As the Prime Minister sups on another glass of claret to accompany a not inexpensive joint of roast lamb, and as the rich keep getting richer by not carrying loose change, and while the poorer among us deliberate over whether or not to invest in a six-pack of crisps (cheese and onion flavour), the future of broadcasting is being decided over at the BBC. You might think this a more mundane matter but, despite the country teetering on the brink of financial ruin, the impact of programming on the nation’s health and wellbeing should not be underestimated. My father has been trying to persuade me to indulge in a more modern television, one that doesn’t drift out of tune five minutes into a programme and every few minutes thereafter, one that actually comes complete with a SCART socket! He’s even offered to purchase the thing for me. My thoughts, however, have been leaning towards chucking the old set out and not bothering to replace it. Why, you might be inclined to ask? The answer is simple. Quality drama is in decline. We’ve been told the 20% cuts, to be implemented by the BBC between now and 2017, will hardly be noticed. Unless you’re a totally casual viewer, this simply isn’t true. I’ve been noticing it all year, even prior to the recent announcement, and the axing of BBC Three’s Doctor Who Confidential, at the end of last month, is not an inducement to my continued support.
Added to the demise of Confidential is the knowledge that Doctor Who itself will not be returning until the Autumn of next year. The next series will again be split in two so that the second half will not actually see the light of day until the Spring of 2013. In other words, one series spread over two years. And, all this as the programme approaches its Fiftieth Anniversary in November 2013. Presumably, this will mean next year’s Christmas Special is sandwiched between the two halves of the Seventh Series. All in all, the proposed schedule means less new content than was broadcast over 2008 and 2009 when the Fourth Series was followed by a handful of specials. Doctor Who fans should’ve got rid of their television sets back in 1989 when the show was quietly cancelled following the furore of four years earlier. The resulting accumulative-reduction in license income would’ve forced the BBC to rethink their strategy and reinstate the programme forthwith. Thus, consequently, there would not have been a sixteen-year hiatus. Then, perhaps, the series might still be more like it used to be! Money is tight, I know, unless you’re a politician or banker, but you can rest assured that Strictly Come Dancing will return year after year, budget intact, regular as clockwork, to appease all upstanding simpletons! The only Come Dancing I want to hear is by The Kinks!!
Added to the demise of Confidential is the knowledge that Doctor Who itself will not be returning until the Autumn of next year. The next series will again be split in two so that the second half will not actually see the light of day until the Spring of 2013. In other words, one series spread over two years. And, all this as the programme approaches its Fiftieth Anniversary in November 2013. Presumably, this will mean next year’s Christmas Special is sandwiched between the two halves of the Seventh Series. All in all, the proposed schedule means less new content than was broadcast over 2008 and 2009 when the Fourth Series was followed by a handful of specials. Doctor Who fans should’ve got rid of their television sets back in 1989 when the show was quietly cancelled following the furore of four years earlier. The resulting accumulative-reduction in license income would’ve forced the BBC to rethink their strategy and reinstate the programme forthwith. Thus, consequently, there would not have been a sixteen-year hiatus. Then, perhaps, the series might still be more like it used to be! Money is tight, I know, unless you’re a politician or banker, but you can rest assured that Strictly Come Dancing will return year after year, budget intact, regular as clockwork, to appease all upstanding simpletons! The only Come Dancing I want to hear is by The Kinks!!
6 comments:
Doctor Who must generate a huge amount of money for the BBC in terms of DVD sales and spin-off merchandising. It seem ridiculous to stop pushing your most popular line. This is sad, sad news. In terms of quality drama though... I must come to the Beeb's defence on this point as I am greatly enjoying Spooks (tempered somewhat with it being the last ever series) and Hidden last week was excellent.
What? You're saying that people should have got rid of their TV sets because their favourite programme had been axed. That's like cutting off your cock to spite your groin! How can one TV show be that important!
I agree with you on all points but the BBC are making smaller amounts of drama, hence it is in decline. Spooks has become too expensive to continue. It started life as a six-parter, quickly increased to ten, fell back to eight a couple of years ago and now falls further back to the original length of six for its final fling!
With Hidden, Philip Glenister fans are being treated to just four episodes whereas Ashes To Ashes commanded eight per series. Earlier in the year, Luther also had a reduced episode count!
Gorilla Bananas: Depends how much you like the programme and how strongly you feel about it! The only way to fight for what you want is to hit those with the power where it hurts, and that's usually in the pocket! If you don't like the politics of any party, withhold your vote!! If enough people follow suit, power returns to the people.
I was going to leave a more thoughtful and considered comment, then I read the phrase "cutting your cock off to spite your groin" and now I can think of nothing else.
There's a line in a Godley And Crème song says, "I'd cut my ear off to spite my face"! Then, remembering Vincent Van Gogh, adds, "But it's been done"!!
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