The Bill

I agree, 'Old People' are normally tucked up in bed by 9pm

younger people are also tucked up in bed before nine. By younger people I mean early teens. that's the whole point of the watershed, younger people are usually in bed. I don't know many old people that go to bed before 10! (lets end that convo!)
I hope that there will be more story lines amoungst the characters, like they have been doing quite recently. I have particularly enjoyed the last couple of episode with corrupt police officers!
Shame the Bill isnt as good as the american police dramas (NCIS) although some elements (like the interaction between characters and more internal story line) are actually better. Comes down to money at t'end of the day.

Problem being programmes like NCIS, JAG etc have a limited shelf life as they are law enforcers for a certain part of the armed forces. Law and Order (all franchises) works because of the writers involved on the show and has longevity because it is based on police and other enforcers outside any limited parameters such as armed forces - the real world (outside these parameters) have plenty of scope for years and years worth of programming based upon real events. Same can be applied to NYPD Blue.

Other shelf-life dramas such as Private Detectives (e.g. Magnum PI of old and Monk more recently) again are stuck within parameters of the actor, the character and the areas they work in.

Taggart developed beyond being a detective drama to a more wide-ranging police investigative drama and now works. Do you think Taggart would still be around now if Mark McManus was still alive and still in the starring role? Do you think Midsomer Murder will continue after John Nettles retires.. Before one uses Lewis as an example of moving on - although set in same city and one of the regular character from Morse, what else is the same - the stories, etc from Morse - just repetitive to be honest (although still damn good to watch)

The Bill, is one of those shows were there are still plenty of stories to be told (based upon reality) for years to come - all depends on ITV and the viewing figures!!!

I think the plan with Midsomer Murders is to retire it with John Nettles; certainly the papers were implying it was the end of the show, but I could be wrong. MM has always been about DCI Barnaby plus one, rather in the same way Touch of Frost panned out. Taggart became more ensemble as time went one, necessarily so after Mark McManus's death-- hence its survival I think.

I think the great strength of The Bill is that is an ensemble piece; there never has been an obviously dominant character within the show. The focus has always been on police procedure (except for the dreadful Marquess era); so the show can run indefinitely, keeping track of topical issues facing the police force.

I actually think the lack of budget (in comparison with NCIS and other American shows), works in The Bill's favour; makes it more gritty and less glossy, more realistic somehow for me.

Looks like Bill fans are looking forward to an eventful summer in Sun Hill!

Note:contains spoiler

What is it with people not posting links to sources when they post spoilers? It's hard to believe when you don't put one in. Could you post a source please? Thank you.

I am reliably informed that these changes are taking place. It is on wikipedia but that IS NOT my source

Not strictly on topic, but just to respond to this. Midsomer Murders is continuing beyond John Nettles leaving. He is recording new episodes and will be into next year, and will be seen on screen well into 2011.

Apparently a new leading man is currently being cast to continue after he leaves.

More here ...

http://blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ianwylie/2009/06/midsomer_murders_nettles_and_a.html

Thanks for that Square Eyes. The papers did say that Nettles would be filming until 2011, but the implication was the show would end then-- thanks for clearing it up.

John Nettles will be a hard act to follow, wonder who'll they would cast?

I'm surprised there is anyone left in Midsomer to murder.

As Scott said to Barnaby: "There are a lot of murders around here"
"It has been remarked upon", came Barnaby's wry reply. At that point I knew that MM has become a self-parody! Indeed if the murder rate in the Chilterns were that bad, there would be hardly anybody left to murder. How many homicidal vicars, farmers and spinsters with bikes (complete with shopping basket) are there out there?

When is the Bill moving to its new timeslot and once a week slot?? I hope they don't cut the number of shows, especially after the success of the show at recent awards ceremonies.