I think its quite good with them trying to be more like The View which is a good show and could do well for them. But like a few others have said, trying to do it in such a small studio doesn't look good. The desk looks silly even though its probably not that much different to the one used in The View. The audience are just that bit too close. I like the interactivity of the audience in that way, but not that much.
I think they should have kept the style theme music previously used and just remixed it like This Morning have always done. It was a good theme tune and could have easily been re-worked. Quite like the new style opening though with the voice over and on screen graphics before the presenters walking in.
I know it comes down to budget and studios actually available, but a bigger studio could have made such a difference, and having tv walls like on The View could have worked well. When no graphics are needed, they could be used as windows, but then photos, newspaper articles etc could be put up when needed.
Overall though I think I like it, will give it more time.
I haven't really watched a full episode of Loose Women for a while, but I've just watched today's on ITV Player and they seem to have managed to make it totally unwatchable.
Ruth seemed unable to shut up each time we came out of an ad break, and her voice could be heard during the break stings asking the director what was happening next (you would have thought she'd learnt her lesson after a certain previous cock up). There was an uncomfortable few minutes when Gloria turned the show into a party political broadcast for Cliff Richard.
Then there was the awkward live link to Buckingham Palace, not helped by Ruth and the other women carelessly talking over their 'Royal Correspondent' who was on a 5 second delay. Then there was a similarly awkward conversation with Judy Finnegan who also seemed on a slight delay, and nothing was learned from the previous link.
Then Joan Collins ("I like how you walked in on that red carpet then..." "Er, that's just how I walk, sorry.") spoke about how the last time she'd seen Gloria was at Cliff's villa in Barbados, and then stories were shared about her holiday home in the South of France complete with housekeeper (Judy had been calling from France earlier too). Coleen fake-sulked at the mention of such luxury but seriously, how is a Loose Women viewer meant to relate to this anymore?
Another case of let it bed down again and be tweaked. First day back and they were obviously taking it easy. Can't imagine it will stay like that.
I like the set, titles and theme. Nice to have something completely different. As much as I've liked previous sets, titles and themes, it's time to move on.
Another case of let it bed down again and be tweaked. First day back and they were obviously taking it easy. Can't imagine it will stay like that.
YET another case of this? I'm pretty sure it's out of chances now, so not a great strategy to 'take it easy' first day back when they've been afforded another relaunch.
I'm disappointed by this new look, I have to say. However with branding in mind, its not bad. I actually like the new theme tune, the previous one was really cheesy and I never really liked it, it sounded too showbiz and gimmicky.
As for the set, I'm really undecided. I like how they've tore up the rule book and given the set a completely new style as opposed to just changing a few things. However I find the wooden side walls a bit tacky - it looks like they've just been thrown in. As others have said, the desk is quite small, but that said, it is similar to The View's desk in the U.S. One thing I really do like is the new plasma and studio audience - having the audience on eye level with the presenters, and much closer too, makes it feel a bit more interactive.
The biggest thing I am disappointed by though, is the content. This new look will not work with a new logo and set alone. The show seemed SO disjointed yesterday. Why did they randomly talk about Ashya King at about 1:15pm, after that awful interview with Joan Collins? The guest bookers really are scraping the barrell getting her in - what else is there to talk about apart from Dynasty? If Loose Women want's new, younger female viewers, I doubt they'd be tuning in for a Joan Collins interview.
I really wanted the show to talk about more newsy topics, why not get the views on the Scottish referendum - it could easily be looked at from a female angle. Again, Ashya King was a good topic, but why raise it at the end of the programme (or near enough).
They really need to decide whether they want to be a celebrity gossip show or a newsy topical show. And if they decide to do both, they need to figure out a rundown that makes more sense.
I also agree with about posters about Ruth Langsford. I'm not sure shes as popular as ITV make out, and I don't know if she brings enough 'umph' to the panel. If things kicked off, I can't imagine her balancing the argument or controlling it well - Kaye Adams was brilliant at that, as we saw from the very first series' of Loose Women and even last year. It's a shame shes been shunted down the pecking order.
I'm disappointed by this new look, I have to say. However with branding in mind, its not bad. I actually like the new theme tune, the previous one was really cheesy and I never really liked it, it sounded too showbiz and gimmicky.
As for the set, I'm really undecided. I like how they've tore up the rule book and given the set a completely new style as opposed to just changing a few things. However I find the wooden side walls a bit tacky - it looks like they've just been thrown in. As others have said, the desk is quite small, but that said, it is similar to The View's desk in the U.S. One thing I really do like is the new plasma and studio audience - having the audience on eye level with the presenters, and much closer too, makes it feel a bit more interactive.
The biggest thing I am disappointed by though, is the content. This new look will not work with a new logo and set alone. The show seemed SO disjointed yesterday. Why did they randomly talk about Ashya King at about 1:15pm, after that awful interview with Joan Collins? The guest bookers really are scraping the barrell getting her in - what else is there to talk about apart from Dynasty? If Loose Women want's new, younger female viewers, I doubt they'd be tuning in for a Joan Collins interview.
I really wanted the show to talk about more newsy topics, why not get the views on the Scottish referendum - it could easily be looked at from a female angle. Again, Ashya King was a good topic, but why raise it at the end of the programme (or near enough).
They really need to decide whether they want to be a celebrity gossip show or a newsy topical show. And if they decide to do both, they need to figure out a rundown that makes more sense.
I also agree with about posters about Ruth Langsford. I'm not sure shes as popular as ITV make out, and I don't know if she brings enough 'umph' to the panel. If things kicked off, I can't imagine her balancing the argument or controlling it well - Kaye Adams was brilliant at that, as we saw from the very first series' of Loose Women and even last year. It's a shame shes been shunted down the pecking order.
Kaye Adams is clearly well suited, hopefully the 'novelty' on Ruth will go as she's not really suited to LW imo.
The previous version of the show was clearly much better, they were heading in the right direction, the set was subtle, panelists and anchors were good etc.