Rated/Slated – February 09

Boys and Girls Alone was the programme that most divided Channel 4 viewers last month, with the four-part series generating both the most appreciative comments, and the most complaints, of any other programme shown in February.

Channel 4’s viewer enquiries team handled a total of 14,736 contacts (phone calls and emails) from viewers in February. Each query was logged and the appropriate people at Channel 4 notified. Of these contacts, 1,289 criticised the channel and its shows, while 283 complimented the programmes broadcast.

Top 10 programmes most appreciated by people who contacted Viewer Enquiries in February 2009 (quote is an example of viewer comment):

1. Boys and Girls Alone (25 contacts)
   “I’m writing to praise a superb and serious programme. It is obviously a serious attempt to see the world from a child’s perspective, in a responsible way. I’m writing to support the channel and film makers in the face of ridiculous criticism. This programme should be praised and we should have more serious documentaries like it.”
2. Christianity: A History (20)
   “I am not a practising Christian or big fan of Ann Widdecombe but thought the episode on Reformation superb. Sat riveted to the set throughout and wish more TV was as informative and unbiased. Well done to Channel 4 for commissioning this series.”
3. Dispatches: Too Old To Work (13)
   “I wanted to congratulate C4 on an excellent edition of Dispatches tonight. For a channel that can appear to be over focused on the younger audience this was a significant programme. The issue of age discrimination in employment deserves continued coverage well done.”
4. Plus One (9)
   “I absolutely LOVED this comedy! Please, please commission another! It was a laugh a minute. The content was top draw entertainment. I haven’t laughed so much in ages. I would just like to congratulate you on a fantastic new comedy!”
5. Dispatches: The Big Job Hunt (6)
   “The programme was great; both interesting and informative. Well done and thank you.”
6. 10 Years Younger: The Challenge (6)
   “What an excellent programme! Great to see two lovely ladies given a new lease of life…”
7. Grand Designs (6)
   “Grand Designs is the greatest programme that Channel 4 runs. This is because it is intellectual and grown-up. It deals with the correct side of building a house. A grand design is one that encompasses ones dreams, actualising the perfect home, building it yourself from scratch. Kevin McCloud is also one of the greatest presenters on television.”
8. Ramsay’s Great British Nightmare (5)
   “I have been reading about all the complaints you’ve had regarding this show. People know Gordon swears; if they take offence they shouldn’t watch it. I thought the show was excellent, informative and very funny; it wouldn’t be the same if he and others didn’t swear.”
9. Time Team (5)
   “Oh the torment when there were no programmes over the Xmas period! But now, I can live again, Time Team has returned. I feel as though I personally know all of the team. Thank you so much to all of you for your professionalism and clear way history/archaeology is presented to your audience.”
10. Dispatches: Congo’s Forgotten Children (5)
    “I am writing to offer my deep thanks to Deborah Davies and the team for tonight’s programme about the children of the Congo. I found it incredibly moving, and it left me both despairing at the capacity for human cruelty, but also inspired to do something, even if at this stage I am not clear what, apart from give money.”
11. John Adams (5)
    “Congratulations on showing the magnificent John Adams. Brilliant acting, wonderful story and very informative. Thanks for some of the best viewing I’ve seen in a long time.”

Top 10 programmes most criticised by people who contacted Viewer Enquiries in February 2009 (quote is an example of viewer comment):

1. Boys and Girls Alone (186 contacts)
   “I cannot believe that Channel 4 allowed this programme to be made let alone aired. What a surprise that children when left alone eat rubbish, bully, argue and do not go to bed on time. This is TV of the lowest order thank goodness I have an off switch.”
2. 10 Years Younger: The Challenge (75)
   “I was a big fan of 10 Years Younger and Nicky Hambleton-Jones. The new format is awful and so is the new presenter. It’s put me off watching. Bring back Nicky; she was perfect for the role.”
3. Christianity: A History (70)
   “I watched the latest instalment of this series with interest. However, I was dismayed to find that your interviewer was unquestionably biased and unbalanced. He said nothing about the immense good which missionaries did in Africa – schools and hospitals for example, nor did he mention the sacrifices many of them made.”
4. Ramsay’s Great British Nightmare (62)
   “It is an absolute disgrace that you could broadcast a programme with the disgraceful “F word” over 200 times-what on earth do you think you are doing! It is no wonder respect is virtually dead in this country!!”
5. Russell Brand Live 2006 (37)
   “Why is Russell Brand using Indian Gods and Goddess in the background and using foul language in front of them? I wonder if you would put pictures of Mohammed or Jesus and allow that.”
6. Squirrel Wars: Red vs Grey (29)
   “I think Channel 4 has been totally irresponsible showing a programme of this nature. Animal cruelty is already on the rise in this country, and showing programmes like this not helping to stop it. Shame on you!!”
7. Dispatches: The Problem Princes (29)
   “This show, whilst dressed up as an impartial documentary, was a pure attack piece aimed at defaming the two people which were the topic of the show. It was misleading in many instances as well as making unsubstantiated accusations.”
8. Free Agents (24)
   “Had to turn this programme off. Why do the writers have to spoil a potentially good series by using filthy and crude language?”
9. Shameless (19)
   “I found this episode very upsetting and distasteful. There was a scene at the end where Frank Gallagher head butts a woman in the face. I usually find Shameless enjoyable, but this was very off putting and unnecessary to the storyline.”
10. Ricky Gervais: Fame (14)
    “For the first time ever, I switched off my TV in disgust after five minutes of this programme. I cannot believe that any television company could think it was acceptable to broadcast the material about cancer patients without causing considerable offence to families whose members have been struck down with this disease.”
11. Relocation, Relocation (14)
    “This programme now looks so out of touch with the real world and the current economic climate that I’m surprised it is still on the air.”

How do you feel about this month’s Rated/Slated? Please leave your comments below, vote on other comments, or submit your own Viewer Video to let us know what you thought of Channel 4 last month.

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