TV Talent Shows

X - Factor/Britain's Got Talent/Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing On Ice/The various Andrew Lloyd Webber talent shows.

Did I miss any?

Is it time for a change in the dominance of these programmes (not to mention reality shows) over the schedules? SURELY we're all bored to death by them now.

They don't dominate the schedules - not the big shows anyway. ITV at least have the balance right - at times the BBC have overdone it with far too many Strictly spin-offs, but this year they had the Eurovision thing at the beginning of the year, but that's about it till Strictly in the autumn.


Exactly what would you like to see instead of them? More soaps?

More Soaps???

I think we have enough of them too.

More music programmes would be nice. Preferably not just concentrating on boy-bands/girl-bands/ Radio 1 sponsored Indie Rock etc. You're right about the spin-offs though. The programmes themselves wouldn't be too bad. Everything has it's place. But with the spin-offs and the printed medis coverage in your face all the time, it's far too much.

They're not exactly dominating the schedules at the moment!

I forgot about Britain's Next Top Model! If you want to include that as a talent show.

They are USUALLY on very often Inspector Sands.

At the moment they're not usual nor often!

Nothing wrong with the Top Model franchise, thankyouverymuch.

Anyway I think you're missing the point of modern telly. Its all Zeitgeist chasing. If Strictly is a success, they'll do a street dance version, or a version on ice. If Top Model works (and it does), then they will do a mixed sex version, or a show about becoming a fashion editor.

The same thing was true 10 years ago when you couldn't escape home makeover shows, garden makeovers, or the *inspired* home AND garden makeover shows.

When the next big thing happens, a slew of copycat programmes will follow.

That's how it works.

I think many people accept "that's the way it is " though. Ten years before the makeover shows it was game-shows. That's why I call Saturday night in particular The ***** Zone, and no I'm not going to tell anyone what that means, I'd get too many complaints. (It starts with an M)

The banality of it is quite staggering though, and if you missed it on the night, GMTV will give you it all again with their celebrity a*rse licking presenters.

Oops I meant a*se

If Endemol make a big success of Deal or No Deal, it stands to reason they will be given an opportunity to tout similar programmes like Goldenballs. Skill-free, one hour, chatty, stress-laden parlour games. Other production houses will look at the selling points of those shows and come up with something like the Colour of Money.

Can't blame them - coming up with unique ideas is tough work - so why not capitalise on existing successes?



Again, jumping on the bandwagon of ratings hits. Look how The Apprentice is spun from 1 hour a week to 3 lots of interviews and a satellite programme. And its supposed to be a show about "business".

Of course, if you're the one who comes up with the major hit (which spawns a million copies), then good on you. But you'd better have deep pockets if you're going to do that, because the cost of development and piloting is massive - if it turns out to be a turkey.

In the mid 90's it was fly on the wall documentaries. Driving School and Airport had a load of me-too programmes

If you're finding that on Living TV, it's your fault!

Yes, there is a lot of repetitive dross on TV, but look around a bit and you'll find a few gems.