Reviving the much-loved long-running Stars in Their Eyes was always going to be a tricky move for ITV, but with Harry Hill at the helm who had audiences laughing for years with TV Burp, it looked as if they were going to be able to pull it off. Unfortunately, when they decided that the show should be more about Harry than the contestants, the formula was messed with a touch too much and left viewers with a sour taste in their mouths.
Credit: ITV
Sketches were planted throughout the episode - unfunny and dated and at one point, sinister. We were supposed to find funny the thought of Harry stealing Adele's baby and shoving it in a cupboard, before throwing it at various workers throughout London and ultimately - Brian Belo. Whoever cooked up this idea needs to seriously re-think and re-evaluate any future material.
And to those critics claiming this show is "refreshing" and a nice take from the usual "seriousness" of Saturday night television - just which channels have you been watching? An audience is all for a wind-down on a Saturday night - look at the popularity of Take Me Out for example - but when something is so often missing the mark in its pilot episode, it may already be time to pull the plug.
There is hope. It could be saved by reverting back to the old format, but some fans would expect Matthew Kelly to make a return and hope for the ditching of Harry Hill altogether.
The contestants were likeable and did well to channel their inner diva, rap legend or soul singers. If there's anything to take away from this show, it's the almost-memorable feeling of laughter when the contestant goes through the 'magic doorway', emerging just seconds later in the get-up of the artist they're going to be performing as on-stage.
It just didn't seem to be about them, however. More time was given to Harry's gags and that, ITV, was the biggest mistake you could have ever made.
Harry Hill's Stars in Their Eyes continues next Saturday, 7pm on ITV.
Tagged in Harry Hill