Ten apologises for Have You Been Paying Attention? segment on death of Thailand’s King
Ten has apologised to Thailand’s ambassador to Australia after topical panel show Have You Been Paying Attention? made jokes about reaction to the death of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The network has also promised to never broadcast the segment again and removed it from the Tenplay website.
According to a report from the Bangkok Post, Chirachai Punkrasin, the ambassador to Canberra, wrote to Network 10 complaining about the segment, saying: “While it may not be the intention of the Network 10 to cause offense, [sic] the programme needs to show greater cultural sensitivity and media professionalism when it deals with a topic that makes reference to another country, institution and culture.
“I count on your understanding and your cooperation in removing the inappropriate segment on Thailand in the above-mentioned programme from your future diffusion programme as well as other social media channels.”
Once again Australian have been badly represented by just a few people, we are a caring loving country with one of the most successful multi countries in the world, my wife is from Thailand and Thai people love their king which has been representing Thailand since 1944 , I believe that channel 10 should dismiss this show for ever
I cannot agree more. The show shows no professionalism; what they did was brainless. The first time I knew about this, I felt angry towards every single Australian; but after I came back to my senses, I told myself not all Australians are like this. They are just the wrong heartless representatives, and I feel sorry for many good Australians.
Thank you Michael Burke for feeling us. I deeply appreciate it. I agree that 10 should dismiss the show forever; but I don’t expect that it’ll happen, and I won’t be surprise about it.
How stupid you are to make fun of people being sad . Think about if your family die and someone laugh make fun on you . Would you all be happy . Use your brain please
That’s why people said Austrain got chip on their shoulder . Be ashamed to yourself
I think…,poor you ‘cuz you never doing any good things for other people so you didn’t know how much we love our KING. He did everything for his people in this country, not for himself!!! Do you know between good and bad? Give and get?!?! I think you have to learn these words for being alive in this world.
What a disgrace from channel 10 after the loss of Thailand’s King. The country is allowed to mourne the death of their King, not to be laughed at by your insensitive tv show.. Show some respect.
Love that show, Sam Pang is awesome, it was hardly insensitive… a but of fun, about 15 seconds of the whole show and that was it. Ban the whole show, as if…
Are you kidding me ? … would you be happy if someone wa spiking fun of yiu in your time of grief ?! People mourning is not a joking matter . Grow up and learn some respect!
Morons! Ten wld have been better covering the ten thousand thais who were mourning in tumbalong park darling harbour earlier this week
Just another example of how political correctness will be the death of comedy with our reluctance to make a joke at someone else’s expense because it may hurt their poor feelings.
Now that really is a joke!
Idiot
Wait until people make fun of the death of someone you love. I will laugh with you if you still think it’s a joke.
People like you, is what is wrong with the word . What is this was you mourning ?! Would you like it if someone made fun of you ?!!!
I tried to like ‘Have You Been Paying Attention’ because others seem to think it’s so funny but to me, it’s unintelligent humour. It’s re-hashed, school-yard, jokes-for-the-sake-of-jokes, juvenile humour and basically, not really funny. This is really disappointing. As a society, we need to resurrect common decency and respect, instead of choosing to go for the low blows just for a naughty giggle.
They apologised and removed the offending part from repeats. Move on!
Wouldn’t want to be a member of the show the next time they order a Thai Takeaway!
Thailand has incredibly appalling laws that restrict freedom.
Channel 10 broadcasts a comedy show
Channel 10 has no interest or business in Thailand
That comedy show takes the piss out of Thailands late King (and everyone else you could imagine)
Thailand evokes some thuggish email and demands action
What does Channel Ten do?
Ignore and move on?
Or yield to some stupid demand.
Yield. What a spineless, weak organisation. I can’t wait to start emailing 10 about how I’m offended by most of their programming and that their use of a Government licence restricts me from broadcasting MASH repeats.
@Joe King. Wrong! You are just about as wrong as it is humanly possible to be. Writing, directing and performing comedy are all art forms. When it comes to art, and especially the art of social commentary, there is a gigantic responsibility. The golden rule of theatre, is to never inflict pain on an audience, discomfort maybe, but never pain. any low remarks regarding the death of a much loved monarch is bound to cause pain to many, the writers and the all concerned with the vulgarity should have known to be above such behaviour; obviously they did not and were not.
You are right, PC does threaten comedy, and much that theatre stands for, but in this case it is not PC, it is common decency and respect.
So, the King of Thailand is so loved that they need laws to stop people talking negatively about him??? I’m all for respecting local cultures when you are there, but please, in Australia we joke at funerals as a way of showing respect. Sense of humour may change culturally but last time I looked this wasn’t Thailand. Don’t air the show in Thailand and if you’re Thai living in Australia, understand that no disrespect was intended. Get over it and move on. Could you imagine living in a place where you couldn’t make fun of your leaders??? No thanks
Do you joke at funerals in Australia?
This is why your ancestors were exiled from England. Still got those bad blood running in your vain after centuries! Now how do you like my joke about your ancestor?!?
The news is about inapproriateness of the show that was mocking the mourners who lost someone they love so much. It doesn’t have anything to do with talking negatively about the king. If people laugh at you for crying at your father’s funeral, would you call that person an a**hole or just tell yourself to understand that they mean no disrespect? Seriously?!?
Answers: Yes, we can joke and have a sense of humour at a funeral. It’s a way of celebrating a persons life. It doesn’t mean we don’t grieve, nor is it necessarily expected, but if it does happen, in the right context, then FANTASTIC. I’ve been to funeral where the deceased planned funny songs, and wrote a humorous letter to the assembled people. There were tears and laughs and it was great
‘Offense’ has sic next to it. Actually, it can be written as offence or offense and since the Thais use some American variations of spelling, the ‘sic’ should be removed. Anyway, if you are offended by the commentators’ remarks, don’t watch the show, just like I don’t bother to watch it. Plenty of better TV programs available to watch.
Not so funny anymore Chanel 10 !! Shame on you !! Ty to stay with a real comedy that uses your brain a bit more, please.
Thai
This programme is about making fun of other people, humiliated them. Shame!
Mocking people who are genuinely sad is pretty poor form.
Having humans in the world who purely due to their bloodline, results in them being regarded as god like, is also pretty poor form.