The Baftas need more than David Tennant's awful jokes to get people to care about them
How do you get people to care about the Baftas? This Sunday night, Britain's foremost film ceremony faced the same uphill battle that every awards show faces this year: distracting controversies, audience fatigue, and, with some noteworthy exceptions, a rather middling lineup of films. The Baftas' solution, it seems, is to go with the tried and true, tapping David Tennant for the second year running to host its star-studded ceremony.
Don't get me wrong: audiences seem to love David Tennant. The Scottish actor kicked off the BBC's Baftas telecast with a skit set backstage, in which he received passive-aggressive advice from a number of famous faces – Helen Mirren; Brian Cox – who materialise in his dressing room mirror. Cox's Logan Roy-tinged pep talk segues into a kilt-clad rendition of The Proclaimers' 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)', which Tennant belts out while walking into the Royal Festival Hall auditorium, enlisting many of the seated stars in attendance as backing singers – James McAvoy, Harriet Walter, Selena Gomez among them. In the wrong hands, this kind of kitsch and cringey opening would seem downright excruciating. Tennant, earnest and boyish, just about sells it.
What follows is less convincing: a series of trite one-liners about the major nominees, which mostly just serves as a reminder as to why the major US awards shows usually have practiced late-night comedians handle this sort of thing. Remarking on the Bafta-nominated Dune: Part Two, Tennant quips that he 'naively thought' a sequel to Dune would be called 'July'. Discussing Timothée Chalamet's range of roles over the past two years, from Willy Wonka in Wonka to Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Two, to Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, Tennant jokes that 'The Tims, they are a'changing.' A gag punning on Vladimir Putin and the dating app Tinder ('Putin-der') was met with a robust laugh on the telecast; according to colleagues who were in attendance, the line actually prompted widespread groans.
I suppose it's better to keep things light, given the somewhat fraught discourse surrounding this year's awards season. Mostly, this has to do with Emilia Perez, the Spanish-language musical about a transgender crime boss that was, for a period, tipped to become a major contender this year before a controversy surrounding its female lead Karla Sofía Gascón, and her history of offensive tweets, seemingly derailed it. Unsurprisingly, there was no mention of the scandal in Tennant's patter; the film did win two Baftas, for best international film and Best Supporting Actress, out of a total 11 nominations.
That the night's biggest winners were The Brutalist and Conclave – the former an ambitious but daunting epic about a Hungarian architect, the latter a just-alright middlebrow thriller set in the corridors of papal power – attests to just how hard of a sell this year's slate has been. This time around, there is no Oppenheimer, last year's awards juggernaut that was also a box office smash hit. The concessions to popular cinema this year, namely Dune: Part Two and the musical adaptation Wicked, were, as predicted, shut out of the major categories, though did enjoy some success in the technical fields.
The ceremony quickened and slowed as the presenters came and went. Stephen Merchant was the surprise highlight of the evening, funny and confident as he presented the award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Elsewhere, the ceremony was more watchable when it played things straight: Warwick Davis's heartfelt tribute to his late wife, when receiving the Fellowship Award, for example, or David Jonsson's endearing acceptance speech for the Rising Star award.
It was an underwhelming ceremony for an underwhelming awards season. It's significant, perhaps, that the Oscars have gone bold with their choice for the forthcoming ceremony – hiring Conan O'Brien, a genuinely surprising and inventive comedian, as the host. The Baftas went safe, and safe is what they got. Tennant may well walk 500 miles to host a Baftas ceremony. I wouldn't walk as far as my front door to go and see it.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
22 minutes ago
- Wales Online
BBC Escape to the Country host rushes to support buyer as they break down in tears
BBC Escape to the Country host rushes to support buyer as they break down in tears Briony May Williams was on a mission to help a couple buy their first home together during the latest instalment of BBC's Escape to the Country Escape to the Country: Guest refuses to buy any of the houses Escape to the Country's Briony May Williams was quick to comfort a buyer as emotions were at an all time high just minutes into the viewing. During Tuesday's (June 3) episode of the BBC hit show, the host was on a mission to help a couple buy their first home together. Barry and partner Pauline want to make a big move from Romford, Essex and find their dream home in Herefordshire, so they can finally get their collection of potted plants in the ground. Time is of the essence for the pair as Pauline admitted that she is currently living out of a suitcase after moving into Barry's house. The couple, who met at a dance 13 years ago had a hefty budget of £500,00 for a detached property that has visual appeal and they're not keen on barn conversions. Barry and Pauline want to make a big move from Romford, Essex and find their dream home in Herefordshire (Image: BBC ) Article continues below BBC Call The Midwife star Helen George lands new TV role on rival channel READ MORE: They wanted three bedrooms to accommodate family and friends who come down to visit. It was important that it has at least a quarter of an acre for their plants and a location within a village. Speaking about why they wanted to make the big move, Barry explained: 'We think that it's going to be a new start for both of us. Although we've lived together, it's not the same as having our own house.' Pauline added: 'We've got over 400 pots in our garden. I just can't resist buying plants and I can't wait to put these plants in the ground.' Briony set up several property viewings and made sure they had everything Vanessa was looking for; however it was clear that the mystery property blew them away. The couple had a hefty budget of £500,00 for a detached property (Image: BBC ) The property in question was a 19th-century barn conversion which came with an open-plan kitchen-diner as well as an inglenook fireplace in the sitting room. It also has three bedrooms as well as a large garden space. Walking into the kitchen, Pauline couldn't contain her emotions as she put her hands over her face and began to tear up. Briony wastes no time offering her support as she asked: 'Are you feeling a bit emotional?' Realising how overwhelmed she was, the BBC star embraced her with a hug and asked: 'Are you ok?' Pauline admitted: 'Oh, this is lovely. I love this.' Barry jumped in: 'It is bang-on, isn't it?' Pauline continued: 'I can't believe all this light, overlooking the garden. Everywhere you look from the window, it's what we've been dreaming of.' Briony May Williams was quick to comfort a buyer as emotions were at an all time high just minutes into the viewing (Image: BBC ) Worried about missing out on the property, Pauline was certain that it might be over their budget however Briony left them speechless when she revealed that it was on the market for a guide price of £475,000. In disbelief, Pauline shouted: 'No! I don't believe that.' However the couple had to act fast as Briony warned: 'As you can imagine, there's a lot of interest in this house and offers have started coming in already.' Article continues below She added: 'So just be aware of that. If you wanted this house, you'd have to move quite quickly.' In the end, the couple revealed that they have put an offer in for the house however they're still waiting to hear back from the estate agent. Escape to the Country airs weekdays on BBC One and iPlayer
Daily Mirror
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Charles 'won't make first move with Harry because of whispers from close circle'
Prince Harry's feud with his father King Charles has gone from bad to worse following Harry's extraordinary outburst in a BBC interview - and now palace insiders have revealed one of the reasons why the monarch is unlikely to make first move in repairing their rift Palace insiders have revealed one of the key factors that could be stopping King Charles from making the first move in reconciling with estranged son Prince Harry. The feud between father and son is believed to have gone from bad to worse in recent weeks after Harry gave an explosive interview to the BBC after losing another court battle over his security arrangements in the UK. In that interview, he confirmed that things had got so bad between him and his father, that the King, who is still having cancer treatment, will not speak to him and he does not know "how much longer my father has" left. It comes after Harry railed against his family in his memoir Spare, where he criticised his father, branded his stepmother Queen Camilla dangerous and claimed older brother Prince William physically attacked him. Some have suggested that if father and son are to get their relationship back on track, it should be the King to reach out and make the first move. However, a palace insider has told PEOPLE magazine one of the reasons why this has not been the case so far - and they claimed it is because those around the King have not "encouraged reconciliation". According to the publication, William has shown "no interest" in repairing the rift, Camilla "stays out of it" while even the King's most personal aide, private secretary Sir Clive Alderton is "unlikely to push for a personal outreach". Respected royal correspondent and author Valentine Low told PEOPLE of Charles: "There is not a good angel in his ear to say, 'Be a good dad and make the first move'." Talking about Harry's bombshell BBC interview, he added: "It wasn't meant to be an attack, but it would be seen as one. It makes Charles reach out even harder." In his bombshell interview after losing his security case at the Court of Appeal, Harry admitted: "Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things." And speaking previously to the Mirror, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine Ingrid Seward, said any apology from Harry for his actions in the past will be a long time coming, despite his plea for reconciliation. She said: "By now Charles is used to Harry's disloyalty and contradictions. But what he will not be prepared to put up with is his youngest son's stubborn conviction that he is always right. Harry's ego is so fragile he thinks the world is against him. He refuses to take responsibility for his actions. If he wants reconciliation, why does he still attack his family? "If he did say sorry to his father and those he has hurt, he would be admitting he was wrong. Harry has such a weak sense of self he appears incapable of doing this. Harry's stubbornness will almost certainly prevent him from bringing his wife and children to the UK. At least in the immediate future. "He said he realised he had upset the 'family' but never once offered to apologise. The King knows this. But he also understands that under Harry's accusatory exterior, he is extremely vulnerable." As King, Charles needs total trust. He is head of state and monarch and that has to come first as Charles vowed at his Coronation. He will be very sad it has come to this. But if he can't trust Harry, he has to avoid him until such time things change. If they ever do." Get Royal Family updates straight to your WhatsApp!
South Wales Argus
36 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
EastEnders legend Ross Kemp refuses to rule out return
The 60-year-old returned to EastEnders as Grant Mitchell after almost 10 years away earlier this year. His character arrived back on the Square to help his brother Phil with his mental health problems. Grant recently left Walford again for his home in Portugal. 🏆🥳 WINNER! 🥳🏆 What a year and what an honour to be crowned Best British Soap at The British @SoapAwards 2025 by the people who matter the most - YOU! ❤️ Thank you to everyone who voted! Lots of love, your #EastEnders family. #TheBritishSoapAwards @BBC @BBCOne @BBCiPlayer — BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) May 31, 2025 Speaking on Loose Women, Kemp said he owes the BBC soap 'a great debt' for giving him a career in television. Asked whether he would return to the role of Grant again, Kemp said: 'You just don't know, do you? You don't know what's in the minds of the people who work on it. 'I've also (always) known that without it, I wouldn't have had the career that I've had, I've always owed it a great debt and it was very good to me, and hopefully I was good to it, and why not keep it that way? 'I've always believed that you should leave doors swinging rather than shut them.' Kemp, who went on to produce a number of documentaries since first leaving EastEnders in 1999 including Ross Kemp On Gangs, Ross Kemp In Afghanistan and Ross Kemp: Extreme World, said he enjoyed returning to the soap. He explained: 'It was so wonderful to jump into Grant's leather jacket again, which I can still get in. EastEnders' top 5 villains 'It's a family, it's an ongoing thing, and I'm talking about the past, and they're really busy doing their own thing, I just parachute in, and I exit generally by the tube station. 'But they've got to be welcoming, because it's like a high-speed train, you've got to jump on it at the right time or you miss it. 'So luckily, Steve McFadden (who plays Phil), and Paul Bradley (who plays Nigel Bates), and Letitia (Dean, who plays Sharon Watts) opened the door for me, and it was like going back home, and it was great.' Are Ross Kemp and Steve McFadden friends? Their brotherly love on-screen may have been tested over the years, but in real life Kemp and actor McFadden share a close relationship. 'We've [McFadden and I] always remained friends, but, yeah, we are more in touch since I've gone back for the 40th anniversary,' Kemp told The Mirror earlier this year. 'Steve is a fine actor and I don't think soap actors get recognised for how good they are.' Recommended reading: Kemp began on the soap in 1990, and his previous appearance prior to his 2025 return, in 2016, marked his on-screen mother Dame Barbara Windsor's final episode as Peggy Mitchell. Where does Ross Kemp live? Kemp lives in the picturesque Thames-side village of Cookham in Berkshire. He is well known within the community and has openly spoken about how he frequently visits nearby Marlow's restaurants.
