see the Mirror today.

When Simon told me his idea and talked me through the format back in 2000, I told him I felt uncomfortable with the negative aspect of the show and the auditions.

Though initially very funny indeed, I was unhappy with the ridicule, usually deserved but cruel and in some cases brutal.

I predicted then that a bit of fun would one day lead to tragedy.

There will be many more...

www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/1...ion-115875-20890618/

This is a tragic story and as JK hints at, this could have happened any time before now.The sudden uplift from "civilian", as some people refer to ordinary members of the public in a faintly disparaging way, to 'contender'on such shows can have some alarming and truly sad consequences when expectations are not met.This poor girl was unhinged well before the audition and since the put-downs by Cowell and co are handed out without fear and favour, who knows the mental damage done. The reverse of that coin is of course that the so called appeal of these shows revolve around the Lions v Christians combat. That drives the ratings, and brings in the Ads. As a potential contestent, you must grasp the essential tenet of the show-it's not about the music.
There are psychologists on hand to assess the strengths of those slated to appear. This girl should never have been to perform.

I think that everyone's worry that the show has turned in parody is now happening.

For every genuine talent unearthed many many thousands of auditions are done.

The humilation part of the programme needs to be dropped in my view.

The brutality humiliation etc is the engine that drives the show. It's reality television, its not the music business. It's certainly what made it fly in the States. Without it, without Cowell doing what he does, they don't have a show.

On another note

I've known about many many contestants that were part of the professional music industry at a high enough level, which of course is counter to the whole idea of the show.

Why isn't anyone asking questions about that aspect of it? Its reality TV, they do what they have to do to make it work, and a lot of people that read this forum know what I'm talking about.

A lot of people on here know Simon and Simon, including myself, and they themselves would not deny any of it, at least not face to face.

Too bad about the girl, truly. However her problems had to be deeper than a rejection on a tv show.

She was on it 2 years ago. Any link is tenuous but then again to link the two is a "good story"

Remember next time you slag off the "good story" angle that if it's good enough for you...

I agree that the girl probably had deeper problems. However, I have been saying for a long time that the ridicule of these unfortunate people (some of whom seem to have special needs) should not be allowed by the media. These shows should not exploit these people for 'entertainment'. They are put through several auditions before they appear before the main judges, by which time they are led to believe they are talented. No-one knows the outcome of such humiliation on national tv.

totally agree BR

the fact that they deliberately set out to humiliate people is beyond me.

who in their right mind would do that??

I don't actually think it is that much a "good story" Zoo but even so that doesn't affect the central point; is this aspect of public entertainment encouraging or increasing mental problems? And is it also an unattractive and irresponsible aspect of entertainment?

I think the answer to both is "yes it is" and I even used to find the Gong Show disturbing for the same reason.

I have nothing against being critical - I was famous for my outspoken criticism in my career - but after people have advanced into a profession they deserve honest appraisal. Turning criticism into a specific entertainment and tricking victims into it is a different situation.

JK2006 wrote:
I don't actually think it is that much a "good story" Zoo but even so that doesn't affect the central point; is this aspect of public entertainment encouraging or increasing mental problems? And is it also an unattractive and irresponsible aspect of entertainment?

I think the answer to both is "yes it is" and I even used to find the Gong Show disturbing for the same reason.

I have nothing against being critical - I was famous for my outspoken criticism in my career - but after people have advanced into a profession they deserve honest appraisal. Turning criticism into a specific entertainment and tricking victims into it is a different situation.

Fair enough - the mentally disabled should not be "entertainment"

Humilliation on TV is nothing new. Jeremy Beadle was doing it for years. What about Candid Camera? That's been around for decades.