EastStandBlue
Life President
I think it's fine to laugh at disabled people, they are often funny and often do funny things. If you are disrespectful or just see them as amusement then obviously that isn't the case.
I only saw 5 mins last night but it seemed genuinely interesting and you can't help at laugh at some of the things that they were saying (the guy rehearsing 'Do you want to go to bed with me?' in French:hilarious:) - also the guy with tourettes who's girlfriend laughed at the random swearing he'd do... it made him relaxed and happy and laughing is a positive emotion for them to see in someone that they're connecting with.
Basically - if you're laughing in a nice way, that's fine - if not, you're a c-unit.
It's easy to think that Channel 4 are just making programmes for our own amusement (gypsies, undatables etc) - but I can't help but think it also makes you re-evaluate some of the prejudices and stereotypes we might hold. The fact that we're discussing whether it's ok to laugh at disabled people is a perfect example of what they were trying to do, IMO anyway.
I think that's exactly it. I was hugely sceptical of Channel 4's ability to pull off a show like The Undateables, but fair play to them they've managed to tow a line that is neither condescending nor insulting. If anything the show reinforces the point that despite their disabilities, these people act and seek out human companionship just like everybody else does.