Why Is This In The "news"

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23969815
do people actually watch this bilge?

[AB Editor]

Yes, and read about it.

...And then complain about it elsewhere :)

[factor-fiction]

I watch it

[jake-the-peg]

Oh yes and in even greater numbers than witch this bilge

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22784725

[stewey]

Well, since it is in the "Entertainment and Arts" section, I don't think that the BBC is actually considering it as "News" in the ordinary sense.

[Baldric]

Strange how people knock Top Gear when it's the BBCs biggest Export!

[ToraToraTora]

I was just a bit shocked that fiction is being reported in news.

[stewey]

Sort of smacks of weapons of mass destruction.

[ToraToraTora]

well it's no surprise the right on lefties hate top gear, they want everyone driving about in lecky cars that are 500% less efficient at using energy than a trevethick steam car. It's also worth pointing out that love it or hate it without top gear the licence fee would have to go up!

[sp1814]

TTT

It's in the 'Entertainment & Arts' section of the BBC site.

If it were in the Sports, Main News or Tech microsites, I'd understand the question, but it's not.

Also, I would suggest that it's newsworthy because (as far as I'm aware), this is not a subject that's been tackled in any of the big soaps.

Actually, perhaps 'Brookside' did a similar story in the 80s. Wouldn't surprise me.

[Kromovaracun]

Fiction can often have impact, newsworthy or otherwise. 'Cathy Come Home' directly caused a discussion in Parliament for its commentary on social services - as did the film 'Victim' on the issue of decriminalizing homosexuality.

On a more subtle level, The X Files had a significant impact the ambitions of huge numbers of women because it had such a well-written female protagonist (and I remember Buffy the Vampire Slayer being a huge crutch for my sister during a time when she was extremely insecure and unhappy).

Fiction can have a big impact on how people think, and if Corrie has the courage to deal with more sensitive issues by having well-established characters affected by them, then I'd say that probably elevates it above the level of "bilge".

[jno]

the entire Brookside soap exercised its right to die.

[sp1814]

And just to be arrogant and speak up for 'the lefties' - it's nothing to do with environmentalism that makes us hate the programme.

It's the adulterous Mr Clarkson that I can't stand...

Actually it's all three of them...Jeremy, the little fella and the fake Jeremy.

The kind of men who would talk non-stop about The Who and Jenny Agutter, if you ever had the misfortune to be sat next to them at a dinner party.

[mikey4444]

I used to watch the Street years ago, when it was funny but don't now. If the scriptwriters have a storyline about the right to die, then they have my full support. I'm not sure if I will start watching again but millions of people do and its a very worthwhile subject.

[ichkeria]

"The kind of men who would talk non-stop about The Who and Jenny Agutter, if you ever had the misfortune to be sat next to them at a dinner party. "

lol - actually I don't mind the one I believe is called "James", who is quite entertaining and not quite so irritating when on his own.

What makes Top Gear so unbearable for me is the suspicion that the presenters seem to be directly addressing the poor unfortunates who've tuned into their nonsense by mistake and are determined to rub their noses in it :-)

[Peter Pedant]

well it is August and news is scarce - besides Syria of course and the G20 meeting in Stockholm.

and frankly I would rather have Haylie

than St Madiba leaves Hospital pognantly followed by his grasping grandchildren who gratefully will use free Beeb time to forward their economic gains.

[DrFilth]

what's wrong with talking about the who

[Octavius]

I love Top Gear.
I hate Coronation Street, not watched it in over 10 years.

If that says anything about my political leanings then I'll be jiggered.

[naomi24]

I don't watch any soaps but from what I read it seems they often deal with controversial social issues, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing.