Sadly, the televised final fell prey to that gruesome embellishment: instant reaction. Having the contestants themselves interviewed the second they stepped offstage was just about tolerable, although former-winner-turned-interviewer, the fabulously-named Nicola Loud's stilted bludgeoning of questions betrayed her lack of experience in this role. The nadir came each time we cut to the auditorium, as Gethin Jones embarked on a search for truth. The tone was set from the top, following the performance of the first contestant, Jadran Duncumb:
Gethin: "Let's see how brother Emile feels about that performance. What are your first reactions to that?"
Emile: "Well, I thought it was good. Yeah, it was great. [laughs]"
[audience laughter]
Gethin: "I suppose I was asking for that. What about his reaction, there? Did he seem happy? To you?"
Emile: "Well... urm... you should ask him. I dunno. [laughs]"
Gethin: "Great!"
[audience laughs]
Gethin: "Err, now, listen, um - we were chatting to Jadran before he came on last night, and he looked round, and he saw the crowd and he said 'Oh no. Mum and dad are in the front row!' Now, did he tell em last night, cos they seem to be more towards the back tonight. What do they think of the performance?"
Emile: "Well, they... they're the greatest critics. I mean, they're most critical of... everyone! [laughs] So they're... but I... I think they're enjoying it. I hope so. [laughs]"
Gethin: "Great. Well, we'll keep our fingers crossed for you."
Emile was understandably at a loss as Gethin asked him to interpret the reaction of his brother who we'd just seen being interviewed for his reaction, but was far too polite to embarrass Gethin a second time, on being asked to speculate on the feelings of his parents who, it has just been established, are sitting far away near the back of the auditorium!
Really, what 'extra value' was added by this exchange? I have no doubt that the official response would be some guff about giving a human dimension, allowing us to see the personalities behind the instruments, a sense of what's at stake etc etc. The reality is that they were an embarrassment for all concerned - for the interviewee, who didn't know how to respond, for the interviewer, who was left with egg on their face, and for the viewer at home, who wondered whether the music being played was sufficient reward for having to endure this dead and uncomfortable airtime. If reaction was needed to cover setting up for the next performer, then it would have been better to have had some expert comment; something that might have helped those of us who aren't professional musicians to understand, even if only slightly, about the performers' techniques and level of accomplishment. But that might have meant that we'd have actually learnt something, and that would never do. That sounds far too boring and elitist, doesn't it?
The programme ended in an oddly perfunctory manner. The winner was announced, but not by any of the judging panel, and so the most important reaction of the night - why they had chosen this contestant over the others - remained unheard. There was time, however, for Peter Moore's family to be shepherded to the front, though Gethin was, by now, evidently flagging:
Gethin: "Here's the winning family! Guys! How is that?"
Brother: "Awesome. Pretty good."
Gethin: "Mum and dad, what does this mean, if I can come through to you there."
Dad: "We don't really know yet [laughs]"
Gethin: "You said you - he's enjoyed it throughout the whole competition. What does this mean, to him and to you?"
Dad: "I think it's just been a showcase to show what he likes doing, basically. On a fantastic stage"
Gethin: "Modest till the end. Congratulations."
Congratulations, indeed.
