Big Fat Gypsy Weddings
{{Short description|British television documentary series}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.png
| caption =
| alt_name =
| genre = Documentary
| creator = Jenny Popplewell
| director = Sam Emmery
Morag Tinto
Jenny Popplewell
Osca Humphreys
| starring = Paddy Doherty
| narrated = Barbara Flynn
| composer = Ian Livingstone
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| num_seasons = 4
| num_episodes = 18
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = Jes Wilkins
| location = United Kingdom/Ireland
| cinematography =
| editor = George Taylor
| camera =
| runtime = 49 minutes
| company = Firecracker Films
| first_aired = {{Start date|2010|02|18|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2015|04|06|df=y}}
| related = My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding
| channel = Channel 4
}}
Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is a British documentary series broadcast on Channel 4, that explored the lives and traditions of several Irish Traveller and Romanichal families in the United Kingdom as they prepared to unite one of their members in marriage. The series has been criticised for not accurately representing England’s Romani and Travelling community.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/oct/16/big-fat-gypsy-weddings-bullying-travellers|title=Big Fat Gypsy Weddings 'has increased bullying of Gypsies and Travellers'|website=TheGuardian.com |date=16 October 2012}} It was first broadcast in February 2010 as a one-off documentary called My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, filmed as part of the Cutting Edge series and voted Most Groundbreaking Show in the Cultural Diversity Awards 2010.{{cite web|title=Most Groundbreaking Programme 2010|url=http://www.firecrackerfilms.com/news/most-groundbreaking-programme-2010/|work=Cultural Diversity Awards|access-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409092050/http://www.firecrackerfilms.com/news/most-groundbreaking-programme-2010/|archive-date=9 April 2012|url-status=dead}} A series of 5 episodes were later commissioned, and the series first aired in January 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.orange.com/en/home?linkfrom=%3C!--linkfromvariable--%3E&link=box_main_pos_2_3_link_img&article=entertainmenttv2ndrow3rdstory|title=Corporate Website of Orange - orange.com|website=www.orange.com}} A second series began airing in February 2012. A third series was not commissioned, rather the show ended with eleven stand-alone specials.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/08/24/my-big-fat-gypsy-wedding-axed_n_1827408.html|title='Gypsy Wedding' Axed By Channel 4?|date=24 August 2012|website=HuffPost UK}}
In North America, the show airs on TLC under the title My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, with the original narration by Barbara Flynn replaced by Ellen K.,{{cite web|title=Meet the Narrator!|url=http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/my-big-fat-gypsy-wedding/my-big-fat-gypsy-wedding-narrator-bio.htm|work=TLC|publisher=Discovery Communications|access-date=1 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404085345/http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/my-big-fat-gypsy-wedding/my-big-fat-gypsy-wedding-narrator-bio.htm|archive-date=4 April 2012|url-status=dead}} while the TLC network started airing a spin-off featuring American Roma called My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding.[http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/my-big-fat-american-gypsy-wedding/about-my-big-fat-american-gypsy-wedding.htm "About My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding", TLC, retrieved April 26, 2012] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423021636/http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/my-big-fat-american-gypsy-wedding/about-my-big-fat-american-gypsy-wedding.htm |date=23 April 2012 }}
Reception
The show has been criticised mainly by the Irish Traveller & British Gypsy/Traveller communities for misrepresenting them.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/coventry/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9384000/9384055.stm | title=Big fat gypsy reaction: Warwickshire travellers' views | access-date=2011-02-08 | date=1 February 2011 | publisher=BBC}}{{cite web | url=http://www.peterleemail.co.uk/news/local/gypsy_weddings_show_has_outraged_us_traveller_1_3046557 | title=Gypsy weddings show has outraged us' – traveller | access-date=2011-02-08 | date=6 February 2011 | work=Peterlee Mail | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209095932/http://www.peterleemail.co.uk/news/local/gypsy_weddings_show_has_outraged_us_traveller_1_3046557 | archive-date=9 February 2011 | url-status=dead }} Jane Jackson of the Rural Media Company (publishers the Travellers' Times) said: {{cquote|It's posing as a documentary, the voiceover is saying we're going to let you into the secrets of the traveller community – and it {{sic}} just not true. It might be true of the particular families in front of the camera, but it's not generally true. They're made to look totally feckless, not really to be taken seriously as an ethnic group.}}
Executive Producer Jes Wilkins said: {{cquote|The problem has been with the media response, particularly from the tabloid press. It's become one of the big cultural phenomena of this part of the year and people are looking for something to write about it, something provocative. Some {{sic}} these articles have upset our contributors which has been disappointing.}}
Billy Welch, a spokesman for Romani Gypsies, said: {{cquote|While Channel 4 should be praised for at least differentiating between Irish Travellers and Romani Gypsies, the first three episodes have in fact focused exclusively on Irish Travellers and their traditions: They called the show Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and you've yet to see a Romani Gypsy in it.}}
During the episode No Place Like Home, Big Fat Gypsy Weddings had 4 of the top 10 trending topics worldwide on social networking website Twitter.{{cite web | url=http://www.firecrackerfilms.com/news/gypsies/ | title=BIG FAT BUZZ | access-date=2011-02-08 | work=Firecracker Films | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504082500/http://www.firecrackerfilms.com/news/gypsies/ | archive-date=4 May 2011 | url-status=dead }}
In June 2011, TLC rebroadcast the show and was filming a U.S. version.{{cite magazine|title=Big Fat Disgrace: A Review of TLC's Wildly Misleading 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding'|url=http://www.tnr.com/article/books-and-arts/89173/my-big-fat-gypsy-wedding-tlc-traveller-roma?page=0,1|magazine=The New Republic|date = 31 May 2011|last1 = Darby|first1 = Seyward}}
Ratings
Big Fat Gypsy Weddings opened in 2011. The second episode got 7.4m viewers at its peak.{{cite news|date=1 February 2011|title=My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding: Why is it a hit?|publisher=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12311604|access-date=2011-02-08}} It was the eighth highest rating in Channel 4's history.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/feb/07/big-fat-gypsy-weddings | title=Channel 4's big fat Gypsy ratings winner | access-date=2011-02-08 | date=7 February 2011 | work=The Guardian| location=London | first=Vicky | last=Frost}} The final episode was watched by 6.5 million viewers, easily beating the 2011 BRIT Awards which had an average viewership of 4.8 million.{{cite news|last=Deans|first=Jason|title=Big Fat Gypsy Weddings drowns out Brits|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/feb/16/the-brit-awards-2011-ratings|work=The Guardian|access-date=21 September 2011|date=16 February 2011|location=London}}
Controversies
The series has faced a number of controversies, including allegations of racism in its advertising{{cite web|title=Big Fat Gypsy Wedding sponsors forced to apologise for 'racist' advert|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/big-fat-gypsy-wedding-sponsors-730825|work=Daily Mirror|date=21 February 2012|access-date=12 November 2012}}{{cite news|title=Big Fat Gypsy Weddings poster 'endorsed negative stereotypes'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/oct/03/big-fat-gypsy-weddings-stereotypes|work=The Guardian|access-date=12 November 2012|location=London|first=Mark|last=Sweney|date=3 October 2012}} and instigating a rise in the rate of racially motivated bullying.{{cite news|title=Big Fat Gypsy Weddings 'has increased bullying of Gypsies and Travellers'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/oct/16/big-fat-gypsy-weddings-bullying-travellers|work=The Guardian|access-date=12 November 2012|location=London|first=John|last=Plunkett|date=16 October 2012}}
The episode "No Place Like Home" caused controversy after it showed young girls provocatively dancing and wearing full make-up.{{cite web | url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/853756-big-fat-gypsy-weddings-under-fire-for-showing-eight-year-olds-pole-dancing#ixzz1DEsK0BYn | title=Big Fat Gypsy Weddings under fire for showing eight-year-olds 'pole dancing' | access-date=2011-02-08 | date=26 January 2011 | publisher=Metro.co.uk | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129082022/http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/853756-big-fat-gypsy-weddings-under-fire-for-showing-eight-year-olds-pole-dancing#ixzz1DEsK0BYn | archive-date=29 January 2011 | url-status=dead }}
Awards
Broadcast readers voted the series' progenitor, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, the 'Most Groundbreaking Programme' at the Cultural Diversity Awards 2010. Executive producer Jes Wilkins and creator and Producer Jenny Popplewell were in attendance to accept the award.{{cite web|title=Most Groundbreaking Programme|url=http://www.firecrackerfilms.com/news/most-groundbreaking-programme-2010/|work=Cultural Diversity Awards 2010|access-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409092050/http://www.firecrackerfilms.com/news/most-groundbreaking-programme-2010/|archive-date=9 April 2012|url-status=dead}}
Big Fat Gypsy Wedding Series 1 was nominated for a BAFTA in the YouTube Audience Vote category.{{cite web|title=BAFTA Announces The 2011 YouTube Audience Award Nominees|url=http://www.bafta.org/press/youtube-audience-award-nominees,143,SNS.html|work=The BAFTA Awards|date=19 April 2011|publisher=British Academy of Film and Television Arts|access-date=12 November 2012}}
Episodes
= ''My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding'' (2010) =
{{Episode table |background=91100D |title= |airdate= |viewers= |viewersT=Ratings |episodes=
{{Episode list
|Title = My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2010|02|18|df=y}}
|Viewers = 5,567,000
813,000 (+1){{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk |title=BARB |publisher=BARB |access-date=2011-02-08}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 91100D
}}
}}
= Series 1 =
{{Episode table |background=3A5250 |overall= |title= |airdate= |viewers= |viewersT=Ratings |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Born to Be Wed
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|01|29|df=y}}
|Viewers = 7,280,000
958,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary = 16-year-old Josie marries her fiancee Swanley after four months of dating.
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = No Place Like Home
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|04|16|df=y}}
|Viewers = 7,467,000
1,255,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Desperate Housewives
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|04|23|df=y}}
|Viewers = 8,032,000
1,301,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = Boys Will Be Boys
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|04|30|df=y}}
|Viewers = 8,804,000
906,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Bride & Prejudice
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|05|14|df=y}}
|Viewers = 8,048,000
1,193,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
}}
= Royal wedding special (2011) =
{{Episode table |background=91100D |overall= |title= |airdate= |viewers= |viewersT=Ratings |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = Big Fat Royal Gypsy Weddings
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|04|29|df=y}}
|Viewers = 4,561,000
760,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary = Royal wedding special following the wedding of Irish traveller Mary, the first wedding fully planned by dressmaker Thelma Madine. Notably, it first aired the night before the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/big-fat-gypsy-weddings/episode-guide/series-3|title=Big Fat Gypsy Weddings: Big Fat Gypsy Weddings - Episode Guide|website=Channel 4}}
|linecolor = 91100D
}}
}}
= Christmas special (2011) =
{{Episode table |background=3A5250 |overall= |title= |airdate= |viewers= |viewersT=Ratings |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = My Big Fat Gypsy Christmas
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|12|13|df=y}}
|Viewers = 6,367,000
879,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary = Follows the celebrations and traditions of the gypsy community at Christmas, as well as the weddings of Lavinia and Charlene respectively. In addition to this, the program covers a mass first communion.{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/big-fat-gypsy-weddings/episode-guide/series-2|title=Big Fat Gypsy Weddings: Big Fat Gypsy Weddings - Episode Guide|website=Channel 4}}
|linecolor = 3A5250
}}
}}
= Series 2 =
{{Episode table |background=91100D |overall= |title= |airdate= |viewers= |viewersT=Ratings |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2.1
|Title = Diamantes Are Forever
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|02|14|df=y}}
|Viewers = 6,027,000
1,178,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary = Follows 16-year-old Sammy Jo as she takes part in a traveller-only beauty pageant. Irish Traveler Dolores commissions dresses from Thelma Madine for her wedding in Rathkeale, Ireland. Four cousins compete to have the most memorable outfit at their first Holy Communion.{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/big-fat-gypsy-weddings/episode-guide/series-5|title=Big Fat Gypsy Weddings: Big Fat Gypsy Weddings - Episode Guide|website=Channel 4}}
|linecolor = 91100D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2.2
|Title = I Fought the Law
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|02|21|df=y}}
|Viewers = 5,034,000
1,251,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary = This episode shows how Romani gypsies and travellers' attempts to live a traditional life can get them in trouble with the law. Covers the hen party of Danielle, whose fiancee happens to be in court on the same day. Also features an illegal horse-and-trap road race, a family faced with eviction from their illegal site and 8-year-old Chloe (preparing for her First Holy Communion) visiting her father in prison.{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/big-fat-gypsy-weddings/episode-guide/series-5|title=Big Fat Gypsy Weddings: Big Fat Gypsy Weddings - Episode Guide|website=Channel 4}}
|linecolor = 91100D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2.3
|Title = School of Hard Knocks
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|02|28|df=y}}
|Viewers = 5,579,000
1,273,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary = Follows several traveller girls and their differing experiences with education, ranging from those who left school illegally early to those who are "bucking the trend" by completing their secondary education. Alice talks about her encounters with school bullying.{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/big-fat-gypsy-weddings/episode-guide/series-5|title=Big Fat Gypsy Weddings: Big Fat Gypsy Weddings - Episode Guide|website=Channel 4}}
|linecolor = 91100D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2.4
|Title = Love Conquers All
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|03|06|df=y}}
|Viewers = 6,040,000
1,194,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 91100D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2.5
|Title = Reputation is Everything
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|03|13|df=y}}
|Viewers = 5,269,000
1,114,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary = After causing a scandal by spending time alone with her boyfriend, Irish traveller Rosanne is rushed up the aisle to save her reputation.
|LineColor = 91100D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2.6
|Title = Out of Site, Out of Mind
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|03|20|df=y}}
|Viewers = 5,341,000
954,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary = 17-year-old Freda prepares to get married and leave home for the first time. Chantelle plans her own wedding in Rathkeale, Ireland. Dale Farm faces eviction.
|LineColor = 91100D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2.7
|Title = We Are Family
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|03|27|df=y}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 91100D
}}
}}
= Stand-alone specials=
Channel 4 confirmed there would not be a third series of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings but instead would end the show with six stand-alone specials that were to be aired throughout 2013. Despite this, eleven specials have aired to date.
The eighth special, called Big Fat Gypsy Christmas: Carols and Caravans on the website's official episode guide, features the same title card and animation as My Big Fat Gypsy Christmas, the last episode of the first season. This often leads to confusion between the two.
The latest special to air was titled My Big Fat Gypsy Grand National, this was shown on 6 April 2015.
{{Episode table |background=3A5250 |overall= |title= |airdate= |viewers= |viewersT=Ratings |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = My Big Fat Gypsy Valentine
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|02|11|df=y}}
|Viewers = 4,460,000
596,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary = This one-off Valentine's special explores love and courtship in the Traveller community, following Ina and Danielle as they prepare to wed their first loves.{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/big-fat-gypsy-weddings/episode-guide/series-4|title=Big Fat Gypsy Weddings: Big Fat Gypsy Weddings - Episode Guide|website=Channel 4}}
This episode famously featured Joe 'Valentine' Gaastra the head of the Royal Wootton Bassett Gypsy and Amish community in typical jovial mood on the dance floor.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = My Big Fat Gypsy Fortune
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|04|14|df=y}}
|Viewers = 3,145,000
589,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = Best Dressed Brides
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|04|26|df=y}}
|Viewers = (outside top 10)
|ShortSummary = Dressmaker Thelma Madine reveals the secrets behind her most outrageous creations, from design and production through to the unique excitement of a Traveller or Gypsy wedding day. Thelma relives the mayhem and magic that went into creating the most incredible outfits, recalling everything from glow- in-the-dark wedding dresses to her famous pineapple and palm tree costumes.
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = Life on the Run
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|06|10|df=y}}
|Viewers = 3,110,000
348,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = The Luck of the Irish
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|08|30|df=y}}
|Viewers = 2,051,000
466,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = My Big Fat Gypsy Ladies' Day
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|09|24|df=y}}
|Viewers = 2,224,000
439,000 (+1)
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = My Big Fat Gypsy Christening
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|10|01|df=y}}
|Viewers = (outside top 10)
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = Big Fat Gypsy Christmas: Carols and Caravans
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2013|11|25|df=y}}
|Viewers = (outside top 10)
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = My Big Fat Gypsy Holiday
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|01|02|df=y}}
|Viewers = (outside top 10)
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = My Big Fat Gypsy Christmas: Tinsel and Tiaras
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|12|09|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = –
|Title = My Big Fat Gypsy Grand National
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|04|06|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 3A5250
}}
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.channel4.com/programmes/big-fat-gypsy-weddings Big Fat Gypsy Weddings] at Channel4.com
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110121062010/http://www.firecrackerfilms.com/broadcast/big-fat-gypsy-weddings/ Big Fat Gypsy Weddings at Firecracker Films]
- {{IMDb title|id=1836351|title=My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding}}
{{Irish Travellers}}
{{TLC Programming}}
Category:2010 British television series debuts
Category:2015 British television series endings
Category:British documentary television series
Category:Cutting Edge (TV series) episodes
Category:Documentaries about weddings
Category:British English-language television shows
Category:Wedding television shows