National Television Awards

You cannot take the word LIVE as LIVE these days. When Big Brother shows LIVE coverage on E4 with the DOG promoting it as LIVE, its on a 15 minute delay.

So obviously a set-up. What are the odds of plucking someone out of the crowd who just strolls up on stage and links to the nominations (etc) like a natural? Slim to none, I'd say.

As for the rest of the show, I thought it was a pile of junk. Dermot just isn't an exciting or cutting edge host, and there were far too many predictable winners. David Tennant? Shocker. X-Factor? Shocker.

What was with the dull speech from the epitomy of dullness, William Roache (aka Ken Barlow). I'm sure vast swathes of the audience were dropping off the edge of the couch whilst he was wittering on. And what was Bamber Gascoigne all about?

Jedward performing summed up nicely how tacky the event seemed; that, along with the pointless squealing from seemingly pre-pubescent elements of the audience made the mute button practically wear out on the remote control.

And, frankly, there's only one thing worse than Stephen Fry... and that's a load of exceedingly dull celebrities fawning over him.

Dermot was an excellent host. His performance certainly more interesting that Sir Trev (who I think is awesome).

He was witty, slick and professional, can't think of many who'd have a wider enough appeal and do a better job.

Yeah, I was shocked World in Action, didn't win an award.

Ha ha, hilarious.

But seriously, why bother having nominations if four out of the five don't stand a bloody cat in hell's chance? Oh look, Ant and Dec win again. Might as well delete the bloody category if they're going to win it nine years in a row.

It's like saying lets not have an election if we already know, The Tories are going to win.

The point is many of the target will be pleased 'there lads' are still doing well and enjoy seeing them doing their 30 second speech. Like it or not Ant & Dec are still the 'presenter' that most broadcasters would love to have present their top entertainment formats.

Also known as typical industry back-slapping.

Let's wheel out the same old faces time and time again...

Am I missing something - I thought the votes were cast by the public.

They are, which insures the personalties, the masses want to see on the night will be there.

Surely the show would start later if there was a delay?

That's what I thought.

In which case, why all the "industry backslapping" talk?

The public can only vote for what they are fed.

True, but they're being fed all the biggest TV stars, they could put the QVC presenters on the list, but no one would vote for them. So the result would be the same.