|
Most reality TV programmes tends to provide us with a platform to laugh and ridicule at people put on for our very own entertainment. I caught the last two episodes of Famous, Rich and Homeless from the BBC. It was very interesting. It showed some celebrities, although I wouldn't say they were A listers, put onto the street and experiencing the lives of the homeless. It had the involvement of John Bird the creator of the Big Issue who himself lived that life previously. A flashpoint in the series centred around when the celebrities came back from being on the streets and John Bird raised the issue that they were trying too hard to fix the homeless people's problems in 3 days. This didn't go down well with the actor that plays Les Battersby in Corination Street or Annabel Croft.
Obviously there area whole range of factors and considerations in tackling this issue that I simply don't have the knowledge to comment on, but aside from the splash of celebrity which I guess just makes it a little more accessible for viewers, the programme showed the huge gulf between being homeless on the street and those with homes, even poverty stricken people in homes. The other factors that such as mental health and abuse make it so hard for us/those with a 'privileged' life to even grasp how this kind of life unfolds. Another poinant part of the last episode was when Hardeep Singh Kholi kicked off when someone disturb him and his homeless buddy sleeping in a doorway to give them some cigarettes and check that they were OK. The Scottish writer and presenter really kicked off. Catching a decent nights sleep as a homeless person must be a rarity so he right royally kicked off when woken up early in the morning. His doorway buddy said that actually it was touching to have someone care enough to check on them when most of the time the rest of society doesn't care. Fair play to the celebs. This wasn't about being in the jungle or Big Brother to enhance their profiles, their experiences went a lot deeper and could have been pretty damaging as well. Well done to all, although I didn't see the bits with The Marquis of Blandford who didn't come across in the same light.
Only registered users can write comments. Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment! |