U2 - always start the show with a huge hit not a new song.
The redhead in Girls Aloud looks like a man in drag.
Too much Duffy already. Mercy was great but one award only please.
I love Viva La Vida.
Strange and dull camera work- too many long shots.
The blonde backstage bimbo was awful whoever she was.
Idiotic chatter.
Hint for the Petties - great tracks but if you can't perform, don't perform.
God I hate the tired old awards format.
Has Natalie Imb had Botox?
I suspect this was a better show at Earls Court than on TV.
If the spectacular moment is really Take That going up and down in a balloon wearing glasses, the Brits producers need to take television content courses.
Is it just me or are all the winners major label priorities?
They do this every bloody year.

I'm sorry but I despair at the lack of originality and imagination in the construction of awards shows.

The Gavin and Stacey actors did a poor job presenting, Kylie was fine.

U2 were blatently promoting their new material, and I thought it was celebrating Music of 2008. Not a problem with a band doing that, so therefore the producers are at fault for allowing them to do it.

Duffy did deserve her awards (not much competition though), however, I wonder how she will follow it up.

The blonde bimbo was Fearne Cotton, whose input wasn't necessary.

I suspected the Pet Shop Boys were miming, which is a shame, as I do think they are a good band. Brandon Flowers did a very good job introducing them and seemed a genuine fan. Didn't like the montage of hits, would have preferred them to do a four song set.

Was pleased that Kings of Leon, Iron Maiden and Elbow won awards.

Would they also stop this awful collebrations? I like the Ting Tings but was it necessary to have Estelle there. Like everybody seen Take That perform 'Perfect Day' so many times (great song though), and not quite sure what they were doing on the balloon.

Must change the format and yes the major labels seems to keep winning.

Probably in future will record it, therefore can cut out adverts and the usual chitter chatter.

Several who were there confirmed my views above - it seemed far better there than here.

I taped it (went out to dinner) and it took a mere 20 minutes to watch, fast forwarding through all the commercials and most of the performances after the initial few seconds.

A friend asked how I got over the ghastly hosts problem when I produced it. Simple. I dropped them and did voice overs (by the excellent Simon Bates).
With the extra time saved I included several montages of snippets from our Great British Weekend Wembley concerts (many bands, great lineups, cheap tickets - £10 - terrific atmosphere) which enabled me to feature live footage of acts like Ozzy, The Cure, Happy Mondays as well as examples of unsigned acts (Carter USB - as I like to call them - got signed as a direct result).

And had longer and better montages of the individual award presenters - for example, Mike Rutherford had a Genesis/Mechanics chunk before he came on which gave a huge boost to both acts sales of catalogue.

Slick, fast and a much, much more entertaining show as well as a far greater kick to sales.

That's right I do seem to remember that in the early 90's.

At the moment you have the hosts and the voice-over when the acts go up to get their awards, surely that is a waste of money would could be used better.

Wasn't Johnny Vegas voice-overs annoying when the nominees were being announced.

We do need something to provide a boost to sell music.

A great live show with great staging.

Poor hosts.

Poor awards.

Several poor peformances.

Finally - how did COLDPLAY not manage to win one award when they are the biggest band in the World right now and their album is easily their best and has single handedly saved the UK music industry this year ( once you strip out the X Factor and Brits school internal acts )

We are in deep trouble as an industry because the major labels really have poor leadership and ideas.

I thought it was complete crap. I don't know anyone in my social circle who takes the Brits seriously. Mention it and they roll their eyes.

To me, it looks like a showcase for the major companies to congratulate themselves. Unfortunately they are still refusing to get to grips with the fact that times have changed and if what we saw last night is the best that "British Music" has to offer then it shows just how bland, unimaginative and mediocre it has become. There is a lot of good music to be found out there but The Brits can't spot 'em. They don't care about anything that doesn't have "major label" involvement, a disease all too clearly seen on "Later With Jools Holland".

As for U2... of course they're gonna plug their latest album. After all that's the reason why they did Obama's inaugaration and why Bruce Springsteen did likewise and at the Superbowl. What else does one expect from facile "awards" ceremonies?

I have nothing against Girls Aloud or their single, but I do agree with BR and cannot understand how Coldplay not at least win Best British Single.

Did Duffy come from the Brits school as she did sell alot this year? But I do agree with Coldplay's record sales and the Grammy Awards being huge that they deserved an award.

Florence and the Machine won best breakthru, yet they didn't perform, again poor planning from the organisers.

I had a terrible time with Chairmen when I did the Brits as I ruled with a rod of iron and told the artistes just what to do (no execs dared).
As it happens none of them minded except one - George Michael, who was too ill to perform and pulled out at the last moment but seemed perfectly well when he turned up to collect his Best Album award.

I gave him such a hard time. When he said "this is my third" or something I said loudly to my brother "Get her - I got a dozen in my time as a pop star".

And having torn him to shreds I said "anyway it all worked out in the end. I got EMF to do Unbelievable in your slot and they are far younger and much prettier than you dear".

I would have asked U2 to do Angel of Harlem to open the show this year and knowing Bono. Paul and the guys I'm sure they would have been delighted and brilliant.

I once had a house built, gorgeous it was. Then we sold it and some idiots chopped and changed it until it ended up looking like something only a Lottery winner from Canvey island could produce and assume it represented "class"

That must be how you feel about the Brits JK ?

Well ITV should be looking at making changes judging by this. Maybe the no host and more music may mean more ratings.

www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a147200/brits-at...-down-1-million.html

Never understood George Michael as he hardly ever tours and yet when I have seen him on TV, he seems to love performing. He seems a lost soul at times and yet at times has had brilliant songs. Am I right in thinking he isn't releasing any more music.

Spot on - a mere 5.2 million viewers, a million down on last year.

When I produced it we got 14 million.

JK2006 wrote:
Spot on - a mere 5.2 million viewers, a million down on last year.

When I produced it we got 14 million.

To be fair, back then the choice was limited. Like it or lump it.

And when I produced it, they liked it.
Now we have to lump it.

Ditto Eurovision.

The Brits is a joke, has been for years. Its a poor mans Grammy awards.The lifetime grammy went to Tom Paxton. The Brit went to The Pet Shop Boys. Says it all really. Who they got lined up for next years award? Limahl of Kajagoogoo? Nick Heyward? I jest of course but you never know with the Brits. Like most jokes its often good for a laugh. Anyone got any suggestions for next years Lifetime award? Mine would be Shirley Bassey(if she hasnt got one).And as for best International artistes ,It would have to be the ever interesting and wonderful Sparks!!

It is interesting though that nine million watched Coronation Street and four million felt the need to channel-surf or switch the TV off.

I suspect a lot of people recorded it to forward-wind the boring bits or will watch it on ITV2 as it is being repeated quite a lot.

They have to make changes otherwise the show with 4 million viewers next year will probably mean that by 2011, it'll be on Channel 5.

I agree their are more choices on TV with satellite etc.., however, isn't it up to the producers to up their game and make the Brits entertaining.

Sign of a good columnist is when they say exactly what you thought at the time - Ally Ross in the Sun today about Elbow and the blonde backstage bimbo.

Best British Single was a fan voted award and usually ends up these days with the act with the largest fanbase (hence Take That's weak Shine beating Leona Lewis's superb Bleeding Love last year).

Girls Aloud have a huge and dedicated fanbase who will get out anf vote so took it. Throw in their current career high wave of popularity and they were a shoo in (if you could still bet).

The other two fan voted awards were British Breakthrough
Act (Duffy) and Live Act (Iron Maiden).

The rest you can blame on the 1000 strong voting/nomination committee.

I actually never mind who wins - it's absurd anyway; I just believe a good show should provide variety, entertainment, laughs, tears and lots of plugs for as much different music as possible,