Doctors team nervous over BBC review

[Katrina]

From Digital Spy

'Doctors' team 'nervous over BBC review'
Wednesday, April 14 2010, 11:55 BST

By Daniel Kilkelly, Entertainment Reporter and Kris Green, Soaps Editor


BBC
The cast and crew of daytime soap Doctors fear that the show could become a victim of the BBC Trust's network-wide drama review, according to a report.

Last week, it was revealed that the BBC's flagship serials - including EastEnders, Casualty and Holby City - are to receive a value-for-money assessment as part of the Trust's published work plan for 2010 and 2011.

According to The Mirror today, the news has left the Doctors team feeling pessimistic over the programme's future because the Trust could decide to cut back on the number of BBC medical dramas.

The newspaper quotes a show executive as saying: "We're preparing to find ourselves on the chopping block. Three long-running shows with a similar audience, themes and storylines are up for review and Doctors is probably the weakest link in terms of ratings."

Doctors last month celebrated its tenth anniversary and continues to be a strong performer for BBC One's daytime schedule, regularly winning its timeslot and attracting consistent audience numbers.

Responding to today's report, a source close to the show this morning told DS: "It's all speculation at the minute. The Trust's review isn't about axing shows, it's about ensuring they're value for money. Doctors airs 234 episodes a year and we're currently filming nine episodes at any one time, so we're confident that the Trust's review will highlight that."

A Doctors spokesperson added: "We welcome the forthcoming review into the BBC's continuing drama. It's an opportunity to highlight creative programming that attracts a large and dedicated audience on a regular basis.

"EastEnders, Holby, Casualty and Doctors tackle a variety of social issues and have won many awards. Not only are they key programmes in the BBC One schedule, but they also provide a training ground for developing and nurturing diverse new talent on and off screen."

[foxadoodle]

Well I'm shocked to read this and hope it's just journalists inventing things. It's nonsense to say that 'Holby', 'Casualty' and 'Doctors' have similar themes and audiences...I can't bear to watch 'Holby' or 'Casualty' because they're loud, obnoxious, in your face, and go on and on forever. 'Doctors' gives you a beautifully-shaped short story with a beginning, a middle and an end, all in the space of half an hour: it's perfect for that time of day, and there really is nothing else like it on television.

It also gives the most amazing opportunities for actors, and they actually get big, substantial and interesting parts. Remember when Nick left...I did try watching him in 'Emmerdale', but whereas in 'Doctors', he actually got to do things - be an action hero one week, then there was that amazing black and white film noir episode - in 'Emmerdale', he was just one out of dozens of characters, some weeks he would only get half a dozen lines! 'Doctors' feels more like an actual self-contained world than a programme...the characters are more like real people.

And if the BBC dares to axe it, I'm tearing up my license and giving my TV to the charity shop. But as I say, I hope this is just newspapers inventing something...

[Katrina]

The sad thing is though no show is safe. ITV proved that with the axing of The Bill which despite lagging in the ratings was one of it's flagship shows and quite a long runner.

I think Docs is probably better value for money than both Casualty and Holby. Because it manages to produce so many episodes a year on what is, in comparision to other shows, quite a small budget.

I do watch all three though and the sad fact is Cas and Holby are on at more convinient times for me with college but I prefer the stories and characters (bar a few) on Doctors.

[lagunagander]

Oh Gawd! We spent most of 2008/2009 worrying whether MM, Stirling or Sean were leaving and never in our wildest dreams did we ever imagine Docs itself might be axed one day.

Gulp! Can't bear the thought.....

[lara]

Well that made people stand up and take notice! Looking at the guest numbers it reached 130. Nothing like something possibly being axed to get everyone standing up and taking notice. Got to say I didn't flinch when I read it. Wouldn't seem in their best interests to axe Docs for the forseeable future as we are their daily bread and butter. My opinion anyway.

Personally I love Holby - it's a great show with great storylines and excellent music!