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Original poster

To hate how people use personal and national tragedy, to promote their act. (Especially on Britain's Got Talent..)

59 replies

purplebush · 17/04/2018 10:22

Firstly, the magician in 2016 who played on the lost lives of many soldiers, and played on the public's heartstrings, by bringing in old soldiers and beaming pics of war heroes on the wall. (He won even though his act was as boring as fuck.)

Then the 'missing peoples choir' came on last year with their pics of lost people being beamed on the wall behind them. (They were very average, and didn't win.)

And this year we have magician Marc Spelmann, using his difficulty to conceive (with his wife,) and his wife's battle with cancer as part of his act, to win sympathy and attention.

Obviously, I am sorry for people who have suffered heartache and loss, but I just find using personal tragedy and national tragedy to promote your act, in incredibly poor taste. It's taking the 'sob stories' to a whole new level!

Spelmann has already been fast-tracked to the semi-final, after predictably being given the golden buzzer, and he will almost definitely be in the final. Contrived bollocks IMO.

OP posts:
ClaudiaWankleman · 17/04/2018 10:24

I agree wholeheartedly. I find the whole thing rather distasteful, which is why I haven’t watched it in years.

Kittykat93 · 17/04/2018 10:25

I so agree with this ! Pisses me off

ghostyslovesheets · 17/04/2018 10:26

well yeah but it's all contrived bollocks - and you watch it!

as long as people watch this durge it will continue

MistressDeeCee · 17/04/2018 10:27

But they're told to do that, aren't they? I can't watch those shows due to this mawkish nonsense accompanied by tinkling faux sad music. Still it works as it's a popular formula isn't it

ButternutCrinkleFries · 17/04/2018 10:29

A mate of mine tried to get on BGT a few years ago on a made up tragedy. He was and is a very average singer. He did a whole spiel about how his dying mother’s last wish was for him to go on BGT. He got through the first couple of rounds until his mum gave him a bollocking when cameras turned up at her house. It wasn’t shown surprisingly!

ConfusedWife1234 · 17/04/2018 10:30

I never served but I know many people with combat ptsd and know many of them think it is a shame how people suddenly care about soldiers once they are dead.
I think it would be better if people treated the soldiers who are actually not dead but alive and maybe have ptsd more friendly and were nicer maybe in the workplace do not treat them like they are crazy and so on.

There is studies that show how important social support is for people with ptsd.

ConfusedWife1234 · 17/04/2018 10:31

Did not watch BGT by the way, just wanted to comment on that worshipping dead soldiers thing.

Allmyshilldren · 17/04/2018 10:31

Yes I’ve noticed that too, have watched the X Factor a few times and it seems like everyone is doing it for their dead Nan or whatever. I presume the producers encourage the contestants to drum something up to help them seem more relatable.

I find it really troubling in the case of some of these pretty young kids (16 yrs old), it doesn’t feel right to push an emotional agenda and burden on an already very high pressure situation. They all must feel extra shit when they invariably get voted out, letting down poor old Nan.

liz70 · 17/04/2018 10:31

DH's name for that show has been "Britain's Got A Sob Story" for years.

LifeBeginsAtGin · 17/04/2018 10:31

Stop watching ITV!

These programmes are only on because gullible people watch them, buy 'Chat' et al magazines and discuss it all on Twitter.

That's the state of the nation I'm afraid.

Katyb1310 · 17/04/2018 10:34

Yes! DH always says "oh...here comes the sob story!"

StayAChild · 17/04/2018 10:38

It seems to be the norm these days. It's not good TV unless there are tears all round on these types of shows. I think I must be as hard as nails.

Original poster
purplebush · 17/04/2018 10:43

Yeah I think they are told to do it but it's still dreadful IMO.

When Gareth Gates was on Pop Idol (2003 -ish,) and he was this cute boy with a sweet voice, who suffered with a stammer, it was a genuine story and peoples hearts went out to him. And I think they keep trying to recreate that, as they think people will vote for someone with a sob story, and keep watching. But it's all so naff and fake and contrived now. It's embarrassing actually.

Same with Subo in 2009; this awkward shy plain middle aged woman who seemed like a bit of an eccentric, came on and had the voice of an angel, and her audition moved me to tears at the time. They have spent every year since, trying to recreate that too. 'HEY, let's put a plain and slightly awkward woman on who has a decent voice - it will move the nation and make them cry!' Er NO it won't actually.

It's been done once, and lightning never strikes twice in the same place, and so just STOP! Hmm

And I agree that the soldiers need attention and help when they are alive too, not just coo-ing over when they are long gone.

OP posts:
Clawdy · 17/04/2018 10:44

They are always looking for some sort of back story. A friend's daughter went to the XFactor audition and was questioned about her motivation for turning up, by one of the teams in charge.She mentioned jokingly that her parents hadn't been too keen about her auditioning. Immediately he said "Oh? So they will be furious if you get through? They've never wanted you to sing?" When she said that was definitely not the case, he lost interest straight away, and moved on to someone else. She didn't get through, and wasn't surprised.

FencingFightingTorture35 · 17/04/2018 10:46

I haven't watched it in a while and caught the last episode. I was horrified by how manipulative it was. I switched off!

Original poster
purplebush · 17/04/2018 10:46

That doesn't surprise me a bit @clawdy

They also do sob stories on the Big Build and 60 minute makeover, and the programmes where they are doing someone's garden up. They won't do it for hard-working people who are struggling financially, and barely have a pot to piss in, there HAS to be some desperately sad sob story in there too. Does my head in.

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DioneTheDiabolist · 17/04/2018 10:47

I'm torn on this. On one hand I see the benefit of people having a bit of a cry. On the other, I know a very talented performer who did not progress through the X Factor heats because they refuse to allow the show use their family's tragedies to provide a back story.

I watched Spelman's act on Saturday. His magic is not particularly clever and certainly not sophisticated (even a Muggle like me could work it out on a second watch), but the way he put it together was brilliant. As long as his wife doesn't mind, then this could be a decent earner for the family.

I think that the most important thing to bear in mind is that BGT, X Factor etc. are not primarily "talent shows", they are television programmes. And it would appear 5 hat the viewers like something that provokes an emotional response.

Justanotherlurker · 17/04/2018 10:51

SUBO and Garather Gates were still selectively shown on screen though, albeit not as obvious as they are now.

It's happened for years.

Original poster
purplebush · 17/04/2018 10:51

Dione, I agree with some of what you say, but as you say, perfectly decent acts are being passed over for those with a decent sob story.

And if it's not a 'talent show' then they REALLY need to change the name of the show!!! Confused

As a poster said earlier, maybe change it to 'Britain's got sob stories...' Grin

OP posts:
Catspaws · 17/04/2018 10:52

The missing people's choir is different IMO. That charity relies entirely on exposure and being noticed. BGT was a perfect platform from that perspective. And as a result of their participation in BGT a missing child was reunited with his family. You would need a heart of stone to object to that!

Otherwise I do agree that the more contrived stories about supportive grandparents who passed away or working for years in a dead end job to support a family get a bit wearing after a while. While I'm sure they're very real and emotional situations for the individual they aren't especially unique, but most people just get on with it. It's the fault of tv executives pushing the narrative tbh.

Dancinggoat · 17/04/2018 10:53

What's worse is the fact they tell people who have mild learning difficulties or a mental health condition that they are amazing. Put them in front of a panel and audience who either laugh , Boo or tell them they are no good. The contestants kick off as they've been pumped up to feel they are fantastic and can't understand why they are getting this response. Great tv made.
It's cruel and I can't believe it's allowed to happen. It's like a Victorian travelling circus - awful.

DioneTheDiabolist · 17/04/2018 10:55

It's a bit outdated now, but you should read Chart Throb by Ben Elton OP. It will open your eyes.

RoseWhiteTips · 17/04/2018 10:57

Completely agree.

MonsteraDeliciosa · 17/04/2018 11:07

I agree too. So vomit-inducing.
And the escapologists/ dangerous acts... I hate those. I know they wouldn't be shown if anything had gone wrong so it's safe to watch on telly, but the act could go wrong and would be horrific for the audience to witness.

I liked the naked Japanese guy with his silky cloths best.

Sparklesocks · 17/04/2018 11:14

I agree it's very tasteless, but I think it's important to remember that it'll be the producers/production company pushing that as they want the viewers to feel a ‘connection’ (vom) with the contestants and so continue watching, and the easiest/quickest way to do that is to drag their tragedy out and accompany it with sad plinky plonky music in the background. The contestant is instantly humanised and evokes emotion from the audience.

Public then thinks how ‘brave’ they are to continue to perform after all they’ve been through and so wants them to do well, and they’ll watch again next week – production company happy, advertisers getting the big numbers are happy and pay itv a fat check in gratitude – itv very happy! Process repeats again.

So it’s more than likely that contestants are prodded by the producers before they’re even in front of the camera with questions like ‘who are you doing this for?’ / ‘why is this song so special to you?’ etc, contestants are encouraged to come along with these narratives ready because they know they’re more likely to get fame/success. It’s all quite sickening, but TV people know exactly what they’re doing.