CONFIRMED: The Bill to be axed.

[maxandpaddy85]

Oliviasolar: It would be great if Channel 4 were to pick it up, as you pointed out they are slowly trying to improve themselves with decent shows, having a long-standing drama that's well established and already has a fanbase would surely help them achieve these improvements.

Leanne: I could see Channel 5 having it as well. It would certainly slot in alongside things like CSI especially in is current format. I wouldn't want Sky to pick it up though, not because I don't like Sky or I think it would ruin the show just because I don't have it and so wouldn't be able to watch the Bill if it aired the show.

As much as I would like the BBC to pick up, and feel they would run with it, I'm doubtful that they would have it as they already have high quality dramas like Doctor Who and Ashes to Ashes themselves, however, the final series of Ashes is being aired currently and with no plans to make another LOM/Ashes spin-off perhaps the slot it leaves could be filled by the Bill.

So long as someone picks it up and Mickey and Jack are still in it then I'm happy

[Leanne]

Exactly! I can remember the Bill used to be advertised because when my mum and dad watched it there'd be ADVERTS FOR IT!

The cast used to go on talk shows and the like to promote the show/episodes. We know this has an effect because the episode that got the highest viewing figures was shown the night that Alex and Rhea appeared on GMTV.

*ETA*

I doubt BBC would pick it up either and I think if possible it should be picked up by a terrestrial channel otherwise there will be viewers who can't watch.

[maxandpaddy85]

Leanne, your point about adversting is certainly worth considering. Big companies spend hundreds of pounds on adverstising campagins because they know it works and it sells their product. The same idea works for tv shows, if you look at the ones that are advertised extensively such as Doctor Who, all three British soaps (Eastenders, Emmerdale and Corrie), and the Reality shows such as X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, they pull in the big ratings because people see the adverts, think the programme looks good and so decide to watch it.

Also, something I meant to mention in my earlier post put forgot to, I don't understand what ITV's issue is regarding the Bill and ratings. In this day of multi-channels and outlets such as, Sky, Freeview and online options such as iplayer, and to a lesser extent, youtube, where the viewer has more choice over what they watch and when they watch it (gone are the days when you had to be around at a certain time to watch something or hope there would be a repeat on at a time you were available) I think getting 3 million viewers is not something to scorned at by anyone.

[Leanne]

I don't either and when you take into account that ITV don't even broadcast The Bill on ITV Player and the fact that Scotland can no longer view The Bill....it needs putting into perspective, something ITV don't seem willing to do. God forbid they don't justify those millions they need to give X Factor. I've an idea, since they're so keen to turn X Factor into Britain's Got Talent why not just scrap X Factor?

It just sickens me that all the talented actors/actresses on The Bill are being given the shaft alongside the production crew etc. I wonder if any of them will end up in ITV's supposed 'new dramas'.

[maxandpaddy85]

I didn't realise it wasn't on ITV Player surely it would be the kind of thing you would put on there (I would anyway) because an episode of X Factor can be missed whereas miss an episode of a drama or soap and its harder to catch up. Also, does anyone know what Scotland gets in place of The Bill (just curious) I know they have their own regional output which is a bit more extensive than just the news which is all the English regional versions of ITV have these days. (Sorry that was slightly of topic).

Leanne, I agree with the second part of your post, it sickens me as well that talented actors, such as Chris who has an amazing talent, will now to be resigned to bit parts in other shows or, even worse, part-time non-acting jobs until they can get back into acting, this especially applies to Chris, Alex Walkinshaw (Smithy) and Simon Rouse (Jack) who have been in the show a long time and, because of this longitvity, have found stable jobs for themselves which is no easy accomplishment in the acting world. The fact that Chris returned to the role of Mickey only a few years after leaving is a testament as to how secure he felt the job was and how he clearly enjoyed being on the set and with his colleagues on The Bill.

I read somewhere that the cast and crew were only made aware of the decision to axe the show only hours before the news was released to the media, so they arrived at work that morning blissfully unaware and then were hit with that bombshell. If it is true, then that is pretty shocking, I just hope cast and crew are able to find another acting job (especially Chris)

[Leanne]

Something regarding copyright problems prevents ITV from putting it on ITV Player I think.
I have no idea what STV broadcast instead to be honest but I agree, it seems strange to have X Factor on ITV player since it's repeated the day after on ITV 2 as well!

I wouldn't worry about going OT here, you'll see in other threads it's pretty much par for the course here

What worries me about Chris is thus: to me he's one of the most talented actors on the show yet people outside The Bill fandom have little to no clue who he is. They know old characters of The Bill and they know Smithy. That makes me fear that Chris could struggle to get work outside of The Bill despite his immense talent (just look at how sparse his work was when he left in 2003. He was gone for two years yet the work he got was mainly guest parts and reality stuff such as "Fear Factor") I worry for Alex Walkinshaw as well because he'll most likely end up being typecast as Smithy

With Chris I can see him going back into theatre Which although he appears to be very, very good at is going to suck as a fan because he deserves to be on television showing off his talent...as does everyone else in the show!

I heard that too and it was annoying. It was disgusting on ITV's part to announce the axing in that manner.

I really hope Chris and the rest find other work. I imagine a fair few of them could turn up in Eastenders.

[maxandpaddy85]

Hi Leanne,

I agree about Chris being talented but also unknown outside The Bill fandom. If he does go back into theatre then I hope we get to see him perform up here in the North (for a change). Theatre is abit spase here despite the fact that the two big cities both have impressive theatre, even my home town has a theatre as well now albiet a small one. Though having Chris on tv is much better. Although if he is in theatre at least their is the chance to see him in the flesh. ;D

I also worry about Alex Walkinshaw; he is definatley going to be type-cast as characters similar to Smithy in anything he does. I think Simon Rouse will probably retire as he is in his late 50s now (I think he's 58).

As for some cast going into Eastenders that is probably the most likely option for a lot of them especially the younger cast members. After all, a fair few actors have left Eastenders and ended up in The Bill especially when The Bill was going through its soap-style phase (Todd Carty, Louisa Lytton and Gillian Taylforth spring to mind), so having actors leave The Bill and join EE doesn't seem that unlikely.

[Leanne]

yeah though my friend did know him from Casualty ;D They know him well now mainly due to the fact that I never shut up about him

Yes I'm hoping if he goes back to theatre he doesn't just stay London based. The Gala theatre near me is pretty good for school productions but I'd say for venturing my way Newcastle or Sunderland would have a better chance of housing theatre productions. I might actually be pleased of being a Sunderland university student should Chris end up at Empire theatre Seeing Chris in the flesh would be awesome

Alex will be typecast which isn't fair as I'm sure he has the acting ability to do whatever role given. I think perhaps he could head for Eastenders. At one point I thought it would be cool to see Chris in Eastenders but after watching it the other night I'd rather see him run for the hills. Though anything that gets him on TV and provides a pay cheque *sigh*

I think the younger members will probably head for EE or Hollyoaks. Mind you with Paul Marquess heading things up there I'm awaiting explosions and serial rapists.

[maxandpaddy85]

Yeah, Chris in cinema up here in the North East would be brilliant. Stuff London they get enough down there as it is.

You are right about Alex though I think he would slot into EE pretty well (perhaps its the accent). Chris better not go into EE though he's too good for it lol. It would only work if they gave in a him a Mickey type character though that would type cast him, either that or make him a villian: as far removed from the sympathic and vulnerable Mickey Webb as possible.

Yeah, younger members will definatley be in EE or Hollyoaks. Have to admit as much as I admire Phil Redmond (Hollyoaks creator) for Grange Hill and Brookside, (especially the polictical stuff he did with early Brookie eps back in the 80s very much an insight into the real-life struggles between working-class people and the government that were going on at the time). I never really got into Hollyoaks, still if Paul Marquess is in charge you can guarantee that the vast majority of the main cast will be either wiped out in a huge fireball explosion or raped by a serial rapist. Mickey's storyline aside Marquess did sensationalise The Bill (and Mickey's rape storyline was only saved from being sensationalised by the brilliant acting of Chris).

[Leanne]

Lol! To keep everyone happy he could start off in London and tour the country

Yeah I think Alex would slot into EE nicely. See although Chris is too good for it I could always see him fitting in there, partly due to his accent as well. I always thought he'd make a good Mitchell but when I say that to people they look at me like I'm mad. I can't really explain it but sometimes watching him, especially back in the Alibi episodes he just seemed to give Mickey this nasty side that I could see slotting in well in the Mitchell family in EE. Could just be me though and most likely is!

My mum said Chris could slot in as a relation to the Millers, mainly because he looks/sounds very like Joe Swash who played Mickey Miller. I was like that's too similar to Mickey Webb! And I'd get confused and still call Chris' character Mickey

I used to love Brookside. I do wonder from time to time what part Chris auditioned for in Brookie and supposedly got turned down for in favour of Les Dennis...I do believe he could have been joking.

I only watch Hollyoaks if the housemates have it on. I am waiting for history to repeat itself, I mean Paul Marquess seems to be obsessed with explosions and rape storylines ( Nikki Shadwick in Brookie , Mickey, June, Laura, whoever else fell victim to Delaney in TB were all under PM eras).

Marquess did sensationalise TB and it was very soapy under him I believe. My mum and dad watched during then and I vaguely remember seeing the Gabriel storyline and Terry confessing to being abused as a child. Yet somehow I never ever saw Mickey!

I do agree if anyone else had handled the male rape storyline it wouldn't have worked as well. Then again I am extremely biased in Chris' favour. Simon also had a big part to play in the story's success, as did Alex. All in involved handled that storyline so sensitively.

[maxandpaddy85]

I agree about Alex sloting in to EE nicely and can see where your mum is coming from re: Chris becoming a member of the Miller family. I could see him being a long lost son of Keith's from a previous relationship who, unlike his dad, actually went out there and made something of his life and became a bit of a success, though I can see where you are coming from re: it being to similar to Mickey in TB.

Yeah, I do think Paul Marquess has abit of an obession with explosions and rape. I remember the Gabriel storyline and, as much as I like Todd Carty as an actor, it was way OTT especially when he had a relationship with June Ackland then said he was her son (only for it to be revealed that he wasn't actually June's son but was the brother of June's son who had been adopted by Gabriel's parents and whom he blamed for his parents death). It was ridiclous.

Chris, Alex and Simon all handed the rape storyline expectionally well and sensitvity and really highlighted to me just how damaging male rape can be to the victim, it is just as tramatic as female rape but isn't talked about or shown on tv as much.

[Leanne]

Yeah I can see where my mum's coming from too I do like Joe Swash as well

Yeah from what I've seen since the Gabriel stuff seemed very OTT. I remember Kerry getting shot but I hated her anyway so didn't care. Was sad for Smithy though

Yeah I was surprised to see male rape handled on a pre-watershed show. And handled so well too! I always joke Chris crying is what made me a fan. I'm a sucker for men crying, especially actors who can cry like him. Johnny Depp is another actor who I adore. Chris is my television version of Depp. As stupid as that may sound.

What I love is how consistent Mickey as a character is re: the rape. It affects him even now which is good continuity. Usually it would have been forgotten about by now.

[maxandpaddy85]

Yeah, I never really like Kerry much either, or rather I was indifferent to the character until the storyline where she accuses Smithy of raping her and is then raped by Gabriel. The writers didn't handle Kerry's rape as well as the handled Mickey's and Kerry just become a 2D character.

I think Johnny Depp is a brilliant actor, loved him in the Pirates of the Carribean films but have to say would rather have Chris/Mickey anyday.

Yeah, I'm loving how the writers have kept the consistancy re: Mickey's rape. Although I think part of that may also be down to Chris' acting as he knows exactly how to show the emotional trauma that Mickey is still suffering in his expression without ever saying anything. If this was a soap, however, the rape storyline would have been forgotten about the mintue the character was given another storyline so well done The Bill for still keeping the continuity going re: Mickey's rape.

[Leanne]

No I don't think they handled Kerry's rape storyline very well either though that could be partly down to the actress

See Johnny Depp is very pretty. So is Chris though

Yeah I agree. I love how much emotion Chris can covey just with his eyes. I believe I watch him too much

[maxandpaddy85]

Apr 6, 2010 12:02:12 GMT 1 Leanne said:

No I don't think they handled Kerry's rape storyline very well either though that could be partly down to the actress

I think part of the problem with Kerry's rape was that Paul Marquess was so obsessed with having charcters raped that, by the time we get to Kerry's rape, it had been done with that many different characters/actors that it had lost all of the impact it should of had because the audience were just thinking "not another rape storyline!"

[quote author=admin board=news thread=183 post=1284 time=1270551732Yeah I agree. I love how much emotion Chris can covey just with his eyes. I believe I watch him too much [/quote]

That is what makes Chris such a good character IMHO because he says so much without ever saying anything at all. As for watching him too much; you can never watch too much Chris