Shame on Britain's Got Talent

[TallulahToo]

Before I go off and get seriously stroppy with the programme makers.... Is it just me or anyone else think the same?

I just watched the new Britain's Got Talent. Thought they were trying too hard to sensationalise every little thing but then the shock came.

A guy auditioned who said that he was there "...to entertain myself." Not blessed with the best of singing voices it suddenly struck me that his behaviour and way of communicating was strikingly similar to the way my own 7yr old ASD son is, (he also likes to perform whether invited to or not). Does anyone else feel uncomfortable been fed this as entertainment, happily served up by the judges, without (apparently) a thought that this guy may have a autistic spectrum handicap or other disability that we were expected to find entertaining?

It's a difficult one.

I refused to watch last years Big Brother, as I belived the previous years paricipants included people with mental health problems, and IMO, oggling them was just wrong.

I answered this in sn.

i totally agree TT, i was disgusted and i have no reason to be sensitive about SN. I thought it totally out of order and felt sorry for the guy, despite not wanting to, if you know what i mean. Its not the first time i have felt like this, it has been obvious in the past that some of the people have had problems, why they are paraded like a freak show is beyond me. I despair of the Television these days. I hardly watch it anymore.

Also, whilst it is clearly much worse if this person did have some sort of special needs issues, he clearly shouldnt have been made a spectacle of. We voted with our remote control.

I saw it and did not realise that this guy was SN just a terrible singing voice and in for the entertainment value. Are you sure he want in on it for the 15 mins of fame? I think you are being over sensitive.

Sorry was not in on it.

Maybe he was maybe he wasn't, but there are plenty of people out there with social issues, communication issues SN and people who are simply not that bright. Is it right to make a spectacle of them, laughing AT them not with them? Its bringing the playground into my living room - no thankyou.

i didnt think he came across as having SN (i know a fair few people on various bits of the spectrum), and i did like him

ik thought htat abotu him too

Thanks everyone. Think I've calmed down a bit now but won't be watching any more Simon Cowell money spinners from now on.

I posted the same message on MN under the Special Needs Parenting section and got some responses there too.

This raised one more question though. My DS is 7 and wants to take part in the school (mainstream school) version of Stars in Their Eyes. He's clearly ASD and although I'm fairly sure the kids in school would not laugh AT him I am worried about the reaction of some of the other parents who will be paying to see it. Maybe they'll be like the license paying viewers of last night.

Maybe this is why I was so shocked by last nights TV and I feel for the family. Do I let my own son do it?

lucyellensmum That was exactly how I felt too. There was definitely a smack of playground victim about this but worse it was served as entertainment AND some people made money from it.

Misdee Yes he was quite sweet and harmless. Bless. BUT I really don't find it entertaining to laugh AT somebody who wasn't even able to answer the basic introductory questions. What does this say about us if we enjoy it?

lucyellensmum That was exactly how I felt too. There was definitely a smack of playground victim about this but worse it was served as entertainment AND some people made money from it.

Misdee Yes he was quite sweet and harmless. Bless. BUT I really don't find it entertaining to laugh AT somebody who wasn't even able to answer the basic introductory questions. What does this say about us if we enjoy it?

Sometimes I cringe watching these things but I always think that no one makes these people go on. Surely the persons family/carers/friends etc would advise against it if they thought that performing was not in the best interest of the person??

He was an adult. Parents, carers or whoever cannot stop him doing what he wants. Having a disability would not make a person lose their freedom. And I know it's an assumption that he has a disability. SORRY.... off on my high horse again . It's not about him entering the competition - freedom and equality and all that - It's about how this was used and served up as entertainment and how they allowed the mob, sorry, audience to go on laughing AT him for so long. Why not just press all three buzzers and help get him out of there? It's not even a point on disability, it's a point on prolonged humiliation of another person who was apparently unable to cope in the situation.