16 December 2011

The Workers want to know why we can't be nicer?

| johnboy
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Back in June we cast our eye on Southern Cross Ten’s “The Workers” and their exhortations for children to go to bed.

Elizabeth from The Workers has this week been in touch to express her disappointment with us all:

From: Elizabeth Gaunt
Subject: The Workers Goodnight by MWF

Message Body:
Hi there,

I really hope you can do the right thing. My name is Elizabeth Gaunt and I’m one of the members of the group The Workers.

I have noticed the story and video of the television commercial I am in and the proceeding comments, and I have to say I’m so saddened by what MWF and followers have said about us. We are creepy, or pedophiles, or going to ‘rape’ children. We are loving parents, professionals and performers who are just having a go at producing some new content in television. I’m disgusted by the comments and would ask that you please look at removing the post and all it’s comments as we are all highly embarrassed by them.

We have a wonderful new childrens show on southern cross ten running Monday to Friday at 8.30am. Perhaps you could write some positive things about us instead?

I really hope you can understand we are just normal people having a go, and would appreciate the opportunity to be respected for it on a blog like this.

Elizabeth.

(We’re unsure if Elizabeth is the ballerina or the nurse)

Listening to the above video here in The Eagle’s Nest we did wonder if it wasn’t effective at getting children to go to bed simply to escape the glass shattering racket.

If, on the other hand, you’re a fan there is a YouTube channel to rejoice in.

the workers

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fabforty said :

Oh my god. They are back !

…and almost a year later they are still creeping out me and my kids.

Please, SOMEONE MAKE THEM STOP!

Oh my god. They are back !

I thought Ten had seen the light last year when they took this rubbish off.

But no. Not only are they back, but its the same cringe-worthy effort that we were subjected to ages ago.

Solidarity said :

Rusalka said :

Of course in the scheme of things going into children, it’s not the worst. Of course there is a scale. My point is that whether you like it or not, with kids entertainment there is a gender stereotype which goes both ways. The Workers replicate that.

Simplified it’s women in pretty and caring roles, and men in heroic and strong roles. This is not “wrong” and neither is better (all are completely necessary and equal) but it tells kids that that’s what roles they need to play. And kids don’t notice but they are constantly fed this, which in the 21st Century is rubbish. Boy and girls should be subjected to adults of both genders doing all different roles and jobs and taught that whatever they want to do is great, no matter what gender they ascribe to.

I have beautiful nieces and nephews that are raised this way, but still come home from childcare or out from watching TV spurting nonsense about how they can’t do certain things because that is a “boy” or “girl” thing to do. And I think shows like this should take some responsibility and think about the messages they inadvertently send.

Maybe the TV broadcasting is set up in a way…. not to tell children things, but to appeal to them… so they… you know, appeal to the target audience they are trying to entertain?

“I wondered if this show was an attempt to address generation umemployment. Beyond the gender stereotype issue, what the show does portray is normative ambition. Children need positive role models to show them hope, drive and success. The show is clever and fun.”

poetix said :

EvanJames said :

PM said :

So how is a ballerina a “worker” anyways?

It’s a nice little job for a girl to do before she gets married and settles down.

I missed this earlier. You are an evil man-troll.

Yeah, but evidently a very ineffective one! No one bit on it! I shall have to study Violetta who is much more practised in the art.

EvanJames said :

PM said :

So how is a ballerina a “worker” anyways?

It’s a nice little job for a girl to do before she gets married and settles down.

I missed this earlier. You are an evil man-troll.

Holy snappin’ duck crap – have you guys seen their rendition of “Dem Bones”? Some crazy shizzle…

PM said :

So how is a ballerina a “worker” anyways?

It’s a nice little job for a girl to do before she gets married and settles down.

PM said :

So how is a ballerina a “worker” anyways?

Maybe she’s meant to represent artistic, creative jobs.

Or maybe it’s character night at the strip club. Who knows?

I wonder if deliberately invoking the Striesand Effect is the same as deliberately invoking Godwin’s Law?

So how is a ballerina a “worker” anyways?

luther_bendross11:16 am 19 Dec 11

Mang said :

‘So you think your’e from France?’

“Are You Tougher Than A Fifth Grader?”

Hi Beth! Don’t drink and email!

What’s always confused me is why the song plays during the 7pm Project… not really kids TV is it?

Goodnight!

Wake up workers. They nearly had me with there ditties going around in my head all afternoon. But then I noticed the right wing propaganda on their Utube page. including a tribute to Hitler, migrant workers issues, Angelia Jolie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np9Wnwndxy8&feature=relmfu

Fascist front. Should of known when its the jacks that wake you up.

They are starting to growing on me.” Wake up workers, wake up. Get up out of bed” on the lounge room stereo at 6:00am.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np9Wnwndxy8&feature=relmfu

I feel the “angst” of being a worker mixed with the fear of being woken by Ben. Yet I’m happy and having fun. Its deep man. Wake up.

There’s really no call for some of the comments here.

If you ever see these hand signals then its either a bad stripper-gram or a very gay stage show.

I liked this one. Its Bens job to teach us hand signals of the police. Hands on hips everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fpobmsOQakE

Might help some posters in other traffic threads.

I don’t see the fireman connection. I do blame TV shows like this for the rise of ultra-violent computer games. Its very repetitive and droning, but that must be the genre.

WillowJim said :

I can’t imagine absorbing the [b]world/b] through the perverted prism that it their perspective.

Fixed.

Such defensiveness on here. The original attacks on the show were cruel and not even remotely humorous. But that’s the internet, isn’t it?

If anything, it’s the original commenters who are creeps. I can’t imagine absorbing the view through the perverted prism that it their perspective. Ironic that “creepy” is the label they applied to people who try to put something innocent together to entertain children.

If the fireman is a parent, I think child protection need to step in ASAP… *shudder*

I’m sure Ms Gaunt is a very nice person, and I’m glad they’ve moved on from that seriously weird clip with the goggle eyed fireman dude. That was strange stuff.

However, as a professional person who employs other professionals, I can say with all seriousness that if I saw that someone had described themselves on LinkedIn as being “Headhunted to set up the practice for Executive Search in the Digital Media space” I would conclude that they were vain beyond belief, and I wouldn’t want to talk to them.

Things may be different in the Digital Media Space, whatever space that is, but in my geeky little engineering space, which is kinda like the Big Bang Theory for real, that sort of stuff gets laughed to scorn.

I missed the previous thread, unfortunately, because I would love to have made a comment.

I couldn’t believe that “go to bed” song ever got on television in the first place. The stereotypes were appalling. It seems men are firemen, police and builders. Women, well, they don’t do anything except wear pink and clutch teddy bears. What were they supposed to be ??

What were they thinking ? I am glad this rubbish was taken off.
Unless this group can drag itself into this decade, I think they should keep well away from children.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Rusalka said :

“The Workers” might like us to be nicer, but I would like them to portray women better. They may be insulted about the comments of them being creepy, but I’m insulted by the fact that they are continuing to push gender stereotypes on to kids. Why not have a boy nurse (and make sure its a nurse not a doctor) and a girl police officer for example.

I’m not holding my breath for them to stop offending me (don’t even get me started on the noise they call song), and I think what they are doing on TV is more offensive than some tongue-in-cheek comments here on RA.

+1

+2

creative_canberran6:36 pm 16 Dec 11

dpm said :

creative_canberran said :

For anyone who want’s to get to know the Ballerina a little better: ###

As for perceptions, perhaps an explanation is in order about how a Ballerina qualifies as a “worker.” I doubt many actually ballerinas/dancers/performance artists would appreciate being lumped with that title any more than the bloke in ill fitting clothes talking of his love for teddy bears likes being categorised as a creep.

I challenge anyone not to be creeped out by the facial expression, clothes and language here: http://www.theworkers.com.au/
And if we’re trying to teach kids something, WTF does “bingle bongle beaut to see you” mean anyway? Trying to raise a generation of bogan Ned Flanders

I have to say, I do wish you’d stop posting details about other RA posters you’ve found on the net. To me it just seems wrong.
I think it would work better if you just stuck to the criticism – like everyone else does! Hahaha! -)

Erm, it’s the first result on Google… not exactly secret.

Regardless, the link was intended to break the fourth wall. Which is to say the criticisms posted here on RA I presumed were focused more on the characters portrayed rather than the people behind them. Clearly she is not a ballerina, nor is there any indication the other people involved are the professions they portray.

So it’s both stupid to take offence as the letter writer did and stupid to attack the people portraying characters. It’s would be like attacking the actor who plays Sheldon Cooper for the mannerisms he acts and for him to take offence.

Waiting For Godot said :

It is clear that The Workers themselves realised how offensive the original version was and reacted to the criticism posted here (and the CT days later which picked up the story from RA).

That original ‘Goodnight’ segment was seriously creepy. I have not met a person who wasn’t disturbed by it.

I can’t understand how it even got to air. Surely enough people from Southern Cross and marketing companies must have watched it before it got aired.

Did none of them say anything?

creative_canberran said :

For anyone who want’s to get to know the Ballerina a little better: ###

As for perceptions, perhaps an explanation is in order about how a Ballerina qualifies as a “worker.” I doubt many actually ballerinas/dancers/performance artists would appreciate being lumped with that title any more than the bloke in ill fitting clothes talking of his love for teddy bears likes being categorised as a creep.

I challenge anyone not to be creeped out by the facial expression, clothes and language here: http://www.theworkers.com.au/
And if we’re trying to teach kids something, WTF does “bingle bongle beaut to see you” mean anyway? Trying to raise a generation of bogan Ned Flanders

I have to say, I do wish you’d stop posting details about other RA posters you’ve found on the net. To me it just seems wrong.
I think it would work better if you just stuck to the criticism – like everyone else does! Hahaha! -)

poetix said :

You can imagine a similar premise in Communist Bulgaria. Always look forward to visits from the happy healthy workers of the Motherland. I am truly grateful that my child is beyond The Workers demographic. I still want to murder The Wiggles. In the Night Garden, however, has a weird psychedelic appeal, with Makkapakka and his stones.

What is it with The Night Garden? I swear they must put something hypnotic that comes through the screen in that show. Miss Bad Seedling (almost 12) and way past little kids, loves that show and thinks Makkapakka is the best thing since, well I can’t say Justin Bieber because she thinks he’s stupid but *insert appropriate person here*. There is just something mesmerising about it.

creative_canberran4:28 pm 16 Dec 11

For anyone who want’s to get to know the Ballerina a little better: http://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethgaunt

As for perceptions, perhaps an explanation is in order about how a Ballerina qualifies as a “worker.” I doubt many actually ballerinas/dancers/performance artists would appreciate being lumped with that title any more than the bloke in ill fitting clothes talking of his love for teddy bears likes being categorised as a creep.

I challenge anyone not to be creeped out by the facial expression, clothes and language here: http://www.theworkers.com.au/#/meet/fireman_ross/
And if we’re trying to teach kids something, WTF does “bingle bongle beaut to see you” mean anyway? Trying to raise a generation of bogan Ned Flanders

Muttsybignuts4:27 pm 16 Dec 11

On the website the Nurse is a Doctor. Or was she always a Doctor?
Anyway, good luck to them.

Waiting For Godot said :

It is clear that The Workers themselves realised how offensive the original version was and reacted to the criticism posted here (and the CT days later which picked up the story from RA).

Good point. Now I’m wondering if this is some sort of guerilla marketing ploy.

Waiting For Godot4:01 pm 16 Dec 11

It is clear that The Workers themselves realised how offensive the original version was and reacted to the criticism posted here (and the CT days later which picked up the story from RA). The new ad is far better and more in line with a childrens’ presentation rather than an under the counter pedo video.

I make no apologies for my comments at the time and helping to bring about the change. The only thing missing from the fireman’s script in the original was a lollipop.

Solidarity said :

Maybe the TV broadcasting is set up in a way…. not to tell children things, but to appeal to them… so they… you know, appeal to the target audience they are trying to entertain?

You don’t think it does both?

You really don’t think that the content of entertainment informs attitudes?

Dear Elizabeth,

I really hope you can do the right thing. My name is The_Bulldog, and I’m one of the (occasional) posters on RA.

You might wonder why my parents had called me The_Bulldog. Well, this might surprise you but they didn’t. It is a handle that is used on web-forums to protect my anonymity when making idle and speculatory comments, or trolling. You may ask why i would choose an alias? Because I don’t take myself too seriously, and I’m sensitive to the point that I don’t like it when people laugh at the real me. Hence I didn’t get into children’s television where I’d have to dress like a twat and make overly excited faces when it’s bed-time.

I’m sure you, and all of your colleagues (except the fireman), are all really nice people. I sincerely encourage you to harden up pursue your dreams.

And remember – if you think adults are laughing at you remember that someone’s always doing it tougher. At least you’re not the gay wiggle.

Sincerely,

The_Bulldog

Im faced with that age old Ginger vs Mary Ann debate

Rusalka said :

Of course in the scheme of things going into children, it’s not the worst. Of course there is a scale. My point is that whether you like it or not, with kids entertainment there is a gender stereotype which goes both ways. The Workers replicate that.

Simplified it’s women in pretty and caring roles, and men in heroic and strong roles. This is not “wrong” and neither is better (all are completely necessary and equal) but it tells kids that that’s what roles they need to play. And kids don’t notice but they are constantly fed this, which in the 21st Century is rubbish. Boy and girls should be subjected to adults of both genders doing all different roles and jobs and taught that whatever they want to do is great, no matter what gender they ascribe to.

I have beautiful nieces and nephews that are raised this way, but still come home from childcare or out from watching TV spurting nonsense about how they can’t do certain things because that is a “boy” or “girl” thing to do. And I think shows like this should take some responsibility and think about the messages they inadvertently send.

Maybe the TV broadcasting is set up in a way…. not to tell children things, but to appeal to them… so they… you know, appeal to the target audience they are trying to entertain?

Of course in the scheme of things going into children, it’s not the worst. Of course there is a scale. My point is that whether you like it or not, with kids entertainment there is a gender stereotype which goes both ways. The Workers replicate that.

Simplified it’s women in pretty and caring roles, and men in heroic and strong roles. This is not “wrong” and neither is better (all are completely necessary and equal) but it tells kids that that’s what roles they need to play. And kids don’t notice but they are constantly fed this, which in the 21st Century is rubbish. Boy and girls should be subjected to adults of both genders doing all different roles and jobs and taught that whatever they want to do is great, no matter what gender they ascribe to.

I have beautiful nieces and nephews that are raised this way, but still come home from childcare or out from watching TV spurting nonsense about how they can’t do certain things because that is a “boy” or “girl” thing to do. And I think shows like this should take some responsibility and think about the messages they inadvertently send.

Rusalka said :

“The Workers” might like us to be nicer, but I would like them to portray women better. They may be insulted about the comments of them being creepy, but I’m insulted by the fact that they are continuing to push gender stereotypes on to kids. Why not have a boy nurse (and make sure its a nurse not a doctor) and a girl police officer for example.

I’m not holding my breath for them to stop offending me (don’t even get me started on the noise they call song), and I think what they are doing on TV is more offensive than some tongue-in-cheek comments here on RA.

Are you serious?

Dilandach “Its a bunch of adults critiquing a kids show while using adult themes”

I think that may be stretching it a bit. This is RiotAct.

colourful sydney racing identity1:51 pm 16 Dec 11

Rusalka said :

“The Workers” might like us to be nicer, but I would like them to portray women better. They may be insulted about the comments of them being creepy, but I’m insulted by the fact that they are continuing to push gender stereotypes on to kids. Why not have a boy nurse (and make sure its a nurse not a doctor) and a girl police officer for example.

I’m not holding my breath for them to stop offending me (don’t even get me started on the noise they call song), and I think what they are doing on TV is more offensive than some tongue-in-cheek comments here on RA.

+1

Rusalka said :

“The Workers” might like us to be nicer, but I would like them to portray women better. They may be insulted about the comments of them being creepy, but I’m insulted by the fact that they are continuing to push gender stereotypes on to kids. Why not have a boy nurse (and make sure its a nurse not a doctor) and a girl police officer for example.

Because those people don’t exist.
No but seriously, if you think this is portraying women badly perhaps you should think why?
Why do you think a police officer, fireman or constuction worker is better than a nurse or ballerina?

I doubt any of the commenters in here are even in the target demographic for the workers…

Gender stereotypes?

Really?

Let kids be kids for a little while longer and if they enjoy this stuff, cool!

There are worse things being put into young people’s brains than this.

“The Workers” might like us to be nicer, but I would like them to portray women better. They may be insulted about the comments of them being creepy, but I’m insulted by the fact that they are continuing to push gender stereotypes on to kids. Why not have a boy nurse (and make sure its a nurse not a doctor) and a girl police officer for example.

I’m not holding my breath for them to stop offending me (don’t even get me started on the noise they call song), and I think what they are doing on TV is more offensive than some tongue-in-cheek comments here on RA.

You can imagine a similar premise in Communist Bulgaria. Always look forward to visits from the happy healthy workers of the Motherland. I am truly grateful that my child is beyond The Workers demographic. I still want to murder The Wiggles. In the Night Garden, however, has a weird psychedelic appeal, with Makkapakka and his stones.

Looking through the previous thread, i can’t find a single comment about ‘raping children’ or ‘paedophiles’. Yes, the expressions are exaggerated, so out of context they look a bit creepy.

Solidarity said :

Not going to comment on the content because to me it just looks like normal kids TV, I don’t have any kids so… meh, but…

I want to be on TV! How do normal people like me get on TV?

‘So you think your’e from France?’

While looking at the initial posting, there wasn’t really anyone saying that the group were up for the rape of children. About as close as it went were double entendres about the fireman wanting someone to touch his hose.

Honestly Elizabeth, I’m not even sure why you’d even bother complaining. Its not like parents would read the site first and immediately come to the conclusion that ‘The Workers’ are a half hour of kiddy grooming staring your favourite sex predators in costume. Its a bunch of adults critiquing a kids show while using adult themes. I doubt sophie lee cared too much that she was ogled by every male watching at 4:30 while at the same time kids were enjoying bugs bunny. Nor do I think that the chicks from High Five cared they got the same either. Why? Because it had no baring on their show and what they wanted to do. Entertain kids.

That’s what you want to do, kudos to you but you are going to get people who either don’t like the show, love it, stare at your breasts the whole time you’re on screen, wonder if the policeman and the fireman engage in more than a friendship or just think you’re all sexual predators ready to steal the children during the night. You can not make everyone like you. Just do what you do and don’t worry about what people say or think.

The only reasons I can think of this being bought up now is either the show was cancelled and you think the comments had some sort of effect on having it cancelled or that you’ve only just found/got told about the comments and think that it will have some affect on the future of the show.

Congratulations on improving the video and fixing Evil Fireman.

Still weird. Right up there with the !EXTREME CLOSE UP! Children of the Corn that read the WIN News in Canberra. Will have to tune in an see if the show is any better than the bed time bit.

I now feel terrible – I tore that show apart!
Well at least I stopped after they re-did their ‘Go To Bed’ commercial and actually do have a show…

Not going to comment on the content because to me it just looks like normal kids TV, I don’t have any kids so… meh, but…

I want to be on TV! How do normal people like me get on TV?

Agreed why can’t we be nicer? Kinda weak to take pot shots at people who are trying to produce some local TV content and probably getting paid bugger all to do so.

Let’s see the people who take said pot shots step out from behind their aliases and try and do something in front of a TV camera. That would be intereting viewing wouldn’t it?

I’m sorry, but the look on the face of the fireman was absolutely terrifying, turn of the sound and watch him.

I make no apologies for what is clearly true, the man came up scary in that clip.

In fairness, the new version is much, much better.

We are creepy, or pedophiles, or going to ‘rape’ children.

Proof reading fail.

The screen grab of the construction worker kind of reminds me of Adam Sandler.

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