It looks like not only did the British Comedy Awards did not only mislead people in voting for awards that had already been decided for in 2005, but in 2004 as well.
In that year, Little Britain won the award, but it looks like that ITV could have done the same thing the year after, in which they broke for a news bulletin, and when they came back the ceremony was not live, so people voted for awards that had already been won.
There goes the 2008 awards. 
Oh jeez, will these scandals ever end! It makes you wonder what else is burried.
Took them a while to confess to this latest one didn't it - nice to see their new policy of being completely open is working 
I tell you what though, if they cancel this year's broadcast too I'm personally going into ITV offices to hunt down Grade and will hold him against the wall till the broadcast is back on.
(They won't cancel it again though, last year lost them over £1m)
If they were retarded enough to do it once...
I won't be surprised if Grade was that stupid. He has a history of axing very popular TV series. It was he who axed the original Doctor Who.
Really think the guys who own the rights to BCA should take the event to the Beeb or C4. Not just because of the cancellation of broadcasting last year or the phone-in scandal (all channels had them), but because ITV has year-by-year diminished the event by cutting its running length. I remember when it seemed to last three or four hours (the glory days) but never overstayed its welcome. In recent years it's become such a commercial whore and has lost much of its charm. The whole point about this award ceremony is that it's Ross/award presenters/winners being funny/bitchy and irreverant. Who actually wins the awards has always, to an extent, been beside the point. Consider the screen time C4 gives to (admittedly cheaper) list shows. They could pop it on E4 for 3 hours and have a once-a-year commercial hit.
They tried to take it elsewhere last year, but ITV stopped them. The skanks. 
Quote: Aaron @ August 15 2008, 7:48 PM BSTThey tried to take it elsewhere last year, but ITV stopped them. The skanks.
Presumably there was no contractual get-out clause, but does anyone know if ITV have more than a one year option?
What do you mean? That they have it long-term, or sign a new show up every year?
Quote: Aaron @ August 15 2008, 8:57 PM BSTWhat do you mean? That they have it long-term, or sign a new show up every year?
Yeah, do they have say a five year contract to show it, or is it a deal which is renewed on a yearly basis?
From what I recall having read, I believe it's long-term. The production company were trying to find a way to get out of it, but ITV tightened the reins.
No idea how long it is though.
Quote: Aaron @ August 15 2008, 9:01 PM BSTFrom what I recall having read, I believe it's long-term. The production company were trying to find a way to get out of it, but ITV tightened the reins.
C**ts.
Quite. I wrote an open letter to them somewhere.
*searches*
Quote: Ian Wolf @ August 15 2008, 7:37 PM BSTI won't be surprised if Grade was that stupid. He has a history of axing very popular TV series. It was he who axed the original Doctor Who.
Maybe. But to be fair to Grade the old Dr Who was shit (complaint letters about this post to the usual address please 
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 15 2008, 7:44 PM BSTReally think the guys who own the rights to BCA should take the event to the Beeb or C4. Not just because of the cancellation of broadcasting last year or the phone-in scandal (all channels had them), but because ITV has year-by-year diminished the event by cutting its running length.
I absolutely agree... but unfortunately, as is mentioned above, ITV have first say on the rights.
If you remember, last year Channel 4 actually wanted to take over the broadcast, but ITV was having none of it. I can't remember off the top of my head what ITV paid the production company, but I believe it was nearly £1 million... and that was just not to allow the 2007 ceremony to be seen elsewhere. The fact they're that keen to hold onto the rights suggests that they will definitely be broadcasing it this year, but as is pointed out above - they've done dafter things in the past so who knows!
(As an aside, I still don't understand what not showing the 2007 awards has achieved - apart from annoying us comedy fans. ITV still paid, the production company still made profit - the only people being punished for the scandal ended up being us viewers. If there really was still a problem with voting, surely they could have just removed the people's choice award?!? I think there must be something else going on here we're not aware of - it's the only rational explanation)
Quote: Mark @ August 15 2008, 11:26 PM BSTMaybe. But to be fair to Grade the old Dr Who was shit (complaint letters about this post to the usual address please
The last series was pretty damn good. I believe that it was scheduled against Corrie, hence poor ratings from the off.