Let’s talk about BBC

[midlandsgrimpeur]

From the observational/cultural/anthropological POV, I think it's fascinating how a box that transmits sound and pictures, with no opportunity for response

I would say that TV and film can work in the same vein as any artistic or cultural form. The dramatic aspect can open up ideas and narratives that open up our view of the world and allow us to experience greater insights. The emotional response to any form whether it is comedy, drama, documentary, also works on the same level as any fiction or written work in my view. It can also just be mindless entertainment there for when you need to just switch off!

I agree with FA that there is still a lot of very good television programmes being made. I would also say that with the endless need for content, there is also an inordinate amount of rubbish so you do have to sift through it to find the nuggets.

 

[matticus]

In many ways a decent high budget TV show now is better than a movie, because it's not restricted to 2 1/2 hours of character development.

The Marvel movie people quickly realised this, and have thusly treated us to 35hours of "character development" - I assume you are suitably grateful?

 

[matticus]

p.s. Riot Women - best thing on this month (BBC as it happens). "Kitty" steals the whole thing, but I may even start liking Tasmin Grieg again.

 

[First Aspect]

The Marvel movie people quickly realised this, and have thusly treated us to 35hours of "character development" - I assume you are suitably grateful?

I never did super heroes as a kid, and cosplay is not my thing. I don't really get the appeal. But the yoofs seem to like them.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Oh dear. I guess all those people suggesting Davie and co resignations were nothing to do with appeasing Trump may well have to rethink their position.

https://bsky.app/profile/rutgerbregman.com/post/3m6gzjfgg2k2b

 

[briantrumpet]

Oh dear. I guess all those people suggesting Davie and co resignations were nothing to do with appeasing Trump may well have to rethink their position.

https://bsky.app/profile/rutgerbregman.com/post/3m6gzjfgg2k2b

It'd be worth filing a FOI request to see if Gibb was involved in that decision. It must have been signed off at a high level.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

It'd be worth filing a FOI request to see if Gibb was involved in that decision. It must have been signed off at a high level.

I would be rather surprised if he wasn't. I am sure BBC lawyers were central to the decision as well but given what we have seen with regards Gibbs influence in much of what goes on at the top level one would assume he also played a prominent role.

 

[briantrumpet]

I would be rather surprised if he wasn't. I am sure BBC lawyers were central to the decision as well but given what we have seen with regards Gibbs influence in much of what goes on at the top level one would assume he also played a prominent role.

Remarkable that Gibb thinks of himself as an unbiased arbiter.

 

[icowden]

The Marvel movie people quickly realised this, and have thusly treated us to 35hours of "character development" - I assume you are suitably grateful?

Yes, there's definitely a fine line. I've been enjoying Daredevil (first 3 seasons not the reboot) and whilst it's OK, it is very very drawn out at times and often feels like several episodes of just watching Matt being beaten up and indulging in self-pity.

A TV series is often better but US producers often want as many parts as possible. In the US version of the Office, the first season is 6 episodes as it was in the UK. Then it goes to 22 episodes, 25, 19 (due to writers strike), 26, 24, 25. There are 201 episodes so far. Compare that to 12 plus a special for the original British version.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Remarkable that Gibb thinks of himself as an unbiased arbiter.

Indeed, and I don't think it is a veneer, he seems to actually believe he is restoring some degree of balance to the BBC output!

 

[Psamathe]

It'd be worth filing a FOI request to see if Gibb was involved in that decision. It must have been signed off at a high level.

The difficulty can come as people can influence without being "involved".

Not suggesting he was influenced/edited by Gibb but Lewis Goodall was made very very aware Gibb was watching him

BBC failed to defend me during Tory witch-hunt, says Lewis Goodall
...
He added: “I had a few experiences where editors told me to ‘be careful: Robbie is watching you.’ It was improper for someone on the board, not supposed to be involved in editorial, to be involved in editorial, to be interfering.”

I could imaging some editor deciding to cut it because they wouldn't want Gibb starting up on them and the consequences that could create for their career.

 

[AuroraSaab]

Honestly, there is more good TV now than there ever has been. TV is attracting top acting tallent and top writers, and bigger budgets. In many ways a decent high budget TV show now is better than a movie, because it's not restricted to 2 1/2 hours of character development.

True, and an unfortunate knock on is that there's rarely a good cinema drama film that isn't also sci fi or an actioner. There's exceptions, like Tar for example, but tv has become the home of exceptional drama writing.

 

[Pblakeney]

Remarkable that Gibb thinks of himself as an unbiased arbiter.

Most people consider themselves to be fairly centrist whether that is centrist left or centrist right.
It is the nutters on either side that are the extremists, regardless of the "central" position.

 

[Psamathe]

Remarkable that Gibb thinks of himself as an unbiased arbiter.

I felt that was a totally daft question for the Committee to have asked. What did they expect him to answer. Did they expect him to say "Yes, I'm very right biased and feel the BBC should be pro-Reform and anti-Labour ...". But of a waste of a question.

 

[briantrumpet]

I felt that was a totally daft question for the Committee to have asked. What did they expect him to answer. Did they expect him to say "Yes, I'm very right biased and feel the BBC should be pro-Reform and anti-Labour ...". But of a waste of a question.

The difficulty can come as people can influence without being "involved".

Not suggesting he was influenced/edited by Gibb but Lewis Goodall was made very very aware Gibb was watching him

I could imaging some editor deciding to cut it because they wouldn't want Gibb starting up on them and the consequences that could create for their career.

Quite so.