Super Scrimpers

ALIBOBSY

I thought the programme was ok in a pass half an hour type of way, but was very much of the usual formula for these type of reality programmes. The programme title gives away what the production team thought of the whole thing, scrimping suggests missing out or losing out on something as opposed to sensible savings.
1) Show a family/individual and mock whatever they are doing "wrong" ie overeating, rubbish parenting, overspending etc etc, lay it on how stupid and crazy they are.
2) "confront" them with a large disgusting pile of something, takeaways, makeup, horrid picture of fat future grown up kids etc etc.
3) Make them do something extreme to ram the message home, ie eat each others food, stop spending, live in the dark etc etc
4) the reveal at the end where the programme has performed a miricle and solved all their problems.
5) Interspace all the segments with tips and hints for those at home.

This is exactly the formula they have used and no doubt will again over and over (not just c4 either), it has become the set order for these reality shows and the channels love it, cheap and easy TV.

Not really any use to anyone who has any ideas about being MSE at all.

The ideal programme I would like is say 8 or 10 families covering different demographics so say a pensioner couple, small family with kids, large family with kids, professional couple, students etc etc. People with different time and or cash to spare. Get them all trying to live a more frugal, old style life. But within that tailor it to the family concerned so if more cash you might decide certain things you won't compromise on as you have more cash than time.

I would like to see them over a year, see details of their debts/income/spare cash/spare time and see them aiming to clear debt and move to a happier slower less stressful life (I believe this is what OS is all about). Sort of a modern "good life" for some we would see how they grow their own get chickens etc, for others they may start buisnesses to earn extra to clear the debts, others might learn to switch off more and enjoy their free time more.
It needs to be about enjoying life and moving away from the rat race and valuing those things in life that make things worth while. I suppose what I mean is about getting best value in life, and being happy. The current crop of programmes are too formulaic, don't follow the families for long enough, and there simply isn't enough detail how to do things yourself at home-presumably so they can flog a book to go with the series lol.

ali x

JillS_2

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

I thought the programme was ok in a pass half an hour type of way, but was very much of the usual formula for these type of reality programmes. The programme title gives away what the production team thought of the whole thing, scrimping suggests missing out or losing out on something as opposed to sensible savings.
1) Show a family/individual and mock whatever they are doing "wrong" ie overeating, rubbish parenting, overspending etc etc, lay it on how stupid and crazy they are.
2) "confront" them with a large disgusting pile of something, takeaways, makeup, horrid picture of fat future grown up kids etc etc.
3) Make them do something extreme to ram the message home, ie eat each others food, stop spending, live in the dark etc etc
4) the reveal at the end where the programme has performed a miricle and solved all their problems.
5) Interspace all the segments with tips and hints for those at home.

This is exactly the formula they have used and no doubt will again over and over (not just c4 either), it has become the set order for these reality shows and the channels love it, cheap and easy TV.

Excellent analysis. Just one thing you've missed out (or possibly not since I didn't see the actual program but most even vaguely documentary shows do this).

6. After every program break spend some time repeating bits of what's just been shown.

ALIBOBSY

JillS wrote: »

Excellent analysis. Just one thing you've missed out (or possibly not since I didn't see the actual program but most even vaguely documentary shows do this).

6. After every program break spend some time repeating bits of what's just been shown.

Yep you are right we had the "coming after the break" clips and then the "recap" clips to pad out the 30 mins lol.

ali x

gelato_cat

toasterman wrote: »

The scene in the garden was very reminiscent of someone else's show. Alvin Hall, I think.

Spendaholics - which featured much more realistic situations and proper solutions - budgeting, using cheaper alternatives etc.

toasterman wrote: »

That tea tray was hideous before, and hideous afterwards.
It would certainly get visitors talking though.

I loved these comments:rotfl:

Suze

sp1987

toasterman wrote: »

Piggy banks cute and good fun for children, but not great for young adults. I do almost all spending on credit/debit cards, and my friends do the same. I hardly ever withdraw cash in the first place.

The only part of your post I did not agree with. I would have LOVED one of those little pigs! Although admittedly I am probably in the minority :rotfl:

Hopefully there will be another family with more going on between their ears this week. Maybe using a different regional accent to show they have a new family and it isn't just the same episode you saw last week. You often see that one week these programmes have heavily accented people from x a place and another accent from y a place the next week. Just to ensure their numbskull viewers (as surely they must see us) remember what week it is.

Carolyntia

sp1987 - I would've loved one of those pigs too!!!

I can't say I was too impressed with the programme myself. I prefered spendaholics. I'll watch next week to see if it improves but if it doesn't then I'll find something better to do.

vouchersrme

I was not impressed, it seemed amateurish and low key. fancy having a consultant as an example, he would only have to do anothe private session to make up the money. I am waiting to see the next one ,but might give it a miss. Or watch it on 4od when I cannot sleep.

welshmoneylover

I want to know if that nettle pasta was for real?

I mean, I know about the supposed health benefits of young nettle leaves, but chucking it in pasta? What's wrong with a good bolognese. And that pasta, yuck, is that how its made? I'd love to know what it tasted it? Cos it looked like something my cat would barf up.

THIRZAH

Can anyone remember if she cooked the nettles before adding to the pasta? I'm sure that if you add spinach to pasta it is cooked first-just idle curiosity, I'm not planning to make nettle noodles

Uniscots97

THIRZAH wrote: »

Can anyone remember if she cooked the nettles before adding to the pasta? I'm sure that if you add spinach to pasta it is cooked first-just idle curiosity, I'm not planning to make nettle noodles

I think she did cook them first.