The Press and Me

I've been a bit of minor local press today for my TV documentry.

Fine no problems with that.

But now the PR company has come on and said a major tabloid is interested in doing a story.

I'm worried that they might get a spin on the story and turn me into a fat waster! Like that family off the X Factor.

The TV director says I should do it (obviously cos it's promoting the show)simply because I'm not a fat waster and can put an intelligent slant on the story and the whole obesity issue.

This would put me in the good books with the TV director because I'm trying to get a second programme about me running a matharathon. Although that is currently with Sky 1 and not really the directors final say.

But I don't want negative stuff going out.

Also there is the question of money...I've been paid nothing for the TV show and given up a lot of my time to do it. A lot of my time. Should I be asking for readies in order to do this? ( that isn't my major concern btw, as long as it was positive I'd be happy to do it for nothing - but you've got to ask the question, don't you)

I know there are a few newspaper types here. What's everyones thoughts?

Try to find out if there's any kind of guarantee you can get from the paper about how they'll "sell" the story.

And if you go ahed with it, definitely on the ££££!

Record the interview, digitally if possible.

That way, when you are misrepresented or misquoted, you have the whole damn thing on tape. You can post it on the internet, give it to the paper's competitors, a regulator, whatever.

Sorry bigfella, I don't want to be the bearer of bad tidings, but you are headed into very dangerous territory. You might have the nicest and most honest director in the world and the most sympathetic editor on the planet, but if the producer wants to make you look like a c**t to boost ratings, he will do it.

I've seen very few 'documentaries' in recent years that have painted anyone in a postivie light. Similarly, the newspapers will rip you to shreds on a whim and could care less if your life was reduced to smouldering ruins.

The director is getting paid, the camera man is getting paid, the producer, the editor, everyone involved is getting money except you. Do not believe a single word they say and trust them about as far as you can spit a Land Rover.

I honest to God hope I'm wrong.

The documentry is fine - no concerns with that.

Its now in its third series and the most popular programme amongest us fatties!

The newspaper concerned is the concern. Because it is THE tabloid!

If you still want to go ahead with it, my advice would be to prepare your own press release and photographic image. Sit down with the documentary's PR company and thrash one out together.

If you leave it in the hands of others and have no direct input, then you're doomed Captain Manwaring. Doomed!

Personally I wouldn't do it. I can't see that a tabloid will want a positive story.

While I was a journalist myself I managed to get stitched up, so I'd say give it a miss.

The only thing is I don't know what the negatives side to spin are.

I've never claimed dole in my life.
I employ over 50 people.

Before doing the op
I tried weight watchers, slimming world, employing a personal trainer, employing a cook.

Now,
I'm going to the gym and hoping to run a matharon for charity.

I don't see anything wrong with it. But I make poor decisions based on an easy couple of bucks.
Good luck either way. I like the recording thing that Kevin mentioned though.

Quote: Curt @ September 22 2009, 8:50 PM BST

I don't see anything wrong with it. But I make poor decisions based on an easy couple of bucks.
Good luck either way. I like the recording thing that Kevin mentioned though.

View original

Quote: bigfella @ September 22 2009, 8:48 PM BST

Now,
I'm going to the gym and hoping to run a matharon for charity.

View original

Kick ass bud!

Quote: bigfella @ September 22 2009, 8:48 PM BST

The only thing is I don't know what the negatives side to spin are.

I've never claimed dole in my life.
I employ over 50 people.

Before doing the op
I tried weight watchers, slimming world, employing a personal trainer, employing a cook.

Now,
I'm going to the gym and hoping to run a matharon for charity.

View original

Was the cook Tongan?

Quote: Curt @ September 22 2009, 8:51 PM BST

Kick ass bud!

View original

I'll try!

Quote: sootyj @ September 22 2009, 8:53 PM BST

Was the cook Tongan?

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It was a short lived experiment.

Quote: bigfella @ September 22 2009, 7:42 PM BST

I've been a bit of minor local press today for my TV documentry.
I'm worried that they might get a spin on the story and turn me into a fat waster! Like that family off the X Factor.

View original

Do you mean something like this, Bigfella? (aka Neil Bakewell)

________________________________________________________________________________

Grossly overweight (6 tonnes) Neil Bakewell lives in a 50-bedroom council house with WIFE Sharon, 25, his LOVER Chardonnay 22, and SIX grossly overweight kids! But he insists he needs MORE space as he has to sleep in a tent (criminal intent) when his SIX other grossly overweight kids from SIX previous girlfriends come to visit.

Neil FATARSE, whose kids' ages range from five months to 39 years old, said: "It's very cramped already, especially when we're all sat in front of our 500-inch FAT-screen TV."

But the FAT lazy dad claims that when everyone gets together, conditions in the house are "intolerable". Kent Council told him they simply do not have a bigger house on their books. But FATWELL insisted: "We obviously need a new place but the council won't give us one - I give Sharon and Chardonnay one every night - so what's the f**king problem?

Neil FATBOY, who posts so-called 'comedy' sketches under the pseudonym 'Bigfella' on a 'Carry-On' type PORN SITE, last worked in July 1985 as a PIMP. He picks up £22448.oo a week in family and child tax payments, plus £6000.oo child benefit.

Niel OBESE insisted he was no scrounger and said of his bizarre relationships: "People yell, 'Who ate all the pies?!' - What they mean is, 'Who f**cked all the women' - they're just jealous! What man wouldn't want two women? I love them both, I can't choose between them. It's like trying to choose between a steak and kidney pie and a pork pie - I say, if in doubt eat them both! I reckon a lot of men would just love to be in my situation and I know I'm very happy and satisfied. A lot of people have a cigarette after sex - I don't - I have a four-course meal, quickly followed by an orgasm!"

Niel LARDARSE added: "Some people hate how I live but I don't give a toss. All that matters is food, sex, treacle pudding and my family. The fact is we're overcrowded and need another ten bedrooms. "If there aren't any 60-bedroom houses we would be happy to move to another 50-bedroom house with an extra room downstairs for my son DJ Wayne to build a recording studio.

When this reporter asked Niel BLUBBERBELLY about the two million pounds he's receiving from Channel Four to make a 'Weight-loss' documentary, he shouted "No comment" then quickly added - "F**k off!"

________________________________________________________________________________

Quote: bigfella @ September 22 2009, 8:48 PM BST

I employ over 50 people.

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Does this mean you're not short of money? If so, why go to a tabloid, and risk your personal life?

Hey Big Fellatio, sorry you didn't make it on Saturday.

I always thought there was no such thing as bad publicity, but if it's anything like what Morrace is suggesting I'd steer clear. What does your wife think?

Quote: bigfella @ September 22 2009, 8:48 PM BST

The only thing is I don't know what the negatives side to spin are.

I've never claimed dole in my life.
I employ over 50 people.

Before doing the op
I tried weight watchers, slimming world, employing a personal trainer, employing a cook.

Now,
I'm going to the gym and hoping to run a matharon for charity.

View original

What have they said the angle will be? And is it a feature, magazine supplement piece or what?

I'd still be very wary. I spoke to a journalist once and my interview was turned into a pervy story...