has given the British public some of the most reliable comedy material on TV. But 19 years on, even a devotee like me has to concede that it’s time for the show to make a graceful exit. What’s more, I’m not alone – with 1.2 million viewers dropping off since last series, and appetite for tonight’s final decidedly lukewarm, it seems that the public is calling time on the show whether it likes it or not.
While the clashing egos at the heart of every challenge will never fail to be fascinating, they produce the same dynamics every time – a self-appointed “creative” is wounded when their ideas aren’t taken seriously; opposing visions that water each other down until what is left is barely discernible as a “vision” at all. Fumbled pitches are still painful to watch, but rarely in the deliciously masochistic way they once were – more like stubbing your toe than surrendering to freefall.
So what’s behind the show’s subtle – but unmistakable – fall from grace? Who can I blame for spoiling my fun?