Jennifer Saunders says X Factor reduces her to tears

2 October 2007 - Comedienne Jennifer Saunders has admitting that she thinks many reality TV shows are painful to watch.

The Absolutely Fabulous actress said that programmes such as the X Factor take advantage of vulnerable people.

"Some of the auditions for X Factor make me weep because these people are openly laughing at people who have social problems," she remarked, according to Metro.co.uk.

"I don't mind the ones who are really out there and don't care, it's the ones that go in and you think, we're now laughing because this man is sad, or because this woman hasn't got any teeth, or she looks weird."

The 49-year-old also spoke out about practices used on some chat shows, which provoke guests so that they fight or act aggressive, explaining that "if you didn't wind them up, they'd probably just come on and cry".

Saunders is set to star in a new satiric series on BBC Two about a daytime talk show host, called The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle.

In order to research her character, she watched hours of similar chat shows, such as The Jeremy Kyle Show, Trisha and Jerry Springer.

© Adfero Ltd