Im here for you
I've caught my breath now!
Re This Morning, ITV for some time have wanted to shake up the show. There is a conflict of ideas over what the ITV bigwigs want and what Martin Frizell is delivering. Frizell is quite happy with the line up. ITV are not, and think it can be more accessible and diverse. George Floyd's death really forced Frizell's hand, and he only promoted Alison Hammond as a full-time presenter to save face.
Backstage it is very toxic. Holly has her favourites, so does Phil. Some of the regulars can't stand them, and hate the 'cliquey' banter. Apparently Phil has a big say at which chefs pop up. (speculating here but I wonder if Nisha Katona was put on the temporary sin bin and 'regulated' to Fridays. Saying that she loves Alison and Dermot because they actually eat her food! And she loved Rylan, Eamonn and Ruth all the same).
Holly has wanted out for some time. She was not happy at how ITV responded to queue gate, and felt they threw her under the bus. Phil (arrogantly) couldn't believe there was any uproar over the filming. Frizell was of the same view. This Morning thought about framing it as an 'ITV News' segment - so having the news reporters come in and sharing their thoughts (Mary Nightangle was also photographed with Holly and Phil) but decided against.
I'm not sure if this week was Joel's first as a TM presenter but the bosses have wanted him for some time. He ticks all the boxes. Whether he wants the full time job is another question, but the team have had to plan for contingencies in the event a presenter goes. They have Rochelle, Andi, Vernon, etc but they are relief presenters - not full-time replacements.
What the producers looked for last week was chemistry. Bit like when actors are paired up, the casting agents are looking for that spark. If Holly and Joel click (only saw a bit of Wednesday's show), then it makes him an attractive contender for the full time job. Again, it depends if he wants it, but if Holly can be convinced to stay, then ITV may push to retain her at all costs. However, how much she is implicated by Pip's mucky world remains to be seen!
My old friend said don't be surprised if the show has an autumn relaunch.