Extraordinary Lives
Nine, Monday 9.30pm
THIS show comes with a warning that people under the age of 15 shouldn’t watch it – but maybe that should have been a warning that no one should watch it – maybe.
Last week the documentary-style program introduced us to three escorts over the age of 65 while this week it tackles the lives and sex lives of couples with really, really large age gaps.
Other programs this series tackle the tragic tale of a man who eats himself to death and a story about a free climber.
I didn’t know watching television could make you feel so in need of a shower but this is television at its most voyeuristic and most raw and yet not.
I love a good documentary and it doesn’t have to be the standard – amazing photography and the excitable Mr Attenborough either but this was something else.
Somewhere between an interesting documentary and tacky reality show.
A largely off-camera interviewer following the lives of (in the case of last week) three female escorts – youngest 65 – oldest 85.
This could have been interesting television, though, given the slightly condescending voice over you are never quite sure if it is a matter of telling the story of these women or just making “titillating television” excuse the pun.
One of the trio wears a mask to hide her identity then flicks through an old photo album showing us pictures from her youth.
You learn that they are largely isolated from their families and yet obviously enjoy what you do.
It’s a show, from Channel Five in Britain, that has been going for a while now so someone must be watching it, but why?
It is television to make you squirm and the subject matter certainly is more than a little confronting (as is the 65-year-old woman in lace lingerie with her boobs spilling out – casually offering the journo a cup of tea or coffee).
It is slice of life television and car crash TV all in one and you can’t look at it or look away.
A documentary shines a light on a subject and informs but every-time I watch Extraordinary Lives I wonder why I did and what I really took away from it.
It’s not television to seek out but it is definitely a show that sucks you in.
– Tania Phillips
