Waterloo Road

Very true.

But any other drama seems to, for whatever reason, have to be North-based. Why not show the South has something else to offer?

Short memories, some people.

So where, exactly, was Down to Earth set?

or that London school drama with lenny henry

Doesn't the word "London" give you the slightest hint that it wasn't set anywhere near Bideford, you silly little twerp?

I have No idea where Bideford, I would call you a silly little twerp but I will not lower myself to you level

but its still in the south!

I don't think there was any need for that, Nick. Many people don't have much detailed geographical knowledge outside of their immediate area. Can we keep things civil, please?

Watch out for the mistake tonight for those that watch it.

Even that became Northernised in terms of its cast. The original concept was soon junked to allow to to become another vehicle for ex-soapies like Ricky Tomlinson, Denise Welch, Ian Kelsey - also, interior filming for the second series took place in Twickenham due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001.

I suppose there's little hope of convincing you, once you've made your mind up, Simon.

Given enough time, I expect you'll find that the second cousin of the uncle of an assistant sound editor on Spotlight has a relative from near Dundee, so the whole programme is now far too northern biased for you to watch it.

I won't say what I really mean, as I've already had one pointless warning for this thread and I'd hate for you to have the delight of me not posting here for a whole seven days.

Simon, do you sit and watch Waterloo Road, all the time thinking, 'this would be so much better if it was set down south'?

That's just the impression I get.

I've just been checking on the regional roots of the actors in the original Grange Hill series.

Boy oh boy, it makes for some very interesting reading!

I certainly look at the show, and other BBC drama offerings and wonder "why COULDN'T this be set in the South?" but that is certainly not a suggestion that it WOULD be better set in the lower half of the country. It's as if anywhere further south of Birmingham is considered inferior for the BBC's non-continuing drama output, or the BBC thinks the South filfils its contribution to its drama output with EastEnders or Holby. Little in the way of non-continuing projects set here ATM. And then there's the possibility of box-ticking. Are these shows set in the North to stave off accusations of London-centricism by the BBC?

The decision to place Waterloo Road in the North West seems especially strange with the production company being based in London. Of the other drama output - Sorted, a drama about postmen. Again, why not the South? We have snail mail down here after all! Others, such as The Street, rely on the Northern setting as part of their feel, not to mention Jimmy McGovern wrote it.



Really - what did you find?