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Post by Alan Smith on Dec 29, 2003 16:02:19 GMT
Sorry to depress all TOTP fans. But watching what is happening to the current incarnation of the show: plus! the non celebration of 40 years, recalls a similar fate which befell Dr Who in the late 80's. Like "Dr Who" TOTP is suffering from the displeasure of a BBC 1 controller who dislikes the show in question. I mean no harangue against Ms Heggessey; but it's known that TOTP is not one of her personal favourites. Sadly this is bad news for the programme, I fear for it's future. Alan Smith.  |
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Post by William Martin on Dec 29, 2003 17:24:36 GMT
The BBC hierarchy didn't like totp when it started either, it was used as groundbait to lure people into watching what was after it i.e. what was good for them, totp seems to have lost its way a bit, personally it would help it the presenters would stop jumping up and down and talking at 100mph as if they were on helium, I never really took to this style even when I was a 5 year old, it doesn't make it anymore interesting for me.(I couldn't stand DEF II either except perhaps Rapido) I think a fundamental misunderstanding of what the youth of Britain actually like, don't tell them to have a good time let them decide.
totp2 should have done something more for the 40th perhaps a clip from each year? or a docu on the birth of the show & interviews (like the ones on the bbc web site) sir Jimm'll is always good at that sort of thing.
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Post by ASM on Dec 30, 2003 15:40:47 GMT
Thank you for you reply William. I fear that a parallel to the relationship that "Dr Who" had with Michael Grade in the late 80's is now repeated with "Top Of The Pops" and Lorraine Heggessey. It was not explicitly stated that Mr Grade hated "Dr Who" at the time, but it was believed to be the case; which we now know to be so ("Room 101") Grade "Loathes" "Dr Who" Hence it's demise in 89. Now with Ms Heggesseys similar feelings towards "Top Of The Pops" The same thing could well happen. Lorraine Heggessey is an extremely inteligent, very able and tremendously formidable person. If she wants to, she could put an end to the programme. :'(
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Post by Matt on Dec 30, 2003 18:03:42 GMT
Dear all.Dont blame Lorraine Heggessey for the state that top of the pops is in today my first point blame the idiot who moved it into its friday slot in the first place.
Second point who wants to see an 40th aniversary show anyway it will be the same old clips same old why did they junk so many of the old shows etc etc.
Do me a favour once and for all.Top of the pops should be left to die in peace.
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Post by William Martin on Dec 31, 2003 16:00:13 GMT
if the bbc want it to survive it will if not then its in the hands of the gods, perhaps they should just decide what sort of a show it is and go from there.  |
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Post by Adam McLean on Jan 2, 2004 3:24:45 GMT
Lorraine Heggesey was responsible for commissioning the Top of The Pops Awards though, hardly the work of someone who doesn't like the show!
I wouldn't have expected her to order a revamp if she actually hated the programme either!
Personally I expect a lot of the changes to the show will fall by the wayside before too long and it'll keep chugging along as always (just like the 1991 revamp which was far worse than the latest one!)- I don't seriously anyone wants to see the show axed and the ratings have been reasonable for the appalling time slot.
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Post by David Brunt on Jan 2, 2004 12:22:37 GMT
Though they didn't have an awards show in 2003, did they? Highly trumpeted first annual show in 2002, then ... nothing.
Smacks to me of an idea that didn't work and was conveniently forgotten...
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Post by Pete on Jan 2, 2004 13:37:52 GMT
the first one was in 2001 and the 2nd in 2002
then nothing......
also nothing from Germany and Italy either who also carried the 2001 and 2002 shows (with their europop addidtions to the line up).....
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Post by Adam McLean on Jan 2, 2004 15:15:45 GMT
Very true David, but she was responsible for the commission in the first place, so I imagine she had some enthusiasm!
But at that stage they were chucking out many tedious awards ceremonies anyway, thinking they were ratings winners (The People's Awards anyone?).
Anyway it still seems to me that the general public wouldn't like to see TOTP axed. I never read any review of the All New show saying it should end, merely go back to the old format. Even though the overseas editions aren't making as big an impact as planned the fact that TOTP2 and Top of The Pops Saturday are both well established and popular shows leads me to think that the show will be safe purely because it's a "brand" (how I hate that phrase!) rather than just one show.
I wouldn't be terribly surprised if it moved to BBC2 one day though. There was talk of a BBC3 move but I seriously doubt they'd be able to attract the guests for the 17 viewers watching. I guess that's one way Ms Heggessey could be done with it. And would it be such a bad thing? It does good business on the few occasions it's shown on the channel- a case of being a big fish in a smaller pond. With the right publicity and a move to Thursday nights it would surely get a good 3 million tuning in and be a top rated show for them.
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Post by Farter New Year on Jan 2, 2004 23:17:38 GMT
hmmmm
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Post by ASM on Jan 3, 2004 9:29:19 GMT
Great to see such good input from people on this topic! My fears are due to the similarities I see between Ms Heggessey and Michael Grade respectivly for TOTP and DR Who. I feel people might underestimate her due to the "Richard Bacon/Blue Peter" announcement. She is from all accounts a most formidable and Intelligent person who gets things done. If her dislike for Top Of The Pops is pronounced then I truly fear for it'f future! |
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Post by Mark Leech on Jan 3, 2004 20:13:22 GMT
TOTP is a national institution - and should be treated as such. Why not put it back on a Thursday night for a couple of months to test the waters? If it fails then fair enough but many are out on Friday nights so won't be watching. I doubt the record companies would be happy to see it axed either...........
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Post by Harry on Jan 4, 2004 1:32:10 GMT
The BBC do seem to have a habit of turning their back on shows that should be an asset to them. Top Of The Pops is one of them. It has really survived until now despite their attitude rather than because of it. Not many shows last as long as this one and certainly not many about music.
The new look is pretty bad. The pace seems to have been lost and it has become very superficial.
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Post by ASM on Jan 5, 2004 15:17:36 GMT
To Pete (Seaton) Can't get on BBC board again; so will say here that I don't mean to be negative - but! I well remember many in the Dr Who fan club stating Michael Grades' supposed dislike of Dr Who was overblown! Sadly not the case; this is why my fear regarding Lorrainne Heggessey. I hope I'm wrong here and gladly apologise if i've done her wrong - It is a concern though!
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