Reality TV & Gossip TV

[Arwen]

Today, Greyson shared a news story about a woman who committed suicide after being involved in a prank call about Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.

Duchess of Cambridge hoax call nurse found dead

The hospital said in a statement: "We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call to the hospital.

"She was an excellent nurse and well-respected and popular with all of her colleagues."



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20645838

I responded with

"I cannot even begin to express how incredibly angry this news story made me. This is the direct result of our society's unhealthy obsession with the lives of other people. We have NO RIGHT to personal information about anyone that they do not care to divulge.

And yet, two DJ's felt it necessary to pose as Royals to get information. From the sounds of this article, this nurse self-terminated because of this.

At what point do we humans get that it's not our right? I blame reality TV and gossip columnists of old for this mind set--this self-righteous sense of entitlement.

Yep. This truly pisses me off."

So I ask you. Do we have a right to condone reality tv/gossip tv/any of the shows that dig and scrabble in other people's lives? Where is the button that we need to switch OFF when it comes to our fascination with other people's lives?

I'm just sick about this. My own son loves all of the reality shows and lives on E! TV.

Our need to know killed Princess Diana. And now it just killed a mother of two. Who else gets to die because we won't turn the TV channel away from these crap shows or tune the radio to something else?

And don't kid yourselves. The gossip fools and reality tv show producers wouldn't be making money if we weren't watching. Ratings pay for advertisers.

I do watch certain types of reality shows but not the ones that want to air famous people's dirty laundry (or clean).

[Greyson]

Arwen, thank you for starting this thread. When I read the news this morning about the nurse that was unknowningly, without consent, pulled into this prank and she is now dead, anger shot through me and my heart broke.

I am almost speechless. I don't usually indulge in reality TV nor listen to DJs that use "shock and aw" as part of their gimmick. I am not without my part in this need to know.

What is it about human nature that we seem to feed on this celebrity thing or glued to our TV screens, computer monitors to watch "others" living in a world of "Me, Me, Me." I am special too and everyone will want to know, how I party, use the restroom and try to achieve celebrity at any cost to myself and others?

[skeeter_01]

those dj's have her blood on their hands..........

skeet

[Okiebug61]

We watch the amazing race and the voice and that's it. Red worked in Hollywood in the 80's and she became somewhat star struck for awhile but we don't watch any entertainment news or spend time wondering who's who's is doing what with who's who's

[Greyson]

I came back to this thread because the death of the nurse that killed herself has been deemed a suicide by law enforcement in London. This has been on my mind quite a bit and the why did she do it. What made her snap, give up?

Here is what has been spinning through my thoughts. First, when I heard her name before seeing any photos it was clear to me that most likely she was a WOC. Perhaps an immigrant, maybe not but most likely her racial, ethnic, profile would not fit the traditional profile of an English subject, citizen.

Then I read that she was a well respected and liked coworker at the hospital. Her work ethic, impeccable. Again, in my thoughts, yes a WOC and most likely the bar set for her was higher than that of her white counterparts. If not by the greater culture at large, then by her own family and herself, internalized ism.

Why would such an obvious achiever, intelligent professional woman and a mom feel such shame, failure to kill herself over being duped into a prank?

I am not a psychologist or a doctor of any sort but I am willing to bet this woman spent a great deal of energy in her life proving she was worthy, smart enough, "normal" enough, good citizen enough, good wife, mother and daughter enough to make any family proud. Spent her energy proving she was just as good as her white counterparts. To be duped by these DJs and gullible enough to believe that this accented female voice at the other end of the line was the Queen, well it was just too much for her.

These are my thoughts, not based on science, based on my reality of growing up not white and poor in a world that says "First, you must be white, then educated, and with means." If you are not, you are out. If you do aspire to make it into the "club" then the standard will be set much higher for your kind.

I am rambling a bit, but really I was not surprised it was a WOC and killed herself. May she rest in peace. My condolances to her family.

[Greyson]

The Australian Communications and Media Authority, which regulates radio broadcasting, says it has received complaints about the prank and is discussing the matter with the Sydney-based station, though it has not yet begun an investigation.

The station has a history of controversy, including a series of "Heartless Hotline" shows in which disadvantage people were offered a prize that could be taken away from them by listeners.

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/08/504...o-station.html


__________________________________________________ ___________

This sort of radio program did not originate in Austrailia. This does not take away from the responsible behavior of any adult and business entity. Does anyone see the connection between this and the "media" being produced in first world nations? Who sets the standard for global programming? Think about it.

Again, see what other program that was being aired on that radio station? Who is the brunt of the joke?

[Duchess]

Ink Master
MasterChef
Top Chef
Iron Chef (prefer the Japanese broadcast)
Celebrity Ghost Stories
In The Life
Hotel Impossible
The Layover
Nova
Taboo
Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition
Antiques Roadshow
Kitchen Nightmare's
Mystery Diner's
Explorer