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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To take part in a TV show?

67 replies

Talcott2007 · 12/01/2017 14:31

Ok...I haven't name changed but really can't give too many details because if I do take part in it this could easily out me...

I applied to take part in this TV show (really didn't think I'd get picked) but apparently I have and suddenly they are talking about filming dates! It's nothing scandalous or controversial but I'm not actually 100% sure I should do it. It's related to our wedding. My DP is very much like if you want to do it, do it but he's really clear that he's absolutely not going to be involved, will not be filmed etc. and can't actually understand why I'd want to do it...

I really didnt think would be picked, but now I am thinking of all the ways it could go wrong. I'm actually quite a private person and don't put much on social media.

Has anyone taken part in a TV show and regretted it or taken part and had a really great experince?

OP posts:

Niskayuna · 12/01/2017 16:50

This isn't like, say, you are a nurse and they're going to follow you around the hospital watching you do nurse things. That'd probably be OK. So long as you do Nurse Stuff, you fulfill their 'role' for you.

With the reality stuff, they need a character. People can't just be nice, normal people. You need a 'quirky' one (they'll give her glasses and her dress might have a colour in it.) There'll be a bitchy one. A wealthy one. A clueless one. A snobby one.

You don't really know which one you're going to be. They will take any one thing you do or say and pigeonhole you. I might end up being "The Northern One: From the Coal Mines to the Aisle, the girl done good." You might be "The Plummy One: Check Out That Cut-Glass Accent, Will Talcott's Simple Wedding Align With Her Boarding School Past?"

You should also prepare for your Facebook and Twitter to be mined - "HOT OR NOT? Talcott from WeddingBabes as you've NEVER seen her before!" or "Is this WB's Talcott complaining about bins? Get a life, you trout!"

Any kind of documentary might be nice. Any reality stuff? Could be a whole lot of fun... you might be "the sweet one" or "the friendly one." X Factor used to have those, didn't it, back in the day. Nice characters. Ones to root for. But... it doesn't bring in the viewers any more. It's all gone quite dark.

PavlovianLunge · 12/01/2017 16:54

I think it depends on the program.

We did Escape to the Country, and although it didn't lead to our future home, it was a really positive experience. The filming experience was interesting, the crew were friendly, and Nicki Chapman was lovely. I should add that I didn't particularly want to do it, but our search was always going to be tricky, so we saw it as a resource, rather than an excuse to get onto the tellybox.

Is the program you're possibly going onto an established one? If it is, you should have a feel for how they treat their participants. I'd avoid anything potentially controversial or embarrassing, but for you, it sounds like the program could open doors that might otherwise be inaccessible for you.

Crispbutty · 12/01/2017 16:54

If there's no financial gain, and you don't feel comfortable doing it, and your dp isn't involved at all then why on earth don't you just say you don't want to do it.

LagunaBubbles · 12/01/2017 16:59

Im so curious what the show is, can you say OP? I would know right away from what it is if its something I would go on or not you see!

krustykittens · 12/01/2017 17:00

Niskayuna sums it up perfectly. A friend of ours did one of those property programmes with Sarah Beany about creating your dream home or something. You would think that would be pretty bland but I was horrified at the comments people were making about them on twitter, even calling her children ugly. People love to be nasty.

Mrsemcgregor · 12/01/2017 17:08

One of my friends did that quiz on itv, the one with the two pence style machine things. She got the worst abuse on social media, it was awful.

Earlgreywithmilk · 12/01/2017 17:28

I can't believe how many of you lot have been on tv shows - I always wondered where on earth they found these people - obviously it's on mumsnet!

DearyDearyDeary · 12/01/2017 17:32

Had our wedding filmed by the BBC for one of the early reality series, but was never shown - apparently we were way too boring.... Got a nice tape off them with everything they recorded though!

akkakk · 12/01/2017 17:34

If you have any doubts at all - don't do it. I have been involved in making TV and until you are a part of it you will not think through how different their perspective will be from yours - and their perspective will drive the editing...

MonanaGeller · 12/01/2017 17:36

I would say no, to be honest. They can edit the show how they like and people don't always come out well

Exactly this. Nice, balanced people devoid of drama do not rake in the viewers. They'll want an element of controversy.

MonanaGeller · 12/01/2017 17:43

problembottom, we might well know the same person - that's EXACTLY what happened to someone I know!

statetrooperstacey · 12/01/2017 17:50

I have taken part in a reality / documentary style thing . It was ok, I cringed a bit rewatching it but not awful. However someone up thread said u could always back out half way through? You can't really! You will have signed a million consent forms beforehand. Also as previously pointed out it will be out there forever and ever and ever and ever. I'm kind of glad I had the experience but it was 13 fucking years ago and it is still on TV and a relative of mine saw it on his flight once as the in flight entertainment.
I was at a truck fest once and I could see a group of people looking and pointing and doing the hand whispering thing, as I walked past one of them shouted out. " I seen you on wife swap" I just sort of smiled and waved and shuffled off. It wasn't wife swap!

Puzzledandpissedoff · 12/01/2017 17:56

I'm now worried I'm being really naive about all this!

I think you do yourself an injustice, OP; if you were that naive you probably wouldn't have asked the question

Also I just saw that you've already said there's no financial incentive ... in which case I still maintain that gives you a bit more leeway to say no to anything which doesn't quite suit

sobeyondthehills · 12/01/2017 17:59

I know a few people who have been on TV on various shows, the thing I would be careful of is just how horrible the general public can be. One friend was on a quiz show and the amount of abuse they got online for getting a question wrong was amazing. Also had a friend of a friend on the Apprentice, that audience is brutal. Someone else has just done Say yes to the dress, still waiting for that to air.

So just be prepared for the fact people are shits

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 12/01/2017 18:07

I took part in a BBC news thing when the coalition government came in that was filmed over a year looking at public sector workers v private sector workers in terms of job availability, pay and progression. It was interesting to be part of and I found it gave me confidence (I was given media training by my trade union at the beginning and it led to me being involved in a lot of newspaper and radio things around the same subject). If you think it would be a good thing for your wedding, go for it. But if you are worried about how it will be edited, then it may be worth reconsidering.

DearMrDilkington · 12/01/2017 18:09

I wouldn't do it, so many nasty people who would pass judgment over the smallest thing.

Twitter is a horrendous place at the moment. Its sad how cruel people are becoming.

Foxysoxy01 · 12/01/2017 18:19

Does it really matter to you what people think of you?
If yes then don't do it. If you dont worry about others opinion of yourself and have close friends and family that know the real you then go ahead, have fun and you only live once.

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