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Britain's Got Talent

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Britain's Got Talent
File:BritainsGotTalentlogo.jpg
GenreTalent show
Created bySimon Cowell & Syco TV
Presented byBritain's Got Talent:
Anthony McPartlin,
Declan Donnelly
Britain's Got More Talent:
Stephen Mulhern
JudgesSimon Cowell,
Amanda Holden,
Piers Morgan
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of series2
No. of episodes23
Production
ProducerSYCO TV in association with talkbackTHAMES
Running time60 minutes (inc. comms)
60-90 minutes (inc. comms)
Original release
NetworkITV
Release9 June 2007 –
Present
Related
America's Got Talent
Britain's Got More Talent

Britain's Got Talent is a British television show on ITV (also on TV3 in Ireland). Presented by Ant & Dec, the first series of the talent show premiered on 9 June 2007, and was broadcast daily with a live final on 17 June 2007. It is a search for Britain's next best talent act, featuring singers, dancers, comedians, variety acts, and other talents of all ages. Anyone who believed they have talent was encouraged to audition. The winner of the show received £100,000 and performed at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen and members of the Royal Family at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool.

The live finals are recorded at Fountain Studios in Wembley, which is the same studio as Britain's Got Talents' sister show, The X Factor.

The second series began on 12 April 2008. The winning act will receive £100,000 and get the chance to perform in front of Prince Charles at the 2008 Royal Variety Performance. The final will be aired on May 31 2008.

Format

The series made its début soon after the conclusion of its U.S. counterpart, America's Got Talent, and is the creation of The X Factor creator and Pop Idol/American Idol judge Simon Cowell who has created a Got Talent series across the globe. On 12 February 2007 it was announced by ITV the judges would be Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan (who had also judged America's Got Talent), and Amanda Holden (a late replacement for Cheryl Cole[1]). In a similar fashion to The X Factor, the show has an ITV2 counterpart called Britain's Got More Talent, presented by magician and former CITV presenter, Stephen Mulhern.

The show was originally planned to air much earlier (before America's Got Talent) and be presented by Paul O'Grady. However, after O'Grady's defection to Channel 4 from ITV for The Paul O'Grady Show, O'Grady refused to appear in another ITV show, so the series was put on hold after just one rehearsal show.[2][3]

The audition process is similar to The Gong Show but with the judges pressing buzzers instead of banging a gong. The buzzers can only be pressed once if the judge has seen enough, and when all three are pressed the act must stop. The auditions also include the added twist of having to perform in front of a studio audience alongside the judges. Once the act finishes or is stopped, judges express their opinions and decide whether they would like to see them in the semi-finals, with acts needing to receive a majority vote to go through. The audience is invited to express their views (often boos or cheers) which may have a positive or negative impact on a judge's decision, should the judge be unsure on whether to put the act through.

Semi finals and final

The final four shows broadcast live, with three semi-finals, followed by the final. In Series 1, eight acts performed in each semi-final, with the six most popular acts from all the semi-finals winning a position in the final. Unlike the American version, judges may still end a performance early with three 'X's. The audience are again asked to express their views on each act's performance.

After all eights acts have performed, phone lines open for a short time. After the votes are counted the act who polled the highest number of public votes was automatically placed in the final. The judges then choose between second and third most popular acts, with the winner of that vote gaining a place in the final. All other acts are then eliminated from the competition.

Paul Potts was announced as the winner of Britain's Got Talent Series 1.

Series One

Results

Semi-final 1 Semi-final 2 Semi-final 3 Final
Paul Potts Bessie Cursons Connie Talbot Paul Potts
Damon Scott Kombat Breakers The Bar Wizards Damon Scott
Dominic Smith Craig Womersley Tony Laf Connie Talbot
MD Productions The Mini-Mezzos Cheeky Bits Bessie Cursons
Luke and Charlotte Crazee Horse Scott Holtom Kombat Breakers
The Freerunners Jake Pratt Mike Garbutt The Bar Wizards
Mel's Klever K9s Jack Reeve Crew 82
Caroline Boyes Victoria Armstrong Doctor Gore
Richard Bates[4][5] Kit Kat Dolls[6]
Key   Won the public vote   Won the judge's vote   Top 3 - lost the judge's vote   Buzzed off prior to completion   Winner (Final)   Withdrawn from competition

Series one ratings

Show 1 (Saturday, 9 June 2007 at 21:25) - 4.9 million (22.7% share)[7]
Show 2 (Sunday, 10 June 2007 at 20:30) - 6.4 million (28% share)[8]
Show 3 (Monday, 11 June 2007 at 21:00) - 6.9 million (29.4% share) - peak: 7.3m (30.5%)[9]
Show 4 (Tuesday, 12 June 2007 at 21:00) - 6.8 million (29.3% share)[10]
Show 5 (Wednesday, 13 June 2007 at 21:00) - 7.1 million (29.2% share) - peak: 7.9m (33.9%)[11]
Show 6 - Semi Final 1 (Thursday, 14 June 2007 at 21:00) - 7.9 million (34% share) - peak: 8.9m (40.1%)[12]
Show 7 - Semi Final 2 (Friday, 15 June 2007 at 21:00) - 8.9 million (38.1% share)[13]
Show 8 - Semi Final 3 (Saturday, 16 June 2007 at 19:45) - 8.9 million (40.9% share)[13]
Show 9 - Final: Performances (Sunday, 17 June 2007 at 20:00) - 11.0 million (43.7% share) - peak: 13.5m (51.7%)[14]
Show 10 - Final: Results (Sunday, 17 June 2007 at 22:00) - 10.6 Million (44.7% share) - peak: 11.2m (48.4%) [14]

The average ratings for series one is 8 million (33.6%).[14]

The audition shows averaged 6.4m (28%) and the live shows averaged 9.5m (40%).

Controversy

Series one contestant Richard Bates claimed he quit the show in 2007 after injuring himself in an accident with his electric organ, but in fact the Lancashire Police force had contacted producers to inform them that he was listed on the Sex Offenders Register following an unspecified offence committed in December 2005.[4][5] Lancashire Police stated that they were worried the victim might see Bates on television.

On 16 June 2007 (the last semi-final show of series one), drag act the Kit Kat Dolls were disqualified after the News of the World claimed three of the members were prostitutes.[6]

Also, Ofcom investigated 21 complaints made about Doctor Gore's rather gruesome magic act, and found the programme to be in breach of their broadcasting code.[15]

Series two

The second series began on a primetime slot at 19:45 on 12 April 2008, with hosts Ant & Dec and judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan returning. The remainder of the auditions continued on a regular Saturday night slot. The last of the audition episodes was televised on 17 May 2008 with the selection process for the live finals airing on 24 May. Once the semi-finals began they were shown daily, as in series one, over one week (from 26 May 2008 - 30 May 2008), with the live final on Saturday 31 May 2008. Each show will last for 90 minutes, with the grand final being split into two shows, 'The Grand Final' and 'The Final Results'.

There are five semi-finals this year, with eight acts in each. The format remains the same as last year: two acts will go through each night, the act that is top of the public vote and another will be selected by the judges from the next two highest voted acts. 10 acts will compete in the live final.

Companion show Britain's Got More Talent, hosted by Stephen Mulhern also returned to ITV2 beginning at 22:05 on 12 April 2008. The show once again gives viewers a behind the scenes look at the production of the show with exclusive interviews with Simon, Piers and Amanda as they continue their search for the nations best performers. The show also features unseen auditions, interviews with contestants and Ant and Dec learn more about each other in spoof feature 'Mr and Mr' (a parody of Mr and Mrs, which airs before Britain's Got Talent on ITV).

During the week of the live finals, Britain's Got More Talent will broadcast directly after Britain's Got Talent finishes, it will feature past and present auditionees, interviews with the judges and the winning acts on the night, celebrity guests and performances from stars such as Four Poofs and a Piano, Chas and Dave and Chesney Hawkes.

Final acts

On 24 May 2008, the judges announced the 40 acts that have made it through to the live semi-finals.[16] A total of 10 acts will make the grand final on 31 May 2008, with the winner being decided by the viewing public.

Name Age(s) Genre Act From Semi Position Reached
Andrew Johnston 13 Singing Boy soprano Carlisle 2 Finalist
Andrew Muir 24 Singing Pop Fauldhouse, West Lothian 4 Finalist
Anya Sparks 42 Dancing Solo Dance London 5 Semi-Finalist
Bang On 34/27 Music Percussionists Hounslow 2 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Boogie Babes 8-12 Dancing 19-strong troupe Appleby 4 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Boogie Wonderland 12-21 Dancing 16-strong troupe Liverpool 1 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Caburlesque Dancing cabaret/Burlesque London 5 Semi-Finalist
Charlie Green 11 Singing Swing music Worcestershire 3 Semi-Finalist (Lost Judges' Vote)
Charlie Wernham 13 Comedy Stand-up Essex 4 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Cheeky Monkeys 8/9 Dancing Junior Couples Dance Manchester 2 Finalist
Craig Harper 35 Singing / Comedy Pop Leeds 5 Semi-Finalist
Dean Wilson 18 Singing Musical Theatre Middlesbrough 1 Semi-Finalist (Lost Judges' Vote)
Deans Of Magic 46/38 Magic Erotic magic Daventry 3 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Diva Las Vegas Dancing 7-strong cabaret act Runcorn 5 Semi-Finalist
Faryl Smith 15 Singing Classical Kettering 4 Finalist
Flava Dancing Hiphop Cornwall 2 Semi-Finalist (Lost Judges' Vote)
George Sampson 14 Dancing Breakdancing Manchester 3 Finalist
Harlequin Dance School Dancing 22-strong troupe Worcester 4 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Hoop La La Dancing Hula hoops Inverness 3 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Iona Luvsandorj 27 Contortionist Solo Contortionist London 2 Semi-Finalist
Irresistable 23/21/23 Singing / Dancing Pop Tyne & Wear 3 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
James Stone 52 Singing Pop Rhyl 4 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Jeremy Lynch Acrobatics Football skills Essex 4 Semi-Finalist (Lost Judges' Vote)
Kate And Gin 16/6 Dancing Musical canine freestyle Whitchurch, Shropshire 1 Finalist
Kay And Harvey 56/71 Singing Opera 2 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Madonna Decena 32 Singing Pop Manchester 5 Semi-Finalist
Mandy Ellen Dancers 10-24 Dancing 39-strong troupe Maidstone 2 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Mary Halford March 6-9 Dancing 24-strong troupe Liverpool 3 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Michael Machell 57 Music Electric Keyboard Player Uxbridge 1 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Nemesis Dancing 6-strong troupe Milton Keynes 5 Semi-Finalist
Per Diem 24/23 Music Guitar and voice Liverpool 5 Semi-Finalist
Phil Blackmore 34 Juggling Knife-throwing Kingston-upon-Thames 1 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Sauris Nandi 64 Magic Deception & Illusion 2 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Scala Music String quartet London 5 Semi-Finalist
Signature 29/34 Dancing Michael Jackson / Bollywood' London 1 Finalist
Sophie Mei 20 Dancing Belly-dancing Sheffield 1 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Strike 22/19 Dancing Martial arts demo Doncaster 3 Finalist
Tracy Lee Collins 44 Singing Drag act 1 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Urban Gypsies Dancing 7-strong belly-dancing troupe Blackpool 3 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)
Vizage 34/30 Magic/Singing Quick change artists Hull 4 Semi-Finalist (Eliminated)


Key   Finalist   Winner

Results

Semi-final 1 Semi-final 2 Semi-final 3 Semi-final 4 Semi Final 5 Final!
Signature Andrew Johnston George Sampson Faryl Smith Scala Signature
Kate and Gin Cheeky Monkeys Strike Andrew Muir Nemesis Kate and Gin
Dean Wilson Flava Charlie Green Jeremy Lynch Anya Sparks Andrew Johnston
Michael Machell Kay & Harvey The Deans of Magic Vizage** Per Diem Cheeky Monkeys
Sophie Mei Sauris Nandi Irresistible The Harlequins Madonna Decena George Sampson
Tracey Lee Collins Iona Luvsandorj Mary Halford March James Stone Caburlesque Strike
Phil Blackmore* Bang On Urban Gypsies The Boogie Babes Diva Las Vegas Faryl Smith
Boogie Wonderland Mandy Ellen Dancers Hoop La La Charlie Wernham Craig Harper Andrew Muir
Finalist 9
Finalist 10
Key   Won the public vote   Won the judge's vote   Top 3 - lost the judge's vote   Buzzed off prior to completion   Winner (Final)   Withdrawn from competition
  • *Phil Blackmore received 3 buzzes but the third buzz (by Simon) happened slightly after the performance had finished, so therefore he wasn't buzzed off before completing the act.
  • **Vizage were buzzed off prior to completion, however (according to Amanda) Simon pressed Amanda's buzzer.

It is also worth noting that as of the fourth semi final, each act that has been voted through first (i.e. the one with the most votes) all performed last on the bill for each respective night.

Series 2 ratings

  • Show 1 (Saturday, 12 April 2008 at 19:45) - 8.8 million (37.0% share) - peak: 9.8m (40.4%)[17]
  • Show 2 (Saturday, 19 April 2008 at 20:05) - 10.3 million (43.3% share) - peak: 10.6m (43.4%)[18]
  • Show 3 (Saturday, 26 April 2008 at 20:05) - 9.4 million (41.3% share) - peak: 9.8m (42.0%)[19]
  • Show 4 (Saturday, 3 May 2008 at 20:05) - 8.5 million (39.1% share) - peak: 8.8m (39.8%)[20]
  • Show 5 (Saturday, 10 May 2008 at 20:00) - 7.5 million (37.9% share) - peak: 8.5m (41.5%)[21]
  • Show 6 (Saturday, 17 May 2008 at 20:00) - 8.6 million (37.5% share) - peak: 9.6m (42.4%)[22]
  • Show 7 (Saturday, 24 May 2008 at 20:00) - 7.7 million (37.2% share) - peak: 8.2m (38.8%)[23]
  • Show 8 - Semi Final 1 (Monday, 26 May 2008 at 21:00) - 10.9 million (42.0% share) - peak: 12.2m[24]
  • Show 9 - Semi Final 2 (Tuesday, 27 May 2008 at 20:30) - 8.8 million (35.3% share) - peak: 9.6m (37.5%)[25]
  • Show 10 - Semi Final 3 (Wednesday, 28 May 2008 at 20:30) - 9.3 million (35.9% share) - peak: 10.1m (39.2%)[26]
  • Show 11 - Semi Final 4 (Thursday, 29 May 2008 at 20:30) -

Current series average - 9.0 Million (39% share).

The audition shows averaged 8.7m (39%). The live shows are currently averaging 9.7m (38%).

Controversy

Andrew Johnston

In a 18 April 2008 article by British newspaper the Daily Mail, the mother of young contestant Andrew Johnston admitted that their story had been "over-egged" and the truth in the reality is, they do not live in a stereotypical council estate - like he had claimed during a previous interview for the talent show. He pulled on even more heartstrings when he claimed he was bullied but in fact, the bullying he allegedly sustained was early on in his life, and it was not a recent and regular occurrence. The show's producers have been accused of misleading the viewers and enhancing a "sobstory".[27]

Scala

Scala have also attracted attention from the press - the four members of the band are professional musicians who supported McFly in 2006. They are signed to an entertainment agency, and were invited to audition for Britain's Got Talent by Simon Cowell after they played the X Factor wrap party in late 2007. An ITV1 spokesman refuted claims this was unfair, stating "Scala went through the same application and audition process as everyone else. Britain's Got Talent is open to any performer be it professional or amateur, with any talent."[28] Two of the four members of Scala were part of a similar five-piece classical group called Wild, who were signed to EMI and released an album with the label in 2005.[29]

Live tour 2008

On 17 April 2008 it was announced there was to be a 13-date live tour, visiting the UK's major cities during the month of June, featuring the finalists from this current series, and the not-so talented audtionees. It has been confirmed that Stephen Mulhern will be hosting the tour. None of the judging panel will be present, and there will be no live voting.

References

  1. ^ Cheryl Cole: I’m Not Qualified To Be A Judge
  2. ^ O'Grady to host prime-time talent show Digital Spy, 13 August 2005
  3. ^ Paul O'Grady quits Unreality TV
  4. ^ a b Forced out, the Britain's Got Talent act who's also got a sordid secret
  5. ^ a b Police alert over TV contestant
  6. ^ a b Britain’s Got Talent…For Hire: Kit-Kat Sex Cite error: The named reference "kkdolls1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ F1 helps ITV win ratings race Digital Spy, 11 June 2007
  8. ^ BBC 'Dream' pays off Digital Spy, 11 June 2007
  9. ^ Broadcast Now
  10. ^ Broadcast Now
  11. ^ Broadcast Now
  12. ^ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcastnowarticle.aspx?intStoryID=169542
  13. ^ a b http://www.viewingfigures.com
  14. ^ a b c ITV gets 13.5m with 'Talent' Digital Spy, 18 June 2007
  15. ^ Broadcast Bulletin Issue Number 91
  16. ^ Top 40 Acts
  17. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/14/tvratings.television
  18. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/21/tvratings.television1
  19. ^ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings/reevells/2008/04/international_formats_bolster_itv_weekend.html
  20. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/may/06/tvratings.television2
  21. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/may/12/tvratings.television2
  22. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/may/19/tvratings.television2
  23. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/may/27/tvratings.television3
  24. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/may/27/tvratings.television
  25. ^ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/05/itv1_delivers_masterclass_to_the_apprentice.html
  26. ^ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/05/28m_get_the_mary_whitehouse_experience.html
  27. ^ Is the Britain's Got Talent choirboy REALLY a bullied kid from a sink estate?
  28. ^ Scala Are Bunch Of Real Pros
  29. ^ Scala on Britain's Got Talent electrify Simon Cowell
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