It’s all PC, PC with the BBC

One of the main examples of classic drama output from the BBC in recent times is ‘Casualty’. What started as a drama never afraid to shy away from cutting edge political storylines naming and shaming the flaws within the NHS. This was – at the time – a corporation that had more to say for itself and was less government friendly than it is now. Thatcher’s treatment of the NHS, growing racism within the UK, street crime and lots of other issues were dealt with no holds barred. And it did this through the eyes of over worked and under paid doctors and nurses — characters that were flawed within their personal lives but at the end of the day fought for what they believed in and that was an NHS free of bureaucracy.  At its peak the show averaged over 20 million viewers each Saturday night.

These days the show barely reaches the 5 million mark. Why? The BBC will say it is because of the multi channel, digital world we now live in. I believe it is once again the BBC playing it safe. Gone are the deep political and social issues that once upon a time were at the heart of the show and suffice say it has become a casualty of its former self. That was what the BBC used to do so well, produce real drama. The cast of ‘Casualty’ back in the day were believable enough that if you went to hospital, you’d feel safe in their hands. These days you’d end up leaving the hospital, a bunch of incompetent horny medics missing your diagnoses with two black eyes and a different sexual orientation! Over the top soap in its purest form. It’s all part of the BBC’s craven strategy. People like familiarity and routine so will tune in even if a show is clearly in bad health like this one. But we all know Casualty is shite anyway. The US subscription channels and indeed all others wisely leave soaps in the day time slots, whereas we put the junk on prime time. HBO commission the fabulous western series ‘Deadwood’ whereas the BBC just won’t get rid of some, bless them.