MONTE CARLO TELEVISION FESTIVAL SAYS "AU REVOIR" UNTIL NEXT YEAR

The glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo bids farewell to its 43rd annual Festival of Television

Monte-Carlo, Monaco (PRWEB) July 6, 2003 -- In a party that could only have been hosted by His Serene Highness the Prince Albert of Monaco, complete with a concert featuring the angelic voice of Natalie Cole and the jazz magic of George Benson, the Monte-Carlo Television Festival ended with a bang last night under the stars of the French Riviera at the glamorous Sporting d'Ete in Monaco.

While the glitz and glamour of the festival was indeed tainted by the lack of centralized organization, which barely avoided a security disaster Wednesday night, when organizers gave out more invitations than available seats for the premiere of "Les Liasions Dangerouses," a ray of hope was to be found in the serious work being done by top television executives from around the world who were invited to serve on the festival's juries. Prizes were awarded to Britain's "White Teeth" for the best television mini-series, to "24" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" for the best television series, to CNN's "Sex For Food" for the best news reporting, and to the BBC News for "Iraq War" in the category of 24 hour News Reporting. Also present was the judging team for the International Emmys, headed by International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Executive Director, George Leclere, on its global semi-final judging tour, which will last through September.

The star studded closing ceremony was attended by many international stars, including Russian-born actress Agata Gotova, whose award winning biography profile series, "Autograph," participated in the festival, and many other stars of American and French television, such as Law and Order's Mariska Hargitay, Smallville's Kristin Kreuk, jury member Dennis Haysbert, and newcomer Blandine Bury. Agata wore fashion by Lolita Lempicka, provided by Monaco's "Lolita" boutique.

And there were other invitees as well, such as the Queen of so-called celebrity reality television, Anna Nicole Smith and her "lawyer" Howard Stern, who did not attend, and Grunge TV Princess-for-A-Day Trista Rehn, who attended with her game show prize "fiancé." "I think its a good thing for the festival to have a conference on "reality television," because you certainly can't ignore its impact, said Kenneth Eade, producer of the celebrity profile series, "Autograph," but its another thing to invite so-called reality TV "stars" to the festival, and to create an award to legitimize this type of programming. Producers don't like reality series because they usurp legitimate programming, which is much more expensive and time consuming to make, and the so-called "reality shows" lower the "intelligence bar" of TV below the lowest common denominator. Legitimate actors don't like them because you can't imagine how difficult it is to get to where they are, and now they have to share the spotlight with amateurs who are enjoying their 15 minutes of fame, while at the same time, filling programming space that puts legitimate actors out of jobs. Inviting them here is somewhat of a paradox."

The purpose of the Monte Carlo Television Festival remains the same as when it was created in 1961 by HSH Prince Rainier, to encourage television as an art form, and to bring cultures together and enhance knowledge and understanding between them. The work of the juries in recognizing excellence in television programming has fulfilled its purpose for this year. So, perhaps the festival's temporary fascination with "format" or reality programming will be the "pet rock" of its otherwise distinguished history.