For the second month running, Russell Brand’s Ponderland proved to Channel 4’s most appreciated programme in November, while E4’s scheduling of The OC generated the most complaints.
Channel 4’s viewer enquiries team handled a total of 15,425 contacts (phone calls and emails) from viewers in November. Each query was logged and the appropriate people at Channel 4 notified. Of these contacts, 1,504 criticised the channel and its shows, while 480 complimented the programmes broadcast.
Top 10 programmes most appreciated by people who contacted Viewer Enquiries in November 2008 (quote is an example of viewer comment):
- Russell Brand’s Ponderland (139 contacts)
“I just wanted to say how glad I was that despite all the overblown controversy regarding Russell Brand that Ponderland was still aired. Thank you so much for standing by this wonderful character and I hope to see more from him in the future.” - Dead Set (40)
“I would like to thank the guys and girls behind the stunning mini series Dead Set. I have been a great fan of horror since I was young and I must say that Dead Set was fantastic. Great concept, great cast, great horror.” - The Family (30)
“Just wanted to say how great The Family was. An excellent programme, would love to have a Christmas special of the Hughes or something.” - Cutting Edge: Rich Kid, Poor Kid (18)
“I would like to thank Channel 4 for showing such a compelling programme; you never fail to open the viewers’ eyes. I want to give Natalie a round of applause, that girl had more heart and humbleness in her little finger than some people have in their entire body.” - Dispatches: Saving Africa’s Witch Children (18)
“This programme moved me to tears. The Dispatches team uncovered a serious problem and I am grateful that I now know about it so I can do something to help the team trying to save children. Thank you channel 4 for informing me.” - Not Forgotten: The Men Who Wouldn’t Fight (16)
“Many thanks and congratulations to Ian Hislop for bringing this important subject to our screens, and for his honest and sensitive approach. Well done! A truly excellent programme.” - Bremner, Bird and Fortune (16)
“Nice to see intelligence and talent can still exist, and I’d have been happy to pay for it.” - Embarrassing Teenage Bodies (10)
“What a great programme. I’m 53, and all of a sudden I realise that some of the stuff I’ve spent the past 30 or so years worrying about is not worth the worry. Has to be the best informative programme on the box.” - Miss Naked Beauty (10)
“Brilliant! With all girls looking like bad photocopies of some American starlet or other, watching this programme has been an exhilarating journey from dullness to bright light. I have never seen so many lovely girls bloom as they have under Gok’s sensitive mentoring. Well done Gok, you have earned a place in the British Annals fashion for bringing back the English Rose, be she diaphanous white, blushing pink, radiant gold, glistening brown or shimmering ebony…” - The Lost WW1 Bunker: A Time Team Special (7)
“I would like to say that the documentary on the Lost WW1 Bunker was not only brilliantly made and extremely interesting, but also delivered in highly respectful manner. The tact shown by the Team over all the artefacts was very welcome!” - Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live (7)
“Gordon Ramsay’s’ Cookalong Live was so much more enjoyable without the continual use of the “F” word all the time, (just the once). I was out at a party last evening and many people I spoke to who watched the programme noticed it as well. Long may it last and thanks for an interesting and enjoyable show.”
Top 10 programmes most criticised by people who contacted Viewer Enquiries in November 2008 (quote is an example of viewer comment):
- The OC (153 contacts)
“For some unbeknownst reason you have skipped out the entire 3rd series and have gone straight onto the 4th series. I would like to know why this has happened as it now makes no sense for the viewers who have been watching it everyday.” - Slabovia TV: KNTV Sex (100)
“I cannot believe that C4 would put such a disturbing programme on the air at 11am… this programme is not teaching anything except that sex is something amazing that you should do - absolutely disgusting…” - Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live (91)
“Found the whole programme very offensive. The men who decided to take their clothes off and bare their bottoms whilst carrying out other disgusting behaviour was sick.” - Miss Naked Beauty (72)
“This self-styled ‘hunt for a woman with confidence’ is the most misleading mission statement in TV. Appalling TV. Please do not recommission.” - Brothers and Sisters (56)
“I wish to ask why you decided to show the second series of Brothers & Sisters at such a late hour. You aired the first series of Brothers & Sisters at a more reasonable time, got viewers hooked only to do this!” - Born Survivor: Bear Grylls (33)
“The entire show is dedicated to watching Mr Grylls killing and eating anything edible, which in most cases turns out to be the most unappetising thing he can find. Do the Channel 4 broadcasting team really find it appropriate to show this?” - Russell Brand’s Ponderland (29)
“Why don’t you take note of what else is going on and the total disgust by majority of the population with this lascivious foul mouthed disreputable repulsive yoof who never looks clean and should be banished for ever to an isolated island with no transport.” - Jamie’s Ministry of Food (28)
“I would like to complain about the overuse of the F word by Jamie Oliver. This was totally unnecessary and spoiled what was otherwise a good series. I don’t see why Channel 4 should regard it as acceptable for this type of programme.” - The Home Show (27)
“Why did you employ such hyperactive camera men to film the show, or were they under the influence of alcohol? Constant zooming and the inability to keep the camera still or on one person for more than a couple of seconds spoilt the programme.” - Dispatches: Saving Africa’s Witch Children (24)
“I watched the above programme with great concern, first for the children involved and second for my continent. It is not the whole of Africa that is involved these terrible activities. I am sick and tired of generalisations being made about Africa when indeed people should be specific! Africa is a continent and not a country!”
How do you feel about this month’s Rated/Slated? Do you agree with the comments you’ve read?
