TV
Spacey criticises BBC talent shows
Published Monday, Mar 31 2008, 12:20 BST | By Alex Fletcher | 4 comments
Rex Features
The Hollywood star, who is artistic director at London's Old Vic Theatre, said it was "great" that the shows got people interested in theatre, but argued that the promotion was "crossing the line".
He told the BBC: "I felt that was essentially a 13-week promotion for a musical - where's our 13-week programme? I have spoken to your chairman but he has yet to get back to me."
A spokesperson for the corporation argued that the BBC had no commercial interest in the West End shows.
Spacey also called for the BBC to bring back Play For Today, which created TV shows like Abigail's Party, Cathy Come Home and Blue Remembered Hills.
The Usual Suspects star said that the next generation of theatre-goers were in danger of being lost to TV.
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Lianne, Herts, on April 1st, 2008
Spacey is clearly attempting to drum up controversy and, by association, publicity for his own play. Which, as I have read in at least one first night review, is playing all too heavily on the 'attractions' of it's leading men (Spacey and Jeff Goldblum), rather than actually being any good. The fact of the matter is that, whilst obviously it publicises whichever musical happens to be the focus of the show, it is a proven fact that any programme of a similar nature creates a vested interest within the population for the genre that it is promoting, and not merely the physical subject. I don't quite see what concern it is of an American's whether or not the Beeb is (in his own words) 'crossing the line', unless of course his own failing show needs a boost and controversy is the only way to do so. Spacey, when you start paying British taxes and the license fee, you are more than welcome to complain about the BBC along with the rest of us.
Spacey is clearly attempting to drum up controversy and, by association, publicity for his own play. Which, as I have read in at least one first night review, is playing all too heavily on the 'attractions' of it's leading men (Spacey and Jeff Goldblum), rather than actually being any good. The fact of the matter is that, whilst obviously it publicises whichever musical happens to be the focus of the show, it is a proven fact that any programme of a similar nature creates a vested interest within the population for the genre that it is promoting, and not merely the physical subject. I don't quite see what concern it is of an American's whether or not the Beeb is (in his own words) 'crossing the line', unless of course his own failing show needs a boost and controversy is the only way to do so. Spacey, when you start paying British taxes and the license fee, you are more than welcome to complain about the BBC along with the rest of us.
malcolm, southampton, on April 1st, 2008
Yes they do have a positive effect.Remember it's light entertainment not Chekhov.Anything to raise the profile of live theatre can only be good.
Yes they do have a positive effect.Remember it's light entertainment not Chekhov.Anything to raise the profile of live theatre can only be good.
Talantra, on March 31st, 2008
Kevin's just promoting his own work which is fine, but hasn't he looked at the figures? If he did, he'd see that ALL stage shows have benefitted from the '13 week advert' staged by the BBC! These shows are good for ALL theatre, not just musicals. Afterall, there's plenty of people that don't like musicals!
Kevin's just promoting his own work which is fine, but hasn't he looked at the figures? If he did, he'd see that ALL stage shows have benefitted from the '13 week advert' staged by the BBC! These shows are good for ALL theatre, not just musicals. Afterall, there's plenty of people that don't like musicals!
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Well I agree with Spacey as a performer myself... I know what he means.