TV host Graham Norton defended his I'd Do Anything show after actor Kevin Spacey claimed the show was a "13-week promotion for a musical", reports the BBC.
Norton replied by saying that Spacey, the current director of London's Old Vic theatre, should produce more accessible shows.
Spacey had previously suggested that the BBC should bring back the series which produced Ken Loach's Cathy Come Home and Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party.
Norton's current show I'd Do Anything sees contestants compete for the roles of Nancy and Oliver in Lionel Bart's musical version of Oliver Twist.
"Viewing figures so far have been fantastic and I think everyone is really kind of bowled over by how good the girls are," said Norton.
Spacey blamed BBC1 talent shows for poor attendances at West End plays, citing the huge success of revivals of The Sound of Music and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Sing it loud and proud with this microphone musical treat
