The Queen and talent for Her Majesty

This week saw the last episode in the current series of Tracy Beaker returns on CBBC, now here is an amazing example of fantastic script writing developed from a book………so good in fact that I have been watching the series since it began in 2002, and that the main character is now far to old to fit within the story so has returned as an adult carer and has been made to fit within the story. ………. Sadly this really did seem like the end of Tracy Beaker as she has left the dumping ground, we have seen this many times before and she always comes back….but maybe this time it really is the end. But it was good while it latest. For many years now, I have been wondering why it has only been Tracy Beaker that has been made into a long running series, and as Jacqueline Wilson has written so many more books, maybe that’s the future of CBBC drama, (you heard it here first) Me and the rest of the CBBC audience will have to content our need for amazing drama with the 4 o’clock club, which is a great watch the Grange Hill of today with rap.

The much-acclaimed Voice UK started yesterday, the format which has already been hugely successful worldwide…… I was surprised as I thought it was going to be a bit more of a national search, rather than looking at semi professionals and ex professionals but perhaps its filling a gap which these other talent finding shows may have missed. And it sure was great!!!  This yet again starts the rivalry between ITV and BBC for the Saturday night prime time slot as ITV too launched this years Britain’s Got Talent.

These two programs will start again the fabulous talent TV, which does so well because it appeals to virtually the whole of the channels audience range, we shall wait and see who comes out on top, and if the Queen likes the act chosen for her by the Britans Got Tallent Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, and new judges Alisha Dixon and David Walliams.

This week saw the official opening of the BBC North buildings at their new home at Media City UK, Salford Quays, and the Queen was there too. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17487195

It was an exciting day with security on high alert, and barriers and people everywhere, after the Queen had looked around BBC children’s and BBC sport she came out onto the piazza waved her flag for the crowd which signaled the start of the sport relief mile and as I helped to launch the balloons, she stood for some photos before being whisked away to the next stop on her diamond Jubilee tour. 

    

A few weeks ago I was at conference where Adam Crozier the controller of ITV gave a key note speech, where he explained the up and coming changes to ITV, he of course spoke about the move of Coronation Street…..but also about the great dramas the channel had coming up…..

This weeks progress of the street.

I was dubious at first, a drama about Titanic……we all know that’s been done… and without a Hollywood budget how can ITV compete…..but he sold it well, as did all the other speakers at the conference it was the hot topic….and has before broadcast been sold internationally to 8 different countries….I have since then decided to give it a try and if the early reviews are anything to go by, after transmission every other country is going to be after the broadcast rights.

It has been written by Julian Fellows who wrote Downton Abbey and after Downton’s success I’m sure this will be a huge hit. Definitely worth a try if like I used to be you are a bit undecided.

This week sees the start of 3 great drama series and here are the highlights: 

1. Titanic- ITV1 9pm Sunday- part 1 /4
2. The Syndicate- BBC1 9pm Tuesday part 1/5 written by Fat Friends writer Kay Mellor.
3. One Night- BBC1 10:35 Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/ Friday BBC new drama taking the story of one night told in each episode by a different character.
4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/cbbc/episode/b01dcznx/My_Life_Series_3_Me_My_Dad_and_His_Kidney/ don’t forget to watch this amazing episode of My Life before it disappears from Iplayer.- Anytime
5.  Million Pound Drop- Channel 4, 9pm Friday, Live quiz show with the chance to win 1million pounds Gok Wan and Alan Carr try their hands in this episode.