[Kaz]

Found this posted on the 'Devoted' website - it's apparently from the Sunday Mirror (couldn't find it online):

SM:TV TURN OFF

KIDS' show SM:TV, hosted by Brian Dowling and Tess Daly, is facing the axe because of dismal ratings.

ITV bosses are ready to ditch the ailing Saturday morning format which they feel hasn't worked since the departure of Ant and Dec two years ago.

The Geordie duo regularly pulled in two million viewers, but the current series is attracting just half that number - the same as BBC1's The Saturday Show.

Audiences are said to have grown tired of Brian's camp manner and domineering presenting style. The departure of producer David Staite has also added to the chaos.

Station chiefs are now looking for a replacement show, with CITV host Stephen Mulhern in the frame to front it.

SM:TV has been given one last chance to raise its game with a "soft" revamp.

But a TV source revealed: "It's gone off the boil, and the feeling is that it's time for something new.

"ITV has led the Saturday morning ratings for so long that nobody can believe the BBC has been allowed to catch up."

Oh dear!

I don't watch SM:tv every week, but when I do I always enjoy it a lot. Especially Brian, who is always extremely funny and enthusiastic - he has a great rapport with Tess as well.

I do think they could vary the guests they have on, though - flippin' Westlife were on AGAIN yesterday. (or was that CUK? ) They're usually on one or the other every week.

[steve_o]

Bring back Kat in bootsI might be tempted to have a look at it then, even if is a kids show.

[Romantic Old Bird]

Steve, I feel you need to take up some healthy outdoor pursuits!

[Di2001]

Originally posted by Romantic Old Bird
Steve, I feel you need to take up some healthy outdoor pursuits!

LOL!!

[WILDCHILD]

Oh no! They can't get rid of Brian!!
He's soooooo funny.
Then again, I wouldn' be devastated if they brought back Ant and Dec, they were great!

[steve_o]

Originally posted by ROB

Steve, I feel you need to take up some healthy outdoor pursuits!

I know I'll get out there and take a few deep breaths.

[bigbrofan]

ITV saturday monrning show is pants anyway, i liked LIVE & KICKING, NOW that was a saturday morning show.

[James]

Originally posted by bigbrofan
that was a saturday morning show.

In my case it was Going Live. On ITV there was Get Fresh with Gaz Top. Anyone remember Gilbert the Alien?

Now I'm getting nostalgic.

[Janette]

Now I'm showing my age!


nothing could compare to SWAP SHOP!!!!!

[Romantic Old Bird]

Originally posted by bigbrofan
i liked LIVE & KICKING, NOW that was a saturday morning show.

Paul and his sister Nicky were on that!

[steve_o]

I liked Swop Shop as well.

[Romantic Old Bird]

You think YOU'RE old?


This was my favourite, and I watched it with my kids!

[Janette]

Ooh ROB how could you?


That was on the "other side" from Swap Shop!!!!!

[rachb]

ooh tiswas was the greatest remember Trevor Macdoughnut

[Ig]

LOL - I'm with ROB on this one! I was a TISWAS girl too! The Dying Fly! Compost Corner! ( COM-POST COR-NER!!!) Ahhh the memories!!

As far as the SM:tv news goes, I'd take it with a pinch of salt to be honest. This old harpie seems to have it in for Brian. (the journalist i mean, not me!) They seem to have spent an awful lot of money on something they're planning to axe i must say!

I feel so sorry for the new presenters who started yesterday - how must they be feeling?? But it's Brian I feel most sorry for (now there's a surprise!!LOL) as he's kept the show afloat for 15 months through a lot of tough times, and now he's getting this sort of crap written about him. Cuk's ratings have actually suffered a far worse slump with Cat Deely fronting the show on her own, but no one seems to care about that!

Ahh well, never mind, Brian has plenty of strings to his bow, he'll be fine!

[Janette]

I think Brian would be great presenting anything, the guy is a star no matter what he does.

He will always come up smelling of roses!

[catherine]

If smtv was going to be axed why add two new presenters. And redo the studio and the opening credits. Is that a show that is ready to fold???. I think not. Just a load of media hype by a second rate hack.

[LEE]

Janette, I was a Swap Shop girl too.

[BigSister]

Nooooooo it cant go I love SMTV live



Brian is a star

[James]

Fraggle Rock, as you can tell from my avatar. Great Saturday morning show

[James]

The Mirror newspapers are against Big Brother, and it's ex-contestants, almost as much as those newspapers are against the war with Iraq.

Remember they boasted that they were the anti-Big Brother newspaper during BB3 (while still reporting on it in detail)

I'd like to see the media and TV companies giving more presenting opportunities to ex-BB housemates and am glad when bb people like Brian get success like that.

If you look at some of the presenters employed by TV companies to front shows, a lot of them are quite bland and uninteresting by comparison to what BB contestants could possibly offer, if given the chance.
For example those two the BBC had presenting the Fame Academy spin-off show on BBC3. Can anyone even remember their names?

[James]

This website is an excellent trip down memory lane.

http://www.paulmorris.co.uk/satkids/index2.htm

Non-interesting fact: ITV's replacement for Tiswas was also called The Saturday Show.

[cc100]

he thinks hes graham norton, i just dont get his "funny" antics

[Romantic Old Bird]

Great link James!

Memories.......the phantom flan flinger, dying fly, compost corner. All part of our national heritage now!

[dizzy bint]

There is probably jealousy at the root of this article. Look at what Brian has achieved:

1. Prominent position on tv
2. Still well loved by the public
3. Loads of money
4. Possibly now a model boyfriend.

She is very wide of the mark. I have spoken to quite a few people who have met Brian and say he is very much adored by all who meet him personally.