Comic Relief before 9pm

[TittyGolightly]

6 year old DC came out of school full of Comic Relief chatter and asked to donate their week's pocket money to the charity. Fine and dandy, we switched on at about 8pm and they showed a short film about a child and their grandmother collecting rubbish in Nairobi. DC was even keener to donate, so we texted in to donate money from all of us. Watched a couple of skits and then they showed a video of a 13 month old girl dying of malaria. Actually dying on the screen despite CPR and being put into a body bag and wheeled away. You can imagine the effect that had on a 6 year old. We've been up half the night with them having nightmares about dying babies.

AIBU to think that wasn't suitable viewing pre-watershed?

[SookiesSocks]

But a baby dying is fine on national tv is fine.
As long as its black and African.

I think that is a vile comment to make.

Children in the UK are not dying because they dont have a £5 misquito net but I am sure if they were it would be shown.

There is an advert for cancer research which shows a child going through treatment, no hair and very very ill. I find that distressing but I dont see it as explotation. It shows those in their protective bubble the harsh realities of life in the hope that funding can help.

[exLtEveDallas]

But a baby dying is fine on national tv is fine. As long as its black and African

Absolutely. Remember the outcry when Eastenders portrayed a dead baby before the watershed a few years ago? And that was a fucking doll. A fictional baby in a soap opera. But no outcry for the ACTUAL baby.

It was a step too far.

[smallchanceofrain]

We won't be watching next year. Not because of the footage of a child dying, although 11 year old DS was distressed by this, mainly because the supposed comedy bits just weren't entertaining. I get that it was live but didn't expect inappropriate language and sexual innuendo before the watershed. We turned over at the Vic and Bob part - so I didn't have to answer questions about what Vic was doing and why he thought that would be funny - it wouldn't be funny if someone did that in front of a child in a public place. The whole show felt like they couldn't be bothered preparing anything and just turned up and did some improv.

It was unfortunate that there was so little content children would have found enjoyable, alongside the important eye opening films about how other children live - or die. Next year we'll be giving but not watching.

[WhatWouldKeanuDo]

I don't believe they will get the balance right next year.

I think the watershed has become a myth pretty much seem as an old fashioned lead weight by the media and it's up to parents to realise they are on there own with regard to tv and the internet.

[Notso]

IIRC about the clip with the baby, Russell Howard did a bit to camera saying when he got back he found out Tabitha had died before they showed the clip when they were trying to save her. I'm pretty certain that's what happened as that was the point I took DC to bed when he said Tabitha's Dad still wanted the footage to be shown.

[TittyGolightly]

the baby I'm talking about wasn't called Tabitha.

[TittyGolightly]

And Russell Howard wasn't anywhere to be seen.

[ForalltheSaints]

I did not see it, but I hope those in UKIP and readers of the paper that supported the Blackshirts who wish to all but end most overseas aid did so.

[80sMum]

I have only ever watched some of Comic Relief once, about 10 years ago. I just wanted to see what it was like. I strongly dislike it (and children in need too). I don't like the way people's suffering is paraded on screen and the so-called 'celebrities' all trotting off to Africa to make their films about it - and then suddenly a comedy sketch! I don't get it.
It doesn't feel like charitable giving, more like a platform for the promotion of the presenters and celebs.

[SookiesSocks]

All the celebs last night are well established. They do not need to promote themselves via charity.

Sadly people are rarely interested in charity for charities sake. People need to be engaged/entertained so they (RND CIN) get their attention by using sketches and well known faces then they use the footage of why money needs to be given to encourage dontations.

The plight of these people is shown on the news and TV ads daily yet it takes celebs input to encourage people to donate the money amount of money RND generates in 1 night not to mention all the fund raising done in work places and schools. Thats what I find sad.

[FishInAWetSuitAndFlippers]

I didn't watch it because of these films.

I always wonder how much the parents are told when they are being filmed.

When I think back to the deaths of my children, if someone was there with a camera, asking to film the most distressing times of my life, saying it will help others I'm not sure what I would do.

It's a vulnerable, distressing and emotional time and I wouldn't have had the capacity to deal with that even with the support, explanations and counselling I received at the hospitals here, let alone in the circumstances they are in.

I just can't see how the parents can give proper consent in the circumstances.

That's my issue with these sort of films.

If it was the choice of the parent and they 100% know what the film will be used for and they wait maybe 3 months and gain consent to use it after than then I guess I would feel differently about the films being used.

[TittyGolightly]

I find it sadder that people around the globe still suffer in this way despite decades of multi million pound fundraising.

[SookiesSocks]

Fish the films were made some time ago and I am sure consent was given by the famalies. Why do you assume its not?

I suppose if I lost my child to malaria and was told that showing my story could provide me with money to buy nets to protect my other children then I would agree.

I am so sorry for your loss

[SookiesSocks]

Titty do you really think one bout of fund raising could solve these problems?

The peope that govern these countries do not do enough to support their people and are corrupt and at war. We cannot change that so all we can do is raise money to hopefully reduce the suffering of as many people as possible.

[SleepOhHowIMissYou]

Well the malaria film certainly cut through the apathy in our house, which I imagine was it's intention. David Tennant was brave to provide the voice over, kudos to him, he got £20 out of my purse. And here we are, still talking about that poor little girl today, which is the whole point. Unlike so many of the awful, needless deaths we do not see, this little girl's has an enduring meaning and resonance.

As for Vic and Bob, firstly it sounded like the audience were just babbling away and not paying attention which is disrespectful and distracting. Personally I liked seeing them as the Stotts again but then I'm a fan of surrealist humour in general, Mighty Boosh, Spike Milligan's Q etc. Was Vic Reeves ever funny? Yes, I find Big Night Out, Shooting Stars and the recent House of Fools funny. You either get that type of humour or you don't, it's funny 'cause it's shit, that's kind of the point.

It was certainly funnier than Innuendo Bingo and anything French and Saunders did. Just dire!

[FishInAWetSuitAndFlippers]

I don't assume it's not given sookie I presume it is given at the time.

It's just the timing of consent being given, the state the parents will be in while being asked to consent etc. I wouldn't have had the capacity to make a decision i was 100% happy with at that time.

[TittyGolightly]

Titty do you really think one bout of fund raising could solve these problems?

Of course not.

The peope that govern these countries do not do enough to support their people and are corrupt and at war. We cannot change that so all we can do is raise money to hopefully reduce the suffering of as many people as possible.

Sadly not much of the money from things like CR makes it to the people. And it does nothing to address the corruption - if anything it validates it.

I'd have hoped the human race would have moved on from allowing practices that cause such suffering.

[TittyGolightly]

Let's not forget that our own government is corrupt and at war.

[Sillysausage123]

Has no one mentioned Gary Barlow and his cheek at asking people to donate when he tax evades?
He shouldn't be allowed on comic relief

[Lulabell1979]

I agree it's hard to call for kids and there was less warnings than there has been previously.

The ed Sherman comment didn't bother me, I thought he put it across very well and genuinely cared unlike a lot of the other celebs who just seem patronising.

I thought the whole thing in terms of TV though was poor. We started to watch it an hour behind on catch up and ended up scanning through most of it. Too many presenters, jumping around too much. Didn't know who that girl in silver dress that looked like Lucy Jo Hudson was at all?! Thought most of the "comedy" was poor.
Found Russell howards bit poor and not very insightful as to why the girl ended up like that Or what projects were going on at that hospital etc.

I get the TV show is secondary and it's all about charity before anyone slates me but I just thought it was poor. In contrast Children In Need last year was excellent and took on a new format in the absence of Terry Wogan and handled things a lot more sensitively and with better entertainment.

[SashaTaught]

I know this thread isn't about Tabitha, but I remember quite specifically that Russell Howard said her father actually insisted the footage was shown. I can only imagine that is the only way he feels he can do something, anything. It really stuck with me that he insisted.

[SookiesSocks]

It is Titty but we are still alot better of then the people shown in yesterdays footage.

Sadly not much of the money from things like CR makes it to the people. And it does nothing to address the corruption - if anything it validates it

And you know this as fact do you? I have watched various films this week showing what last years money did. Do you have insider info on where it goes or you think people should stop giving?

As for addressing the corruption that is for the leaders of our countries to address but in the meantime I would prefer to give a little to help those in need rather that sit around waiting for various corrupt goverments to do whats right.

[WhatWouldKeanuDo]

Ed Sheeran came across as a very lovely man.

[MycatsaPirate]

I thought the entire show was fucking dire. I mean, really dire.

The sad clips were worth watching - that's the reason we have CR.

Ed Sheeran was an absolute legend. Billy Connelly moved me and the Love Actually sequel was superb.

Other than that it was dreadfully crass. Awful sound quality, unfunny clips, bad language before 9pm and Mark Owen wasn't wearing a seat belt (yes I know this last point is minor but kids were watching - set an example you tool).

I doubt I will watch next year.

[Starlight2345]

My DS (9) almost 10 stayed up till 8.20 to watch it. I do think there is some usefulness in watching..He was truely shocked by the girl caring for her mum when I have to constantly prompt him to even more his bum in a morning. I also think he does need to understand people's struggles in life..

We didn't see the child die, I didn't like innuendo bingo and to be honest don't like it on radio one..

I find often some of the theme before watershed esp on soaps I don't let my DS see. So there is an element of judgement required but I think with children in need there is a ramping up post 9pm. It didn't seem to happen on the BBC.