So, no more bullying in Celebrity Big Brother – where’s the reality in that, asks frank furedi |
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The media regulator Ofcom has responded to the complaints of 45,000 offended viewers of Celebrity Big Brother by ruling that the programme made 'serious editorial misjudgments'. Ofcom wants Channel 4 to 'exercise their editorial duties responsibly'.
This ruling has some interesting implications for the programming of so-called reality television. As everyone who has watched it knows, reality television is anything but real. C-list celebrities rarely come together to live the lives of adult Teletubbies in front of a camera in 'real life'.
Now Ofcom insists that the fantasy world of Big Brother should become even more unreal through the censoring of forms of behaviour that could outrage an apparently easily offended British public. So, just like in real life, no more harsh words or bullying please!
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| In the world of Big Brother, grown-ups have no responsibilities or discernible grown-up characteristics |
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Channel 4 is happy to go along with this charade. It has even appointed a 'senior welfare officer... to observe housemates and to advise producers of any concerns'.
Of course, treating the Big Brother participants as potential naughty children whose behaviour will be monitored by a welfare officer is consistent with the programme's ethos of turning the infantilisation of adults into an art form.
In the world of Big Brother, grown-ups have no responsibilities or discernible grown-up characteristics. Its voyeuristic format of mock intimacy patronises its audience.
Ofcom would like Big Brother to infantilise its viewers even more. Through standing up for the 'offended' viewer Ofcom insists that Big Brother police language and behaviour. 'Not in front of the children' it insists.
The show's creator, Endemol, agrees and 'sincerely' regrets 'the level of offence' caused. Expect any future series of Celebrity Big Brother to include Peter Pan and Laa-Laa from the Teletubbies, or perhaps such edgy personalities as Bob the Builder. 
FIRST POSTED MAY 24, 2007
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