Dragons’ Den and bad taste investment

Alishka I thought the splash of wine was good too. I would buy it.

The work being done on the Mary Rose skeletons is very interesting too, showing the different nationalities that were aboard and their state of health.

I've watched some of the celebrity autopsy programmes and they've been very interesting too. The actual causes of death are usually more complicated than the tabloid headlines suggest. It was interesting to see what a tiny injury it was that caused Diana's death and easy it was to miss it in the aftermath of the accident. Also of course how obvious it was that wearing a seat belt would have avoided it.

Alishka - I did watch with interest the discovery of Richard 3rd.
I’ve no objection to genuine archaeological excavations but am uneasy over recent disturbances of burial sites that are quite new, as they’ve done with HS something or other.
I just don’t like someone disabled, who was cruelly and ill used in their lifetime, being exploited even after death. I think some doors should be left closed.
But I can understand the alternative views expressed here and am grateful for them. Food for thought !

Yes. Very clever. Also loved History Cold Cases where Prof Sue Black and colleagues traced origins of a skeleton, often identified cause of death and reconstructed the face. All done very respectfully. Sue Black is world renowned and has assisted in identifying bodies from mass war graves. A clever and compassionate lady.

Germanshepherdsmum

Out of interest Infinity2, do you ever watch archaeological programmes, which often feature the finding of ancient burial grounds? I enjoy them, especially if bones are examined to find out more about our ancestors’ lives, though have to admit to being sorry that graves have been disturbed and don’t agree with skeletons being kept in boxes in museums rather than decently re-interred so I guess I’m something of a hypocrite.

Did you see the reconstruction of Richard III whose bones were found under a Nottingham car park? From the skeleton it was able to deduce his physical deformities and flesh him out.

25Avalon

Dragon’s Den don’t always get it right. Often they don’t invest in businesses which then go on to huge success. They turned down the chap with no plastic chewing gum the other week. His business has now expanded into Waitrose and is increasing.

They missed the boat on the childrens Trunki, too - used to see them everywhere at airports.

Recently, I think they missed the boat on Just a Splash - pouches of wines for cooking. From their millionaire view, no-one would pay that much - scaled up to the price of a bottle (can't remember how much, but certainly not affordable for me to buy) when all you want is a 'splash' of port, etc. in a dish.

25Avalon - I saw the programme about the chewing gum pitch. I thought it was a brilliant idea and will definitely buy it if I ever see it.

I remember a follow up Dragon’s Den programme, well over a year ago. It featured a company that did entertainment evenings based on Murder Mystery nights but it involved a live autopsy. It even went through to a mock court trial. They were making a huge amount of money. I don’t know if it’s the same company doing the TV programme.

Whilst I love problem solving and forensic story lines (Tv, films and books) the live show with an autopsy doesn’t, particularly as in the OP thread.

Apparently the reconstruction autopsy involved animal parts.

Dragon’s Den don’t always get it right. Often they don’t invest in businesses which then go on to huge success. They turned down the chap with no plastic chewing gum the other week. His business has now expanded into Waitrose and is increasing.

Well said germanshepherdsmum - I completely agree with you.

This ‘show’ is being put on by the company in which two of the Dragons invested. The way it’s being promoted puts Joseph Merrick back into the freak show environment he resorted to in order to survive. I’m appalled that the Dragons have invested in a company which I see also advertises similar events with post mortems (though I can’t imagine they could be actual post mortems) and promises ‘live dissection’. It’s appalling that these ‘entertainments’ can take place in the 21st century and that anyone would actually want to watch them. I don’t watch Dragons Den but can’t imagine why anyone would think this is a suitable investment opportunity, though I don’t know what idea was ‘sold’ to them and as they are not directors of the company I don’t know what control the Dragons have over what the company does without seeing the investment documentation. Nevertheless, they are in it for the profits and until proven otherwise their names are tarnished by the use their money is being put to. I hope the company fails to sell many tickets and decides to abandon such distasteful practices.

Alegrias - I hadn’t seen that advert. It’s horrid. They’ll be bringing back capital punishment next and selling tickets for it. ?

That’s disgraceful Alegrias. Very tasteless.

I avoid programmes like this like the plague so I won’t be watching. If people want to watch, however, I don’t have a problem with that.

Well this is weird.

www.dinneranddissection.co.uk/

(There's nothing offensive or gruesome in the link, if you're worried about it, except maybe the concept )

I liked Time Team too but always wished Phil would get a hair cut! Very knowledgeable man though. Very interesting programme but they were always finding the interesting stuff just as time was running out! Don’t know about intellectual tastes, probably too ghoulish but can never watch this sort of thing when eating! I’m not squeamish but it’s just a step too far. Sometimes wonder how pathologists and the like can still eat!?

If it is done with respect and from a point of education and information rather than of titillation then I have no problem with it, and would likely watch such a programme. On a slightly different, but relevant note, it was through watching a programme like this that I learned an interesting supposition, possible fact about Goliath of David and Goliath fame. It is thought he had a tumour on his pituitary gland which not only caused his extreme height ( giant), but also caused tunnel vision which may have caused him to simply not see the stone coming his way from David.

I used to watch Time Team which I liked. You’re obviously a smart cookie with intellectual tastes ! I see your point about the educational aspects of these things though ?

Out of interest Infinity2, do you ever watch archaeological programmes, which often feature the finding of ancient burial grounds? I enjoy them, especially if bones are examined to find out more about our ancestors’ lives, though have to admit to being sorry that graves have been disturbed and don’t agree with skeletons being kept in boxes in museums rather than decently re-interred so I guess I’m something of a hypocrite.

Infinity2

You’re absolutely right greenlady102 - that’s one thing I’m certain of. Just reading the daily paper is enough to keep me awake at night with worry let alone watching all this gruesome stuff ?

yeah I am careful with that as well. I keep up with the healines and read more if necessary but I do guard my mental health

You’re absolutely right greenlady102 - that’s one thing I’m certain of. Just reading the daily paper is enough to keep me awake at night with worry let alone watching all this gruesome stuff ?

I think if you don't like it don't watch it

According to today’s Metro, the company they invested in that are making this horror show is called ITAE.
I’ve never heard of it I presume it’s a production company of some kind.

I’ve never heard of this, or any similar programs. What is the company called?

I haven’t seen one of the ‘autopsy on famous figures’ programmes that you refer to. I have seen programmes in which experts discuss for instance the reason for George III’s ‘madness’ and whether Henry VIII suffered from a condition which caused his wives’ miscarriages and the failure of any child of Catherine of Aragon other than the first to survive infancy. They are interesting and educational and do not involve an autopsy.
I have no knowledge of the programme about the ‘Elephant Man’, Joseph Merrick. So far as I know the condition he suffered from has not been identified. The proposed tv programme may shed further light on the matter and one can only hope it is done in a respectful manner; I imagine the replica skeleton would be inspected rather than dissected.
What is sad is that although Merrick was a devout Christian, his actual skeleton remains at the Royal London albeit not on public display as the replica one is. Apparently his soft tissue was given a Christian burial but I think it’s a great pity his bones were not. At least, unlike the vast majority of his generation, he is still remembered and probably viewed with greater sympathy than most of his peers afforded him. If I see the programme advertised I shall watch it out of genuine interest.