So happy with that result, especially when Signature got into the final two. Hated their semi, and although their performance tonight was much better, the series didn't deserve them as a winner.
Ridiculous though that George has won and he's immediately packed off too "bed" - don't see any reason at all the under 16s (especially the older ones) can't be featured on More Talent.
Also, talking of the age issue, how's that affect the prize? I thought such cash prizes weren't supposed to be up for grabs for younger acts.
Anyway, great final - and thank god they resisted the temptation to bring back the old awful acts for a special performance (or saved it for ITV2 at least). The final should be all about celebrating the finalists - not laughing at the losers.
A note on the voting - £600,000 raised from the voting for the charity, which equates to 4million votes across the week. Last year they raised £330,000.
I voted for Signature myself, but I'm glad to see George win. As an act, I prefered Signature, but when it comes to the dancing, George gave them one hell of a run for their money. At least one of the singing acts didn't win, as they're great, but after Paul Potts we didn't need another one. No doubt Simon will sign them up regardless.
The influence of the production team has probably always been quite high but nice to hear some honesty - you could almost hear the scowl from Simon.
It's probably one of the most difficult types of shows to direct but there seemed to be a quite a few occasions where the "money shot" - either mid way or the final shot - was missed because they'd cut away to the audience or the judges. It was a bit annoying.
I agree Asa - they often seemed to linger on the judges that moment too long.
As for direction of the show, it was a bit messy at the end when they were rolling out the carpet behind them and putting the rain platform thing down.
Just a word for More Talent too on ITV2 - IMO one of the best "extra" shows of the bunch and Stephen Mulhern really has broken out of the kids TV mould now. And some great stuff with both the judges and Ant and Dec on the show which I think really has put them in a different light rather than being the usual bog standard interviews.
And I know it's still May (for an hour at least), but I think a Britain's Got Talent Christmas Special with the best acts from the two series would be a welcome addition to the ITV1 festive schedules.
Brekkie - I couldn't agree more. More Talent has been really good fun - like a lighthearted extra you might get for a show on a DVD. Stephen has really been very entertaining - and the mini shows with Piers and Ant and Dec have been surprisingly enjoyable.
All in all, I think BGT this year has been a resounding success. My only comments for the audition shows next year - it gets annoying having awful act after awful act until the end - why not try mixing it up a bit more?
I agree Asa - they often seemed to linger on the judges that moment too long.
As for direction of the show, it was a bit messy at the end when they were rolling out the carpet behind them and putting the rain platform thing down.
Just a word for More Talent too on ITV2 - IMO one of the best "extra" shows of the bunch and Stephen Mulhern really has broken out of the kids TV mould now. And some great stuff with both the judges and Ant and Dec on the show which I think really has put them in a different light rather than being the usual bog standard interviews.
And I know it's still May (for an hour at least), but I think a Britain's Got Talent Christmas Special with the best acts from the two series would be a welcome addition to the ITV1 festive schedules.
I agree about Stephen. Its a pity they don't use both Holly and Stephen on More Talent- brilliant pairing. Interestingly Cowell has given her his other job on Xtra Factor.
Usually the Royal Variety Performance is in November. I can't help but think that for ratings, Britain's Got Talent would be better in X Factors slot from September-November with the final a week before the Royal Variety Performance is broadcast on ITV1. It could get astronomical figures if the figures they are getting is traditionally when a slump occurs and it could boost the figures for the RVP is the winner is fresh in viewers minds.
01 - Cheeky Monkeys
They do have the "cute" factor - but is that really what people want? Liked the routine - although the whole thing was slightly nauseating.
The routine from Cheeky Monkeys was so nauseating and sickly it was untrue. It was cute but it was blatantly just for fun as far as the kids were concerned. It was never going to win.
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02 - Andrew Muir
Out of tune, and a fairly boring and lifeless performance. Murdered Imagine.
I agree. Why did he put it on his song list in the first place and why did he spend the whole of the ITV2 shows trying to shift the blame? Didn't just murder the classic song, he hung, drew and quartered it as well.
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03 - Kate and Gin
Very nice. Loved the relationship they share, and a nice contrast to dancers and singers who litter the show. Fun.
Nice change but I was thinking that it would be interesting to watch if the dog had decided on the night that he wasn't going to do anything. May have had potential if the line-up was different.
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04 - Nemesis
Tight choreography, they also have a fantastic relationship with each other, and that's evident in their dancing.
Intriguing little act but I think that since they had to put the routine together in 24hrs having gone through on the previous night, it wasn't quite as polished as it perhaps could have been.
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05 - Strike
Exciting, but they weren't as tight as I thought they would be, and the cartoon sound effects were unnecessary.
Not quite sure what the point of this act was. Out of sync, missed the soundbytes first time round and, well, if it were an all-women vote I think they'd win hands down.
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06 - Andrew Johnston
Did what boy trebles in cathedrals across the country wish they could do, if only they had a decent enough sob story. OK, he gets bullied, join the club!
The performance wasn't as great as the original audition, plus you could just tell he's really shy, withdrawn and didn't really want to be on the stage unless he was singing. On the ITV2 show he was hiding behind Strike.
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07 - George Sampson
Well, he's certainly got the young girl vote. Many of my friends have been fantasising about marrying him, and he's won the cute demographic. Must say, it was a powerful performance. But the most visually impressive bit of it was the shower. And that, I think, shaped most of the act.
Worthy winner of all the acts. I think it was the rain machine that did it. You can't really do Singing In The Rain justice unless you're actually under a downpour, though Morecambe and Wise famously took it in the opposite direction to great effect. A great act, well done George.
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08 - Faryl Smith
Sang 'Ave Maria'. A very rough voice, still untrained, almost like they're trying to force an old voice out of a young girl. Nice performance, and can see why they chose that song, but still... is she ready?
One of the favourites to win, apparently. Not ready yet IMO.
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09 - Escala
Doing nothing that Bond haven't done before, except with a few small dance steps. Piers raved on about their originality, but even their playing wasn't technically wonderful - listening closely, the bows sounded fairly rough against the strings. I wonder how you can make electric instruments sound de-tuned?!
I liked this one, even if it did sound a bit out of tune.
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10 - Signature
Great fun, although I thought the extra people were a bit indulgent - the fabness of the act was that it was just two random Indian guys. The addition of people was a bit like making the New Numa video - just a bit unnecessary and ruined the original magic a bit.
Loved the act. If George hadn't been in the running, then obviously this act would have won. Infectious, how could it not be in with a chance?
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So, who should win? Kate and Gin, Nemesis or Signature. Who WILL win? Faryl Smith, George Sampson, Andrew Johnston or Escala.
Again, all of this purely my opinion - what do the fine ladies and gents of TVF think?
George Sampson deserved to win with what turned out to be a terrific act. There's always room for improvement and I think that act could be made even better. If not him, then I suppose I'd have to choose between Andrew Johnston and Signature. The dog act is totally dependent on whether he's in the mood to do anything. Considering Andrew Johnston's reaction to coming third, one can only wonder what he'd have done if he'd come first.
Britain's Got Talent - The Final - 11m (51.1%)
peak 13.0m (57.4%) at 20:00
Britain's Got Talent - The Final Result - 13.1m (55.1%)
peak 13.7m (57.2%) at 21:45
Makes it the most watched show of 2008
Thought it would be - and I doubt Euro 2008 will challenge it either.
BGT's success though kind of leads to an irony - they're basically competing to appear on a show which has a smaller audience, and alot less press, than the BGT final.
Does the Royal Variety Performance go out anywhere else in the World?