Piers Morgan on Dubai (ITV1): Britain’s Smuggest Man Visits the World’s Fastest Growing City

There’s no escaping the current credit crisis. It seems that not a day goes by without the announcement of another company going bust or more job loses. Food and general amenities are getting more expensive and people are struggling to make ends meet and pay their bills on time.

What is ITV’s reaction to this? They produce this show where Piers “Morgan” Moron, whose greatest contribution to the world to date was falling to the floor after Jeremy Clarkson punched him three times at the British Press Awards in 2004, travels to the richest places in the world to see billionaires throw money around like it was paper.

Beautiful Scenery and a Wittering Muppet

Piers Morgan on Dubai was largely unwatchable and all of the problems were down to the man himself. There were too many voiceovers, sometimes it’s better to let the scenery speak for itself especially one of beautiful sand and skyscrapers and not have an egotistical muppet ramble over it, his repartee with some of the people he interviewed was awkward to the point of embarrassment and he looked ridiculous in his designer sunglasses.

It wasn’t all bad as some of the facts were interesting, such as a glimpse of the world’s tallest building Burj Dubai and the amazing man-made Palm Islands, but they could have got any old face to present, it’s not like they need any authority. Anthea Turner maybe? She would have been less annoying a least.

An Excuse to Invade the Lives of the Rich and Famous

From the outset the show claimed to see if the credit crunch was taking hold of the city but was more of an exploration into the lives of the rich and famous. So each scene featured Moron swanning from one glamorous hotel to another like a VIP, chin wagging with millionaires and barking on about the “quality of life only dreamt about in Britain”. Thanks for that Piers.

The whole thing played out like an hour-long tourism information video telling everyone why they should live or go on holiday in Dubai because it’s so great. And with destinations such as Monte Carlo and Hollywood yet to come from this series it seems that it’s nothing more than an justification to invade the lives of even richer people and drink tea with Mick Hucknall all for your viewing pleasure.

Piers Signs a Two Year Deal with ITV

But if you thought it was safe to turn on your TV sets this is just one of many shows that Moron is set to host or star in on ITV, as he has signed a two-year deal with the station to appear there exclusively. Of course, ITV aren’t to blame for his constant endeavours into the world of television as it was the BBC who set the ball rolling by roping him in to host The Importance of Being Famous back in 2003.

Somehow a man who was renowned for being one of the unlikeable people on Fleet Street (which takes some bloody doing) and who fell for one of the biggest hoaxes since the Hitler Diaries by printing fake pictures in The Daily Mirror of British soliders abusing an Iraqi man has managed to become a famous TV star. What gives him the right to go on national television and decide on who has talent when his own is nothing more than unjustified smugness is beyond comprehension.

He seems to have a lot of success in the States and claims that the people over there like him. Well you know what if Americans fawn over him that much then take him, anything to stop his self-satisfied face appearing on our screens again with tosh like this.

If you can stomach another helping Piers Morgan on Monte Carlo will be shown on ITV1 on Thursday, February 5 at 9pm.

Jan 31, 2009 4:46 AM

Guest :

I totally agree with the article written above. I had tried to put any adverse preconceptions that I had about Mr Morgan aside whilst fuelling my curiosity with this place and its blatent show of wealth. All I found, was a wannabe playboy blowing smoke up both his and his "wealthy" interviewees creating growing discomfort. His amazement that he would ever find someone from "BINGLEY!" in a place he must feel is like his spiritual home. His delivery and the general production smacks of that of a tabloid editor....it missed a trick in neglecting exposure to the two faces of this place. He could have delved into the lives of the construction workers(as contrast) whose only up and up was to make some buildings obscenely high, just to take them over the rest of the world in physical stature only. Why not send him to the British seaside resorts instead...or somewhere the average Joe would go...and conversely send Billy Connolly to those happy to peddle their wealth without so much as a backward glance. The appeal of these so called celebrity in the concrete jungle shows, is that we learn about the interviewer at the same time. Ive seen quite enough thank you both of the places he clearly feels most at home at and of him!

Jan 31, 2009 5:11 AM

Steven Cookson :

I forgot about the Bingley thing, that was the most wince inducing part when he was patronising the face off that woman. Yes Piers because people from up north can't possibly have any money, we just sit around in council houses talking about "he good old days when I were a lad" and when we're not soaking in a tin bath feeding a cloth cap to a whippet we're off down pit earning tuppence an hour. By 'eck, it's grim up north.