Thanks Maura, I totally agree with your assessment: more cruel "reality."

I actually think this is a fairly decent bit of programming from MTV. They do tend to accentuate the negativity of these kids or pick overly negative kids as subject matter, and you're correct in that it's the kind of thing that people *expect* to see. But I like that they're at least giving these kids that might otherwise have never been able to break out of the shells they've surrounded themselves with. This is the only thing on MTV I even bother with anymore, because I think, at its core, it's still a fairly positive show.

The best Made by far was the one with the young band who wanted to win the local battle of the bands contest. It was four dorky kids who actually could play, and I got a kick out of the bassist's reaction to the "instructor" he was paired up with. The teacher attempted to get him to move his bass from where he should and did wear it (across the body, up high) to slung down low around his pelvis - because that looks cool. He then berated him when he refused, telling him he looked like he played in the "dorkestra." The next scene of them playing showed him proudly wearing his bass in the position he was most comfortable with - right where it always was. Good for him.

They didn't win, by the way, but that was more because they were a dorky ska band up against a bunch of metal bands with large, loud followings.

Hi Tom,

In some ways the show was beneficial, because Jordan did make a huge change in his life.

However, I don't think that he will ever want to watch that MTV episode again, or want his peers at school to see it. Can you imagine what his schoolmates would say to him after seeing the show? It won't be to congratulate him on what was a monumental achievement, but to berate him for it, as MTV's commentator did.

I do not enjoy cruelty being packaged as entertainment. I think Jordan is the kind of kid that is a soft target for teasing, and he's probably put up with it all his life - hence his protective behaviour. Why did MTV have to contribute to putting him down? That's my problem with this episode. I'm glad to hear from what you've said that other kids got better treatment.

I do think that MTV is about protecting the status quo, and making kids think that there is some kind of way they "should" be. It's a far cry from the rebel TV station it started out as in the 80s. Now, it's soundbites dressed up as wisdom, and superficial treatment of important subjects. And there's that relentless commentary, always telling us what MTV thinks is funny, hip or cool.

I think teens today have never had it so hard.

I'm curious if you're watching this show in another country and MTV over there did something with the voice over? Because there is no narrator in the show I watch other than the kid who is being "made." He/she will discuss what's going on, how they're feeling, tell us who people are, etc. I find this show highly entertaining and enjoy seeing these people who don't appear to have a chance in heck of succeeding make it anyway. There appears to be no mean-spiritedness at all.

I've never seen it, BTW, just responding to the review.

Yes, I saw it on the MTV UK network. And the commentator had a British accent.

I did wonder if the American version of the show had the voice-over, because it's obviously not necessary, other than to demean the kid.

It certainly shows extremely bad judgement on the part of the MTV Europe team, and I wonder why they thought the episode would benefit from the addition of a nasty diatribe?

Because, without the voice-over, most of my problems with that episode are gone.

I might have to drop MTV UK a line over this.

I think comment #4 (yes, my wife, and NO I'm agreeing with her just because she's my wife!) is on to something. I took a look at your site, Maura, and you're in Ireland. I wonder if MTV Europe doesn't adapt these shows for you by adding a voiceover to explain things? Or perhaps to perpetuate a stereotype of Americans as whiny brats? Now I'm really curious - I'd love to see a European example of Made.

Jordan, however, was easily the most whiny and irritating of all the subjects the show has had. Give a few other episodes a shot, they all weren't as bratty as he was.

And I wonder, do the participants know that a different version of the show is being broadcast in Europe?

Very interesting, glad we got that straightened out - I'll never watch MTV in Ireland.

Yeah Tom, I'm thinking the same thing as you.

For example, I wonder if Kirk would like to know some of the comments made about him that were less than complimentary - and he was no way a whiny teenager but a trained and efficient professional.

As I pointed out throughout the review, my major issue is the voice-over. As I well know, a commentary track, and even the choice of music, can radically alter your perception of the material.

I really have to question why MTV UK decided to change the American version.

I don't have a problem with the kids in the show - I always admire people who try to achieve difficult ambitions. Even if Jordan was a whinger, he still did something worthy of celebrating. My problem is that the version of the show I saw didn't do that.

Hmmm, it's all very interesting.

Eric, the MTV we get is the UK version, nothing to do with Ireland (except for one or two presenters) at all. :)

Indeed - it was a small, poor joke. Har har. Were I to be granted the fortune of visiting Ireland, I doubt it would even occur to me to turn on the TV.

Wow, that's too bad, Maura. Sounds like they're ruining basically a very good show (may I reiterate that it is currently the only thing I find worth watching on MTV?) Interesting how the one change they make completely alters people's perceptions.

Maybe this is payback for taking all the great British shows and making horrible remakes of them in the US. :-) I'm really dreading the treatment BBC's The Office, one of my favorite shows, is going to receive at the hands of NBC . . .

Arrgh, MTV.co.uk has the worst web site design I've ever encountered!

I can't even submit a query becuase of the advertisement lurking over the contact form.

For what it's worth, I posted an inquiry about this matter to MTV.com, and I'll let you know if I hear anything more about it.

I find it frustrating that neither MTV.com or MTV.co.uk provide an email address to which you can send messages. You are forced to use their comment system, which is a pain on the American version, and unusable on the UK version.

"I couldn't believe that MTV would air a programme in which they were willing to demean a kid for entertainment."

Do they have the show "Punk'd" on MTV UK? Just wondering.

Most "reality" TV is entertainment via demeaning "civilians" one way or another and I despise it.

Although American Idol holds contestants up to possible ridicule by the judges, at least it is a more or less meritocratic talent contest with an honorable goal at the end of the rainbow.

"Punk'd" is mild; do they show "Jackass"?

Yeah, we get them all. I generally dislike reality shows, but MADE appeared to be more about helping kids achieve something worthwhile, which is laudable.

Reality Programmes are also the cheapest form of TV available, which is why it's so popular at the moment.

what time is punk'd on in the UK?
I think is really cool, but i dont know what time is on in the UK.