degrading portrayal of women on Brianiac programme

[ellapea]

Brainiac is a science show for children on Sky1. My children aged 10 and 12 had seen it at friends houses and were very keen to watch it. The programme is presented by Richard Hammond and is exciting and explosive, however, on the epsiode I watched all the women shown were dressed in either bikinis or nurses outfits. I was horrified to think of boys and girls watching this thinking this is an acceptable representation of women. It reminded me of the Benny Hill show, offering a totally outdated and degrading stereotype of women. We should be encouraging girls to study science and showing role models they can identify with and aspire to. Our sons need to be taught to respect women as equals and not to see them as sexual objects. Has anyone else seen this programme, if so what did you think?

I think you're right. I also think it's a bit bad blowing up the loser's stuff at the end of the show. I don't like that programme much. I wish they'd blow Richard Hammond up at the end instead, then it would be great.

I agree - but then Richard Hammond is a dick.

I saw the same episode after thinking it looked interesting...but also wondered why so many boobs and figured I wasn't invited, must be a lads show.

It can't surely be aimed at kids?

Brainiac is rubbish - watch MythBusters instead.

that's terrible Ellapea.
Have you thought about starting a thread in the 'feminism' topic - I think people there would be interested.

This program is appalling. I am gobsmacked that it is allowed to continue as a children's show. The portrayal of women is more like something out of porn material and in my opinion definitely not suitable for children.

I have just complained to Ofcom about it. stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/specific-programme-epg

I would encourage other mums to do the same. In this country, the media are self-regulated, so the system relies on people complaining about TV shows in order for them to do anything about it.