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Is MTV Exploiting the Mentally Disabled?

Or Humanizing Them? / Dustin Rowles

Trade News | January 27, 2009 | Comments (53)

I am having a hard time deciding what I think about MTV’s new show, “How’s Your News?” I don’t regularly watch the MTV, and haven’t really, since Glam died. However, they do have one decent show on the air, “True Life,” though even that has deteriorated in quality recently (they used to have really in-depth documentaries on meth addicts; now it’s on becoming student council president. Blah). Anyway, while watching a recent ep of “True Life,” Mrs. Pajiba-hyphenate ran across an advert for “How’s Your News,” and was fairly appalled. It’s a news interview show, conducted by people with mental disabilities.

I was taken aback as well, though I did a little research and found out that the whole thing was inspired by a series of short films about Camp Jabberwocky, an overnight camp for disabled people. Apparently, Matt Stone and Trey Parker decided to executive produce those short films, and ultimately, this show grew out of it.

The whole idea makes me fairly uncomfortable — like that show on TLC about little people, called “Little People, Big World.” Sure, it does a good job of presenting this family in a very positive light, but it still feels mildly exploitative. Though, I think I’d be a little less leery of “How’s Your News,” if it weren’t airing on MTV. Is that really the right demo for this show? A bunch of dumbass teenagers who, inevitably, will sit around and mock them? Or, maybe I’m being too cynical. Maybe it will bring wider understanding.

I just don’t know. Here, watch the promo for the show, and let me know what you think.



Trailer for “How’s Your News?” Series! from How's Your News? on Vimeo.









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Comments

What's MTV? Is that like K-Tel?


I don't...*shrugs*

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at January 27, 2009 5:41 PM

I find it appalling that MTV would stoop so low.

What the hell did John Stamos do to get exploited like that???

Posted by: Antietam at January 27, 2009 5:46 PM

I find it appalling that MTV would stoop so low.

What the hell did John Stamos do to get exploited like that???

Posted by: Antietam at January 27, 2009 5:47 PM

Dammit.

Apparently instead of stopping me from posting, our Internet Police has figured out I'll be shamed into just lurking by double posting everything I send.

Posted by: Antietam at January 27, 2009 5:49 PM

Dammit.

Apparently instead of stopping me from posting, our Internet Police has figured out I'll be shamed into just lurking by double posting everything I send.

Posted by: Antietam at January 27, 2009 5:50 PM

That made me laugh out loud, Antietam :)

Posted by: Julie at January 27, 2009 5:52 PM

Is MTV Exploiting the Mentally Disabled?

Honestly I read the headline and assumed it was a jab at The Hills.

Posted by: stipe42 at January 27, 2009 5:55 PM

Is MTV Exploiting the Mentally Disabled?

Sub question: Can a network exploit the mentally disabled if it iS mentally disabled?

Posted by: jM at January 27, 2009 6:01 PM

I think I miss the good ol' days when MTV stood for Music Television. Yes, I'm that old.

Posted by: MissNev at January 27, 2009 6:06 PM

Amen MissNev, now GET OFF MY LAWN!

Honestly though, I think your right Dustin. If this was on a different network I don't think I'd have a problem, but when has MTV done anything to further the cause of mankind?

On the flip side, my nephew is autistic and does some seriously funny shit. So if they're attempting to bring some edumacation while being funny then I'm all for it.

Posted by: admin at January 27, 2009 6:14 PM

i have a sibling with Down Syndrome and this promo-oddly- didn't offend me as much as I thought it would. Although I'm sure MTV will find some way to fuck it up

Posted by: Be Adequite! at January 27, 2009 6:16 PM

I think the idea may have started out exploitive, like "hey, let's get a bunch of mentally disabled people to do the news! It'll be hilarious!" but the clip makes it seem... I don't know, like it could actually be pretty interesting.

And let's be real, people who try to make jokes at the expense of the mentally disabled only make themselves look like raging assholes. If that's what MTV is trying to do, well, you can see the logical conclusion.

Posted by: Genny (also Rusty) at January 27, 2009 6:28 PM

TIMMY! TIMMY! TIMMY!

Posted by: TIMMY at January 27, 2009 6:32 PM

I think this looks awesome! It doesn't exploit people with disabilites, it shows how able they are and they all look like they are loving every minute of it. Watching an interviewer straight out tell a band they suck is well worth watching some MTV.

Posted by: Popsi_zen at January 27, 2009 6:39 PM

Genny/Rusty, spot on.

Posted by: Adere at January 27, 2009 6:49 PM

Agreed GaR (Which always makes me think of GWAR, which makes me think of Empire Records, which makes me think dirty things about Renee Zellweger, so I'll just call you Anteater Face from now on) They seem to be genuinely enjoying it, and who wouldn't be? Meeting celebrities and John Stamos.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at January 27, 2009 7:17 PM

"Meeting celebrities and John Stamos."

Heh. Tough being Stamos.

Posted by: MrCreosote at January 27, 2009 7:49 PM

Is MTV Exploiting the Mentally Disabled?

Well of course they are. Who do you think's been making up their audience all these years?

Posted by: spazmodeas at January 27, 2009 8:30 PM

I see it in a positive light. If the kids are enjoying themselves and having good experiences, I think it's fine. Assholes will be assholes - and people who make fun of disabled people will do it no matter what network. It could be inspiring to another disabled teenager, or it could show an ignorant person disabled people can be cool.

Posted by: Cindy at January 27, 2009 8:37 PM

Is MTV Exploiting the Mentally Disabled?

Yes ever since they shooting "Remote Control".

Posted by: branded at January 27, 2009 8:48 PM

Holy shit, that news team is hell of a lot more credible than the Today Show. Maybe all this time we thought Willard Scott was just old and senile he was actually undercover for How's Your News to compile a list of stupid mistakes for them to avoid.

Posted by: stardust savant at January 27, 2009 8:49 PM

*started shooting

Blech.

Posted by: branded at January 27, 2009 8:51 PM

I think this show is great. The folks who make it have also produced several widely embraced documentaries along the same lines. It's a little condescending to assume that anything involving people with disabilities and humor is exploitation, don't you think? It's also condescending to assume that most mtv viewers are just going to mock this show. Perhaps it's YOU who needs to check your attitude...

Posted by: Enders at January 27, 2009 9:03 PM

I think this show is great. The folks who make it have also produced several widely embraced documentaries along the same lines. It's a little condescending to assume that anything involving people with disabilities and humor is exploitation, don't you think? It's also condescending to assume that most mtv viewers are just going to mock this show. Perhaps it's YOU who needs to check your attitude...

Posted by: Enders at January 27, 2009 9:03 PM

I could see how this would work, however I think it would be more effective if they had a news team of "normal" people (whatever the fuck that means) and just had one or two reporters who were disabled. Then again, that could fall into a situation of "Asian reporter Trisha Takinowa" but "Retarded reporter Steve" instead.

Posted by: Quincy at January 27, 2009 9:22 PM

completely unrelated, but when one of you lazy asses going to get to the theater and review Notorious? You reviewed Hotel for Dogs before Notorious?WTF????????

Posted by: MissSmilla at January 27, 2009 9:55 PM

completely unrelated, but when one of you lazy asses going to get to the theater and review Notorious?

Look harder next time.

http://www.pajiba.com/notorious-review.htm

Posted by: branded at January 27, 2009 10:07 PM

Is MTV Exploiting the Mentally Disabled?

Yes ever since they shooting "Remote Control".
----------------------------------------
Ever since "Video Killed the Radio Star."

Posted by: bucdaddy at January 27, 2009 10:09 PM

Is MTV Exploiting the Mentally Disabled?

Isn't that kinda hypocritical? I mean, you use BarbadoSlim and Pookie the same way.

Oh wait, you said mentally , not mentally disturbed. Carry on.

Posted by: Vermillion at January 27, 2009 11:16 PM

That last line should be "you said mentally disabled, not mentally disturbed".

Posted by: Vermillion at January 27, 2009 11:40 PM

Exploitation! Humanization! An exciting blend of both! And what's wrong with that?

Really, how dare mentally retarded people appear on our TV? Next they'll demand to hold jobs and walk the streets and everything.

Posted by: Janis Moobs at January 28, 2009 1:16 AM

I'm going to agree that this show will be used for the amusement of some "blossoming" 15 year old stoner kid and that in a way its exploitation. However this show doesn't come off as just "hey give that retard a mic and watch the hilarity ensue!" From that preview it comes off as genuine and funny not because of their disability but because they are actually funny and cracking jokes. The real humor will shine though from the celebrities and how they react to the interviewers and not how we react to them.
I mean c'mon, despite that clip being on 2 seconds long I would love to see how McCain squirms in that interview and I'm sure most of you would too. Maybe that's the whole point.

Posted by: Elpon at January 28, 2009 3:27 AM

They took ur jaabs!

Posted by: admin at January 28, 2009 8:42 AM

Am I the only one that teared up a little? God I'm such a loser.

Posted by: christine at January 28, 2009 9:07 AM

My litmus test for exploitative is generally "if a person without a mental disease or handicap did it, would I think it was cool?" If the answer is no, then generally I think the people are being exploited.

Little People, Big World isn't exploitative because it's a reality show about a family.

The Hills is exploitative because it makes poor Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt believe that America actually gives a shit.

Posted by: Ava at January 28, 2009 9:23 AM

Have you seen The Real World? MTV's been exploiting the mentally disabled for years.

Posted by: Jason at January 28, 2009 9:32 AM

Or maybe it's both. Maybe MTV was intending to be exploitative, and has given the reigns to people who will make a good show and make something that worth watching regardless of the disabilities of the people involved (re Eva's litmus test).

Wasn't Penelope a sign of improvement in this area? Though the reporter was very short this was a total non-issue. Only one person even commented on this and they the asshole who was just ignored.

Posted by: ChrisD at January 28, 2009 10:07 AM

I think watching these kids--and some adults--interview celebrities is a fantastic idea.

That, and you learn so much more about the person who is interacting with the disabled interviewer. The way they interact with the mentally disabled gives so much insight into who they are as a person. I mean, come on, I think it is pretty cute of Stamos to be the little dude's wingman.

It has big heart potential. And I'm feeling magnanimous, so I'm saying NO to exploitation.

Posted by: boo at January 28, 2009 10:07 AM

again, i'm going to comment as someone who spent over 5 years working with mentally disabled people.

these people (adults, not kids) have been doing the news show for years. they seem to get a huge amount of joy out of doing it.

i also think there's an awareness with mentally disabled folks, and they pick up on it when people are making fun of them. they aren't oblivious to it. in my experience, they usually just didn't care.

Posted by: glittergirl at January 28, 2009 11:28 AM

From what I understand the disabled community and the families of the reporters with disabilities are very supportive of this show. Seems to me that if they are proud of it we shouldn't judge. Maybe we should watch it and decide for ourselves? Is it possible mtv made a bold, good move here?

Posted by: abby at January 28, 2009 12:25 PM

I think that's an awesome idea for a show but sadly, I think you're right about the wrong network/demo. I saw Crispin Glover's "What is it?" and was stuck behind two guffawing douche-bags who just laughed and laughed at the "retards" (for those unfamiliar the majority of the cast have Down Syndrome) Luckily they were the minority of that particular audience and, while not thrown out, they were reprimanded by Glover himself. Mr. Glover was very well spoken in explaining his reasons for such a casting move, and was even sure to explain why you admitted his difficulty in not calling the actors "kids" and explained to the audience why such labeling is derogatory. I'm also a huge fan of "The Ringer" because Knoxville's character develops genuine friendships with his fellow Special Olympics competitors (who were not fooled by his special needs act, another nice touch). I think it's great to see more people with developmental and mental disabilities humanized in media, but again, MTV? No. I doubt that will do any good for any one.

Posted by: snarla at January 28, 2009 12:52 PM

I also saw "What Is It?" screened by Glover. I felt very uncomfortable watching it, but his explanation after the fact was brilliant.

I know it's really hard because it's MTV, but presuming innocence before guilt is really the best way to go I think.

Unless you're Zach Braff.

Posted by: Chris P. at January 28, 2009 1:14 PM

I remember hearing a bit on "How's Your News" on This American Life. It was a while ago, but I got the impression the news team love genuinely love what they do and don't care if people find it funny. This started as a positive, empowering project.

Then again it's on MTV, so it's clearly meant to be explotative.

Then again again, funding must be tough, so MTV's backing and connections are big win for How's Your News? I don't see how's it better to shut them down because people might laugh at them, particularly when they're deliberately hamming it up.

Posted by: Roni at January 28, 2009 1:55 PM

This is a genius idea. Every now and then, something amazing ends up on MTV (Clone High, Downtown, sometimes Daria), so don't be too surprised if it comes out great.

Posted by: Lucas at January 28, 2009 2:19 PM

What's Bill O'Reilly gonna do now that his entire research staff has jumped ship to MTV?

Posted by: Iwantsprinkles at January 28, 2009 3:51 PM

I'm with GlitterGirl on this one - the mentally challenged people I've worked with (mostly kids stuck in long-term care institutions) didn't really spend a whole lot of time obsessing about 'how it all looks to other people'...in fact that is a really attractive mindset, if you will, to go straight towards the visceral experience and wrest from it what you can, right here and now. It's very appealing to watch, and in this instance when mixed with celebrities and media figures it makes for an interesting angle.

Most uncomfortable social feelings (in my opinion) arise from imagining yourself in a specific situation, and wondering how it would make you 'look' and how it would affect your status. There's a certain vicarious thrill to watching someone slam a band to their faces and the cool angle is that these reporters can get away with it with very limited repercussions. They know it too. They probably just don't care much is all. There's your freedom in action, america.

Posted by: replica at January 28, 2009 4:40 PM

See, I tend to automatically think that because this is on MTV it is exploitive, but it doesn't seem so judging from the clip. It is very difficult to judge from a clip though; there's just not enough information to determine one way or the other. I'm thinking I'll check out an episode and see what the full thing looks like.

The question to seek an answer for is, are the developmentally disabled people treated like developmentally diabled people, or are they treated like people?

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at January 28, 2009 6:55 PM

I'm familiar with How's Your News and I'd find it very unlikely that this group would consent to doing anything exploitative. It's really the opposite. As far as judging them for signing on to mtv, I think it's a bold move. Past versions of How's Your News appeared on HBO and PBS, kind of where you'd expect such a film. If you ask me, this generation deserves some more challenging programming. Maybe they'll laugh for the wrong reasons at first, but learn a few things along the way. This show on mtv is the best new I've heard in a while. I say we should support it.

Posted by: Ozzyola at January 28, 2009 10:52 PM

we need to stop avoiding what makes us uncomfortable. get a little uncomfortable, people! that's the only way we're going to grow or change. i know and work with several people with disabilities and have met some of the crew of this project. their intentions are solid and it's simply the reporters living their dream, regardless of the reaction of the viewers. and kudos to mtv for getting this out to a generation of change.

Posted by: jess at February 3, 2009 3:13 PM

Elpon, I think it's only fair to note that in the footage I've seen, John McCain doesn't "squirm" in the interview. He listens and responds thoughtfully, and shows himself to be a kindhearted and genuine guy. I say this as a hardcore Obama supporter who was absolutely anti-McCain during his whole campaign.

Yet another reason to watch this series: it can be surprising.

Posted by: leonard at February 11, 2009 12:51 AM

I also wonder why the reviewer suggests that disabled people have to be "humanized." How weirdly condescending.

Posted by: leonard at February 11, 2009 12:53 AM

Posted by: jesse at February 13, 2009 4:57 AM

Is MTV Exploiting the Mentally Disabled?

Well, they've had shows starring Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.

Posted by: Wy Thorse at February 16, 2009 12:09 PM