Only Connect presenter Victoria Cohen had to apologize after her show described scars as a “mark of shame” following a complaint from a charity.
The channel, which presented the popular BBC2 quiz show and aired it in the wall round of the 14th episode, which aired on November 28, challenged one of the teams to find matching words.
When a Mothers Ruined team member correctly guessed a set containing the four words smudge, smudge, smudge and scar, scarred fans of the show were “utterly shocked” that the caption describing the set was “mark of shame.”
Apology: Only Connect presenter Victoria Cohen had to apologize after her show described scars as a ‘mark of shame’ following a complaint from a charity
‘Marks of Shaming’: The broadcaster that hosts the popular BBC2 quiz show presented and in the wall round one of the teams took on the challenge of connecting four words
British charity Changing Faces represents children, young people and adults who have a “visible difference” in their face.
They wrote of the episode on their Twitter page: “Dear @BBC & @OnlyConnectQuiz. We were disappointed and shocked to see scars described as “a mark of shame” on your show recently. It’s #NoShame to have a scar.
“It’s a shame we still perpetuate the myth that there’s something wrong with visible differences like scars. We hope you will engage in learning how to better represent those with visible differences.’
In response to the complaints, Victoria took to her own social media platform to issue a statement.
Controversy: When a Mothers Ruined team member correctly guessed a set containing the four words smudge, smudge, smudge and scar, scarred fans of the show were ‘completely shocked’ that the caption describing the set was ‘mark of shame’ . – Victoria forced to leave behind to apologize
“By and large I don’t use Twitter for series stuff as I’m a bit nervous for all the obvious reasons, but right now it’s the quickest way to spread the word about something that needs urgent correction!” wrote her on Wednesday evening.
“In an episode of Only Connect a few weeks ago, we had a wall category that was ‘stain, smudge, blob, scar’ – and the caption on the screen was ‘mark of shame’.
“I didn’t know that, the subtitles aren’t on when I preview the questions. “I totally understand how the questioner’s mind worked: you’re using a figurative meaning of ‘scar’, a lower dictionary definition (as in, a scar on someone’s reputation, etc.).
“However, this opens the door to the RIDICULOUS and TERRIBLE idea that a literal. A visible scar on a person’s face or body is somehow shameful.
Game Show: In the 14th episode, which aired on November 28, the teams Mothers Ruined and Cryptic competed against each other in different rounds of quiz shows
Hostess: In response to the complaints, Victoria, who has hosted the show since 2008, took to her own social media platform to issue a statement
“I hope anyone who has ever watched a program knows that this is the *exact opposite* of what we would think; an idea totally alien to our small universe and value system.
“We proudly oppose this kind of nonsense! “We revel in the wonderful diversity of being human.
“We might as well have put up a caption suggesting we don’t agree with learning from books, hate speaking foreign languages and think math is for d***s.”
‘Shocking’: Charity Changing Faces wrote of the ‘shocking’ episode on their Twitter page: ‘Dear @BBC & @OnlyConnectQuiz . We were disappointed and shocked to see scars described as “a mark of shame” on your show recently. It’s #NoShame to have a scar’
“On the other hand, we should also be standard bearers for nuances and deep thinking. We are not meant to be people who use language lazily or overlook possible implications.
“Personally, I’m very embarrassed that the show has opened up to this kind of reading.
“I’ll leave it to the program and the channel to find the best way to say somewhere more formal than Twitter that this was a mistake and very, very, very not what we stand or think for.
“But I just wanted to put out a personal clarification as soon as it’s brought to my attention.”
Web has reached out to the BBC for comment.
Scandal: Victoria said she was ‘extremely embarrassed’ that the show ‘opened itself up to this type of reading’