They're very conservative in the States (when it comes to network TV). God knows what they'd think of British TV where saying the 'F' word on a primetime drama is perfectly acceptable.

The likes of Desperate Housewives would seem tame compared to some of our dramas. They would have had a field day with Footballers Wives!

Yeah, Footballers Wives would have really whipped up a furore! I dread to think what the reaction to dramas like Shameless or comedies like Little Britain or even Benidorm would be if they were shown on primetime network TV. The Parents Television Council would have a fit!

Slightly off-topic, but here's the end of BBC analogue television in my neck of the woods last night, uploaded by DS member remlap:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er4UyIqC2s4



and the end of ITV analogue:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDjzaqt44Mo

hmm...makes sense I guess. I was surprised to read that its up on the equivalent results show last year, despite losing 2.6 demo points from yesterday's episode.

LOL gotta love ITV

They did actually make a pilot of Footballers Wives at ABC. It was not pursued because at the time, ABC broadcast NFL football (and their sister channel is ESPN). The NFL were said to strongly object to the idea behind the show, apparently they don't want a "footballers wives" craze!

The PTC named the American Idol finale as "worst of the week" back in May. One reason was because The Black Eyed Peas were guests and their song contained naughty words... those words weren't actually sung on the show, but apparently that's besides the point. Kara DioGuardi's bikini stunt sent them into a meltdown. Their website hosts the "explicit" video and carries a WARNING for Graphic Content in large red letters.

They do get away with jokes about sex and there's loads of violence and gore in some of the procedurals. Friends was an 8pm show on NBC but think how much E4 censor it at 8pm! But then they have these really sudden and really strict rules on actual nudity and the F word where people just go utterly mad if they see a nipple at 10.30pm.

It made me chuckle.

Just as a FYI, some of the offerings on BBC One for the week beginning 12th April look horrible:

Monday - New Tricks (r)
Tuesday - Spoilt Rotten?
Wednesday - Traffic Cops (r?)
Thursday, 8pm - DIY SOS (r?)

There's nothing to stop them launching dramas now, and I'm not sure why they are not launching new dramas. As the weeks pass, the amount of dramas they can put on is limited because of the World Cup. Unless this is going to be the typical BBC One 9pm offerings for the next 2 months.

Traffic Cops and DIY SOS are new, according to uk-tv-guide.

That's very poor. I remember a time, even ten years ago when in a single evening on BBC1 you could get a lifestyle show, soap, drama, news bulletin, gameshow, chatshow, sitcom and possibly a late film.

How any channel controller can think programmes like 'DIY SOS' and 'Traffic Cops' are acceptable for primetime is unbelievable.

Bless, dear old HTV. Nobody tells them anything.

when is ITV airing its debate again just had a digiguide update

The Bill is still on Thursday 15th, whilst it is on Tuesday 20th. Thursday 22nd 9pm is TBA

At least it gave me an opportunity to see what The Door is about!

I admit I had to laugh at those clips. No sentimental claptrap from ITV just now you see it, now you don't!

Such a shame it won't be seizing transmission during the actual show.

Meanwhile...

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...ay-street.html

I think, giving their Aussie TV ratings, they'd be better off renaming it Upshit Creek.

Their next 25 years could be very similar to the next 25 years of HTV analogue.

that is an Aussie Pace April Fools.

I expect we'll be getting a few TV-related April Fool jokes tomorrow.

Yes. It says it might be in the article.

Their poor ratings aren't, though.

Messed that up.

Poles apart! But about what I would expect to see from both.

Can you receive Freeview HD services now straight away or do you have to wait a bit longer for that?

The main problem is, starting from Easter Sunday, there are ten full weeks to fill before the World Cup start. But all BBC One have left to air drama wise are:

A Passionate Women 2 x 90 mins (due to air 11 & 18 April)
Ashes to Ashes - 8 x 60 mins (starts Good Friday)
Luther - 6 x 60 mins
The Deep - 5 x 60 mins
The Silence - 4 x 60 mins

I don't think there's anything else due, unless Inspector George Gentley is due pre-World Cup. Knowing BBC One, they're likely to have these all running at the same time.

I hope they don't make The Deep a stripped drama, as I feel people may start to tire of this format. Twice a year would be fine, but if they've anything else planned for later in the year (that siege drama?) they really should air The Deep weekly.

I'd split the 10 eps(?) of WDYTYA? due this year and air five of them before the World Cup, as BBC One are going to be hit by the lack of The Apprentice this spring. Also WDYTYA? won't be needed come the summer, as The Apprentice will be the 'factual flagship' of the period.

Also, does anyone know where Drop Zone got to? It was down as 'Coming Soon' at the start of the year, but has disappeared since then. If it's done well, then it could be another popular factual/entertainment brand to sit alongside WDYTYA? and The Apprentice.

Anyone know when "The Silence" will be shown on BBC1?

First off, tonight's game on ITV1 has to peak at near 8 million, what a game.

A slightly less annoyed/angry Arsenal fan posting here...


I'm guessing that the dates have been confirmed, but are strictly embargoed until the election is called. Hence we may see late changes so that once the election is called, schedules may be changed.

By the way, I seen an advert for The Prisoner on ITV1 tonight, despite it not being in the provisional listings for at least the next 3 weeks.

Oh, BTW the second results show for Over the Rainbow is on at 20:15 (compared to 18:20 for Week 1) and is against Foyle's War. BSI strikes again.

I would expect The Prisoner will launch the same night as Britain's Got Talent. Not confirmed / just a thought...