Disability on the telly
- 10 Oct 05, 12:00 AM
They're letting the disableds out onto the small screen this week, which is nice for them. Let's take a look at what's in store:
• Mad for Poetry (Five / Community Channel)
From the stable, this is a series of short films starting on World Mental Health Day - today. The films feature five people talking about how a poem connects with them and their experiences of mental distress.
Five: Mon 10 to Thu 13 October at 7.10pm, Fri 14 October at 7.25pm.
Community Channel: Tue 11 to Sat 15 October at 8.55pm.
• A Very Social Secretary (More4
The big talking point around tonight's launch of Channel 4 spin-off 'adult' channel More4. Technically not really a disability programme, nor is the central character played by a disabled actor, but it's Blunkett-related and hence political in more than one interpretation.
The promo on the More4 website says: "Stranger than fiction but rooted in fact, A Very Social Secretary is the portrayal of a political scandal that spun out of control and straight on to the front pages for press and public scrutiny. It contains hilarious observations of high government, party politics and media frenzy. Written by Alistair Beaton (Downwardly Mobile, Feelgood)."
Disability surveillance mode on, then.
More4: Tonight, 9.00pm.
• Beyond Boundaries
You'll see physically disabled people climbing volcanoes, travelling across jungles and riding horses in this unusual primetime reality offering starting on 大象传媒 TWO tomorrow night (and every Tuesday for 4 weeks).
The people in this show are fabulous, their arguments very watchable, and Charlie brilliantly camps it up and will undoubtedly be the next Deaf Idol. At the end of it all though, you may find yourself sitting back and thinking: "Remind me again why they're doing this?"
Don't forget our Beyond Boundaries mini-site, too.
Comments
I watched Beyond Boundaries last night - fell over by accident - it made very good viewing if you forgive the gay, deaf, black man for throwing his toys out of the cot, whilst others, in a much more precarious position than him, kept their cool. I'm just sad that I didn't know about this, as I would have volunteered in an instant! Perhaps would have made better viewing having a one-armed, bearded gentleman with an accent from somewhere in Africa throwing his hat in the ring!