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The beneifts and perils of blogging

edited August 2014 in Writing
I found this on my blog in "comments awaiting approval" this morning.
Sarah had read my S blog (Sun, sea and S) from the A-Z challenge in 2012 !! but obviously nothing else.
I didn't see the OAPs Behaving Badly programme but it doesn't sound like my kind of thing.
I could offer to give a different view of retirement in the sun, I suppose, and see what she says.
What do you think?

Hi Lizy,

I hope you are well.

I hope you don't me emailing you out of the blue like this. My name is Sarah and I'm currently working on a brand new series of 'OAPs Behaving Badly.' I'm not sure if you saw or were aware of the show that was aired on CH5 earlier this year?

At the moment I'm casting for a brand new, Channel 5 series OAPs Behaving Badly. Following the success of the one-hour episode earlier this year; I am looking for people 60 years plus, who are fun, lively and are embracing their retirement and golden years. If you are interested or know anyone that are keen to be involved then please do contact me at [email protected]

Thank you for your time.

Sarah.xxx

Comments

  • Did she really put three kisses at the end? If so, I would make sure she really is who she says she is.

    Otherwise - be very careful. Bear in mind they will be wanting you to be disgraceful so they can be rude about you in the commentary.
  • If you google [email protected] you will find that she's also posted on various sites, looking for victims.
  • And no matter how they say it's going to show the fun, nice side, by the time it's come out of the editing room it will be quite the opposite!
  • edited August 2014
    Liz, an employment agent put a kiss on the end of her email to me last week. I used to get email kisses from a few people when I was working as a manager, too. Not from my female team members, I must say ;) Inappropriate kisses seem to be on the increase in business communication.
  • Your reactions so far have confirmed my first impression - she's trawling the internet looking for mugs. (Oops - sorry - stars for her series.)

    I think she does exist, but wouldn't trust her within barge-pole distance.

    After seeing snail's contribution I'm tempted to email her saying "Not on your nelly" but that would be childish.

    :-O
  • I don't think OAP's should be encouraged to behave badly.I would withhold their pensions.
  • Some don't need encouragement.
  • Well, the upside is your blog is reaching out to the masses, Lizy. The downside is this person thinks you are fodder for her Channel Five "reality" show - and I've never watched this one, for the simple reason that I don't watch any of them, but the fact that it's on Ch5 is enough said. Good grief, the woman can't even write English - 'anyone that are keen to be involved'?
  • It might be fun and would be good publicity for any writing you could have ready for when it aired.

    You probably would be shown in as extreme a light as possible and have things you said used out of context ... how much would that worry you?
  • Ooooh. What decision to make...

    ££££ :D

    ????? :\">
  • edited August 2014
    I watched one of those programmes set in Tenerife, it had that guy who sung Little Arrows, Leapy Lee in it. He is still singing to them out there and he has a young Danish wife, who keeps him young!
    I wondered if you watched it Lizy.

    http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/c5s-oaps-behaving-badly-sun-3814495
  • BTW re blogs. Last week at Swanwick I met someone who that week had had an email from Radio Warsaw asking her if she would go on there talking about bank holiday Mondays ( seems they don't have them in Poland?) Anyway they had seen her blog on this subject, and she had written that blog entry five years ago!
  • It might be fun and would be good publicity for any writing you could have ready for when it aired.

    You probably would be shown in as extreme a light as possible and have things you said used out of context ... how much would that worry you?
    Actually, quite a lot.

    While trying not to sound snobbish, that kind of 'drink-all-you-can-and-bugger-the-consequences' behaviour disgusts me, and as they obviously wouldn't show me saying that, there's no point.

    The idea of being misquoted AND out of context appalls me.

    So although I didn's see the programme - we don't watch UK TV here, not having the right 'box' - I think I'll pass.

    No fame and fortune that way.
    (*) :((
  • BTW re blogs. Last week at Swanwick I met someone who that week had had an email from Radio Warsaw asking her if she would go on there talking about bank holiday Mondays ( seems they don't have them in Poland?) Anyway they had seen her blog on this subject, and she had written that blog entry five years ago!
    Wow! So my 2 year-old blog entry wasn't a record?




  • The idea of being misquoted AND out of context appalls me.
    Don't do it then. I don't know for sure that you'd be misrepresented but many programmes do seem to use creative editing.



  • Steer clear.
    It's only 'entertaining' if it's outrageous and there are two kinds of publicity!
  • My take on this is that I would only appear on a p*ss taking show if I was sure I was the one taking the p*ss.
  • Now there's an idea...
  • My response sent this morning.

    Dear Sarah

    Re your comment on my blog yesterday.
    It is clear that you only read that one two year old entry in my blog, or you would be aware of my opinions on the common perception of ex-pat behaviour. Also, having talked to several people last night, it is also obvious that you have carpet-bombed Tenerife with similar requests.

    Having seen some of the footage of the previous programme, I am sure you would not be interested in making a programme about people who have better things to do than get drunk every day. No doubt you will find plenty of volunteer OAPs to Behave Badly for your cameras.

    Liz Young

    Possibly a bit harsh, but I assure you this is the toned-down version!

    L-)
  • Yay, good for you!
  • Well done!

    =D>
  • Lizy, you're very brave. Once again, well done! #:-S
  • If she's asking people to behave badly she'll be disappointed in that email - I think it's perfectly reasonable.
  • Ooh, remind me not to annoy Lizy! :-SS

    Seriously though - I love that response!
  • Love your response, Lizy. Let us know if you get a reply!

    This reminds me of the time a new neighbour was selected to appear on a reality show and we had reporters knocking on our door for our reactions to this "tremendous news." As we were not familiar with the programme or what it entailed I suspect they were not impressed by our underwhelmed response. Never really got to know that neighbour either as they moved on shortly afterwards.

    Anyway, Lizy, much better to get 15 minutes of fame from writing than being a talking point on TV!
  • Lizy, you forgot to add kisses.

    These people spread their nets very widely. This year we have been contacted by producers for Come Dine with Me, Goggle Box and something about obsessive cleaners. I don't do dinner parties, watch telly or clean.
  • Love the restrained contempt in your reply, Lizy. :)
  • LizLiz
    edited August 2014
    I don't do dinner parties, watch telly or clean.
    You need the one about people who have really dirty houses then, where they go in and teach you how with vinegar and baking soda...

  • I like that, Lizy. Straight for the jugular, but polite too - an excellent balance!
  • edited September 2014
    It's a while since I looked at the contents of the spam page on my blog, and it's clear that my filter is working well on comments.

    Naturally every one of them tells me I'm a great blogger. Several say they come upon my blog by accident and were so impressed they have bookmarked it, quite a number are obviously not native English speakers, and one or two are creepy.

    Today's offerings include an invitation to visit the sites of a dental supplier, a corset manufacturer, a shoe fetishist, a video maker, a Viagra supplier and a purveyor of "Party pills - Legal drugs for the fun party-goer."

    What's in your spam sump?
  • I don't even get spam :(
  • C2C2
    edited September 2014
    Glad to know I'm not alone but Lizy does seem to have an exciting mail box
    doesn't she. What she got that we haven't ..mmmm
  • A blog? I don't really have one. That's possibly why I don't get any spam.
  • Ahh! that's a very good reason
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