Well said Kevin!

Liz Williams, London,

I very much agree with Kevin Spacey.I have often thought these so called TV talent contests were simple a publicity stunt to get bums on seats at the shows. Andrew Lloyd Webbers interests lie in that direction so he takes part to lend some credibility. The BBC should not be using a public service to promote commercial ventures.

M.J. Frizell, France, Payzac

Scanning the HaveYourSay section on the beeb's website, it ssems that most commentators agree with spacey. So Auntie Beeb what are you going to do about it? Its not enough to say "'the shows are not unduly promotional.'" Leave the West end to the sharks that swim in it" and save the L. Payer's money for homegrown TV drama or perhaps sponsor a set of plays from the west end or NT to be shown on TV

barry, London, uk

Marion Wren, all you are giving us here is the point of view of someone who clearly is a fan of this type of thing. Nothing that you say justifies the BBC's involvement, which is Spacey's complaint. This type of programme belongs squarely with commercial TV, and the BBC should be prevented from copying these formats.

Nook, Purley,

Just to try and give some balance to this, surely it's Mr Spacey's own fault for not coming up with the idea first? I'm sure if he'd had the idea or someone had brought the idea to him he wouldn't now be saying "okay, i've had my go so now lets promote a west end show".

I do agree though that if the BBC is to show these sorts of reality show surely they should have some financial gain from it so the license payer doesn't have to pay for it.

Lee, Manchester,

The show is just symptomatic of a 'fear of the unknown' at the BBC. A series pulls in the viewers so they repeat the same idea ad nauseum. There is a terrible lack of risk taking and creativity nowadays - just dull repetition of the same dumbed down excuse for entertainment for the masses. The only glimmer of light is BBC4 which still hosts excellent programmes (but I hear that this is now under threat of being closed down...). At least the thinking sectors of Britain are being encouraged to go out rather than stay in in front of the box and risk having their senses dulled.

Peter Bright, Cambridge,

My two cents, for that it's worth, from across the pond... I think Mr. Spacey has an excellent point.

Nothing's more irritating than having musical theatre crammed down your throat; actually, there was a time when that's practically ALL there was on Broadway.

And now, every time you turn around, there's someone strangling a chicken on TV----when they could've just as easily gone to their local pub, had a beer and some karaoke.

Ugh... Enough.

Elan Durham, Santa Monica, CA/US

Why aren't these 'stage' hopefuls singing songs from the musical?

Milly, Norfolk, UK

What is the most important thing here?
It's the focus on straight plays getting the attention they deserve. Play for Today is a brilliant idea, lets encourage the - in many opinions - most pure and evocative artistic medium miroring social dynamic to be publicised and popularised!

What i'm really trying to say, as Budd comments, is 'Spacey is dead right!'

Martin, London, UK

I agree whole heartedly with Kevin Spacey. These reality programs are both shockingly bland, and free sponsorship for Lloyd Weber. I wonder how much he paid the BBC to promote his bland products? I for one never watch them, I'd rather watch paint dry.

Allen, Guildford, England

Damn straight, why the hell are we forced to pay a licence for this trash; at least Dick Turpin wore a mask!!! Let the nation decide whether they want repeats, Eastenders followed by a night of reality shows; make the BBC a subscription channel.

Steve Williamson, Manchester, UK

Bravo! Kevin Spacey, our new-found South London boy, is right on the money! Who allows such 'pap' to be fed to us? Where is the BBC Chairman's reply to Kevin Spacey's legitimate criticism?
I do hope my licence fee went towards 'that lunch' with the Chairman but also towards a first class reply from him, by return. I also hope that some of it will go towards a renewal of support for contemporary theatre, through a simple 'Play for Today' format, which always succeeded in ploughing and releasing fertile ground.

The BBC should look again at its remit.

Thank you, Kevin Spacey, for reminding us of past glories.

In conclusion; why do we have to depend on our friends from overseas to sing our praises for past achievements?

Andrew Stephenson, Spitalfields, London

andrew stephenson, London, England

Wasn't the West End on its knees last year? Talk of productions and theatres closing down, low tickets, etc. Surely any type of TV programme which gets bums on seats, whether to a play or musical, is not a bad thing.

I do agree that the BBC are giving an undue amount of air time to Andew Lloyd Weber (& indirectly lining his pocket); it would be nice to see other musical theatre directors or projects involved. But Spacey fails to acknowledge the laws of supply and demand - why do you have no 13 week programme, Mr Spacey? Because very few would watch it.

It also be noted that Channel 4 doesn't always dumb down - they did a very good series called 'The Plays The Thing' last year.

Jennifer, Cheshire,

I agree with Kevin Spacey's comments to some degree however I think there is a role for BBC to trial new ideas that the commercial stations wouldn't touch. As with shows like Strictly Come Dancing, once they prove popular and of commercial interest they should transfer over to the commercial stations for the BBC to try something else, new and innovative.

Fil, Manchester,

My two cents, for that it's worth, from across the pond... I think Mr. Spacey has an excellent point.

Nothing's more irritating than to have musical theatre crammed down your throat; there was a time when that's practically ALL there was on Broadway.

And now, you turn on the TV and there's someone strangling a chicken--every time you turn around--when they could've just as easily gone to their local pub, had a beer and some karaoke.

Ugh... Enough.

Elan Durham, Santa Monica, CA/US

I agree, in my opinion these progammes are fillers on prime time TV. The BBC is finding things difficult, so our licence money is being used on these advertisements. I for one have had enough of them.

Pauline Murfet, Hailsham, E Sussex

I must admit that I find these shows both excellently produced and extremely entertaining - although I can see that others might (not unreasonably) wish to have a share of the cake.

However, as a lyric writer of musical theatre (which, as a hugely-popular entertainment form per se, is woefully unrepresented on the box), I would like to suggest a show that nurtures new writing talent, both composers and lyricists: a series following 'works in progress' in a master class environment would surely provide BBC 3 or Four with one or two fascinating hours a month if a suitable format could be devised? And who knows what original material might potentially be unearthed for further development ?

Clive Burton, London ,

100% in agreement - I want to know why my licence money is being used to promote a very rich man's shows.

Angela Morris, Hounslow, Middlesex

How much do you think a ticket will end up costing once you have factored in your licence fee and phone bill? It is a shame people will still tune in and vote, there is much better brand new fresh theatre around - a better place to spend £60 plus.

Felicity, Lincoln,

Enough with this "Sour Grapes" rubbish. You can not just say "Sour Grapes" and invalidate all points in an argument. So what if it's "Sour Grapes", he's still got a point. Also, my other bugbear - You can also be a hypocrite and still be bang on correct too. What we think about hypocrites is something completely different from the consideration of a point of argument, so leave it out.

Chris Kruger, London,

'Play for Today'. That brings back memories of when TV was worth watching.

Steve, Birmingham, UK

These types of programmes, lift the spirits and are fun for the viewers.Elaborate sets, glamorous girls with beautiful singing voices and audience participation, makes for a great show. The contestants are fully aware that they may be eliminated and be very disappointed, but what a lovely opportunity to get noticed and hopefully a future career may blossom for the majority of the girls.
This show is much better than all the doom and gloom we get thrown at us constantly.

Marion Wren, Tadworth, Surrey, UK

I find it hard to believe that such TV shows comply with the BBC charter.

Mike Hollingsworth, Saffron Walden, UK

Good for Spacey.

Where is the Old Vic's 13-week show? Brilliant.

Tom, New York,

He's made a fair point..... plus musicals really are the spawn of the devil sent to torture us

Andy Iddon, London, UK

A very good point but in my view there should be some deal in it for the BBC, else it is a 13 week promotional trailer for free. It's more or less like the X Factor and ITV benefit well from that in terms of ad revenue. Still sounds a bit like sour grapes though.

Michael, London,

I am not a great fan of Mr. Spacey's , but, on this occasion, I find myself, agreeing with him.
The latest 'Oliver' search, is, yet another, nasty bit of personal promotion, for the publicity obsessed, Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The West End, deserves, better than this!
The t.v. shows, denigrate professional theatre and undermine the 'hard work ethic', needed for people to succeed.
The public humiliation process, the voted off candidate has to go through, is, equivalent to 'school bullying!
It is tacky beyond belief!

Prudence Eely Bond McGuire, London, ENGLAND.UK.

I agree with Kevin Spacey that these shows provide free promotion for Andrew Lloyd-Webbers musicals in the West End. I have occasionally watched parts of these TV shows but I always get the feeling that they do more to promote the judges and the people behind the scenes rather than promote true talent.

Richard Cookson, Winchester, UK

"The BBC doesn't have any commercial interest in the subsequent West End production, or any related spin offs such as touring productions."

If this is the case, the licence payer is getting a very bad deal. The BBC ensures that Lloyd Webber box office receipts go through the roof, so we ought to get a cut of the money.

Helen, Oxford,

"The BBC does not have a commercial interest" and "other shows are reflected" misses the point completely. The BBC indeed only features musicals and makes little mention of plays outside the news. The man has a point- why not admit it instead of trying to "spin" your way out?

Nick, London,

Spacey is dead right.

Budd Margolis, London, UK

Well done to Mr Spacey for stating publicly what many of us are thinking privately. By the end of this series the BBC will have provide 36 hours of peak time advertising to the Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals.

At one time this wouldn’t be allowed by the BBC so what has changed?. Are they getting a percentage of the profits? I hope so or someone should be fired

Steve , darlington, Uk