THE final verdict may be in on Manchester drama New Street Law – and things don’t look good.
There’s always been a feeling that the BBC schedulers have had it in for the show, filmed on location in the city and on a set near Bolton.
The first series, made against a tight deadline, showed promise but could have done with further development.
Even so, BBC bosses did the drama no favours by screening it in early summer, when fewer people are watching TV.
Series two was streamlined with the production team learning lessons from series one.
But having asked them to again produce New Street Law for a pre-watershed 8pm slot, the BBC delayed transmission for several months before finally scheduling it on Wednesday nights at…9pm.
Author: ianwylie
IT has been a real joy to write about Life On Mars.
We all see things in different ways. But, for me, it’s one of the greatest TV dramas ever to grace the small screen.
There are now just three episodes left on BBC1 before fans finally discover how the series ends.
I’ve been lucky enough to see all three – including episode eight of this second and final series.
I can’t, of course, reveal anything about the fate of Sam, Gene. Annie, Chris, Ray and co.
But I can say that I absolutely loved the ending.
JUST back from the world premiere of the third series of Doctor Who.
A few dozen fans, many with cameras, were gathered outside the Mayfair Hotel in central London to see the cast arrive, along with some other famous faces.
Tenth Time Lord David Tennant was there to introduce the Doctor’s new companion Freema Agyeman, 27, who plays Martha Jones.
Also arriving as I made my way in through the doors was Sophia Myles – David’s real life girlfriend, who played Madame de Pompadour in the second BBC1 series.
Having travelled to Cardiff for the last two series launches, this was the first one to be held in London.
Spotted under the grand chandelier was Manchester-based writer and executive producer Russell T Davies, sharing a joke with Jonathan Ross, who had brought along his three children.
WANT to know how former EastEnder Shane Richie ended up in the home of the real Albert Square?
Controller of Drama for ITV Productions in Manchester Kieran Roberts (pictured left) explained all when I spoke to him recently at Granada’s Quay Street HQ.
There wasn’t room to include the story in the interview with Kieran, published in the MEN last week. You can read that feature here.
Shane has been in Manchester to film a 90-minute comedy drama called The Good Samaritan, which is by Peter Whalley. He is Coronation Street’s senior writer with over 500 episodes to his credit.
Due on screen later this year, the new ITV1 drama could turn into a series if viewers like what they see.
Kieran is a former Corrie producer and now holds the post of executive producer, along with his other drama duties.
VERY early start today for a location visit in Manchester and interviews with the cast of True Dare Kiss.
The new BBC1 serial, written by Debbie Horsfield, is currently in the middle of filming in and around the city.
Making a TV drama is anything but glamorous, especially when your base is a chilly city centre car park.
Even so, there were plenty of smiles from cast members, including Lorraine Ashbourne (pictured), Esther Hall, Paul McGann and Pooky Quesnel.
I’ve already seen an early DVD taster of the six-part production, with some scenes filmed at Old Trafford.
IT proved to be an eventful trip to New York, with a fair share of drama.
Our party of travellers had been up for almost 24 hours by the time the cast left the stage at the end of the Broadway production of Chicago.
But it was worth all the sleep deprivation to see former Cheers star Bebe Neuwirth as Roxie Hart.
She played emotionally repressed psychiatrist Lilith in the Boston bar comedy, later to become Frasier Crane’s wife.
Bebe also guest starred alongside Kelsey Grammer in 11 episodes of spin-off Fraiser.
She was a revelation on stage in the high energy musical, having previously won a Tony Award for playing Velma Kelly in the same show.
Sadly, at the same time there was drama of a very different kind unfolding just a short distance away in Greenwich Village.
JUST about to head off on a flying visit to New York.
I had a gun pulled on me the first time I went there – but still fell in love with the city.
THERE’S a cracking episode of Life On Mars to enjoy on BBC1 tonight as the final series reaches the half way mark.
Episode four is the one featuring the Cheshire wife-swapping party, Sam not wearing his leather jacket and the arrival of Tony and Cherie Blair.
It’s also the story which includes no fewer than three ex-Corrie actresses and one current Rovers regular.
You can read more here in today’s MEN feature interview with Marshall Lancaster, who plays DC Chris Skelton.
Having also seen episodes five and six, Life On Mars appears to be getting better the closer it moves towards the final curtain.
THERE are some people you look forward to interviewing more than others.
The Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson definitely falls into the former category.
Now Ricky, 67, aims to put the record straight about his time behind bars: “I want to clear my name before I die,” he says.
Before his big break as Bobby Grant in Brookside, and later role as Manchester’s Jim Royle, Ricky worked on a building site.
In 1973 he was sent to prison for two years for his part in the national building strike.
BBC1’s One Life: Guilty My Arse highlights his story. He has always insisted he was innocent and the trial was politically motivated.
JOHN Thaw was one of TV’s biggest stars and a huge acting talent.
From The Sweeney to Inspector Morse via Goodnight Mister Tom and dozens of other roles, he gave pleasure to millions.
So it’s good to see that ITV are planning a celebration to mark the 20th anniversary of the arrival of Oxford detective Morse on screen.
Manchester-born and raised John, who died from cancer in 2002, would probably have been amused – and a little taken aback – by the thought of such a tribute.
It will include a special weekend of programmes on ITV3, including Morse Live At The Albert Hall, a spectacular evening of music at the London venue.
Hosted by Michael Parkinson, the concert will feature several opera stars, such as Lesley Garrett – taking a night off from her role in The Sound of Music.
Life of Wylie 