I fear something more emphatic than threatened legal action would have happened under similar circumstances here:
- Sky One has pulled plans for a show about men competing for the affections of a pre-operation transsexual after the contestants threatened legal action to block the show's transmission.
The channel said on Friday the show which set up men with Miriam only to reveal later she was a man would not be included in the current schedule.
The lawyer for the six male contestants had said they were feeling "traumatised" after being duped by Sky One into cuddling and kissing Miriam, who they believed to be a woman.
....In the show the men had to rank women from a line-up, including Miriam, in order of attractiveness.
But they were not told Miriam was a male pre-operative transsexual.
Mr Christie-Miller denied reports one contestant was so angry he punched the show's producer when he discovered the truth. [BBC]
Seems reasonable to me.
- Cameras filmed the men attempting to woo Miriam, including scenes of them kissing.
Viewers were to be told at the start of the show Miriam was a male-to-female transsexual.
But the contestants, who are said to include a Royal Marine commando, a ski instructor and an ex-lifeguard, only discovered the truth when Miriam picked the winner and then revealed her true identity. [BBC]
And you thought it wouldn't get much crueler than Joe Millionaire? This is a new circle of hell. Was it supposed to be funny? Shocking? Romantic? Outrageous.
Article comments
1 - Al Barger
I suppose you could criticize the producers for being deceptive, but I'm inclined to think that people who sign up to do such shows deserve whatever public humiliation they reap.
2 - Eric Olsen
there is no end of people who will subject themselves to virtually anything for their 15 minutes in the spotlight so I think the responsibility lies with the producers as to where to draw the line - absolutely it was crossed here.
3 - andy
send em on Surviving Neugent. My girlfriend hates that show. SHe said people shouldn't be treated in such ways. I kinda thought they deserved what they got. They signed up for the show, it was their choice. I think uppidy city snobs need a good kick in the nuts everyone once and a while! hehe