ITV Autumn ’97 Press Launch – Review
For the final time in his 5 year tenure, Marcus Plantin, ITV Network Director, unveiled the channel’s new season of programmes. In an Engilish country garden setting, the attendants were crowded into a marquee for a slide-show preview of what the different ITV programme genres had to offer.
The promotion centred around new dramas starring proven favourites; Robbie Coltrane due will appear in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Ebb Tide, Helen Mirren plays an ex-1960’s singer in Painted Lady, while the island of Rhodes provides the setting for John Thaw in Into The Blue. The importance of strong drama was stressed by Plantin and illustrated by the return of successes like Band of Gold, Inspector Morse, Heartbeat,London’s Burning, Soldier Soldier and Thief Takers.
Big names were also used to promote other new material. Lynda La Plante’s brings another crime epic to ITV in Trial and Retribution and Catherine Cookson, latest take on Victorian society The Rag Nymph will also be coming to your screens soon. In the wake of the success of the BBC’s ‘Pride & Prejudice’ ,which confirmed the Corporation’s reputation as the channel for costume drama, ITV continues it’s commendable challenge for this title, which began with Moll Flanders, by offering an adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Far From The Madding Crowd.
Amongst the factual programmes, Paul Corley, Network Factual Programmes Controller, introduced Out of the Shadows – a documentary which followed the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, in the 6 months previous to Labour’s landslide victory. Brown’s story is continued in We Are The Treasury, which covers his first 3 months in office. Meanwhile, Twins studies the relationships between siblings who share the same birthday – the novelty value of Siamese twins being included, rather predictably. And, Windsor Restored documents the story of the castle after the fire that all but destroyed it. The opportunity to see the real people behind the ‘Del Boy’ / ‘Inspector Frost’ and ‘Rita’ personas comes in the light documentaries David Jason In His Element and Julie Walters Is An Alien.
In the entertainment stakes, ITV will stick with popular, but minimal thought-provoking shows, like Blind Date, You’ve Been Framed and Gladiators, England Rugby International Jeremy Guscott replaces the controversial John Fashanu. The real scoop though for ITV is signing up the flavour of the moment, The Spice Girls will be hosting a show in the ‘An Audience With…’ series. Others stars taking questions from a celebrity audience in this popular tried and tested series include Elton John, Ronnie Corbett and Freddie Starr, who’s back for a second go.
Most startling is the sheer volume of awards ceremonies ITV has commissioned. Viewers will be able to see pats on the back-handed out to people from the world of sport, television, comedy, pop music and classical music; riveting stuff.
With regards to comedy, Plantin admitted that his channel was still in search of a show to capture the nation’s hearts. He offered Blind Men which follows “the bitter rivalry of two window blind salesmen” and Get Real, starring the excellent Lindsay Duncan, as a consolation. Jack Dee and Paul Merton both have their own shows and American success, The Drew Carey Show, is imported from across the Atlantic.
A deal with Universal allows ITV to bring a season of films including Blown Away, Interview With A Vampire and In The Line Of Fire.
ITV’s Network Director was fully aware of the significance of a strong sporting line-up. This was highlighted by the channel’s acquisition of the Five Nations Rugby Championship and the limited coverage of England’s 1998 football World Cup qualifying matches.
This Morning carries on as the flagship show in the daytime schedule, Vanessa returns in the afternoon. New will be Natural Health, which features a sex-symbol doctor in the mould of Hilary Jones, and Fashion Police, who are looking to give makeovers to anyone they catch looking less than perfect. Bizarrely, criticism of the BBC’s “Quincy” daytime policy, backed with a commitment to home produced daytime telly, was followed with a plug for Judge Judy, an outrageous looking American show in the style of Ricki Lake.
Kids can look forward to Knight School (Grange Hill meets Blackadder), BAFTA winner The Ward, and Jumanji – the cartoon version. Paddington Bear, now 21 years old, comes back to our screens for another series. And, finally CITV ensures that youngster’s are treated as their adult counterparts with an awards show just for Children’s programmes!
ITV Network Centre – 0171 843 8217.
Reviewer: Kevin North