Ageism? Oh Really? No, O'Reilly!

The successful outcome of Miriam O'Reilly's case against the BBC for ageism is no success at all.  It's pure farce.  Here is a woman who presented a gentle, low profile daytime show called Countryfile.  With a new incarnation in a Prime Time Sunday night slot, the show needed to be spruced up to justify its high profile move.  Miriam was a freelance presenter, perfectly adept and privileged to have held on to this gig for 7 years - that's a lifetime in TV.  But anyone who works in telly will telly you, prime time is a totally different ball game from daytime.  Prime time needs bigger names or if telly ever dares take a risk, exceptional characters and if it's not expert territory, then commissioners will look for TV presenters who put bums on seats.  And yes, they'll probably be lookist and maybe even ageist but if an older presenter has got magnetism and a talent to entertain/inform, then age will not be an issue.  Admittedly, sometimes in the younger prettier models, talent might be overlooked.  It might not be right but it's how it works and most presenters know the name of the game.  And if you're a freelance, you absolutely know that no job is guaranteed for life.  A judge will not understand the rules of telly.  It's a different jungle and you can't legislate for the success of a programme or its presenters.  Where the BBC failed the axed Countryfile presenters was in its arrogance in handling the termination of their contracts.  Jay Hunt, the then controller of BBC1 did herself no favours and hopefully has now learned that even freelancers have feelings.  Prick them and some of them will sue.  And they'll drag your dirty emails and cavalier pronouncements through the court with them.  Her lax attitude to a lowly presenter's job has slapped her in the face.  To that end, a good lesson should have been learned but this has not been an edifying experience.  It highlights the unfairness in an industry that favours the young, the pretty, the funny, the original and the unique.  But that's what it's for.  I don't want to watch ordinary, safe and pleasant.  And I couldn't give a damn for wrinkles and fat so long as whoever's on my screen entertains, informs or does both.  Miriam may find she's got a job for a year but once the heat is off, I reckon she'll be off with it.  Telly is a glamorous industry and fair has never been synonymous with glamour.

the fame doctor: The Real X Factor

the fame doctor: The Real X Factor: "If you want to watch a really excellent talent show then tune into Sky 1's Got To Dance The judges know what they're talking about, the..."

The Real X Factor

If you want to watch a really excellent talent show then tune into Sky 1's Got To Dance The judges know what they're talking about, they're not self-conscious on camera, there are no fake tantrums to make good telly and no self-interest in any of the acts. And the competition is not about the costumes it's about the dance. This is a talent show genuinely seeking to promote talent.  And if you watch the amount of talent on offer you will be proud to be British.  It's diverse dance and multiculturalism at its best.  Davina McCall shines as host, bringing warmth to a brilliantly produced show which is an ensemble act with everyone wanting to give of their best and where the competition exists purely where it should - on the stage.  It makes the X Factor look as fake as Cheryl's tan.  Sadly it won't get the same number of viewers - yet.  But, mark my words, Got to Dance is going to be the way forward for the talent show.   I love X Factor but we're starting to tire of the judges outshining the contestants and with Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole going Stateside, there's going to be room for this new broom.  I'm now hooked for the next several weeks - which is a relief because it spares me the horror of Dancing on Ice.  Kimberley, Adam and Ashley's warmth makes Jason Gardiner's barbed comments look oh so last year.

The fabulous Baker Boy!

Matt Baker is the ultimate example of how Strictly Come Dancing can propel you upwards in the BBC if you prove to be a popular choice.  About to dance for his life in the Strictly final, he is also to be confirmed as the new presenter of The One Show, replacing the controversial Jason Manford whose tweets proved to be his swan song - must have been a blessing, he was totally out of place.  But what it also proves is the difference between male and female success on television.  If you're male, you have to be squeaky clean - think Phillip Schofield - in order to have a long career.  Once Matt is off Strictly, he will probably settle in to The One Show and the press interest will subside and his career will do the reverse.  For a bloke, lack of press interest is ok.  However, if you're female, forget it.  To be successful on the small screen you have to get publicity all the time!  It's rare for a female presenter to be  allowed a long career without making sure she's constantly in the papers and magazines.  Look at Cheryl and all the female acts on X Factor.  Jordan only exists because of her coverage, likewise Kerry Katona.  Even a safe player like Holly Willoughby has to make controversial statements about her sex life to keep herself interesting.  Either that or flaunt her curves regularly.  The women have to turn up at every award ceremony the men....well, whenever they fancy.  Never mind ageism on the telly, with or without wrinkles, it is definitely different for girls.

What's going on?

Loved Gillian McKeith fainting before Sunday's bush tucker trial.  Give the woman an Oscar.  Anyone with a fear of creepy crawlies who enters this Australian jungle has got to be desperate.  Or deluded.  Or, in Gillian's case, possibly both. There is no other reason for her to be doing I'm A Celebrity than for the money and a career revival.  After all, she's hardly doing a Katie Price and 'facing her fears'.  The nutritionist won't have got top dollar but it will certainly have revived her career - although not in the way she intended.  Gillian will be a must-have on every celebrity panel and game show going.  She has become a laughing stock without having a clue that she's the joke.  What great telly!

Now back to X Factor.  I would really like to know why Simon is so desperately keen on keeping the new Waity Katie (the other one no longer has to wait!).  It can't just be because she gets publicity.  His appeal to the public on her behalf on Saturday's show was out of character. So what has Simon got planned for this woman who on Saturday turned into an elf? And who styled the poor girl?  I know it's become panto but surely making her look like one of Santa's little helpers is taking it too far?  Katie is still there because that's where Simon wants her.  He can't manipulate the public vote but he can manipulate everything else.  I'm absolutely convinced the judges know who is in the bottom two before the sing off starts and which one got the least votes.  If I'm right, then the saving of Katie over Aidan the week before last was assured before Aidan even opened his mouth and gave a wow performance.  In my view, the judges couldn't be seen to be saving this Waity Katie AGAIN so they let it go to deadlock knowing the public had already sealed Aidan's fate on their behalf.    Aidan fans must have believed he was a finalist certainty and were lax in their vote. A total shocker and a reminder that no one is safe. Except for Wagner.  Seriously, Paije over Wagner? Now what's that all about?

Waissel of space

Oh Katie Waissel!  I thought you were so cute on X Factor when you started, felt sorry for you when all the creeps came out of the woodwork selling their stories about you.  But then....quickly came to realise you were more manipulative than all of them put together.  Katie is a dangerous player.  She's a high maintenance diva before she even has the right to say "I'd like a glass of water in my dressing room please"!  Yesterday it was claimed she had yet another meltdown and held up filming of the Christmas single.  If you look back at Katie's history she's constantly having meltdowns. Katie's fall back position when things aren't going her way is to cry, gasp for breath and hope we'll melt.  It makes me do the reverse. How does this bode if she ever becomes a star (by default)?  Nightmare!  If the producers have any sense, they will uphold their claim and take her off the show.  But they won't because she gets too much press.  Maybe the British public will do their job for them this weekend?  

The prostitution of Wayne

So he's staying at Man U.  It was simply just a game of ransom and Wayne won.  Or did he?  Because, in PR terms, it was an expensive mistake.  Huge!  How can you justify the amount of money the guy is going to earn  in a climate where everyone else is feeling the cuts?  Wayne has self harmed.  Unless he proves he's worth it, he is going to be the most hated man on the pitch.  And frankly, is anyone worth that kind of money?  Particularly someone so ugly - and that statement is neither harsh nor irrelevant in this ball game.  Beckham earns a fortune because he's a beautiful player on and off the pitch.  Money and grooming may help Susan Boyle but Wayne is not going to improve with money, grooming or age.   My wonder is whether his now infamous agent, Paul Stretford knows he's about to lose most of his endorsements and is covering his losses with the one deal Wayne can keep.  But big bucks will not make this guy happy and my punt is it won't be long before he's caught with his pants down - and this time he'll be paying for it in more ways than one!