Key Highlights
- The article argues that ITV has become overly reliant on familiar faces like Stephen Mulhern.
- New show “The Accidental Tourist” is criticized for its reliance on well-known presenters and clichéd content.
- Mulhern’s hosting roles are described as overexposure, with his limited culinary skills highlighted.
- The piece suggests that ITV should consider a shake-up to bring in new talent.
ITV Faces Criticism for Overly Familiar Line-Up
It’s time for ITV to rethink its programming strategy and bring some fresh faces to the table, argues Jon O’Brien, with the broadcaster seemingly stuck in a cycle of rehashing familiar formats and hosting roles.
The Stephen Mulhern Problem
Ant and Dec’s latest venture, “The Accidental Tourist,” is perhaps the most damning indictment of ITV’s current approach. The six-part travel challenge is described as a lazy mish-mash of clichéd elements, including celebrity catchphrases and bush tucker trials, all hosted by the ubiquitous Stephen Mulhern. This new show sends Mulhern to South Korea, where he is expected to navigate local cuisine with the gusto of a seasoned food critic – or so one would hope.
The problem, according to O’Brien, lies in ITV’s over-reliance on established presenters like Mulhern.
While these familiar faces may ensure that shows are watchable, they also risk becoming stale and repetitive. Mulhern’s hosting style is described as safe but uninspiring, relying heavily on his experience at Butlins, where he once served as an ambassador.
New Challenges for ITV
The Accidental Tourist isn’t the only show to suffer from this trend. Recent schedules reveal a high frequency of Mulhern’s presence, including roles in spin-offs like You Bet! On Tour and Deal or No Deal.
Holly Willoughby and Ben Shepherd are also mentioned as dependable but unexciting presenters who dominate ITV programming.
The piece notes that ITV might be hampered by the traditional route to prime-time success, which once involved starting on “yoof” TV shows before making it big in more mainstream entertainment. However, with Saturday breakfasts increasingly monopolized by middle-class chefs and the decline of children’s programming, the traditional training grounds are no longer as accessible.
Alternative Talent for ITV?
While ITV may be hesitant to shake up its line-up, O’Brien suggests that it’s time for a change. The piece concludes with Mulhern’s comment on taking risks: “Taking a chance is sometimes worth the risk.” This could imply that ITV needs to embrace new talent and fresh formats if it wants to avoid becoming too predictable.
The Accidental Tourist premieres tonight at 9pm on ITV1, marking another step in what some viewers might see as a cycle of familiar faces. As O’Brien notes, the time for change is now – enough Stephen Mulhern, it’s time for new talent to take center stage.
