No phone vote for Oliver
With the BBC declaring that it would it would be too stressful for the child performers to be voted off; you cannot help but think the producers have someone in mind for the role already. This way, none of the plans can be scuppered. Ok, so Nancy gets picked by viewers at home. But the boy who plays Oliver is going to be like a ‘Liam’ from Billy Elliot, in terms of box office.
So, is this a cynical ploy to make us ask for more? Or, is this in the best interests of the children? Well, presumably - any child who auditioned would have had it explained that this was a reality television show; therefore, they expect the flack. What’s more, think of how the viewing figures would go through the roof if ‘pushy parents’ were sat sobbing or arguing each time their ‘mini me’ got voted off or criticised?!! Not only that, which is more damaging - being voted off by judges or the public?
It always makes me smile when the producers of a reality show suddenly develop a conscience. The contestants know what they are letting themselves in for, as do the parents and the viewers. I say, bring on the ankle biters and let the public decide!
March 14th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Personally, I think it’s a sensible idea and it’s just not on to expose younger and younger people to the fickle nature of a prime-time audience.
Having said that, I’m not sure that the idea of finding both Nancy and Oliver in the same series will work… wouldn’t they have been better chosing a show where they could have concentrated on finding 1 lead?
March 17th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
“Well, presumably - any child who auditioned would have had it explained that this was a reality television show; therefore, they expect the flack. What’s more, think of how the viewing figures would go through the roof if ‘pushy parents’ were sat sobbing or arguing each time their ‘mini me’ got voted off or criticised?!! Not only that, which is more damaging - being voted off by judges or the public?”
Do you seriously believe that kids would take to being judged on national TV the same way that adults can? Having the public vote off young children would be in the worse possible taste, even by reality TV standards. Knowing that each week, regardless of the public vote, one little kid will be made to cry on national TV because the public liked the least….I think the idea would be seriously unpopular and turn people’s stomach. This isn’t some the producers developing a conscience. This is the producers knowing bad PR when they see it.
It’s a no brainer which is worse: to have the public tell you you suck and know that once you walk out the door, people will know you as the kid that got told on national TV that you were the least favorite, or to have a judge, presumably one can phrase the rejection and be discrete about the entire thing tell you you are being let go. The latter offers far more discretion and control than the former. I can’t imagine anyone thinking it’s a good idea to purposely expose a child to the public ridicule when there isn’t a need.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
The same people who watch children audition for X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. In the latter the judges and public vote them off.
March 19th, 2008 at 5:59 am
“The same people who watch children audition for X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. In the latter the judges and public vote them off.”
I’m not sure if that’s suppose to indicate good taste LOL.