[InOne]

Do you watch it? Do you think it's good that it's all for Charity or is celebs being soppy trying to get your money while not donating themselves? It's all good giving to Charity and stuff, but why do we only have this big dramatic event once a year? Shouldn't we be giving all the time? I've heard some celebs are even paid to appear, not sure how true there is though. I also have no idea where the money goes as the show is usually all over the place. And it seems to get 'bigger' every year, so I guess everything people donate isn't helping anyway! Nothing gets solved.

[Marcus.]

i watch it every yeah

[the truth]

It seems harmless enough but its often hijacked by politicians and tax avoids bigshots trying to make themselves look good. when in reality they should simply reduce the corruption and pay their taxes

Ive always believed we pay enough taxes to ensure no children are in need. clearly therefore our system is so hopelessly flawed between the corruption the burocracy and theft , not enough is getting to the children truly in need. this is truly where children must be helped. the amount collected on children in need is peanuts compared to the billions in the treasuries budgets. take wales, theyve only had a childrens hospital for a decade and all that wouldnt have happened without the enromous efforts of celebs like sr ian beefy botha, catherine zeta jones and her hubby etc with a budget of tens of billions, the nation which invented the nhs should surely have had one specialised childrens hospital years ago.

[Kizzy]

I feel it has been a little played down this year.
We could all donate but how many do regularly?
You do hear that with large telethons, how much gets where it's needed?
I'm sure it's not a scam, but if you have one specific local or national charity that you wish to benefit from your hard earned dollar, best to donate direct to them I think.

[Marc]

It's sad to watch but I donate

[Marcus.]

Originally Posted by Marc

It's sad to watch but I donate

oh yeah the sad bit i have to walk out to get water or make tea

[Doogle]

I used to like it when I was little but now it's unwatchable

[Nedusa]

Scrap it, it's had it's day now it's used by failing celebs and popstars to gain a bit of media exposure.

It also monopolises people's charity conscience and probably takes the lions share of the charity take. Unfair to the vast majority of other worthwhile charities who do not have the benefit of a vast television corporation behind them.

[Legend killer]

Stopped watching when I heard the celebs get paid to appear on the show

[King Gizzard]

..only Wogan gets paid and I think he's stopped getting paid after it was all in the news

[InOne]

Originally Posted by Nathan

..only Wogan gets paid and I think he's stopped getting paid after it was all in the news

Well that was decent of him...

[arista]

Hate It

[King Gizzard]

and not really a fan because you're being guilt tripped into giving loads of moneys by celebrities who're rich beyond their dreams and don't realise how worse off the rest of us are

I suppose stand up to cancer was alright, because there was a focus for money, but with these others ones it's really wide and the money that goes to africa might not even go to the things it was put there for..I would much rather get rid of these Leaders who do nothing for their country but oh wait there's no oil for us to steal..instead we just give them a few million here and there to paper over the cracks

[Ammi]

..I do believe in it and support it, to the extent that it does highlight issues for younger people to be aware of...I'm mainly talking about children...

..I think it's good at an early age that chlidren realise how fortunate they are compared to others..I also think it helps them to think of others and what their lives are...

...of course people can donate to any charity at any time...but many people don't...not for any reasons, they just don't always think about it in their busy lives...

..but on days like this when it's a National thing, many peope get involved in fundraising events...and for me, working with younger people, I do feel that the 'fun side' helps to be able to explain to children what it's all about and why they're taking part..rather than, for instance..oh, it's just a dress up day....

...our children decide for themselves which charities we're going to support each year..and this sort of thing helps them with their awareness of what's going on in the world....

...so yes, I'm sure there are negatives..there are to most things..but I do believe something good comes out of this...and I do believe that some children in need's lives are more enriched with it than without it...whether that's true or not, well nothing would ever get done if we all though it was a waste of time...

...but, as for the TV programme itself, I have no idea whether celebrities get paid to appear...some of it is entertaining and some of it isn't...but I do watch the 'sad bits'....because the sad bits are why a lot of people get involved in these things....and those are the bits that the children not in need should be aware of....because they are a reality....

[Ammi]

..oh and I realise how preachy that sounded...I'm sorry, I didn't mean it to because I do strongly believe people should make up their own minds about these things...

..but I've personally spoken to children who's parents/siblings/entire families have been taken away from them through silly wars and anger...and I know their opinions and how much difference these donations make to their lives...

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..I do believe in it and support it, to the extent that it does highlight issues for younger people to be aware of...I'm mainly talking about children...

..I think it's good at an early age that chlidren realise how fortunate they are compared to others..I also think it helps them to think of others and what their lives are...

...of course people can donate to any charity at any time...but many people don't...not for any reasons, they just don't always think about it in their busy lives...

..but on days like this when it's a National thing, many peope get involved in fundraising events...and for me, working with younger people, I do feel that the 'fun side' helps to be able to explain to children what it's all about and why they're taking part..rather than, for instance..oh, it's just a dress up day....

...our children decide for themselves which charities we're going to support each year..and this sort of thing helps them with their awareness of what's going on in the world....

...so yes, I'm sure there are negatives..there are to most things..but I do believe something good comes out of this...and I do believe that some children in need's lives are more enriched with it than without it...whether that's true or not, well nothing would ever get done if we all though it was a waste of time...

...but, as for the TV programme itself, I have no idea whether celebrities get paid to appear...some of it is entertaining and some of it isn't...but I do watch the 'sad bits'....because the sad bits are why a lot of people get involved in these things....and those are the bits that the children not in need should be aware of....because they are a reality....

Well said Ammi,100% agree

[Kizzy]

The sad bits are hard to take but are probably the most important part of the whole thing.
There is usually follow up to those who have been helped too, so you see what a difference donations make.
I totally understand the point about big business and tax though, theres only so much a social conscience can provide.

[joeysteele]

I usually watch bits of it, I will make a donation and hope it really does great again this year.
(I will be completely in a minority here,maybe even part of only a handful of people, but it's Pudsey bear that is a turn off for me. Really sorry in advance to all the millions who adore him).

It's one giant back slapping exercise for anyone with something to sell.

Released a new album? Excellent, how does 1.30am sound?

I hate the ****ing newsreaders, actors etc that feel as though they need to be involved in some kind of stupid ****ing dance or other. It's anti-comedy if anything.

Anyone appearing on it should be lead out the back and shot.

[Ammi]

..so that's you who won't be watching then JHC...

Am I that transparent, Ams?

[Ammi]

..no, I thought you were quite subtle..I just tend to pick up on these things....it's a bit of a gift...and a curse...

[Livia]

I do watch it and donate to it. I've also organised events for it in the past. What really annoys me is when they have auctions of fabulous experiences (driving racing cars, visiting an F1 race and going VIP, rounds of golf with famous golfers etc.) that rich people pay thousands and thousands of pounds for. It's all SOOO arse-kissy about how exceptionally generous l these people are paying all that money to do something that money can't normally buy and how Children in Need will benefit. However, someone on a very limited income donating a fiver from their budget for no return is far more worthy of praise, I think.

[the truth]

bono is one of the biggest preachers for poor sick people and world peace, yet he allegedly avoids as much tax as possible abroad. its htis hypocrisy too that these types of shows make even worse. take comic relief, the likes of the awful jimmy carr, preaching to us to donate, when hes paying less percentage in tax than a bin man

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by the truth

bono is one of the biggest preachers for poor sick people and world peace, yet he allegedly avoids as much tax as possible abroad. its htis hypocrisy too that these types of shows make even worse. take comic relief, the likes of the awful jimmy carr, preaching to us to donate, when hes paying less percentage in tax than a bin man

Get off jimmys back... He learnt the 'trick' used by 100's of David Camerons mates on 10 o'clock live.
If anyones a hypocrite he is, allowing the corporate tax loopholes... then having the cheek to berate plumbers and electricians for doing the odd cash in hand job and not declaring it!