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Cheers and Grumbles - March
Cutting Edge: Sex Change Soldier was most appreciated programme in March; while Channel 4 News' Prince Harry coverage drew the most criticism for the second month running.The tireless folks at Channel 4's Viewer Enquiries team dealt with 17,009 contacts – phone calls, emails and letters – from viewers last month. Each query was logged and the appropriate people at Channel 4 notified.
Of these, 1,073 criticised Channel 4 shows, while 251 complimented programmes. The vast majority of contacts were general queries, most commonly about scheduling, i.e. when a show or series is next on air.
Of these, 1,073 criticised Channel 4 shows, while 251 complimented programmes. The vast majority of contacts were general queries, most commonly about scheduling, i.e. when a show or series is next on air.
Which shows made you cheer and grumble last month? Tell us below.
For now this is just a trial, so let us know what you think.
Top 10 programmes most appreciated by people who contacted Viewer Enquiries in March 2008 (quote is an example of viewer comment):
- Cutting Edge: Sex Change Soldier (37 contacts) "An excellent documentary, with empathy for its subject Jan Hamilton."
- Willie's Wonky Chocolate Factory (14) "It was brilliant to see a programme about one man and his dream and some fantastic recipes."
- Channel 4 News: Prince Harry Revealed In Afghanistan (11)
"I wish to thank Jon Snow for his reporting of the Media cover up and silence of Prince Harry's visit in Afghanistan." See: Big news debate - A Cook’s Tour of Spain
(10)
"Tommi Miers was excellent, with a nice balance between the "hands-on" approach of Jamie Oliver and the sophistication of Rick Stein." Debate this on The TV Show. - Cutting Edge: Phone Rage (9)
"Excellent programme highlighting the problems of corporate call centres." - Channel 4 Racing: Cheltenham Festival (9)
"Enjoyed the conversation and good humour." - Dispatches: Iraq; The Betrayal (8)
"Fantastically bold and honest piece of reporting." - The Secrets of the Twelve Disciples (7)
"The presenter was well researched and shared his knowledge in an interesting and enthusiastic way. Excellent." - Cutting Edge: Shannon; The Family’s Story. (6)
"We thought it was wonderful and found it humbling." - Dispatches: Iraq’s Lost Generation (5)
"I feel so ashamed and sad: they must not be forgotten." - Dispatches: Jon Snow's Hidden Iraq (5)
"I was incredibly moved by Jon Snow's Iraq programme."
Top 10 programmes most criticised by people who contacted Viewer Enquiries in March 2008 (quote is an example of viewer comment):
- Channel 4 News: Prince Harry Revealed In Afghanistan (89) "Where is this man coming from? His comments were offensive and unneeded." See: Big news debate.
- Deal or No Deal 19.03.08 / 20.03.08 (52)
"The entire programme was ruined by the Banker and Noel. It should be taken off the air! It was disgusting." - Dispatches: Undercover Tibet (34: 21 pre-transmission)
"This TV show should not be broadcast as it was scheduled. You guys have no clue what is really going on in Tibet." - Channel 4 Racing: Cheltenham Festival (31; various issues)
"I found the C4 coverage of Cheltenham very frustrating: [due to] showing as little of the horses as possible and as much of your presenters, as talking heads, as possible." - The Secrets of the Twelve Disciples (27)
"How predictable that Channel 4 should wheel out Robert Beckford on Easter Sunday to do a very unoriginal hatchet job." - Reach For The Sky (25)
"You are showing this film in the wrong reel order!" - A Cook’s Tour of Spain
(22)
"Killing a pig on television is completely unacceptable and barbaric."
Join in The TV Show debate. - Cutting Edge: Shannon; The Family’s Story / My Name is Earl (20)
"Why on earth are you replacing BOTH scheduled programs to fit in a new Cutting Edge on Shannon Matthews?" See this debate. - The Italian Job (19)
"To mute a section of film in order to promote the next one is essentially cannibalistic." - Deal or No Deal 26.03.08 (18)
"This programme should have been cancelled because of the error."
Couldn’t disagree more? Glad to be proved right?
Which programme was your pin-up this month?
…And which did you pin to the dartboard?
Before adding your comment below, please note the terms and conditions upon which all submissions are made to Channel 4.
Paula577
What's fine before 9!?!
What's fine before 9!?!
wrote on 05-04-08 15:31
I strongly disagree with the commments that the slaughter of the pig shoudn't have been shown. That program was brilliant and it showed traditional cooking from the native people of Spain. How can people be affended, the program gave warning that the slaughter was about to occur, which gave adequate time for any viewer to either switch over or turn away. This program showed how healthy recipes parents can produce quickyly in their own kitchen!! That should be admired especially with the obesity crisis. Programs showing scenes like these should be shown more often, before or after the watershed. Children need to learn were there food has come from!!!, not from some mass-chain supermarket! This is political corrections got made.
A second series of this would be amazing, i congratulate Tommi and Guy on creating a true to life doucmentary with excellent real food, a second series is needed!!
