The Secret Millionaire Programme

[jane p]

Do you watch it and what do you think?

 

[cmcp]

Think I've seen one episode from the first series, and I can't remember much about it.

My only feeling on it is anything that raises awareness of those less advantaged than ourselves is always a good thing.

 

[Pab]

I like the show, but I am slightly cynical about this very public philanthropy. It's almost like they want to do something good, but they want the world to know they're doing something good.

 

[garyk]

I think its very good but question its longevity, I mean someone turns up out of the blue with camera's this is the third(?) series and I think people may begin to suspect.

I saw the first one in the new series, the scrap metal guy, the most unlikely looking millionaire and a thoroughly decent bloke who himself had a sad story to tell, it was very moving actually.

 

[dingbat]

Seen the odd clip and even that makes me cringe.

 

[thekitchendesigner]

yeah the scrap metal guy was an emotional chap, but fair play to him!

I also wonder whether some people now know whats happening, as surely they suss!?

 

Do you watch it and what do you think?

I always watch it (when i remember), as more series are made though part of me thinks "would they not guess?" - it is always the same old story they give isn't it? They are new to the area and wanting to volunteer - i mean i wonder how often that happens in real life?!?!?

 

[Ashley_Price]

I like the show, but I am slightly cynical about this very public philanthropy. It's almost like they want to do something good, but they want the world to know they're doing something good.

Successful people that want to give back are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

We have people here giving away money on a TV programme and people are cynical... but if you didn't know they gave money away would you be thinking "They've got all this money, why don't they give some away"?

It's like when Microsoft starting putting PCs for free into disadvantaged schools, many cynics said it was just for the publicity. But if he hadn't done this, you would have the same people probably asking why he didn't do anything to help disadvantaged schools.

At the end of the day, if the money is being used in a good way does it matter whether it's done publicly or privately?

 

[muqtada123]

from where i can get the previous episodes

 

[vvaannmmaann]

I like the show, but I am slightly cynical about this very public philanthropy. It's almost like they want to do something good, but they want the world to know they're doing something good.

Plus it makes for cheap television.

 

[Rhyl Lightworks]

They did one from near here, and I knew some of the people involved. While the Millionaire provides the money, and I imagine he/she can get involved as much as they like, the TV company does do follow ups, and tries to make sure the money is being spent wisely.

It is fairly cheap TV programme making, and it seems to me that everyone wins.

Barrie

 

[Pab]

I like the show, but I am slightly cynical about this very public philanthropy. It's almost like they want to do something good, but they want the world to know they're doing something good.

Don't get me wrong. I think it's great that these people are giving away their own money to help others. Small sums to the rich but life changing for the recipients and their work.

Some people like to do things quite publicly and get recognition for their generosity, others don't. Perhaps I personally relate to the latter.

 

[Fuzzy]

I have missed this series but watched the last - I love it! But guess they must suss out half way through surely?

 

[Dan Matthews P&FM]

It's a very worthy show and considerably better than most of what we're confronted with on the telly.

It's cheap for the broadcaster = good

It gives some profile to entrepreneurs = good

Small, unknown charitable causes get money = good!

It must be pretty hard for the 'contestants' to go undercover like that, and i don't think it's in the same attention-grabbing vein as, say, The Apprentice.

The only thing that gets me is how often the very wealthy people are surprised by poverty - to the scrap metal guy it was old news (though still incredibly impactful) , but there was a social housing episode where the chap couldn't believe families lived in single rooms - welcome to the real world buddy

 

[Whites Electrical]

The chap who went to blackpool the other week seemed to cry near enough every given moment.

 

[jane p]

i quite like it although the formats always the same.

They do give away money which is great but they still have loads left for themselves. I always feel envious of them and wish it was me.

 

[Whites Electrical]

Some seem a bit stingy with what they give out i think.

 

[Ashley_Price]

I've not seen the programmes and therefore don't know how much they give out, etc., but when you think about it there might be valid reasons, both for the millionaire and the recipient of the money, as to why only a certain amount is handed over.

How would you feel getting a lot of money and then finding you've got to pay the highest tax band? Suddenly you have expenses, concerns and stresses that you've not been used to before.

How much do you think, as a percentage of their money should they give away?

 

[i234i]

I really love the program although now it just seems to be a bit samey each time its on. The last ones that have been on this series have all got right emotional over everything on it.

The guy in Blackpool and the dream house was just away with it at every chance he got.. which was nice to see in a way how much he related to all of those people.

I really enjoyed the one this week with Jennifer Cheyne as its a local company and you see the posh looking salons and how she lives now and feels.

Great watch, much better than some of the other junk but i wish they'd try some new things with it.

 

[Ashley_Price]

Difficulty is how can you easily reformat something like this, it's a one-trick pony - the title says it all.

A millionaire in disguise goes to somewhere meets people and then decides who is most deserving of the money. How do you change that? Have a phone in? Let the viewers decide? That would take away from the whole point of the programme.

 

[i234i]

Yea i know what you mean Ashley.
maybe its just run its course and i cant admit it

i do love it but when it gets to the "ive been telling a white lie to you, i am really me but i also... "

 

[Page]

Most of these people will already be doing a lot of charitable giving and work.

That is what happens in these circles.

 

[Bri]

I too wonder about the longevity of this programme before someone turns up in your village with a camera crew without Alan Wicker or some other celebrity are going to pay lip service knowing they are in for a few easy bucks.

My favourites are the scrap dealer( he didnt even have to disguise himself, so natural and so emotional, and he had good reason to after losing both his sisters to drugs) and the hairdresser who was really down to earth and seemed genuine enough. I thank them all for their doantions to the people they chose to give to, very generous amounts too.

My critisicm is towards our government who allow this hardship to go on and the people who work hard to build their businesses are taxed heavily or penalised in some way or another for their efforts are trivialised by a TV company into parting with massive amounts, which they give without question to the deserving recipients.

My only other criticism is towards the millionaires who cannot believe that people live or are treated like they are, please remember, unless you were born into wealth, which most of them were'nt, please remember where you came from. I find that they find it so easy to wipe away their upbringing as a by product of their wealth and now look down on us. An example is a palce I used to live, brand new housing estate, normal people living normal lives. A knock on the door one evening and my wife answered, and it was for a petition to stop a green area being turned over for social housing. I went to the door to join in the conversation only to find that the person asking for signatures was someone who shared my council estate upbringing, this soon turned into me reminding him of his roots and what his parents went through to get us to where we were today.

 

[jane p]

i just watched the hairdressser one. The lady who makes the cakes was so deserving. It was nice for her to get something back after all the cakes she made for other people.

Its lovely to see people happy. Money can bring happiness.

 

[Curtis]

I've often wondered if they will twig. But maybe if they wanted to they could do 'The Secret Millionaire - Abroad' lol

 

[Dominic Taylor]

I enjoy this programme, not because of the whole "look how generous this rich person is" angle, more because of the story it tells of an area and how the program shows these deprived places in a positive light.

It's exactly what these places need - I have some family who've got into trouble because they've simply had nothing else to do, and no adults to point them in the right direction.

 

[ZipSafe]

Well the guy who is on Sunday's episode was on local TV the other night - he dropped the clanger that they are making no more after this series. He says too many people know about the show - and someone on Sunday's episode actually asks him about the 'Secret Millionaire'. The producers tell all the millionaires never to lie - if someone asks them 'are you a secret millionaire' they must tell the truth, but the guy on Sunday manages to dodge the question and keep his cover.

 

[Christiane]

I watch it but not seen too many of the recent series. It's interesting to see how some of these guys made their millions, the scrap metal guy was definitely the odd one out!

I don't think of myself narrow minded but I can't think the people in those programmes would watch a progamme like the Secret Millionaire on TV, hence put the two together when they see a guy with a camera crew, can you? Has anyone ever noticed the difference when discussing what you're watching on TV with other people?

 

[jane p]

the oh says do they get paid to go on it good question do they?

He also says its good publicity for them and their business free advertising well thats true.

 

i like the program I do think some folks may suss it out though

 

[UKSBD]

I saw it last night and was amazed at how different things were there to
how they are where I have been raised.

I've never considered our family to be well off, but after watching the
program last night it's like a completely different society to what I know.

I've always said we should count ourselves lucky for being born in the
UK and not a few thousand miles away in a third world country.

I'm now begining to think I should count myself lucky being born where
I was rather than just a few miles way!

Is this country really as divided as it appears?

 

[DuaneJackson]

I really like the show. I was actually asked to go on this series but I declined for various reason. Did you know you have to commit to giving away atleast £45k?

I've not seen much of this series - for the same reason I miss lots of new series: there's so many dman repeats you can't work out what's new and what isn't!