Quick Review - 10 O'clock Live
By Rob
In late January 2011 the UK's Channel 4 launched a weekly news show based on the format of its widely popular "Alternative Election Night Live" (circa May 2010). The basic premise is to combine comedy with genuine current events, enabling it to be both entertaining and educational. Aimed predominantly at younger viewers, 10 O'Clock Live successfully makes news far more accessible to its target audience. Despite its value in this regard, it is concerning for me that shows like this seem to be unwittingly tricking young people into learning about wider world events. Is it right that young people are only interested because it has been made fun for them? Perhaps not; I certainly feel that education should be for education's sake. But if it works, then I think it can only be a good thing that we have more young people who know about the world.