Child Genius 2016

Sounded hideous, haven't watched it and have no desire to. I imagine it's a platform for smug, sharp elbowed parents who live vicarious lives through their offspring.

Don't blame the children. It is not their fault if they are obnoxious. Their parents brought them up to be so.

I just have to watch it. I know it's wrong it is a horrible programme and totally unacceptable. The parents are dreadful and the children unbelievable, but I still watch. And now its got Richard Osman, who was obviously gob-smacked by Mog's comment about sarcasm.

I wonder why adults put themselves into tv programmes which are edited to show them in the worst possible light, as this one is. And as for including your children.....that is beyond reason. I know it is wrong but having started to watch it,I will probably carry on to the end as I am curious to know how the little Pog person gets on.

I am in complete agreement with your last paragraph M0nica. I didn't watch it, really couldn't put myself through it. The sort of pushy parents that make these programmes possible just make me so angry.

I cannot even bring myself to turn it on. I have worked with exceptional bright children and all of the parents I worked with would emigrate rather than allow their children to appear on a programme like this.

I find the whole idea of programmes where parents pride themselves on turning their children into performing seals, whether for their intellect, talents or looks, quite repugnant.

Didn't watch it as the trailers were enough to put me off.

Definitely scraping the bittom of the barrel

I don't think children should be exposed to this sort of ultra-competitiveness and I think it's a horrible programme.

I had to switch over, it was gut wrenching to see the second boy get no points and the look of disappointment on his face . Why would you put your children through this even if they were bright ? The French Mother had second thoughts only because she didn`t want to be further humiliated and not because she was concerned for her son it seemed . Talk about living your life through your kids !

Yes, the very confident and rather opinionated Mog entered himself rather than being pushed into it by an over-invested parent. That does make a difference. Ther was a girl in a previous CG who did well, she'd done the same, her academic mother wasn't very keen at all. The girl seemed very relaxed about it all.
The French mother clearly had second thoughts and, I thought, had a lovely relationship with her son.
Interesting to see Curtis back as the older brother of Sophia, I remember him well from his appearance a couple of years ago, playing a grand piano. Is there anything those two can't do?? Did I really hear that their mother is their manager?? Impressive skating, I guess!

Agree, but then there is Mog who entered himself for the competition and seems to be enjoying it.

And people complain about little darlings doing SATs !!! they looked haunted

I missed that and can't say I'm sorry. I saw it last year and found some of the parents quite chilling. Isn't it enough that their children are obviously bright enough to succeed academically? Why put them through this competitive ordeal?

Cringing! Poor kids! This is all about the parents, isn't it?

You beat me to it; horrified...

You and me both! Where has their childhood gone?? This to me is an exercise in 'oneupmanship' for the parents. Like you we are watching in horrified fascination!