donna miller Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 I'm not a great fan of these and only watch them if we are visiting someone else or have visitors who want to watch them. So far we have had, Strictly come dancing, dancing on ice, so you think you can dance,dance with the stars and got to dance. There may be more, I don't know. Now, it may only be me, but this latest one 'dancing on wheels' seems to be wrong in so many ways, I honestly believe that the tv companies have reached rock bottom, now don't get me wrong, I have seen many people in wheelchairs who can handle them in amazing ways, I've sponsered basketball matches for wheelchair users etc, but this farce will involve an able bodied person trying to dance with someone in a chair. It just will not come across as good entertainment. I have a close friend in a chair, after a m/bike accident and he is livid about this, to the extent he has complained to the tv company, he is a guy that is full of life despite his condition, so it's not a whinge, he honestly believes it will be degrading, despite the enthusiasm and smiles from the contestants. He finished the letter with this statement.... " whilst you may think that this is cutting edge and breaking the boundries, you will soon find you need to go even further to draw viewers, what then, ' dancing with spina bifida ' or even ' dancing with thalidomides ' ". He is not a happy bunny, and I think I agree with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J9withdogs Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 I am so pleased that I am not alone in thinking this programme is both wrong and embarrassing. I was wondering what the general public with disabilities thought about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 I concur. 'Dancing on Ice' with a wooden leg is one thing, but any advance on this would be nothing short of a demeaning search for ratings that to say the least would be condescending to both viewers and participants alike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 I come and sit at this computer when any 'dancing' type programmes are on, but strikes me this wheelchair one may have one good point, showing people wheelchair users are human too, a few thousand viewers routing for competitors may be a good thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 My wife likes them so I let her watch it on the 60" plasma TV while I watch something a little less inane on the other small 37" screen - or I go hide in my den and come on here and annoy someone else. Dancing, property, cooking, auctions - all these bandwagon cheap to make TV shows are pretty much the same predictable fare and just a sympton of the lack of inspiration that the programme makers have these days./ But at least they are better tahn most of the adverts - most but not all that is - and by the way have you noticed how long the 'commercial breaks' are becoming - up to SEVEN minutes on some stations - thank heaven for remote controls and mute buttons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 My wife likes to watch it on the 105"" Plasma screen and I go off qnd watch repeats of Top Gear on the more modest 60" LCD telly in my workshop. I find such programs etrememly boring. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 colin - 2010-02-09 7:59 PM I come and sit at this computer when any 'dancing' type programmes are on, but strikes me this wheelchair one may have one good point, showing people wheelchair users are human too, a few thousand viewers routing for competitors may be a good thing. And as with the recent Paralympics in Bejing, what a wonderfull way of showing, and understanding, excactly what the disabled can do when given the chance, but not as i,ve said, in the hands of some producer with both eyes on the ratings. Want a better idea of what these guys get out of it, then watch that little Downs girl picking up her gold in swimming again. Priceless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROON Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 I have been to several dance classes where there are participants in wheelchairs and they make me feel very humble. Some of the control they have over their wheels is amazing and most of all ...... they all look so happy. I've even been known to do a Barn Dance with a wheelchaired partner and it gave me a great lift and made me appreciate how lucky I am, arthritus and all. The good thing about going digtal is that we have so many choices of programmes now to watch or not to, so if there are people who want to dance on their wheels and enjoy it competitively then good on 'em. My biggest concern with this would be the weirdos who look on it as a chance of voyeurism ..... I guess they do exist.. as well as those concerns mentioned by Donna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 I,ve not seen it so cant comment . However not sure its a good idea then again ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROON Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 http://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/play?p=dancing%20wheelchairs&tnr=21&vid=0001855795078 Hi Michele, I think you will appreciate the benefits of this video. The reason I went to the classes is that I was asked to stand in for the teacher at the classes, and believe me there is so much positivity to this that I have to give it the thumbs up for the sake of the dancer. Hug Joy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna miller Posted February 11, 2010 Author Share Posted February 11, 2010 Joy, You seem to have misunderstood my stance on this matter, It's not that I do not belive the participants will not enjoy the experience, because I'm sure they will, and as I have already said, I know that a lot of people in chairs can do amazing things,It's purely that I believe the TV company are wrong in what they are doing. With all due respect, your video is about rehabilitation, and both sides of the room are obviously enjoying every minute of it. It's helpful as well as being fun for all involved, Unfortunately that is a whole world away from a televised all out competition, we all saw how the world saw fit to make jokes and scathing remarks about Heather Mills on the 2 dance shows she appeared on, hand on heart, can you say you don't believe it will happen with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GypsyTom Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 I have some sympathy with Donna Miller's view on this. Where's it all going to end? I've just noticed that, next week, there a programme on the television called 'Dances with Wolves'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna miller Posted February 11, 2010 Author Share Posted February 11, 2010 GypsyTom - 2010-02-11 3:07 PM I've just noticed that, next week, there a programme on the television called 'Dances with Wolves'. Ya funny bugga :D :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROON Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Hi Michele, Already said I agree with Donna's comments and worried about voyeurism, but I stilll maintain that we should respect the feelings of the contestants. If it gives them confidence and a feel-good factor who are we to criticise their decision to take part. They are probably, I hope, already aware of the money-making aspect. Really do feel that just because there are some strange people who like to watch those with adversity in their lives for the wrong reason, we should therefore, stop them from doing what they want to do ... it seems wrong to me. I would hate people with disability to stop the Olympics or whatever because it gives them feelings of inadequacy. Great believer in live and let live as long as no-one is being deliberately hurt. Gypsy Tom, We women take part in that competition every time we go dancing - believe me - some men can't believe that we go because we love music and good company - they think we MUST have gone looking for a man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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