'Strictly Come Dancing', 'Top Gear' And 'The One Show' Facing The Axe Within Years According To BBC Executive
Has 'Strictly' Danced Its Last Dance?
The Huffington Post UK
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Some of the BBC's biggest entertainment shows including 'Strictly Come Dancing', 'Top Gear' and 'The One Show' could be axed within years, according to a TV executive at the Beeb.
Former Director of Communications Ed Williams says some of the BBC's biggest rating winners are reaching 'the end of their natural lives' in a major new book, 'Is The BBC In Crisis?'.
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Abbey Clancy won last year's 'Strictly' with her dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec
He writes: “I think there’s a series of very popular formats which over the next five to ten years will reach the end of their natural lives, such as Strictly Come Dancing, The Apprentice, Dragons’ Den, Top Gear, The One Show.”
But he says staff at the corporation are struggling to find replacement shows and come up with new formats and that the the most creative minds don't want to work at the Beeb because of the low wages.
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'Top Gear' presenter, Jeremy Clarkson
“What I think is particularly challenging for the BBC is how can they make the case to get the best creative people at the BBC coming up with these ideas when, actually, if you’ve got a great idea, why take it to the BBC?” he writes.
Many of the BBC's biggest hits are more than ten years old, including 'Strictly Come Dancing' which launched in 2004, whilst 'Top Gear started in 2001 in its current format.
Other shows said to be at risk include 'The Apprentice' and 'Dragon's’ Den'.
What do you think? Is it time the BBC gave their programming a shake-up and introduced new shows and formats? Let us know by leaving a comment below...
UK TV Remakes The US Got Right
"The Office"(01 of03)
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Original UK Series: "The Office"Ricky Gervais' British sitcom "The Office" premiered in 2001 and followed the employees of the fictional Wernham Hogg Paper Company. Though it only lasted two seasons in the UK, it lives on in the US. The American version starred Steve Carell and made him a highly-coveted film actor, and did the same for John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer and more of its stars. Now going into its ninth season, the dry humor and mockumentary-style series about the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company employees set the tone for many more comedies to come (i.e. "Modern Family"). (credit:NBC)
"What Not to Wear"(02 of03)
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Original UK Series: "What Not to Wear"The BAFTA-nominated original UK series "What Not To Wear" had Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine makeover some of the UK's most awfully dressed Brits for five seasons (before they left and Lisa Butcher and Mica Paris took over for the show's sixth and seventh seasons). Though the US installment of "What Not to Wear" premiered shortly thereafter with a bit of a rough start with Wayne Scot Lukas, the American version found its footing in Season 2. The dynamic between Stacy London and Clinton Kelly has helped the show last for nine seasons and counting. (credit:TLC)
"The Inbetweeners"(03 of03)
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Original UK Series: "The Inbetweeners"Though time will tell if the MTV adaptation will be able to rival the cult appeal of the original, the first three episodes of the new comedy prove just as charming as the British show, albeit in distinctly American ways. British humor may be dry and acerbic, but the new cast has undeniable chemistry and comic timing, and it will be interesting to see where the show goes when it starts utilizing its original material, rather than the six episodes it based on the UK series. (credit:MTV)