Benefits Street
 

A thread to discuss the TV show that sparked so much controversy last week. Episode 2 airs on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight.

Please note, this is for discussion of the TV show, how it has been made and the people featured in it. We have a current affairs thread for discussing welfare policy, please try not to confuse the two.

---------- Post added at 21:22 ---------- Previous post was at 20:41 ----------

20 minutes in and I'm giving up.

Re: Benefits Street
 

I watched one last week and just got mad ,I decided that putting cretins like those on TV was not a good idea

Re: Benefits Street
 

It was mildly annoying seeing people living their lives in such ignorance but it was mostly annoying for the complete lack of any analysis or context. I have better things to do than simply gawp at unemployed people like some sort of Victorian freak show.

Re: Benefits Street
 

If I wanted to watch the unemployed I'd just look in a mirror lol.

Failing that I am in the East End of Glasgow, plenty of areas like that around here.

Re: Benefits Street
 

It reminded me of a previous area I worked in. Same piles of rubbish, same cast of characters from the local junkies to the 'ill' whose ailments and crutches vanished if they needed to run from the Police.

It's all just a bit depressing. For every one trying to better the area or themselves there are plenty more who just take, take, take with no thought to anyone else.

Re: Benefits Street
 

This is just another example of a media hatchet job. These days a lot of people think this is how it is everywhere. I'm sure there good AND bad examples of people. Of course shows like this get far more viewers / publicity by showing the bad ones.

But what still gets me is whey the people in it allow the cameras / 'documentary' makers to do such a hatchet job on them. Surely they have a little common sense and know what's coming?

Anyway I'm sure it'll continue to be a good ratings show and will be back for another series.

Re: Benefits Street
 

exactly you can almost see Cameron in a Burns esq pose cackling to himself thinking this is what I want them to believe

Re: Benefits Street
 

Only the uneducated and ignorant will think this is representative of the vast majority of people who are unemployed as l know or have known quite a few people who get benefits and they are nothing like the portrayel's depicted on rubbish like this.

Re: Benefits Street
 

You'd think so - but many and I include a lot of posters on here just don't think that way.

Re: Benefits Street
 

They wanted to make a show that got people talking. Job done.

Re: Benefits Street
 

The trouble is with some of the media in this country is that many have certain agenda's at misrepresenting certain groups and suffice to say this is just one of them as yes there is a small minority who abuse things but the vast majority do not but alas if you shout loud enough people will believe it and regard it as the truth sadly.

Re: Benefits Street
 

An awful show that belongs in the Daily Mail.

Re: Benefits Street
 

Found it quite upsetting and really depressing tbh, will not be watching it again so sad those little ones really don't stand a chance God Love Them...

Re: Benefits Street
 

Watched the first 2 episodes today. Didn't find it upsetting, in fact found it to be quite interesting and educational. I didn't know that lining your bag with tin foil should/could evade rfid tags.

Re: Benefits Street
 

What are you planning to do with that information then? :scratch: :D

Re: Benefits Street
 

I believe the child bride has had a baby.

Re: Benefits Street
 

I drove through that road last Saturday. I saw white Dee.

there's a fund set up to raise some money to buy her a bra.

Re: Benefits Street
 

thing is it will give others ideas. If they want a educational program for shoplifters and criminals they are going the right way

Re: Benefits Street
 

:clap::clap:
could not agree more :)

---------- Post added at 23:34 ---------- Previous post was at 23:31 ----------

What I found upsetting is how the little children had to live :( what does child aid say no child should live in poverty...

Re: Benefits Street
 

Re: Benefits Street
 

That was a good article and I think he is mostly right. However I think he misrepresents the view of those on the left.

They would say it's a case of further demonisation of those on benefits rather than a serious examination of social injustice. I guess whose right depends on if you view the residents of Benefit Street as victims of economics or if you view them as lazy scourgers. It's highlighted by the fact the reaction to show has mostly been anger on either side. Either people are angry at the people in the show or angry at those who made it. Thoughtful reflections on the show or the situation it depicts, Fraser Nelson aside, are few and far between.

Re: Benefits Street
 

I see them as Victims and the only winners here are the people making a documentary about them, I hope with the profit they make out this programme they help them in some way I doubt it though...

Re: Benefits Street
 

If people aren't prepared to help themselves i don't see why they should keep getting handouts and extra help

Re: Benefits Street
 

:LOL: You sound like my husband he beliefs in what you are saying, I just felt a tad sorry for them especially the little kids, but I know what you mean as my eldest son is at uni and has to works part time in Sainsburys to put himself through his course as he is entitled to nothing and I mean nothing no dental treatment etc but he has been brought up to expect nothing for nothing so I totally get your point and it is a :gpoint:

Re: Benefits Street
 

What gave me pause for thought is that they edited out the only working couple..The reasoning being that one of them was a benefit officer.Seems a poor reason to me unless the producers had an agenda or couldn't sell the programme as it was edited.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...ngham-25750475

Re: Benefits Street
 

I did not know that, food for thought as WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT

Re: Benefits Street
 

Because (perhaps), the benefits officers recorded comments could reflect badly upon his views on claimants or his employers, which can be a dismissable offence in some companies.

Re: Benefits Street
 

Well that's why you have editors and producers..It certainly would have been nice to have some 'balance' of a working couple to provide a contrast.

Re: Benefits Street
 

I think it would have been good if they filmed the working couple it would have been good to see what they thought of the street they lived in and generally give there point of view...

Re: Benefits Street
 

The main criticism of the program is that there is no context,no balance and no examination of how people ended up like they are in the street.Basically it is just a peep show

Re: Benefits Street
 

yip I agree it seems to be very one sided...I would like to have found out why they are there how they got there and did they ever have a job...basically some context...

Re: Benefits Street
 

If I read it correctly they DID film the working couple but chose not to include them. More bias from the film makers?

Re: Benefits Street
 

You did read it correctly that is what I meant why would they have edited them out, surely it would have been good to see both sides the working and the unemployed points of view on the street. Example, the working family and their thoughts of the street, sorry I was was not clear I realized this when I looked at my post...

Re: Benefits Street
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...ngham-25894192

Re: Benefits Street
 

This happened in June last year?

have they only just been charged for it? and that's why the BBC published it. and you posted it here?

Re: Benefits Street
 

From the West Midlands Police link in the BBC Story

http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/l...ws.aspx?id=201

Re: Benefits Street
 

Ok.
well they're loved celebrities now.
and any action taken against them will be seen as (what's the word?) and will probably cause a riot :)

Re: Benefits Street
 

White Dee was on the phone to Clegg the other day, he was asked what he thought about Benefit Street, he replied 'I haven't read it.' Anyway, she's invited him round for a cuppa.

Re: Benefits Street
 

That was nice of her.
I reckon one or two of them will be on the next celebrity big brother.

Re: Benefits Street
 

Or even the jungle. Definitely one of them, or maybe both?

Re: Benefits Street
 

All of them would be great!

Re: Benefits Street
 

The fee from that would affect their benefits entitlement.....

Re: Benefits Street
 

So no chance then :erm:

Re: Benefits Street
 

They won't be on benefits.
they're celebrities.

Re: Benefits Street
 

That worked so well for Kerry Katona....

Re: Benefits Street
 

Re: Benefits Street
 

I think the age of consent in Romania is 15, so surely if this happened in Romania they broke no law, I'm not saying it is right but as far they are concerned they broke no Law ... if the age is 15 and it happened in there home country..:erm: The husband said Britain frowns upon this as she is classed as a minor here but not in his culture ...
According to the dailymail The couple no longer live in the street so officers are ‘keen to speak to her’ or anyone who knows her whereabouts.

Re: Benefits Street
 

I s anyone planning to watch the programme debating this subject on ch5 tonight?

Re: Benefits Street
 

:no: as these debates generally degenerate into who is the biggest rabble rouser on both sides of the debate.