Originally Posted by AlexiR:
“Much, much easier said than done regardless of how competent development might be.
I'm also going to say that I don't think the problem is poor light entertainment development the problem is poor talent development. Its much easier to develop big studio shows in the 70's, 80's and even the 90's because you were developing shows for someone. Now if you're working in the BBC light entertainment department or the ITV department who are you developing shows for? There aren't these big personalities and these big hosts to build formats around or who can make a dire format work. It speaks volumes that the BBC is looking at the very real possibility that they can't replace an 84 year old man on their biggest entertainment show. That is a staggering situation for any broadcaster to be in let alone the BBC.
Additionally lets say you have a big new studio show format who are you going to approach to host it? What safe pair of hands exists in British television right now that you'd instinctively say that's who should be fronting this new format? That their presence will make viewers believe this is something they should watch?
The lack of people to develop for or hosts that broadcasters have faith in has led to the situation were people are developing stupid gimmicks (like robotic hares) to sell shows because they have nothing else to hang their hat on.”
“Much, much easier said than done regardless of how competent development might be.
I'm also going to say that I don't think the problem is poor light entertainment development the problem is poor talent development. Its much easier to develop big studio shows in the 70's, 80's and even the 90's because you were developing shows for someone. Now if you're working in the BBC light entertainment department or the ITV department who are you developing shows for? There aren't these big personalities and these big hosts to build formats around or who can make a dire format work. It speaks volumes that the BBC is looking at the very real possibility that they can't replace an 84 year old man on their biggest entertainment show. That is a staggering situation for any broadcaster to be in let alone the BBC.
Additionally lets say you have a big new studio show format who are you going to approach to host it? What safe pair of hands exists in British television right now that you'd instinctively say that's who should be fronting this new format? That their presence will make viewers believe this is something they should watch?
The lack of people to develop for or hosts that broadcasters have faith in has led to the situation were people are developing stupid gimmicks (like robotic hares) to sell shows because they have nothing else to hang their hat on.”
Originally Posted by wizzywick:
“I agree with all you have said. Part of the problem though is that are too few genuine entertainers who are able to deliver the quality that was present years ago. There are manufactured presenters all cloned from presenter school, but honestly there are no Dick Emery's, no Morecambe and Wise's, no Les Dawsons today. Until genuine talent is recognised and nurtured it will be Nick "dull as dishwater" Knowles, John "Shouty" Barrowman and Graham Norton ad finitum.”
“I agree with all you have said. Part of the problem though is that are too few genuine entertainers who are able to deliver the quality that was present years ago. There are manufactured presenters all cloned from presenter school, but honestly there are no Dick Emery's, no Morecambe and Wise's, no Les Dawsons today. Until genuine talent is recognised and nurtured it will be Nick "dull as dishwater" Knowles, John "Shouty" Barrowman and Graham Norton ad finitum.”
I think that's a good shout. Also in the 70s/80s there were entertainment presenters coming from two camps. Traditional club/variety performers and a few that were big on radio and moved into TV. Most of the presenters now really can't hold a candle to Bruce, Cilla, Barrymore (before he went mad), Noel Edmonds at their peaks. Only Ant & Dec, Graham Norton and Paul O'Grady are close. There are too many vanilla presenters. Competent but have virtually no charisma.
Then when it comes to entertainers, TV now is going to the Edinburgh Fringe and finding niche performers, many just don't have mainstream appeal. Also the people in charge look down on mainstream acts who I think would get a fair audience in the right vehicle.
Another problem is the BBC can't spot a hit format. Bill Cotton saw a Dutch gameshow and thought Bruce Forsyth could do it. That was The Generation Game. He put Terry Wogan on Blankety Blank, he thought Eddie Braben could be a good writer for Morecambe & Wise. Cotton could find the right shows and put the right people on them. Best Light Entertainment Head the BBC ever had. Nobody there now comes close.
”
, McFly being McFlop and then some- 1.99m, wow - Strictly peaking at nearly 13m, Pointless getting a stonking good figure....
