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Post by doe on Jul 28, 2009 21:59:21 GMT -5
Most of you have a television show in your country called Dancing with the Stars. For those you who don't have it, its basically a ballroom dance contest where each couple is made up of a "celebrity" and a professional dancer. Our show here is about 4 episodes into the new season. Billed as a world's first, one of the celebrities this year is a blind, paraolympian/adventurer - Gerrard Gosens. You can check out videos on the web site: au.tv.yahoo.com/dancing-with-the-stars/. Gerrard is a fine looking man (even in the gaudy costumes) and he is paired with a blond bombshell of a dance partner. The network has been heavily promoting the show and using Gerrard as its main angel. OK so far, but then, for me it starts to go down hill. The first episode was two hours long, Gerrard was the last contestant. Before he took the floor and as part of the introduction, the host had the studio lights dimmed to pitch black and said something along the lines of "Welcome to Gerrard's world - this is what he experiences everyday". (Cringe 1). I give Gerrard 1000 points for being on the show and for attempting to break barriers. Good on you mate - if only there were more of you!!! Gerrard's dancing is about on par with the average Aussie male and yeah, his rhythm could use improvement, but for a guy who has never seen dancing before, he is doing great. Episode 3 and they decide to do something new on the show - have each celebrity dance on their own for a bit (Cringe 2). Gerrard's solo was fine, he didn't lose his orientation or anything, he just danced like he had been dancing all along. When it came time for the judges feedback, two of them went to town on the guy. Gerrard took it like the man he was, but his dance partner look totally mortified for him. They scored him 8 out of 30 - the worst of the night. He didn't get voted off the show the next day and is still on there, but this episode has been generating a fair bit of comment. The comments stem from the guy deserved it, 'cause he can't dance and he will probably win because of the sympathy vote to the judges were too harsh and they need to judge him for what he is. The reason I am cringing is not because Gerrard got done by the judges or because of his dancing, but because the show seems to be turning him into a sideshow. They are doing everything they can to emphasize his blindness and to make him jump through another hoop. By all means, emphasize the blindness but focus on the accomplishments, and don't turn the guy into a circus act. Is this progress by having a disabled contestant on a show like this (I think absolutely), are they giving him a fair go (I think not)? Would love to know what you all think. |
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Post by E on Jul 29, 2009 7:56:04 GMT -5
Not as profound as "doe ray me." That was just flipping brilliant.  It's always a tough call on these things. The exposure/publicity is good, but it's almost always done wrong. Cringe 1 actually made me cringe. Horrid. |
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Jul 29, 2009 11:18:14 GMT -5
Not as profound as "doe ray me." That was just flipping brilliant. It's always a tough call on these things. The exposure/publicity is good, but it's almost always done wrong. Cringe 1 actually made me cringe. Horrid. Agreed 100%, E. Inclusion is great in everyday life, but bringing a certain aspect of a particular disability to the forefront on a TV show kicks inclusion in the a$$. If he was a para, would they build a set of stairs leading to the stage? lol If you know someone is totally blind, do you really need to dim the lights for dramatic effect? The answer is "No." Everyone with 2 brain cells firing knows what blind means. I'm sure Ray Charles never performed in a venue that had the lights completely turned off. People went to hear him perform not because he was blind, but because they loved his music. His popularity wasn't due to his disability, but in spite of it. So, is this man there as a legitimate contestant on this TV show? Or are they making him into some feel good pseudo sideshow attraction so all the "feel-gooders" can feel sorry for him (and boost ratings)? I'd like to think it's because the producers think he's a legit contestant, but my gut tells me that he's just another tool they'll use to bump the numbers. |
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Post by Ouch on Jul 29, 2009 15:17:28 GMT -5
That's some pretty cringe-worthy material...it doesn't sound like they're handling it well. It gets sad when people have to get all awkward and weird when someone with a disability is included in something.
...it's not a fucking difficult task to include someone: 1. Make the event universally accessible (this is usually the part most people don't want to, can't figure out, etc.), 2. Proceed as normal (don't make a parade out of the cripple...we can win and lose like the rest of ya').
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Post by doe on Jul 29, 2009 20:45:51 GMT -5
Not as profound as "doe ray me." That was just flipping brilliant. It's always a tough call on these things. The exposure/publicity is good, but it's almost always done wrong. Cringe 1 actually made me cringe. Horrid. And here I thought I was showing everyone my deep and meaningful side! Though E, keep telling me I'm flipping brilliant and I'll come up with something truly amazing!!! If you want to say it like an Aussie, it's flippin'. I'm told girls really get off on the accent. |
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Post by doe on Jul 29, 2009 20:51:46 GMT -5
That's some pretty cringe-worthy material...it doesn't sound like they're handling it well. It gets sad when people have to get all awkward and weird when someone with a disability is included in something. ...it's not a f*cking difficult task to include someone: 1. Make the event universally accessible (this is usually the part most people don't want to, can't figure out, etc.), 2. Proceed as normal (don't make a parade out of the cripple...we can win and lose like the rest of ya'). Windrider, I reckon you need to send them the rule book. I agree, it should not be difficult at all. |
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Post by doe on Jul 29, 2009 20:53:53 GMT -5
Not as profound as "doe ray me." That was just flipping brilliant. It's always a tough call on these things. The exposure/publicity is good, but it's almost always done wrong. Cringe 1 actually made me cringe. Horrid. Agreed 100%, E. Inclusion is great in everyday life, but bringing a certain aspect of a particular disability to the forefront on a TV show kicks inclusion in the a$$. If he was a para, would they build a set of stairs leading to the stage? lol If you know someone is totally blind, do you really need to dim the lights for dramatic effect? The answer is "No." Everyone with 2 brain cells firing knows what blind means. I'm sure Ray Charles never performed in a venue that had the lights completely turned off. People went to hear him perform not because he was blind, but because they loved his music. His popularity wasn't due to his disability, but in spite of it. So, is this man there as a legitimate contestant on this TV show? Or are they making him into some feel good pseudo sideshow attraction so all the "feel-gooders" can feel sorry for him (and boost ratings)? I'd like to think it's because the producers think he's a legit contestant, but my gut tells me that he's just another tool they'll use to bump the numbers. I'm glad you see it the same way I do Phil. It's a shame, as it's a real opportunity lost to advance society's acceptance of disability. |
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Jul 30, 2009 10:50:53 GMT -5
Agreed 100%, E. Inclusion is great in everyday life, but bringing a certain aspect of a particular disability to the forefront on a TV show kicks inclusion in the a$$. If he was a para, would they build a set of stairs leading to the stage? lol If you know someone is totally blind, do you really need to dim the lights for dramatic effect? The answer is "No." Everyone with 2 brain cells firing knows what blind means. I'm sure Ray Charles never performed in a venue that had the lights completely turned off. People went to hear him perform not because he was blind, but because they loved his music. His popularity wasn't due to his disability, but in spite of it. So, is this man there as a legitimate contestant on this TV show? Or are they making him into some feel good pseudo sideshow attraction so all the "feel-gooders" can feel sorry for him (and boost ratings)? I'd like to think it's because the producers think he's a legit contestant, but my gut tells me that he's just another tool they'll use to bump the numbers. I'm glad you see it the same way I do Phil. It's a shame, as it's a real opportunity lost to advance society's acceptance of disability. Doe, It is a shame, and it is an opportunity lost. The worst part of it all is that it accomplishes the exact opposite of what inclusion should be. Drawing attention to his difference, instead of just letting him compete as an equal, singles him out. |
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Post by Ray T on Jul 31, 2009 1:09:14 GMT -5
Doe, Ray, Is Me.... lol
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Post by Ciao Bella on Jul 31, 2009 21:34:45 GMT -5
My partner and I watched the first show, although I think we missed the part where the lights were dimmed. We watched out of curiosity for Gerrard and how the judges/audience would react. There's so many sides to this "event", it's not even funny.
First, yes, kudos to Gerrard for giving it a fair go.
Second, kudos to the judges for trying to judge him on his dance abilities considering his blindness...but for goodness' sake, stop patronizing the guy by constantly referring to his disability.
Third, Cringe to the audience who give their sympathy vote every single week.
Either way one sees it, Gerrard can't win this issue. How can the judges judge him on his dance abilities alone without having to consider his blindness? That alone is not fair, every time they might say he dances like 2 sticks swaying in the wind, they will be also likely to say that he sways very well because he is blind. And the audience...well of course he will touch any grandmother's heart, who will then say the most dreaded "poor man" while texting her vote for him. And it's not fair to the other contestants either...how can you compete with a man who has all the sympathy votes? Let's face it, people vote, not on how well these contestants dance but how much they love their personalities. And Gerrard...well, he's a novelty...most people have never seen a blind guy dance.
This reminds me of that South African guy who's a double amputee "Bladerunner" I think he was called. He wanted to compete in the Olympics but was disqualified(?) coz he ran too fast vs the other athletes with 2 legs.
And then there's my partner who plays tennis...One season, he was asked to play against able-bods. If that's not setting him up for failure, I don't know what is.
Sorry, I think I may have digressed LOL...anyhoo, I hope I made sense...will write again shortly but for now, gotta run....
Ciao!
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Post by Ouch on Jul 31, 2009 21:41:42 GMT -5
I haven't seen video, but how well does the guy dance, anyway?
...Pistorious, the track runner, he actually won his appeal, and could compete in the regular olympics, but didn't qualify for competition, after all that...lol
...actually, there are a lot of instances, I've seen first-hand of disabled folks playing able-bodied at tennis, over here, including myself, and that have won quite handily, that's actually not too tough of a feat...
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Post by Ciao Bella on Aug 1, 2009 0:28:53 GMT -5
...actually, there are a lot of instances, I've seen first-hand of disabled folks playing able-bodied at tennis, over here, including myself, and that have won quite handily, that's actually not too tough of a feat...[/quote] not a tough feat if you're not a high-para;) he did win some games coz he's AWESOME  |
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Post by doe on Aug 1, 2009 0:42:24 GMT -5
My partner and I watched the first show, although I think we missed the part where the lights were dimmed. We watched out of curiosity for Gerrard and how the judges/audience would react. There's so many sides to this "event", it's not even funny. First, yes, kudos to Gerrard for giving it a fair go. Second, kudos to the judges for trying to judge him on his dance abilities considering his blindness...but for goodness' sake, stop patronizing the guy by constantly referring to his disability. Third, Cringe to the audience who give their sympathy vote every single week. Either way one sees it, Gerrard can't win this issue. How can the judges judge him on his dance abilities alone without having to consider his blindness? That alone is not fair, every time they might say he dances like 2 sticks swaying in the wind, they will be also likely to say that he sways very well because he is blind. And the audience...well of course he will touch any grandmother's heart, who will then say the most dreaded "poor man" while texting her vote for him. And it's not fair to the other contestants either...how can you compete with a man who has all the sympathy votes? Let's face it, people vote, not on how well these contestants dance but how much they love their personalities. And Gerrard...well, he's a novelty...most people have never seen a blind guy dance. This reminds me of that South African guy who's a double amputee "Bladerunner" I think he was called. He wanted to compete in the Olympics but was disqualified(?) coz he ran too fast vs the other athletes with 2 legs. And then there's my partner who plays tennis...One season, he was asked to play against able-bods. If that's not setting him up for failure, I don't know what is. Sorry, I think I may have digressed LOL...anyhoo, I hope I made sense...will write again shortly but for now, gotta run.... Ciao! I suspect that he will win the thing because the harder he is judged by the judges the more the public will vote for him. But you're right, experience with other shows of this nature shows that the winner generally doesn't mean the person with the greatest skill - it's the one who is the most likable or can drum up the most votes from their "acquaintances". Remember, Kate Cebrano....a couple of season back? BTW, it's great to be responding to a fellow female countrywoman. |
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Post by Ciao Bella on Aug 1, 2009 0:47:12 GMT -5
If he wins, I'll be upset (not that I watch the show anyway) because it will only have proved that he won because he was blind, and not because of his so-called ability. Which state are you from Doe? Feel free to PM me if you want, for anything or even absolutely nothing! |
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Post by doe on Aug 1, 2009 0:57:35 GMT -5
Let me throw another situation into the mix, one a bit more closer to home. This week the Rollers World Challenge is taking place in Sydney. The Rollers are the male Australian Wheelchair Basketball Team. The "world" is Aus, Canada, Great Britain and Japan. Apparently Aus won the gold at Beijing and Canada and GB picked up the silver and bronze (not sure if it's in that order). So, they advertise the event on radio. They end the ad with the tag, "come see the Rollers take on the world and see why nobody pushes these guys around". This is cringe for me. I would have much preferred a tag containing a reference to the Rollers and something to do with basketball. I'm much more aware of these issues since reading and participating on this board. You guys are certainly weaving your magic on me!  |
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