I'd like to see it back, but only if they keep the meddling (with regards to presentation) to a minimum!
The show graphics, music, and presenter shouldn't be overlooked. If they get all of that wrong, it could still suffer, even if the core format is similar. Take what Sky have done with
Gladiators
for example; it's not a patch on the original series.
I enjoyed this program and Gordon Burns was a good presenter. The last series with Penny Smith co-presenting did not work.
Indeed, thats why the 1995 Series bombed and indeed was the last, until now it appears.
As much as I'd love Gordon Burns to be host again, I doubt they'll offer it to him. As long as they don't ruin it too much and make it look too much like the original it's a got a good chance of working.
Obviously 7.00pm on Mondays isn't going to happen now, but there was rumour a couple of years ago that the BBC were going to pick it up for Saturday nights, now as it appears to be back on ITV, Saturday night would be perfect.
Hope it stays in Manchester aswell, good to see its being made by ITV Productions.
Sadly, I don't think ITV could pull something like The Krypton Factor off now. The original was very much a product of the old days - something that was effectively subsidised by Coronation Street and didn't have to top the ratings to justify its timeslot or existance.
Funky theme tune aside, the original krypton factor was quite a serious gameshow with no hint of glitzyness in sight. There were no huge cash prizes, no holidays to be won, no backing music, no 20something models, a mainly silent audience (except for applause in between rounds), Gordon Burns presenting from behind a desk as if he's reading the news, a complex progression structure ("and that's the end of Group B Heat 3. Join us next week for the Group B final where the winner will get a place on The Krypton Factor 1988 grand final" etc) rather than purely self contained editions and also quite geeky sounding contestants.
It was also an amazing and brilliant show. However, the existing format is simply far too serious and intelligent for ITV to take in it's original form now. If it comes back, it will be retooled to a ridiculous extent, have a totally unsuitable presenter and stupid contestants necessitating much easier rounds.
If reworking it in 1995 - a time when there was at least some sense of quality and dedication left in ITV network programming - didn't work out, I can't see how they're going to make it work in 2008 when chavnet programming is all they're interested in making.
I just don't see where it would fit in the schedules now - to be honest for it to get a decent series length and the chance of being done right, ITV4 would probably be it's best home on the ITV network.
I never saw the original series apart from the reruns on Ftn and what a brilliant show it was. Not just for the "retro" set but the sheer determination and professionalism of it all.
I think it's true that ITV would ruin it today (who would host it? Antony Cotton? Neil Fox? I suppose the only person I can think of is Chris Tarrant). I've said before it needs a BBC2 Eggheads style slot but I reckon the content and budget would be lost there sadly.
I suppose the only person I can think of is Chris Tarrant). I've said before it needs a BBC2 Eggheads style slot but I reckon the content and budget would be lost there sadly.