Even as a life-long and committed vegetarian, my first thoughts on hearing about the new vegetarian internet TV channel Veggie Vision was, what's the point? It's not like normal television is non-veggie, is it? I may not be a big TV watcher, but I don't often find myself wishing for more veggie-friendly programmes or being offended by what's on – except for the occasional rant by vegetarian-hater Gordon Ramsay.
Veggie Vision promises cookery, celebs and information – a heady mix indeed.
The "celeb" element offers viewers an enlightening interview with Jodie Marsh, who, we learn, was "very advanced" as a child and wanted to be veggie from the age of two. It's also good to know that "being vegetarian makes you interesting". To back this up, Marsh points out that the world's coolest people are vegetarian. Pamela Anderson is her example. Case closed.
Also on the channel is a nice interview with Benjamin Zephaniah in which he tells the story of how he once beat a boy up at school for calling him a vegan – he was vegan but he didn't know the word and thought it was a racist insult of some sort.
He also talks about how as a child he saw animals as friends who didn't judge him for his skin colour. It's all very reaffirming stuff, which I guess most vegetarians need now and again. Just don't let the low-tech graphics and the "what on earth are you watching" comments from colleagues looking over your shoulder put you off. Being veggie and watching an internet TV show about it is cool. Repeat, it is cool.
The cookery channel makes the most sense and it is quite nice, as a vegetarian, to watch a food programme you can fully engage with. Resident Jay Dave offers some choice tips and insights into the world of Indian cuisine, that veggie favourite.
As for the information element, well, don't expect impartial, balanced advice. Dubious claims abound, such as the "fact" that becoming vegan is better than a miracle-cure-everything tablet that could make you live longer and improve your sex life.
I can imagine meat-eaters gnawing their own fingers in indignation watching Veggie Vision. For a veggie it's like sitting in a bar with an embarrassing friend. As long as no one else sees you, it's OK. Has anyone watched it?
