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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be shocked by Channel 4's new programme?

87 replies

DIYTopTits · 06/08/2016 22:02

Sorry if this has already been done (I had a look to see if there were any others but couldn't find any).

So I haven't don't want to seen it but I've heard that Channel 4 has released a new programme called Naked Attraction. A selection of women or men stand in pods completely starkers and they get revealed from the bottom up. There is then a contestant who eliminates one of the candidates based on things they don't like about them.

AIBU to think this is appalling, body shaming people and objectifying people? Do people agree or do I need to lighten up?

OP posts:
accidentalpirate · 07/08/2016 00:52

Why start a thread about something you haven't even watched? How can we take your opinion seriously if you've not even seen it? In the episode I watched every contestant came off the stage saying they felt a massive boost to their confidence and that they felt empowered. It's a human body not a alien. It was actually quite interesting to see the variety of bodies. Not sure I'll watch it again but it certainly wasn't shocking.

Marmaduchess · 07/08/2016 01:33

BettyCrystal
I think it might be shocking for us... But totally normal for anyone under 25. Sadly!
When Channel 4 first started in the 80s my grandparents probably thought it was shocking.

An indicator of how debased our standards have become by the gradual drip drip of the media.

LikeDylanInTheMovies · 07/08/2016 01:40

An indicator of how debased our standards have become by the gradual drip drip of the media.

Jeez-o. Give the going to hell in a handcart stuff a rest won't you?

HelenaDove · 07/08/2016 01:45

Meanwhile over at the Beeb. An alternative for those of us who hate reality tv.

I remember these from my childhood. A lot of the originals were repeated again in the 70s and 80s while i was growing up.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2702587-BBC-Lost-Sitcoms-Revival-50th-Anniversary?watched=1&msgid=62775630#62775630

BillSykesDog · 07/08/2016 05:23

In the episode I watched every contestant came off the stage saying they felt a massive boost to their confidence and that they felt empowered.

Yes, well, I think anybody with a glancing knowledge of how TV works could tell you that if the production team wanted each contestant to say that there would have been enough leading questions, arm twists and not letting you go until you said it to get a shot of each contestant saying that.

They didn't look especially sincere about saying it. I do wonder what the difference was between the show they were told they were going to be on and the one that was produced. It's pretty standard practice to be misleading about the content for the first series of a controversial show. So for example I wouldn't be surprised if they thought they were going to be on a semi-academic type of show and aren't exactly too thrilled to see themselves on a sub-'The Word' titilation fest which pokes fun at them.

And besides, it's all rather pathetic and schoolyardish 'Oh look, boobies' type stuff. Might have been shocking in the '90s, but post Internet is not really groundbreaking or different. They're not wearing much less clothes than a lot of people on Tinder.

ForalltheSaints · 07/08/2016 07:22

I watched it and thought it a programme just done to get an audience (why does the same presenter always get this type of programme?). I know the family of the musician whose tune was used at one point, and don't think I will tell them (hope Channel 4 pay the royalties).

A programme where they were in a sauna, or maybe a swimming pool. would have been a setting where nudity would seem a bit more natural, and certainly starting at the top and working down would have been a better choice.

Roussette · 07/08/2016 07:31

Of course they're all going to say it's a massive boost to their confidence as they come off the show! They're not stupid. They're hardly going to say "oh, I wish I hadn't done that, I felt like a piece of meat"

But in 6 months, 4 years, whenever, they all might not quite feel the same. It will follow them round like a bad smell.

I have watched it more than once, I will admit. But I've watched it in morbid fascination if I'm being honest here. One thing that occurs to me... I can't get over how many shaved fannies there are. OK I suppose no one sports a full bush nowadays but to me it was overwhelming that everyone is naked as the day they were born. 95% of women on there shave. I know it's an age thing but still...absolutely no one did when I was that age, I have mused on it and wonder if it is also a fashion thing that will fade out and some hair will return as the norm. I hope so actually as I find hairless a bit... ummm... not sure how to word it. Sorry am derailing the thread...

ProfessorPreciseaBug · 07/08/2016 08:14

Not seen it... but..

If the contenstants were to be taken of my high street, most would be very much overweight and not at all attractive to look at in the buff. Are they fairly fit and healthy carefully selected to be almost attractive or are most of them lardarses?

Original poster
DIYTopTits · 07/08/2016 08:30

To people telling me I don't have to watch it. No I don't, you're right. My argument is that people will watch it and I believe it encourages seeing other people as pieces of meat (thank you Roussette, you said it better than me) and to only focus on someone's appearance, not their personality.

OP posts:
Roussette · 07/08/2016 08:40

Professor they are mostly slim with good figures, some have stunning figures, washboard stomachs pecs and abs, some more bordering on average. The odd one is there with maybe a belly or not so attractive body (as per what is considered beautiful, not saying that only model figures are beautiful) and without fail they are the ones eliminated. You just know that's going to happen. It's all very crass and I musn't watch it again!

I'm just amazed they manage to pad it out to an hour. It could all be done in 15 minutes to be honest. The science bit is hilarious, trying to bring some gravitas to it which just isn't there!

Original poster
DIYTopTits · 07/08/2016 09:09

Right, against my better judgement, I watched it. All I can say is wow! This is terrible. It's incredibly awkward and forced. The guy on this episode said that he really liked a girl's figure but he still eliminated her because her breasts weren't stereotypically beautiful. Shocking!

When it came to the first date, obviously they talked about the show but they had like nothing else to talk about because it was all based on their physical appearances.

It was all just painfully awkward to watch, with weird naked hugs and fake science. Will I be watching again? No.

OP posts:
fluffychicken · 07/08/2016 09:56

Why are people offended by this? All consenting adults who CHOOSE to to show off their bodies. Get a grip!

Helmetbymidnight · 07/08/2016 10:06

Profound.

QueenLaBeefah · 07/08/2016 10:10

I don't think anyone is offended. More bemused that such dull and pointless guff has made it on the telly. All a bit monkey tennis really.

BillSykesDog · 07/08/2016 10:32

Professor, the episodes I've seen, the women have been uniformly young and slim and appear to be childless I suspect. There's normally one or two chubby blokes, but the women are ones who look good in the buff. Whether that's because they've self selected or not I don't know.

wasonthelist · 07/08/2016 10:38

Had to have a watch on catchup with all the furore. Not something I'd go out of my way to watch again, but it wasn't shocking, and I'm 54.

Original poster
DIYTopTits · 07/08/2016 10:59

I'm just amazed that it went ahead to be honest.

OP posts:
WaffleOverload · 07/08/2016 10:59

I am the founder of a very popular FB group with thousands of members and channel 4 approached me and asked if they could ask for contestants among the group members.

I'm often asked this sort of thing and usually say no. This time was no exception GrinGrin

WaffleOverload · 07/08/2016 11:01

Oh and I've watched it. Wasn't particularly my cup of tea but can't get worked up about it

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 07/08/2016 11:03

Dh and I couldn't actually watch a whole episode as we were cringing so much.

Possibly the biggest turkey in the history of television programming IMO.

mathsmum314 · 07/08/2016 11:15

It entertainment, not real life. Watched 15 minutes of it, found it a bit boring. I can think of a few old boyfriends I would have thought twice about dating if I had seen them naked first.

Original poster
DIYTopTits · 07/08/2016 11:28

Ok, I think I may have been slightly too worked up about it. Not going to be watching it again by any means though.

OP posts:
pleasemothermay1 · 07/08/2016 11:57

It's really blaring and very cringe

Ditsyprint40 · 07/08/2016 12:09

I watched out of curiosity - and probably will do again! It's interesting to see different bodies, but I agree the whole thing is very naff. I do howeve like Anna richardson!

NeedAnotherGlass · 07/08/2016 13:04

One of the men who was rejected on the Friday show was actually genuinely scary. He seemed to think that because the girl picking was there and prepared to get naked she owed him sex. It was really unpleasant. Plus, although they didn't say in so many words, it seemed like the guy she finally did pick had slept with her then blanked her. It was pretty seedy. I felt sorry for her, she seemed a bit damaged in the first place.
I didn't get ANY of that.

Imagine if someone on there got rejected because of a slight apron of skin on their stomach and then it was revealed it was because they had lost loads of weight.
So? People in real life, get rejected for all kinds of shallow and physical reasons. One of the men chosen on the first show, was a man with one leg - they aren't looking for physical perfection, they are looking for people they physically fancy. The same woman also rejected a guy because his cock was too big.

When it came to the first date, obviously they talked about the show but they had like nothing else to talk about because it was all based on their physical appearances.
Apart from the couple who continued to see each other. And you only get to see about 2 minutes of the date!

Don't get me wrong, it's crap, but I don't agree with a lot of the criticisms of it.