TV turn offs

5:10pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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IS it me, or is there’s nothing on the TV at the moment?

It’s almost as if the programme makers assume that, at this time of year we’re all either sunning ourselves or having barbecues.

But who, in their right mind, would have a barbecue as yet another soggy summer unfoldds?

I average less than 90 minutes of telly watching a night now, and about 30 of that is devoted to news.

I can’t stand the whining and whingeing that goes on in the soaps, most of today’s sitcoms seem to be targeted at simpletons and if I see another “talent” show I will SCREAM!

Oh, and don’t get me started on the lifestyle programmes. What a rivetting sight it is, watching some suburbanite’s garden being dug over and transformed into something so magical they burst into tears when they first set eyes on it.

Now I’m old enough to remember the days when the BBC used to excel at making television drama and a rare gem came along recently in the shape of Criminal Justice.

For those of you who missed it, CJ was a gripping five-parter about a young bloke called Ben who ends up going to prison for a murder he didn’t commit.

Although the ending was weak and, in many ways, implausible, the drama really reminded me just what the Beeb CAN do when it puts it’s mind to it.

If you missed it, I wouldn’t worry because I’m pretty certain we’ll be treaated to a repeat in the not too distant future. Let’s face it folks, the BBC repeats everything else these days.

Particularly depressing is the way Channel 4 has gone down the pan - from a cutting edge TV station to one that’s bloody obsessed with making programmes about irritating couples searching for a dream home.

Who, apart from the couple involved, actually gives a toss? Oh, and isn’t it hilarious listening to the obnoxious Gordon Ramsay swearing in his kitchen?

Don’t get me wrong - I’m not some kind of TV fascist who thinks programmes should be made to please me. But broadcasting desperately needs people with new ideas.

For me, at the moment, it’s one big turn off.