Cowell variety talent show given lukewarm welcome by performers

Published Tuesday 20 December 2005 at 12:50 by Alistair Smith

Plans by music mogul Simon Cowell to launch a new variety talent show for ITV1 have received a cautious welcome from performers and managements.

The announcement by Syco, his production company, has surprised many. Cowell and rival judges on programmes including Pop Idol and The X Factor have been criticised previously for dismissively likening their unsuccessful contestants to cruise ship, holiday camp and ‘cabaret’ entertainers.

Syco has disclosed that the show would feature “magicians, jugglers and lots of dog acts” and that it would resemble seventies American programme The Gong Show. It recently completed a pilot with Paul O’Grady as presenter.

Dave Eager, associate producer on the UK version of The Gong Show in the eighties and now an Equity variety councillor, commented: “It’s not what you do, it’s the way you do it. So, provided Simon’s show demonstrates that he understands what variety and light entertainment is all about and treats the acts with professional respect then I wish him all the best for his new show and accordingly lots of beneficial publicity for our currently underrated profession.

“Variety and light entertainment acts are used to almost anything given the greatly different venues in which we appear but as long as we are treated with respect, good humour and professionalism then we always come bouncing back for more. I know that Cecil Korer, when he produced The Gong Show, was keen to see fair play and a professional approach for all the acts.”

Meanwhile, light entertainment agent Ron Martin also expressed his desire for the show to create some much-needed publicity for the sector. Martin, who works with both live entertainment and TV acts and is currently representing Pop Idol contestant Rik Waller, said that he was pleased to see variety returning to television, especially after the recent news that variety channel Sound TV had gone into administration less than a year after it was launched.

He added: “I’m not sure Cowell knows much about light entertainment but it is an opportunity. When it comes to music he knows a great deal, but what would he know about a ventriloquist or a tightrope walker?

“But, if there’s a chance of light entertainment or variety coming back I’m all for it. There’s a vast market out there and there’s going to be demand for this kind of show.”

While details for the show have not yet been confirmed, it is understood that O’Grady, who recently picked up the entertainment personality prize at the British Comedy Awards, will be present to look after the performers, whereas Cowell could appear as a judge on the programme.

The producer has recently signed an exclusive deal with ITV as a performer and will be tied to the channel until 2008. He commented: “ITV gave me my first break on television and I’m incredibly grateful. We’ve had a fantastic relationship and this was a very easy decision for me to make. I’m looking forward to another two successful years.”