Decomposing body to be shown on TV

[BERIGAN]

Man, that has to be the dumbest idea for a t.v. show ever!

Well, next to Manimal!!!

Decomposing body to be shown on TV

Jason Deans

Thursday November 4, 2004

The Guardian

Channel 4, no stranger to challenging broadcasting taboos, is about to cross another televisual rubicon by filming the decomposition of a human body.

The broadcaster, which billed the show as a "unique scientific experiment", has in the past featured controversial documentaries showing the first images of aborted foetuses seen on British TV and, two years ago, Britain's first public autopsy for 170 years.

Channel 4 is looking for a volunteer with a terminal illness for the decomposition programme, which has a working title Dust to Dust, and will have to get the consent of the volunteer's family.

The plan is to film the body decomposing, which could take several months, in London's Science Museum, though not in an area open to the public.

Channel 4 defended the project, insisting it could provide forensic scientists with important new information about what happens to the human body after death. At present, decomposition tests are carried out on human bodies in the US but not in the UK - where pigs are used instead - according to the broadcaster.

"We hope experts can learn more about the processes involved and that the data collected by the project can help forensic pathologists in murder investigations," said Simon Andreae, Channel 4's head of science and education.

Dr Richard Shepherd, a senior forensic pathologist and president of the British Association in Forensic Medicine who will lead a team of scientists, said: "This project represents an urgently required step forward for forensic medical research in this country."

The broadcaster yesterday unveiled its winter 2005 schedule, with highlights including a docu-drama about the events leading up to the suicide of government weapons inspector, Dr David Kelly, in July last year. The drama, provisionally titled David Kelly, is being made by the award-winning writer/ director Peter Kosminsky.

Dr Kelly is being portrayed by the actor and Globe Theatre director, Mark Rylance; Daniel Ryan plays former BBC reporter Andrew Gilligan; and the role of former No 10 director of communications, Alastair Campbell, is taken by Jonathan Cake.

Channel 4's head of documentaries, Peter Dale, said Dr Kelly's family had declined to take part in the project.

The broadcaster has also acquired the UK TV rights to controversial Michael Moore documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11, which is expected to be broadcast early next year.

A BBC show has been criticised by governors for featuring a crucifix covered in excrement and describing Jesus as a "bell end".

BBC3 comedy Cyderdelic was branded "blasphemous and gratuitous" by one offended viewer. It was initially cleared by the BBC's head of programme complaints but the viewer appealed and the complaint was upheld.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,...1342762,00.html

[Claude]

Channel 4 is looking for a volunteer with a terminal illness for the decomposition programme

Why don't they take one of the murder victims who die every day in police and crime series?