Dicko to host ‘shit stirring’ Can Of Worms for Ten
Network Ten has commissioned Andrew Denton’s Zapruder’s Other Films to produce Can of Worms, a “shit-stirring piece of television” chat show hosted by Ian “Dicko” Dickson.
The weekly panel show aims to offer “insight into what Australia really thinks once the barriers of political correctness are removed”.
Along with ZOF, the show is a co-production with Watercooler Media.
Denton said: “When Dicko came to us earlier in the year with the germ of an idea about a good, old-fashioned, shiny-floor, shit-stirring piece of television, we knew he was onto something. He is very passionate about Can Of Worms and we are excited to be working with him on it. However, if you’re offended by honesty this may not be the show for you”.
Sounds shit.
If Denton wasn’t involved, I’d agree with you, Marshy. If you’d described the gruen transfer beforehand I’d have said that too. particularly as it was Will Anderson. So let’s give this a chance
I’ll call Fail. Can we start a book on this?
“once the barriers of political correctness are removed”.
The term “political correctness” was originally used by the “new left” in the late 1960’s and into the 1970’s to refer to adhering to an agreed political party line or platform.
In the 1990’s it was adopted and re-constructed by right-wing political propagandists in the United States as a term of abuse to denigrate political/social ideas and movements that sought to reform or correct imbalances in power structures in society. It was intended to convince the mass of people that the extension of human rights and more equalisation of the share of power (and wealth) in society were only for the benefit of minorities.
It was intended that a large section of society would be led to believe that they were “victims” of “political correctness” so diverting discontent away from the wealthy elites to much less powerful targets – women, indigenous and ethnic minorities, homosexuals, asylum seekers etc. What is denigrated as “political correctness” could be termed as common decency.
Words have power, which is why right-wing power elites through their various mouthpieces in the media continue to denigrate common decency and the use of language to address inequalities as “political correctness”.
So do Denton and Dickson really mean that they will remove the barrier of common decency?
Wake up Australia. Every time you hear some corporatist tool of the ruling elite say “political correctness” you should know you are being got at and taken for a dupe.
Corporatist Tool of the ruling elite? Its a talk show, mate. get off your bloody soap box…
If political correctness = common decency as Michael puts it then call me Humpty Dumpty. Society and the media these days has people so scared of being not politically correct that we now have almost no common sense. Just yesterday they announced in WA that the police cannot describe someone by their race (asian, arabic, meditteranean, etc) because it was deemed racist. How ridiculous is that? Now that is political correctness gone mad…
O.K. Evan, you are Humpty Dumpty.
One can see how easy it is for wealth, power and privilege to be concentrated in the hands of a few.
Describing some one as “Asian”, “Arabic”, “Meditteranean” etc. is pointless.
There is just too much variation in human beings for these broad categories
to have any use except to perpetuate meaningless stereotypes and to lead
to unjustified profiling on supposed “racial” characteristics.
But you have fallen for the classic ruling class diversion as you seem to believe that justice, fairness and common decency might only be for the “other” that you don’t consider yourself to be one of.
Thomas – if you doubt the power and influence of “talk shows” have a read of “Jonestown”, the biography of Alan Jones.
Michael, I have a Che Guevara shirt for sale if you’re interested in buying it, just let me know.
Steve says to Dave “so yeah I have been seeing this girl for a while now, she’s lovely!” “Oh yeah that’s great, I’m happy for you so what does she look like?” replies Dave. “Well she’s short, has long back hair, petitie and has slightly slanted eyes; she’s gorgeous!” ” So she’s Asian then?” “Yep” states Steve “but I can’t say that as my friend Michael Rogers says “There is just too much variation in human beings for these broad categories to have any use except to perpetuate meaningless stereotypes and to lead to unjustified profiling on supposed ‘racial’ characteristics”.
Keep smokin’ the peace pipe Michael 😉
The show aims to offer “insight into what Australia really thinks once the barriers of political correctness are removed” – so they get a bloody pom to host!
Agree with you in one sense Michael. “Politically correct” screams to me mid-90s when it was used by people who wanted to villify but couldn’t as it was no longer acceptable in decent society. It’s a dated buzz word.
As for “Society and the media these days has people so scared of being not politically correct that we now have almost no common sense”, really don’t think this applies to a TV landscape where we have a show like Family Guy basically propping up a whole digital channel.
Despite the crap wording, willing to give Dicko/Denton the benefit of the doubt on this one.
You know Evan – it’s funny you should say that. My friend asked me to collect an acquaintance from the airport from the USA and spent ages describing her (5’6, brown eyes, black hair)…she entirely (out of political correctness) neglected to mention the woman was black…I could have found her at Sydney airport a whole lot sooner if I had that vital missing piece of information…that is political correctness gone mad!
Do you remember Dickson was the person who gave an honest assessment of Paulini in that gold dress? It inspired a national debate and I’d imagine that’s what they mean by being politically incorrect. Yes it was great for ratings but provocative and a completely relevant statement, as much as many didn’t like hearing the words spoken. If this show explores those taboo topics, I’d give it a chance. Denton’s not one to make “shit” TV in my opinion, in fact he’s made some of the better programming on Australian TV in recent years. He’s also about the only person who has had anything intelligent about the bloody Logies apart from some memorable takes from Catherine Deveny and Marieke Hardy. To be dismissive of what sounds like a good idea seems a bit stupid…
This will be a ratings bonanza. Any time the ratings slip just throw in something controversial, like why in an age of obesity are we not allowed to give fat people a hard time…
Denton, can I do the advertising / promo’s for this? I’ll give you a very good, round figure.
Michael Rogers, you are a douche.
“…fallen for the classic ruling class diversion.”
What the…?
bring it on.. I think it will be funny watching people get emotional about a bunch of crap and no doubt easy target topics… i may stop watching downloads for a minute or so.. may. 😛
@Lloyd I agree; having a Pom hosting the show is not really giving the minorities a chance!
Admittedly I can spot a Pom from a mile off:
Pasty, white socks and trainers with shorts, red sun burnt neck…
The surfer pom:
Walks down to beach with ‘mini mal’ under arm, wearing thongs, with a towel and wetsuit… (your feet with never get tough if you wear your flippy flops!)
Am I being PI?
The funny thing is most Pom’s I know seem to LOVE being referred to as Pom’s. – Why is that?
Hahah evan, hilarious.
Let’s hope they can hold up the promise of being politically incorrect. That, or they could just put Ronnie Johns half hour on?
As long as it isnt just goading politicians…..I would thoroughly enjoy having the OPPORTUNITY to hear weird and wonderful “unacceptable” ideas.
The worst thing about Pauline Hanson wasn’t what she said. Many Aussies thought that too. It was how she was gagged by the PC brigade.
If someone DOES talk piffle there is no need to FEAR it so blatantly.
Dicko has already had more than enough rope.
“There is just too much variation in human beings for these broad categories
to have any use except to perpetuate meaningless stereotypes and to lead
to unjustified profiling on supposed “racial” characteristics.”
Honestly, are you kidding me? Wake up.
Thoroughly agree with talkingboonie. I’m up for it, sounds like it could be entertaining television.
Now with Ben Elton living down under; I would love to see Andrew, Anita and Mr Elton get together to create a masterpiece.