Red or Black? Good or Bad?

Last week saw the launch of a brand new gameshow from Simon Cowell, fronted by Ant and Dec, as known as Red or Black, which shows how one colour and one choice can potentially change your life forever. Using a similar format as the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent with an audition type process in which thousands of people turned up to Wembley competing in several challenges in order to be in the running to winning £1,000,000, resting on one simple choice – red or black? Eventually, providing their choice was the right one, they would reach the live shows and with the help of some of Cowell’s alumni, including JLS and Leona Lewis, they competed further and became one step closer to potentially winning £1,000,000. Win or lose, it was all a matter of luck. For a few people, luck was on their side and they ended up winning the entire prize money and looking forward to a new life. For others, going home empty-handed without so much as a consolation prize was the only other option and going through that process turned out be an entire waste of time.

This therefore allows me to question the purpose of this show. At least with Cowell’s other shows Britain’s Got Talent, America’s Got Talent and The X Factor, the audition process becomes more worthwhile in which the last one standing (and the runner-up) in the competition is guaranteed fame and fortune whether it’s a £1,000,000 or £100,000, a one-year recording contract, a slot at the Royal Variety performance. Even if it eventually turns out to be short-lived, they are guaranteed a taste of success and triumph. But Red or Black turns out to be exploitative, sending viewers and contestants on a guilt trip for the contestant who falls at the last hurdle. 


I did find it really compelling and entertaining to watch and I did enjoy it  but at the same time I did find it to be slightly exploitative towards the contestants at times as they could result in having no money - which is highly upsetting for them, their loved ones and the viewers. On the other hand, it means more megabucks in Simon Cowell's pocket and a higher position on the Forbes rich list as well as an even more decadent, flashy, glamorous, luxurious lifestyle. Is that a good thing? Well...no, not really. More like degrading. Also, winning the prize money also has a huge price of its own in which it attracts a lot of media attention around the winner. Your private life surfaces and is splashed all over the papers, like the wife-beating scandal with the first winner Nathan in which it was revealed that he did time in prison for domestic violence. Not such a good thing.

Therefore it was no surprise when this article was published. Whether it's true or not, I don't know. But it is worth a read...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/3814897/Dec-Red-or-Black-may-brget-the-chop.html

In all honesty, maybe you could save yourself the hassle and unwanted media attention and just buy a lottery ticket or head to the nearest casino to try your luck there and then.

To conclude: Red or Black? Good or Bad? You decide....