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C4 poaches Paul O'Grady

Massive blow for ITV (January 2006)

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JA
jay Founding member
Just come up on Broadcast Now... more details to follow.
DI
digiperson
Also on Media Guardian: http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,1683286,00.html

digiperson
BO
Boleto
Pretty surprised by this news! He was doing exceptionally well at ITV1, and they were finally performing well in the 5pm schedule!
JA
jay Founding member
MediaGuardian:

O'Grady defects to Channel 4

Jason Deans
Tuesday January 10, 2006


Channel 4 has poached ITV's biggest daytime star, Paul O'Grady, in an exclusive deal.

The loss of O'Grady - whose teatime chatshow has been ITV's biggest new daytime hit for many years - is a major embarrassment for the broadcaster' director of television, Simon Shaps, on the day he confirmed that Liam Keelan was joining the broadcaster as its new daytime controller.

O'Grady's departure is also the worst possible news for Mr Keelan - before he even starts his new job - and Alison Sharman, who is due to take up her position as ITV director of daytime and factual on Monday.

The Paul O'Grady Show has picked up numerous awards since launching on ITV1 in late 2004.

O'Grady's chatshow has left Channel 4's Richard and Judy trailing in its wake in the 5pm ratings battle, and is biting at the heels of BBC1's Neighbours and BBC2's The Weakest Link to be top dog in the slot.
BO
Boleto
Well we can rule out a daytime chat show for now. Obviously channel four has long term commitments with Richard and Judy and it's pretty settled over on four. I wonder what they will do with him. Maybe this is an exercise to sneer at ITV1 and say "HA ha... we got rid of the jewel in you daytime crown?"
JA
jay Founding member
Boleto posted:
Well we can rule out a daytime chat show for now. Obviously channel four has long term commitments with Richard and Judy and it's pretty settled over on four. I wonder what they will do with him. Maybe this is an exercise to sneer at ITV1 and say "HA ha... we got rid of the jewel in you daytime crown?"


Why would they keep R + J going when they have Paul waiting in the wings?!

If they have any sense they'll put him on asap!
AD
Adam
What do we expect on ITV1 now then? Personally I'd like to see a gameshow appear there, maybe Family Fortunes.

I have to confess I love gameshows. At one time ITV was my favourite channel. The days when the crazy gameshows were all on air and - oh hang on, it's Brucie on Challenge now - must go...!

Laughing
MO
Moz
jay posted:
Boleto posted:
Well we can rule out a daytime chat show for now. Obviously channel four has long term commitments with Richard and Judy and it's pretty settled over on four. I wonder what they will do with him. Maybe this is an exercise to sneer at ITV1 and say "HA ha... we got rid of the jewel in you daytime crown?"


Why would they keep R + J going when they have Paul waiting in the wings?!

If they have any sense they'll put him on asap!

Because Richard & Judy (awful though they are) are far far superior to the council estate trash that is O'Grady. What are Channel 4 thinking of - they are supposed to be reasonably high-brow, O'Grady is the personification of lowest common denominator television ITV.
IT
itsrobert Founding member
Moz posted:
jay posted:
Boleto posted:
Well we can rule out a daytime chat show for now. Obviously channel four has long term commitments with Richard and Judy and it's pretty settled over on four. I wonder what they will do with him. Maybe this is an exercise to sneer at ITV1 and say "HA ha... we got rid of the jewel in you daytime crown?"


Why would they keep R + J going when they have Paul waiting in the wings?!

If they have any sense they'll put him on asap!

Because Richard & Judy (awful though they are) are far far superior to the council estate trash that is O'Grady. What are Channel 4 thinking of - they are supposed to be reasonably high-brow, O'Grady is the personification of lowest common denominator television ITV.


If I remember correctly, Paul O'Grady comes from the Wirral, which is quite a nice part of the North West.
BR
Brekkie
Surprising news.

Anyone know how long Richard and Judy are signed up with C4 at the moment - I've got a feeling their contract runs out this year.

With Countdown and Deal or No Deal, Paul O'Grady at 5pm would be the icing on the cake - or on the other hand he's left ITV as he doesn't want to do a daily show, and C4 have as a consequence made Richard and Judy's life much easier!


Another possibility could be some kind of breakfast show - though I doubt it be live.
RU
russnet Founding member
Moz posted:
Because Richard & Judy (awful though they are) are far far superior to the council estate trash that is O'Grady. What are Channel 4 thinking of - they are supposed to be reasonably high-brow, O'Grady is the personification of lowest common denominator television ITV.

Well shall we forget about Graham Nortons programme on for about 5 years Laughing
JA
jay Founding member
russnet posted:
Moz posted:
Because Richard & Judy (awful though they are) are far far superior to the council estate trash that is O'Grady. What are Channel 4 thinking of - they are supposed to be reasonably high-brow, O'Grady is the personification of lowest common denominator television ITV.

Well shall we forget about Graham Nortons programme on for about 5 years Laughing


...not forgetting Shameless, Big Brother (in some peoples' eyes), Eurotrash... Rolling Eyes

Apparantly R + J and P. O. G. will share the 5pm slot in 6 month intervals..

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