Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[Laxie]

OK, so another question. 

Shows like Jerry Springer make me cringe!  I sometimes feel like people are waiting for me to explode like they do on the show, because that's all some people know of Yanks. 

Yourself and Mrs. Red work so hard towards awareness for the Gypsy community.  I would have thought misrepresentations like tonight's programme would throw your work back to a certain extent when dealing with non-Gypsies.  Do shows like that not annoy you a bit? 

 

[Eck]

So you win a Gold medal at Olympics and because you aren't American the interviewer asks you to say your name and what you have just won.

I think this Dutchman handles it fairly well.

[Laxie]

Yet another cringe worthy moment.  Sighhhhhhh.  Was actually going to reference the bog standard news reports on Fox news and the like as they can be cringe worthy too, but stuck with basic Jerry.  You must have been reading my mind!

[RED-DOG]

OK, so another question. 

Shows like Jerry Springer make me cringe!  I sometimes feel like people are waiting for me to explode like they do on the show, because that's all some people know of Yanks. 

Yourself and Mrs. Red work so hard towards awareness for the Gypsy community.  I would have thought misrepresentations like tonight's programme would throw your work back to a certain extent when dealing with non-Gypsies.  Do shows like that not annoy you a bit? 

 

I haven't seen the whole thing (I don't think) just clips, so I'll withhold judgement. 

What does disappoint me is that the viewers are prepared to believe that the people in the programme (whether good or bad) represent an entire race.

I would be just as disappointed to see a programme that made us all out to be wonderful.

[Laxie]

You should produce one in that case.  Seriously. 

[Laxie]

Well, the show is over and my girls watched it with me.  They've never had the pleasure of reading your tales here, so no real clue apart from what I tell them when I hear them come out with a typical stereotype comment. 

The program may not have been entirely accurate (I don't know) but they look at the Gypsy community in a whole new light now.  They were most shocked to hear the girls don't go out clubbing, drinking and picking up Lads.  They based their assumptions on the way the girls dress.  (I suppose I was guilty of the same thoughts for a very long time, if truth be told - but your diary put me right).  They were also surprised to hear that men and women splitting into their own separate groups is the 'norm' at social gatherings too.  They've experienced it before a few years back (will explain later), but thought it was just unusual on the night.

From the mouth of my 14 year old, "They're pretty cool mom."     

[redarmi]

I watched it too and certainly don't think the Gypsy community comes out of it badly at all and would be interested in Tom's views as to why  he thought it was sensastionalist....assuming he watched.

[RED-DOG]

I didn't watch (Tonight was our Valentines night) but I've been told by someone that it's not the one I've seen before.

My daughter Sky+'ed it for me but for some reason when I tried to play it, it said "Recording failed"

I'll have to watch it online and report back.

[Laxie]

I watched it too and certainly don't think the Gypsy community comes out of it badly at all and would be interested in Tom's views as to why  he thought it was sensastionalist....assuming he watched.

Glad I'm not alone. 

Get watching Tom!!!

[technolog]

I didn't watch (Tonight was our Valentines night) but I've been told by someone that it's not the one I've seen before.

My daughter Sky+'ed it for me but for some reason when I tried to play it, it said "Recording failed"

I'll have to watch it online and report back.

That'll be the snow in the atmosphere blocking the signal Tom. I lost my Sky signal for a good couple of hours 5 miles up the road in Desford.

[RED-DOG]

I didn't watch (Tonight was our Valentines night) but I've been told by someone that it's not the one I've seen before.

My daughter Sky+'ed it for me but for some reason when I tried to play it, it said "Recording failed"

I'll have to watch it online and report back.

That'll be the snow in the atmosphere blocking the signal Tom. I lost my Sky signal for a good couple of hours 5 miles up the road in Desford.

Ahhhh!

Struggling to see it on More 4 now too.

[RED-DOG]

Not the one I'd seen before, this was a sensitive, honest and well balanced programme.

My apologies to all concerned.

[Laxie]

Phew!  I thought so too.  Glad we're on the same page.  My girls genuinely felt a new sense of respect for the Gypsy community afterwards.  Delighted to hear it wasn't misplaced.

[gatso]

I only saw about 5 minutes but they gave the exact opposite impression re: religion to what I remember you telling us before

[RED-DOG]

I only saw about 5 minutes but they gave the exact opposite impression re: religion to what I remember you telling us before

Bear in mind gat, this programme included both Irish Travellers & Romany Gypsies, two separate and distinct groups. One group,  (The Irish) very religious, the other, not so much.

,