WTAF: ‘Australian Ninja Warrior’ Disqualified A Deaf Contestant Last Night & Viewers Are Pissed
While Australian Ninja Warrior is absolutely killin’ it in ratings – peaking at an unbelievable 3 million viewers last night – the reality competition has come under fire for its disqualification of a contestant with a disability.
Last night, deaf contestant Paul Cashion was introduced to the game, saying in his intro, “I want all deaf people and all people with impairments to see me tonight and think that they can be on the show too”. It was a sweet moment and really tugged at the heart-strings.
Viewers were told that as Paul couldn’t hear the buzzer and sirens during the course, so he was relying on signals from his step-son Josh. On the first obstacle he slipped off the board, and his feet hit the water – which is a automatic disqualification. But Paul kept going on to the next challenge because he was unable to hear the siren (well, duh). He only eventually stopped because he saw Josh motioning. It hit straight to the feels and was torturous to watch. Check it out below:
An incredible attempt by Paul, with a disappointing disqualification. #NinjaWarriorAU
Posted by Australian Ninja Warrior on Sunday, 16 July 2017
The entire ordeal was slammed online as poorly handled and edited. Viewers weren’t shy venting their frustrations on Twitter.
Here’s some of what Twitter was saying about the series’ treatment of Paul:
Worse television moment I've seen for some time. Your producers humiliated him. Why not edit the part out where his step-son had 2explain?
— Natalie (@PAFC_NSWMember) July 16, 2017
They literally just used someone's disability to push the show, and then go and embarrass him like that. Absolutely fucked. #NinjaWarriorAU
— Tahlia. (@bvlmabriefs) July 16, 2017
understand that rules are rules but the editing & the way it was handled was disgraceful, turns me off the show #NinjaWarriorAU
— Tayla Richter (@tayla_richter) July 16, 2017
#NinjaWarriorAU you cruel bastards, should've given the poor deaf bloke another chance ????????????
— Nikerl Vernitely (@Nooie_Noo) July 16, 2017
#NinjaWarriorAU Why would you focus on a deaf guy not hearing his disqualification? Fucking channel 9.
— Sadie (@Sadie_Beckett) July 16, 2017
Header via Twitter.