Ordinary Gweilo

According to The Guardian, the BBC is to drop Benny Hill from its schedules in favour of something a bit more modern.  This seems to mirror the changes made when BBC Prime (in Asia and other parts of the world) became BBC Entertainment.

BBC America is to revamp its schedule to focus on contemporary UK programming including Hollyoaks, dropping older fare including Benny Hill and Keeping Up Appearances.

The channel will also introduce new programmes including the dramas Torchwood and Hotel Babylon, and BBC4 comedy Lead Balloon.

That’s the Hotel Babylon that has already been shown on TVB Pearl, I suppose.  Or maybe they mean series 2, which is currently showing in the UK.  Hardly the best of the BBC, but entertaining enough.  Wait, there’s more…

Channel 4’s long-running teen soap Hollyoaks will also air for the first time on BBC America following the success of its late-night spin-offs on the channel.

Er, a soap made for Channel 4? 

BBC America is also to screen for the first time repeats of Spooks – renamed MI5 in the US – which currently premieres on the A&E network and Doctor Who, which airs first on Sci-Fi.

Even though BBC America has long been the home of contemporary British shows such as The Office and Footballers’ Wives, it has also broadcast older shows such as The Benny Hill Show, Keeping Up Appearances and As Time Goes By.

Post Magazine in the S(C)MP had the first series of Spooks as one the highlights of the week’s TV (on BBC Entertainment).  For one thing it must be at least 5 years old, but what really made me wonder was when their critic praised it for the excellent acting.  I don’t think so – wooden is the best word for it.  I read one review of Hotel Babylon which criticized the acting, but compared to Spooks it is award-winning stuff.  I enjoy Spooks, but some of the acting leaves a great deal to be desired. 

I have to say that BBC Entertainment is a very annoying channel.  It’s a definite improvement on BBC Prime, but they repeat stuff endlessly and even the mildest language seems to get cut (and in a very crude way).  I’m still waiting for the BBC to start making programmes available for download.