There seem to be more and more programmes on TV about people with unusual bodies, ailments and operations, epitomised by Channel 4’s Bodyshocks and Channel 5’s Extraordinary People.
And they’re popular, on Tuesday night (19th February) more than 3 million viewers tuned in to Bodyshock: The Girl with 8 Limbs.

What’s your opinion of such programmes and why do you think people tune in?

This is one of the topics under consideration for The TV Show. Channel 4’s monthly debate on TV. Please let us know if you think it’ll be an interesting topic.

Coming up over the next week:
Half Ton Mum (repeat), More4, 24th February, 22:00
Sex Change Hospital (repeat), Channel 4, 26th February, 00:30am – 01:30
Extraordinary People, Hope for Hayley (revisit), Five, 27th February 21:00

The other likely topic for The TV Show is:
Boom and Bust: Are TV property shows partially responsible for the house boom?

Find out more about The TV Show debates, have your say and find out how to take part in the show.

See Forum Buzz to find out what people are saying about C4 shows across the forums.

I'm just too lazy to change the channel. I just keep it on c4 and wait for a show i actually like to come on.

Why were travelling freak shows so popular in the 19 and 20c!

I think for a lot of people it's just to tune in and ogle the so called "freaks" but I love these types of shows - it's so interesting to see various things that can affect the human body and how people with these ailments are treated by others. The human body can cope with an amazing array of deformities, it's intriguing to find out how people manage.

I've gotta say though - I find the "Half Ton Mum" ones less interesting.

I can't say I am as interested in the people with the unfortunate conditions, that make them so different to the masses, as I am in those who pay money to look at them in the flesh, so to speak, and take time to watch them on the television.

The folks at The TV Show thank you for your comments and would like to invite you all to join the debate on Saturday 1 March.

If you would like to be part of the studio audience and to have the chance to have your say air live on the programme, please email thetvshow@channel4.com.
Please note that numbers are limited, don’t hang around.

The TV Show will be filmed live in West London at 4pm on Saturday 1 March, but everyone needs to be there well before kick-off.

Keep up to date with on The TV Show debates. The subjects may change between now and Saturday.

Keep your comments coming. Thanks, Web Editor.

I watched the repeat of The Girl with 8 Limbs.

What a pretty child.

Couldn`t help but think that the Surgeon`s first thoughts were how much his reputation would be enhanced in dealing with such a proceedure than on the predicament of the child involved. And I didn`t much think of his attitude towards the mother. Very condescending, I thought.

Very poinaint near the end, when the nurses laid out the remains of the "parasitic" twin. It seemed much more "human" in seperation, than it did when protubing from the child.