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Is Gogglebox scripted?

(137 Posts)
honeyrose Sat 13-Mar-21 18:32:11

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?

vegansrock Sun 14-Mar-21 17:53:04

I’m sure they edit the programme to show them when they are eating. I don’t think it’s fat shaming to say it’s cringey to always show them eating . It’s not shaming them unless they are personally offended by always being shown eating which they don’t seem to be. I apologise to anyone who feels offended by my feeling that’s it’s cringey to always show someone eating whether large or not, plus if describing them as large is offensive.

FannyCornforth Sun 14-Mar-21 18:05:14

Vegansrock I think that I understand what you are saying.
Of course anyone who appears on this sort of show is vulnerable to being massively manipulated.
I don't know about fatshaming, but your post demonstrated bigotry towards fat people one way or another.

vegansrock Sun 14-Mar-21 18:37:37

I honestly have no bigotry towards fat people. I love some fat people. I did not call anyone fat. How would you describe someone’s appearance who is not exactly svelte? Or are we not allowed to mention size without being accused of bigotry?

NellG Sun 14-Mar-21 18:47:31

vegansrock I'm sorry to have caused you upset over this, and it's clear you had no intention of causing offence, but basically there's no need to refer to anyone's appearance at all really, including their size. Mainly because it's not anyone else's place to. I'm sure those 'fat' people love you too - but possibly they don't filter that love through your appearance? Can you not simply love them without noticing their size? In answer to how I would describe someone who 'is not exactly svelte' I'd just use their name. Just as I would use yours. I hope that helps clarify my earlier comments.

Lucca Sun 14-Mar-21 18:48:23

lemongrove

I love Gogglebox, especially the brother and sister, they are genuinely funny and have a good relationship.
I don’t think it’s scripted, just as other say, heavily edited to make the best viewing ( as with all those type of programmes.)

So odd, they are my least favourite!! I like the siddiqis and Jenny and Lee.

lemongrove Sun 14-Mar-21 19:43:20

Why is it odd Lucca? we aren’t identical twins.
I like the Siddiqis and Jenny, but the brother/sister ( who’s names I can’t remember) are typical siblings, trying to get one up on each other but with real affection.

FannyCornforth Sun 14-Mar-21 19:52:31

NellG

vegansrock I'm sorry to have caused you upset over this, and it's clear you had no intention of causing offence, but basically there's no need to refer to anyone's appearance at all really, including their size. Mainly because it's not anyone else's place to. I'm sure those 'fat' people love you too - but possibly they don't filter that love through your appearance? Can you not simply love them without noticing their size? In answer to how I would describe someone who 'is not exactly svelte' I'd just use their name. Just as I would use yours. I hope that helps clarify my earlier comments.

I'm fat. And I also happen to be very attractive
'Fat is a Feminist Issue'
Remember that?
No. Thought not

Alegrias1 Sun 14-Mar-21 20:17:09

Great post NellG. And Fanny .

vegansrock Sun 14-Mar-21 20:17:57

Ok so don’t know the names of the people I was describing. I called them “large” , some people say this is bigotry. I am sorry if you think that, I don’t. I am skinny I would not object to anyone describing me as such, should they not know my name. I would not call them bigots.

Alegrias1 Sun 14-Mar-21 20:28:32

Not only did you call them large, you wrote that watching them eat made you cringe. You have clarified that you think the producers showing them always eating is what makes you cringe, but surely you are aware that what you wrote is being interpreted as meaning that seeing large people eat makes you cringe?

Are we going to have a discussion like the "what is racism" one?

NellG Sun 14-Mar-21 20:58:30

You felt the need to disparage women regarding their size and eating habits and you didn't even register their names? And you're sorry I think it's bigoted?

OK, if you say so and it makes you feel better. However, I am not sorry I think that.

NellG Sun 14-Mar-21 21:05:53

Fanny did I imply something that annoyed you? I'm assuming your response was to my post that you quoted.

Lucca Sun 14-Mar-21 21:50:42

lemongrove

Why is it odd Lucca? we aren’t identical twins.
I like the Siddiqis and Jenny, but the brother/sister ( who’s names I can’t remember) are typical siblings, trying to get one up on each other but with real affection.

Indeed we are not.
I phrased my comment badly, but I’m sure you knew what I meant.

Aveline Sun 14-Mar-21 22:01:03

The two sisters mentioned above are very entertaining. However, a feature seems to be made of them always eating. I'm sure it's edited to highlight that though. However, to me, as a regular long term viewer, it's very obvious that one of them has put on a large amount of weight.

NellG Sun 14-Mar-21 23:10:50

And that is important how Aveline? Or is it felt that if more than one person talks about someone's size it miraculously makes it less wrong to do so?

vegansrock Mon 15-Mar-21 05:46:57

Is it wrong to talk about someone’s size? Or are some people hyper sensitive about size issues? The ladies in question are lovely and they talk about their size a lot. They don’t appear to be ashamed of it. And the show seems to always show them eating . FACT. We know it must be edited to show that. Why is mentioning their size suddenly wrong?

vegansrock Mon 15-Mar-21 05:48:52

I am not implying they should be ashamed of their size - they shouldn’t - if they are happy with it - fine. In no way was I “fat shaming “ them - they are unlikely to be reading this thread, so why would I be.

Alegrias1 Mon 15-Mar-21 09:16:03

vegansrock.

Is it wrong to talk about someone’s size? - Yes

Or are some people hyper sensitive about size issues? - No

Why is mentioning their size suddenly wrong? - because its completely irrelevant. Not sudden, it's been years, really.

In no way was I “fat shaming “ them - they are unlikely to be reading this thread, so why would I be. - Is it OK then if they don't see it? The person(s) you are talking about don't have to be present in order for you to single them out and define them via physical characteristic. Other people who maybe share that characteristic might think that you think watching them eat is cringeworthy.

trisher Mon 15-Mar-21 09:27:23

I like Gogglebox and of course it's heavily edited. I don't think it is scripted but I do think that some of the long serving people now put in little bits they think will be funny, and often they're not. Don't like the brother and sister. Like the caravan pair and the Siddiquis.

vegansrock Mon 15-Mar-21 09:36:20

alegrias you have assumed to be the prime authority on what language is acceptable about people we can all do that.
E.g. ^is it wrong to talk about someone’s size - no
Are some people hypersensitive about size issues - yes
Why is mentioning size issues wrong - it’s not if you need to describe them
Can people be fat shamed? Only if they ashamed of being fat. If they are happy with it all well and good.

honeyrose Mon 15-Mar-21 09:36:47

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I agree - highly edited. I do still wonder whether there was some sort of political agenda for them to all APPEAR to support Meghan & Harry, when much of the press has definitely not supported them. .

Alegrias1 Mon 15-Mar-21 09:46:21

vegansrock

alegrias you have assumed to be the prime authority on what language is acceptable about people we can all do that.
E.g. ^is it wrong to talk about someone’s size - no
Are some people hypersensitive about size issues - yes
Why is mentioning size issues wrong - it’s not if you need to describe them
Can people be fat shamed? Only if they ashamed of being fat. If they are happy with it all well and good.

No, just aware how language and attitude can affect people's well-being and how an off-hand remark can impact how they feel about themselves and possibly lead to eating disorders. That's all.

I respectfully suggest you take up Fanny's suggestion and read Fat is a Feminist Issue if you really don't understand how unacceptable all the things you have said are.

NellG Mon 15-Mar-21 09:54:23

vegansrock You are dying on the hill of defending a right to be rude, judgmental and insensitive toward other people's appearance and eating habits. It's no way to go.

Aveline Mon 15-Mar-21 10:02:25

vegansrock- the thread police have spoken! Obviously, there is only one acceptable way to perceive people.
As a larger lady myself I have no problems with people actually noticing me!

NellG Mon 15-Mar-21 10:14:34

Yes, there is only one acceptable way to perceive people - as another human being worthy of dignity and respect. Until they pull some wild flanker that sets the bar low enough not to - like believing it's OK to denigrate others based on their skin colour, size, religion, age, sex etc etc.

Even then it's possible to argue with their ideas without resorting to insulting how they look or giving away the fact that people can't cope with differences of opinion on - wait for it - a discussion forum!