Generation Game over

It absolutely will not give you up

THE second episode of The Generation Game limped in with 3.7million viewers on Sunday night – 1.5million fewer than for its debut.

Two more episodes, costing £1.5million, filmed with Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins are apparently never going to be shown, having been deemed “too bad” for public consumption. Yes, that’s worse than the ones already shown.

So, surely it’s now time for the BBC to get over its long-held belief that The Generation Game can somehow be rehabilitated for the 21st century?

Poor Mel and Sue aren’t the only presenters to take up the challenge.

Paul O’Grady’s ill-fated pilot in 2004 was filmed but never saw the light of day. Graham Norton stepped into the breach but his attempt to emulate Bruce Forsyth and Larry Grayson didn’t lead to a series in 2005, when Johnny Vegas was brought in as a celebrity pottery expert. Undeterred by this, Vegas and his potter’s wheel were again drafted in for the latest revival attempt – surely a lack of new ideas should have rung a few alarm bells?

Miranda Hart had a go in 2015, but quickly backed out. Then two years on it was time for Mel and Sue to have a go, with the slot shifted from primetime Saturday to Sunday.

The BBC has “no news” on whether a full series will follow. Talk about flogging a dead horse – no, not a new idea for a studio-based show – please, just give. It. Up.

Here’s Never Gonna Give You Up singer Rick Astley as the Terminator and Paddy McGuinness as Sarah Connor in a fun film spoof from the new series of the Keith and Paddy Picture Show. Below is their Jurassic Park takeoff, with Car Share’s Sian Gibson....

PRESENTERS Bruce Forsyth, Sue and Mel (above) and Miranda Hart