ITV couldn’t have been despatched a clearer message that it is barking up the unsuitable tree after channel bosses unveiled Alison Hammond as Paul O’Grady’s successor on For The Love of Dogs this week.
It’s been almost a 12 months for the reason that one-of-a-kind comedian’s premature dying after he’d spent his ultimate a long time doing what he beloved greatest – being within the firm of canines.
His For The Love of Dogs sequence was a singular gem for ITV, in some way managing to enchantment to a broader viewers than simply canine lovers and drawing tears and smiles from even the sternest of pet-loather.
Replacing him was an unenviable process – and there undoubtedly is an argument that ITV ought to’ve let the For The Love of Dogs identify finish out of respect for O’Grady and search a brand new manner to assist out at Battersea.
However, discovering a successor wasn’t an unattainable process and this has been confirmed by the outpouring of disgruntled options from followers throughout social media after information of Hammond’s appointment broke.
Julian Clary, Martin Clunes and Peter Egan have all been recommended by fans who’ve since vowed to boycott the show in protest at Hammond landing the gig and whereas all worthy O’Grady replacements, ITV bosses initially had their sights set on one man: Ricky Gervais.
Alison Hammond: The This Morning host poses exterior Battersea after touchdown For The Love of Dogs position
ITV
Before I delve into why Gervais would’ve been an ideal For The Love of Dogs host and why ITV should not have taken no for a solution, I feel it is solely honest to supply a pivotal bit of knowledge… I truly fairly like Hammond.
One of the arguments towards her appointment is that she’s “in every single place” on TV in the intervening time and it is merely not true – she co-hosts Bake Off for a dozen episodes a 12 months and is one among 24,357 rotating This Morning presenters.
And on the subject of mild leisure, she’s nice – she’s personable, louder than life, and prone to the odd innuendo or slip-up that leads to raucous laughter and the rubbing of a social media intern’s palms as they pre-empt the viral clicks.
But that is additionally precisely why she would not match the mould set by O’Grady on For The Love of Dogs.
For The Love of Dogs ITV: Paul O’Grady spent over a decade making the present a hit
GETTY
The ITV sequence from the surface might appear like a bit of fluffy light-hearted leisure, however O’Grady made it a lot extra.
He had a fast and dry wit, a sympathetic disposition, and most significantly, a real and unwavering love for animals that simply can’t be faked on-screen.
All three may be stated of Gervais who revealed in October 2023 that he had been approached to bag the position – however needed to flip it down.
When requested on X, previously Twitter, about taking over the position, Gervais admitted: “It’s true that I used to be requested however I stated no I’m afraid.
“Just too busy,” his three-word clarification learn.
Inevitably, Twitter grew to become a sea of yellow and blue pixels as followers flooded the thread with numerous crying emojis.
And whereas Gervais appeared to take accountability for turning down the chance, I simply cannot fathom how ITV could not have pulled strings to work round him.
After all, the upcoming sequence consists of simply six half-hour episodes. The concept that ITV couldn’t have adjusted its scheduling commitments to bag a reputation like Gervais for 3 hours of movie appears a serious missed alternative.
It’s true that I used to be requested however I stated no I’m afraid. Just too busy.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) October 23, 2023
One argument could also be that ITV had pre-empted some form of public outcry at Gervais’ appointment in the event that they’d gone above and past for him – and they’d’ve been proper given the cries and moans at his latest Netflix particular which included jokes about immigration, the trans agenda, most cancers sufferers and plenty of extra matters.
And to an extent, I agree with criticism of Gervais’ profession trajectory. Not that he deserves to be cancelled however as somebody who nonetheless listens to his early Noughties XFM reveals with Karl Pilkington and Stephen Merchant, it is unattainable to argue the standard of his materials hasn’t slowly deteriorated in recent years.
For the Love of Dogs: Ricky Gervais and Alison Hammond have sparked debate amongst followers after the latter’s appointment
GETTY/NETFLIX
But one factor that has been constant all through Gervais’ time within the highlight is his love and fervour for animal rights.
He’s a person who’s usually stated he prefers dogs to people, gave canines main – and heartbreaking – roles in sitcoms Derek and After Life, and even donated almost £2 million to worldwide animal charities from the earnings of his stand-up tour Armageddon.
Gervais might not match the mould of sunshine primetime leisure however as I stated earlier, O’Grady and For The Love of Dogs managed to transcend that.
And that reality is what ITV seems to not realise and means it has gotten it so unsuitable by giving the position to Hammond, though it is no fault of her personal.
All in all, changing Paul O’Grady on For The Love of Dogs was at all times going to be as laborious as housetraining a disobedient Great Dane with IBS, however by using Alison Hammond ITV has nicely and really s**t the mattress.
