Going For Gold

Following on from the Olympic love in that we have been having (I am not going to mention the Spice Girls in the closing ceremony in case it is true) I saw disturbing news this morning. It is only 9 days until the start of X factor and its lowest common denominator viewer gathering methods. If you enjoy it, fair enough, I have slated it enough in the past to bother again.

What instantly jumped out at me though was the other main comments that have been bubbling around the Olympics. School sports, parent involvement being one side, and the other being the fact that in a few short weeks we will be back to Football as the main sport conversation – and obviously the multi-millionaire players. Many an article, comment, argument and discussion over the last few weeks of what many footballers could learn from the athletes in the Olympics, financially and also performance, respect based as well.

It is hard to draw a direct line between these athletes and footballers and the X factor, but in a sweeping generalisation the people entering the X factor base their heroes more on the footballer side than the discus throwing camp. That is because the X factor is a route to instant fame – it isn’t years of training and dedication, for the bands and singers it isn’t years of playing in pubs and clubs in the hope of making it, it is a fast track. After saying I wasn’t going to slate it I just couldn’t stop myself, so on to what I wanted to say without further ado.

I am no TV show creator, but when this gets nicked at least an acknowledgement would be nice, so in the style of Alan Partridge…. “idea for TV show - Going For Gold – not with Henry Kelly”

A serious concept though – and one that if launched now would show the current crop of “talent” shows for what they are, and tap into the legacy and enjoyment that the Olympics are supposed to leave us with. A simple enough idea, and pretty much the same format, but having young people who want to be in the Rio Olympics as the contestants and actual sportspeople not idiot celebs as the panel. How easy is this, the entrants along with their schools / clubs etc if they have them show that the raw talent is there – which should be simple enough, can you run, jump, throw, shoot etc?

Once the talent is established, a proper “boot camp” where attitude and likely ability is worked on and then the “best” prospects get funding, training etc to help them in their quest, with regular update shows showing their progress and the positive impact on their lives, schools, clubs, friends etc as people genuinely work together for a positive result.

Four or five athletes journeys over 4 years – not all would make the grade and see it out obviously, and no special treatment because they are on TV, they would have to really perform. Surely people would rather watch something like this than X / The Voice / BGT etc?

I would really like to think so, a mainstream TV series that really shows that Britain’s Got Talent.

If anyone from the BBC wants me to be executive producer just get in touch.