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Never Mind the Buzzcocks to end after 19 years

Pop music panel show will not return to the BBC. (May 2015)

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CG
Charlie Gough
Pop music panel show 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks' will not return to the BBC.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a649257/never-mind-the-buzzcocks-has-been-cancelled-after-18-years-on-bbc-two.html#~pdNEDXSIG2abU8
CW
Charlie Wells Moderator
Alternative ref: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32889471
A shame as I thought the show had improved slightly since Rhod Gilbert took over. I dare say though the string of guest hosts prior to appointing a permanent host may not have helped ratings. Compared to the Mark Lamarr era the pace of the show has been slower, with the final round being only a couple of questions per team in the final edit.
SE
Square Eyes Founding member
It's had a good innings. Time for something new.
VM
VMPhil
It's that rare kind of show which was already reaching maturity but somehow managed to successfully relaunch with a new host (Amstell) and in some cases become even more relevant than it was before - the Preston episode comes to mind.

I would also agree that they took far too long finding a permanent host - I always believed Adam Buxton's stint was the best and funniest, but maybe it wouldn't have worked as a full time thing.
BR
Brekkie
Didn't realise Rhod Gilbert had become the main host. Definately seems to be going out at about the right time.
SW
Steve Williams
The problem with Rhod Gilbert becoming the main host, apart from the fact I don't like him much, is that it meant of the regulars the youngest was Noel Fielding who's 42, while all the guests were about fifteen. It was a weird mix which you didn't get under Lamarr in his early days and Amstell because they were of a similar age to, and had knowledge of, the guests. So I can't see how it was pleasing anyone, if you were watching it for the regulars you wouldn't know who most of the guests are and if you were watching it for the guests you'd wonder why these three old gits were involved.

They should have either grown up with the existing audience and stopped bothering talking about modern music altogether or they should have had a complete recasting and brought in new regulars who had more interest in modern music. They did that with Amstell, they should have done it again, not brought in a 45 year old. Under Lamarr and Amstell it seemed relevant and topical, certainly not now.

It also should have gone ages ago because when they did Delivering Quality First they made great play of how BBC2 was going to get rid of panel shows, which was the excuse for axing Shooting Stars, but they kept this and Mock The Week which were a hundred times more predictable.
LL
Larry the Loafer
Personally, I thought they shot themselves in the foot by bringing in another permanent host. I know the guest host system wasn't everybody's cup of tea, but I think it kept the show on its toes and it felt different every week. I have no issue with Rhod Gilbert, but he's not as biting or as brutal as Lamaar or Amstell could be, so not only was the show becoming rather stale very quickly, the host wasn't the right fit for a permanent spot.

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