Is Gogglebox scripted?

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.

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?

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.

Great post NellG. And Fanny .

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

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.

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.

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 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?

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.

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.

vegansrock I'm not personally offended, but yes, pointing out that large people make you cringe when they're eating is fat shaming.

I am fairly be to GB and I find it genuinely hilarious and valid. Their views seem their own. Never crossed my mind that they mine scripted. Edited of course but not scripted. I was surprised that the views of that interview were pretty unanimous though.

Sparkling

I have dipped into Gogglebox but cannot understand how anyone could be interested in what those families have to say, where on earth do they get them? Most of them must have missed any schooling and tomthink they are paid for it.

EllanVannin

No idea, but they haven't got much between their ears. I don't watch it.

I do hope Sparkling and EllanVannin have now read the comments made by others about Gogglebox contributors.

I particular like Giles and Mary. He writes some brilliant articles for The Oldie. Siddiqui family are also my favourites.

I don’t care if they’re scripted, anything that makes us laugh, to the point of me snorting, gets my vote at the moment and ‘vegansrock’ no offence taken here.

Vegansrock I think that it's more the fact that you said that it makes you cringe when you see them eating.

Is it fat shaming to describe someone as “ large”? Apologies to anyone this offends.

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.)

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

Sparkling

I have dipped into Gogglebox but cannot understand how anyone could be interested in what those families have to say, where on earth do they get them? Most of them must have missed any schooling and tomthink they are paid for it.

In my previous post I referred to the Siddiqui family, usually a father and two sons. One of the sons works in a laboratory and the other is a teacher. I don’t know what their father does, I think he works for the NHS and I read he is a local councillor in Derby where they live. They make most intelligent and witty comments arising from the programmes they are given to watch. I don’t think Giles and Mary missed out on any education either, Giles is an artist and Mary is an author and also has a column in The Spectator. There are two Muslim sisters, one of them recently completed her degree and got a first. June and Leon who appeared regularly until Leon passed away were both teachers and two men who appear occasionally went to Oxford or Cambridge, I forget which. I am interested to hear about what they all have to say, how they interact with each other and their comments and reactions often amuse me very much. The show has been running for some years now so a lot of other people obviously like it too.

I used to really like Gogglebox in ‘the old days’ but must admit I don’t often watch now for the very reason that I find it hard to believe it’s not scripted or highly edited which takes all the fun away for me I think Jenny and Lee are the main ones that come across as very real plus the Siddiques
Giles seems to be too eccentric to be true, the brother and sister put my teeth on edge, the rest of the newer folk don’t grab me at all

Steph and Dom, who appeared in the earlier episodes, always said it's heavily edited and so do Mary and Giles in their book, 'Diary of Two Nobodies.'

I love it!

I read somewhere that they are expected to keep talking throughout the programmes they are watching so that the best bits are edited in later.

I’d love to show them how my husband gets up and stands in front of the telly to help take a try when watching rugby. ???

vegansrock

I like GB, a good cross section of the population. There aren’t any I actively dislike, although it makes me slightly cringe seeing those large ladies constantly eating.

I believe that's known as fat shaming.

I don't watch it because I can't see the point of watching a TV programme watching people watching TV!