The National Television Awards: Behind the Glamour and the Grumbles

The National Television Awards (NTAs) are the ultimate celebration of British television, where the stars come out to play and the fans have their say. But behind the glitz and glamour, there's a whole lot more to the NTAs than meets the eye.
So, let's spill the beans...

It's a popularity contest...

...at its core.
While the NTAs are often touted as a measure of quality, let's be honest - they're really just a popularity contest. The shows and stars with the most fans are going to win, regardless of whether they're actually any good.
This can sometimes lead to some...interesting results. For example, in 2016, Love Island, a reality show about young people living on a tropical island and looking for love, won the award for best factual entertainment program. Really? More deserving than Planet Earth II or Blue Planet II? Let's face it, the NTAs are more about who's got the biggest social media following than who's actually making the best television.

But it's also a night for the fans...

...to have their say.
While the NTAs may not always be the most accurate measure of quality, they do give fans the chance to vote for their favorite shows and stars. This is something that no other television awards show does. The NTAs are also a great way for fans to celebrate the best of British television. It's a chance to get dressed up, have a glass of champagne, and mingle with the stars. What's not to love?

It's a big night for the stars...

...and their egos.
For the stars attending the NTAs, it's a big night to shine. It's a chance to show off their latest red carpet looks, chat with their friends, and maybe even win an award. But let's not kid ourselves - the NTAs are also a big night for their egos.
After all, winning an NTA is a huge honor, and it's something that all stars want on their resumes. So, you can expect to see a lot of smiling faces and excited tweets from the winners.

It's a night for surprises...

...but not always in a good way.
While the NTAs are often predictable, there have been some surprising winners over the years.
For example:
- In 2011, The X Factor won the award for best talent show, despite the fact that Britain's Got Talent was the more popular show that year.
- In 2018, Ant & Dec won the award for best presenter, even though they had been nominated for the award 16 times before and never won.
So, if you're looking for an awards show full of surprises, the NTAs are definitely the place to be.

It's a night to remember...

...or forget, depending on how much you drink!
The NTAs are a night of celebration, and that usually means drinking.
After all, how else are you going to cope with the cheesy jokes, the awkward speeches, and the god-awful music? Just be sure to pace yourself, or you might end up making a fool of yourself.
And there you have it! The National Television Awards: behind the glamour and the grumbles. It's a night of fun, excitement, and surprises. But it's also a night of ego, predictability, and awkward moments. So, grab a glass of champagne, sit back, and enjoy the show!