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Should TV shows do more to protect stars?
Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle has been admitted to a London clinic after appearing in the final. The focus has now fallen on how television treats its previously unheralded stars. Should contestants be offered more support?
In the run up to the final, the singer was the favourite. But one of the programme's judges, Piers Morgan, said she had struggled to handle the attention and thought about quitting the show.
In the end, the dance group Diversity was chosen by the public as the winners. The group will perform at the Royal Variety Show and receive a £100,000 prize.
Monday's semi-final became the most-watched episode in the current series with 15.4m viewers, and the final was watched by more than 18m people.
Is there too much pressure placed on the contestants? Should the programme makers take more responsibility for their welfare? Or is it up to the contestants to know what they are letting themselves in for?
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Published:
Saturday, 30 May, 2009, 21:05 GMT
22:05 UK
All comments as they come in
Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 18:25 GMT
19:25 UK
I don't watch the programme and have only seen the headlines, but I hope Susan can get back on her feet again very soon, and can make a success of her singing.
It would do no harm for these programmes, when they bring talented unknowns into the public arena, to employ a small team of professionals who could at the very least give contestants some good advice to help them cope.
A little bit of further nurturing while they get on their feet would be good too.............
Maureen Ball, Essex, United Kingdom
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 18:21 GMT
19:21 UK
As Susan ( bless her) clearly has what is best described as 'learning difficulties' it would have been good if BGT TV mogels had set up proper help for her from the start.
They have allowed a lady that is in need help to be 'burn't out' for the sake of ratings.
They will still be profiting from her 'break down'
makes me sad to be British
Very Sad......
Steve Maguire, west midlands
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 18:20 GMT
19:20 UK
To all the top recommended posts and people expressing "who cares" then DON'T WATCH IT. It is not rocket science, turn off your TV or turn over and let the 20 million who did watch it enjoy it
[nacoodle]
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 18:17 GMT
19:17 UK
They do not have to perform and we do not have to watch so what is the problem ?
Bagelic, Horsham
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 18:15 GMT
19:15 UK
It must be such a trauma to realise you will be a multi-millionaire for singing on a "reality" show. Come one, none of these people have ambitions to sing etc to entertain people - they simply want the fame and cash. If they can't take the hardships, they are not entitled to the benefits.
Doctor Sensible, edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 18:14 GMT
19:14 UK
To all the "who cares" lot;
Nobody cares that you don't care, so why bother posting?
Lighten up you miserable lot.
Nick Taylor, Napier, New Zealand
We can't be all that bad when it attracts a comment from New Zealand, the TV there is better then? lol
[terrybyatt]
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 18:11 GMT
19:11 UK
We all have pressures in life, many of which we can't avoid. These are all volunteers who have an option on this situation. If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen!
[terrybyatt]
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 17:57 GMT
18:57 UK
To be honest, contestants and parents (of young contestants) with 'stars in their eyes' must have a pretty good idea of what they are letting themselves in for on their search for fame and fortune. And what are they letting themselves in for: the vicious, unethical Britsh popular press with a a generous helping of sour grapes.
Nicola Courtney
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 17:56 GMT
18:56 UK
Life. People are identified as 'Good' by a significant number of others. This causes significant numbers of others to dislike 'Good' as 'Bad'. It also causes significant 'media elements' to dish up dirt because no-one can be that 'Good' and 'Dirt Dishing' sells. People are identified as anti-social and disliked as 'Bad'.The media looks for redeeming features to demonstrate how 'Good' is changing 'Bad' for better. 'Bad' becomes a 'Mother Teresa' figure. Go back to beginning of this HYS comment.
Mal, London
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 17:50 GMT
18:50 UK
On a somewhat related note, does anyone think it is unbelievably hypocritical that Peirs Morgan is telling the press to back off Susan Boyle?
Given what The Daily Mail was like when he was in charge, where does he get the right to complain about the press??
[angelholme], Blackpool, United Kingdom
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 17:49 GMT
18:49 UK
Did she just suddenly appear in the final or did she have to succeed in previous rounds? Surely she knew what to expect and did so without being forced. I`m fed up with people who do things because that`s what they wanted to do and wanted their fifteen minutes bit of glory and then complain when things don`t turn out as expected. Stay away from what you can`t handle, and if you can`t resist then don`t come moaning afterwards.
Bob, Warwickshire
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 17:40 GMT
18:40 UK
If they were being forced, or coerced in some way, then I might have some sympathy. But all they have to do is say "No - I don't want to take part" and they can walk away.
It doesn't excuse the press for their general behaviour - people still have a right to a private life, and there's no excuse for invading it - but if you're going to make yourself a national star, you can't expect to avoid some people talking about. And if you don't want that, then don't do it.
[angelholme], Blackpool, United Kingdom
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 17:34 GMT
18:34 UK
Adults by and large know what they are letting themselves in for ! but in the the case of young children this is not so . The young girl who broke down on BHT is case in point ,I would not have been surprised if Social Services had stepped in ! That child was in distress and clearly should not have been subjected to the stress she was placed under ! If you look at the history of child stars many have far from fairy tale endings !!But money and vested interests will always be the priority!
keith ridgers, cobham, United Kingdom
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 17:33 GMT
18:33 UK
There's been a lot of attention on whether the SHOW caused Susan's current emotional state, but I've seen very little comment on how much the media and press played a part.
Yes, support is needed, but I think that's true of everyone - the children usually have supportive parents looking out for them, us adults are less lucky, we need supportive strangers.
And maybe the press can have their noses slapped for their part in this, if they had left her alone perhaps she'd have coped better?
Tania, Brighton
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Added:
Tuesday, 2 June, 2009, 17:23 GMT
18:23 UK
I am not sure the blame should be on TV shows but rather on the contestants.It is clear that in whatever one does there are bound to be outcomes which could be positive or negative and so should be prepared for it.If we insist that TV shows be more lineant they will never acheive what they are meant for.I feel the focus should be on the media because they talk a lot and sometimes their analysis go far beyound what the audience even thinks thereby causing emotional problems for the contestants.
AlieB Bombolai, Philadelphia, United States
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Published comments: 1844
Rejected comments: 384
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