Idea for new parenting advice TV show based on Mumsnet Talk - your thoughts/input needed

[JustineMumsnet]

You may have clocked a wee announcement last week that Channel 4 are interested in making a TV show featuring real mums sharing their best support and advice to others in need of it, a sort of TV version of Mumsnet Talk. We have been approached by the production company - Studio Lambert - to work together to come up with a pilot for the show.

If it's commissioned it's likely to be 6-8 programmes of 1 hour length (48 mins without the ads). The (very rough) idea is to have 4 or so featured families per show, each with a specific parenting problem and a range of mums who've been there and done that or just have some insight, giving their help, support and advice in an attempt to help them through the problem, a la Mumsnet.

We're at a very early stage but we wanted to ask for any thoughts about format, participation, whether/how you'd like to be approached - a panel, a sticky thread? - what you think the pitfalls are, what the opportunities are, what subject matter you'd like to see covered and indeed anything else that springs to mind on the subject.

Many thanks in advance for your input.

hmm not sure, it's going ahead already though isn't it

I think it would work if you filmed each episode straight after a meet up.

It would probablyneed to go out quite late.

especially if BOF brings her iphone

it would be good to do as a trade secrets sort of programme, but that was only on 10 mins

Squeaver that thing was called "Houseparty". It was grim. They even had a nun at one point I remember, to do the moral bits.

Corny- no. Just no

Clip of Houseparty on here if you scroll down a bit
Gripping stuff.

I remember the original mumsnet TV show - 'Mums the word' - 6 years ago? That was visiting families with specific issues and sharing advice from mumsnet - anyone else remember it?

Thanks Katisha. Grim.

On a boring note, I am really not sure about this at all,
the main thing that MN has taught me about parenting is that everyone does it differently and you have to find your own way.

I think that if there is a way of getting that over and that there are very few "rules" of parenting aside from feed them clothe them love them.

mn did once have a programme didn't it on living i think, years ago - that was quite good

They could do it like a short party political...

A bunch of women, one or two crying, one in the corner a bit pissed, all saying
" just do your best. It's tough, you will make mistakes but you're only human"
Then they could be a brief q&a about bum sex and a short boden catwalk.

pagwatch - i'd watch that too, would suit my short attention span a treat

suits me too

Hmmm.

I would only watch out of sheer nosiness about my fellow mumsnetters.

And then I think the people I mainly chat to on here would have no interest in putting themselves on tv.

So I'd probably stop watching after a week or two.

I am happy to offer advice or, more accurately, my experiences to anyone if I think they might help. Just not on tv.

In my head I can hear 'Points of View' style voices reading out comments from threads I agree with other posters that the anonymity of MN makes it easier for posters to put their real views across. Will be harder on TV if posters are identified, not sure the humour and honesty will translate.

Would like to see all ages and stages covered in any series though, and with teenage parenting and SEN parenting covered, not just focussing on baby and toddlerhood. Also, looking at how becoming a parent changes your relationships, attitudes and lifestyle - working/SAH etc. It would also be great not to just focus on 'problems' but also the really good bits and how to get more of that into family life.

tv show sounds cringeworthy imho. Sorry Justine

People are still trying to find ways to translate successful websites into tv or radio...It's very difficult and I'm not sure it can be done actually, not without losing a lot of the point and way of working of a web forum, as many have pointed out on here.

Anonymity is a powerful thing - can't have it on telly.

If you are going to do it, please make it good, i.e. witty and intelligent. There is a big gap between how MN is perceived by outsiders (dull middle class harpies) and what it is actually like (funny, moving and interesting).

If you can get across the idea that people have different experiences of pregnancy, birth, feeding, sleeping, discipline, working etc. and it mostly turns out ok, that would be a bonus. Before you have children, most parenting shows do give you the idea there is a one right way to do everything. If you do XYZ, you get a happy family.

You need to mix up things people find it hard to talk about like pregnancy loss, pnd, sn with the idea that people do cope with the shitty parts. That is something I have learnt from being on here.

The strength of mn is that everything is covered here, for as long as you want, at any time of the day you are free. That is not what a tv show is.

Maybe something like John Peel's old radio 4 show - Home Truths? Frivolous alongside the tragic. I actually think it might work better as a radio show.

Although I do love those tv programs that give me an opportunity to judge nosey at other people's lives .

Home Truths? Good thinking, Alb

Sounds an awful idea - would probably kill MN off cos of associated "naffness" too.

Pag - I think that would be a lot more honest, really.

oooh allusions of the borg that is MN would be shattered for me....

....i don't want to see 'real' people.

If that makes sense.