Suprising to see Benidorm back so soon, and without a new series following, but it just adds to what will be an excellent week for ITV, even though I'm not sure it's needed as things are cramped enough as it is!

It will truly be a shame if Benidorm is axed after the third series, because imo it is the best British comedy series on television atm...and it's on ITV! For ITV to get such praise for a comedy is great for them.

Also for ITV to be putting Wild At Heart on hold and maybe Primeval would be a huge blow for them.

ITV are getting rid of big bankers and even though there's some crime drama breakthroughs they could start looking quite weak come next year.

If I want to be pedantic the format was devised in the UK and was supposed to air in 2005/6 but was postponed when Paul O'Grady dropped out as host and the format was then sold to America, delaying ours.

Yes, it's a British format.

I'm sure if it was on BBC One pulling in 12 million viewers Robbie would be telling us all how it was 'harmless fun'.

I share your hope that Primeval will be recommissioned, but bear in mind that overseas/merchandise sales really don't matter directly to ITV - it's not an ITV production so they get little, if anything, from these.

Now, it MAY be the case that strong overseas sales mean that the production company could cut the cost they charge ITV per episode, but I doubt that would make that much of a difference.

It would still almost certainly cost ITV considerably more than filling the timeslot with a repeat/gameshow/film so it has to justify itself on ratings performance.

Primeval needs to get 5 million plus to be sure of coming back. 4.9 million is close, and maybe if BGT continues to soar and Tonight's the Night continues to stumble Primeval may yet get there for some/all of the remaining eps. Fingers crossed...

Chuck Barris's The Gong Show was a US hit in the 1970s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gong_Show

Its not really the same though ...

And the BBC still weren't able to rip it off properly.

And as others have said, this isn't a remake. The pilot was made in the UK and this is the intended format (NBC like it done differently). It was created by a Brit, developed by British producers at a British company before being produced in the US by several British producers.

Speaking of corny, trashy and padded out, how did you enjoy The John Barrowman Show?

Yes, I don't think it could be much more British.

NBC, like you say, do the format differently, and I don't think that Cowell and many of the producers are too happy about it, and I heard that they were particularly annoyed at the Olympic break last year, and the way the live shows worked.

The BBC are clearing toying with the idea of a fourth season for Robin Hood, if the options set out in the following article are even being considered.

But they would need to get the scheduling/ratings considerably better than last night's performance before giving the green light, IMO.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009...-hood-scotland

All true of course - I just remember the producer being reasonably confident they were coming back a few weeks ago, but pointing out they were likely facing a production delay whilst ITV find the cash.

Hopefully that's still the case. The last couple of weeks have proven that the show can still be really good and it'd be a pity to lose that type of program from ITV completely.

I can certainly see at the moment them going for a Jan 2011 series 4. After all, if they ran at this point of the year again next time they'd be up against Doctor Who... Jan makes much more sense.

I think that's true. And, even in that slot, it would probably beggar up the ratings for the 6pm programme.

It seems Talent has now well and truly eclipsed The X Factor, despite its springtime slot. I guess the wider range of acts has really worked in Talent's favour.

Another plus for Talent over Factor is the comparative absence of fake stories about...

*Judge A arguing with Judge B
*Judge C has walked off the set and may not return next week
Judge D might quit at the end of the series.
etc.

But, even if The X Factor tones down that sort of thing for the new series in mid-August, I can't see it matching Talent's ratings power.

Wow, hopefull BGT will just snowball from here on in.

Wild at Heart WILL be coming back next year, it's figures were stellar!

And Primeval is also likely to come back!!!

TXF doesn't have as wide appeal, but nevertheless it did surpass all of our expectations with the ratings for the last series. It won't match BGT but it's still enormously popular.

Like rzt, I've heard that Wild at Heart won't be coming back, too, and Primeval (if it comes back) will have a production delay put on it.

Unless you've spoken to/emailed ITV of course, which will mean that your information is correct.

Where have you guys heard this? Is it money-related?

What will they be replacing WAH with next year?

Why not?

Wild at Heart has been recomissioned. Work starts on the new series next month.

Although ITV are bringing about all their big hitters at one time of the year, I'm sure it's because they want to secure a long term future for the show.

Getting a 13 million viewer (possibly) lead-in for Benidorm could mean 8 million viewers tune in and some will stay loyal to the series.

But I think the new man at ITV needs to keep a core amount of shows safe because of, A, its quality, and B, its association with the broadcaster:-

ITV definitely need a decent slate of returning shows to complement their 3 main talent shows and 2 soaps. I would axe The Bill to start with, as its a bit tired & ITV already have a rich development of crime dramas.

Wild at Heart
Kingdom
Heartbeat
The Royal
Beat the Star
Primeval
Benidorm
The Commander
Wire in the Blood [i know it's been axed, but I would've kept it in favour of Trial & retribution)
Whitechapel
Above Suspicion
Lewis
Blue Murder
Midsomer Murders
Agatha Christie's Poirot
Agatha Christie's Marple

That's all I can think of really.

BGT has a wider appeal for audiences and the variety of acts makes it a more entertaining prospect than The X Factor (possibly why there's more of an emphasis on 'drama' in TXF). I adore The X Factor though - personally I prefer it to BGT but I'd argue, for the majority, it's the other way round. And the ratings it's getting this series are phenomenal - even for BGT. I can't see how The X Factor can possibly repeat that success in the Autumn, even if it does relatively well.

Thanks for that. I was a little perplexed beforehand.

Phew, rzt said that it was axed !!!

Sorry, if it's incorrect. I read it on another forum, from someone who claims they're in the know.

I personally don't know whether it's been recomissioned or not for next year. Taz93 is certain it has, so I was probably wrong in that post I made earlier.

Re: Barrowman. Yep- there is a shocking, derivative, naff piece of copycat TV on our screens every Saturday night....and it's definitely not BGT.