Is Gogglebox scripted?

I love that programme. Some of the people are so funny I think it's a good watch.

I think if a show features ordinary people or sports people (as opposed to actors or comedians who are used to improvising) and is slick and makes you laugh, then it's probably scripted and edited ruthlessly. Decades ago, we used to enjoy watching A Question of Sport. The team captains were Willie Carson and Bill Beaumont. They seemed very knowledgeable and often funny but as the team captains changed, over time, some of them were quite wooden in their delivery and one in particular would scratch his head, pause while mentally counting to three and then triumphantly deliver the right answer. I began to suspect that the questions and answers were known to the captains, at least, and that some were unable to act! I lost interest in that type of show because of it. I suppose I'm cynical and have a suspicious mind. ?

I adore Goggle Box and I think EllanVannin has missed the point?
It a broad spectrum of people, I would imagine Giles Brandeth, Mary Killan who writes for the spectator, Grayson Perry and clinical psychologist have masses between their ears!!!

Lucca

Grannygrumps1

It’s complete and utter trash.. I won’t give it the time of day.

??

Sorry that made me laugh it did sound a bit like “disgusted of Tunbridge Wells”.

be prepared to upset your neighbours if you do go on it my relative gives a countdown of what happens every saturday including the delivery of a portaloo on the drive <snort>

If anyone wants to be on it, here's the contact info:
www.studiolambert.com/take-part-gogglesprogs.html

honeyrose

I love watching Gogglebox, but I do wonder whether it is scripted or whether it’s the actual opinions of the families featured. I was watching it last night and obviously THE Interview with Harry and Meghan was featured. All of the families/couples seemed to think that Harry & Meghan were in the right and had a genuine axe to grind over their treatment by the Royals. Which lead me to wonder whether the families/couples were told to side with H&M. Not sure whether I’m being rather cynical, but I can’t help wondering. What do you think?

Some elements will be scripted. But all of it is heavily edited. It would be impossible to produce an interesting and compelling program to watch if it was all completely off the cuff.
There is no dubt that most of it is the words of the watchers, but getting the audio and clarity right first time is difficult so some repeating and cuts are inevitable.

Grannygrumps1

It’s complete and utter trash.. I won’t give it the time of day.

??

I just don't understand how anyone thinks this is scripted. There are numerous articles about how the recordings are made.
As for reactions - well the families are selected so why not pick people who are lively? Some in my own family give a running commentary which makes us laugh and tease them.

Regarding those who think everyone is uneducated (see above) ... clearly this must be from someone who doesn't watch.

I stopped watching because of all the f words.

Not everyone is 'bright', we all have our strengths and weaknesses, it's not univeristy challenge

Gogglebox is light entertainment using a cross section of people from society. Some will be highly educated, others won't. Anybody watching it will surely know that it is edited so we only see the most entertaining comments or those that appeal to the producers. It is the same with any news channel, drama, documentary, etc so we can hardly expect GoggleBox to be any different. For me, it isn't necessarily what people say, it is the faces they make when the other people make comments. Lee's face is quite often a picture and the same with the family who always have the plate of cakes. Giles can be hugely entertaining or completely OTT depending on the situation. Does Mary even like him? When the most jaw dropping comments are made by the less educated, it also reminds me of the way Jade Goody was made into a complete joke. It seems a little cruel. Sadly, it reflects the world as it is...you only have to read Facebook Groups to confirm it.

Lucca

Sparkling has not returned to expand on her “missed out on education “ comment.

I would have been interested to hear what Sparkling had to say but there isn’t much of a defence against saying the people who appear on it must have ‘missed out on schooling’ especially when you have only ‘dipped into it’.

It’s interesting that there are mixed views about Peter and Sophie, the brother and sister. I used to dislike them because IMO they played to the camera too much. However in recent series they have matured considerably I paid more attention to what they said rather than what they did and they have a genuine affection for each often, often saying how much they care for each other, on one occasion Sophie making Peter cry by saying how much she cared for him. They also both recently spoke about how much they admired their mother’s care for them, this was sparked off when watching a wild life programme with a mother defending her children, I forget which species. Peter is getting married soon and has chosen Sophie to be his ‘best woman’, there is more to being a rounded person than the amount of education you receive.

Oh yes...I watch it ! It is often better than the programmes offered on TV otherwise !! I think if it were 'over edited' the swear words would be cut out !! find it hilarious anyway .....although Mary and her husband get on my nerves .....especially the husband !

I think they film each family for a whole day, tell them what to watch, and edit it down from hours and hours of footage, so it’s ‘scripted reality’ in that sense, that they try to make us believe that they’re being filmed while watching the telly they’ve chosen to watch.

DD used to work with a couple who regularly appeared on the morning programme with audience participating. Forgotten the name but I think he used to be in politics. I didn’t see it as I was working and not keen.

Not exactly given a script but told what responses and questions were required. The producers maintained that they weren’t paid but they were given lots of “gifts”. Gifts they hinted at needing. TV, microwave, vcr machines etc. They were also put up, all expenses paid, in top class hotels.

They were a larger than life couple who were supposed to keep quiet about the set up, but couldn’t resist boasting to anyone who would listen. Ended up in the local newspaper. They were dropped and the show ended not long after.

Enjoyed Goggle box initially but the responses became very predictable and the participants wanted to follow Scarlet Moffat and the couple who owned a hotel, and become tv personalities . It all went pear shaped for me as they tried to outdo each other.

Perhaps, to avoid controversy or being accused of discrimination, the producers decided to only air positive comments. Mary and Maria weren't shown or the Mallones. Just a thought...

I love Gogglebox and I'm too interested what snacks that have put out lol. We all need a good laugh, the brother and sister help with that. Maybe they were told for the article about Haz & Meg( as they call each other....) they had to watch what they say.

I wouldn't watch Gogglebox if I was paid & certainly will never watch H & M. Awful behavior when Queen has her husband in hospital- have they no feelings for her at all?

I watch the show occasionally and find it to be light hearted
entertainment. There has been a bit of controversy around the making of episodes lately and several of the families have gone and it has been rumoured some were sacked.
I used to like the Moffat family when they were in it and the daughter Scarlet is now doing well for herself in other T.V. work I do quite like her and good for her she has got herself a T.V. career and is making money.

I used to love watching gogglebox but over the past couple of years its seems to have gone anti government with some very unkind items about boris Johnson and now they all seem to be against the royal family it sad its turned into the woke show

I love the programme and never miss it but I was as disturbed as you by their reaction, especially as I'm with Piers Morgan in believing that MM is an outragous LIAR.

Having said that, with a couple of exceptions, they are not the shiniest buttons in the box, are they?

I don't believe it is scripted but I believe that they are told which programmes to watch - which is why I turned it down when I was offered a place on it!

My guess is it is not actually scripted, but parts selected by an editorial team for screening - to ensure an interesting programme USUALLY. What went wrong with H&M topic - who knows.

The OP was speculating on whether TV producers influenced ordinary people to make certain observations which could be passed off as truth. Not exactly light hearted.

I think a discussion about fat-shaming is quite tame in comparison.

I love Gogglebox, in case anyone's interested

Why, oh why was this originally lighthearted post allowed to be reduced to a name-calling, lengthy discussion on weight. Completely off subject and unnecessary. Come on, lighten up, take certain subjects with a pinch of salt - life is too short.