This is something I don't get about this programme. They are supposed to be looking for a variety act, but the show is filled with classical singers, children and dancers and not a lot else. We have finally got a good impressionist this time, but I want to know why we have never had a good magician? Surely British TV is crying out for one? They could discover the new Paul Daniels. Syco could produce the show, Simon rakes it in again.

Why no comedians? I'm sure there must be some good amateur comics out there? You'd think Simon would jump at the chance of discovering the new Peter Kaye/Michael McIntyre/Lee Mack etc.

Same with Ventriloquists. There was Damon and Bubbles in the first series. I'd like to see more.

I thought the whole point of BGT was to discover VARIETY acts. I know for a fact good people audition and for some reason don't get through and then we never even see their audition.

actually there is a comedian, Paul Burling although he is more an impressionist he is still a comedian.

I absolutely agree.

Talent is about those things: magic, juggling, ventriloquists. There was a great one on the America's got talent, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzbczT6TLi8

THAT'S talent


singers go on the x factor


children....go home



dance troops of a million children go home.

I didn't mind A3 because they weren't some dance school products. They've done it off their own bat.

George sampson was just a mong

Not really the same as doing straight stand up is it though?

Dont think theres ever been stand up,the first one had another impressonist but not a gerneral stand up

First series had more variety final..bar wizards,oprea,puppet dude etc.Gone downhill after that just mainly singer,dancers and the random act thrown in

I don't think the public even understand the word "variety" : in terms of entertainment,it's usually taken to mean something that doesn't involve singing or dancng.

Ten street dance acts in the semi finals is not variety.Would they dare put ten different ventriliquists or ten jugglers into the semis?

Even something like a clown would add a little more variety to it.

Why would any magician go on there only to get people who think they know it all on here slagging them off like they did with Stevie Star?

I think (know) they will just continue with going out, doing their gigs and earning money like they do.

Sad, but this new generation of people who don't even understand the artform of magic and just see it as an opportunity to put down whilst they do nothing of worth themselves is what has killed magic on TV.

You should see some of the vile comments Derren Brown gets on here just for trying to entertain people. We actually get comments that he lies, and isn't doing what he says he is doing! YES! Amazing ain't it? How can you explain things to people who think like that.

Magicians don't need TV and will and do continue without it.

A shame a new generation of people who don't understand and think they are more important spoilt it for everyone else.

I think these sort of acts would only get attention on the show if they were performed by kids (sadly).
I can see a 10 year old magician doing a stage trick and getting put through or a 9 yr old juggler but finding a kid with the talent, the wit and the stage presence is going to be hard.

Also the comment about A3 not being from a dance school, guess again. They belong to Fahrenheit dance school in swansea.

I said the same as the OP in another thread! Cowell bleats on and on about wanting something different, but any time a magician/comedian/ventriloquist comes on stage to audition they get buzzed without being given half a chance!

I thought that woman with the dog puppet who asked Amanda if she'd ever been chatted up by a dog was actually quite good, but again not given a chance to show exactly how good/funny she could be.

Basically, all Simon Cowell is interested in is how much potential there is for earning him money after the show, and that's the bottom line - he really couldn't care less about what the Queen or any of her family like or dislike!

fair enough but they aren't the same as group of children coming in who have a choreographer and stuff. they just didnt annoy me like the others do

I think over the years the judges have made it pretty clear that they don't rate magicians, ventriloquists and comedians so I suspect many who might aspire to demonstrate these talents are dissuaded from wasting their time

Plus if you are a singer it seems a few flat notes and that's OK, you're through but you would have to be to David Copperfield's standard to not get buzzed off.

This show is more about who they can sell than actual talent. They know what to do with singers and dancers, anyone else they don't have a clue how to market.

Magic acts don't get time,simple as that. What can you do in a minute(before a chance of a buzzer?)thats going to impress a judge? Good magic needs build up,tension draw the audience in. As someone stated above,magicians don't need BGT. Stevie Starr has been around 25 years or more making a living,his exit will be no detriment to him.
I also agree :singers go to X Factor. That is what it's for.
I do think a unique juggling act could do well but none seem to enter.

You wouldn't get me on there! The whole show is not set up for anyone other than dancers or singers. They throw in the odd act with a simple concept they and the audience can get (Cute Dog - Swallowing things) but nothing more taxing.

Also with comedians, magician, etc their very act rarely starts dry like other acts do some have a hard job to get started. If you have ever gone to a comedy night, no one walks onto the stage at the start of the evening and says "My Dogs got no nose..." there is a compare who talks to the audience first and warms them up with a few funny comments long before introducing the first act.

So if it's not an act that is set to a backing tape and begins when it does and finishes when it does for singers or dancers, it's near impossible to start dry from talking to the judges.

Yes I agree with all of that, nicely put.

And Stevie Starr will be laughing all the way to the bank. Do you know how much you can add to your normal fee when you can add "As Appeared On Britain's Got Talent" to the poster? Sad but true, it's good FREE advertising and does bring people in and demands a higher fee.

It's Simon's show so he gets what he wants. If he doesn't like comedians, magicians, ventriloquists or jugglers, there ain't gonna be any on the show. Simple as...

Well in that case Simon should look up the word "variety" in a dictionary. It's no wonder this series seems lackluster compared to the others, we've seen it all before and it's starting to get very boring. I think Simon is incredibly narrow minded anyway, we've seen that on X Factor with the endless dreary, MOR ballads the winner churns out. He's only really interested in the money he can make.