Get me out of here

A hugely popular form of mass entertainment in ancient Rome was watching gladiators slug it out with each other employing weapons with which they were the most skilled in using. The programme is just a more refined version of that.

We watch the contestants, with horrified fascination, because we all share a fear of misadventure... we want to see how they cope - it's possibly a way of facing our own fears and insecurities. Part of the 'human condition'.

And I believe the programmers have tapped into the human psyche and know that they're on a winner. That's why the programme is so popular, and will continue to be a popular form of mass entertainment. Because we are all fascinated and at the same time repelled by horror.

Never watch this. Life is too short.

Aveline

It is presented as an entertainment, the contestants are all entertainers of one sort or another so should be expecting to be paid. Has someone said they shouldn't be?
They're not forced to enter. It's a job!

...the contestants are all entertainers of one sort or another so should be expecting to be paid. Has someone said they shouldn't be?

Well they've certainly implied it! A couple of comments down from yours... "Just a way of a load of has-beens to make more money."

Regardless of what one thinks of the programme - I don't know why it should be viewed as somehow immoral to want to "make more money" - and if some of the contestants are "has-beens", all the more reason to make more money ... the entertainment industry is hardly a safe and reliable career choice economically - the public are fickle, you can be hot-news one year, and out of favour the next!

Dianehillbilly1957

Hate it, can't abide it.. Just a way of a load of has-beens to make more money and revitalise their popularity!!! Twits!!

Kadeena Cox, MBE, four times Olympic gold medallist and one of the shining lights of the recent Tokyo Paralympic Games, is a has-been and a twit, is she?

Well I watch it so I must be brain dead, how terribly rude some people are. Feel free to express your dislike but its not necessary to insult and probably upset people who enjoy it for whatever reason.
I watch because I’m alone and my Winter evenings are very depressing and lonely, I’m a Celebrity gives me something light and funny to look forward to in my dark evenings, that probably sounds pathetic to the ‘higher beings’ who have disparaged my choice of viewing but walk in my shoes and be less judgemental please.

Well Jannicans , There must be an awful lot of brain dead people that are tuning in to celebrity! While there are a few reality programmes I’m not a fan of, I wouldn’t call anyone brain dead for watching them, you need to lighten up a bit!

Love it, look forward to it every year, and more so with David Ginola appearing!

How does revitalising your popularity and whilst earning a shed load of money make someone a twit ?

Hate it, can't abide it.. Just a way of a load of has-beens to make more money and revitalise their popularity!!! Twits!!

Jannicans what an insulting attitude you have to the many posters who have said they watch this, nasty!

Can't even consider watching any reality twaddle, these shows are only for the brain dead. Is there no one capable of producing some entertaining television shows.

It is presented as an entertainment, the contestants are all entertainers of one sort or another so should be expecting to be paid. Has someone said they shouldn't be?
They're not forced to enter. It's a job!

Aveline

It's the cameraderie and relationships that develop in the setting of the shared discomforts. It's like a psychological experiment. It's just as well they choose to be there, are well paid and go into it with their eyes wide open.
No need to watch it if you think it's so awful. Move on to another thread. There's plenty of other things to discuss.

...No need to watch it if you think it's so awful. Move on to another thread....

But the OP did ask "what do other people think"? Which means anyone can have an opinion on the programme, negative or not.

My subjective opinion is that it's dumbed-down entertainment. But, what I don't understand is why the contestants are condemned for making money out of it. One way or another, we all make or earn money, so I can't see a reason why that should be an issue.

Why the need to be offensive ?

1. Anywhere but a castle in Wales.

2. The mentality of so-called human beings .

I hate it but my DH watches it so I can't help but catch bits of it. Am I the only one who feels dreadfully sorry for the animals involved in the trials? What snake enjoys being stuffed in a helmet? The thousands of insects that are thrown around, squashed or eaten alive are treated awfully.
For the first time ever I quite enjoyed it last year because a couple of the contestants were excellent singers and provided quality entertainment. I left the room during the trials.

It's the cameraderie and relationships that develop in the setting of the shared discomforts. It's like a psychological experiment. It's just as well they choose to be there, are well paid and go into it with their eyes wide open.
No need to watch it if you think it's so awful. Move on to another thread. There's plenty of other things to discuss.

One of the TV highlights of the year in my opinion. David Ginola and Louise Minchin are my favourites. We all need a laugh these days.

I watch it, OH loves it, but some of you GN's are seriously intolerant and rude about people who watch it, luckily everyone's got different tastes, or it would be a boring world. Also, why the contestants should be criticised for doing a job, for money?

Panem et circenses.

Miss Adventure
MAFSA is Married at First Sight Australia - it's dire!

I love it - watch it every year. I think it’s harmless fun. I’d rather watch that, than Boris’ ‘peppy pig ‘ speech

Not for me but many people love it.

DanniRae

I like watching it but I was disgusted by Richard Madeley's term for finding the whereabouts of the toilet! If he carries on like that I will be turning it off.

I missed that comment from Richard. I like him, always interesting. Likewise David Ginola, so calm and composed and Louise seems kind and cheerful. Holding back on the young ones until I’ve seen more of them but they do seem to over react to everything which is tiresome.
Arlene just looks ill, her face looks a bit green.

Never have understood the mentality of so called human beings who take pleasure in other peoples' difficulties such as eating outrageous items or dealing with extreme challenges. I regard it as a kind of sadism. Strangely enough some past participants have described it as a wonderful experience. I believe it pays attractively but many indulgers can't be short of a bob or two so further confusion for me. To be fair, I've never watched it from beginning to end. Just see the sensational and more grotesque clips on news or daily report sections. Certainly not for me. I think I find it a sad concept.

Each to their own, surely? I’d never watched it until last year when I was sleeping (badly) in a chair downstairs because of a broken shoulder. I watched it in the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep, skipping the adverts and any eating challenges, and it was just the sort of escapism I needed. I was surprised by the cameraderie amongst the contestants and pleased when two very likeable people I’d never heard of until then (Jordan North and Giovanna Fletcher) were the last ones standing.

I might have a look at this year’s now. I’ll have to get over my dislike of Richard Madeley though….