Harry’s 2016 Raspberry Awards

The Deked & Duped Award

This one goes to Harry’s old employer, BBC Scotland. Here they go again, exploiting the performers that put on the show. Not only are no bands compensated for producing the world’s best pipe band music at the World Championships, but to make a “show” of it the Beeb once again worked to keep up the suspense of who would get the big prize by putting a fake camera crew in front of Inveraray & District, while training more discreet cameras on Field Marshal Montgomery, who the BBC knew was the winner. Really? Really?! I get the fact that the announcement is a big deal, but this is not a reality TV show. Or, wait, maybe it is. Whatever it is, find a better way. The otherwise fine people at BBC TV clearly have no appreciation or care for the trials and pressures and passion that pipe bands put into their craft. To win the World Championship is hard, hard work. To lead the runner-up band into thinking they had actually won, and then for the Big Enchilada of the RSPBA, Ian Embelton, to snatch it away in his grand announcement is cruel (and, sadly for pipers and drummers, usual) punishment. Okay, okay, bands will most likely continue to agree to be exploited and uncompensated for their music and entertainment value for the Beeb’s viewers, but godammit, we deserve better. Figure it out.

+ Field Marshal Montgomery: 2016 World Champions