I hate Awards shows unless they are entertaining, interesting and boost overall music sales (like my Record of the Year did - and The Brits when I ran/revived them).

Who's better than who is stupid. Who likes what is fair but not a contest. The biggest seller (Gangnam Style) may not appeal to most people but that's no reason to knock it; likewise, it's no "better" than many tracks that nobody bought (or heard).

My Awards shows tried to be original and entertain viewers (huge ratings on TV), to include by stealth other sounds (unsigned acts on The Brits), to have moments of pure magic (Maggie Thatcher crooning How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?)...

And we don't seem able to find anyone who went!
I know Robbie was there?

I tend to think Awards Shows are a necessity, and virtually every industry has them. But they need to be well planned and relevant - and have a purpose. But, even today, The Brits, The Mercury’s and The Ivors are still very relevant. I’m not so sure of the Brits Icon Award for Elton John , but, hey, it achieved getting music on prime-time TV, and sold product. (Exactly as Record of the Year did, but maybe not in the same volume!).

With single sales significantly higher, I can’t understand why a TV channel doesn’t bite off your arm to put Record of The Year back on prime TV. Perhaps its because it’s a one-off and won’t fill the schedules for 13 weeks in the run up to Christmas.

Oh yes Dixie - we need Awards shows but there's absolutely no reason why they can't be entertaining, funny, clever, interesting, stimulating and exciting as well as great TV.

I came up with a great idea for a You Tube Awards show but they got into bed with Simon Cowell (lovely guy but not great on original TV format ideas) and are doing an MTV type thing next month (mistake).