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Post by topcat on Jul 19, 2007 15:06:47 GMT -5
Couldn't see a relevent existing thread for this so forgive me for starting a new one ;D
In the new edition of Radio Times this week (UK TV listing mag) there is an article by Russell T Davies (creative force behind the re emergence of Dr Who) where he lists his celebration of British TV's journey out of the closet.
He lists Bad Girls as one of his favourites and says:
"telling a lesbian love story in primetime on ITV - never mind such a tender story as Helen and Nikki's - was just extraordinary. That
it had a happy ending was more amazing still. They could have had Helen getting the sack and marrying a man, or Nikki getting out of prison and leaving, but to have them kissing on the street in public showed real bravery"
Other landmark shows he lists include Brideshead Revisited, Oranges are not the only fruit and the naked civil servant. Nice for BG (well, in reality N & H) to be given some credit in mainstream press and lumped with quality.
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Post by bgfanusa on Jul 19, 2007 20:28:54 GMT -5
Hey Topcat, thanks for sharing that info. I agree completely with Russell Davis on that statement.
I would love to see a copy of that entire article...is that possible?
UK had done such a fine job of great television shows...we in the US have some real crappers...
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Post by justafan on Jul 21, 2007 22:55:25 GMT -5
Hey Topcat, thanks for sharing that info. I agree completely with Russell Davis on that statement. I would love to see a copy of that entire article...is that possible? UK had done such a fine job of great television shows...we in the US have some real crappers... Hey, hey, hey bgfanusa! We (in the US) have several television programs to be proud of. Recently, IMO, the finest program in television history, Six Feet Under. Formerly I would have given that accolade to 'I, Claudius', but post SFU even that wonderful program has fallen to second (again IMO)and maybe even third place behind another amazingly well written and acted series, 'The Sopranos'. Currently, I can't miss 'The Closer' Monday nights on TNT. Again, well written and acted. The thing is I've been watching a lot of 'crap' British tv shows on BBC America recently. UK tv is not ALL brilliant. I do appreciate the comments of Mr. Davies concerning Bad Girls and the romance between N and H. One of the few things they did right on that series (again IMO). |
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Post by topcat on Jul 22, 2007 2:38:56 GMT -5
I do appreciate the comments of Mr. Davies concerning Bad Girls and the romance between N and H. Well, since Mr Davies was so impressed, maybe he could make the effort to find a role in Dr Who for Ms Jones ;D I think there is obviously good and bad in both British and American TV. I suppose the thing is, in Britain, we tend to only get the decent American stuff whereas you in The States seem to have dedicated channels to British drama and it gets filled with any old dross. British TV over the last few years has become very bogged down with 'star led' dramas. Ex soap stars on golden handcuff deals and the stations throw any old drama at them to justify their ridiculous retainer fee. This is happening less and less, thank God, but there still seems to be this very small pool of 'must use' actors whom producers put into every drama. An actor makes a big impact in one role and then are everywhere to the point where you think 'not them again'. This is happening to the actor John Simm who starred in Life on Mars at the moment. He is just everywhere. Even Mr Davies gave him the unlikely role of The Master in Dr Who. He was so NOT the Master. He was more like Woody Allen in Casino Royale - as menacing as a baby lamb. The point is, I really like John Simm but I am afraid I'll end up being annoyed by him due to over exposure. No chance of that with our Mandana......... |
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Post by bgfanusa on Jul 23, 2007 8:35:44 GMT -5
Well Justafan...I said the US had some real crappers. That is not to say all are. I too thought Six Feet Under was a very good show. The thing I was referring to was network tv. Was not BG a British network tv show? Anyhow, I think what my issue with US network tv is that the shows are so formulatic (is that a word?) in the sense that if they hit paydirt on one...they recycle the same thing over and over ad nauseum. There are very few quality shows. I thought Heroes was interesting I adore Battlestar Galatica..(is that British or Canadian however?) I watched a few epis of Brothers and Sisters. I guess the thing is that BG is such a superior show, at least the first several seasons. In particular the first season was so tight and wonderful. No wasted scenes, the scripts were great, the directing, editing and of course the acting. That is also not to say that British tv creates some duds. It is just that the few I've seen tend to be very good like BG, MI5, Sugar Rush and WITB...at least they hold my interest....
Also British tv does not seem to dwell on all the cast being composed of all beautiful people...the cast seems real, more natural. Not all babes and hunks that are twentysomethings. There is something real and tangible when the cast has average people who all do not have perfect teeth et al. I mean even Helen (Simone) started series 1 slightly frumpy...even as sexy as she is, it was not overly stated.
Mandana is brilliant Topcat. Do you think her height ever gets in the way of her landing some roles? I know comments have been made that she has bad representation. I just wonder if she wants to work just enough to pay the bills at this juncture of her life. I do find it hard to believe she cannot get real work if she wants it, but I guess casting is fickle and if you are not always in the spotlight they overlook you....
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Post by justafan on Jul 23, 2007 18:51:43 GMT -5
I think drama on American television has changed for the better lately (mostly). Probably this is due to the advent of cable tv where there are less restrictions and those responsible for creating new shows are allowed to be more imaginative. I agree that network tv is still formulaic but occasionally there are some real gems like Desperate Housewives (well, the first season) and Ugly Betty. " I guess the thing is that BG is such a superior show, at least the first several seasons. In particular the first season was so tight and wonderful. No wasted scenes, the scripts were great, the directing, editing and of course the acting." As much as I loved the first three seasons of Bad Girls I don't think it was that superior a show. The concept was interesting, the set amazing and Shed were blessed with perfect casting in some of the roles but I don't think that it was ever all that well written. It was still very enjoyable. I will never understand why Shed abandoned Bad Girls to focus on a real piece of crap....Footballers Wives. Well Justafan...I said the US had some real crappers. That is not to say all are. I too thought Six Feet Under was a very good show. The thing I was referring to was network tv. Was not BG a British network tv show? Anyhow, I think what my issue with US network tv is that the shows are so formulatic (is that a word?) in the sense that if they hit paydirt on one...they recycle the same thing over and over ad nauseum. There are very few quality shows. I thought Heroes was interesting I adore Battlestar Galatica..(is that British or Canadian however?) I watched a few epis of Brothers and Sisters. I guess the thing is that BG is such a superior show, at least the first several seasons. In particular the first season was so tight and wonderful. No wasted scenes, the scripts were great, the directing, editing and of course the acting. That is also not to say that British tv creates some duds. It is just that the few I've seen tend to be very good like BG, MI5, Sugar Rush and WITB...at least they hold my interest.... Also British tv does not seem to dwell on all the cast being composed of all beautiful people...the cast seems real, more natural. Not all babes and hunks that are twentysomethings. There is something real and tangible when the cast has average people who all do not have perfect teeth et al. I mean even Helen (Simone) started series 1 slightly frumpy...even as sexy as she is, it was not overly stated. Mandana is brilliant Topcat. Do you think her height ever gets in the way of her landing some roles? I know comments have been made that she has bad representation. I just wonder if she wants to work just enough to pay the bills at this juncture of her life. I do find it hard to believe she cannot get real work if she wants it, but I guess casting is fickle and if you are not always in the spotlight they overlook you.... |
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Post by topcat on Jul 24, 2007 2:35:25 GMT -5
Interesting point about Mandana's height bgfanusa. I think it has to be a slight casting disadvantage on occasion. She could not, for instance, have played opposite Robson Green in Wire in the Blood. In all the roles she has played pre and post BG she has always had quite substantially taller leading men. Well except Born and Bred and they used tricks like having them at great distances when talking to each other or him stood on a door step!! I think it is still a sad fact that the male roles probably get filled first in the majority of cases. This is very true. It actually winds me up when watching USA TV. A number of our dramas are led by 40 something actresses of generous proportions ;D That is why I don't truly accept the argument that Mandana can't get work because of her age. As I have said in previous posts, I think British TV is preoccupied with 'star' vehicles or rather a small pot of actors that end up being over used. In other words, those 3 or 4 sized 16 40+ actresses are in EVERYTHING!! Or pay the plane fare to Spain  Seriously, I suspect she doesn't want to palm her son off for great lengths of time and is just taking bits and bobs to keep her hand in. I agree that it must partly be her choice. Certainly, with her stage CV, she would not find it hard to return to the theatre but I get the feeling she doesn't really enjoy the 'living out of a suitcase' lifestyle that demands. This is a quote from a pre BG interview: "all the time I was doing theatre I was never 100% sure I wanted to be an actress. I wasn't sure that was me; that world, those acting types, those stereotypes". It goes on to say that only when she started to do TV work did she feel at home with acting. To me, those little nuggets suggest stage appearances will be limited and that acting is not a passion. |
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Post by bgfanusa on Jul 25, 2007 20:18:20 GMT -5
All excellent points Topcat.
I think that is a very telling quote. She is a natural person not bent on the actor lifestyle. Perhaps motherhood and taking care of her little man are now is her priority. We as fans can only hope that she gets back into some roles and we can see her perform because she is fantastic.
Hey Justafan there are still some quality shows being presented on US telly, but they never give them much of a chance if they do not grab an audience fast. I never liked Desperate Housewives nor have I watched Ugly Betty so I will take your word that they are good (yes,DH jumped the shark from what I can tell)
I have to agree to disagree with you on BG first season. IMO it was tight, well scripted, acted and totally held my attention. Would that have been the case without the H/N storyline? ummm that is very debatable. But I guess perhaps for me, my attraction to British tv is that from my jaded US eyes, it is fresh and alive...at least the shows I have seen...
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Post by justafan on Jul 25, 2007 22:56:25 GMT -5
I don't know why Mandana is not getting the sort of work we all hope she will have a shot at (lead drama roles). We'll probably never know for sure. In that recent interview she sounded as if she was bored to death and really wanted to get back in the saddle as an actress ASAP. Perhaps she's found another/other creative outlet/s.
I didn't watch Desperate Housewives until it had been on for awhile...friends told me they liked it so I tuned in one night. I could see that it was clever, funny and well cast. The last time I saw it the show was definitely floundering. Ugly Betty I just happened on one night and it held my attention. Again the show is very funny and clever and there is of course a message about not judging people prematurely. I like the character.
I used to be addicted to British imports on PBS back in the 70's and 80's. The dramas were exquisitely produced but I think things have gone downhill recently. The programs I have been watching are not equal to what we saw in the past. The word that comes to mind is...well... it's 'amateurish'. Bad Girls was a good example of a technique that caters to people with short attention spans or ADD. In so many British shows the scenes are too short and there is a sense of hopping frenetically about instead of focusing in . I first saw this in Eastenders (YUCK) when it was shown on PBS. Just an annoying way of doing television. IMO. Too many British series shown on BBC America seem lacking in something and several are just sleazy like FW and the show they have been advertizing, and advertizing and advertizing recently - Hotel Babylon. There were some other shows but I can't remember the titles. I think the reason it's fun to watch British tv is that it's different but familiar at the same time. I'm addicted to this show called Most Haunted on the Travel Channel where these people spend nights in a supposedly 'haunted' location. The funny thing is that nothing ever really happens but the paranormal experts and the others are scared to death and swearing up a stream. It's fun to watch but you do want to yell out "Get a grip!"
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Post by topcat on Jul 28, 2007 2:11:20 GMT -5
In that recent interview she sounded as if she was bored to death and really wanted to get back in the saddle as an actress ASAP. Really? Can't say I got those vibes from the After Ellen interview. Ii just think she was being honest - and joking around - about what it's like being with a baby 24/7. Mind you, if she thought it was relentless last year, you can bet she's got to have eyes in the back of her head now he's approaching 2! I will agree that she seemed a little resigned to not getting anything juicy ( The 'Gertrude' comment) until she's older, which is a real shame. Awww justafan, I really liked Hotel Babylon. Yes, it's fluff but it's enjoyable fluff and has some very comedic moments. I wouldn't say it was sleazy like FW. HB has some likeable characters for a start. I liked they way they used real 'celebrities' playing themselves as guests in the hotel on occasion and they also had some big names, like Joan Collins, playing very much against type. The actress who played Trish is in one episode, if memory serves. |
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Post by wadewannabee on Jul 28, 2007 2:47:29 GMT -5
I love watching Britsh Drama's. At the moment I' m also into Hotel Babylon, it's on our cable channel UK-TV. Other British shows I've enjoyed watching in the last 12 months are:- Holby City, Ghost Squad, Bodies and Spooks - love Spooks.
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Post by topcat on Jul 20, 2008 3:02:23 GMT -5
Didn't want to start a new thread but apparently ITV 3 have a programme called 'Drama Trails' starting at 9pm on Wednesday. The first one is about the making of Bad Girls. www.itv.com/Drama/contemporary/DramaTrails/default.htmlNow, no doubt, the whole thing will be dominated by interviews with Debra Stevenson, Claire King and Bodybag - just as it was when it aired - but it might be worth a viewing in case the elusive Ms Jones has been interviewed. |
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Post by coolbyrne on Jul 20, 2008 11:46:30 GMT -5
Didn't want to start a new thread but apparently ITV 3 have a programme called 'Drama Trails' starting at 9pm on Wednesday. The first one is about the making of Bad Girls. www.itv.com/Drama/contemporary/DramaTrails/default.htmlNow, no doubt, the whole thing will be dominated by interviews with Debra Stevenson, Claire King and Bodybag - just as it was when it aired - but it might be worth a viewing in case the elusive Ms Jones has been interviewed. If one of our UK folks could record it just in case, that would be great. We'd put the clip(s) up on the FC if Ms. Jones appears.  |
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Post by jilly2000 on Jul 20, 2008 16:28:32 GMT -5
Now, no doubt, the whole thing will be dominated by interviews with Debra Stevenson, Claire King and Bodybag - just as it was when it aired - but it might be worth a viewing in case the elusive Ms Jones has been interviewed. Well according to the ITV website this: Exploring the suprising connections between the nation’s favourite TV dramas..... Every week the series focuses on seven classic dramas, and is fronted by the famous faces synonymous each show. Episode 4 takes us on a journey between award winning Bad Girls to hit drama Cold Blood. As we explore the links between these two hit shows, we follow a journey which takes us from Bad Girls, where we speak to one of the stars Debra Stevenson, then on to one of the most popular soaps, Emmerdale. ....... Looks like only Debra Stevenson is interviewed.   Edited to add: BTW Drama Trails is followed by Lewis which has the Larkhall prison turned Hotel scene for anybody who's interested. |
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Post by topcat on Jul 21, 2008 13:47:42 GMT -5
Looks like only Debra Stevenson is interviewed. Nah, I bet Ms King will be interviewed. She will be the tenuous link from BG to Emmerdale. Apparently, that is what the thing is all about - connecting 7 dramas to each other. They could save themselves 6 connections and jumped straight from BG to Cold Blood - Debra appeared twice on Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes presented by Matthew Kelly who plays the serial killer in Cold Blood. My guess is that the BG set plays some part in the connection. I very, very much doubt that Ms Jones will appear nor her character be referred to. It will all be about the media perception of the stars of BG - Debra and Claire - not the fan perception  |
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Seriously, I suspect she doesn't want to palm her son off for great lengths of time and is just taking bits and bobs to keep her hand in. I agree that it must partly be her choice. Certainly, with her stage CV, she would not find it hard to return to the theatre but I get the feeling she doesn't really enjoy the 'living out of a suitcase' lifestyle that demands. This is a quote from a pre BG interview:
