Rock Rivals car crash TV fails to rock its rivals

Rock Rivals failed to rock its rivals when it launched on ITV1 last night. Just 3.9 million tuned in. Rock Rivals is a drama based on an X Factor style reality show.

Sean Gallagher plays Mal, a Simon Cowell style judge on the show. The paunch doesn't add to his credibility nor does his his prediliction for a girlfriend who has also eaten a few too many pies.

The girlfriend switches on Mal's radio mic before a session of rumpy pumpy in the dressing room after the show. The audio is fed into the green room where Mal's wife, the Sharon Osbourne of the series, hears the grunts along as do the contestants and crew. Karina, played by the inevitable ex-soap actress Michelle Collins, then shows her displeasure by driving a perfectly good Ferrari into the pool and asking for a divorce.

The judge styled on Louis Walsh looks like he will be a bit-part player in this drama just like he is on the real thing.

And it looks like only two of the contestants will play much of a role in the series. Luke is the confident young guy who has a gay stalker in competition with his contestant girlfriend for his affections. Bethany is the despairing female contestant who tried to injure or kill herself twice in the first episode. Mal supports Luke and Karina supports Bethany.

Both of them will no doubt get to the show's final in week six and the lucky viewers will be able to decide which of them wins. Two endings have already been recorded.

Rock Rivals - forum