The BBC’s woes are wholly of its own making
Yesterday’s announcement that the BBC is to be forced to share some of the licence fee to help rollout universal broadband and fund regional news and UK-originated children’s TV drew the predictable protests from the corporation’s in-house ‘regular’, the BBC Trust.
The tragedy is, the decision was only possible because BBC bosses, including the trust, have become deaf to the complaints and grumbles of ordinary licence fee payers and frittered money away with no regard for the institution they were entrusted with.
Complain about excessive violence in EastEnders and you get fobbed off with some meaningless platitude.
Voice an opinion on the overt dumbing down of the news and you’re ignored, BBC bosses seemingly unable to comprehend that those who want news on Big Brother or Pete and Katie’s separation can get it anywhere but those wanting serious and weighty news can’t and are the very audience which sustained BBC news for decades.
It is, you’re told, necessary to ensure the news is “accessible” to everyone. At the BBC “accessible” is increasingly defined and cheap and shallow.
If you don’t buy into some of the more extreme claims about BBC per issues such as climate change you’re expected to quietly sit and watch as public money is used to promote one contested view over another. All nuance is stripped away from the issue. How on earth they ever thought the (eventually dropped) ‘Planet Relief’ was compatible with the legal requirement for impartiality is still unclear.
But these were minor breaches of the trust between the BBC and its funders when compared to the vast sums wasted in creating millionaires of presenters and newsreaders. The shows fronted by most of the top earners have no re-sale value, no merchandising value and no repeat possibilities. But that economic reality didn’t stop the BBC from paying ‘talent’ sums of money unimaginable to the majority of those compelled to fund it and bleat about “the market” whenever it was questioned on the issue.
Finally it seems the madness of paying ‘autocuties’ more than we pay nurses, teachers or lawmakers has become clear even to BBC bosses but, sadly, it’s too late.
With the story of MPs expenses, which the BBC helped raise the temperature of with rolling 24 hour repetition of, now fizzling out the smart money has to be on the BBC being the next subject to go under the microscope. Unlike past battles, few will rush to its aid.
David Tennant to guest star in Sarah Jane spin-off
Ahead of his final three episodes of Doctor Who, David Tennant is to guest star in a two-part story in the third series of Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures. Series creator and Executive Producer Russell T Davies promised viewers would be treated to “a full-on appearance for The Doctor as he and Sarah Jane face their biggest threat ever.”
The Sarah Jane Adventures stars Elisabeth Sladen as investigative journalist and former Doctor Who companion Sarah Jane Smith.
Sladen, who first starred in Doctor Who opposite Jon Pertwee in the 1970’s, said: “When I heard the news that David was going to be joining us I was absolutely over the moon. Not only has it made my day but it will also make the viewers’ day.”
“It’s fantastic news that Sarah Jane is going to spend some time working with The Doctor again and is testament to just how successful this CBBC series is.”
The upcoming third series sees the return of the Judoon, an encounter with monsters who want to infect Earth with a strangely aggressive weed and a chance for Sarah Jane to find personal happiness with someone who could be the perfect person to complete her family.
Davies commented: “Viewers thought they may have to wait until November for the next full episode of Doctor Who, but this is an extra special treat.”
Reggie Perrin returns Friday
Martin Clunes revives a comedy legend when Reggie Perrin returns to BBC One in a modern-day update of the classic British sitcom The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin.
The new series, written by Men Behaving Badly writer Simon Nye and David Nobbs, writer and creator of the original Seventies show, retells the story of a sales executive on the edge – an average man finding it increasingly difficult to put up with the monotony of life, the disappointing marriage, the office grind as head of disposable razors at male-grooming firm Groomtech and the daily commute.
Rebellion begins to build in his mind, in the form of increasingly surreal flights of fancy, and slowly, Reggie begins to say what he really thinks – to his wife, his boss, his fellow commuters … and, most dangerously of all, to his new colleague, Jasmine Strauss.
As the series begins, Reggie is feeling increasingly frustrated and alienated as he realises that he has worked at Groomtech for 10 years. Reggie’s boss, Chris Jackson, introduces him to the beautiful Jasmine Strauss, the new head of balms and lubricants. His wife, Nicola, is too busy for him, so Reggie becomes a little besotted with Jasmine and even has a peek in her office.
Clunes is joined by Fay Ripley (Cold Feet), Wendy Craig (Butterflies, The Royal), Geoffrey Whitehead (Worst Week Of My Life), Neil Stuke (Game On) and Lucy Liemann (Moving Wallpaper).
BBC One, Friday 24 April 21.30
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Waterloo Road re-opens after fire
Waterloo Road, the setting for BBC One’s school based drama, opens for a new 20 episode term later this week following the devastating fire which gutted half the school at the end of the last series.
Returning for a fourth series, the show started as an eight-week drama back in 2005 since when more than 60 hours have been produced, drawing audience of up to six million.
The series opens with a 90-minute special which Producer Sharon Hughff says “quite literally starts with a bang”.
Hughff says the 20 week run allows the writers to “develop storylines and relationships in a more realistic slow burn way. It also gives us a chance to give every character their own story.”
A number of favourite characters are returning including Head Teacher Rachel Mason (Eva Pope), Deputy Eddie Lawson (Neil Morrissey) and Steph Haydock (Denise Welch). The most notable new arrivals are the Kelly family who, Hughff says “have a far reaching influence across the school and there isn’t anyone who escapes the impact they make.”
Returning for a second year on the show, Pope says her character has big plans for the school “ including a zero-exclusion policy, breakfast and after-school clubs, and adult evening classes – she wants to create a community school, and there’s even a new creche!”
Despite the hint of a spark between Rachel and Eddie last term, it seems the fire has put Rachel off pursuing any relationship and Eddie ends up in a relationship with Rachel’s younger sister Melissa (Katy Carmichael)
But things might not be so clear cut as Hughff promises viewers a “very gripping” storyline centering around “the will they, won’t they of Eddie and Rachel”.
Waterloo Road, BBC One, Wednesday 7 January 2009
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French cop show ‘Spiral’ gets UK DVD release
Acclaimed French crime drama Spiral gets a long-awaited UK DVD release courtesy of 2|Entertain.The 2005 drama first aired on Canal+ and has been shown in the UK by BBC Four where it won consistently good audience figures.
Often described as a French take on US crime shows such as CSI the series follows an investigation into the murder of a disfigured young woman.
The investigation sees a crack team of officers led by police captain Lauren Bertaund, supported by public prosecutor Pierre Clement and investigating magistrate Judge Roban, brought into conflict with a dark underworld of drugs and prostitution.
Set for release on 6th October the DVD can be pre-ordered from the Seenit.co.uk store.
The gangster fixations of EastEnders
Tonight EastEnders decided to have yet another go at passing itself off as gang-based drama, as always seems to be the case the whole affair came across less The Long Good Friday and more Bullseye! (the 1990’s Caine/Moore film, not the Jim Bowen quiz).
If you’re going to try pulling off gangster shenanigans on a telly budget it helps to have a cast of decent actors but, and let’s be honest here, most of the Albert Square residents wouldn’t get seen on prime time TV if it wasn’t for this long past its prime nonsense. If you were casting a new major drama you wouldn’t start your search in the Queen Vic.
One notable exception is the excellent Linda Henry who constantly looks as if she’s having to act down to the ‘talents’ of her cast mates. As anyone who has seen Beautiful Thing knows, Henry can pull off exquisite, nuanced performances but true to form all the EastEnders writers call on her to do is shout and grimace. Her every scene is marred by the knowledge that a genuine talent is going unused, ultimately robbing the audience of a better experience.
Of course the show has long placed too much demand on a cast who lack the talent and experience to pull off the stories but in recent months this has been taken to ludicrous extremes with teenage characters at the centre of improbable plots. Just how do the production team expect viewers to take the show seriously when storylines place a teenage boy in charge of a cab firm?
It’s tempting to think the show in its current state would never get commissioned but if Bonekickers can make it to screen and get promoted as grown-up post-watershed drama nothing can be ruled out.
The show has the feel of a sick dog desperate for someone to put it out of its misery but with the BBC so desperate to push ‘brands’ there’s little chance of anyone making the tough but necessary decision any time soon.
Torchwood series three filming underway
Filming is now underway on the third series of Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood as the show prepares to make the jump to BBC One.
Despite the second 13-part series receiving strong viewing figures and good reviews the corporation has decided to cut the the new series to just five episodes which will air across a single week.
Due to transmit in 2009 Torchwood: Children Of Earth sees the team embarking on a single action-packed adventure as they battle for the future of the human race against the fiercest force they have encountered.
John Barrowman is joined by series regulars Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper and Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto Jones for the adventure which also stars Peter Capaldi and Paul Copely.
Series creator and Executive Producer Russell T Davies said: “The new series of Torchwood is hugely bold and promises to be bigger and better than ever – the audience is in for an amazing ride. “This series is one big serial and the most ambitious story we’ve ever made, and we’ve got plenty of surprises in store.”
Julie Gardner, Head of Drama, BBC Wales, said: “We hope to make Torchwood a gripping and surprising TV event with storylines that push our team into greater danger and sacrifice. Joining our main cast are some fantastic guest artists who will only add to making this unmissable TV.”
New Tricks back for sixth series
Cop show New Tricks which stars Dennis Waterman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam as retired coppers investigating unsolved murders will be back for a sixth series, the BBC has announced.
The show, which also stars Amanda Redman, has been a ratings hit for the channel with the latest series peaking at 9.24 million viewers. According to BARB the drama has been the most watched programme on British TV for the weeks ending 13 July, 3 August and 10 August 2008.
Tom Sherry, Executive Producer for Wall To Wall, says it’s “the show’s ability to be both humorously entertaining and, from time to time, tackle darker issues which keeps all the team keen to come back and make next year even better.”
“Amanda, Dennis, Alun and James have brought real depth, warmth and humour to their characters, but I know there is still much more we can do with the series.“
Eleanor Moran, Executive Producer at BBC Independents, said the corporation “is delighted that New Tricks with be returning in 2009 for a sixth series.”
Filming on the new eight-part series will begin later this year.