 15:35:42

Piers Morgan is another twat. I stopped watching reality shows the night that this group of female singers auditioned on BGT and all he could go on about was the fact that they were over 35 and overweight. He is a mysogynist of the highest order.
And now hes been banging on about Bradley Wiggins not bowing and scraping to the monarchy when he won his gold medal.
Morgans twattishness and mysogyny knows no bounds.
And its fucking rife in the media as clearly demonstrated by the posts on this thread.

I HATE these types of programmes. There is a lot of bullying on them and if a child who is being bullied at school watches these programmes then they will think "my God is this what life is like. the bullying wont end when i leave school" They will be left with no hope and no faith in human nature.

If any of these people want to truly get into showbiz then they have to toughen up & get used to rejection, it happens time & again, some of the reactions to being told "No" (possibly for the first time in their deluded lives) are truly worrying.

I agree some of the contestants are too vulnerable to stand the pressure & should not be allowed to enter but that wouldn't make good telly would it ?