The show is very informal, which is purposely done, to help make people comfortable and help to bring religion into the home, easily. They create the informal appearance with the aid of the presenters and the set. The presenters hold cups of “tea”, which are actually empty and just make the presenters look stupid. The presenters make out how it is freezing cold, when behind them, the sun is blatantly shining through the window. Apart from trying to make idiots out themselves, they hold mugs and pretend to be “cold” to create a cosy, homely appearance. They also do this by mimicking a typical living room, using props like: sofas, coffee table, flowers, vases and so on.
The presenters dress to reflect the programme, they do this by wearing neutral colours. The presenters obviously dress down, as so not to offend anyone. One of the presenters, Phillippa Forester, presents Robot Wars too, where she is always dressed in tight leather clothing. She does not wear this in the Heaven and earth show as it may be seen as disrespectable. Which proves that most things are staged cleverly to give out certain messages and impressions.
The show is obviously fixed so that everyone featured appears religious and respectable. They get the audience to call in and vote on statements and make comments on how religion has affected their lives. This makes the program a bit more believable then it is, because it is real people giving real opinions. The show also features famous people talking about how their lives have been affected by religion and how it has made their lives “better”. Most famous people say things to make themselves look good, even if it is not true, so most of the content is lies and poor in quality.
I did not like watching this show, it was all fixed, and most of it had nothing to do with religion. The makers, it seemed, were more concerned with filling the time, then the actual content of the program. The only thing I enjoyed while watching the program, were spotting the mistakes and pointing out where the presenters made fools out themselves. Overall the only reasons I would watch this program ever again, are if I was paid to or to condemn it. To improve the programme and make it fit its specification, I would suggest they include a real live service from a church, get rid of the celebrities and the presenters. They should instead, have real people talking about their lives through religion and these people should be of all different faiths. It may turn out boring but it would be a religious programme.
The second type of program are worship type programmes. These types of programmes are nearly always on Sundays, in the god-slot. Most people miss them because they usually have a lie in. I am led to believe that they are the reason a lie in was created. A worship type programme is one of the most helpful substitute for going to church. An example of a worship type programme is Songs of Praise, which is on fairly late for a worship programme, at 6.00pm.
Songs of praise is basically what the title says. The programme is made up of a bunch of songs that are praised by some unknown celebrity. The celebrity is interviewed about his or her life, and they recall their favourite songs, which are then sung by choirs and primary schools. Most of the people interviewed are really old, which gives the wrong impression to younger people; the choice of guests suggests that the show is for old people. I surprised myself at one point of the show, as I actually became quite interested. This was because one of the primary schools singing had a very similar school uniform to my old primary school, I thought it was them but it wasn’t, so I continued trying to keep myself awake.
This programme is completely and utterly boring. The only parts worth watching are the closing credits. It was boring, I found my self amused when the subtitles were late! The programme was dull, dreary and repetitive and a complete waste of time. To improve this programme it should be made more bearable and exciting. It should deal with religious issues and other faiths.
The third and final type of programme is a documentary type programme. These types of programmes are shown at any type of the week at any time, unlike worship and magazine type programmes, which can only be seen on Sundays in the god-slot. Documentary type programmes are very informative. They help people understand different things better, in this case religion. The documentary I looked at was one of a series called World of Faiths. This series is broadcast on channel 4, which keeps up its reputation of showing documentaries; Cutting Edge, Teenage Kicks…..
The episode I watched explored the religion of Hinduism, and looked at a particular festival to give the audience a taste of Hinduism. The program had interviews with Hindus of all different ages which gave more detail to the idea of Hinduism that was being given. At one stage I thought the makers had thought too much about what they were doing, in the interviews the voiceovers had very heavy accents and at times this could not be understood. I think they did this so that they would not appear racist. Overall I thought that this program was well structured, gave lots of honest information and a true idea of the religion Hinduism. It wasn’t the best program I’d seen but I was able to watch it with interest.
Out of all three types of religious television programmes: worship, documentary and magazine, I thought that the documentary type programme was the best kind. It was very refreshing to watch after what I had seen before. This is because it was very informative, gave a true idea of Hinduism and kept my interest the majority of the time.
Excluding religious programmes of the documentary type, the range and quality of religious programmes is very depressing. There isn’t much about religion on mainstream TV, and when there is, it is boring and untrue. The majority of religious programmes on TV, just look at Christianity, and every now and again you get the odd thirty second multi-faith slots.
What makes religion on TV even more depressing is how they call the period of broadcasting of religious programmes, the God slot. It is as they have tried so hard to fit religion between Eastenders and Countdown. It is very hard to believe that people fight, argue and die for religion when it is portrayed as it is on TV. My impression on religion through the media is nobody likes their religion, they just take part in it because they have to. I believe that from a young age we are forced to be something that we are to young to understand but carry it on any how because it is simply, religion. We don’t give up religion, because with religion we belong somewhere, religion gives us something to believe in, live by and hold on to. We will grow up with religion, whether we like it or not. Unfortunately this growth with religion in mind is not helped by the media.
The message I get from the variety of religious programmes on TV, is that there is no time for it and when there is, nobody cares, as long as it is shown it is all right. I do not believe that people want to broadcast religious programmes or watch them, they just do it. I get the impression that nobody wants a religion, but they have one, because from a young age, it is the right thing to do.