Generation Game to be brought back with Mel and Sue

Peter Kay mentioned the incident in his second book, and apologised for it. Apparently, the day before, Graham Norton didn't take kindly to Peter Kay introducing him dressed as a lion.

I'm sorry, have you actually seen any of Barrymore's shows? There are very few gameshows in history where you come away remembering the contestants. His shows were definitely an exception.



There are many accusations that can be levelled against Barrymore I'm sure, but stealing the show at the expense of the contestant is not one of them.

I've never met the man, and I know better than to take rumours and gossip at face value. But if any/all of the things that one has heard over the years about Barrymore being difficult and burning bridges etc etc bear any resemblance to reality, then I would regard him as someone who thoroughly deserves to be in the career toilet. I would feel this way about absolutely anybody with the kind of disposition that seems to get attributed to Barrymore. How accurate it is/isn't in his particular case, I of course have no idea. And I would be very suspicious of anyone on a forum such as this claiming to *know* such things for sure.

Being capable and being deserving are two separate things though. If stars were sacked based on their backstage reputations, LWT would have had hardly any output in the 1990s.

And on a human level, alcohol and drug addiction can make you a horrible person. It's something that's possible to turn around though.

And what of the rights/feelings/wellbeing etc of all those humans having to endure any such horribleness (such as production teams working with a troubled star) in the meantime, until/unless the individual gets back on track?

Agreed but the discussion was in the context of someone being given a second chance all these years later.

I was just thinking of Barrymore for The Generation Game myself when I'd seen that he was in ITV's recent documentary on ITV3. The man after everything he was wrongly accused of, and then had no real second stint after practically winning Big Brother [Chantelle wasn't a celebrity so technically he was the last celebrity standing that year], deserves some sort of chance to show that he could still front a game show. And something as traditional and people orientated as The Generation Game would suit his style very well I feel.

Although it didn't lead to the big comeback it hinted to at the time, his entrance to the Big Brother house was a wonderful TV moment. Literally just the sound of a supportive crowd and his beaming, borderline tearful smile - the first real public display of support he'd received since the incident. No explanatory voiceover or emotional music needed - the images spoke for themselves.

For me, the greatest injustice - and one that even makes me emotional - is how Jeremy Beadle was cast out into the wilderness. The shiny floor tribute he was afforded after his death was a testament to how well love he was.

I finally got around to watching the entire episode last night with my other half. It was interesting to see Johnny Vegas appearing in a serious capacity doing the pottery (who knew his talents). I'm guessing the TOWIE guest appearances were an attempt to get younger viewers to tune in, as presumably the pair mentioned their appearance on social media.

I'm not sure that Richard & Lorraine really added much to the programme apart from padding, as they had no votes/scoring role. As mentioned some of the jokes fell flat, not sure if that was due to poor writing or poor delivery. I felt the set itself was okay, though the titles and 'trophy' left a bit to be desired in my opinion.

As for hosts it feels like Mel and Sue were given this show as a reward for not going with Bake Off, rather than their suitability for this show. I feel the show needs a host who is used to working with an audience as part of their stand-up/normal routine. From watching some of their stand-up comedians such as Dara Ó Briain and Al Murray involve the public, and have a fair bit of TV experience. If the producers wish to keep a celebrity panel then you could probably get away with only a single host, and use the celeb guests when needed to assist in rounds.