Million Pound Drop in the ratings, I expect

By | May 12, 2010
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The Million Pound Drop starts May 24th at 10pm on Channel 4 for six consecutive nights, in theory, in a bid to be an EVENT.

I predict 2-2.5m viewers, rising to 3m by midweek (initial excitement and word of mouth), dropping back down to 2m or less by the end of the run (it’s a bit slow, it’s got irritating contestants and nobody wins very much). What say you?

EDIT: Ooh, I’ve just got a link to Davina’s announcement video sent to us from an agency which doesn’t actually tell you anything we don’t know already, but does mean Bother’s Bar is OFFICIALLY ON THE MAP. I’ll see if I can push for more information for you.

Fort Boyard 2010

By | May 11, 2010
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The Bar is getting several referals on a daily basis looking for information on Fort Boyard 2010. The truth is, there’s not much information out there yet, but I do keep an eye on the Fort Bavard forums for news now and then, here is the intelligence other people have gathered that I’ve nicked:

  • Olivier Minne will be hosting without a co-host, the first time that’s happened in twenty years.
  • Celebrities are out in the main and teams will be formed by civilians.
  • It’s going to be a two team version of the show which has found some success in Europe. It is better than Conquer Fort Boyard, but I’ve still yet to see a two-team version that is properly convincing and doesn’t feel slightly anaemic.
  • Seven episodes are being filmed this year, down from the usual ten. They are filming at the end of May. New challenges revealed middle of June, allegedly.
  • Other countries filming at the Fort this year include Algeria, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and possibly most excitingly, Germany. Mmm. Scandinavian versions apparently off the back of the successful Danish relaunch last year.

Cresus and a Seat

By | May 11, 2010
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If you’ve been following the comment feed, you’ll note that Cresus is returning to TF1 in the lunchtime slot, with Jean-Luc Reichmann as host.

This is good because Cresus is good and Jean-Luc Reichmann is good.

The reason it is coming back is that Nagui is wiping the floor of Reichmann’s current show (on seven days a week!  Blimey.) Attention la Marche! (Watch Your Step!) with the, if I’m being honest slightly bafflingly popular Tout le Monde Veut Prendre Sa Place! (Everybody Wants The Seat!), currently pulling in over 3m viewers every lunchtime. The current champion has over 100 wins – Ken Jennings eat your heart out. Thanks to Barry for the link to the official site with the official videos.

With Effervescence looking to sell the format abroad (under Hold On To Your Seat) it is probably about time I did a feature on it, so look out for it at the weekend.

It’s the BAFTAs!

By | May 10, 2010
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Let’s take a look at pertinent nominations for this year’s BAFTAs on the 6th June:

Best Entertainment Performance:
Stephen Fry for QI, Ant and Dec for I’m a Celeb (also Harry Hill for TV Burp and Michael McIntyre for Comedy Roadshow)

Features:
Masterchef: The Professionals (up against The Choir: Unsung Town, Heston’s Feasts and James May’s Toy Stories)

Entertainment Programme:
Britain’s Got Talent (up against The Graham Norton Show, TV Burp and Newswipe)

Well, that was boring.

Something that is more exciting, I mentioned it on Twitter yesterday and think it’s worth repeating – Watch’s Scream If You Know The Answer! punches well above its weight, I reckon. Duncan James is basically just eyecandy (although he doesn’t do a bad job of fronting it, in fairness), Colin Murray’s commentary is a bit manic (although he’s come out with some very funny throwaway lines), the graphics are a bit boring, but the show is summer-y and retro in a good way, features decent-ish celebs, and the games are basically simple and solid. Fun Sunday evening viewing and worth a look.