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The Bill

Wednesday's and Thursday's at 8pm, ITV1 (March 2007)

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RM
Roger Mellie
Jez posted:


As for The Bill, its definately a lot better since they went back to how it used to be i.e. less soapy, more drama series.


Yes I would agree with that assessment. In its early days The Bill was all about police work, and I think the current producer is reflecting that-- and the programme has vastly improved because of it in my mind.

A couple of years ago it was the opposite, all about the cops' love lives and private lives. Thankfully the new producer has reversed this, and private lives of the characters only comes into play now if it affects his/hers life on the beat.

Along with that we get gripping long-running stories as well as shorter stories, some of them quite humourous.

I think The Bill is the best it's been in years.
JE
Jez Founding member
pad posted:
Jez posted:
I agree. Corrie gets the balance between drama and comedy right, and its well ahead of the other soaps (both uk and aussie) IMO. Corrie is better than Neighbours and Hollyoaks IMO. Cant comment on EE as I never watch but the general opinion is its rubbish.


The humour/drama balance is, admittedly, most balanced on Coronation Street BUT it is never just right. During Killer Katy it was all the way to the drama side, during the Summer of 2005 it was all the way to the 'comedy' side (and it was bad comedy too, usually with Cilla) and right now it's more on the comedy side with little drama of substance.

Don't watch Neighbours but Hollyoaks has improved a lot and some of its episodes have been leagues better than Corrie. It seems to be more stable in terms of plot infrastructure and characterbase too, and seems more 'alive' than Coro. Right now.


Hollyoaks is good but it was better IMO and I enjoyed it far more from the start up until 2001/2. Now most of original and better characters have gone, and im not fan really of the McQueen family (apart from 2 of them,Carmel and Jacqui). I used to really like John Paul , but like Todd in Corrie, ive gone right off him for the way he has treated Spike.

As for Corrie - yes they did get the balance wrong between drama and comedy during 2005. Since Steve Frost took over it has more or less been spot on IMO.

Quote:
I think The Bill is the best its been in years.

I agree, ive always dipped in and out of The Bill for years, but more recently ive watched it more regularly.
TV
tvarksouthwest
Roger Mellie posted:
Yes I would agree with that assessment. In its early days The Bill was all about police work, and I think the current producer is reflecting that-- and the programme has vastly improved because of it in my mind.

A couple of years ago it was the opposite, all about the cops' love lives and private lives. Thankfully the new producer has reversed this, and private lives of the characters only comes into play now if it affects his/hers life on the beat.

Along with that we get gripping long-running stories as well as shorter stories, some of them quite humourous.

I think The Bill is the best it's been in years.

Quite. Now my next point is somewhat tricky, as I know it leaves me open to accusations of homophobia, so I'll come straight out with it (pun not intended).

Paul Marquess was openly gay and he didn't care who knew it, fair enough and good that he is fully accepting of himself. On the other hand, it is reasonable to suggest that in terms of the storylines he oversaw, namely the Ashton/Gilmore/blonde WPC love triangle, Marquess could be said to have been imposing his sexuality on the entire audience. Obviously there is little excuse for homophobia and racism but as recent times have shown, any attempt to impose ideals such as multiculturalism and inclusivity on the public can be a red rag to a bull.
RM
Roger Mellie
tvarksouthwest posted:
Roger Mellie posted:
Yes I would agree with that assessment. In its early days The Bill was all about police work, and I think the current producer is reflecting that-- and the programme has vastly improved because of it in my mind.

A couple of years ago it was the opposite, all about the cops' love lives and private lives. Thankfully the new producer has reversed this, and private lives of the characters only comes into play now if it affects his/hers life on the beat.

Along with that we get gripping long-running stories as well as shorter stories, some of them quite humourous.

I think The Bill is the best it's been in years.

Quite. Now my next point is somewhat tricky, as I know it leaves me open to accusations of homophobia, so I'll come straight out with it (pun not intended).

Paul Marquess was openly gay and he didn't care who knew it, fair enough and good that he is fully accepting of himself. On the other hand, it is reasonable to suggest that in terms of the storylines he oversaw, namely the Ashton/Gilmore/blonde WPC love triangle, Marquess could be said to have been imposing his sexuality on the entire audience. Obviously there is little excuse for homophobia and racism but as recent times have shown, any attempt to impose ideals such as multiculturalism and inclusivity on the public can be a red rag to a bull.


I think homophobia is an often mis-used word that is employed to stifle genuine debate on occasion, arguably by the 'PC brigade' . I do take your point, I see where your coming from. I believe it was Ally Ross that said "Russell T Davies can't write a cheque without giving it a gay agenda"!

If it's done sincerely and not contrived, then it can work. I think the storyline you mention was forced, the way Luke Ashton suddenly 'turned', didn't seem right.

Besides that sort of storyline doesn't really work on The Bill in my opinion, and that's where it went wrong with the show during Marquess's tenure.
LU
Luke
Roger Mellie posted:
Besides that sort of storyline doesn't really work on The Bill in my opinion, and that's where it went wrong with the show during Marquess's tenure.


i think it actually went wrong when they brought in Mark Fowler as the resident psychopath PC. Up til then they'd been getting good ratings and publicity and ITV seemed pretty happy.
DA
David_02
Roger Mellie posted:
Jez posted:


As for The Bill, its definately a lot better since they went back to how it used to be i.e. less soapy, more drama series.


Yes I would agree with that assessment. In its early days The Bill was all about police work, and I think the current producer is reflecting that-- and the programme has vastly improved because of it in my mind.

A couple of years ago it was the opposite, all about the cops' love lives and private lives. Thankfully the new producer has reversed this, and private lives of the characters only comes into play now if it affects his/hers life on the beat.

Along with that we get gripping long-running stories as well as shorter stories, some of them quite humourous.

I think The Bill is the best it's been in years.


I agree - now the show has gone back to what it was always about it has come leaps and bounds. Once again, the show is unmissable for the first time in years - and Thursday's episode proved that once again, to quote a Radio Times reviewer, they can mix it with the best of them. Full credit to the producer who has done an excellent job.
RM
Roger Mellie
Luke posted:
Roger Mellie posted:
Besides that sort of storyline doesn't really work on The Bill in my opinion, and that's where it went wrong with the show during Marquess's tenure.


i think it actually went wrong when they brought in Mark Fowler as the resident psychopath PC. Up til then they'd been getting good ratings and publicity and ITV seemed pretty happy.


Good point actually, that character did spoil things a bit-- seemed out of place adn OTT. Least he got killed off in the end Twisted Evil
RM
Roger Mellie
02cashindavid posted:
Roger Mellie posted:
Jez posted:


As for The Bill, its definately a lot better since they went back to how it used to be i.e. less soapy, more drama series.


Yes I would agree with that assessment. In its early days The Bill was all about police work, and I think the current producer is reflecting that-- and the programme has vastly improved because of it in my mind.

A couple of years ago it was the opposite, all about the cops' love lives and private lives. Thankfully the new producer has reversed this, and private lives of the characters only comes into play now if it affects his/hers life on the beat.

Along with that we get gripping long-running stories as well as shorter stories, some of them quite humourous.

I think The Bill is the best it's been in years.


I agree - now the show has gone back to what it was always about it has come leaps and bounds. Once again, the show is unmissable for the first time in years - and Thursday's episode proved that once again, to quote a Radio Times reviewer, they can mix it with the best of them. Full credit to the producer who has done an excellent job.


Well next week..
Smiffy is made acting Inspector, whilst Gina goes off on holiday. So sod's law intervenes and he has to contend with a major army robbery as well as Darren Day! Laughing

36 days later

MW
Mike W
Totally Irrelevant but : I remember PC Luke Ashton snogging Sgt. Craig Gillmore and then on his stag night sleeping with Craig, and then Craig had the cheek to say to Gina Gold that
Sgt. Craig Gilmore posted:
Am I detecting a slight whiff of homophobia here
Gina Gold posted:
I told you to have a drink with him not sleep with him
Oh what's it to do with you anyway
!!! and when is there going to be a live episode again???
RM
Roger Mellie
BBCMIDSTODAY posted:
Totally Irrelevant but : I remember PC Luke Ashton snogging Sgt. Craig Gillmore and then on his stag night sleeping with Craig, and then Craig had the cheek to say to Gina Gold that
Sgt. Craig Gilmore posted:
Am I detecting a slight whiff of homophobia here
Gina Gold posted:
I told you to have a drink with him not sleep with him
Oh what's it to do with you anyway
!!! and when is there going to be a live episode again???


Good question, I think the last one was ITV 50th birthday, if I recall. They might do one for the show's 25th birthday, not far off.

I think The Bill's on excellent form at the moment, seem to be concentrating on the nub end of police work. Compelling storylines and plots of late.
JE
Jez Founding member
Roger Mellie posted:
BBCMIDSTODAY posted:
Totally Irrelevant but : I remember PC Luke Ashton snogging Sgt. Craig Gillmore and then on his stag night sleeping with Craig, and then Craig had the cheek to say to Gina Gold that
Sgt. Craig Gilmore posted:
Am I detecting a slight whiff of homophobia here
Gina Gold posted:
I told you to have a drink with him not sleep with him
Oh what's it to do with you anyway
!!! and when is there going to be a live episode again???


Good question, I think the last one was ITV 50th birthday, if I recall. They might do one for the show's 25th birthday, not far off.

I think The Bill's on excellent form at the moment, seem to be concentrating on the nub end of police work. Compelling storylines and plots of late.

I agree. The Bill is on top form currently. And I really like the new character, Sgt Callum Stone. Smile
MA
markstewart
Might be an idea to celebrate the 25th birthday with an episode bringing back some of the show's most popular characters. To be honest, as exciting as a live episode can be, it just doesn't cut it when it comes to special effects and the whole pace of a normal episode. They could make the 25th birthday episode into a real spectacle in another way with a big storyline leading up to that point. Return of Don Beech and Burnside anyone? Laughing

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