Jimmy Savile

[wavingwhilstdrowning]

AIBU to say that the BBC should not be making a film about Jimmy Savile. They should not be profiting form his victims misery. Savile attacked at least 450 victims.

Once again his photograph is everywhere, retraumatising his victims who have been treated horrifically by the BBC.

for full disclosure I gave evidence at Operation Yewtree.

@TheQueef

BBC wants to make money so it makes a DRAMA about the scandal. You'd be forgiven for expecting our public broadcaster not to capitalise on it's own failures, it is morally bankrupt. A documentary would be inappropriate from the BBC but at least we may discover facts. A drama serves no purpose other than financial, the BBC created victims and now they are selling them. (Before anyone bleats JS was the abuser, BBC had abuse complaints from Totp and Jimmy was looking old and creepy presenting Totp so the BBC solution was to create a dedicated kids programme for him)

EXACTLY @TheQueef.

‘The BBC created victims and they are selling them’ sums it up perfectly.

It’s like a plantation owner making profitable entertainment featuring a particularly nasty overseer they employed a few years after abolition

He's repeatedly done impressions of JS. He's an impersonator.

Loads of people did that. They aren’t doing them now though so I’m not sure your point is relevant here.

I think it is an important story to tell, as long as it focuses on what went wrong.

Its already been said about the BBC and their role in promoting and hiding him.

I suspect that the "documentary" will spend a lot of time going on about how good he was at hiding in plain sight and it can't be their fault.

Wonder who they’ll get to play Jerry Sadowitz? After all, he was one of the ones who spoke up at the time. Strangely, never got BBC gigs after that…….
All the people who tried to say something, what a kick in the teeth for them. I’m sorry they ignored you, OP. I’m sorry they ignored everyone who tried to make it known.

@BoredZelda

He's repeatedly done impressions of JS. He's an impersonator.

Loads of people did that. They aren’t doing them now though so I’m not sure your point is relevant here.

I think it is an important story to tell, as long as it focuses on what went wrong.

It's a drama, not a documentary. Any drama that is 'based on a true story' takes liberties with the truth, usually adding scenes and sometimes creating merged characters based on multiple real people to amp up the drama and enable story-telling in a way that real-life just doesn't happen.

Anyone looking to give a frank and honest account of Saville's crimes and how they were obscured by so many organisations and people wouldn't be making a drama with a star cast list.

@TheQueef

BBC wants to make money so it makes a DRAMA about the scandal. You'd be forgiven for expecting our public broadcaster not to capitalise on it's own failures, it is morally bankrupt. A documentary would be inappropriate from the BBC but at least we may discover facts. A drama serves no purpose other than financial, the BBC created victims and now they are selling them. (Before anyone bleats JS was the abuser, BBC had abuse complaints from Totp and Jimmy was looking old and creepy presenting Totp so the BBC solution was to create a dedicated kids programme for him)

Thank you for this TheQueef The BBC protected JS and were repeatedly informed of his offending. They were complicit in allowing JS to threaten his victims and silence them. I met JS in 1992. The nation as a whol wants this to be ancient history - a crime of the 60's when everyone was high and no one knew right from wrong, an era when many men abused children without any concern of prosecution. But this was something that he did his whole life, he engineered his entire career around this abuse. And the BBC not only allowed it, but protected him when victims complained. As did the Police.

@BoredZelda

He's repeatedly done impressions of JS. He's an impersonator.

Loads of people did that. They aren’t doing them now though so I’m not sure your point is relevant here.

I think it is an important story to tell, as long as it focuses on what went wrong.

Last night I saw a group of men on a stag night, 3 were dressed as Savile. Many men find it hilarious to impersonate Savile. Every time I see 'him' I am traumatized.

Coogan is an impersonator first and comedian first and foremost. It is not likely to be a victim centred story focused on how JS was allowed to get away with his crimes is it?

Really important distinction Chequers if ever a subject should be above artistic licence it's CSA and the BBC have dirty hands in this scandal they absolutely should not be allowed to control the narrative of this story.

@Saucery

Wonder who they’ll get to play Jerry Sadowitz? After all, he was one of the ones who spoke up at the time. Strangely, never got BBC gigs after that……. All the people who tried to say something, what a kick in the teeth for them. I’m sorry they ignored you, OP. I’m sorry they ignored everyone who tried to make it known.

Jerry Sadowitz, Johnny Lydon and Irvine Welsh all spoke openly and repeatedly about JS abuse of children.

They managed to get away with it because 1) they are male 2) they are 'anarchists' 3) they are hard as fuck! It did have a very negative effect on Lydon's career thou.

@Porcupineintherough

But do his victims want their stories told and their voices heard on national tv? That's a genuine question btw, I just cant imagine I would in their position.

There are thought to be around 450 victims. If only a very small minority wanted to speak then you could still make a series along those lines. There are probably others who may want to speak out & make things publicly known without appearing on camera at all.

Some of Savile's victims have had their stories told. Louis Theroux tired to make an apology and involve victims in a documentary.
ITV also hosts victims with respect on their magazine shows, especially if there is another show about him on: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10068253/Jimmy-Savile-victim-says-told-away-BBC-Pops-crew.html
The BBC silences the victims to tell the story they want to tell.

Steve Coogan isn't just a comedian/impersonator. He was really good in Philomenia and Steven. I have enjoyed his other serious roles as well. As a fan I won't enjoy him playing JS though.

Js made me feel sick when I was child and I didn't get why anyone would want to meet him. This was before any thing came out.

But you watched three girls? I am a victim of cse and I am horrified that any of these things are made. I am horrified that so many people enjoy any of these sorts of documentaries.
It does not get the word out. It does not highlight the issues or make people aware. It is sensationalising abuse. None of it should be made or shown.
And as for these women and their lives are damaged forever.. I was one of those girls and I am not damaged or ruined forever.

@DoYouLikeOwls

Steve Coogan isn't just a comedian/impersonator. He was really good in Philomenia and Steven. I have enjoyed his other serious roles as well. As a fan I won't enjoy him playing JS though.

Js made me feel sick when I was child and I didn't get why anyone would want to meet him. This was before any thing came out.

I used to love Jim, ll fixit as a child, the BBC made him out to be a lovable eccentric, everybody's favourite,"Uncle" with the jewelry, and the cigar and his "now then, now then" catch phrase, etc, really creepy of the BBC to do that looking back.

@Wisteriac43

I'm not interested in the story of a disgusting criminal, what I would be interested to see is something on all the bystanders, those who covered for him. I still don't think we know 'who knew what'. I doubt that will get made though...

Oh hell yes to this.

SC was employed as a JS impersonator. He played JS on Spitting Image.
spittingimage.fandom.com/wiki/Steve_Coogan

The defence of this program I have heard in RL is that SC was great in Philomenia. Good for him. Apparently Dame Judi found his impression of JS hilarious: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/10/16/revealed-steve-coogans-far-from-sensitive-jimmy-savile-gags/

@Chipsahoy

But you watched three girls? I am a victim of cse and I am horrified that any of these things are made. I am horrified that so many people enjoy any of these sorts of documentaries. It does not get the word out. It does not highlight the issues or make people aware. It is sensationalising abuse. None of it should be made or shown. And as for these women and their lives are damaged forever.. I was one of those girls and I am not damaged or ruined forever.

I couldn't agree more. You are a strong woman, a survivor. These men are damaged and ruined forever, we are as great as were always going to be.

"I'm not interested in the story of a disgusting criminal, what I would be interested to see is something on all the bystanders, those who covered for him"

Let's not kid ourselves here that this is in the past. David Rose, who writes for the Mail On Sunday, describes himself laughingly as 'a Jimmy Saville sceptic'. As soon as any investigation is launched into organised child abuse he is in there trying to discount it. He effectively derailed an investigation into Haut de la Garenne. Years of the most horrific abuse ended up being mostly ignored since it could not be proved that any child was actually murdered there; as if anything less is irrelevant and unworthy of prosecuting. Nothing but a media circus while innocent lives (including those who spoke out against it) were effectively destroyed. So yes, I'm all for having a programme on his enablers and the power structures that facilitate them. Storyville covered this very well if anyone is interested: Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island.

I think - I hate to see his bloody face (gave me creeps when I was a kid), but the way he was allowed to basically do whatever he wanted (despite people raising their concerns and being silenced). Friends in ‘high’ places, protected by mates (who also need checking) and the BBC. It needs to be out there in the open - all the dodgy dealings, backhanders, bullying, silencing, blind eyes... never again.

I remember being at a house party the day after his death was announced - another guest (young woman, which I think is depressingly relevant) was a junior producer at the BBC at the time having started as a runner several years earlier. Her exact words were "Massive paedophile, everyone knows" - in reference to her employer.

Most of us that night struggled to believe her claims as it seemed impossible that the BBC could allow him the platform he had if it really were common knowledge. I felt so sick when the official story started to break and I realised she had been telling the truth. Haven't felt the same about the BBC since. Even that Louis Theroux revisit, whilst appearing terribly earnest and guilt-ridden, seemed like nothing more than a clever smokescreen for any real reflection.

They absolutely shouldn't be the ones making this.

@FrippEnos

Its already been said about the BBC and their role in promoting and hiding him.

I suspect that the "documentary" will spend a lot of time going on about how good he was at hiding in plain sight and it can't be their fault.

This is exactly how I felt about the second Louis Theroux documentary!

@Elderberry84
People don’t want to believe it because if it’s not one bad apple then the whole barrel must be rotten

When you start looking at who was supporting saville you quickly realise our whole system is built to protect a few and keep the masses quiet

The police knew ffs… and helped silence the op and many others

I am so sorry @wavingwhilstdrowning it must be awful for you to have it brought up again and I doubt the BBC are going to be honest and take any part of the blame for allowing him to carry out years of abuse. In fact, they will make money out of this and their own fuck ups and cover ups.

wavingwhilstdrowning I’m sorry for you and all those harmed by him and the other vile men.

There does seem to be a backlash which I’m pleased to see

I think YABU

I'm sure Saville was an evil bastard and probably did many more horrendous crimes that we'll never know about. I also appreciate it must be distressing for the victims to be reminded about him.

The failure to bring Saville to account shows how many people turned a blind eye, as it wasn't in their interest to "make a fuss".

We have to discuss, examine and learn from these incidents and a drama is an effective way to do this.

Keeping quiet and moving on doesn't help, and was exactly the attitude that allowed him to continue offending.

I hope we live in more enlightened times, and it would be hard to imagine him getting away with it now.

Just in case anyone has forgotten, in the eyes of the law Saville was 100% innocent.