TV and E offenses

[jazz'smum]

Have had two television shows hosts last week offend people and there families with Epilepsy ignorance.
Unfortunately Jacinta has seen one show and heard the media talk about the other.
In a time where i am telling her it is important to educate people ..so here point that people will make fun has been proved!

One incident had a family suing a footy show host after he accused a man with epilepsy as being drunk.
The prank was filmed on a bouncer at a night club after he was seen off balance and slurring his speech..they filmed and made a big joke on there show about the bouncer being drunk.. unaware of the mans medical condition.
The host apologised and i agree he made a genuine mistake as his brother had downs syndrome and sadly died that week ..it was just horrible as the media made it all so public, news, newspapers etc.

The other show was Big Brothers Friday Night Games..i only let Jacinta watch the games as it is fun.
One of the games was to play air guitar and one of the house mates threw herself on the ground and was shaking around with her air guitar and the show host said "I didnt know she was epileptic!", bleeped on TV but not to live studio audience. Besides it was obvious what was said to TV veiwers ..even Jacinta new.

Im so angry.

[epileric]

I have to agree that things like that tend to push my buttons as well. (I'd rather use stronger words but I don't think saying what I'm thinking would be appropriate here).

I would phone or write a letter telling them that as a parent I found those remarks to be abusive & do not reflect the values I wish to teach my child(ren) hence I will not be allowing them to watch their show anymore.

I don't know if I'd mention my child had epilepsy, they might take you more seriously if they weren't aware of that detail.

[jazz'smum]

I will do that Epileric i hope others complained too.. he should also apologise.
Will do a search on Big Brother now and see if i find anything.

[epileric]

I agree, he should apologise publicly. I don't blame you for being upset, I'm upset & it didn't even happen to me.

Also remember that some corporations do take complaints seriously. I learned in retail that for every person that might tell you something they don't like about your product there are at least 50 who don't. Some people acknowledge that, some don't. You might even want to ask other parents if they saw it & care to send in a complaint.

[jazz'smum]

Agree its important to let corporations know, I have been unhappy with things before and not complained ..but i can see now why people should.

Okay well let you know how they respond.

[epileric]

I never used to complain & then I"d get angry at myself saying that I should have. Now I just let them know, I just try to do it when I'm calm & collected so that they listen (they never did when I was too upset)

[CQ:)]

Hi Jazz's Mum

I'm a fellow Aussie. We only get the Vic footy show here & I never watch it.
Was it the NSW or Vic footy show that this incident happened? Alot of people are still unaware of the different seizures or just plain ignorant but you'd think someone in the public eye would know better.

I do watch Big Brother & also watch Friday Night Games every week, mainly because there isn't much else on telie & some of the games are good. I don't like the FNG hosts that much & there are times they really annoy me .
I briefly remember the air guitar round from last week but I'm sorry I don't remember the comment as my memory isn't that good. If you look up the BB website it may have more info on how to email them & I think Mike (the main FNG host) also has a blog.

Good luck with this & you never know we might hear the FNG hosts appologise .

[BuckeyeFan]

Definitely contact these shows and the channels that carry them. Most take complaints such as these very seriously. In the USA, we have the FCC (federal communications commission) where we can also file complaints. That is where the networks have to go to renew their license to broadcast and these complaints are part of the review.

I also work for a pretty large corporation and absolutely agree that we do not like bad publicity or unhappy customers. You can be a great company 99.9% of the time and then one idiot makes a remark like that and it ruins your business. Believe me, we don't take those comments lightly.

Go get em!!!

[jazz'smum]

Hi CQ
Good to see another Aussie on such a great forum.
It was NSW footy show and it was was Fatty Vautin that made the comment.

THE Footy Show host Paul "Fatty" Vautin offered his "humblest" apologies to a disabled security guard he inadvertently insulted by claiming he was "blind" drunk.

Although he did not host the show last night because he was attending the Brisbane funeral of his brother Geoffrey, who had Down Syndrome, Vautin compiled a video message, apologising to hotel bouncer Greg Stacey, who suffers from benign epilepsy.


Video: Watch Fatty's TV apology

"At the time I misassumed (sic) that he had been drunk and was drunk and I said that," Vautin said.

"Greg, I have since found out that you suffer from benign epilepsy. Mate, I was horrified to learn of my mistake.

"Mate, I'm genuinely sorry that I upset you and humiliated you in that fashion.

"My humblest apologies go to you and your family mate. It's just not in my bag to do that. It was simply a mistake made by me, an honest mistake," he said.

Vautin then stated he hoped Mr Stacey would accept his apology and said they may catch up in the future and share a coffee.

Mr Stacey has threatened legal action against Vautin for the comments he made on last week's show.

Vautin told viewers Mr Stacey appeared "blind" drunk during an interview at Brisbane's Caxton Hotel on State of Origin night, when in fact his words were slurred because of his disability.

When Mr Stacey and his family complained after the show aired, Vautin defended himself saying he would never ridicule a disabled person because his brother had Down Syndrome.

Vautin's brother Geoffrey died in a Brisbane care facility on Tuesday.

Replacement host Peter Sterling last night said it has been a "week from hell" for Vautin but he would return next week to his normal hosting duties.

Sterling said he believed Vautin made a "genuine mistake" and hoped the controversy was behind him.

A note at the beginning of the program stated The Footy Show was dedicated to two "special Queenslanders" who passed away this week - the godfather of the QLD State of Origin team Dick "Tosser" Turner and Vautin's brother Geoffrey.

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Will demand an apology from big brother too..It was just sheer ignorance.

[jazz'smum]

Buckeyefan thanks for your encouragement.

I studied buisness certificate last year and a main module assesment task was customer service and dealing with customer complaints.
And as you say corporations dont take compliants lightly...So i will complain.

[RobinN]

I tend to keep the tube off these days.
Not much worthwhile to watch any more.

[BuckeyeFan]

I tend to keep the tube off these days.
Not much worthwhile to watch any more.

Wait a couple of more months Robin and then there will be FOOTBALL again. I can tell how excited you are about that.

THEE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY vs. University of Southern California on Sept. 13th. Should be one of the better match-ups of the year.


Sorry about being off topic. Just can't wait to watch football again (US style).

[haird18]

The other day I was on you tube sights and found many instances of epilepsy being made fun and used in the wrong manner which to me is disturbing. Even make fun of seizures and other medical conditions is nolaughing matter! Thee people at the FCC need to pay closer attenion to what is being put out over the airwaves everyday now it angers me daily to see what they are putting out so I quit watching tv and other programs.
David Hair

[Bee91]

The other day I was on you tube sights and found many instances of epilepsy being made fun and used in the wrong manner which to me is disturbing. Even make fun of seizures and other medical conditions is nolaughing matter! Thee people at the FCC need to pay closer attenion to what is being put out over the airwaves everyday now it angers me daily to see what they are putting out so I quit watching tv and other programs.
David Hair

yeah I see that on youtube a lot...It drives me crazy. And if I make a comment about saying how it's wrong to make fun of someone or when they have the flashing ones in hope to make someone have a seizure they come back with some pretty rude messages

[jazz'smum]

Thats terrible! I was unaware about you tube also.. not surprised though!

I phoned channel 10 and details of my complaint were taken but of course i also have to put the complaint in writing.