at the end of Stephen Fry’s second HIV & Me programme on Tuesday viewers were directed to a new BBC website, G.I. Jonny (caution: not safe for work or children), “a viral information campaign produced by the BBC to raise awareness about HIV in the UK”, aimed at 16-24 year olds, running from October 1st until World AIDS day on December 1st 2007.
Advising people about the risks of HIV and AIDS and how to protect themselves is reasonable enough, but the G.I. Jonny site, designed to appeal to youngsters, and indeed children, is crass and tasteless and open to all without any age advisories or warnings about the site content.
Clicking on the appealing ‘Sketch Show’ link from the home page loads a page that immediately starts to play “the first of several specially commissioned comedy sketches available for download” featuring:
…action-figure Jonny using his ‘protector shield’ to deflect the foam from Captain Bareback’s crotch cannon, laying his foe low with his powerful fisting action, and spying the Commando Bandits through his magic brass eye.
…complete with graphic action-figure animation and a loud voice over (at full volume until you turn it down) blaring rapid-fire sexual innuendo.
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Good old BBC. Naturally, were it not for the unique way the BBC is funded and the absence of advertisers with a reputation to maintain, this sort of explicit rubbish wouldn’t see the light of day.
More details in Metro, BBC’s sex video is branded filthy.
Hat tip to my Biased BBC colleague Laban Tall for the Metro link.
isn’t there a public health department/ministry in the uk?
isn’t there an education ministry in the uk?
sure, this type of educational campaign may be worthwhile, and may indeed may have to be done (not distastefully!) by somebody, and yes, the media may have a part to play, but why, oh why, should this be a bbc brainchild and financial responsibility?
oh, yes, i forgot, we’re talking about that so-called, self-styled “force for good”
I’m offended by it – and the notion of it – and I’m desperately trying to bring up the family to behave responsibly and respectfully – but my offence will count for nothing – unlike probing firemens flashlights in public places, bottles of spirits or ‘inappropriate’ religious references.
I was also offended – during a saturday lunchtime the other week – by Alan Carr on Radio 2 – making references to fisting etc. as we settled down to family lunch.
I found it quite funny.
But, um…I didn’t realise that this was intended to be a public information film.
I thought it was a piece of comedy along the line of Saturday Night Live’s Ambiguoboys – which is funnier and is intended as pure satire.
I assume most intelligent people – and I am evidently pretty thick – will be able to spot the important hidden message contained within. If they don’t, then the cartoon is largely pointless.
Where’s that charter? *rustle rustle* ah yes, “Inform, Educate and Entertain”. I think that’s three out of three in this case.
Just carrying on the good work of Margaret Thatcher really.
David, it is quite entertaining.
I am sure la Thatch would argue that the BBC needs to educate and inform the general public on the important subject of fisting.
If fisting is an acceptable topic for nation then so is creationism, I suppose.
David Gregory (BBC) | 11.10.07 – 9:08 am
“Inform, Educate and Entertain”. I think that’s three out of three in this case.
I’m afraid this time I can’t agree with you, David.
My esteemed namesake is doubtless turning in his grave at the sight of what he’d certainly have regarded as trashy, amoral garbage – which many licence-fee payers will quite understandably be outraged to discover they are funding.
At a time when cuts are being made to some really worthwhile projects, this sort of thing shouldn’t be defended.
Well said JR!, one of the first times I have ever agreed with a comment of yours.
I would imagine that the message that Fry was trying to put across has been demeaned by the awfulness of the website.
IF the BBC wishes to inform, educate and entertain then this approach does the exact opposite, this is a serious matter and one that the BBC has managed to totally mess up.
JR my estimation of you has just risen considerably.
Well said.
If I am forced to pay telly tax, then I want it spent on Horizons amd Living Planets, not this load of silly, puerile bilge.
JR: Have to disagree. This is a worthwhile project.
The issue, David, isn’t whether it’s a worthwhile project or not – the issue is whether such ignorant crass tastelessness, designed to appeal to youngsters and children, is an appropriate way of teaching people to take care of themselves – especially when it’s being paid for by public funds.