Real show of good faith
THESE days the BBC, in many people’s opinion, is obsessed with DEI. I take it you know what that stands for? Yes, DEI stands for Doing Everything Indulgently. It means, for example, sending hundreds of its staff halfway round the planet to point cameras at some people playing football, or spending millions on a new set of logos which say “BBC”, as opposed to the old ones, which said “BBC” in a different typeface.
But DEI can also mean something else. It can also stand for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Which is very big right now, as I’m sure you’re aware. Broadcasting-wise, DEI means ensuring that people of different genders, races, ethnicities, religions, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities and classes get seen and heard on TV, even though that does seem quite a lot to squeeze in, particularly if it’s just the weather forecast or an episode of Cash InTheAttic.To put it in more visual terms, imagine you’re watching an episode of Antiques Roadshow.You see that crowd gathered behind Fiona Bruce? That’s a DEI department’s worst nightmare.
But now and again we come across a show where diversity is in fact its biggest strength, indeed its raison d’etre. So, fair play, you can’t knock it.And one such example returns tonight.
PILGRIMAGE: THE ROAD THROUGH NORTH WALES
(9pm, BBC2) is the latest incarnation of that series where a group of famous-ish folk set off on a holy road trip (not to be confused with a holey road trip, which of course is something you sue the council for) and talk about their significantly contrasting faiths and beliefs.
“Talk”, you’ll note, not “bicker” or “rant” or “go off on one like a loon”. The message is: play nice. Agree to differ. OK, two messages. Whatever. Taking part this time – on a journey that begins at Flint Castle – are:
• reality TV star Spencer Matthews, christened C of E;
• journalist and TV host Sonali Shah, raised in a Jain family;
• comedian Eshaan Akbar, a lapsed Muslim;
• ex-model Christine McGuinness, who’s spiritual but doesn’t practise any particular faith; together with
• Amanda Lovett, from the first series of The Traitors, who’s a practising Catholic;
• Michaela Strachan, whose faith is in the natural world; and
• actor Tom Rosenthal, who’s areligious (my spell check thinks that’s two words, by the way. My spell check is an idiot).
Earlier tonight, if you’re a fan of The Great British Sewing Bee, a contest which of course showcases the remarkable work of sewers from all over the nation, you may well be looking forward to THE SEWER MAP OF BRITAIN (8pm, Channel 5).
If so, prepare for a surprise.