channel 4 are sick

[andrewstevenson]

I am disgusted by a new show coming to channel 4 called I'm spazticus. Having a disability myself I am disgusted with channel 4 they should be ashamed

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a365028/im-spazticus-channel-4-commissions-disabled-prank-show.html

[Hugh]

From the link

Series producer Jamie O'Leary added: "I'm Spazticus uses the world of comedy to explore the world of disability; employing disabled writers and a cast of disabled on-screen talent to play pranks on an unsuspecting general public.

"We hope it's both barrier and ground-breaking - it will never be worthy and box-ticking but hopefully funny."

A pilot for the series, first aired on Channel 4 in 2005, won a Superfest International Disability Award.

Are you upset at the idea of the show, or the its title?

[andrewstevenson]

The idea of the show is great but the title is sick

[danielf]

They had a 'documentary' on female lorry drivers the other day. It was called 'mothertruckers'. I thought it was brilliant. (The title, not the programme).

[martyh]

Originally Posted by andrewstevenson

The idea of the show is great but the title is sick

Maybe you need to lighten up a bit

[andrewstevenson]

Not really I don't agree, that is derogatory to disabled people everywhere. But imagine other derogatory names

[Jon T]

Bit of perspective needed here.

The term "spastic" in the medical sense is described here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spasticity

The only reason that the term "spastic" has become offensive in that it was turned into an insult, whereas it started life as a descriptive term(and still is). The additional negative interpretation was the reason that the spastic society changed it's name to Scope.

I'm disabled, suffering from a condition called Ataxia, this being related to Cerebral Palsy in many ways but in a minor form.

I am not offended by the name of the program and see it as a way of advertising that people with disabilities can operate in the normal world, we have the same sense of humor, frustrations and anxieties etc as everyone else.

If the capacity to cause offense was deemed something that should stop a TV program being made, we'd be watching blank screens!

[m419]

I'm sorry but I have to agree with the original post, I do not have a disability but would find that very insulting if I did, it is so out of order and I hope Ofcom receives many complaints about this show, I think it is disgusting!

[Hom3r]

Well theres a female comedian called Francesca Martinez. She has cerebral palsy but prefers to describe herself as "wobbly".

I belive she take the mick out of her medical condition aswell.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesca_Martinez

[idi banashapan]

Originally Posted by m419

I'm sorry but I have to agree with the original post, I do not have a disability but would find that very insulting if I did, it is so out of order and I hope Ofcom receives many complaints about this show, I think it is disgusting!

with all due respect, your comment appears not too unlike those we see from the PC brigade who tend to get offended on other peoples behalf.

first rule of comedy - if you can't take the micky out of yourself, don't dare start taking the micky out of others. The title is the first thing you will come across (generally) on a TV show and they have set the agenda. this is obviously a group of comedians who can look at themselves and mock from the outset. good on them. like everyone they too have the choice of seeing the funny side of life, or spend their time wallowing in self-pity. they've chosen to do something for themselves and I wish them the best. fair play to them. if only everyone could smile more instead of being offended by silly little things. like these people who write into Points Of View saying how they spend 30 minutes watching an entire programme and being offended all the way through. here's a tip: change the frickin' channel!!!

[New to cable]

See now, I see the title I am spazticus and makes me think of someone who is loud and proud and wants the world to know.

Putting themselves out in the world treating themselves as equal and fighting to achieve. Embrace it, enjoy it, stop treating people with pitty they really don't want. Leave them to achieve and succeed.

You're free to sit back and feel hard by and see your limitations, others see solutions not problems and opportunity's not disadvantage's.

[idi banashapan]

Originally Posted by New to cable

See now, I see the title I am spazticus and makes me think of someone who is loud and proud and wants the world to know.

Putting themselves out in the world treating themselves as equal and fighting to achieve. Embrace it, enjoy it, stop treating people with pitty they really don't want. Leave them to achieve and succeed.

You're free to sit back and feel hard by and see your limitations, others see solutions not problems and opportunity's not disadvantage's.

now THAT'S what I'm taking about!!!

[Jon T]

I used to get called Wonky Jon! That then became just "Wonky".

idi and newtocable are spot on IMHO

[Taf]

Sticks and stones, etc.

[j52c]

Originally Posted by danielf

They had a 'documentary' on female lorry drivers the other day. It was called 'mothertruckers'. I thought it was brilliant. (The title, not the programme).

I know this is off topic, but.

I saw that, tell you what though, I wonder how they would get on if they drove the trucks when I was driving them. I drove some that had air assisted power steering, one was an old Diamond T ex tank transporter. None of the lorries then had windscreen washers, we used to fill an old washing up liquid bottle with water, then point it towards the windscreen and squeeze, then there were heaters of a kind, a fan that blew across a heated element.

My goodness, those were the days.