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Reality shows and sob stuff

(10 Posts)
nanna8 Wed 23-Aug-23 10:44:55

Why do these reality shows have to start off with the contestant background poor me and sob stories. It is really beginning to irritate me. Are we supposed to support them more because they have had a difficult time of it ? Most of them seem to have or at least reckon they have. They are obviously told to spout this stuff before they perform and sadly it has become just humdrum and expected. Some have horrendous stories to tell and it is almost as if they try to outdo one another. I really don’t think they should do this, if only for their own sakes and confidentiality. Unfortunately there will be some genuine hard luck stories but now it has just become hohum.

Salti Wed 23-Aug-23 11:16:00

I so agree. I stopped watching Britain's got talent because it just ended up being like that. A talent show should be ALL about the talent of the competitors and solely the talent. Some entrants are favoured from the start with film of their lives and more publicity. My other niggle, if the show is called Britain's got talent, the competitors should be British residents.

Smileless2012 Wed 23-Aug-23 11:18:55

I agree too. Contestants should be judged on their talent and not how hard their lives have been.

PinkCosmos Wed 23-Aug-23 11:40:08

I can't bear to watch any of these programmes. The hard luck stories have become very predicable.

I also dislike the heart to heart programmes about finding lost relatives etc. as the main objective of the host seems to be to make the relative cry. Also, the Piers Morgan (now Kate Garraway) type programmes with celebrities spilling their life stories. Always ends in tears! And no, I am not hard hearted but confess that I have not watched many of these programmes. It just seems so calculated and predictable.

I agree with Salti about it being 'Britain's got Talent' and therefore only British acts should be allowed to enter. Was the last winner from Eastern Europe? I also remember a puppet theatre winning a few years ago who I think were from Greece??

lixy Wed 23-Aug-23 11:43:17

With you all the way Pinkcosmos

Can't stand the 'gush' either so probably won't watch much of Strictly again this year.

I do like the Bake Off and the Professionals Bake Off where that is kept to a reasonable level.

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 23-Aug-23 11:46:29

I hate all the sob stories on The Repair Shop. I wish they would spend less time on the back stories and more on showing the experts at work.

Galaxy Wed 23-Aug-23 11:54:44

It's just manipulation those who design this sort of stuff dont care two hoots about the problems of the contestants. Look at how Big Brother treated very very vulnerable people.

Callistemon21 Wed 23-Aug-23 12:24:52

Germanshepherdsmum

I hate all the sob stories on The Repair Shop. I wish they would spend less time on the back stories and more on showing the experts at work.

Yes, it seems to be an essential part of the format.

Kate Garraway's interview with Anton du Beke was good, though, he was very matter-of-fact about his abusive father and looked as if, after all these years, he needed to tell the tale.
No gushing.

Calendargirl Wed 23-Aug-23 13:17:26

Strictly has to have “Granny and grandad who waltzed in the Tower Ballroom on their honeymoon 60 years ago, I want to do it for them”. 😭😭😭

Yes ok, but only if your dancing is good enough.

I want to see you and your dancing, not relatives sitting in their front room at home saying how wonderful you are.

Cynical, moi?

Mollygo Wed 23-Aug-23 13:23:10

Maybe there should be a “who’s got the best sob story competition running in the background to these shows. Votes would count positively or negatively towards the final score.