NB: This is not an accurate word-for-word transcript.
Группа Learning English.
Продолжение текста здесь: [bad word] /downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/6minute/091217_6min_famous.pdf

Kate: Hello and [bad word] to this week's 6 Minute English. Joining me again this
week is Neil. Hi Neil.
Neil: Hello Kate
Kate: Well Neil, I know you're quite a big music fan so I wanted to start the
programme today by asking you what you know about the TV singing talent
shows that everyone seems to be talking about.
Neil: Well, I think you mean shows like 'The X Factor', 'Pop Idol' and numerous
others. They are basically [bad word] or talent shows which are aired
on TV. Talent shows are events where [bad word] to show how skilled
they are in a particular area – and here it's singing. Many people who are
aspiring pop stars or performers try to impress judges with their musical talent
in the hope of getting a record deal, fame and fortune.
Kate: Yes, it seems there are a lot of people out there who want to be pop stars! But
before we find out more, here's my question for this week. How old do you
think is the oldest contestant to try auditioning for one of these shows?
a) 49
b) 84
c) 101
Neil: answers
Kate: We'll check your answer at the end of the programme. So we know that TV
singing talent shows are very popular but what do you personally think of them
Neil?
Neil: Well it's certainly a winning format. This expression means the pattern or [bad word] of a show, which in this case is where people audition and the judges
and audience voters gradually eliminate them and until there is just one winner
left. This works very well so we can call it a winning format. But although
many people seem to find [bad word] viewing, I'm afraid I find the music too
mainstream – it doesn't interest me at all. Mainstream means, unoriginal,
predictable, normal and accepted by most people. The type of music I like I'm
afraid doesn't really feature in these shows.
Kate: Well, the man behind one of these shows 'the X Factor' is someone called
Simon Cowell and he has sold his winning format to more than 40 countries
worldwide including Denmark, Italy, [bad word]  Colombia and India.
Neil: Yes he's been very successful – he is a judge on the actual shows, the owner of
the format and the person who profits from the sales of the music after the
show has ended. He is also well known for being [bad word] to the
contestants.
Kate: Let's hear an example of how he speaks to people who are auditioning:
Extract 1
You can't sing
Not very good and incredibly annoying
I just think you should give us a chance
But achance to do what?
To improve.
Yeah - Girls we have weeks not decades
Neil: He is [bad word] isn't [bad word] like these can be called put downs. Or
you can use this expression as a phrasal verb. You can 'put someone down'
lwhich means that you are meaning to [bad word] them and insult them as a person
or their ability to do something. Not a very nice thing to do.
Kate: Now let's hear what one of fellow producers, Pete Waterman says about him:
Extract 2
He's got an ego – the biggest ego in the world. Simple as that. He's driven. He sees an
opportunity and he's built it into the world's biggest format. Quite incredible.
Neil: He said he's got an ego – this is a way of describing someone with a good
opinion of themselves, a great feeling of their own importance and ability. He
also said he was driven, which means he is determined to achieve something
or be successful in a certain area. And we heard that word format again. He
said the show is the 'world's biggest format'.
Kate: So what is it do you think it is that drives Simon Cowell – money perhaps? 
...