Margaux Wosk, the president of the disability non-profit BC People First, and an advocate for autism, activist, and small business owner, initially had reservations about appearing on television. She was concerned about the portrayal of autistic individuals in the media and the potential risk involved in participating in Canada’s version of The Assembly, a show that pairs autistic and neurodivergent interviewers with Canadian celebrities.
Wosk highlighted her skepticism regarding how media often depicts individuals with unique cognitive processes, citing examples like the Netflix series Love on the Spectrum, which she found to be somewhat demeaning. While there has been an increase in representation of autistic individuals in various shows, such as The Assembly, some programs like The Good Doctor and Atypical have faced criticism for their inaccurate portrayal and lack of hiring autistic actors.
Unlike those criticized shows, series like As We See It, Dinosaur, and Everything’s Gonna Be Okay have been praised for their respectful representation of autistic characters and inclusion of neurodivergent individuals in the production process. The Assembly, based on the French program Les Rencontres du Papotin, has expanded globally and is set to premiere in Canada on CBC Gem.
The Canadian adaptation of The Assembly features interviews with celebrities like Jann Arden, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Howie Mandel, presenting candid and unfiltered interactions between the guests and the panelists. The show aims to provide a platform for genuine and open conversations, allowing for unexpected questions that may challenge the guests.
While The Assembly is seen as a positive step towards authentic representation, some critics, like culture writer Sarah Kurchak, express concerns about the show potentially sensationalizing neurodivergent experiences for entertainment. Kurchak emphasized the importance of portraying autistic individuals as multidimensional and deserving of respect, rather than perpetuating stereotypes or exploiting their differences.
Despite the mixed reactions to The Assembly, Wosk praised the show for actively involving autistic individuals in its production, ensuring a more authentic and inclusive representation. She emphasized the significance of consulting and engaging with autistic individuals in all aspects of media representation to promote a more accurate and respectful portrayal of autism.