The Traitors - c. 60% of contestants below 35 - ageist?

[Housebuyingfamily]

Haven’t done the exact calculation but 12 out of the original 25 were in their 20s, then there are early 30s people too. So 60% under 35 can’t be far off.

A few “older people” in 50s-70s absolutely there as a token or (dare I say it) novelty.

I get that young people watch prime time tv and BBC need these audiences, but should the show be so blatant in this targeting / shouldn’t it better reflect the demographics of the country? Isn’t it outright ageism? I also think people with more life experience are likely to be more interesting in how they navigate the game.

I was thinking this...where are all the 50+ Love Island contestants, hmm? Shockingly ageist! 😉

I mean it probably is ageist. But age discrimination laws usually don’t apply to these types of activities.

The purpose of the show is to make money for the production company and network. That’s what decides how they select participants.

I’m sure they could balance ages more - and if there was enough of an audience calling for it they would. But if they think they’ll make more money with an unbalanced set that’s what they’ll continue to do.

Perhaps those of us over 50 realise the puerility and banality of the programme, and therefore do not want to waste time being on it. Or indeed, many programmes today which seemigly only require people to get thieir under-carriages out or eat dicks owhile 'living' on the outskirts of a 'jungle', etc.
Not everyone if a fame/like-hungry 'look at meee' person, taking any opportunity to be on camera.

Of course it’s not ageist, many older people like me wouldn’t apply, we are a demographic often with commitments such as caring and careers who really don’t want to spend weeks away from home filming and mixing with randomers for five minutes of reality TV fame. Especially when not that many of your mates watch the show anyway.

Who pissed on your cornflakes this morning?

Oh, I’d do it for a shot at the money. I don’t care about “fame”, in fact I’d prefer not too much exposure. I don’t know how it’s go down at work if I asked for a sabbatical, though. Kids would be mega-embarrassed.

This happens with every 'reality' show. The first Big Brother had a mix of people and was a genuinely interesting watch. Then became more and more Love Island style wannabes. I think this will be the last watchable series of The Traitors before the same happens.

Yes, but they must have so many applicants they could apply 'positive discrimination ' to get a good mix of people. There will be fewer older people applying, but still more than enough to make the show a representative mix.

We're 'an audience calling for it' 😉
If it becomes another Love Island surely nobody over 25 will watch.. and we're still in the majority!

The show would need completely redesigning. It's impossible for most to even think of applying (even if they wanted to). Someone age 40, 2 small kids, nursery fees and mortgage to pay and a full time job isn't going to be able to disappear for weeks to take part in a TV show.

I noticed they included a shot of that muscly guy in the shower...a bit too love island for me.
The fabulous middle aged women are obviously overlooked like the intetior designer...would like to see more from her.

@malificent7 I thought he looked good lol.
im in my 60's and love the programme.
i don't care what age they are, just hate the crying and screaming.

Oh for crying out loud it’s not ageist at all. Not everyone and everything has to be represented all the bloody time.

I'm over 60 and I watch it and I don't consider it ageist. I agree with what others have suggested that it is probably a fair representation of the people that applied. A lot of the tasks are quite physical, so you are unlikely to get many octogenarians apply. Also as others have said, you are unlikely to get many parents of young children apply.

Oh yes, express an opinion and some 'wag' trots out the 'who pissed on your...' trope.

I think these shows do get spoiled after a few seasons. I bet at least a couple of contestants have come into the show to play a different game, one where at the end they host a podcast, or get big in insta or tiktok.

But, I do think they would get less contestants in their 30s/40s or 50s. A lot of working parents couldn't afford to give up 3 weeks leave to go in a TV show, and some companies would not want their employees linked to the show. There is rent or mortgages to be paid, parents to care for etc. It's a bigger gamble to go on this type of show at a time of life where people rely on you either financially or practically.

The ageism doesn’t bother me too much, I think it’s just indicative of who has the flexibility in their life to give up that much time, and who is prepared to deal with the social media afterwards.

The dynamics inside I find really interesting. The white guys ganging up on the smart Asian guy is difficult to watch.

Who’s a wag? Me? OK.

I suppose some opinions can be expressed without being condescending and miserable. And some people have just had their cornflakes pissed on.

I'm in my 50's I'd go on it. It's a game. It looks fun.

I am in my 50s and I enjoy watching it, but I would need to be guaranteed a lot more than 100k to participate! Not just a slim chance of getting anywhere close.

There is a very good chance that they had a lot less older applicants in the older age range.

Are there not also 15 out the original 25 white ? So how have reached ageism over that … guessing your over your 20s but white 🤣

( I’m not saying it’s either of those things by the way )

I mean, if you’re going down that route you could argue that white people are underrepresented compared to the UK population…

The 20-somethings are definitely overrepresented, but as others have said that’s probably down to who applied / filming demands in terms of time.

I dont agree with some comments on here saying older people might struggle more with the tasks because they are physical.

I do think the “ageism” argument works both ways though..contestants have said things like older people have a better idea about who might be a traitor because they are wiser etc etc. All bollocks.

Having said that the older contestants seem to get eliminated earlier on.

I like it . It absolutely demonstrates what its meant to do - that people will do and say anything to win money!

I think 30s, 40s and 50s and 60s are under represented and 20s is over represented. Far too many under 40. The 20s contestants have jobs too and plenty are fit in their 40s and 50s. The issue might be number of applicants but that can be evened up in recruitment.

My DD (early 30s) also thought too many 20s. It’s half of them. It’s underrating older people. They also seem followers. So we will see if they can think for themselves or just follow the ill thought out whim of someone else. DH and me are 69/71 and we’ve always watched it.

I have mixed views about the sisters too. The faithful one knew her traitor sister had changed and then felt disloyal for saying she thought she was a traitor. It felt extra unkind somehow.