BBC Watchdog - could it be any worse?

Geoff · 20-01-2004, 23:28

Having watched Watchdog this evening (BBC1 7.30pm) I really can't believe the producers are still in employment! It has to be one of the most poorly directed, scripted and produced TV shows in the history of the BBC. All the victims sound like they are reading from a script (they probably are!) and the constant zoom, panning and other 'fancy' camera 'tricks' make you feel dizzy. As for the interviews with the company bosses, they are so short and lacking in substance it's hardly worth the effort!

Tonight's episode was really, really bad. They dragged out the whole issue with Dell to the point it became painful - Nicky Campbell even did an impersonation of Holly (the computer in Red Dwarf).

And this is a 'serious' consumer program that we pay for!

biggus · 20-01-2004, 23:44

My personal pet hate is Horizon which was once a die hard science program but has now evolved into a docu-soap with all the weird camera angles and sounds

20-01-2004, 23:58

Bring Back "Thats Life" at least it had a funny side to the show.
What do you think?.

debbie · 16-02-2004, 15:48

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr BusDriver
Bring Back "Thats Life" at least it had a funny side to the show.
What do you think?.

ahh thats life... now ya talking, fantastic!!!!!!

Lickszz · 16-02-2004, 16:12

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr BusDriver
Bring Back "Thats Life" at least it had a funny side to the show.
What do you think?.

As long as they keep it scheduled to Sunday nights as before.

Fairydreams · 18-02-2004, 09:25

I think they feel that after a few sentances people's brains need a break. So most documentaries / factual programmes will then switch to someone's feet walking or other random shots. Allowing you to recover before informing you some more ;-)

The growth in importance of "visuals" over content does irritate me. It does not give anything useful and often detracts.

Phanerothyme · 18-02-2004, 10:27

Quote:

Originally posted by biggus
My personal pet hate is Horizon which was once a die hard science program but has now evolved into a docu-soap with all the weird camera angles and sounds

That nanotechnology edition was pure bunk.

Sidla · 18-02-2004, 11:00

Yeah, and the time travel one was a farce. They had a man who claimed to be able to travel back in time by putting a piece of twisted phone cable round his wrist.

Cols · 19-02-2004, 21:17

Yeah Watchdog !!!!!!!
The shame is that it does has the odd bit of very useful info when it's exposing scams and rogue traders etc. Me, I just tape it and fast forward through 28 minutes to find the useful 2 minutes. And the presenters, surely they are not real. But then again, even virtual reality presenters would have more charisma than those two.

Horizon.
Always been one of my favourite TV progs but lately it has suffered from the calamity syndrone. A couple of weeks ago it was suggesting that the world will collapse because silicon chips won't be doubling in power for ever. The reason for the dumbing down is easy to spot though. In the past it used to be a BBC/Boston TV production. Now, at the end of the credits you'll find co-production with Discovery channel or some other sh*ite satellite excuse for a programme maker.

Col S

mega_monty · 19-02-2004, 21:44

Quote:

Originally posted by Geoff
the constant zoom, panning and other 'fancy' camera 'tricks' make you feel dizzy.

I have noticed a lot of TV prog or documentaries now seem to use a lot of zoom, when interviewing or talking to people. Are we really interested in seeing whats up peoples noses etc. Enough to put you off your tea sometimes.

t020 · 19-02-2004, 22:13

I have to say I find the 2 presenters of Watchdog, especially Nicky Campbell, excruciating to watch. Their 'jokes' fall flat and they don't seem to work well together at all. The silly camera effects serve only to make things worse. Is the BBC dumbing down? Well, is the Pope a Catholic?

Rich · 24-02-2004, 09:30

Only good thing I watched Watchdog for recently was that Kate in tight leather jeans, wow! Not to mention she's gorge!

And no, I am not a perve, I want that strictly noted so that the women don't tell me off for perving.

garrence · 05-10-2009, 21:31

To resurrect a very old thread! .....

Yes BBC Watchdog has become absolutely dire with the new format.

Really really bad.

The set is terrible.

The audience pointless.

The articles uninteresting. The RyanAir promotional feature said nothing of any value.

Silly jokes, visual effects, interviews with people with nothing to say.

Why randomly mix Rogue Traders in it?

Zero journalistic merit.

TylerXIII · 06-10-2009, 09:45

I think this is the BBC all over, I'm also finding Crimewatch really difficult to sit through, and get quite annoyed when relatively minor crimes get more airtime than murders

Vague_Boy · 06-10-2009, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sidla

Yeah, and the time travel one was a farce. They had a man who claimed to be able to travel back in time by putting a piece of twisted phone cable round his wrist.

Was his name MacGyver by any chance?

superblade1! · 06-10-2009, 16:26

I personally think it's allright......I would not choose to watch it but if there is nothing else on....why not?! haha

pattricia · 06-10-2009, 16:28

Im fed up with these do gooders, most of them will have broken the law themselves at some time.

small_hall · 07-10-2009, 11:06

i really liked watchdog when they did reports on companies etc. I really do not like the new format and i find Ann Robinson very irratating.

I watched the first couple of episodes and thats it