Come on, Tim!

By | January 6, 2010
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In this nightmare Amanda Holden Crystal Maze scenario, we’re a bit surprised that one name never comes up in discussions about hosts who would be great for the show. And yet if it was on prime-time ITV, he’d be absolutely perfect:

Tim-Vine

Think about it.

  • Wouldn’t take the show too seriously – a bit like Richard O’ Brien.
  • Would be able to make funny asides to camera when the action is a bit slow – a bit like Richard O’ Brien.
  • Can play a musical instrument – a bit like Richard O’ Brien.
  • Not Going Out suggests he can play with a bit of edge when needed – a bit like Richard O’ Brien.
  • Is much funnier than Russell Brand – a bit like Richard O’ Brien. He’d be fun for all the family.
  • He’s young enough to run around a bit – a bit like Ed Tudor Pole.

See? It’s a perfect fit.

When we were discussing Fantasy Fort Boyard hosts last year, Sphil came up with Tim Vine which I thought wouldn’t work because he’d lack the charming bastardness the Master of the Fort role really requires – it wouldn’t be believeable with his background. But as Time Travelling Tour Guide? This is a much better fit I’d say.

That Figures!

By | January 6, 2010
15 Comments

Just saw these overnights on Digital Spy which look like intriguing reading:

7pm: Celebrity Mastermind BBC1 6.42m (25.1%)

7:30pm: The Krypton Factor ITV1 3.21m (12.2%)
7:30pm: Eastenders BBC1 11.04m (41.9%)

10pm: Celebrity Big Brother C4 2.97m (14.0%)

Disappointingly low figure for The Krypton Factor, I thought.

The Cellar is open…

By | January 5, 2010
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Right, I’ve opened The Cellar. The original thinking was to make this a main page, but the actual truth is that really, it’s just archive and we’re forward thinking rather than backwards looking, in the main. So it’s not pretty by any means, but if you want to step into the history of the Bar, you’ll find the not-so-secret link bottom left.

Anyone linking to previous material needn’t worry, the relative links haven’t changed so you shouldn’t have to do any work.

Saying this, we’re much more excited about tidying up the special features, and you can expect those to come along in dribs and drabs over the coming however-many days.

Not all that interesting a post, but there you are.

Round-up 5th Jan ’10

By | January 5, 2010
21 Comments

The last one was getting a bit big so let’s start a new one. If you want to talk about The Krypton Factor this evening it’s probably best if you stuck it in the dedicated entry beneath.

Anyway, Endemol have released a picture of the edit suite of Wipeout (USA) where they’re currently editing episodes together. They’ve claimed to want to give the show a slightly different direction for its third season, and the picture on it looks rather sci-fi. What can it all mean? And is there going to be a Wipeout Bowl this year so we’ll get the chance to find out?

K-Fac 2010

By | January 4, 2010
25 Comments

So! The Krypton Factor returns at 7:30pm tomorrow night (that’s Tuesday), and if you didn’t read our recording review from a while ago (I’ll try and have it up soon) you may wonder what’s in store:

  • The semi-final and final was filmed in front of a live and in shot audience. I have no idea if the heats were also filmed in front of an audience.
  • Mental Agility is back in The Kube. It’s 45 seconds now. There is more chat afterwards.
  • Observation works a bit differently – everyone gets two questions, correct answers earn two points for the round, wrong answers are thrown over and incur a -1 penalty.
  • Physical Ability on an all new course. Now, if you’re expecting something like the original assault course from the eighties, you’re going to be rather disappointed – it’s similarly cross-country to last year. But it is a marked improvement on last year – all contestants go together, and once the hill running is over the back half of the course has lots of proper obstacles. So stick with it if it feels a bit boring at the beginning.
  • There is no Intelligence round. Yes, I think that’s a silly idea as well.
  • General Knowledge has increased to 90 seconds. The old-style question threading that seemed a bit loose last time has been tightened up, if the Grand Final is anything to go by.

It is a bit of a mixed bag really.