Disability Now – Paul Darke

Auguist 1999 TV Review

The Disabled Century Debate (BBC 2, June 10), following on from The Disabled Century (reviewed last month) was difficult to judge because if one agrees with most of a programme’s content it is difficult to considered it good or bad irrespective of actual presentation. But, the debate seemed unconnected, except in title, to The Disabled Century series. Equally, it seemed to wander aimlessly around the issues and was far too ‘softly-softly’ in approach by both the presenter and producers. It’s only saving grace was Rachel Hurst concluding the debate forcefully with an absolute affirmation of the social model in opposition to Margaret Hodge’s desire to ‘see the person’.

Appointment with Death (C4, June 14), a look at the life and work of the active euthanasist Jack Kevorkian, was a wonderful documentary that showed Kevorkian as the rabid slaughter of the innocent that he is (he claims to have euthanased over a hundred disabled people). Rather ironically, Kevorkian condemned himself through his articulation about the dogma of choice about euthanasia whilst so actively coercing the debate to his own homicidal point of view.

That’s Esther (ITV, June 20) was on again: pass. Everyman: Days of Healing (BBC 1, 20 June) followed some disabled and ill people seeking cures from healers. It was interesting enough and had a nice cosy fly-on-the-wall style feel to it but, after the Glen Hoddle affair, I think we have had enough of this kind of stuff.

Malcolm and Barbara – a Love Story (ITV, June 24) was a moving account of Barbara’s emotional and physical struggles with Malcolm as his Alzheimer’s disease developed over the last four years. It was a tragic tale of love, life and liberty. It was a beautiful film only slightly marred by being somewhat medicalised and voyeuristic. Again ITV must be praised for such considered peak-time programming.

So You Think You’re a Good Driver (BBC 1, June 26) was a typical example of the integrationist approach broadcasters’ are now taking in-relation to disabled people: have a mainstream show cover a single disability issue in a series. This ‘car show’, in one episode of a series, followed an older male invalid trike user giving up his trike and taking to the wheel of ‘ordinary’ car. It was informative, entertaining, interesting and well made – which was, in this instance, OK by me.

Rear Window (C5, June 26) was a recent television film remake of Hitchcock’s suspense classic starring the newly disabled Christopher Reeve. It was merely embarrassing in contrast to the original which had been on only a few weeks prior and was further marred by Reeve’s plugging his faith in the idea that the cure is just around the corner for spinal injuries.

Still, it was less embarrassing than The People v Jerry Sadowitz (C5, June 30) which featured the disabled comic Tony Gerrard. Sadowitz’s show has to be watched to be believed but it is suffice to say that one must presumes that Jerry chose his surname very carefully.

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