It's wicked (SMTV)

Member Name: fooyoo

Product:	SMTV
Date:	19/11/02 (144 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny

Disadvantages: I am too old for all this!

When I was younger Saturday morning's consisted of Saturday Superstore and later Going Live, which were both BBC programmes. Now, ITV have struck back with SM:TV, and for the last 4 years, nothing the BBC can throw at SM:TV has worked. ITV have kept the format pretty simple, and I am sure that this is the secret of their success, and also the fact that this programme is attractive to a very wide age range, and for the first time, parents are sitting watching the same programme as their children.

The programme started off with 3 presenters, ex model and Brummie babe Cat Deeley, and Geordie pranksters Ant and Dec. The programme started off as a light hearted look at the world of television and music. It was and still is a programme which does not take itself too seriously, and some of the skits are beyond daft, they are downright ridiculous, but admittedly that is the charm of the programme.

Each week the show had regular slots, such as Postbag, Chums, Challenge Ant (now Brian's Brains) and Wonky Donkey.My own favourite, and yes I am not ashamed to say I am avid fan was Chums. In case the name does not give it away, this was the programmes skit on Friends. Each week, Ant, Dec and Cat would play flatmates, and the studio guests of that week would each play a starring role, happily being involved in the live on screen antics, which often saw people so creased up with laughter they were unable to deliver their lines.

Some of the jokes did have more mature innuendos, but they were done so innocently that they certainly did not offend as they were done in such a way the children laughed at the innocent joke, whilst the adults sniggered at the thoughts in their own head.

There were also cartoons, and at the height of it's fame this was the place to see Pokemon, or also Sabrina The Teenage Witch.

In 2001, Ant and Dec decided to move on to pastures new, and my wife cried that day, and vowed the programme would never b
e the same. She was right, and eventually Cat announced she was off. The programme is now hosted by Tess Daley and Brian Dowling, with 'help' from ex Steps members H and Claire.

The magic has gone though, as the new presenters just do not have the certain something that the original threesome had. Ant and Dec were the undisputed stars of the programme, but Cat was the perfect foil for their antics, and on screen chemistry like they had is something other presenters can only dream of. The programme was the making of the three of them.

You can contact them at STUDIO@SMTVLIVE.CO.UK or just watch ITV every Saturday at 9.25am, and relax for 2 hours.

Summary: