If you’ve got something to say about any aspect of Channel 4 and the programmes it broadcasts, The TV Show gives you a place to have your say and a chance to put your questions to the programme makers.
With regular posts written by C4’s viewers’ editor and various commissioning editors, our blog is one of the best places to comment on the most high profile programmes and viewer issues. You can also rate and comment on monthly video vox pops from The TV Show’s Big 4, which travels around the country gathering honest feedback from the people who watch our shows.
And if you have something you want to say about television, but can’t find anyone else discussing it on the site, please use this area to kick start the debate by leaving your comments below. We’ll keep an eye on all your comments, along with those left across channel4.com, to make sure we respond to the issues important to you.
Throughout the year, Channel 4 will also broadcast a number of TV Show debates. Hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy, these shows will focus on some of the bigger issues raised by viewers and give our audience another chance to let us know what they think.
So, get involved in the conversation about television right now by making the most of The TV Show site. Remember, it’s your TV Show, guided by your opinions about television. Make sure you have your say!
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Shameless is wrong, and I hate the way c4 portrays muslim people
We rule Hollywood.
Poor programmes(Embarrissing Bodies), repeating poor programmes, too many advertisments. What’s the use complaining, you’re just going to show what you want anyway. In general, TV is bad. NOT IMPRESSED!
Whilst watching Channel 4 News last week I was shocked to find the show subliminally advertising for the website ‘Twitter’ by alloting a slot of the show to feedback of the days news solely from members of the site. The BBC have been doing this a lot recently and i was disappointed to find a news show that I respected to be following suit.
Krish is on leave at present, so I’m replying on behalf of Channel 4 News. (Martin Fewell, Dep Ed, C4 News.) I think it’s wrong to suggest there was anything subliminal about our reference to ‘Twitter’. On the contrary, we were clear with viewers about what we were doing and why. This was an opportunity to try out a relatively new social networking tool and see how we could use it to enhance our coverage, just as we’ve used other networking sites from time-to-time to assist our newsgathering. For example, individuals involved in stories often have a profile on Facebook which can provide valuable biographical information, so we mention Facebook now and again. We’ve also used You-Tube as a source of material to help us piece together what happened at the G20 protest. I do agree that if we only used Twitter to allow people to feedback on news events that would be a mistake. But we also have a Viewers’ email address, numerous blogs on which people can add comments, and our own page on Facebook, not to mention the letters we get. We’ll use all of these as sources for viewers’ feedback, as we did this week to give people an opportunity to put questions on swine flu to the Chief Medical Officer. Thanks for your interest.
martin
I am sixteen and I feel that there is FAR too much sex and violence on television today. For example Hollyoaks, they’re always having sex! Another issue I have with this is that it is not showing sex as a loving thing between two people, it shows it that the “cooler” or more appealing members of the cast hop from bed to bed, whilst the “geeky” members of the cast are shown to be in serious relationships and taking things slowly.
I believe that irresponsible TV companies are one of the major causes of the problems britain faces with it’s youth today.
Violence is too prevelant also, with many characters in many soaps brawling in the street over women, friends, family and money – Not the right attitude!
If you dont like whats in hollyoaks then dont watch it. I dont like it so i dont watch it!!
I found the way The Hospital portrayed teen mums is disgusting. It made them look as if they are all uneducated, uncivilised, selfish human beings.
I found the doctor that who said all teen mother have one thing in common attittude an insult. I am a teen mother myself I always listened to the doctors adivce and I was never rude to anyone. I also felt it was shame that all the mothers that were interveiwed were protrayed as stupid this is not true reflection of all teen mothers, I have completed my Alevels acheiving A grades and I am now studing for my degree.
This programme did nothing to help the awful back lash that teen mothers suffer from the media and the public. People should remember all these girls could to taken the easy way out and had an abortion but they have taken responsibilty for their actions.
I totally agree with you. The portrayal was disgusting. Maybe Channel 4 should show a programme about the teen and young mums that dont fit the stereotypes. I agree that its spark fresh backlash against teen/young mothers and its not fair. The ones who give us a bad name are a minority. Focus on the majority, the ones who are good mothers, looking after their babies well, living a good life or show older parents who are living in scum to prove its not just a ‘teen’ parent thing.
Hello. Why have the recent food riots in Scotland not been reported? They aren’t reported here but that’s no big surprise given how poor Scottish journalism has become. Ian, Edinburgh.
Dear Channel4,
You produce some fantastic programmes but, sadly, no regular programme for gardeners. I know there’ll be the new landscape programme later in the summer but I’m referring to a year long regular programme shown once a week during the evening. As you probably know, the new format of ‘Gardeners’ World’ has re-defined its target audience to such an extent that it has left its +2million regular viewers stranded. So my plea to you is please can you make a new, regular, year-long programme dedicated to real gardening?
Sincerely,
Denise Hanlon
Monty Don has a new series on C4 soon.
For the few reviews I’ve read, I have to strongly disagree.
Channel Four should hold its head proud as the best channel available in the U.K.
Other than sport, and specific programs that I follow, our family TV is always tuned to channel four.
The array of ground breaking shows, such as Shameless & Skins, these shows have cult status, they may not be watched by the masses, but for those who do enjoy them, they are compulsive viewing, TV that people talk about the day after, and look forward to all week.
Brand new comedy, comedians and comedic concepts have always been on channel four first. as a young lad it was on channel four that I first saw Harry Enfield, Julian Clarey, Ben Elton and many more, right through to this day were the BBC still desire channel four host, the fresh talents off Chris Evans, Johnny Vaughn, Graham Norton, Denise Van Oaten, so many great names, all of whom are not used to their best on other channels. This has been seen over and over again.
Then we have shows like Teachers, The Inbetweeners, Peep Show, Green Wing, so many great shows, what would we watch on a Friday night were it not for channel four?
I haven’t even mentioned the great educational and reality shows. If we ignore the Big Brother chain, there are shows like Grand Designs, Property Ladder, Location, Ground breaking informative, and unbiased documentaries. I would be blind to the reasons for conflict in Iraq, or lack of them!!! And over such important matters, other channels report the headlines, channel four explains the history. Knowing the atrocities my country has caused through history, or how religious systems work, and the way they effect followers’ lives have shaped my open minded appreciation of different cultures. This stuff isn’t even tought as history in English schools !!!
As a child, watching sesame street I learnt words and numbers, as an adult I learn the plight of child fighters in Sierra Leone. All from this one channel. I could and have gone on for ages, and I still haven’t even mentioned the Multi award winning films they have been making for years, the additional services and tailored channels, the cutting edge interactive levels nor many of the great American shows and foriegn language films they have always shown, and all with a discrete level of advertising, especially when compared to alternative channels.
You may and are welcome to disagree, but if you do then I challenge you to quantify it, and compare it to other channels, do you really think channel four is worse than any other channel on the points of issue? Repeat shows? Compared to what? All channels do that.
Advertising? This is a commercial station, I feel their programming is better than the BBC and I have to pay for the privilege of not watching that channel.
And as for not being representative of minorities and other parts of the U.K? I’d agree that it is not, but again, when compared to alternative channels, it has to be one of the most representative channels around.
It is not possible to create TV to personal requirments, but when combined with the interactive services viewers can obtain shows to thier taste at any time. talking of interaction, were they one of, if not the first channel of offer subtitles?
Anyway, I going, I hope I haven’t offended or enraged anyone, it is only my opinion.
Dear Channel 4,
I am wondering, why do you not put Just Shoot Me on in a morning anymore. I for one really like Just Shoot Me and would like to see it on channel 4 again.
I usually get up and switch the television on in a morning and can’t wait to watch Just Shoot Me, but instead I wake up to Everybody Loves Raymond and Frasier. Don’t get me wrong they are funny, but not as funny as Just Shoot Me.
To finish my letter, i am asking you to put Just Shoot Me back on the air because i would love to watch it in the morning just before i go to school.
Thankyou,
Ella Knight.
I miss Just Shoot Me too! David Spade, who played Finch, is also in Rules Of Engagement on Comedy Central, and I liked him, but my mum liked George Segal as Jack Gallo.
I liked the one where he sent off for what he thought was Ernest Hemingway’s set of golfing tees, but received a teaset instead!
i want to say how great programmes such as skins, and shameless are. They show how real things are, and they are really entertainin, i am only young, and theses programmes make my life easier, as they are helpful. They show that anyone can accomplish anything, i just think that skins is not shown enough, more programmes need to be made
I am writing about the decision to axe 24/7 Live feed for this summers series of Big Brother.
The live feed for alot of people is the most important aspect of the show. Without the live feed some viewers feel that BB is nothing more than a highly edited and biased drama. The UK is now the only country without a 24/7 live feed.
Fans have contacted channel 4 about this to be told that it is due to the costs of producing the feed, but we have not have any of our other questions answered. Big Brother is one of channel 4’s biggest shows and has some truly loyal fans. It is a real shame that channel 4 are treating us this way, by only giving us generic email replies to our questions, never proper responses.
If football fans were told that they could only watch highlights of matches, there would be uproar. This is how the loyal Big Brother fans feel too.
Couldn’t have put it better myself Crunchynut.
Well said, oh Crunchy one!
Madness, Channel 4, madness!
Well said crunchynut Absolute ludricous decision by ch4 to axe live feed
Exactly, well put !!!
The way viewers queries are being fobbed off is particularly annoying, especially now we’re being told the decision was made back in January, but back in January we were told it would be reviewed again for BB10.
I agree with everything Crunchynut has said. The live feed was the only way to see what was really happening within the house, not just what the editors wanted us to see.
No live feed, no point.
Anything worth listening to is blanked out anyway, so it is not a true representation of what exactly goes on inside the house
I’m big into freaks the weirder the better really. really tall and small is getting old though. hairy is coming back in a big way. I haven’t got any qualifications but id suggest that you snap up as much coverage of that guy that has to brush his face. I want to hear what he’s got to say. also those kids in India especially ‘octopus baby’ or ‘the god like freak child’ or what ever you called her. that was good and I watched it twice but I felt that it was too emotionally engaging and would have benefited from focussing more heavily upon her freakish disability.
I have a little nobble on my back, doctors tested a bit out and said that it could be part of my uncle’s baby. In respect of this miraculous discovery I have an idea for a show called ‘my cousin twice removed’ – I also feel that it has serious potential for a sit-com follow up where we move to India and become Gods amongst the peasant population. what do you think?
Shameless is the best program ever please dont stop making it
I watched for the first time the american medical comedy “Scrubs” a couple of weeks ago (18/04/09), and was shocked at the overt “send-up” of black-american stereotypes the entire show appears to be based on. The mostly white actors make constant inferences to these cli che, more reflective of the divisive approach of American networks and film studios than our own, so why on earth has Channel 4 (especially) succumb to this creeping mindset by commissioning such offensive rubbish? Ironically, the show does have the potential to be extremely funny, unless of course you belong to the group of people it seems constructed to endlessly patronise. It’s as if the writers have a really big hang-up about black-americans or black people.
C4 have a total death wish with big brother..How insane not to have a live feed on a show that was launched with that as a core element..yeah no money etc etc..yet they offered danny dyer 200k to try and get him on CBB earlier this year..face it guys youve messed up BIG time scrapping the feed the tabloids are livid the fans are livid youve castrated big brother before it even starts..
it will be the biggest mistake youve done mark my words.
AKA EmoQueen.
Absolutely ridiculous decision by CH4 producers to axe the live streaming.
Do any of these people realise how many viewers they will lose by making this insane decision?
So much for the Orwellian landscape – the producers have mutated it into a soap opera now.
I think its absolutely ridiculous that the live feed has been scrapped from Big Brother. I’m not even an avid viewer but I’m aware of the value of the live feed and what it means to others. Live feed = forum activity = tabloid stories = public hype = ratings. Simple.
I think Channel 4 have also been very irresponsible with the issue. First it was decided that viewers prefer the clips, but how did you find this out? Did you ask those who watched live feed and clips? Or is it all just assumption based on website hits for videos that were plugged on the show? When clips are plugged of course they’re going to be shown, its nothing about ‘new take up’!! Channel 4 have been ridiculous with responses just sending out generic emails that don’t answer any questions in the slightest and what was once a great show has been well and truly murdered.
The point of Big Brother is “you are being observed 24/7″, but clearly they won’t be if the viewers can’t. Its no coincidence that CBB6 absolutely failed with lack of live feed. Yes the series was abysmal and that contributed but so were BB4 and BB8, they didn’t shed over 2m viewers in 3 weeks.
Big Brother- the all seeing eye? I think not.
Killing the live feed for BB has effectively canceled the show. The Live feed was a important part of the show as you could see things in the proper context rather than the heavily edited highlight show.
Having watched BB via the live feed and the highlight show it is obvious what a distorted picture you would get without it.
It is insane to expect the show to keep veiwers if you take away the core element of the show. If you are not willing to put it on E4 24/7 at least bring back the internet feed and charge a small fee. The year you took that away claiming lack of demand was the year after virgin media gave it away for free that is the only reason there were less people paying for it.
Bring back the live feed
Couldn’t agree more, Crunchy. C4 wastes millions importing yet more American rubbish, yet abandons its most-viewed show because of ‘costs’. No live feed, no forums = no viewers, I’m afraid.
Dispatches is one of the most informative shows I’ve ever watched. It helps me to understand better the issues in our society both national and international level and help uncover the topics that noone else has bothered to research. However, given all the information that Dispatches provides, I am not quite sure what to do with it. When you cover a topic such as government waste, it disgusts me as to how much money is being wasted by the government. But what can I do about it? Perhaps Channel 4 can do something there?
Thank you for your kind comments about Dispatches. I’m Commissioning Editor, New Media for News and Current Affairs programmes. For viewers who want to find out more information after seeing Dispatches on the television, the website (www.channel4.com/dispatches) offers additional information including links to organisations involved in the subject. In the case of How They Squander Our Billions, for example, we provide a link through to http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/, or http://www.taxcc.org/, which might give you some additional information on the subject.
Your ad for this series sums up one of the worss aspects of TV. It was not sufficient to show the images and say the words. The latter had to be almost obliterated by over-loud music. All this music, throbbing, drumming et al is a disease and a lot of money could be saved by axing everyone involved in adding this unwanted noise to many offerings..
Sorry to read your concerns about the use of background music in our trailers. This is a subject that does cause some debate in both programmes and trailers alike. Overall sound levels are governed by guidelines issued by OFCOM which we strictly adhere to, but within these guidelines, the choice and volume (within the specified levels) of background music is an editorial decision made by the director or producer responsible for the trailer (or programme).
Obviously, it’s not our intention that the music should overpower the message of the trailer, the point is to enhance the visuals, creating a mood or atmosphere for the viewer, not detract from it. I can assure you we do keep an eye on issues such as this and monitor all comments which we pass on to the appropriate department for their info.
Fiona Irwin, C4 Viewer Enquiries Manager
Ireally do hate the silly meaningless ‘music’ which so often drowns out what a presenter or someone else may be saying. This undermines what the programmes are all about. If music is applicable to a programme it should be subsidiary to the content!!
Is it at all possible that reporters , report to camera WITHOUT having to walk towards it. What is the purpose ,to show how clever they are in walking and talking at the same time.
Also the proportion on female,none white, ethical reporters is totally disroportionate the the nationalmix. Why !!! I amall for diverity but NOT for Diversity for the sake of being over represented
This strikes me as quite a nihilistic approach to quality control. It’s not up to viewers whether a Channel 4 drama is good, or whether a Channel 4 documentary puts forward a valid argument.
It’s a matter of fact whether Peep Show is a good work of art (i.e. capable of eliciting pleasure and intellectual stimulation in those who understand it). It’s a matter of fact whether Undercover Mosque is an objective, justified investigation into the views and practices of British Muslims.
Neither of these things is a matter of opinion, so I don’t know what you want our opinions for. But since you are asking, in my opinion Channel 4 and all other institutions should be guided only by the truth.
Show art which really is good (even if a thousand morons complain about it). Show documentaries put together by people who care about the truth.
If you aren’t sure what the truth is or what good art is, don’t ask the public. The public, by and large, are not scientists or philosophers or experienced critics. The public, by and large, don’t know what’s good for them. This is why free-market capitalism does not lead to the maximisation of human well-being. It leads to chaos.
Please don’t be chaotic, Channel 4.
I can not believe that Channel 4 are trying to kill one of their Biggest Shows, Big Brother.
It really is the beginning of the end.
Its about time BB was gone from our screens anyway as it has had its time. It was interesting and fun to watch at first but then it got silly. I stopped watching after Brian Dowling etc was on,,, I cant remember what number that was ,,, its just for sad people to look at.
I enjoy watching Dispatches and other documentries on Channel 4,but could somebody please explain to my feeble mind,why the pictures look out of focus,then have very close ups shots of people and why oh why is there music playing in the background when the reporter is speaking.Thank You.
There is to much kissing in Hollyoaks that’s mainly all you watch people kissing .cut down on kissing or I will stop watching!!!
You’re obviously older than 35. Kissing is realistic!!! Are you a Church of England Vicar… by any chance? If so, I am greatly surprised you are complaining!
hey i just wanted to say that i love the programe SKINS, however i think that the series should be longer it was only short and just when you start to get into it, the series is over!! I also love Hollyoaks but i am sick of this racist story line it is soo depressing, i think everyone gets the point now. Lastly channel4 keep making these great shows!!
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks for your comments, and it’s great to hear that you are enjoying Skins and Hollyoaks.
With regards to the racism storyline in Hollyoaks, we spoke to the commissioning editor of the show who told us:
“The racial bullying which Anita has been experiencing forms part of a broader long-term storyline about Anita’s sense of identity and how she and her family respond to Gaz’s wholly unacceptable behaviour.
Bullying and racist bullying are a reality for Hollyoaks’ target demographic and the show is well known for dealing with problems that are relevant to our teenage audience. We take the view this difficult storyline is crucial to demonstrate the reality of racial abuse which is widespread in today’s society and the subsequent effect this abuse causes.”
Hope you continue to enjoy the programme…
I’ve never seen The TV Show, when is it on? It’s a bit dumb of the website not to say when it’s on. Lots of channel 4 is brilliant and lots of it is done by people who are not up to the job, and the website is the latter
Hi Andrew,
Sorry you couldn’t find the information you were looking for. Our Be On the Show page provides the most up-to-date information about when the next show is set to be broadcast, and also information about where in the country you can next find the TV Show’s Big 4.
Unfortunately, because The TV Show is filmed only a day or so before it goes on-air, and always aims to cover the most current viewer issues at any one time, we often don’t get the confirmed debate topics, or the confirmed broadcast date, until much nearer the time.
The next show is currently scheduled to be broadcast in June but the exact date is still tbc. The website will be updated as soon as everything is confirmed – and you’ll notice a prominent ‘Next On’ section on our homepage at the same time.
Don’t forget, you can always use Channel 4’s new listings area – http://www.channel4.com/tv-listings – for details of any programme coming up in the next two weeks.
Thanks for your feedback, and please continue to let us know if there is anything you’d like to see us change/improve on the site.
My first issue: Make-over shows
Why don’t make-over shows of any kind, feature those women who just happen to be several inches shorter than monstrous models? you know, those people called ‘petite’? Whose inside leg-length maybe just *shorter* than the standard 29 inches? Whose calves can be *wider* than a tree trunk yet their feet are *smaller* (but *wider*!) than a 2 year olds?! and AREN’T OVER THIRTY???!!!
Do investigation into the fashion industry (not model industy) why they have such an inferiority complex to small-than-average people.
Second issue: Family-based programmes.
Programmes like Supernanny and better still, Born To Be Different. All programmes regardless of genre are very good at blaming first-borns for everything that happens within and to other members of the family. Could you do an investigation into why their is so much hatred towrds them from society, doctors and ultimately their parents? Expected to be involuntary mother/father to them? To discipline them? To not touch a hair on their head yet they’re allowed to almost murder us and to be congratulated in doing so? For us not to expect to be kissed and cuddled? For us not to expect to be given respite from our young siblings behaviour? For us not to expect being marched to the headmaster in request for bullying to be stopped? As for siblings “I want them to have a playmate” So whats the coincidence that the first-born is genetically sick? Don’t try covering that excuse parents, some of us know why we have siblings, and it isn’ t for a play mate. A child knows when they are being treated differently. Heard of Child Replacement Therapy?
Third:
Londoners/Home Countys thieving homes from people in poverty-stricken areas, in particular Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Yorkshire. Which leave the natives unable to even look for the cheapest of house. Want to see an investigation in to the shock Londoners recieve in these areas and their activities towards and in these areas – and not the good stuff either!
Go here people:
http://gagajoyjoy.com/eve
I am only young But I think the way ‘the hospital’ acted towards young mums was horrible. My Mum thinks they’re right but i think its disgusting. They shouldnt put thing like that on. Its like going up to a young mum in the street and beating them up. I felt so sorry for some of them and i hope they and their kids are doing well.
This Blog should put the words I have just written up immediatly
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I would like to see some Classical Music or Jazz programmes but there are only pop/rock music programmes on Channel 4.
I really want to see the program ‘Rich Kid Poor Kid’, which compares two teenage girls lives, as i missed it the first time it was shown. Will there be a replay of that program at all?
Thanks x
Eastenders dosen’t have realistic charicters.
Where are the smokers standing in the rain outside the pub?
Max seems to be the only one we see having a cigarette but realisticly lots of people still smoke.
Where are the stoners, Emo’s and Goths,
I also know quite a few people who smoke dope in the privacy of their own homes and go on to lead a normal respectable life with important jobs.
On Eastenders, for entertainment everyone either goes to the pub, cafe or snooker hall.
Why not get some mates round and play guitar hero or stay in and watch the soap that you would never miss, like my girlfriend and my mum do.
Also there have been occasions where Guns have been used either to shoot or scare people when we all know knifes are still the choise of most thugs in London.
If some of these ideas were incorperated into the series I think more people would be watching because the program would be more relivant to day to day life again.
20 years old, male.
there was a time when i would enjoy switching on my television and taking a gander at what was on, but now i feel there is very little of value, this has happened over a expanded period of time, my most dominant memory of when i started to view t.v as a negative thing was an episode of “how clean is your house”, there was this woman who kept a ridiculous amount of birds, and lived in absolute filth, armchairs were covered in excrement, her whole life seemed in a disaray, this woman clearly had mental issues, this was obvious to anyone, yet the two queens of cleanliness belittled and patronised her beyond belief, its one thing letting people humiliate themselves with their lack of talent on talent shows, its another to abuse unstable people for “entertainment”.
20,Male.
Politics is every where on the television, we all get to see the inner workings of the house of commons, we get to hear about what our taxes are spent on, i was wondering if anyone shared my viewpoints on how absurd it all is, i could write an extensive amount of material for this, so i’ll keep it short, i just wanted to know, why is it, that these disassociated people who are in charge of our welfare cant even have civilised debates, its hard to have faith in your country when its leaders sit amount shouting like football fans, waste time with cheap personal digs at each other, and dont have the patience to wait for the other party to finish speaking, people who need a glorified baby sitter to tell them to calm down and hush, they may know alot about what there doing, and have vast knowledge of the matters they discuss, but the manor of their discussion isnt much above a classroom discussion.
Personally i wouldnt mind paying more taxes, id almost feel proud, i’d happily have less luxuries, if tax money wasnt wasted so disgracefully, firemen, paramedics and the police do not get paid upto 150 pound to just turn up to work, i dont even know how this got taked into consideration.
Where to start? 3 adverts for Channel 4 programmes in one advertisement break. No wonder you are skint. Your “educational” programmes for children/young adults all seem to focus on 16-19 yr olds with behavioural problems/eating disorders. Yet another credit crunch programme with the slightly different theme of examining lives on “Wall Street” – hardly cutting edge programming. You let the cricket go, despite the fact that your coverage was superb, and a credit to British broadcasting. All in all Channel 4, I consider you to now be the co-frontrunner along with ITV in tabloid television.
I agree. I think Channel 4 goes a long way to advertise itself, its talents (making out its ‘presenters’ are ‘celebrities’) and its brand. In fact it juts buys stuff in from the USA and repeats it ad infinitum. ‘Friends’ is still on continuous loop as far as I can see. I am 38yrs old and watching its output, assume Channel 4 hates people my age.
Remember when channel four used to be good? When it showed cutting edge comedy? back in the long long ago days before reality pap tv. Im talking about when four later existed. There just isnt the choice with tv anymore. And Im sad to say bbc3 is now pants also seriously who wants to watch a person been a dog Id watch big brother….actually no I wouldnt I just turn tv off now a days. Thank goodness for the internet and the choice it brings.
But seriously channel four stop with the boring tv and catering to a mass specific audience that mindlessly watches the likes of big brother, xfactor and the latest dancey dance programs. I find the problem now a days with digital tv is all those channels but there never seems to be any content on them worth watching just repeats of repeats or pointless stuff!
why do we have to have music over a lot of programes.we are not deaf we would like hear what is going on.we do not want to listen to the music over the programs that we trying to listen to
One thing that has really been getting my goat for some time now, is the increasing culture of the “What you’re about to see” clips.
This was bad enough on commercial stations where they started appearing before and after every advert break, but it is now even happening at the start of, and during newly filmed programmes on non-commercial stations.
I can only assume that this is so that the production companies can save time (and hence money) in filming by showing clips of the same footage on average three times in the same hour long programme. This, along with the four advert breaks in reality seems to reduce a 60 minute programme to 30 minutes of original footage.
I can understand that this may be to keep viewers tuned in during this Channel Hopping age. However it’s one thing to show a hint to what might happen, but to actually reveal footage after what was originally intended to be a twist in the tale is simply unjust. “Will little Jimmy survive the life-changing surgery, only time will tell”… Well actually, only 30 seconds ago we just saw him running around his garden AFTER the surgery.
I guess there’s no need to watch the rest of the programme then. I might as well go and make a cuppa and read a good book. At least the author can’t force the conclusion under my nose before I have time to reach for the remote!
Channel 4 is the one channel on freeview, in fact, the only channel across the vast spectrum of tv channels that properly represents the people of the north of Ireland: both British unionists and Irish nationalists. I rarely watch Hollyoaks, but my sister does, and there is one character (and his brother?) in it from Belfast. On the Hollyoaks late night show a few months ago, there was Irish traditional music, and the true view of the NI people on sectarianism with the whole bar chase-out. Although I’m not really into the programme, well done to Channel 4 for showing that half of people in NI are actually Irish, legally and officially, it’s about time a British channel supported ALL sides to the Irish island’s debate.
For Martin Fewell.
Why did Channel 4 remove all the forums which were a wonderful and obvious source for viewers feedback on the C4 programmes.
Hollyoaks. Why? It’s the same story repeated constantly.
Love – yes we all know its unpreditcable but why are they always failed relationships, I know the divorce percentage is high but surely there must be some people in chester invovled in a happy relationship/marriage?
Drugs – BAD! We know, but there is still people stupid enough to do them. Sasha doing heroin and whatever, how old was she? Her family didn’t seem overly concerned, what help did she get? She didn’t seem to bothered for someone who could wait for her next fix!
Murder – Yes every soap needs a murder storyline but how long is the Sean murder going to be dragged on. Boring. And its saying “if you witness a murder it’s ok, don’t worry, just move the body and don’t tell anyone” Stupid, Just Stupid.
Sex – Well, who’s straight, who’s gay? I know they’re are gay people (I have no problem with that by the way) but everyone is dipping their toe in both pools. Why? Sarah, Zoe, Kris, Rav, Lydia, Craig and Jean-Paul. Not everyone these days are bi or gay (nor are they straight) so why does every teenager have a same sex kiss or relationship.
I’m bored of this rant now but I’m sick of Amy, surely she would have learn’t by now about condoms and the pill! How many kids is she going to have before shes 20?!?
Why doesn’t Hollyoaks have a TV series, so they (the characters) would learn about Sex and Drugs and none of these problems would have happened.
Oh wait yes they would.
When is the next episode due?
Why does T4 always make claim its presenters are celebrities? On T4 the presenters think they are stars. I have even seen them on occasions interview ‘each’ other or have another T4 presenter as a guest. T4 encourages young people to chase celebrity, adopt mediocrity and supports ‘cool’ over balance. Channel 4 is peppered with self indulgence. Its an AWFUL channel.
Channel 4 News presenters are too cheerful and jokey. I miss the days when newsreaders spoke in a serious
tone of voice about everything.
Jon Snow is the worst. He can’t resist
sending himself up. If I wanted comedy
I’d watch a comedy programme.
I blame the influence of American news anchors for all this informality. Bring back newsreaders like Moira Stuart,
she was Mr. Spock serious, like an
android and that’s what I want in a newsreader.
This evening i watched come dine with me, which is a programme that i love, however, i was very annoyed when one of the contestents made a comment about making her curry mild as she was cooking for white people. Considering how Britain pushes cultural respect I find it very offensive when white people dont get the same respect. What was said was completely stereotypical and it the comment was said the other way round then there would be outrage. I’m all for cultural diversity but this works both way and i was shocked and appalled by the comment that was made.
Why are whoever is responsible for this website acting like some previous Communist state and not allowing certain posts to be shown.
Really disappointed that at such a sensitive time Dispatches are slating the care system. It is surely difficult enough to find people to work in this field without discouraging them by highlighting only those cases that slip through the net and never praising the workers for the positive aspects of their involvement. Had we not created a culture of looking after people’s children who are incapable themselves we would not be in this position. Other countries do not pander to inadequate parenting but then other countries don’t pay benefits to those not working. We have third generation benefit claimants who have no work ethic because their parents have never done anything but sit back and expect the government to support them and their children. Irresponsible pregnancies and the subsequent lack of ability to cope with children leads to the care system being overwhelmed so of course there will be failures, however how can you possibly expect to encourage people to work inthis field and leave themselves open not only to the emotional cost of working with damaged children but also the possibility of public humiliation if things go wrong. Whilst I realise that these vulnerable children are suffering I cannot help but feel Channel 4 in airing this programme will further discourage people from entering Social Services and as a result even more children will suffer.
I have just watched the Secret Millionnaire and am disgusted with the fact that the millionairess gave the largest cheque to a family who have moved here from eastern europe. While I appreciate that they were in dire circumstances, maybe they should have realised that the grass is not greener in the UK and sent the message home.
CHARITY STARTS AT HOME.
Do you ever think, what could I do with all the spare time if I never watched television again?
What could the world do with all this extra energy and maybe, just maybe the overall intelligence of the plant might increase!
I find television very educational. Every time someone switches it on I go into another room and read a good book.
Groucho Marx (1890-1977)EBBB (even before Big Brother)
i really like channel 4 shows and i strongly recomend for them to put on south park because the don’t show much cartoon comedy
With no daytime live streaming BB is finished for many of its biggest fans and more to the point will generate even less media interest .
Stupid little clips full of Ads on a poor quality ad filled website is NOT a replacement. Trying to claim people prefer that is frankly patronising and a Joke.
It was so popular NOT during CBB you had a task outcome on based on hits to the clips . Would you need to do that if it was so great and popular as claimed ?
Also can CH4 explain how the latest ‘reason’ given ‘costs millions to provide live feed’ reconciles with the fact virtually every other edition Worldwide provides the facility either for free or a fee (Like you used to do for the Internet stream before you axed that !). Even a low GDP country like Albania can manage to do it yet you cant ?
Dear C4,
I’ve been wondering since you showed that program on Alex Stobbs, how is he doing now? It was very intresting, and I was also wonderig if you plan on having a follow up in the near future, if he is still okay.
Thanks.
Hi Caoimhe,
News from Channel 4 is that a follow-up programme on Alex is due to be broadcast in the summer. Keep an eye on Channel4.com for more details as and when we have them.
Thanks
We have stopped watching programmes and films on Channel 4, as the highlights or endings are regularly shown on trailers. For example, The Secret Millionaire trailer showed who the millionaires were giving money to; more recently, the trailer for this evening’s The Homecoming, showed Rachel meeting her half brother. Why must Channel 4 do this? Do they have so little faith in the quality of their programming that they think we won’t watch if we don’t know exactly what will be in their shows?
Shameless – 6 series and still brilliant television. Well written, very clever stuff.
I just tried e-mailing in the following to the TV show but mail demon returned it, so what is the point in channel-/film 4, broadcasting an on screen notice/appeal, for viewers to contact the TV Show…by e-mail?
it has come to my notice that you are 1) broadcasting films too early for their BBFC classification & as a result cutting them, without any consultation with the BBFC, as to what needs to be cut.
2) making unnecessary cuts to films broadcast at a time that is in line with the ITC’s directive, inparticular cutting the acceptable sex scene from the film “Sleeping with the enemy” while retaining the near rape scene; also brodcasting a TV version of the 12 rated film “Bad girls” screened at 11-20PM; then there is your cutting of S. Bullocks outburst of “Jesus christ” from the 12 rated film “Miss Congeniality” after she gets feedback in her earpice, for which what she says to cover up her outburst makes no sense, much the same as delivering a jokes punchline without telling the joke.
3) Unnecessarily, & in some cases excessively & VICiousLY Cropping films. For example, in the case of the film “Equilibrium”, in as much as I recored it from SKY movies in a LB/Letterbox aspect, for your LB aspect you cropped the same letterbox version to WS/Widescreen, & then from WS to LB, a case of breaking that which was perfect to start with.
Hi Chris-t,
Apologies that you had difficulty in contacting us. The best way of getting in touch with The TV Show is always through this blog, but if you’d like to make a formal comment to the Channel, you can do so by contacting our Viewer Enquiries department.
With regards to your comment about the editing of film, Film4 have told us that they “pride ourselves in remaining faithful to the director’s intentions whilst working within the BBFC framework and would never consider unnecessary censorship for whatever reason”.
Whilst i did enjoy ‘The Unloved’ I did feel that the childrens home was a really terrible example of the way childrens homes are in reality. Having worked in one for over 5 years i can safely say with some conviction that the hard work and care that staff put into their jobs has been wholly overlooked, as well as many other misleading factors about the way staff deal with the children in their care. I was very disappointed with that aspect, although i did appreciate what a powerful piece of film it was.
Recent events have shown MPs dipping into the tax fund for fraudulent expenditure cliams. Although i do not agree with this, it is nothing compared to the big bankers who have, relativly, done the same thing on a much larger scale. I would like to thank channel 4 for reminding people of this on tonites epesode of dispaches.
Wowee Jon Snow; Just how biased can you get. Regarding the speaker: You let the anti speaker (Tory) make each point he chose completely, but over talked each time the Lord (Labour) tried to make any point favouring the speaker. Pretty clear where your support lies.
If you were smart,you’d realise,the knife men are trying to fog the real problem. EG. They’ve been on the take. Lets stick to the real script please. You wont con us voters mind.
Big Brother 10 without at least some E4 coverage live during Day is Not Big Brother . Its even worse than the Laughable coverage for Celebrity Big Brother this year !
You shouldnt be allowed to call it Big Brother IMHO. Its Just a very cheap SCRIPTED soap opera
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY GOK WAN IS ADVERTISING…LOOK GOOD NAKED…PLAYING ON PEOPLES’ INSECURITES..THEN SAYING WHATEVER..THE HELL WITH IT ALL!…BUT. DID’NT HE USED TO BE REALLY BIG OR SOMETHING, THEN HE DRASTICALLY SLIMMED DOWN.. IF HE IS ADVOCATING TO NOT CARE..WHY DID HE CARE SO MUCH ABOUT HIS WEIGHT TO SLIM RIGHT DOWN..
I wish Channel 4 would stop editing all their shows to bits. Some great programmes like Scrubs, My Name is Earl and even The Simpsons, all of which have been shown before in their entirety, are now so hacked up that in some cases whole plot lines have to be removed. I believe that this is due to Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand making programmers so scared of offending people that they won’t even re-broadcast episodes that never got a complaint the first time around. I saw an episode of Scrubs where they had edited out somebody saying something like, “You have to be able to use simple medical terms like penis and vagina”. This makes my point nicely. They are merely anatomical terms. And yet, in the same show, the word “ass” was used a number of times. Personally, I don’t find any of these words offensive, but of the three, surely ass is the worst. If you can’t air these shows in their entirety in the afternoon, why not put them out later in the evening, allowing the writing to stay intact?
Hi Kip
I posted a blog about this on the site last year – Scrubs: The art of editing US shows – which explains why we have to edit these well loved shows to allow them to be broadcast at time when children could be watching. You will see that this blog was posted well before the Jonathan Ross/Russell Brand affair!
Why should it matter where they are from? You said they were in dire circumstances, so why not help them? This country is built on immigration and invasion. Could you trace your ancestry back to being purely British? I very much doubt it. Have you considered being more tolerant? Or maybe you could just not bother the rest of us with your narrow-minded opinions…
I think it’s fine to show sex and violence, personally. Okay, not porn and gory beheadings, but Hollyoaks isn’t that interesting. As long as they are realistic about the consequences of things like unprotected sex and mindless violence (which is most violence, really) then I don’t see that there’s any harm done. Just to be clear, I disagree with violence in all its forms, but I am a big supporter of free speech, and I think people need to loosen up a bit. Hollyoaks is hardly art, but it still should not be censored.
I saw that. It seemed to me that the Labour guy was talking absolute rubbish, and I actually agreed with a lot of what the Tory bloke was saying. I don’t believe Jon Snow is biased. He generally seems to be of Liberal persuasion, in fact. Regardless, he is a good reporter and will try to get actual answers from people instead of being fobbed off with excuses and stalling irrelevant babbling.
1066, broadcast last night, was BRILLIANT. It brought a hidden chapter of history to life, with real people & real emotions. The characters were fictional, but based around fact. The man from the ‘cold adverts’ was amazing, proving he can act very well, not just with a runny nose! I think 1066 should be aired in schools, it really brought history to life.
Well done, C4, you have surpassed yourself.
for me, excellent tv viewing with the dispatches programme re the bankers still cashing in, and 1066 over two evenings.
Re The Unloved- I was disgusted at this play after a balanced group of programmes on the care system. It was a ridiculous, false picture of the system and it should have been clear at the end what changes have taken place since the dark days of the care system. Did anyone think what it must have been like for any of the thousands of teenagers in care just now to have watched that? Can you imagine the discrimination already faced by young people in care but who now may be looked upon by their peers as facing the sick treatment described in your awful play. I am aware of young people who I know in care who were very angry and distressed last night at their carers being portrayed as vile, sick individuals. It makes all the hard work of the committed people who give everything to the improvement of the experiences of our most vulnerable appear a waste of time. Every time rubbish of this sort comes on TV the service is set back years in terms of improving the image of the care system. Contrary to media hype, thousands of young people in recent years have stated that they have had very positive experiences and have benefitted from the support of skilled and dedicated carers. Please remember the embarassment you have caused thousands of children up and down the country who had to go to school, college or work and look at peers who watched that drivel. You tried to portray an absolute inhumanity to vulnerable children and yet by doing so you are guilty of another kind of inhumanity. One of stigma, stereotypes and gossip mongering.
Seinfeld. Please.
Channel 4 is my favourite channel. I love skins and think it is brillant but for the season finale the ending disappointed me and everyone else I talked to about it. I just wanted to ask What has happened to all the brillant endings that the excellent skins writers normally have?
My TV viewing is being ruined by loud, intrusive, tuneless and strident piano music and grinding orchestral chords.
Listen to an episode of Deal or No Deal. Noel is drowned out by plink, plonk, plink, plonk, tinkle, tinkle and then a grinding noise, which reminds me of German bombers and the Blitz. Is that heard in the studio?
I am forced to turn the sound off and rely on the sub-titles. Fortunately, the show is more visual than anything.
And the onslaught continues on TV generally. It is a new plague. it is endemic. Adverts as well, but with an extra 50dB. Channel 4 is not the only offender. ITV and the BBC are also guilty. BBC had a hospital programme in the mornings and key dialogue was totally lost beneath more jangling pianos.
And now radio has joined in. problem there is that there are no sub-titles.
After paying £1000 for a decent TV, then a licence to use that TV i just paid for you would think that the programmes on it would be as decent as the TV itself.
1/3 of it is full of advertisements trying to sell me something else. Im buying your advertising. The problem with the big companies is that they have so much money that they waist most of it on advertisements that null the senses only at the end do you find out what the product is.
When a someone wants a tampon they go to the store and buy some. They dont act either consciously or subliminaly on the latest ad. People are not stupid and advertisements do not work. All they do is forecver program people with pathetic tunes and remakes of old tunes meant to fill our consciousness with the tune therefore reminding us of the product its trying to sell. This is supposed to be illegal. Usurping peoples consciousness that is.
Its also a shame that my life experiences say that the ads for supposed Caring About Animals doesnt reflect the real world. I get antibiotics for £10 or less. My dogs antibiotics cost me £84. But like everything else and i mean everything else. The TV is full of Non-Sequitures. As well as inuendoes, lookalikes, soundalikes, hints and other subliminal messages that are meant to bring to mind those so special Celebrities that give money to charities because they get a tax breake. Like Our Lord says. I hate that there is evil in the world. 99% of it is shown on my expencive useless without a licence Advertising Medium TV. People if they werent divided by the so called authorities should turn off and watch the so called authorities go down.
Channel 4 has some cracking dramas such as Shameless, and the inbetweeners, but also good informative programmes and documentaries (Eg. Dawn Porter). What really gets my goat is the all of the reality tv stuff. Yes, Channel 4 was the first to do it, and its probably made you millions in the process but enough is enough. Move on. Everyone is fed up with that rubbish now. Come up with something new!
I enjoy channel 4, its probably one of my favourite channels. I love your sitcoms and your programmes that deal with social issues (Dawn Porter), top 100!, Supersize vs superskinny, embarrassing bodies etc etc. BUT i do not agree with the encouragement that channel 4 gives to the youth of today and making out that its ok to be a complete imbecile, and that to make money all they need to is have big breasts or ugly and vulgar. Big Brother is the WORST programme there is making “celebrities” out of idiots. You are making our kids hero’s pathetic.
I really want a decent show on Channel 4 with movie reviews on it that dont just work as a half hour long advert…
I will do it for free! Please get some opinions on films on TV rather than Jonathan Ross’!
Yes, bring back Moviewatch!
i cannot believe how ch 4 is in the mess alongside itv we should have the best rated tv stations in the world as we used too.has complainancy and jobs for the boys fell by the wayside and allowed the likes of sky tv to overtake our great british instution give the people what they want 24/7 of quality and the advertiser will flood back knocking on your door we dont want cheap tacky telesales we require action movies and diverse programmes its the viewer that dicktaates and the revenue will follow believe me so get your finger out and go for it
The C4 Homepage is a complete mess and a lesson in how NOT do do a Homepage. I wanted to get some information on Big Brother which is starting next week and there is not a mention anywhere, or no link how to find out any information on Big Brother.
Mary – here is the link to the Big Brother website – I hope this answers your questions
http://www.channel4.com/bigbrother/
Paula
I was very concerned about the blatant and extensive product placement for Dr Pepper that occured repeatedly during the 25th May episode of 90210.
I realise that as a bought-in US show, as long as C4 doesn’t get paid for it, it doesn’t breach the broadcast code. But really, I expect better than the bare minimum of compliance, especially in a show aimed at teens. Most of the product placement shots were long, dialogueless tracking shots of a can in someone’s hand, and could easily have been removed without damaging the dramatic structure of the episode. Indeed,
the show would have been improved without these laughable attempts at indoctrination being feebly inserted into an otherwise compelling issue-based drama.
Not really sure what the point of post here is since the latest posts are right at the bottom of a verrrrrrrry long page, but here goes:
Night At the Museum repeated one week on from the original C4 broadcast, ALSO on C4? LAZY!!!!
Dom – got the message about Night at the Museum! In future, you can swap the order of posts around by clicking on the blue bar above the top post, which toggles between showing oldest first and newest first.
Paula
From: “Terry Bunn”
To: “‘ blogs.channel4com/thetvshow/ ””
Subject: Churchills Darkest decision.
Date: 27 May 2009 12:45
May I congratulate you on one of the best programmes that I have seen on TV – especially about modern history. It was well balanced, informative and a credit to all concerned. More such programmes like these please. Clearly BBC does not seem able to produce such programmes. Well done Channel Four. You certainly justified your existence last night.
T.A.Bunn
Showing Night at the Museum twice within seven days, on two consecutive Sundays in the peak slot says more about C4s lack of content and how it treats its viewers than anything else in recent years. Ridiculous scheduling. Viewers tend to have longer memories than goldfish.
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed watching Night at the Museum on channel 4 on sunday 24th May I was shocked to discover that channel 4 were showing the film again on sunday 31st May – one week later! Have channel 4 run out of decent films/programmes to show the public? I doubt the film was so popular that it needed to be repeated one week later!
I love:
1. Channel 4 News-it’s serious, in depth & reports on many issues the other channels omit.
2. Despatches-a good, solid piece of journalism / current affairs.
3. Films made with Film 4 contribution-they are often off-mainstream & would not be made if if were not for Film 4 championing them-well done.
I loathe:
1.The numerous, short clips advertising programmes to see later (that day / next week. eg: child prodigy)-what is the point, when most people have Teletext, newspaper or a computer and can plan their viewing schedule, without Channel 4 constantly showing clips of programmes to come?
2. Numerous, cheap reality shows, such as Big Brother, pandering to the lowest common denominator of behaviour. Seems to be a quick way of getting publicity for the participants. I do not watch it (but have seen clips & heard others discussing it) and believe people’s lives must be sad if they want to watch a group of others, who have their own reasons for being on it. Big Brother neither informs nor entertains-it is for the tittle tattle brigade.
3. Where are the good films?
4. Why so many repeats?
5. There were many really good, original programmes when Channel 4 first started broadcasting-one I remember was a fantastic documentary series on Genghis Khan. Broadcast those please???
6. Get real-programmes such as Hollyoaks never show gritty life-nobody does any work-they’re all young, pretty people who have only sex in their lives.
On the whole, CH4 has the best TV. It certainly has the best news coverage I’ve seen anywhere in the world. My visitors from abroad are always amazed.
But TV in general is too hung-up on murder, cops, tragedy, sick or freaks. You say you reflect society, but you apparently don’t know the Universal law that “Like begets like”. You influence society. Killing is so common, it’s the thing to do, right? So the kids think. I want to be inspired, uplifted, entertained not wallow in problems and murder.
And Russell Brand is a disgrace to the human race. Don’t you know that??
Also, Punishment is an Old Testament concept. I thought we were christian. Everyone wants revenge. Most of those poor souls need treatment and LOVE, not further humiliation to make them more bitter and defiant. Elementary, my dear Watson.
I am dismayed, disgusted and upset at the abolition of LIVE FEED for Big Brother 10. This action has caused die hard Big Brother Fans to leave the show forever. The ratings are plummeting, emails are flooding the inboxes of those in power and ……NOTHING!
The concept of Big Brother is for the viewer to be allowed 24hr cover of how a bunch of people integrate with each other, social studies and many other reasons too numerous to list here. So why now do we find ourselves being fed a menu of ‘Big Brother, Reality TV’ only to find that actually the dish we are served up with is Dead Brother as there is nothing REAL about it.
The viewers are being offered crumbs from Channel 4’s table ….live feed at night when housemates are asleep…….wakey wakey….LIVE FEED OFF!!
The way the fans have been treated is outrageous. No sensible explanation with an opportunity to debate…just fobbed off with lame excuses that bear no resemblence to the truth as I see it.
Not only have many turned off from BB but also Channel 4.
I hope those in postions of authority take on board what the viewer wants……..truth, honesty, transparency……….now where have I heard those words before…ooh yes Parliament!
Give us back our Live Feed please. I fear otherwise it is RIP Big Brother.
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