Britain's Got Talent (Series 2)

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Britain's Got Talent (series 2)
Genre Talent show
Presented by Britain's Got Talent:
Anthony McPartlin,
Declan Donnelly
Britain's Got More Talent:
Stephen Mulhern
Judges Simon Cowell,
Amanda Holden,
Piers Morgan
Production
Producer(s) SYCO TV in association with talkbackTHAMES
Running time 60 minutes (inc. comms)
Broadcast
Original channel ITV
Picture format 16:9
Original run 12 April 200831 May 2008

The 2008 series of Britain's Got Talent was the second series of the show. Notable differences from the 2007 series the included the fact that the auditions visited Scotland and that there were 40 in the live semi-finals. The series also ran for longer, this time airing seven weeks instead of one.

Ant and Dec returned as hosts, with Stephen Mulhern coming back to present Britain's Got More Talent. Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan returned as judges.

The first 7 shows were auditions that went to London, Manchester, Birmingham, Blackpool, Cardiff and for the first time Glasgow. They was shown from the 12 April to the 24 May. The next 7 Shows were the live semi-finals, the live final and the live final results show. They was shown from the 26 May to the 31 May

The series was ultimately won by street sancer George Sampson, with dance group Signature coming in second and singer Andrew Johnston in third.

Contents

[edit] Semi-Final Acts

[edit] Semi-Final 1

Place Came Artist Age From Act Buzzers
1st (Won Public Vote) Signature 29/34 London Michael Jackson / Bhangra crossover dance act 0
2nd (Won Judges' Vote) Kate and Gin 16/6 Whitchurch, Shropshire Musical canine freestyle 0
3rd (Lost Judges' Vote) Dean Wilson 18 Middlesbrough Musical Theatre Singer 0
Unknown Michael Machell 57 Wallasey Electronic Keyboard Player 1 (Simon Cowell)
Unknown Sophie Mei 20 Sheffield Belly-dancing 0
Unknown Tracey Lee Collins 44 Leicester Singer 1 (Simon Cowell)
Unknown Phil Blackmore 34 Kingston-upon-Thames Balancing / Alternative Juggling Act 3* (All Judges)
Unknown Boogie Wonderland 12-21 Liverpool 16-strong dance group 0
  • Simon Cowell buzzed Phil Blackmore's act just after it finished.

[edit] Semi-Final 2

Place Came Artist Age From Act Buzzers
1st (Won Public Vote) Andrew Johnston 13 Carlisle Boy soprano 0
2nd (Won Judges' Vote) Cheeky Monkeys 8/9 Burnley Junior Couples Dancers 0
3rd (Lost Judges' Vote) Flava 17-28 Cornwall Hip-hop dance group 0
Unknown Kay & Harvey 56/71 Bristol Opera and Electronic keyboard 1 (Simon Cowell)
Unknown Sauris Nandi 64 ? Deceptional & Illusional Magic 1 (Simon Cowell)
Unknown Iona 27 London Solo Contortionist 0
Unknown Bang On 27/34 Hounslow Urban Percussionists 2 (Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan)
Unknown Mandy Ellen Dancers 10-24 Maidstone 39-strong dance group 0

[edit] Semi-Final 3

Place Came Artist Age From Act Buzzers
1st (Won Public Vote) George Sampson 14 Warrington Breakdancing 0
2nd (Won Judges' Vote) Strike 22/19 Sheffield Martial arts demo 0
3rd (Lost Judges' Vote) Charlie Green 10 Worcestershire Swing singer 0
Unknown The Deans Of Magic 46/38 Daventry 'Erotic' magic 3 (All Judges)
Unknown Irrestible 21-23 Tyne & Wear Pop group 0
Unknown Mary Halford March 6-9 Liverpool 24-strong dance group 2 (Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan)
Unknown Urban Gypsies Unknown Blackpool 7-strong belly-dancing group 1 (Piers Morgan)
Unknown Hoop La La! 22/23/24 Inverness Hula hoop entertainment 0

[edit] Semi-Final 4

Place Came Artist Age From Act Buzzers
1st (Won Public Vote) Faryl Smith 12 Kettering Classical Singer 0
2nd (Won Judges' Vote) Andrew Muir 24 Fauldhouse, West Lothian Pop singer 0
3rd (Lost Judges' Vote) Jeremy Lynch 20 Essex Football player 2 (Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan)
Unknown Vizage 30/34 Hull Quick change artists 3 (All Judges)
Unknown The Harlequins ? Worcester 22-strong dance group 0
Unknown James Stone 52 Rhyl Pop singer 0
Unknown The Boogie Babes 8-12 Appleby 19-strong dance group 0
Unknown Charlie Wernham 13 Essex Stand-up comedian 0

[edit] Semi-Final 5

Place Came Artist Age From Act Buzzers
1st (Won Public Vote) Escala 23-26 London String quartet 0
2nd (Won Judges' Vote) Nemisis 18-22 Milton Keynes 6-strong troupe 0
3rd (Lost Judges' Vote) Craig Harper 35 Hull Pop / Impersonator 0
Unknown Per Diem 23/24 Liverpool Guitar and voice 2 (Simon Cowell & Amanda Holden)
Unknown Madonna Decena 32 Manchester Pop 0
Unknown Caburlesque ? London Cabaret/Burlesque 0
Unknown Diva Las Vegas ? Runcorn 7-strong cabaret act 1 (Piers Morgan)
Unknown Anya Sparks 42 London Solo Dance 0

[edit] Final

Place Came Artist Age From Act Buzzers
1st George Sampson 14 Warrington Breakdancing 0
2nd Signature 29/34 London Michael Jackson / Bhangra crossover dance act 0
3rd Andrew Johnston 13 Carlisle Boy soprano 0
Unknown Cheeky Monkeys 8/9 Burnley Junior Couples Dancers 0
Unknown Kate and Gin 16/6 Whitchurch, Shropshire Musical canine freestyle 0
Unknown Strike 19/22 Sheffield Martial arts demo 0
Unknown Faryl Smith 12 Kettering Classical Singer 0
Unknown Andrew Muir 24 Fauldhouse, West Lothian Pop singer 0
Unknown Escala 23-26 London String quartet 0
Unknown Nemisis 18-22 18-22 Milton Keynes 6-strong troupe 0

[edit] Ratings

  • Show 1 (Saturday, 12 April 2008 at 19:45) - 8.8 million (37.0% share) - peak: 9.8m (40.4%)[1]
  • Show 2 (Saturday, 19 April 2008 at 20:05) - 10.3 million (43.3% share) - peak: 10.6m (43.4%)[2]
  • Show 3 (Saturday, 26 April 2008 at 20:05) - 9.4 million (41.3% share) - peak: 9.8m (42.0%)[3]
  • Show 4 (Saturday, 3 May 2008 at 20:05) - 8.5 million (39.1% share) - peak: 8.8m (39.8%)[4]
  • Show 5 (Saturday, 10 May 2008 at 20:00) - 7.5 million (37.9% share) - peak: 8.5m (41.5%)[5]
  • Show 6 (Saturday, 17 May 2008 at 20:00) - 8.6 million (37.5% share) - peak: 9.6m (42.4%)[6]
  • Show 7 (Saturday, 24 May 2008 at 20:00) - 7.7 million (37.2% share) - peak: 8.2m (38.8%)[7]
  • Show 8 - Semi Final 1 (Monday, 26 May 2008 at 21:00) - 10.9 million (42.0% share) - peak: 12.2m[8]
  • Show 9 - Semi Final 2 (Tuesday, 27 May 2008 at 20:30) - 8.8 million (35.3% share) - peak: 9.6m (37.5%)[9]
  • Show 10 - Semi Final 3 (Wednesday, 28 May 2008 at 20:30) - 9.3 million (35.9% share) - peak: 10.1m (39.2%)[10]
  • Show 11 - Semi Final 4 (Thursday, 29 May 2008 at 20:30) - 9.7 million (41.9% share) - peak: 10.5m (44.5%)[11]
  • Show 12 - Semi Final 5 (Friday, 30 May 2008 at 21:00) - 11.4 million (50% share) - peak: 12.5m [12]
  • Show 13 - Final: Performances (Saturday, 31 May 2008 at 18:50) - 11.0 million (51.1% share) - peak: 14.0m (62%)[13]
  • Show 14 - Final: Results (Saturday, 31 May 2008 at 21:30) - 13.1 million (55.1% share) - peak: 14.4m (60%)[14]

Series average - 9.6 Million (42% share).

The audition shows averaged 8.7m (39%). The live shows are averaged 10.5m (43%).

The second series of Britain's Got Talent was a huge ratings success.[15] The final results episode was the most watched programme of 2008. It was also the most watched episode of any talent show this century. The previous record was the Pop Idol 1 final, which had an official average of 13.34m.[16] Furthermore, the final results episode was the most watched episode of any non-soap opera television show since 2004 (when I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! officially got 14.99m for its final).[17] The moment when George Sampson was announced winner, in front of 14.4 million viewers, was the 2nd most watched moment of 2008.[18] The most watched moment of 2008 was the penalty shootout in the Champions League final which attracted 14.6m viewers.[19] This series of Britain's Got Talent had the highest series average out of any talent show this century with an overnight average of 9.6m viewers. The previous best talent series was Dancing on Ice 2006 which officially averaged 9.12m viewers. The final results episode was the 13th most watched programme of the 21st Century. Excluding sports, it was the 10th most watched programme of the 21st Century.[20]

[edit] Controversy

[edit] Andrew Johnston

In a 18 April 2008 article by British newspaper the Daily Mail, the mother of young contestant Andrew Johnston admitted that their story had been "over-egged" and the truth in the reality is, they do not live in a stereotypical council estate - like he had claimed during a previous interview for the talent show. He pulled on even more heartstrings when he claimed he was bullied but in fact, the bullying he allegedly sustained was early on in his life, and it was not a recent and regular occurrence. The show's producers were accused of misleading the viewers and enhancing a "sob story".[21]

[edit] eScala

"Scala" (now eScala) also attracted attention from the press - the four members of the band are professional musicians who played for McFly as part of a large orchestra on their UK tour in 2006. They are signed to an entertainment agency, and were invited to audition for Britain's Got Talent by Simon Cowell after they played the X Factor wrap party in late 2007. An ITV1 spokesman refused claims this was unfair, stating "Scala went through the same application and audition process as everyone else. Britain's Got Talent is open to any performer be it professional or amateur, with any talent."[22] Two of the four members of eScala were part of a similar five-piece classical group called Wild, who were signed to EMI and released an album with the label in 2005.[23] The quartet were then required to change their name from Scala to eScala. According to a report published in the Daily Mirror. "Scala were forced to change their name because it belongs to a little-known female voice choir in Belgium. The girls changed to eScala after EMI threatened to sue, despite having used it for two years."[24]

[edit] Faryl Smith

The Sunday Mirror and Digital Spy both reported that Simon Cowell arranged for free singing lessons to be delivered by leading vocal coach Yvie Burnett to 12-year old vocalist Faryl Smith. Burnett previously coached 2007 BGT winner Paul Potts and 2006 The X Factor winner Leona Lewis.[25][26]

[edit] Voting

Britain's Got Talent bosses were accused of fixing the show by manipulating the viewers’ vote, by the fans. In all five semi-finals of series 2, the semi-finalist performing last won the public vote and made it through to the final. The same thing happened in the first series, with the last performer receiving the top acclaim, including in the final. Readers of the Daily Star say complaints have been flooding in, but bosses have denied all allegations. A spokeswoman for the hit TV show claimed that the pattern noticed by viewers was “nothing more than a coincidence”. She also added: "The judges have no say over the running order on the show."[27][28]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ TV ratings - April 12: Britain's Got Talent back with 8.8m | Media | guardian.co.uk
  2. ^ TV ratings - April 19: Ratings soar for Britain's Got Talent | Media | guardian.co.uk
  3. ^ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings/reevells/2008/04/international_formats_bolster_itv_weekend.html
  4. ^ TV ratings - May 3: Talent shines but viewers head outdoors | Media | guardian.co.uk
  5. ^ TV ratings - May 10: Talent sizzles as heat hits ratings | Media | guardian.co.uk
  6. ^ TV ratings - May 17: FA Cup final scores a ratings victory | Media | guardian.co.uk
  7. ^ TV ratings: 7.1m UK viewers tune in to Eurovision | Media | guardian.co.uk
  8. ^ TV ratings - May 26: Britain's Got Talent dances off with honours | Media | guardian.co.uk
  9. ^ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/05/itv1_delivers_masterclass_to_the_apprentice.html
  10. ^ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/05/28m_get_the_mary_whitehouse_experience.html
  11. ^ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/05/thursday_peaktime_blues_for_bbc1.html
  12. ^ Ratings Thread - Page 470 - TV Programmes - Digital Spy Forums
  13. ^ http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz/s/1052093_britains_got_talent_wins_ratings_war
  14. ^ http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz/s/1052093_britains_got_talent_wins_ratings_war
  15. ^ http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/05/31/reality-tv-hurts-too-much-91466-21002139/
  16. ^ http://www.barb.co.uk/25years/top10.php?section=events&callyear=2002
  17. ^ http://www.barb.co.uk/25years/top10.php?section=events&callyear=2004
  18. ^ http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz/s/1052093_britains_got_talent_wins_ratings_war
  19. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/money/2008/05/22/bcnitv122.xml
  20. ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=508185&page=474
  21. ^ [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-560637/Is-Britains-Got-Talent-choirboy-REALLY-bullied-kid-sink-estate-His-mother-admits-The-pudding-egged.html Is the Britain's Got Talent choirboy REALLY a bullied kid from a sink estate?
  22. ^ Scala Are Bunch Of Real Pros
  23. ^ Scala on Britain's Got Talent electrify Simon Cowell
  24. ^ Britain's Got Talent: row over Scala's name
  25. ^ Simon Cowell's secret singing lessons for Britain's Got Talent's Faryl Smith
  26. ^ Young 'Talent' star gets secret coaching
  27. ^ TV Talent Show Rigged, Say Fans
  28. ^ Britain's Got Talent embroiled in rigging scandal: Viewers accuse bosses of fixing show

[edit] Links