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Post by goodhelenstar on Oct 12, 2020 8:44:40 GMT
It's a long time since I read the books. I don't remember Hugh, who may have been there but he wasn't a rival for Helen's affections. There is no drama over their romance in the books. One of my main memories of the books is James describing what it was like to get out of a warm bed in the middle of the night to go and attend to an emergency in a freezing barn, and then later going home and feeling the warmth of Helen, sound asleep, automatically draping her warm legs over his freezing ones. True love!
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Post by beverley61 on Oct 12, 2020 11:12:33 GMT
I don't remember Hugh's character at all. If he was in the books, it must have just been in passing. Nevertheless he's been a good addition. I wonder how it ends. He is a nice chap and I don't want anything awful to happen to him.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2020 11:50:11 GMT
It's a long time since I watched the first series or read the books - I thought James and Helen would have been together by now, obviously not...but I don't remember Hugh at all Helen might be shot of Neville Longbottom by, or maybe in, the Xmas special. And maybe Sigfried and Milady will find themselves under some mistletoe?
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Post by geometryman on Oct 12, 2020 11:53:35 GMT
I've enjoyed it and will look out for the Christmas special.
But - and borrowing the tin hat if I may - I still prefer the BBC original, in which as far as I remember characters were generally a bit less hard and more likeable.
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Post by linseed on Oct 12, 2020 11:54:57 GMT
Well I assume that they will have to bring it in line with the books at some point, (which may be bad news for Hugh, who I can’t remember at all)
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Post by goodhelenstar on Oct 12, 2020 11:56:02 GMT
He is a nice chap. All he's really done is be cross because he was upset when his beloved and prized racehorse died, which is very understandable.
The original ACGAS ran to a whopping 90 episodes – they don't make 'em like that any more! Can't see that happening now but hopefully a lot more as I think they do have a hit on their hands – unusual for a second adaptation.
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Post by goodhelenstar on Oct 12, 2020 12:00:04 GMT
The original was played more for laughs, as I recall – all those scenes of James doing his stuff while the farmers looked on and didn't take him seriously compared to Siegfried. And to be fair, that's how the books were written – he didn't stint on describing his inexperience. I'd say less subtle than the new series which so far I do prefer.
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Post by vicky on Oct 12, 2020 15:55:18 GMT
Apparently it was originally offered to the BBC who turned it down on the grounds that it wouldn't appeal to the 16 - 34 age group. It has had Ch5's highest ever viewing figures for an original drama. I read an interview with the head of Ch5 who says he feels there is a gap in the market for the type of television drama that an entire family can enjoy together, a gap he is attempting to fill. That is why he jumped at ACGAS when it was offered to him.
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Post by cakewalk on Oct 12, 2020 16:04:19 GMT
Well done him! Good call.
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Post by profbooboo on Oct 12, 2020 20:35:08 GMT
My brother mentioned that to me, about it getting good viewing figures on C5. He also said that C5 seem to be making shows that the other channels used to show. They're picking up those viewers. As for the 16-34 demographic! That's very short sighted as there's lots of people over 34 who watch tv. Call the midwife was a big hit for the BBC and I'd say that and ACGAS appeal to a similar audience. There was a show a few years ago about the starting of Chester Zoo, I think called Zoo, and we watched that and all enjoyed it, with 5 people with ages from late 30s to late 60s all watching. It lasted a single 6 episode series. Home Fires was another one on ITV that me and my mom enjoyed and that went after 2 series. There is an appeal for those type of dramas, it doesn't all have to be issue based or very dark, usually involving murder. More, More, more.
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Post by Miranda on Oct 12, 2020 21:02:00 GMT
If he really wants to fill that gap, he needs to sort out My 5. More and more people are using catch-up. Including that middle-aged group he's trying to capture. But C5 has pretty much the worst streaming service.
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Post by geometryman on Oct 12, 2020 22:51:40 GMT
I have to say though, that isn't saying much since C5 have produced hardly any original drama of their own. 'Suspects' is about the only other one that springs to my mind - mostly they make reality, documentary and maybe children's programmes, and pretty much everything else is bought in. The success of ACGAS will hopefully persuade them to make more original drama.
That was excellent (it was called 'Our Zoo') and was shamefully treated by the Beeb, who refused to countenance a second series despite huge audience appreciation and an online petition, and in the 6 years since it was on have never even shown a repeat of it as far as I know. The BBC's problem lately has been that they see their audience aging and are worried that in a generation or so it will therefore have disappeared altogether, hence their apparent obsession with capturing the 16-34 age group.
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Post by vicky on Oct 13, 2020 6:29:20 GMT
The BBC's problem is that they don't seem to realise that tastes and habits change as people age. Today's 16-34 year olds are tomorrow's 50,60,70 and upward- year olds who won't always want the kind of entertainment they want now: I hardly watched any television at all when I was in my teens and twenties but I rely on it a lot now I am in my seventies . Add to that the fact that there is a large audience today who are in the older demographic, probably containing many more licence fee payers than the 16-34 year old one. The BBC urgently needs to change direction on this.
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Post by bidiein on Oct 13, 2020 8:37:03 GMT
I find it odd that they lump teens with those in their mid 30s. Their viewing needs are likely to be very different with many in their late 20s/early 30s will have children and once you do your viewing changes drastically. Nothing containing swear words should be considered - small people are remarkable at picking up the one word you DON'T want them to say.
The cost of babysitting for those without nearby family mean many are happy to view a good serial (like ACGAS) in an evening or a documentary.
Do teens watch TV? Many do - but it is hardly worth slewing the viewing (poetic!) schedule to those who do not even pay for the licence.
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Post by Dame Bouncy Castle on Dec 2, 2020 11:29:57 GMT
The All Creatures Great And Small Christmas special will premiere on Channel 5 on Tuesday December 22nd at 9pm.
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