The Princess is to be in another television programme. Her class are to be filmed a couple of times and she was very excited. I had to sign a release form for her. I came home shortly afterwards and she said, “I read the release form. They can do anything they like with my image. They own everything I have no rights.” “That’s right,” I said, “if you don’t want to, you don’t have to do it.” “Of course, I want to do it, I’m going to be on television!”
The actual experience of television was very boring. They had to do lots of re-takes. The crew brought out some worms to show the children (the programme is about gardening, I understand). This was a highlight and they were all fascinated. But this was not the correct reaction. All the girls had to scream; the boys did not have to scream. So they redid the worm introduction until the girls screamed loudly enough. “Which was very sexist,” said she. That’s my girl.
That is maddening. In 2013!!
that is infuriating.
Yes maddening and infuriating are both good words for this.
I was thinking ‘repulsive’. And also stupid, because the children’s actual reaction might be a better measure of what real children are like than the manufactured reaction that was imposed on them, presumably in an attempt to appeal to children. Was it an RTE programme?
I think it’s being made for RTE alright. Have been trying to comment on your site re your truly unfortunate year so far insofar as illness and accident are concerned. I have sacrificed a goat for you. Hope both boys have a speedy recovery.