Britain's Got Talent

Last years set was far too overbearing, would have looked good in a bigger studio (if there are any) but it was just too big. This one doesn't look that different, but hopefully they've calmed the neon and the arches down.

Definately is a new set as I've seen them taking half of the bloody thing apart over the past few days after they realised they 'couldn't get any wide shots' - something you'd think you would think about BEFORE building it?! Will try and get a picture up but it's difficult to get any. It's very sparse compared to the other sets they've had with a lot of darkness making it appear huge when really it's tiny. Also they've gone for the X Factor MiStrip in the stage effect which comes down towards the judges desk this time. Other than that, a huge opening LED in a half moon shape as last year but no staircases either side of it. Lots of hanging 'light balls' which on the wide's give a great transparent graphics-wall effect. Stage is still not big enough though - there's one act in particular that I've seen so far which suffers severely from this. Seating block is still the same size as is ITV2 which remains at the back of the studio.

BGT more than The X Factor would benefit from being in an arena for it's live shows - and much more practical to book out considering they're on consecutive nights for a week.

It's whether they'd sell the tickets (or even give them away as TV shows do) which would be the concern - though they sell out for the tours after so why not. And also of course bigger isn't always better and an arena may not work as well on TV as a studio.

A LITTLE girl hailed as the new Susan Boyle has been axed from Britain's Got Talent - without her audition ever being shown on TV.

see her sing

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/britain_got_talent/3605763/BGTs-Mini-SuBo-axed-from-show.html

An arena probably wouldn't be the right place, but definitely somewhere like The London Palladium would be more fitting. X Factor could do with moving to an arena though, if not only for the final.

Broadcast reported the other day that the X Factor semi-final and final would take place in an arena this year.

Can't believe they put eye-popping man through ahead of a couple of the acts eliminated in the sudden death showdown tonight. Indeed by far the weakest top 40 they've ever had with no obvious front runners IMO as the best acts just aren't on a par with the favourites of previous years.

Would serve them right if eye-popping man won!

I've got no problem with them putting through the rubbish acts, they need a talking point, but they made a really big point of good acts not getting through. I wouldn't say the top 40 isn't as good as previous years, I think its actually the strongest set of semi finalists but there are just no stand out acts. The semi finalists are usually terrible.

Editorially this year has been a mess because the good acts that are there have been relegated to compilation clips, whilst the rubbish acts take over the programme.

But with simon back in the hot seat tomorrow, the Q is will he get black lash over you know who

I agree with you here. They went on and on about it being an impossible decision when trying to decide which dancer to put through at the end when they could have just got rid of popeye or another of the weak acts, then there would have been space for both.

Exactly. The showdown phase was pretty pointless too - it was pretty obvious in each category they'd put through the act they focused on rather than the one they barely showed. Even out of those final eight though I'd have ditched either Abyss or New Bounce in favour of having the two dancers.

Also makes a mockery of the show when there is an act in the Top 40 who got rejected by all three judges.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWQflu8nNWU

The Marmite & Toast artist wasn't available for filming of the showdown but is also in the top 40.