Concerning Channel 4 programme "Space Cadets"
Recently, Robert Hendy-Freegard was convicted of, among other things "kidnapping by fraud". Is Channel 4 guilty of the same thing?
Of course you can sign away pretty much everything to be on a tv programme and give your consent - but you can't give consent to do something illegal as far as I understand. No matter what these contestants have signed, if the programme organisers break the law then does the original contract not become void?
Last night on the show an actor stood up and told the contestants that they weren't allowed to leave the "base" because it was a working military establishment. Sure, it's a central part of the hoax of the show, but unlike Big Brother where the contestants can walk out at any time, the reasoning given here is fraudulent.
When the reality programme "There's Something About Miriam" ended, some of the contestants had to be bought off in order for the programme to even be shown when they found out they'd been duped - so consent was obviously still an issue for the producers.
As far as I understand law, you can't give consent or sign a valid contract if it concerns illegality - but does this mean that Channel 4 are guilty of "kidnap by fraud" over Space Cadets?
"Space Cadets" - kidnap by fraud?
I watched the first 20 minutes of the first night before Johnny Yawn bored me so much I couldn't be bothered. The site of potential contestant Lord John, the final nail in the coffin.
As for your suggestion Dadaist, I am agreeing with you. I got to watch the final "Miriam" episode, while they all laughed at the time (shocked) I can understand why they would sue or demand compensation later (when you see what they had done and said on camera).
This might a similar situation but it all depends what is in the contract. If it states that essentially "we can do anything to you, that includes deception, lying and you cant do squat" then go for it.
I would have thought that after Miriam etc. that the programme makers would get this air tight (no pun intended). Is it an Endemol production (i.e. Big Brother?)
I infact that this is a double hoax. I think all the contestants are actors and the joke is on the audience, we are being duped into thinking we are watching people being duped into thinking they are in space.
As for your suggestion Dadaist, I am agreeing with you. I got to watch the final "Miriam" episode, while they all laughed at the time (shocked) I can understand why they would sue or demand compensation later (when you see what they had done and said on camera).
This might a similar situation but it all depends what is in the contract. If it states that essentially "we can do anything to you, that includes deception, lying and you cant do squat" then go for it.
I would have thought that after Miriam etc. that the programme makers would get this air tight (no pun intended). Is it an Endemol production (i.e. Big Brother?)
I infact that this is a double hoax. I think all the contestants are actors and the joke is on the audience, we are being duped into thinking we are watching people being duped into thinking they are in space.
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Ed
Ed
Yes, this is being talked about - that or they actually are in Russia or something. It would be good if there were a twist like that. When they started it, they did point out that it was the biggest TV hoax ever - so it might be a spaghetti tree for the 2000s.Ed wrote: I infact that this is a double hoax. I think all the contestants are actors and the joke is on the audience, we are being duped into thinking we are watching people being duped into thinking they are in space.