About That BBC Documentary

[Jonone]

There have been many references made to the appearance of this documentary on the BBC however I don't think anyone has really qualified this and said that it's BBC4 which is not like being on BBC1 or BBC2.

Also, I wonder why people seem to assume that there is a clear causal relationship between intelligence and wealth ? It doesn't really matter whether Dover/Honey is the sharpest tool or not. As Terry noted he saw an opportunity, actioned his ideas, got product out, was probably blessed with good fortune along the way, and succeeded in building a successful brand. If it hadn't been him it would have been someone else.

There's a shitload of channels and the schedules need to be filled with something. Whether people found the documentary interesting or of value is a matter of opinion but maybe people should be a bit more honest with themselves about the biases they brought to the programme in the first place. If you don't like Dover/Honey it was never going to win you over, similarly if you're ambivalent or sympathetic you'll find things in the programme to confirm those biases.

The mainstream media is also biased because they're probably expected to come to it from the point of view that porn is morally questionable or low culture and that the nouveau-riche Dover is insecure and looking for approval. There are lots of stories in there and many 'truths' according to your point of view.

[eroticartist]

I wonder if the documentary mentioned Lyndsay's days at Videx Ltd and how he really got started?.
Mike Freeman.
PS In my film Models 1983 Lyndsay played the part of the chirpy, cheeky Cockney photographer and he can act.

[JamesW]

"There have been many references made to the appearance of this documentary on the BBC however I don't think anyone has really qualified this and said that it's BBC4 which is not like being on BBC1 or BBC2."


A very good point Jonone. There have been some very poor excuses for a documentary shown on BBC4. There was one about a girl who wanted to find out whether she was a lesbian or not.

[Muffinman]

Mike Freeman wrote "I wonder if the documentary mentioned Lyndsay's days at Videx Ltd and how he really got started?."

The answer's no, Mike. There was no research. The voice over simply took all his claims at face value and the impression was given that he went straight from being a failed musician to becoming Ben Dover, the porn actor/producer. No mention of Videx, or the trial.

You can see why. To mention Videx would inevitably bring up the social and political climate of the time, and might have even had to mention the Video Recordings Act.

Since we now know that the VRA wasn't legal, any truthful documentary would be opening a can of political worms.

So the question remains - why did the BBC make this particular documentary, and why, if they had to focus on Lindsay Honey, did no one else in the industry have anything to do with it?

[one eyed jack]

Because like most people in the industry they didnt want to do it if they werent going to get paid AND/OR because the adult performing and producing community are dubious about why the BBC want to film them knowing they are not interested in showing them as liking what they do for a living.

The abused whore cum porn star strung out on drugs and string of abusive relationships is what tv prefers to hear about because without drama, porn is simply not interesting.

Could you ever see the BBC ever finding merit in a porn star who admits she loves sex and getting paid for it as a job?

I understand why you think the way you do but I honestly dont think the programme was concieved with much aforethought in this case.

It took 2 years to shoot apparently , so was a bit of a slow burning process as I was present at Bens live gig where they filmed and they didnt even feature this on the show

[Muffinman]

So, although you tried to change the subject, maybe the answer lies in what you almost said.

You've just listed several reasons why the industry does, and should, SHUN television documentary filmmakers. They misrepresent the truth, and their commentary purports to be the voice of mainstream public opinion. The BBC itself is a self-selected, self-perpetuating (viz. the Dimblebys) elite within the broadcasting industry.

Perhaps, then, the question should have been reversed. If British porn industry folk know enough about TV and especially the snooty BBC to have nothing to do with it, why did Lindsay Honey feel OK about being a "scab" (not a real accusation, obviously, but an appropriate metaphor, I feel)?

There's your drama - real human interest. He has "influential friends at the BBC", who over two years consistently dicked him about and, in my opinion, humiliated him twice - once in front of "his own" industry, and once in front of the public.

Just because people in the industry like him personally, that should not blind them to the reality of reality TV.

Instead of this documentary, Lindsay should done a cameo - a la Les Dennis - in Extras. It would have shown he can act, made everyone (including those who know him) laugh, and taken just a few minutes, so he could get back to the work that made him rich.

[Jonone]

It's a black and white view that ALL involvement with mainstream media is bad and that they're not to be trusted.

A different view would be to look at what's on the table when you're contacted by a production company, meet the people involved, seek some assurances, ask yourself how it 'feels' in terms of trust, and then decide whether or not you wish to proceed. Perhaps this is what Dover/Honey did ?

Yes it's the BBC but BBC4 isn't mainstream broadcasting inasmuch as it's not BBC1 or BBC2. Maybe this means that their point of view with regard to porn is more relaxed.

[one eyed jack]

If British porn industry folk know enough about TV and especially the snooty BBC to have nothing to do with it, why did Lindsay Honey feel OK about being a "scab"

...The answer is obviously down to the fact Lindsay loves beign a celebrity. Just to be seen on tv and be in the public consciousness is reward in itself. it matters not if people thought of it as good or bad a decision to do so but the one most important thing that consolidates his position as numero uno in UK porn.

Who is the first name that people mention if asked the question about UK porn. I would say ben Dover would be the first name and maybe part of the reason to his global success.

People who think about doing tv should consider that the way it is edited will not be down to the man making promises on the day as any editor will testify, they are there to fashion an interesting programme out of the footage they have.

To go on about his successes would have been them playing to Lindsays indulgence.

In other words, anyone entering into doing a tv show, be it jeremy Kyle, a doc about the industry should expect it to not be favourable but you can turn the publicity and rinse it to your advantage which Lindsay definitely has.

As a result a good couple of opportunitys have come up for him from that show but its not my business to discuss that.

[jimslip]

I think Lindsay is desperate for celebrity at ANY cost. Personally my view is that he saw this doc as a stepping stone to being invited onto Big brother and by being torn apart on this, would have secured his place as broadcast TV's enfant terrible. Maybe he hoped that he'd then be invited on Jonathan Ross and various game shows.

But fate has dealt out a cruel hand to him by flushing BB down the toilet! So I expect his plans for celebrity are back on the drawing board.