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Original poster

TV SHOWS

108 replies

Ledkr · 16/02/2021 09:06

I keep seeing quiz or chat shows with guests all socially distanced in a studio. Why then can i not see my family and friends in the same set up? 🤔

OP posts:
AlecTrevelyan006 · 16/02/2021 13:30

Set up a tv company - easyish

Put up dividing screens in your house - easyish

Pay your family / friends to come round for chat - easy

Film it on your iPhone - easyish

Upload to YouTube - easy

Job done

CuriousaboutSamphire · 16/02/2021 13:38

@Ledkr

I keep seeing quiz or chat shows with guests all socially distanced in a studio. Why then can i not see my family and friends in the same set up? 🤔
The space around them is far larger, and colder, and well ventilated, than a normal home.

And they don't sit down for a chat. They don't have the temptation to lapse into normal behaviour. They have a floor manager reminding them all the time. They have constraints, screens etc etc.

Maybe ask Channel 5 if they think you and your friends and family meeting up is a format they think will sell!!

CodMouth · 16/02/2021 13:42

We should purchase government approved hazmats and wear them to see family/go out/go to work until this is over.

casper2017 · 16/02/2021 13:44

I am not begrudging anyone working at all. I am lucky enough to wfh (as does my husband) and have children in private nursery so aware I am one of the luckier ones. But if a gym or similar business wanted to operate in a safe way they wouldn't be allowed. Like the previous poster stated outdoor exercise could be allowed. I dont see how 4-5 people social distancing in a gym with an instructor is different to the crowds you see in shops that sell 'essential' items. Its just double standards penalising businesses who can't afford weekly testing.

YellowandGreenToBeSeen · 16/02/2021 14:02

Everyone is regularly tested.
They are down to skeleton crews.
Risk Assessments are carried out every day.
Covid Supervisors are employed and are on set to sign off distances / protocols etc (insurance requirement).
Markers are placed on the floor ensuring people stand exactly where they are supposed to.
Screens are up but they are shooting so you can’t see them.
Ditto distances between people (see GMB / This Morning etc).
There is no direct face to face contact / it is extremely controllable - unlike random in a gym or someone’s home etc.

casper2017 · 16/02/2021 14:20

There are also numerous reality shows that operate with no social distancing as they have been tested and have formed a bubble. Things like Celebs Go Dating and Made in Chelsea and TOWIE, Dancing on Ice etc. I can see how they are allowed to operate. But it doesn't stop it from being unfair on other business that are not allowed to operate like that.

Original poster
Ledkr · 16/02/2021 14:54

I am sure that they do indeed have the advantage of regular testing, space etc. However it still doesnt fall into any of the allowed guidelines either for essential travel or meeting indoors.
Dd is at uni studying dance and has access to massive studios and lecture halls where its possible to socially distance but is currently using a chair as a bar in a small dining room.

Different rules for them obv.

OP posts:
Dallerup · 16/02/2021 14:56

However it still doesnt fall into any of the allowed guidelines either for essential travel or meeting indoors.

Work. It comes under essential travel for work.

LemonadeBudget · 16/02/2021 14:59

I am sure that they do indeed have the advantage of regular testing, space etc. However it still doesnt fall into any of the allowed guidelines either for essential travel or meeting indoors

Every single person in the studio will be being paid to be there. It's work.

Dallerup · 16/02/2021 15:02

There are also numerous reality shows that operate with no social distancing as they have been tested and have formed a bubble. Things like Celebs Go Dating and Made in Chelsea and TOWIE, Dancing on Ice etc. I can see how they are allowed to operate. But it doesn't stop it from being unfair on other business that are not allowed to operate like that.

Also work. It may be 'reality' TV but they're all getting paid. It's their job. It's work.

EileenGC · 16/02/2021 15:05

@casper2017

I am not begrudging anyone working at all. I am lucky enough to wfh (as does my husband) and have children in private nursery so aware I am one of the luckier ones. But if a gym or similar business wanted to operate in a safe way they wouldn't be allowed. Like the previous poster stated outdoor exercise could be allowed. I dont see how 4-5 people social distancing in a gym with an instructor is different to the crowds you see in shops that sell 'essential' items. Its just double standards penalising businesses who can't afford weekly testing.
Gyms are allowed to operate. The problem is, people aren’t allowed to go the gym, which is why they’ve closed.

Theatres and concert venues are allowed to operate (mine does). Audiences aren’t allowed in, but there’s not one single law prohibiting people from going to work.

EileenGC · 16/02/2021 15:06

@Ledkr

I am sure that they do indeed have the advantage of regular testing, space etc. However it still doesnt fall into any of the allowed guidelines either for essential travel or meeting indoors. Dd is at uni studying dance and has access to massive studios and lecture halls where its possible to socially distance but is currently using a chair as a bar in a small dining room.

Different rules for them obv.

It’s work. I don’t socially distance at work (there’s 80-100 of us on stage at any given point). It is legally allowed because we’re working. No, it’s not essential. Yes, it is safe because of all the measures we’ve implemented.
EileenGC · 16/02/2021 15:08

And fine, if entertainment companies can do endless testing that's good. But what kind of country do we live in where this is possible because - basically - they're rich - while no testing in schools, no ffp2 masks for medics while infections are sky high?

It’s called capitalism. It’s a tragedy, and really unfair that only those with money have been able to keep going.

casper2017 · 16/02/2021 15:16

Exactly my point though? What is the difference between 100 people being in the same room for work versus 6 people for a socially distanced fitness class? It's classed as work and can be done safely if they were given the opportunity to do so with distancing and cleaning and testing of staff.

No point constantly saying its classed as work as think everyone gets that point. The question is why are some industries classed as work and allowed to continue with measures in place, while others are just shut and not allowed to make amendments to make it safe. 🤔

IloveJKRowling · 16/02/2021 15:16

Agree Eileen but it's interesting how capitalism suddenly fails to work to - for example - fill the 40,000 (and rising) nursing vacancies.

In a true free market economy they'd just keep paying more until they had all of those jobs filled. But they don't.

IloveJKRowling · 16/02/2021 15:18

They could get around the 'work' thing anyway if they really wanted to - as with most things seemingly in this country.

What about if they paid everyone attending a small amount saying they were doing an exercise video (so just video the class - the people attending had to pay room hire costs / parking costs of course which would exceed what they were paid, but they'd still be 'working')

IloveJKRowling · 16/02/2021 15:19

You can't get away from the fact that it's ok to assemble if you're rich and not if you're poor, more or less. Also travel abroad. Also afford to isolate/ quarantine.

EileenGC · 16/02/2021 15:22

They could do a lot of things. If only they used their brains more efficiently. Other countries have done it... No reason why the UK has shut so many industries without offering them incentives to reinvent their work, and the financial support they need. But that's a different thread!

EileenGC · 16/02/2021 15:24

@casper2017

Exactly my point though? What is the difference between 100 people being in the same room for work versus 6 people for a socially distanced fitness class? It's classed as work and can be done safely if they were given the opportunity to do so with distancing and cleaning and testing of staff.

No point constantly saying its classed as work as think everyone gets that point. The question is why are some industries classed as work and allowed to continue with measures in place, while others are just shut and not allowed to make amendments to make it safe. 🤔

Because the 6 people taking the fitness class aren't working. The only person working is the teacher. The 100 people on stage at my workplace are all there to do their work.

I completely agree with you though. There are many safe activities that have been shut with very little reason. But that's how certain events are still happening - it's work. People are actually being paid to be there, customers going into the gym wouldn't be working.

Dallerup · 16/02/2021 15:29

What is the difference between 100 people being in the same room for work versus 6 people for a socially distanced fitness class?

The 100 people working are being paid money which then gets spent helping the economy. Many of them will also be paying taxes and NI. Therefore essential.

The 6 people who could quite easily exercise at home or in the park are making a non essential journey.

Quite an obvious difference

Dallerup · 16/02/2021 15:31

while others are just shut and not allowed to make amendments to make it safe.

They can make as many amendments as they like and stay open but there's no point if everyone who would use that service isn't allowed to

Dallerup · 16/02/2021 15:33

What about if they paid everyone attending a small amount saying they were doing an exercise video (so just video the class - the people attending had to pay room hire costs / parking costs of course which would exceed what they were paid, but they'd still be 'working')

It'd cost them more in registering people as working, payroll, HMRC, national insurance contributions etc. And I don't want to have to declare a second job just so I can go to yoga. Many people's work contracts won't allow it either

IloveJKRowling · 16/02/2021 15:35

The 6 people who could quite easily exercise at home or in the park are making a non essential journey.

This is why we are - as a nation - obese. IF the government truly thinks you can 'just as easily' exercise at home or in the park then we're stuffed.

casper2017 · 16/02/2021 15:36

But contestants on Who Wants to be a Millionaire are not working, people on the numerous dating shows who aren't celebrities are not working. So it just looks like the industry has had special treatment in comparison to other.

(Sorry my quoting isn't working!)

Lubiluxe · 16/02/2021 15:40

So many things wrong with your op..

First of all, it is their job, they can't work from home.

Second of all, we need entertainment whether you watch it or not is up to you.

Thirdly, they have risk assessments. Noone can monitor if families are socially distancing when allowed to meet and frankly most probably aren't.

That is why.