Designing everyday

Funnily enough, it might be getting better.

Whilst fame and fortune continue to suck great chunks of airtime in the guise of entertainment, there’s a bit of an undercurrent of socially aware programming lurking around. I’ve recently professed my admiration for Jamie Oliver on this blog, but last night’s viewing schedule threw up some fascinating options:

• Trinny and Susannah Undress the Nation – reasonably self-important and self-appointed lifestyle gurus actually seem to help real couples. Kitchen sink psychology all the way but with the best of interests at heart.

• How to Look Good Naked – see above

• The Secret Millionaire – Self-made millionaires live for two weeks undercover in ordinary – if extreme – urban communities. Experiencing the harsh realities of modern life for the majority for once, they ferret out opportunities to act as benefactor to the community.

• Dumped – Eco-survivor. A bunch of people is left to fend for themselves for 3 weeks in a household rubbish dump. Emphasis placed strongly on highlighting the amount of damage we all do to the world everyday. Responsible. Entertasning. Fascinating.

Obviously it’s questionable as to the true value of all this and of course it’s all pretty self-serving for those involved, but at the end of the day it’s a damn sight more positive than 95% of commercially made viewing.

Anything that highlights the needs of the majority of normal people instead of the wants of a few clearly abnormal people is all good by us.

Long may it continue.