The state of British television

[mike johnson]

Do ya'll get 'Family Guy" & 'American Dad'?? They have surpassed 'The Simpsons' IMO, & are often surprisingly racy for US TV.

[mike johnson]

Oh, and I also watch some PBS stuff too, like 'Nova' & some good BBC productions.But even PBS' programming has gone downhill the past few years. Of course, cable has greatly lowered the numbers of people viewing broadcast TV, so that equals less revenue & means lower quality...no more 'Shogun's' for example, big-budget miniseries.

[mrchapel]

They`ve cancelled life on mars? There goes another of the few decent tv shows.
Make a list of good tv and most of them aren`t on BBC. CSI , 24, Prison break, lost. All of them hugely popular and not one of them on BBC. Only thing they blow their trumpet about at the moment is Doctor who and thats running out of steam and the fans are pissed off with it being turned into a soap opera. Notice they aren`t bragging about the Xmas specials viewing figures like they did last year? Yeah giving Catherine tate was a excellent idea. Why bring in someone decent to boost viewing figures when you can bring someone talentless in to cause the viewers to turn over.
And as for the spin off, fagwood? Is there anyone involved in that show who isn`t gay or playing one?

[IdolDroog]

Gotta agree with Scrubs, absolutely adore it. However I have to admit that meerkat Manor has gripped me in the last 2-3 episodes and im now hooked. Its a fantastic documentary and one of the few programmes that actually tugs at the heart strings - im not looking forward to the episode where Shakespeare dies

[tommy dickfingers]

the only decent things on the beeb and the only ones i make a point of watching are,top gear,later with jools holland,match of the day and er! thats it, although they have collaborated with a few american networks to make the state within,the grid and band of brothers. the fact is the americans spend more money on tv programmes than we do, look at 24,the west wing,lost,prison break,most of them with top actors from movies too but with a high budget as well.tv companies just get someone like graham norton, ross kemp,robson green,tamsin outhwaite and give them a big contract and then say what shall we do with them then.

[BeestonBoy]

Hey!!

This is true and kinda highlights one of my issues. We as a country have some of the greatest talent to offer the world. Weather it be acting,musical or what ever. Yet we spend a fortune finding work for all the wankers mentioned above. Graham "the virus" Norton and his like are just leaches killing British programing and taking as much money as they can in the process. OK given the choice which would you rather see....some little faggot and alot of wanna be wankers or another series with profound and emotional power such as our friends in the north or boys from the black stuff? Coz pound for pound i bet the dramas are cheaper. And will be around talked about and watched long after Mr (and only just) Nortons bottom has finally fallen off!!

[andy at handiwork]

The beauty of the Beeb is you get wankers like you describe, and quality drama like you mention. BTW drama isn't cheap.

[BeestonBoy]

No it is not cheap im sure but nieither are the Graham Norton,Jonathan Ross, Eamon Holmes Vernon Kaye and any other pointless waste of space and money you want to add to the list!! You keep sticking up for the BBC like im against it. Im not!! I bloody love the BBC!! Nearly every program I love has been made by the BBC. But it is fair to say that it is mis managed these days. They are completly out of touch. Which is fine with any other chanel but they are fucking up with OUR money. And not only that they want more,to do it with!!

[andy at handiwork]

They no more fuck up with our money than Sky fuck up with subscribers money. The Beeb has been forced into ratings chasing, and feel that paying the going rate for 'faces' is worth it to get the viewers. Thats what their paymasters, the government, percieve as value for money. The BBC is too valuable as a public service broadcaster to give it a death by a thousand cuts.