Format for Television

I have had an idea for a new television programme format: 'Have Your Say'. It is based on something which has intrigued me for some time, and I've now realised that it would make a great format for television, so I'm giving it away for free.

The thing that has always intrigued me are the sometimes curious, sometimes inexplicable, and sometimes intriguing decisions that are made by people who have ultimate control over what happens in television programmes. Recent examples could include:

-Why did season 3 of Primeval start out with its main character, but lose him and his love interest by half-way through the season, and then introduce a replacement who behaved in much the same way?

-Why was Arlene Phillips replaced on the judging panel of 'Strictly Come Dancing'?

-Why did the Doctor Who publicity machine set up Martha Jones as the next Companion, only to lose her rapidly, and then quickly introduce a different new Companion?

-Why didn't Derren Brown actually explain how he did the Lottery prediction, on the subsequent 'How it was Done' programme?

(I'm sure you have your own questions!)

As you can imagine, there are lots of these types of questions, and whilst TV is full of investigative programmes about customer service, politics, crime, and the paranormal, TV itself is rarely held up to account for itself.

The format goes like this: Program researchers locate and investigate anomalous activity in TV decision making. Reporter presents results and identifies those responsible, who are invited to explain. Public then votes on which explanation they believe.

There's a lot to recommend this format. It uses skills that already exist (investigative reporting), there is no travelling required because the stories are all from the same place that the programmes themselves are made, the public voting will bring in much-needed cash, and the public gets to hear some interesting, amusing and maybe even plausible explanations - plus the public gets a chance to 'have their say' on how acceptable the explanations are!

Finally, some people might be already thinking of another format that already has broad television coverage, plus a voting scheme, but it only happens every few years: Politics.

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