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News just out that Heroes has indeed been cancelled after disappointing ratings for the last season.  Apparently there may be a possibility of a film.  I'm not that surprised as this season was quite slow in places, and actually, whilst this season ended on a cliff hanger, it was one that I wouldn't mind being left with.  It hinted at lots of future potential but could also be a good point to wrap on.

Also cancelled is Flashforward.  This I'm even less surprised by, as it's been really slow moving and I haven't felt invested in any of the characters really.  However the last few episodes have really picked up the pace, and I'm finally seeing the show I wish it had been in the beginning.  

Now I generally don't watch commercial television and today I am reminded of why.

Hey Hey, It's Saturday was a TV family variety show that aired on Australian TV for 27 years. Recently there have been some reunion shows, their first since the show was cancelled in 1999. As youthful nostalgia to many Australians the reunions have rated very well.

One of the segments on "Hey Hey" was a "Gong Show" style talent segment called Red Faces. Supposedly as part of the reunion they re-enacted a Red Faces skit from 1985 called "Jackson Jive” featuring men in black and white face. It’s bad enough that such items were allowed to go to air in 1985, I like to think in 24 years we have evolved somewhat, apparently not. Sadly it took a foreign judge of the segment to express his disgust before an apology was given, and now a significant proportion of the Australian population are sadly saying he should “lighten up.” I also think in light of Jackson’s recent passing that even without racial overtones the piece was in extremely poor taste.

Given that I don’t watch such programs I’ve not seen the piece and I am loathe to give it attention by watching it online. However!

Social media is an important tool for dissemination of information and the motivation of people to act. It is not however an effective tool against media giants such as the Nine Network and the Packer family. If you have seen the piece in question and are genuinely offended as many appear to be I implore you make a complaint to the relevant authorities and not just the blogosphere.

Read on for methods of complaint regarding television content in Australia