Wednesday 13 August 2014

Mixed reviews for BBC One gymnastics show Tumble - BBC News

Mixed reviews for BBC One gymnastics show Tumble

Sarah Harding performs with her Tumble partner Leon FagbemiSarah Harding performs with her Tumble partner Leon Fagbemi

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Tumble, BBC One's new gymnastics-themed talent show, has received mixed reviews following its Saturday night launch.
According to one critic, the show, in which 10 celebrities seek to impress a judging panel with gymnastic and aerial routines, "lacked distinctiveness".
Yet the Telegraph's Gerard O'Donovan nonetheless predicted it would "grow in strength and confidence as it goes on".
The Daily Mail's critic, however, was unimpressed, saying it proved reality television had "hit a new low".
Tumble, wrote Jim Shelley, "treated the viewers as if they were either young kids or just idiots".
He went on to call the programme "criminally unimaginative", "unintentionally amusing" and full of "tired" cliches.
"The main thing that is going to be taking a 'Tumble' is the ratings," he concluded.
Ex-Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding, former Dynasty actress Emma Samms and one-time Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan are among the familiar faces taking part in the contest.
Sugababes member Amelle Berrabah and former EastEnders actor John Partridge are also competing alongside Loose Women's Andrea McLean and boxer Carl Froch.
Exercise instructor Mr Motivator, real name Derrick Evans, had to pull out last month after dislocating his knee in rehearsals.
Ian "H" Watkins performs with his Tumble partner Holly JohnstoneIan "H" Watkins of Steps fame (left) was among the other participating celebrities
The celebrities' efforts are assessed by judges that include Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci, Strictly Come Dancing champion Louis Smith and gymnast turned broadcaster Craig Heap.
The Mirror's Mark Jefferies found their contributions "a little stiff", suggesting Smith "seemed to be lost for words - or realistic sentences".
"The judges could be sharper, perhaps a bit spikier and have fun with it," he continued. "They need to remember this is not a proper gymnastics competition for a world title but a bit of fun on the telly."
Overall, though, he said the show would succeed "if everyone just loosens up a bit" and it was "given a few weeks to settle in".
Tumble's launch on BBC One drew an average audience of 3.2 million, according to overnight figures - a million less than tuned in later that evening for a repeat of Mrs Brown's Boys.

Tumble turn for Sugababe Berrabah as gymnastics TV show makes debut

Tumble turn for Sugababe Berrabah as gymnastics TV show makes debut

Sugababes star Amelle Berrebah, from Aldershot, vaulted onto our TV screens on Saturday night in the new reality show Tumble

BBC - Colin Bell
Amelle Berrabah
Aldershot singer and former Sugababes star Amelle Berrabah bounded into the public’s living room on Saturday evening as a new BBC One show vaulted onto our TV screens.
The BBC is hoping Tumble, a gymnastics-themed entertainment show, featuring a host of nimble and willing celebrities, will prove to be a huge ratings winner as it seeks out the coveted Saturday night audience.
Joining Miss Berrabah in the limb-stretching series is boxing champion Carl Froch, Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding and EastEnders actor John Partridge, to name but a few.
While judging the stars are Olympic gymnast Louis Smith and retired Commonwealth Games gold medallist Craig Heap, with The One Show’s Alex Jones on presenting duty.
Saturday’s initial effort received mixed reviews, with many critics slow to embrace this particular mix of glitter-strewn endeavour.
Writing for The Mirror, TV expert Mark Jefferies believes we have a "Dancing on Ice but with gymnastics", perhaps an improvement on what he was expecting.
He said: “I quickly realised this was not going to be like Splash! in the sense the celebs, or at least some of them, have trained properly.”
And there was special praise for our young songstress from Hampshire.
“Amelle Berrabah kicked off the show with an impressive performance,” he said, before going on to reveal less admiration for the expert panel. “The judges could be sharper, perhaps a bit spikier and have fun with it."
It could have all turned out so differently for young Miss Berrabah, who reportedly injured her ankle while jumping up and down celebrating a move performed on the show.
Despite fears of lifelong disfigurement, she is pluckily carrying on with the aid of some strapping and a big heart.
Miss Berrabah, 30, was born in Aldershot, one of five children to Moroccan parents. She left the Sugababes in 2011 to carve out a solo career, after already achieving a number one in 2009 with Never Leave You, a collaboration with Tinchy Stryder.

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