Alan Thompson was struck by a particular
programme and emailed the BBC about it:
Having just watched a short segment of Saturday's Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow show, I was astonished and angered to see that small babies were being cajoled by their mothers into racing along a short track. Is there no arbiter of good taste within the programme's management, who could have decided that this was definitely not suitable entertainment for children or adults alike?
The BBC’s reply was:
Dear Mr Thompson
Thank you for your e-mail regarding 'Dick and Dom in da Bungalow'.
I appreciate you feel that the programme content is inappropriate, particularly in reference to the Baby Race game. Please be assured, the programme makers take their responsibility to our young audience very seriously. There is never any intention to set a bad example and every effort is made to meet the expectations of parents and children in our audience during this live programme.
Over the years there has been a substantial change in the style and presentation of children's programmes. However, such changes tend to be a reflection of changes in society. The BBC must remain in touch with its audience and responsive to its needs if we are to fulfil our commitment as a public service broadcaster to provide programmes of interest to all age groups.
'Dick and Dom in da Bungalow' is intended to be very silly and over the top with plenty of slapstick comedy thrown in. Our aim is to create a fun atmosphere in the studio which can be shared with viewers at home. The programme makers give careful consideration to each item and monitor the presenters to ensure their behaviour comes well within acceptable limits for the age group. However it is Dick and Dom's sense of fun and mischief which really bring the programme to life and which children in the studio enjoy.
The show has been running on the CBBC Channel for a year and research shows that it is very popular with our target six-to-12-year-old audience. Judging by the obvious popularity of Dick and Dom, it is precisely the elements that adults object to which makes it so popular with the intended audience.
Nevertheless, I recognise you feel that the presenters' behaviour and the content of the programme is inappropriate for our younger audience and your comments have been made available to the programme makers. CBBC takes any complaints from viewers seriously and always reviews programme content in the light of feedback from our audience.
Thank you once again for taking the time to contact the BBC with the strength of your views.
Regards
Damian Whyte
BBC Information
The argument here seems to be that the
BBC is reflecting changes in society, though it can be argued that
such programmes themselves are the agents of such changes and help condition
what we expect to be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ taste. The argument that the target
audience enjoys the programme and that it is popular is specious to say
the least. Kids might enjoy baby racing but that doesn't make it sufficient
reason to broadcast it. Given the popularity of reality shows like Big
Brother I wouldn’t be surprised if televised executions would gain
huge TV ratings and would presumably fulfil the BBC's ’commitment as a
public service broadcaster to provide programmes of interest to all age
groups’.
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