Working in a branch of the TV industry, I'm constantly disappointed. Especially by ITV light entertainment. Today it's been annuounced that Dermot O'Leary is to be the new host of the X Factor. Kate Thornton is quite clearly not everyone's cup of tea, but she was alright. At first, I loathed her - 'how could the under-talented ex-editor of Smash Hits have landed that gig?', I asked myself. But in the end I thought she was okay. Not great, but okay.
ITV obviously felt the same, however they appear to have drafted in someone worse: faux-teen shortass Dermot O'Leary. He's okay on BBLB, where he looks at home and can say things like 'lovin' your work' and use that very odd, stilted presenting style he's perfected, as he tries to make the crew laugh. To me, there doesn't seem to be much going on behind those dead eyes. As for his Radio 2 show - he clearly knows nothing about music pre-1990 and consequently Radio 2 on Sunday afternoons is a turn off. He's dull. He's a dull personality. There's nothing fun about him. Do ITV want a Ryan Seacrest? He's no Ryan Seacrest. Why does he have that shaven hair cut? He's not balding. While you've got hair Dermot, you should use it.
What is it with with ITV presenters? Must they be so crap? I can just about stomach Vernon Kay, the Ed "Stewpot" Stewart for the 90s, and of course you can't fault Ant and Dec, who are also really nice to boot. But Holly Willoughby? Come on! She may look pretty but she's bland, bland, bland. A meaningless puff from a Glade Wisp air freshener, and as ephemeral too. I can't even remember what she looks like.
And Ben Shephard. ITV are desperate to make this perma-tanned Toby jug a star, but it's just not working. He never appears to be himself, always pretending to be someone more mature than he's capable of being, stuffed into an uncomfortable looking suit and either boring the contestants rigid on the ITV2 X Factor or looking worried that Fiona Phillips - surely the most ridiculous woman on television - is going to say something inappropriate and pass it off as hard-hitting journalism. I find him unwatchable.
Phillip Schofield is beginning to grate, Fern can't flourish on anything but This Morning, Zoe Ball looks embarrassed that her big career has come to this, and we've never heard of any one else.
Where are the stars?
3 comments:
Agreed.
However as long as 'Shrill Brummie'Deeley is plying her trade in the USA we are ahead of the game.
Well, as you know, I feel exactly the same way. I've just posted a similar rant on how nobody on television is allowed to be intelligent; all they have to do is have a telegenic face and nice teeth and they're away. I remember interviewing Clive James - one of the reasons I became involved in this crazy old industry - and him saying that good journalists and presenters on television were like a receding wave. No wonder he only broadcasts on the internet now.
It's going to be interesting to hear how he fairs on Ken Bruce's show over the next two weeks. Who made THAT decision?
And, as a balding man, there's nothing worse than seeing a man with a full head of hair who won't let it grow.
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