TV
Allen show slammed for pants prank video
Published Thursday, Mar 20 2008, 10:06 GMT | By Simon Reynolds | 25 comments
Rex Features
The footage, a blurry clip possibly from a mobile phone, aired on popstar Allen's show on Tuesday.
In a segment called "funny internet clips", Allen introduced the video to the audience, saying: "Now it's my favourite, it's kegging - pulling someone's trousers down in public when they least expect it. It's very childish, but very funny.
"CJ from London has sent me one, it's kegging a teacher."
Andy Brown, an executive member of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, condemned the video, saying: "If she (Allen) doesn't understand the responsibility of what she is doing in the media world, then she should not be allowed to do that."
General secretary of teachers' union NASWUWT Chris Keates said: "We can only imagine what that teacher must feel about what happened to them at the time. Then [it has been] made hundreds of times worse by the fact that it is posted on the internet - and has now been shown on the BBC."
> Was it irresponsible to air the clip? Share your views
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25 Comments
Your Responses
Cristina, Devon, on March 22nd, 2008
It set a stupid precedent - if tv execs can't engage their brains before doing something, how can we expect the viewers of this mindless tosh to do so?
It set a stupid precedent - if tv execs can't engage their brains before doing something, how can we expect the viewers of this mindless tosh to do so?
Jo, Cornwall, on March 21st, 2008
I wonder how many of you are teachers?
I wonder how many of you are teachers?
J, London, on March 20th, 2008
no it wasnt responsible. shame about that and the message its sending out
no it wasnt responsible. shame about that and the message its sending out
Paul, Somerset, on March 20th, 2008
Suppose they will go to any lengths to boost the ratings of a truly dire show. Astonishing that the BBC is responsible for such a dreadful lapse of taste. Was it supposed to be funny? It certainly reveals the state of classroom discipline, wonder what the lesson was that must have been abandoned. Now what would have happened if the teacher had pulled down the trousers of one of his pupils? Would that have been funny? Yes it was irresponsible.
Suppose they will go to any lengths to boost the ratings of a truly dire show. Astonishing that the BBC is responsible for such a dreadful lapse of taste. Was it supposed to be funny? It certainly reveals the state of classroom discipline, wonder what the lesson was that must have been abandoned. Now what would have happened if the teacher had pulled down the trousers of one of his pupils? Would that have been funny? Yes it was irresponsible.
B, Wales, on March 20th, 2008
Nah it was a laff
Nah it was a laff
Steve, London, on March 20th, 2008
The birds a dippy cow so why is she on tv
The birds a dippy cow so why is she on tv
Derry, Soton, on March 20th, 2008
Would anyone else on here find it funny if their trousers were pulled down at their place of work and it was filmed? I don't think so. Just because it happened to a teacher doesn't mean it's all right - in fact, it makes it worse. If you find it funny it just makes it obvious that you were badly behaved at school. Guess what - it's not a badge of honour to have disrupted other people's educations and make hardworking people's lives a misery.
Would anyone else on here find it funny if their trousers were pulled down at their place of work and it was filmed? I don't think so. Just because it happened to a teacher doesn't mean it's all right - in fact, it makes it worse. If you find it funny it just makes it obvious that you were badly behaved at school. Guess what - it's not a badge of honour to have disrupted other people's educations and make hardworking people's lives a misery.
Ian, Rochdale, on March 20th, 2008
Excuse me, but if you watch the clip closely you will also see the teacher chase the child in a threatening manner, Are the union saying that this is now acceptable ? :O political correctness gone mad.
Excuse me, but if you watch the clip closely you will also see the teacher chase the child in a threatening manner, Are the union saying that this is now acceptable ? :O political correctness gone mad.
Sam, London, on March 20th, 2008
Would it still be funny if that teacher had given that kid a slap?
Would it still be funny if that teacher had given that kid a slap?
David Quinton, Wigan, on March 20th, 2008
What do you expect from a low life like Lilly Allen? Childish and totally out of order for her to show it, doesn't she realise that some of idiots who look up to her will want to copy this in an attempt to get it shown on her little show?
What do you expect from a low life like Lilly Allen? Childish and totally out of order for her to show it, doesn't she realise that some of idiots who look up to her will want to copy this in an attempt to get it shown on her little show?
Becky, London, on March 20th, 2008
Wasnt the best idea really was it. Teachers have a hard enough job as it is without having pupils acting like this and then celebrities supporting the childrens actions.
Wasnt the best idea really was it. Teachers have a hard enough job as it is without having pupils acting like this and then celebrities supporting the childrens actions.
DJ, Malaga, on March 20th, 2008
Surely this kegging thing should be classes as a form of assault shouldn't it? It is horrendous that the BBC let this stupid jumped-up Charlotte Church wannabe show this.
Surely this kegging thing should be classes as a form of assault shouldn't it? It is horrendous that the BBC let this stupid jumped-up Charlotte Church wannabe show this.
Andrew, Lincoln, on March 20th, 2008
It is ridiculous for others to suggest it was just a joke and there was no harm done. Anything which shows a lack of respect towards any person should not be given the sort of exposure this has been given. The BBC should feel ashamed that license-payers money is used to research such infantile subject matter. Maybe the show itself is geared towards immature people? Would they have shown it if the situation was reversed? No. The teacher would be subject to an official investigation and most likely sacked. If this is what some people find funny, i suggest to them to get a life, not others who don't. Where is the line going to be drawn?
It is ridiculous for others to suggest it was just a joke and there was no harm done. Anything which shows a lack of respect towards any person should not be given the sort of exposure this has been given. The BBC should feel ashamed that license-payers money is used to research such infantile subject matter. Maybe the show itself is geared towards immature people? Would they have shown it if the situation was reversed? No. The teacher would be subject to an official investigation and most likely sacked. If this is what some people find funny, i suggest to them to get a life, not others who don't. Where is the line going to be drawn?
Jon, Bristol, on March 20th, 2008
Yes, it was irresponsible. As well as being humiliating for person involved, it totally undermines respect for teachers, which is sadly lacking today. Just imagine the outcry if a teacher had done it to a pupil...
Yes, it was irresponsible. As well as being humiliating for person involved, it totally undermines respect for teachers, which is sadly lacking today. Just imagine the outcry if a teacher had done it to a pupil...
Kris, Devon, on March 20th, 2008
I'm 18, I found it funny but it doesn't encourage me to do it to a teacher.
I'm 18, I found it funny but it doesn't encourage me to do it to a teacher.
Joanna, Leeds, on March 20th, 2008
It was utterly irresponsible! How the hell would she like having a video showing her trousers being pulled down shown on national television?? I wish they'd hurry up and axe this crap, then they could use the budget for good telly like The Mighty Boosh!
It was utterly irresponsible! How the hell would she like having a video showing her trousers being pulled down shown on national television?? I wish they'd hurry up and axe this crap, then they could use the budget for good telly like The Mighty Boosh!
Heather, London, on March 20th, 2008
Absolutely ridiculous and an awful thing to do. There is no way of measuring how humiliating or upsetting this would be for the individual. While many young people wont be influenced by this sort of thing, some will. The BBC has to take responsibility.
Absolutely ridiculous and an awful thing to do. There is no way of measuring how humiliating or upsetting this would be for the individual. While many young people wont be influenced by this sort of thing, some will. The BBC has to take responsibility.
Kevin Gallacher, Aberdeen, on March 20th, 2008
It was maybe a bit of an embarrasment for the teacher but thats just they way things are. Newspapers and TV news cover all sort of things that are embarassing for whoever is involved, it happens all the time, thats just part of media. If you goto these video download sites then you see tons of videos of people in compromising and embarresing situations. It is legal and I feel there is nothing wrong with showing the videos, if it is something that is illegal then that is a different matter, but this is just a joke. Albeit an inappropriate one but it's still a joke.
It was maybe a bit of an embarrasment for the teacher but thats just they way things are. Newspapers and TV news cover all sort of things that are embarassing for whoever is involved, it happens all the time, thats just part of media. If you goto these video download sites then you see tons of videos of people in compromising and embarresing situations. It is legal and I feel there is nothing wrong with showing the videos, if it is something that is illegal then that is a different matter, but this is just a joke. Albeit an inappropriate one but it's still a joke.
Radiya, Essex, on March 20th, 2008
It was irrseponsible but funny at the same time. I guess it's not sending out a very good message, seeing as most of Lily's veiwers are in school. But then again, it's not like she's forcing kids to pull teachers trousers down. Besides...the producers should have thought a bit more before choosing to air it on the show.
It was irrseponsible but funny at the same time. I guess it's not sending out a very good message, seeing as most of Lily's veiwers are in school. But then again, it's not like she's forcing kids to pull teachers trousers down. Besides...the producers should have thought a bit more before choosing to air it on the show.
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If a teacher had done the same to a student the teacher would be locked up.