All entries for Friday 29 September 2006

Why is British telly so pants?

It has been pointed out to me (on several occasions ) that British television is pants. Now, I’ll admit I hadn’t really ever thought about it to a great extent, I mean, you get what you’re given. But really, I just took a look through the Radio Times website for the week, and it’s 97% rubbish! With the exception of Spooks, I can’t name another programme that I would go out of my way to watch. (Having said that, Dr Who isn’t on at the moment.)

Now don’t get me wrong, we do get great programmes made by the UK (or collaboratively), like Spooks, Dr Who, Rome, Hotel Babylon, Life begins and Bleak House (not to all tastes, I’ll admit.) But the tripe we watch, and/or put up with – like Coronation Street, Bad Girls, and I’m a numpty (oops I mean “Celebrity”) get me out of here! We also have really good documentaries from Panorama on BBC and Dispatches on C4.

Then we get to US programmes. Some, (Rome, The West Wing, Desperate Housewives and 24) are all brilliant, others are diabolical. I am so pissed off with Lost it’s not funny (really, I no longer CARE that they’re trapped on an island, it’s probably the best place for them – shame we can’t put the creators on the island and leave them there,) and then we get all the other trash from the states. Jerry Springer, Diagnosis Murder (I have seen the light – it IS dire!), and Beauty and the Geek – Urgh!

The best thing about US shows: they generally have 22 episodes in a “season.” However, it has to be said, that the best-imported TV programme shown in the UK is, without a doubt, Neighbours! (Adam – don’t deny it, you love it!) But still, I want more good home-made television programmes – fingers crossed for Robin Hood!

: 29 Sep 2006 14:05 |  Comments (8) |  Close comments |  Report a problem