TV Chaff

Now, obviously we are watching Wanted Down Under, it goes without saying.  I am so thankful that I researched our impending relocation with care and attention before watching this chaff.  Unfortunately this program is purporting to be a real insight into Life Down Under when really it is daytime TV that falls squarely into the 'entertainment' genre.  The thing that is a bit scary is that the 'victims' in this program seem largely uninformed on the whole migration subject.  I wonder if they take a bit of a punt when applying to appear and then not really thinking about it again until the Beeb turn up at the door.

What surprises me is that on the whole people are expecting to get a small mansion when they didn't have that at home.  Australia used to be like that but as far as I'm aware it hasn't been like that for a long time, and not for a very long time in the big cities which are very popular.  I'm sure you could get a large acreage plot out in Widgeegoara or some such back water but living so far away would be quite a shock and not the perceived Australian dream.

Also I watched one where the program helpfully compared one families shopping bill from home.  So the comparison for blueberries being £2 in the UK and something like £6 in Australia caused gasps around the table!  But for the Love of God it's all relative!  If the Aussies are having to ship in refrigerated blueberries from North America then they are going to be pricey as they have further to go.  Therefore, I'm sure the choice would be to buy the local produce, like mangos and pineapples which are totally delicious, loads cheaper and are from just up the road in Queensland.

This reminds me of another little humorous anecdote.  Dear dear Marky had many many discussions with me over the price of Coke in Australia just as he was about to head over to Perth.  Quite insistently he would ask me "but if coke is £1 for a can in the UK then how much is it going to be in Australia".  Several times I had to explain to him that it is completely irrelevant as when you are earning the Aussie $ it matters not a jot how much you pay in the UK and only how it compares to how many bucks you are earning.  Also the price in the 2 countries are completely unrelated to each other!  Sigh.

The other thing about WDU that I find exceedingly trying is that they seem to insist on showing these people houses above their budget under the guise of "this is something that they can aspire too".  This, I feel sets expectations too high and will also put even more financial pressure on the family in a completely new and alien country if they proceed on this basis.  Also, no account is taken for the fact that most people rent for a good while in a new country while they get their bearings and work out where they can afford which offers them what they want.  There are 3 houses shown in one very specific area, 1 out of budget and then people have to decide.

I feel that as long as people watch it with the understanding that it is not really giving a good picture of the country then that's fine but I'm sure some people watch and base their decisions on it, which is a bit scary!

Don't even get me started on "move to the other side of the World" and "that all looks very inviting" Nicki Chapman.

Now, some seriously fantastic eye candy chasséd, onto our wall mounted plasma on Friday night in the form of the lovely Phil Spencer on a much better program Phil Down Under.  Now this was much more insightful, factual and well produced and Phil made it very enjoyable to watch, frankly by just breathing.