TEEN discos in Limerick city that feature special guests from MTV’s British reality show ‘Geordie Shore‘ have been described as “inappropriate” by outraged parents.
Ennis-based entertainment company Barcode Teen Events has come under fire this week for their ‘Hype Limerick’ nights that have been held in several of the city’s top entertainment venues.
The discos aimed at first, second and third year students at post-primary level were criticised for using rowdy stars of the hit reality TV show as a selling point.
A poster on facebook for a Hype Limerick teen event taking place on December 22 next at the Sinbin features bare-chested ‘Geordie Shore’ reality star Scotty T.
In recent weeks, Gaz, Vicky and Marnie from the popular show have also participated in ‘meet and greets’ at Hype Limerick events at venues in the city and county including The Lodge Nightclub in Castletroy and Club Mission in Newcastle West.
One concerned Limerick mother claimed the sex-mad, fake-tanned personalities were “poor role models” for impressionable young teenagers.
“The show is full of sex, bad language and binge-drinking. It borders on pornographic,” said one angry parent.
A disclaimer at the start of each episode of ‘Geordie Shore’ warns, “this programme contains strong language, sexual scenes and references from the outset and throughout”.
“These discos are targeting 12 and 13 year olds and the people running them are using characters from a TV show full of sex and promiscuity. These reality stars are unsuitable role models for young teens, they have no morals. I’m livid,” fumed one mother.
One UK promoter has hailed Barcode Teen Events’ discos as “the best run teen discos in Ireland”. However, a spokesman for an entertainment company in the city revealed to the Limerick Post that he had received numerous phone calls from angry parents, believing he was responsible for the ‘Hype Limerick’ teen discos.
“We wouldn’t do it. We just don’t think its suitable for young teens,” he commented.
Viewing figures for Geordie Shore have grown consistently since it first aired in summer 2011. The last series, making popular phrases like “tashing on” and “nuff said”, pulled in over a million viewers for MTV at one point.
In 2011, Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah described the hit show as “bordering on pornographic”, and announced she would be raising questions in Parliament about the issues raised by the programme.
John McCarthy and Darren Purtill of Barcode Teen Events issued a statement this week. They commented: “Barcode Teen Events (Hype Disco Limerick) has been operating teenage discos throughout Ireland since early 2013. Our events, which cater for teenagers (aged 13-17), do not in any way promote sex, promiscuity or pornography.
“Our events are hosted in established venues that provide a secure and safe environment for teens.”
