The look isn't the issue at all - that is just cosmetic.
The magic of successful live "Zoo TV" formats is making them feel very unrehearsed and as if anything could happen. This now feels like it runs like clockwork and is scripted within an inch of its life. It just needs to loosen up and take more risks on new features, and crucially ensure returning features still feel fresh.
I’ve just remembered the golden rule of the Internet. If you enjoy something don’t look at the comments as it’ll be full of people moaning about little tiny things.
It was obvious certain people were not going to be happy from the comments before hand about studio audience seating capacity and the like.
All in all I enjoyed the show tonight. I disagree with all the cosmetic comments about the show, I still think it looks fresh. The segments were pretty good (sans the laughing during the dead baby bit).
I do think Mark Wahlberg was a poor Get Out Of My Ear participant. It's not personal, but he's a serious actor and it's not his forte. Alas, I hope we get more banana phone and slippers in pool moments as the series goes on.
Great end of the show, show though. Very entertaining.
Second half better than the first half. Weakest part was Ant v Dec, which we've now seen a million times before, has zero jeopardy and crucially means the show effectively loses their hosts for one part of the show.
I do think the show is losing its buzz. The new house thing was more a Surprise Surprise moment than SNT and, despite it being a heartwarming story, just didn't feel right. And I can't tell if Mark Wahlberg was a bad choice for Get Out Me Ear or the segment is just tired. Guests aren't made to say much anymore that'll embarrass them, which is the whole selling point. As Brekkie says, it's not quite as fun to watch when it's rehearsed so tightly, but I suppose ITV wouldn't let their biggest show of the week run like anything other than clockwork. Dropping innuendos during Ant Vs Dec gave me flashbacks to the days of SMTV where they were simply having fun, whereas the exchange with Camilla at the start was something I was begging to end.
But at the end of the day, it's still by far one of the best Saturday night shows we've got nowadays. Whether that says a lot about SNT or a lot about the rest of the landscape is up to you. I just wish they'd sacrifice a little professionalism for some pure and simple fun.
