To feel a programme dramatising Shannon Matthew's disappearance is in poor taste?

[Annie592]

I watched it. I quite enjoyed it. (I think Sheridan Smith is amazing.). But it doesn't sit quite right with me. I want to be able to say why, but I can't explain it. Maybe because a real life case of a nine year old's abuse doesn't feel like something that should be used for entertainment? Wondering if anyone agrees and can articulate it better? Or whether it's actually an important topic to talk about and I'm being stupid. I honestly don't know. Would appreciate mumsnet thoughts!

That is a good question, PP. who really knows the answer...
When people stop being fascinated by the worst in people's natures perhaps.

We don't know how those involved feel. We are assuming it makes it worse - but it might not. (I am not justifying or being glib here but we genuinely don't know)

True BadKnee

And yes Shannon Matthews should be able to say no.

How can any of us assume that this programme will affect Shannon negatively? This terrible thing happened to her and she carries that with her always.
I do feel that this drama shows that there were people beyond her sad home life who cared about her.

CoolCarrie Does that stand for other victims? There was the programme "Appropriate Adult" about Fred West. Should that have not been aired either? There are victims of Fred West still living but I don't remember any controversy about it being "dramatised" on tv.
I don't think any of them should be shown, but yes I watched them, I am just trying to understand why some programmes are ok and some aren't.

You can't have thought it was in that poor taste as you sat watching it, and enjoyed it. Your words.. I do assume you have a remote control.

"Just think how she must feel today because of the bbc." No, I think the poor girl is feeling bereft today because of the utter and total failure of her parent to protect her. We cannot bang on about 'it's not appropriate' yet downplay or ignore the fact that this crime is in the public interest because of the trend for raising cash for victims as well as obvious child neglect.

The bigger picture is how society has such sink estates, poverty of aspiration where drugging and hiding your child for cash is seen as a way out. We can't hide away from programmes because they upset the sensibilities of the rest of us.

Aww was that at me? I didn't say I enjoyed it I said I watched it. I thought, honestly, that these people felt they had been looked down on and had a chance to show the world that they weren't like that. That they cared. They took it and they ran with it.

No Perry. It was the op.

i dont think drugging your child and pretending they are kidnapped is a common thing even on the very worst of estates because ,most people love their children and wouldnt dream of doing anything like that i expect people like karen matthews are not common.

Actually, it's not true that they all have new identities. I know one of the siblings and their identity hasn't changed.

Aww sorry

No worries Perry.

I watched it. I thought the acting (including Sheridan) was dreadful. I don't think I'll bother with part 2.

As for the screening, I feel for Shannon. Wonder what's she is thinking and hoping she has had a positive 8 years but we've also had other dramas such as the Moors Murders and I am sure there was something to do with Rose and Fred West also.

It is interesting how we all remember her and her name but not the Uncle's, presumably because we don't expect women to behave so callously?

I remember following the case on the news and noting the irony of people being shocked that the McCanns were seemingly so calm and cool about the disappearance of Madeleine therefore they must have known more about what happened but Karen Matthews was beside herself - this is how we think someone should act when a child disappears but oh wait a minute.....

becausebecausebecause The bigger picture is how society has such sink estates, poverty of aspiration where drugging and hiding your child for cash is seen as a way out Exactly.

We like to think that this does not exist and yet we have allowed it with our social policies, encouraged it even. That does need to be examined but probably never will be.

Fiction is often dismissed as being unrealistic, this was true. The programme has raised several questions which we are once again discussing.

I don't think what Karen Matthews did needs bringing to light, there can't be an adult in this country that doesn't know what she did

That's a big assumption, there is a generation who don't know - like my DD.

Sadly there are estates likes this, with incomprehensible language. If anything, the homes and streets were too clean. Don't pretend they don't exist because it makes you uncomfortable.

Why shouldn't those who don't know about the case not be educated by it, to see families that don't care for each other or respect each other.

By all means don't watch it if it upsets you.

I was bought up in that neighbourhood and she was one of my neighbours. She had a lot of the community fooled. Everybody's house was searched from top to bottom. Driving home from uni one day I was asked 'what I was doing in the neighbourhood, would I object to having my car searche if asked?' etc. and when Shannon was found, we had people driving to the area to 'see the area it had all happened'. I haven't watched the programme but I agree with pp in saying I bet it's not something that they'd want bringing up again. (Moved far away so not sure what the mood is like in the area today)

I thought it was a bit crap, tbh.

The actress playing Karen Matthews wasn't very good. They'd obviously gone for someone that resembled her, but she'd have needed to gain around five stone to be convincing.

I just didn't really get the point of it tbh. It was very odd.

Gonna wade in with a different opinion. You've only got to look at TV scheduling to see that crime (fact & fiction) is hugely popular viewing. Whilst the crimes themselves are appalling the heartening fact is that the vast majority of humanity wants to understand and prevent these crimes.

I thought that the Sheridan Smith character was almost too intelligent and switched on to be friends with Karen Matthews, that might sound silly but she seemed too animated and bright - I don't think they would have been friends so the character is presumably not portrayed to a true likeness. The friend who twigged early on was very good though.

It must be very hard for the children though as are all the programmes featuring victims of people like Fred West, Myra Hindley etc. That said their lives must be absolutely dreadful each and every day beyond what most of us could ever imagine.

^The executive producer kept saying "it isn't about Shannon'^

That's the problem, right there. What an arrogant twat.

It IS about Shannon. How fucking dare someone decide they have the power to make what happened NOT about that poor child. You can tell a story from many angles, but you cannot just delete the victim. It shows such a lack of respect or humanity.

Vile, vile, man :(

It seemed to me to be about Karen Mathews and her life choices. Particularly illuminating was her comment to the Police Liason Officer of 'what does it matter if I have six or seven children'. That right there spoke volumes about her motivation. Children for benefits I dare say.

Save your viles for the Karen Mathews of this world.