The BBC had the best stab at Christmas this year. Eastenders (though nowhere near the standards of recent years) provided cliffhanger after cliffhanger, Only Fools & Horses didn't fail to impress and Alistair McGowen's Big Impression was the business and as for the BBC1 Christmas logo, it's so cool! The only sting for the BBC was to have ITN news caption slapped onto to Queen's Speech LOL!
The ITN thing was hideous. I saw it and nearly dropped dead. (Maybe for some forum members that wouldn't be a bad thing seen as they have turned against me) It was strange to see that Big Blue screen and white logo on a BBC channel. Still. It was distgusting.
DJ
DJ Jase
I thought I was watching ITV! Have they shown the ITN end cap before. I know they take turns in the production of it!
CN
Chris Neill
I too thought Christmas on the Beeb was brilliant, with a whole hearted effort from them at last! They had ITV running scared, playing safe with 'old favs' like Corrie, Emmerdale and WWTBAM, each lasting an hour of course!
Evidence showing a daring BBC schedual was that they didn't even put The Weakest Link on primetime which would have been an obvious crowd puller. Instead, they were daring and commishioned a new and absolutly fantastic 'Only Fools and Horses,' an interactive Top of the Pops and screened two huge movie premieres whilst ITV blew the dust off yet another batch of 'weren't you on last christmas and easter, and every bank holiday inbetween' films!!
David Liddement should be sacked and Lorraine Whatshername knighted (on the provision that she takes an oath not to scrap the balloon)!!
I think the ITN end caption has been shown each year that ITN have produced the Queen's speech. It was a bit sad to see it - and it was held much longer than ITV hold it after the news.
On the other hand, ITV made the programme, so should get the credit. Hopefully the BBC logo will be shown on ITV next year, but I bet the BBCs is a bit more subtle. (Probably just a logo superimposed over a nice wideshot)
MD
Michael Daventry
Well I did get a bit of a shock to see the ITN caption on BBC Prime after the speech - and no, I didn't think I was watching ITV! The reason ITV did it this year is because it's part of a special arrangement by Buckingham Palace. ITN did the speech for the first time back in 1997 (supposedly because Buck Palace were 'miffed' at the BBC's Panorama interview with Diana a year previously). From then on, the two broadcasters have taken a two year rotation, with ITN producing in 1998, BBC in 1999 and 2000, then ITN again this year and next. The Beeb will be back in 2003!
It was good that both ITV1 and BBC1 had worked their schedules, so that its prime time programmes started at the same time.
Such as, Emmerdale just had to start at 6.25, Corrie for an hour and 5 mins etc!
For once, it was BBC1 running late, as OFAH ran over, and I missed the start of the Celebrity WWTBAM.
Christmas Day schedules are unusual though, Just think Bloomers at 4pm and Millionaire at 10.15pm, It wouldn't happen on a normal day!
By the way, ITN and BBC take it in turns to make 'The Queen', but remember ITN also make Channel 4 News, not just the downmarket ITV News, and 'ITV' don't make anything themselves
(Edited by Andrew at 12:03 pm on Dec. 26, 2001)
MG
MikeG
Only Fools and Horses ran over? It was supposed to run from 9.05 to 10.15 and ended at 10.15!
Well, it must have cos I recorded it and set the timer for 'Sliding Doors' which recorded at the right time!
RW
RW
It did overrun by about 2-3 minutes, but then so did EastEnders before it. Of course, that's nothing compared to how much ITV can overrun. Am I right in thinking the BBC have a policy where programmes should not start less than 1 minute early or more than 4 minutes late, unless it's due to sport or something overrunning?
I managed to miss HM on the box, but caught the radio version on 'Dorset and Hampshire's Classic Gold 828'. I mention the name in full because due to a timing error, I assume, they crashed straight into her with the jingle repeated about six times.
No introduction, no plummy voice from IRN, nothing at all. Just the dreadful jingle and off she went.
MikeG on 12:05 pm on Dec. 26, 2001
Only Fools and Horses ran over? It was supposed to run from 9.05 to 10.15 and ended at 10.15!
Well, it must have cos I recorded it and set the timer for 'Sliding Doors' which recorded at the right time!
Sliding Doors, what an excellent movie, I wish I had recorded it now!
MG
MikeG
Just finished watching Sliding Doors for the umpeenth time! How good is this movie?
Can anyone tell me, who plays that devilishly handsome slimeball boyrfiend of Gwynnie's character? My vid didn't get the credits as i was at the end of the tape ! Just stopped when the lift doors closed after she left hospital!
Am I right in thinking the BBC have a policy where programmes should not start less than 1 minute early or more than 4 minutes late, unless it's due to sport or something overrunning?