In a seemingly very distant time now, the telly used to be the last resort for Saturday evenings when you can't be bothered to go out but don't have anyone to do anything exciting with. Come today and Saturday TV is oftentimes the biggest reason to stay at home.
British reality shows in particular have become some of the most watched TV programmes at present. It gets families to sit down together, gives limitless fodder to online communities and fuels office conversations come the weekdays. The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, Strictly Come Dancing – they may be trashy at time (vulgar, even), but their brand of shiny-floored entertainment consistently bring the highest ratings in UK TV.
But the wide success of British entertainment programming may not last forever. It may even go the same way as British TV drama – a bit outdated and less grandly produced compared to its American version. Already, it has shown signs of being spending itself out. One only needs to know about the plan to create a Sing If You Can franchise (where celebrities try to carry a tune while having their chest hairs plucked) to realize this.
Yet, there is still one TV entertainment section that could definitely use some improvements: the talk show. Piers Morgan Tonight was only good on its debut show, The Graham Norton Show is somehow lacking in class, while you are in constant threat of having your vehicle choice insulted while watching Top Gear.
Well, these shows are good enough for passing the time, but they've never delivered any episodes with the same calibre as, say, a regular David Letterman, Conan O'Brien or John Steward show – and this in a time when our TV's teeming with comedians, who presumably would make for good hosts.
And then there are shows like Famous and Fearless, Don't Forget the Lyrics! and others that are best left forgotten. British entertainment programmes may be on its peak today, but that doesn't mean it couldn't go any higher – or lower, for that matter.