BB
I've not seen this elsewhere, so I thought it warranted a thread of its own. For the pedants: I did try to search for 'RTS' but all it returned was a load of drivel from some empty-headed Forum member.
I can sense the excitement in the air - or is that just the smell c@t left on my pillow? The Royal Television Society Awards were held on Tuesday 16 March at London's Grosvenor Hotel. The event was hosted by Jimmy Carr, so we can only assume that it was a most convivial event.
The big winner of the evening was the BBC which won an impressive 17 of the 28 awards. The full listing of winners and nominees follows:
SITUATION COMEDY AND COMEDY DRAMA
Winner:
The Office Christmas Special BBC Entertainment for BBC ONE
“The problem of writing a final episode of a much-loved comedy was fully resolved. Tim gets Dawn. Dawn gets her oil paints. Brent gets the girl and we are carried along with it all. Perfection!”
Nominees:
Marion & Geoff (Baby Cow Productions for BBC TWO)
Peep Show (An Objective Production for Channel 4)
ENTERTAINMENT
Winner:
Little Britain BBC New Comedy for BBC THREE
“Wonderful invention in writing and performance brought great originality to the potentially dated television form of sketch comedy.”
Nominees:
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (Granada Entertainment for ITV1)
Bo' Selecta! (A TalkbackThames Production for Channel 4)
FEATURES AND FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT
Winner:
Holiday Showdown An RDF Media Production for ITV1
“The winning programme contained touching and genuinely revealing insights into the lives of very different families, offering surprising moral and emotional lessons.”
Nominees:
Wife Swap (An RDF Media Production for Channel 4)
How Clean Is Your House? (A Talkback Thames Production for Channel 4)
SINGLE DOCUMENTARY : GENERAL
Winner:
The Secret Policeman BBC Documentaries & Contemporary Factual for BBC ONE
“… a masterclass in investigative documentary, exposing as it did racism in the police force. This was public service broadcasting of the highest order, and a film that will continue to have reverberations for a long time to come.”
Nominees:
One Life: Size Doesn't Matter (BBC Documentaries & Contemporary Factual for BBC ONE)
Living with Michael Jackson (Granada for ITV)
DOCUMENTARY SERIES : GENERAL
Winner:
The Last Peasants An October Film for Channel 4
“An outstanding series with stunningly beautiful photography, this poignant portrayal of the reality of rural life in Eastern Europe was a timely commission.”
Nominees:
National Trust (Oxford Film & Television for BBC FOUR)
Surviving Extremes (A Keo Films.com in association with AAC FACT Production for Channel 4)
SCIENCE AND NATURAL HISTORY
Winner:
Motherland - A Genetic Journey Takeaway Media for BBC TWO
“The judges praised the exceptional use of science, used not predominantly to explore race but rather to find family history.”
Nominees:
Seven Wonders of the Industrial World (BBC Specialist Factual for BBC TWO)
DNA (A Windfall Film for Channel 4)
HISTORY
Winner:
Georgian Underworld: Invitation to a Hanging [size=9A Juniper Production for Channel 4 [/size]
“Revealing an area of history relatively unexplored by TV, this hugely original, ‘high-concept’ programme was genuinely fresh and original.”
Nominees:
Killing Hitler (A Diverse Production for BBC TWO)
Colosseum (BBC Specialist Factual for BBC ONE)
SINGLE DRAMA
Winner:
This Little Life BBC Films & The Film Council present a Common Features Production in association with the Northern Production Fund and the Yorkshire Media Production Agency/Studio of the North for BBC TWO
“The Jury were moved and impressed by the depth and scale of emotion revealed within this compact and contained drama.”
Nominees:
Larkin: Love Again (World Productions for BBC TWO)
The Deal (Granada Television for Channel 4)
DRAMA SERIES
Winner:
Spooks A Kudos Production for BBC ONE
“Original and groundbreaking, with a classy, stylish look and feel…”
Nominees:
At Home with the Braithwaites, Series 4 (Yorkshire Television for ITV1)
Teachers, Series 3 (A Tiger Aspect Production for Channel 4)
DRAMA SERIAL
Winner:
State of Play BBC in association with Endor Productions for BBC ONE
“A complex, multi-layered thriller that effortlessly rose above the clichés of the genre.”
Nominees:
The Lost Prince (A Talkback Production in association with BBC Films/A WGBH Boston Co-Production for BBC ONE)
The Second Coming (Red Production Company for ITV1)
CHILDREN'S DRAMA
Winner:
Girls in Love Granada Kids for CiTV
“Stylish, sassy and original … with emotionally engaging performances and great graphics.”
Nominees:
The Illustrated Mum (A Granada Kids Production for Channel 4)
Bus Life: Bad Hair Day (Disney Channel)
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMME
Winner:
UP2U A WisedUp Production for CiTV
“Universally praised for being original and honest, and for its pace and its cheek, this programme was deemed to be on the button for its target audience.”
Nominees:
Dick & Dom in Da Bungalow (CBBC for the CBBC Channel and BBC ONE)
Jungle Run (Granada Kids for CiTV)
DAYTIME PROGRAMME
Winner:
Britain's Secret Shame BBC Daytime/BBC Current Affairs for BBC ONE
“… tackled the very challenging subject of treatment of the elderly with sensitivity and skill, delivering programmes that both raised awareness and delivered strong ratings.”
Nominees:
Trisha (Anglia Television for ITV)
Richard & Judy (A Cactus Production for Channel 4)
REGIONAL PROGRAMME
Winner:
Christine's Children Double Band Films for BBC ONE Northern Ireland
“Compelling, emotionally engaging and with a very powerful story, the winner combined confident restraint with surprising revelation.”
Nominee:
Chancers Tern Television for BBC ONE Scotland
PRESENTER : REGIONAL
Winner:
Gerry Anderson - Anderson In … Green Inc. for BBC ONE Northern Ireland
“… a big, irrepressible personality who lifted his subject.”
Nominees:
Lucinda Lambton - Sublime Suburbia (A Clementine Production in association with Carlton for the London Region)
Michele Newman - It's Your Shout/Pulling Power (A Carlton Production for the Central Region)
PRESENTER : FACTUAL
Winner:
Melvyn Bragg - The Adventure of English/The South Bank Show LWT for ITV1
“Imposing, authoritative and intelligent, …the winning presenter simply gets better and better.”
Nominees:
Nigel Marven - Sea Monsters & Land of Giants (Impossible Pictures for BBC ONE)
Ben Lewis - Art Safari (Bergmann Pictures for BBC FOUR)
ACTOR (FEMALE)
Winner:
Kate Ashfield - This Little Life BBC Films & The Film Council present a Common Features Production in association with the Northern Production Fund and the Yorkshire Media Production Agency/Studio of the North for BBC TWO
Nominees:
Bronagh Gallagher - (Holy Cross BBC Northern Ireland in association with Radio Telefis Eireann for BBC ONE)
Joanne Froggatt - Danielle Cable: Eyewitness (Granada Television for ITV1)
ACTOR (MALE)
Winner:
David Morrissey - The Deal Granada Television for Channel 4
“The strength of this performance brought to the screen, and to life, all of the characteristics and traits of the man he portrayed in a way that was both credible and convincing.”
Nominees:
Antony Sher – Home (BBC Fictionlab for BBC FOUR)
Bill Nighy - State of Play (BBC in association with Endor Productions for BBC ONE)
ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMANCE
Winner:
Jonathan Ross - Friday Night With Jonathan Ross Open Mike Productions for BBC ONE
“His show is now perfect and he attracts the very best guests. But, most of all, he has extraordinary wit and entertainment value.”
Nominees:
Ant & Dec - Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway/I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!/Pop Idol (Granada Entertainment for ITV1 / LWT Factual for ITV1 / Thames/19TV for ITV1)
Mark Steel - Mark Steel Lectures (BBC New Comedy for BBC FOUR/Open University)
NETWORK NEWCOMER BEHIND THE SCREEN
Winner:
Sarah Gavron (Director) - This Little Life BBC Films & The Film Council present a Common Features Production in association with the Northern Production Fund and the Yorkshire Media Production Agency/Studio of the North for BBC TWO
“Unsentimental but hugely moving and affecting... The winner achieved amazing performances and created stunning visuals.”
Nominees:
Helen Blakeman (Writer) – Pleasureland (A Kudos Production for Channel 4)
Avie Luthra (Writer) – Canterbury Tales: The Sea Captain's Tale (BBC in association with Ziji Productions for BBC ONE)
NETWORK NEWCOMER ON SCREEN
Winner:
Katie Lyon – Pleasureland A Kudos Production for Channel 4
“… mesmerising, painful, and a remarkable first-ever acting role.”
Nominees:
Marc Wootton - My New Best Friend (A Tiger Aspect Production for Channel 4)
Harry Eden - Real Men (BBC Scotland for BBC TWO)
WRITER
Winner:
Paul Abbott - State of Play BBC in association with Endor Productions for BBC ONE
“Just when you think this writer has reached the top of his game, he surpasses himself once more. From concept to characterisation, this brilliant and bold piece of writing was a real television landmark.”
Nominees:
Terry Cafolla - Holy Cross (BBC Northern Ireland in association with Radio Telefis Eireann for BBC ONE)
Russell T Davies - The Second Coming (Red Production Company for ITV1)
ARTS
Winner:
Operatunity A Diverse Production for Channel 4
“An exciting and innovative programme which was beautifully cast, directed and edited.”
Nominees:
George Orwell: A Life in Pictures (Wall to Wall for BBC TWO)
Jump London (An Optomen Television Production for Channel 4)
RTS INTERNATIONAL AWARD
Winner:
24 (Season 2) Real Time Productions and Imagine Television in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television for BBC TWO and BBC THREE
“Even more addictive and polished than the first season, the winner pumps as much adrenaline into the schedules as into its viewers.”
Nominees:
Six Feet Under (HBO for E4/Channel 4)
Sex and the City (HBO for Channel 4)
SOAP
Winner:
Coronation Street Granada Television for ITV
“… a remarkable ability to keep refreshing itself through the decades. It stole the show this year with compelling and innovative storylines, in particular the final demise of Richard Hillman, which gave us one of the best TV drama highs of the year.”
Nominees:
Doctors (BBC Drama Series for BBC ONE)
EastEnders (BBC Drama Series for BBC ONE)
COMEDY PERFORMANCE
Winner:
David Walliams & Matt Lucas - Little Britain BBC New Comedy for BBC THREE
“They were entered separately but the judges re-united them as one entry on account of their joint success. They gave us narrative drive, memorable characters and a real breakthrough from a digital channel.”
Nominees:
Jocelyn Jee Esien - 3 Non Blondes (Brown Eyed Boy for BBC THREE)
Ricky Gervais - The Office Christmas Specials (BBC Entertainment for BBC ONE)
EVENT
Winner:
Comic Relief 2003 - The Big Hair Do BBC Entertainment for BBC ONE
“…one event stood out for its consistency and excellence. Now in its 16th year, this biennial event has lost none of its freshness, constantly reinvents itself, and brings a purpose and conviction as well as boundless pleasure to the nation on screen and far beyond it.”
JUDGES' AWARD
Winner:
GREG DYKE
“… the vocal choice of an overwhelming majority of the Jury Chairs and reflected a groundswell of opinion across all the members of the Awards juries. The RTS Judges’ Award recognises an outstanding achievement over 27 years in broadcasting. The occasion of tonight’s Award comes after the toughest moment of what has always been, to put it mildly, an exciting and volatile career. His distinctive style and approach to management, democratic and charismatic in equal measure, and his full blooded love of television has characterised a career that began in 1977 at London Weekend Television where he was responsible for one of the definitive programmes of popular journalism , The Six O’Clock Show. He took over as Editor in Chief of TV-am when it had weeks to live and found it a new lease of life and created for himself a life long alter ego in Roland Rat. He was Director of Programmes, then Managing Director of LWT before he joined Pearson as Chief Executive, which he built into the largest production company in the world. While there, he became Chairman of Channel 5, which he steered away from the rocks and successfully to air with the same daring and verve as he had rescued TV-am. At the BBC, he fought like a tiger for its interests and the people in it, and brought it the unaccustomed smell of competitive success. As tough as he was friendly, as open as he was implacable in his views, he is liked even by many of those he has fought with tooth and claw. The manner of his parting from the BBC, after the judgement of Lord Hutton, was in keeping with his leadership. Battling the establishment, noisily his own man, and the man that his staff, and even some of his rivals, were bitterly sorry to see go. The juries recognised his great feat of achieving what was thought impossible, loyalty, admiration and personal popularity in an organisation as large and testing as the BBC.”
________
So, plenty to chew on there. Discuss, debate etc. Not much controversy really, but there rarely is with the RTS awards. Surprising, perhaps, that Coronation Street won best soap - although perhaps less so considering the fact that EastEnders has lowered expectations further over the last year.
Anyway, enjoy.
I can sense the excitement in the air - or is that just the smell c@t left on my pillow? The Royal Television Society Awards were held on Tuesday 16 March at London's Grosvenor Hotel. The event was hosted by Jimmy Carr, so we can only assume that it was a most convivial event.
The big winner of the evening was the BBC which won an impressive 17 of the 28 awards. The full listing of winners and nominees follows:
SITUATION COMEDY AND COMEDY DRAMA
Winner:
The Office Christmas Special BBC Entertainment for BBC ONE
“The problem of writing a final episode of a much-loved comedy was fully resolved. Tim gets Dawn. Dawn gets her oil paints. Brent gets the girl and we are carried along with it all. Perfection!”
Nominees:
Marion & Geoff (Baby Cow Productions for BBC TWO)
Peep Show (An Objective Production for Channel 4)
ENTERTAINMENT
Winner:
Little Britain BBC New Comedy for BBC THREE
“Wonderful invention in writing and performance brought great originality to the potentially dated television form of sketch comedy.”
Nominees:
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (Granada Entertainment for ITV1)
Bo' Selecta! (A TalkbackThames Production for Channel 4)
FEATURES AND FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT
Winner:
Holiday Showdown An RDF Media Production for ITV1
“The winning programme contained touching and genuinely revealing insights into the lives of very different families, offering surprising moral and emotional lessons.”
Nominees:
Wife Swap (An RDF Media Production for Channel 4)
How Clean Is Your House? (A Talkback Thames Production for Channel 4)
SINGLE DOCUMENTARY : GENERAL
Winner:
The Secret Policeman BBC Documentaries & Contemporary Factual for BBC ONE
“… a masterclass in investigative documentary, exposing as it did racism in the police force. This was public service broadcasting of the highest order, and a film that will continue to have reverberations for a long time to come.”
Nominees:
One Life: Size Doesn't Matter (BBC Documentaries & Contemporary Factual for BBC ONE)
Living with Michael Jackson (Granada for ITV)
DOCUMENTARY SERIES : GENERAL
Winner:
The Last Peasants An October Film for Channel 4
“An outstanding series with stunningly beautiful photography, this poignant portrayal of the reality of rural life in Eastern Europe was a timely commission.”
Nominees:
National Trust (Oxford Film & Television for BBC FOUR)
Surviving Extremes (A Keo Films.com in association with AAC FACT Production for Channel 4)
SCIENCE AND NATURAL HISTORY
Winner:
Motherland - A Genetic Journey Takeaway Media for BBC TWO
“The judges praised the exceptional use of science, used not predominantly to explore race but rather to find family history.”
Nominees:
Seven Wonders of the Industrial World (BBC Specialist Factual for BBC TWO)
DNA (A Windfall Film for Channel 4)
HISTORY
Winner:
Georgian Underworld: Invitation to a Hanging [size=9A Juniper Production for Channel 4 [/size]
“Revealing an area of history relatively unexplored by TV, this hugely original, ‘high-concept’ programme was genuinely fresh and original.”
Nominees:
Killing Hitler (A Diverse Production for BBC TWO)
Colosseum (BBC Specialist Factual for BBC ONE)
SINGLE DRAMA
Winner:
This Little Life BBC Films & The Film Council present a Common Features Production in association with the Northern Production Fund and the Yorkshire Media Production Agency/Studio of the North for BBC TWO
“The Jury were moved and impressed by the depth and scale of emotion revealed within this compact and contained drama.”
Nominees:
Larkin: Love Again (World Productions for BBC TWO)
The Deal (Granada Television for Channel 4)
DRAMA SERIES
Winner:
Spooks A Kudos Production for BBC ONE
“Original and groundbreaking, with a classy, stylish look and feel…”
Nominees:
At Home with the Braithwaites, Series 4 (Yorkshire Television for ITV1)
Teachers, Series 3 (A Tiger Aspect Production for Channel 4)
DRAMA SERIAL
Winner:
State of Play BBC in association with Endor Productions for BBC ONE
“A complex, multi-layered thriller that effortlessly rose above the clichés of the genre.”
Nominees:
The Lost Prince (A Talkback Production in association with BBC Films/A WGBH Boston Co-Production for BBC ONE)
The Second Coming (Red Production Company for ITV1)
CHILDREN'S DRAMA
Winner:
Girls in Love Granada Kids for CiTV
“Stylish, sassy and original … with emotionally engaging performances and great graphics.”
Nominees:
The Illustrated Mum (A Granada Kids Production for Channel 4)
Bus Life: Bad Hair Day (Disney Channel)
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMME
Winner:
UP2U A WisedUp Production for CiTV
“Universally praised for being original and honest, and for its pace and its cheek, this programme was deemed to be on the button for its target audience.”
Nominees:
Dick & Dom in Da Bungalow (CBBC for the CBBC Channel and BBC ONE)
Jungle Run (Granada Kids for CiTV)
DAYTIME PROGRAMME
Winner:
Britain's Secret Shame BBC Daytime/BBC Current Affairs for BBC ONE
“… tackled the very challenging subject of treatment of the elderly with sensitivity and skill, delivering programmes that both raised awareness and delivered strong ratings.”
Nominees:
Trisha (Anglia Television for ITV)
Richard & Judy (A Cactus Production for Channel 4)
REGIONAL PROGRAMME
Winner:
Christine's Children Double Band Films for BBC ONE Northern Ireland
“Compelling, emotionally engaging and with a very powerful story, the winner combined confident restraint with surprising revelation.”
Nominee:
Chancers Tern Television for BBC ONE Scotland
PRESENTER : REGIONAL
Winner:
Gerry Anderson - Anderson In … Green Inc. for BBC ONE Northern Ireland
“… a big, irrepressible personality who lifted his subject.”
Nominees:
Lucinda Lambton - Sublime Suburbia (A Clementine Production in association with Carlton for the London Region)
Michele Newman - It's Your Shout/Pulling Power (A Carlton Production for the Central Region)
PRESENTER : FACTUAL
Winner:
Melvyn Bragg - The Adventure of English/The South Bank Show LWT for ITV1
“Imposing, authoritative and intelligent, …the winning presenter simply gets better and better.”
Nominees:
Nigel Marven - Sea Monsters & Land of Giants (Impossible Pictures for BBC ONE)
Ben Lewis - Art Safari (Bergmann Pictures for BBC FOUR)
ACTOR (FEMALE)
Winner:
Kate Ashfield - This Little Life BBC Films & The Film Council present a Common Features Production in association with the Northern Production Fund and the Yorkshire Media Production Agency/Studio of the North for BBC TWO
Nominees:
Bronagh Gallagher - (Holy Cross BBC Northern Ireland in association with Radio Telefis Eireann for BBC ONE)
Joanne Froggatt - Danielle Cable: Eyewitness (Granada Television for ITV1)
ACTOR (MALE)
Winner:
David Morrissey - The Deal Granada Television for Channel 4
“The strength of this performance brought to the screen, and to life, all of the characteristics and traits of the man he portrayed in a way that was both credible and convincing.”
Nominees:
Antony Sher – Home (BBC Fictionlab for BBC FOUR)
Bill Nighy - State of Play (BBC in association with Endor Productions for BBC ONE)
ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMANCE
Winner:
Jonathan Ross - Friday Night With Jonathan Ross Open Mike Productions for BBC ONE
“His show is now perfect and he attracts the very best guests. But, most of all, he has extraordinary wit and entertainment value.”
Nominees:
Ant & Dec - Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway/I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!/Pop Idol (Granada Entertainment for ITV1 / LWT Factual for ITV1 / Thames/19TV for ITV1)
Mark Steel - Mark Steel Lectures (BBC New Comedy for BBC FOUR/Open University)
NETWORK NEWCOMER BEHIND THE SCREEN
Winner:
Sarah Gavron (Director) - This Little Life BBC Films & The Film Council present a Common Features Production in association with the Northern Production Fund and the Yorkshire Media Production Agency/Studio of the North for BBC TWO
“Unsentimental but hugely moving and affecting... The winner achieved amazing performances and created stunning visuals.”
Nominees:
Helen Blakeman (Writer) – Pleasureland (A Kudos Production for Channel 4)
Avie Luthra (Writer) – Canterbury Tales: The Sea Captain's Tale (BBC in association with Ziji Productions for BBC ONE)
NETWORK NEWCOMER ON SCREEN
Winner:
Katie Lyon – Pleasureland A Kudos Production for Channel 4
“… mesmerising, painful, and a remarkable first-ever acting role.”
Nominees:
Marc Wootton - My New Best Friend (A Tiger Aspect Production for Channel 4)
Harry Eden - Real Men (BBC Scotland for BBC TWO)
WRITER
Winner:
Paul Abbott - State of Play BBC in association with Endor Productions for BBC ONE
“Just when you think this writer has reached the top of his game, he surpasses himself once more. From concept to characterisation, this brilliant and bold piece of writing was a real television landmark.”
Nominees:
Terry Cafolla - Holy Cross (BBC Northern Ireland in association with Radio Telefis Eireann for BBC ONE)
Russell T Davies - The Second Coming (Red Production Company for ITV1)
ARTS
Winner:
Operatunity A Diverse Production for Channel 4
“An exciting and innovative programme which was beautifully cast, directed and edited.”
Nominees:
George Orwell: A Life in Pictures (Wall to Wall for BBC TWO)
Jump London (An Optomen Television Production for Channel 4)
RTS INTERNATIONAL AWARD
Winner:
24 (Season 2) Real Time Productions and Imagine Television in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television for BBC TWO and BBC THREE
“Even more addictive and polished than the first season, the winner pumps as much adrenaline into the schedules as into its viewers.”
Nominees:
Six Feet Under (HBO for E4/Channel 4)
Sex and the City (HBO for Channel 4)
SOAP
Winner:
Coronation Street Granada Television for ITV
“… a remarkable ability to keep refreshing itself through the decades. It stole the show this year with compelling and innovative storylines, in particular the final demise of Richard Hillman, which gave us one of the best TV drama highs of the year.”
Nominees:
Doctors (BBC Drama Series for BBC ONE)
EastEnders (BBC Drama Series for BBC ONE)
COMEDY PERFORMANCE
Winner:
David Walliams & Matt Lucas - Little Britain BBC New Comedy for BBC THREE
“They were entered separately but the judges re-united them as one entry on account of their joint success. They gave us narrative drive, memorable characters and a real breakthrough from a digital channel.”
Nominees:
Jocelyn Jee Esien - 3 Non Blondes (Brown Eyed Boy for BBC THREE)
Ricky Gervais - The Office Christmas Specials (BBC Entertainment for BBC ONE)
EVENT
Winner:
Comic Relief 2003 - The Big Hair Do BBC Entertainment for BBC ONE
“…one event stood out for its consistency and excellence. Now in its 16th year, this biennial event has lost none of its freshness, constantly reinvents itself, and brings a purpose and conviction as well as boundless pleasure to the nation on screen and far beyond it.”
JUDGES' AWARD
Winner:
GREG DYKE
“… the vocal choice of an overwhelming majority of the Jury Chairs and reflected a groundswell of opinion across all the members of the Awards juries. The RTS Judges’ Award recognises an outstanding achievement over 27 years in broadcasting. The occasion of tonight’s Award comes after the toughest moment of what has always been, to put it mildly, an exciting and volatile career. His distinctive style and approach to management, democratic and charismatic in equal measure, and his full blooded love of television has characterised a career that began in 1977 at London Weekend Television where he was responsible for one of the definitive programmes of popular journalism , The Six O’Clock Show. He took over as Editor in Chief of TV-am when it had weeks to live and found it a new lease of life and created for himself a life long alter ego in Roland Rat. He was Director of Programmes, then Managing Director of LWT before he joined Pearson as Chief Executive, which he built into the largest production company in the world. While there, he became Chairman of Channel 5, which he steered away from the rocks and successfully to air with the same daring and verve as he had rescued TV-am. At the BBC, he fought like a tiger for its interests and the people in it, and brought it the unaccustomed smell of competitive success. As tough as he was friendly, as open as he was implacable in his views, he is liked even by many of those he has fought with tooth and claw. The manner of his parting from the BBC, after the judgement of Lord Hutton, was in keeping with his leadership. Battling the establishment, noisily his own man, and the man that his staff, and even some of his rivals, were bitterly sorry to see go. The juries recognised his great feat of achieving what was thought impossible, loyalty, admiration and personal popularity in an organisation as large and testing as the BBC.”
________
So, plenty to chew on there. Discuss, debate etc. Not much controversy really, but there rarely is with the RTS awards. Surprising, perhaps, that Coronation Street won best soap - although perhaps less so considering the fact that EastEnders has lowered expectations further over the last year.
Anyway, enjoy.
