Shouting at my telly

David L Nilsson

I agree with almost all his specific points and all the generalisations. Speaking of "Spooks", and as a non-fan of portentuous espionage tales as a rule, I was gripped throughout Mr Forbes's "The Endless Game". Why don't they ever repeat THAT one?

Tim Duckworth

Wonderful; one of the few pleasures left untouched, an unregulated shout at the television!! Antiques Roadshow for a little peace and possible education and let rip at the rest. Excellent. Roll on Gobal Warming - the BBC needs you.

Paulo

Yes, my sympathies. You might like to know that the BBC World Service radio has gone down the same path, as if we don't have enough interference of or own, and we don't even have the pictures.

John Manners

Well said Bryan Forbes. In one of your novels - I can't remember which - you spoke about being in love and when in that state that it somehow floods into the rest of your feelings. Paraphrasing now. I am similarly out of Love with PC, indoctrinated, overcrowded, dumbed down, surveillance crazy, shadow-of-its-former-self Britain run by choirboys and at fifty-ish I really shouldn't be in that bracket. I think TV, unfortunately, just reflects that new Britain which I abhor. As someone who also went to your alma mater, but left the Biz early as many do, I think that this loss of love comes with age, as old certainties turn to dust around you and youth and all it meant seems secure and more wholesome than contemporary concerns and culture. Soap box away. Chin up. There's always BBC 4 - I saw Smiley's People a while ago and thought how brilliant it was. It also made me realise how fast contemporary concern becomes historical irony. Armed with that solace I ordered the box set for Chrimbo. Off the wardrobe. I always thought your missus was a cracker and Whistle down the Wind and The Angry Silence are amongst the finest films ever made in Britain. You were non-PC then too no doubt. Regards to Dickie and Roger - I've got a cracking script in a shoebox somewhere...

Alistair MacKenzie

Thank God for Bryan Forbes. I thought my hearing had gone until I realized that much of the dialog in today's TV dramas is drowned out by the music. It is reasuring to know that David Atenborough's whispers are more interesting in their clarity. I am reduced to watching sport which seems to be the only remaing spontanious unscripted viewing left on the telly. But even this is slowly being eroded by the burgeoning thespianism of the players in their efforts to hoodwink the referee and win penalties out of nothing.

Ronald Whitehand

Thank God for Bryan Forbes. If I were more articulate I could have written the same article word for word. The BBC and similar groups need to listen to the voice of the people (hold on isn't that a newspaper byeline?). I have started switching off more and more, and reading more and more, or indeed using the internet to be informed and entertained. None of the sites I use by the way are BBC PC sites. They are too right-on and snotty about the British people, as they continue to propogate the usual White City/West Londdon views of life. Long live the Speccie.

bernard

Bryan Forbes gets the thumbs up from all our family, young & old alike. The question is, how LOW will TV drop before people turn, en masse, to the internet? I only turn on the TV now to attract the moths and flies from around the room; I can then splat them against the screen, then switch off.

Ray

Add to your list, Bryan, the irritating habit of TV companies setting the volmue on their adverts at a far higher level than the programmes themselves, resulting in us constantly having to grab the remote control to turn it up or down. I believe Channel 4, in particular, have already been reprimanded by the regulators over this. But what the heck - we're only dumb viewers!

Julian Fruppapopipepauppioioip

Hear, hear.... The mention of "Newsnight's" gimmicks reminds me of a couple of non-music-related bugbears of mine to do with that programme: firstly, the unnecessary use of slow-motion in a factual programme; secondly, the childish use of backwards "Rs" in captions accompanying stories about Russia - this wouldn't be so bad if a backward "R" was pronounced in Russian as an "r", but it isn't.

Simon Peters

It's not a question of being PC to find 'jokes' about the gas bills at Auschwitz offensive. I am against all political correctness, but I find Forbes' remark tasteless and abominable.

Mr R C Whitehand

I trust I am not overstepping the bounds of Spectator hospitality by posting a 2nd item on this subject. I have been in contact with BBC and made a complaint about the noisy news and received a very nice reply which explains why the noise and what will happen with my complaint. Assuming copoyright laws allow it here is the text of the BBC reply. Note that it refers to need to gain the attention of potentially distracted viewers but overlooks the fact that the noise is also loud during parts of the programme and at the end. Full marks to the BBC for a speedy and polite reply. Perhaps other compainants should also contact the BBC. Dear Mr Whitehand Thank you for your e-mail regarding 'Ten O' Clock News'. Firstly, I understand you have concerns about the noise levels during the programme. Part of the problem is that the music needs to herald the start and end of the bulletin and attract the attention of people who may be out of the room or concentrating on something else. In fact, it has been especially composed to sound distinctive. Sound engineers monitor the output but clearly this is not being broadcast at a level everyone finds acceptable. I note that you feel the local and national weather are too similar and only one report is necessary. I would like to assure you that we have registered your comments on our audience log. This is the internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also their senior management. It ensures that your points, and all other comments we receive, are circulated and considered across the BBC. Feedback of this nature helps us when making decisions about future BBC programmes and your comments will play a part in this process. Thank you again for taking the time to contact us with your concerns. Regards

Peggy Bowen

I was gratified to read Bryan Forbes comments about the music drowning out dialogue on most television shows. Just last night I rejected watching Life on Mars because I couldn't hear or understand most of what was being said. Not only the music, but other "background" noises, prevented clarity. I can't imagine what these people are thinking when they sabotage their own programs.