that is still a much better track record, than the National, simply because the National is one race.

They do the same in Dragon's Den. And Harry Hill wears (wore) the same outfit in every episode of TV Burp (for the benefit of the compilation repeats by the look of it)

it also helps create an iconic look for a show, that said on the Voice, I figure it just a case of getting something that both makes you stand out from, and works with the giant chairs.

There have been plenty of non-sporting TV shows that used to be national events over the years - particularly so in the days when there were only 3 or 4 channels.

So, for example.... Miss World, The Royal Variety Performance, The Eurovision Song Contest, The James Bond premiere - or indeed many TV premiers of big, classic films. I remember Mary Poppins being a big premiere in the 80s, arriving on TV about 20 years after its release.

Xmas Ericand Ernie, Xmas Only Fools.... and Alright On The Night use to be a big event, turning up for occasional one-offs that would storm the ratings.

Apparantly Will.i.am has been using his outfit on The Voice to plug his new single, as it contains a slogan from the chorus.

According to The Sun

Yes, I remember when Will Young was a guest on The Graham Norton Show and thinking, "That's a nice tie Will's wearing. I must buy his new album." And last night when Keane was on, I muted the TV and made the decision on whether or not to download the single purely on how much I liked their shirts.

and alot of the events you mention, all are less of a big deal these days, I think people have fallen out of love with Eurovision, since it got too big, and for a few years we preformed really badly. Whilst movies are long since lost their golden shine, be that because of DVD/Blu Ray or Sky Movies.

I would however like to nominate Glastonbury and the Doctor Who Christmas Special* as being national events.

Times have changed, these so called national events, are not as big as they once were, not when we have alot more choice in just about everything.

* for me at least it is at least as important to me, as the X-Factor finale is to X-Factor fans, if not more so.

I wouldn't be surprised if the BBC released the information themselves. Now Britain's Got Talent has moved The Voice will have to find it's own momentum. For all the 'different from The X Factor' spiel than has been spun it's really now different in terms of headlines.

Flaws in TV showing up with the limitations on numbers-a fabulous hippyish 17 year old girl just passed by because they already have others the same(voicewise) on their team.
On a purely public interest point of view, there have been some who would have given the later stages a bit more variety who have not been picked.

you may know my opinion on Mr Will.i.am, but that does seem like a bit of a stretch.

I suppose it might be a different deal, if it was from his own label, or a label he promotes.

National tv events in the main can depend on press coverage these days. Arguably they have to be on BBC1 or ITV1, Grand National moving to C4 will cause a viewing drop off.

As long as BBC1 have Wimbledon, Olympics, EURO football and World Cup, I am more than happy. I am sure other events have valid claims, but I consider these to be priceless.

I wondered what the hell you were talking about. This seemed like total gobbledygook until I realised that TV stood for The Voice and not TeleVision.

Stop using TV as an abbreviation for The Voice, people. It's too confusing.

Of course, the launch and final of Big Brother used to be a big national event back in the day and that was Channel 4.

Lol, obviously TV needs a bit more time to embed-you would not have had any problem with BGT I would imagine

will.i.am is just dreadful. Officially the most irritating judge of any of these shows EVER, and that's saying something.

He seems to have developed a new catchphrase this week. "That's dope. That's dope that is." :sleep: Oh, sod off you overpaid tool! Sorry, but... To make matters worse, then Jessie J joined in, who is also increasingly dislikeable with each and every episode.

I get that they are trying to chase a young audience. But if that's how these supposedly professional people, some might say role models, have to talk on these shows to be accepted by the yoofs watching, then that really is depressing, and frankly I'd rather not be a part of it.

Say what you like about Simon Cowell but he is at least articulate and normally gives a good critique.

From Twitter's trends:

United Kingdom trends
#TheVoiceUK
#BanBeliebers
Ordinary People
Jessie J
Becky Hill
John Legend
#TeamJessie
Ruth Brown
Joss Stone
Indie and Pixie

The most that The Voice has trended this series.

I think some events like BB and BGT final are bigger for the 18-44 demographic. I like that certain events have a wider reach agewise.

Are you calling Will.I.Am a dope? I am not a huge fan, (though I did see BEP 1st UK concert appearance in Manchester) but I think as a black American he is allowed latitude, imagine Louis Walsh saying it!

At least those watching, will have made a conscious effort to do so.

It used to get to me that the Thursday/Friday switch to BBC One of The Masters at 10.35, got higher viewers than the primetime coverage on BBC Two.

Same when the PGA Saturday ratings plummet when it switches to BBC Two from BBC One.

Britain's Got Talent didn't start until 20.04 and is now having an ad break. I now expect The Voice to win the night by a clear margin.

But there's nothing else that BGT could stand for. Whilst TV was an abbreviation for television long, long before it was used for The Voice.

And I'll tell you what else I find confusing - using MBB as an abbreviation for Mrs Brown's Boys cos it also stands for Men Behaving Badly.

And I don't like it when people use C as an abbreviation for Casualty cos it could also stand for Crossroads.

Or Callan. Or Columbo. Or Cheers.

I could think of a lot worse adjectives, so we'll stick with that one. It's a family thread after all!

Louis Walsh is an oaf, but utterly harmless with it and actually quite funny at times.

hang on so this isnt a discussion about transvestism?

I may have to go reread this thread, and change my view on those hippyish girls mentioned.

"That's dope" is a good catchphrase. Remember a couple of months ago I said it was important The Voice had some catchphrases. This is one of them. I saw loads of people on Twitter tweeting "dope" and this is good word of mouth, cos other people were wondering why there were people were saying "dope" and the reply was that it was something to do with The Voice. So its a good way of causing word of mouth, its like sitcoms which have had catchphrases. More people will watch.

...but maybe not in officials.

At least now BGT is on we'll actually get some 'light entertainment'. The Voice is seriously dull.

If The Voice causes 'that's dope' to enter the British vocabulary I will truely hate it.