Alan Titchmarsh, an inexplicably popular TV host, recently hosted a videogame segment on his talk show that somehow managed to be worse than anything FOX News has ever done. In what could be described as the character assassination on an entire industry, Titchmarsh invited one pro-game speaker on the show, then invited two more guests who were there to essentially kick the crap out of him with their assumptions, scaremongering, and blatant lies.
Meanwhile, the hypocritical studio audience clapped and cheered while videogames were accused of promoting "racism, sexism and hatred," despite the fact that their presence supports ITV, a station that has shown many violent TV shows and movies. Julie Peasgood -- who makes a living talking about sex on TV -- falsely claimed that there was a proven link between videogames and antisocial behavior. When this "fact" was refuted with an actual study that claimed there was no link, the audience began jeering and scoffing.
This is one of the most miserable, pathetic, depressing shows of public stupidity I have ever seen. At least the guests have been paid to go on TV and lie about videogames, but for the audience to so happily lap up the slander like they were sucking spunk through a straw is just horrific. And this was while videogames were being honored in the UK with their own BAFTA awards.
Well done, British public. You take two steps back for every step forward you make. Videos like this make me ashamed -- truly, deeply ashamed -- to come from English stock.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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I've already made this same comment on other places that have posted this video, but I'll say it again.
Tim was trying his fucking damnedest to make sense among the two other idiots (Actually, the guy on the right was not too bad.). He said everything correctly and it was nothing but complete ignorance from the woman and even the audience.
No shit, they REWARD VIOLENCE?? Let me ask you this lady, why the HELL would I shoot ppl in the face, if I wasn't REWARDED :D Obvious-hammer crits you for over 9000, It's super effective!
I'm Scottish, but I'm still on the same island, so I share in your shame. There are so many things I could point to in this video that are just wrong, such as a soap opera star being the main opposition, the audience's total non-compliance to listen to anything the games supporter says, and the useless third guest who says about two sentences, but I've given up on television in this country, for the most part, and the mainstream society of Great Britannia in general. Shows like these are part of the reason why.
i was going to make a smart and informed comment, but i started watching the video and i just became too pissed off to actually say anything but fuck them!
its bad parents, fucking man up and admit that you suck at parenting
This is a man who made his name on Ground Force, which to those that don't know is a gardening program, now what the hell I want to know is how he got a job on a talk show, where is the link? Its just shows how bad television truly is when people will willingly listen to a gardener interview a couple of biased twats in order to create an arguement. What an absolute disgrace, and the worst part is that there will be no rebuttle from the games industry we will just take it lying down and the non playing public will be even more convinced games are slowly killing the planet, still at least if it does die it will take Alan with it!
and that dude is my hero for even attempting to go up their and talk against their lies and slanders, personally i would have said fuck you and walked out.
You should be the one who talks to them, Jim. FOX News and all those other fucks get video game people who clam up and make us look bad.
Why don't they get Nick Chester, Brian Crecente and the likes? Because I'm pretty sure they know that those guys know their stuff and they'll make THEM look like idiots.
This guy knows what he's talking about, but bring in a woman with kids and you suddenly feel for her.
wow. the lone man held up rather well against the horribly ignorant lady and the guy that clearly knew nothing of gaming. interestingly enough there could be three of these seminars every night for the next twenty years and i dont think that they'd be able to do a damn thing.
You know what? I'm not even going to watch it. I'm done giving these idiots attention. The Jack Thompsons and Michael Atkinsons of the world only serve to make me angry and mourn the loss of common sense in today's culture. The description alone made me want to throw up, there's no way I can stomach a 7 minute long video.
Why is everyone all of a sudden ashamed to be British? It's three British people (and about 50 audience memebers). Hardly an accurtate potrayal of a whole nation. As accurate as Jim's regular photos that acoompany his British chart updates in fact. All three of these folk are bell-ends, but I'm still quite happy being British.
On a serious note, screw the haters, I really liked what the bearded gent said. I think he held his own pretty well and for that I applaud him. Obviously the old people are so far in the red that they're never going to be convinced so fuck 'em. I liked the bearded fellow and he actually kept my RAEG at a considerable level as I bobbed my head in approval.
Don't worry guys. You know what all these retard conservatives have in common? They are old. This explains their ancient views. Don't try to "convert" these people to unretardedness, that's a waste of your time. Just wait a couple of years and they will all be dead due to old age, and the world will be a better place.
@Daniel Wales
You mean you've never been ashamed of the English enslaving other countries for 100's of years? Mkay.
Why do people get so offened and angry because someone states something that isn't that crazy to begin with. Someone talking about violent acts being related to video games isn't going to stop you from playing them. Yet you all act as if it's truly IMPOSSIBLE that a human being could play a game that could then influence them to go outside and re-inact those scenes.
This comes from someone who is a hardcore gamer, including a lot of violent games. People's opinions are valid even if they're not your own.
Ashamed to be English? Worse crimes have been commited.
* Alan Titshmarsh came to fame presenting a gardening programme. A games expert he is not (as evidenced by his surprise that games have ratings).
* The old man is slightly on our side; at one point he admits he's not a gamer, so doesn't know everything.
* Shortly after this programme, it was discovered that the woman, Julie Peasgood (who should DIAF), was a voice actress for violent videogame Martian Gothic. ¬_¬
I think its fine... let them be sour-faced cunts now... we will make them pay later... muhhahaha. "oh whats that the old folk home needs cleaning more regularly?" you should've thought about that instead of wasting money on video games raped my baby research. Alan Titface has always been a big knobhead this just proves the fact.
I just wrote a paper on this. Those guys are full of shit, spreading lies and shaky statistics.
Juvenile violence actually has been decreasing since the mid 90's. Everyone is too stupid to blame themselves. No one is forcing you to play.
Let's get rid of every form of entertainment and see how better off society becomes. Let's see then if people stop killing each other. They won't. It'll get worse.
Let's be fair, though, him saying that he plays games like Modern Warfare 2 for the narrative is complete bollocks or misrepresentative of the gaming world.
Bringing up the Venables case had nothing to do with video games either, IIRC it was the watching of Child's play - a FILM, something that she was avidly defending.
These people need to do a bit of thinking before they open their mouths.
...Seriously? She gives no evidence for her claim of videogames promoting racism/sexism, yet the crowd cheer?
Also, I love how the pro-game guy was torn apart for even implying that it was the parents fault for not looking into it all, and the Blackhawk Down comment being thrown to the side for some more scoffing.
I am ashamed to be British every day. This Country is fast becomming a Nation of fucking retards, nanny state, police state, whatever you want to call it, this once "great" place is long gone down the shitter.
Not to mention the fact that we, as a country are pretty much bankrupt.
I also watched (mrs SC made me) a program about some fat, pig nosed nanny, who did a "study" into games and violence. 10 kids played a violent war game, 10 played Fifa.
The kids were interveiwed, and during the interview the guy interviewing them knocked a pot of pens off his desk to see who would help pick them up (because we all know violent people don't help to pick up pens!)
Thing is every time a Fifa playing kid was in there, HE STARTED TO PICK THEM UP and they helped.
Everytime a violent game playing kid was in there he fucking knocked the pens off and ignored them like it had never happened, obviously the kids ignored them too.
It was disgusting how fucking FIXED his test was. Had he started to pick them up himself with ANY of the kids, they would have probably helped no matter what game they'd just been playing, but he clearly prompted the ones he wanted to help, to help and encouraged the non-help of those who'd been playing violent games by not even starting or acknowledging the task he wanted them to help with.
I wonder what will happen in 20 years when the generation "in charge" has changed. Those people bashing games haven't grown up with video games as we have, and I wonder what will happen when this generation of people is the leaders and speakers.
But watching this stuff makes me kinda angry, people are allowed to have different opinions on things, but when you're on TV, you're influencing a lot of viewers, and should therefore not kick the shit out of a dude representing today's youth and gamers, making us look bad.
But I guess this is kinda the same types of arguments like when TV and movies became popular ages ago.
Can't say that I'm all for "giving up" on old people (the public as a whole) about the awareness of video games. A little understanding goes a long way.
That guy had guts to stand up against that audience, they really were ready to tear him apart, but if I were him when that lady was spewing BS and not facts I would have asked her "so, where were the parents in all of this?", and instead of listing games ('cause these people wouldn't know this shit like Little Big Planet) I'd simply say "building block games" and Nintendo's stuff, stuff that old people actually do enjoy and make these people out to be digital dust.
Ignorance is bliss, and they is mighty blisfull. Right off the bat you cant take Alan Titchmarsh seriously as he is more famed for pulling up weeds, then we have Margaret Peasbody (never heard of her but I guess shes a liar and needed a platform to sell something), and finally we have Kelvin Mckenzie....who writes for THE SUN. He is also one of the most hateful characters I know of in the media (close to Alex Jones for his spouting of utter bullshit mainly).
Last time i checked, videogames wasn't the only for of violent entertainment. What about movies, music, magazines, hell even books. These idiots just went on to rage about games, probably because they needed the ratings.
As everyone else has said, this makes me feel like England is stepping backwards more and more, though the whole tax breaks for tha games industry announced today is a good leap forward.
As soon as I heard him open his mouth about video games i turned over the channel and now wish for the life of me that i'd stayed to watch this mess.
Still, well done to Tim for defending our lifestyle/profession in front of a bunch of idiotic Sun reading hypocritical wank spanners.
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Contest:
11:00 AM on 03.24.2010 | 
Tim was trying his fucking damnedest to make sense among the two other idiots (Actually, the guy on the right was not too bad.). He said everything correctly and it was nothing but complete ignorance from the woman and even the audience.
its bad parents, fucking man up and admit that you suck at parenting
"...despite the fact that most of them have probably seen violent movies or played games themselves."
Sorry, getting mad at someone for assuming things, then assuming things also makes one a hypocrite.
I like your articles Jim, just be careful with your words.
Why don't they get Nick Chester, Brian Crecente and the likes? Because I'm pretty sure they know that those guys know their stuff and they'll make THEM look like idiots.
This guy knows what he's talking about, but bring in a woman with kids and you suddenly feel for her.
ITV better listen to what i have to say!
On a serious note, screw the haters, I really liked what the bearded gent said. I think he held his own pretty well and for that I applaud him. Obviously the old people are so far in the red that they're never going to be convinced so fuck 'em. I liked the bearded fellow and he actually kept my RAEG at a considerable level as I bobbed my head in approval.
I still want to move to the UK.
You mean you've never been ashamed of the English enslaving other countries for 100's of years? Mkay.
Why do people get so offened and angry because someone states something that isn't that crazy to begin with. Someone talking about violent acts being related to video games isn't going to stop you from playing them. Yet you all act as if it's truly IMPOSSIBLE that a human being could play a game that could then influence them to go outside and re-inact those scenes.
This comes from someone who is a hardcore gamer, including a lot of violent games. People's opinions are valid even if they're not your own.
Ashamed to be English? Worse crimes have been commited.
I just laughed at your remark so loudly I got some funny looks from around the office. :D
Feel that the guy from C&VG held his own rather well though in fairness.
You are absolutely right, and have prompted me to make an even better point in the article. Made a far superior change.
* Alan Titshmarsh came to fame presenting a gardening programme. A games expert he is not (as evidenced by his surprise that games have ratings).
* The old man is slightly on our side; at one point he admits he's not a gamer, so doesn't know everything.
* Shortly after this programme, it was discovered that the woman, Julie Peasgood (who should DIAF), was a voice actress for violent videogame Martian Gothic. ¬_¬
Juvenile violence actually has been decreasing since the mid 90's. Everyone is too stupid to blame themselves. No one is forcing you to play.
Let's get rid of every form of entertainment and see how better off society becomes. Let's see then if people stop killing each other. They won't. It'll get worse.
Word.
These people need to do a bit of thinking before they open their mouths.
Also, I love how the pro-game guy was torn apart for even implying that it was the parents fault for not looking into it all, and the Blackhawk Down comment being thrown to the side for some more scoffing.
Fucking Britain.
Not to mention the fact that we, as a country are pretty much bankrupt.
I also watched (mrs SC made me) a program about some fat, pig nosed nanny, who did a "study" into games and violence. 10 kids played a violent war game, 10 played Fifa.
The kids were interveiwed, and during the interview the guy interviewing them knocked a pot of pens off his desk to see who would help pick them up (because we all know violent people don't help to pick up pens!)
Thing is every time a Fifa playing kid was in there, HE STARTED TO PICK THEM UP and they helped.
Everytime a violent game playing kid was in there he fucking knocked the pens off and ignored them like it had never happened, obviously the kids ignored them too.
It was disgusting how fucking FIXED his test was. Had he started to pick them up himself with ANY of the kids, they would have probably helped no matter what game they'd just been playing, but he clearly prompted the ones he wanted to help, to help and encouraged the non-help of those who'd been playing violent games by not even starting or acknowledging the task he wanted them to help with.
Fucking hypocritical demonising fucking cunts.
Video games = the new rock and roll music.
This Country makes me fucking sick.
But watching this stuff makes me kinda angry, people are allowed to have different opinions on things, but when you're on TV, you're influencing a lot of viewers, and should therefore not kick the shit out of a dude representing today's youth and gamers, making us look bad.
But I guess this is kinda the same types of arguments like when TV and movies became popular ages ago.
Hint: Don't ever do it.
That guy had guts to stand up against that audience, they really were ready to tear him apart, but if I were him when that lady was spewing BS and not facts I would have asked her "so, where were the parents in all of this?", and instead of listing games ('cause these people wouldn't know this shit like Little Big Planet) I'd simply say "building block games" and Nintendo's stuff, stuff that old people actually do enjoy and make these people out to be digital dust.
Obviouslt the people on the show have played the 1982's classic Custer's Revenge
As soon as I heard him open his mouth about video games i turned over the channel and now wish for the life of me that i'd stayed to watch this mess.
Still, well done to Tim for defending our lifestyle/profession in front of a bunch of idiotic Sun reading hypocritical wank spanners.