Jeremy Kyle/Trisha etc

[funkyrich]

Why are these "Washing one's dirty linen in public" shows so popular? Who wants to wake up to wronged and vengeful family members or lovers arguing in the morning?

[andy hughes]

Lots of people, obviously!

They (the programme makers) dress themsevles up in the guise of being social comentators who want to help people "We have counsellors back stage now ..." but it's just the verbal equivalent of gladiatorial combat. It makes some people feel better to be shcicked / amused by other people's angst and distress.

You only have to see the ads. inbetween to see the target audience - they are almost 100% for finance deals. Nuff said.

[Chillum]

Televisual problem pages.
Simple psychology- makes me feel good 'cause I'm not as bad as them...and even if I was, I wouldn't go on t.v. and tell everyone.

[littleoldme]

It's the same kind of morbid fascination that has drivers slowing down and craning their necks to enjoy a car crash. What I fail to understand is why people go on these shows in the first place - surely if you have this kind of problem, you either sort it out between yourselves or, if you can't, go privately to see a professional counsellor. You don't sit in front of an audience with God knows how many watching at home and spill your guts to some sanctimonious presenter.

While I'd normally have some sympathy for people with those problems, I find it very difficult to do so for those who feel that the way to sort themselves out is to go on the telly.

[cherrybomb]

I agree with 10ClarionSt, that the majority of people on there are actors with made up problems. On the Jeremy Kyle show they are not even employing good actors it's obviously scripted as the tears and tantrums are so wooden and false.

I think Vanessa was caught out for this a few years ago (although she denied all knowledge of being in on it)

I think Trisha is the only genuine one on tv. Which is possibly why she left itv and seems to spend all her show's time on chanel 5 finding out who is the father, with DNA test's