The fact that I have a form of disability myself made this programme seem like the perfect opportunity to see how other forms are seen on one of my favourite mediums. Narrated by David Walliams, this documentary looked into how disability, whether it be mental, social or physical is portrayed on television in all its genres. Soap opera brought us the first ever disabled character (played by a real disabled actress) in the failed Eldorado, then Crossroads (played by a non-disabled actor) and recently EastEnders with a real wheelchair user. US cop shows brought us the wheelchair bound Ironside (played by non-disabled Raymond Burr). Comedy brought us the Monty Python with different people sketches, The Office with the wheelchair user, Little Britain with Lou and Andy, and recently Extras with dwarf actor Warwick Davis. A little mention of films showed disability as something to fear or evil, e.g. Captain Hook, James Bond villains with no hands and metal arms. Reality shows like Big Brother brought us contestants with Tourette syndrome, blindness and recently a contestant with no legs and an eye missing. Finally, drama gave the chance for real disabled people to expose themselves for dramatic, personal and educational reasons in Cast Offs. Oh, and there is mention of the word and culture surrounding "spastics". This programme is basically proving there are people who criticise how disability is portrayed whether it be serious or for laughs, but all are not derogatory. With contributions from Tina Baker, Jenny Eclair, Julie Fernandez, Mat Fraser, Dom Joly, Francesca Martinez (comedienne with Cerebral Palsy), Stephen Merchant, Ben Miller, Nicholas Parsons, Arthur Smith, dwarf actress Kiruna Stamell, Jimmy Tarbuck and Dame Tanni Grey Thompson (wheelchair bound public figure). Good!
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