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Making Slough Happy
Reviews

From: blp
Category: TV
Date: 16 November 2005

Review

Where 'reality' shows have the power to move, this apparently more direct appeal to the emotions leaves one cold. The sight of the assembled happiness experts encouraging the people of Slough to sing upbeat songs, move around freely in nature or accept the gift of a flower on a streetcorner looks stupid mostly. But this is all as it should be. The trick of shows like Wifeswap and Jamie's School Dinners is to make you feel you're watching something meaningful, then leave you with almost nothing at the end. This openly damp squib, by comparison, is true to its own message. Participants repeatedly say that the advice for being happier may sound obvious and dull, but works. It's an instigator, not an entertainment show, not unlike the old 'Why Don't You?' theme song suggesting you 'turn off the television and do something more interesting instead'. In fact, one of MSH's key happiness tips is to cut your television viewing by half.

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