Over the TOTP

Just briefly, we were treated today to a Top of the Pops Christmas special. Why? Presumably to remind us why it was axed in the first place.

Don't get me wrong, TV needs Top of the Pops, life isn't the same without it. But the show was in a very bad way, dating back to the arrival of Chris Cowey and his belief that despite what the record-buying public may be snapping up, all that counted on TOTP were bands with guitars who could sing along live to a recorded backing track. TOTP died when decided to take the pop out of it.

So today, we treated to a variety of artists including many I love such as the Automatic and the Feeling - neither of whom had number one singles this year. SO WHY WERE THEY ON? Sandy Thom did have a chart-topper but is now so univserally derided that she should have her broadband disconnected to avoid avoid another faux record-breaking net concert. There was no Robbie, no Take That... The producers just have no idea how to make good pop music into good TV. Please bring back TOTP, but bring in someone who cares about pop to run it.