I agree that the show has really nosedived, but it can definitely be saved. Just please for all of our sakes, get rid of the current writers!!!!

So last night's episode was written by the same person who wrote 8.22 - the episode where Rhiannon was working in the kebab shop... Not surprising that the quality was severely poor given that episode was horrendous too.

I agree that the show has really nosedived, but it can definitely be saved. Just please for all of our sakes, get rid of the current writers!!!!

 

It can't be saved! The move to Scotland is what killed the show off, every since then it's just been getting worse! What do you really think could genuinely improve the show after the amount of damage they have caused?

I don't think it's necessarily the move that's changed it and ultimately killed it, it's the writers that have killed it by trying too hard to radically change the school since it did move. Other shows can go through a change of the same amount, but the writers here just don't have the same grasp on the show and what it actually stands for as they used to. There are a lot of one-off writers coming in now and being hired to write maybe one or two episodes per series for a couple of series' and then just leaving and not coming back. They don't have a committed team behind the show any more, that's where it has broken down.

It's hard to believe that the show's highest viewing figures (for a series on average) is series 7 which had 5.1m viewers on average throughout the series. I suppose that's down to the increase in episodes from 20 to 30 - with the next highest being series 3 which had 5.0m viewers on average with only 20 episodes.

 

Series 7 is the most-watched of all the series?! Didn't expect that. It makes the move to Scotland even more idiotic - the show was doing just fine and then they went and ruined it. Had it stayed in Rochdale it could have easily returned to its former glories, but there's just no point to the show anymore now it's in Scotland. None of the old cast can realistically return on a regular basis, and that's a real killer.

 

The kebab shop episode was pretty bad, but I can honestly say that this week's episode is probably the worst there has ever been in the show's history. I actually feel quite embarassed watching this show now, and to think just three years ago it was my favourite show on TV!

Edited October 26, 201311 yr by simonc13

Series 7 is the most-watched of all the series?! Didn't expect that. It makes the move to Scotland even more idiotic - the show was doing just fine and then they went and ruined it. Had it stayed in Rochdale it could have easily returned to its former glories, but there's just no point to the show anymore now it's in Scotland. None of the old cast can realistically return on a regular basis, and that's a real killer.

 

The kebab shop episode was pretty bad, but I can honestly say that this week's episode is probably the worst there has ever been in the show's history. I actually feel quite embarassed watching this show now, and to think just three years ago it was my favourite show on TV!

Well, moving away from Rochdale wasn't something they could have prevented because it was being taken over by local authorities there and actually turned into a housing scheme in real life. It wouldn't have been a very good ending (although saying that, moving to Scotland for new ventures in a new school could possibly have been an excellent end to the show). That really is one of the main problems with it being so far away from where it originally was - none of the cast can secure a long contract and that's ultimately killed the dynamic of the show.

 

Average viewing figures, each series:

 

Series 1 - 4.6m

Series 2 - 4.3m

Series 3 - 5.0m

Series 4 - 4.7m

Series 5 - 4.8m

Series 6 - 4.9m

Series 7 - 5.1m

Well, moving away from Rochdale wasn't something they could have prevented because it was being taken over by local authorities there and actually turned into a housing scheme in real life. It wouldn't have been a very good ending (although saying that, moving to Scotland for new ventures in a new school could possibly have been an excellent end to the show). That really is one of the main problems with it being so far away from where it originally was - none of the cast can secure a long contract and that's ultimately killed the dynamic of the show.

 

Average viewing figures, each series:

 

Series 1 - 4.6m

Series 2 - 4.3m

Series 3 - 5.0m

Series 4 - 4.7m

Series 5 - 4.8m

Series 6 - 4.9m

Series 7 - 5.1m

 

That was only after the BBC decided to relocate it too Scotland because they needed more content to be part of their Scottish brand so they could have prevented it but they chose to move it, therefore it's entirely their own fault.

 

 

 

That was only after the BBC decided to relocate it too Scotland because they needed more content to be part of their Scottish brand so they could have prevented it but they chose to move it, therefore it's entirely their own fault.

It was going to be closed down after series 4 (when Ralph Mellor tore it apart), but they decided to let it stay open. As you say, they could have chosen to end the show or relocate when that time would eventually come when the building would be knocked down, but we have had some absolute cherishes since the show moved to Scotland. I can't imagine an ending like series 7 would have been that great for those who have stuck with the show since it began - and at least now if they want to end the show they have a) a permanent location and b) can plan it thoroughly.

It was going to be closed down after series 4 (when Ralph Mellor tore it apart), but they decided to let it stay open. As you say, they could have chosen to end the show or relocate when that time would eventually come when the building would be knocked down, but we have had some absolute cherishes since the show moved to Scotland. I can't imagine an ending like series 7 would have been that great for those who have stuck with the show since it began - and at least now if they want to end the show they have a) a permanent location and b) can plan it thoroughly.

 

True - the image of a mini-bus heading to Scotland wouldn't have exactly been a fitting end to the show. They could have chosen a better location, though. Greenock just looks too picturesque on camera (no idea what it's like as a place though!) whereas Rochdale was a more fitting setting.

 

If they do want to salvage this show (and surely losing 2.5 million viewers in the last one or two years is an incentive to do something!) then I definitely agree that they need to get new writers and producers on board. It was obviously a conscious decision to send the show down this new route, but maybe they'll do a U-Turn now. They need to remember that the show started out as a drama, not a children's TV show!

True - the image of a mini-bus heading to Scotland wouldn't have exactly been a fitting end to the show. They could have chosen a better location, though. Greenock just looks too picturesque on camera (no idea what it's like as a place though!) whereas Rochdale was a more fitting setting.

 

If they do want to salvage this show (and surely losing 2.5 million viewers in the last one or two years is an incentive to do something!) then I definitely agree that they need to get new writers and producers on board. It was obviously a conscious decision to send the show down this new route, but maybe they'll do a U-Turn now. They need to remember that the show started out as a drama, not a children's TV show!

 

They could have potentially keep it set in Rochdale but filmed in Scotland. Obviously, they would have had to find a setting that resembled more of Rochdale but they could have potentially had a storyline where the actual school just moves building etc or something.

 

It's too late to save the show now. I don't even know why they're bothering to do another series. The best thing probably to do is move it to BBC2 on a Friday at 6pm and air it in 30 minute episodes especially with the route they seem to be taking it down. OK, the ratings will probably go down a bit again (would probably be good for the timeslot and channel) but it could be rejuvenate as an early evening show and they seem to be watering it down a lot so it could work. It really isn't suitable for Thursday evenings anymore.

Edited October 26, 201311 yr by Connor.

They could have chosen a better location, though. Greenock just looks too picturesque on camera (no idea what it's like as a place though!) whereas Rochdale was a more fitting setting.

I think that's one of the main problems. Rochdale was a rough area and it was with that that most of the drama derived from, but Greenock is very picturesque as you say and seems calm and a getaway place to go to - it doesn't look as rough as Rochdale did and they're not going to capture the same drama that they once did in that area.

I agree with both your posts. I'd also say that Waterloo Road would probably work best as a daytime soap now - something akin to Doctors. It's just far too weak to be in the prime time position it is now.

 

I think one of the reason's behind the show's change is that it's now aimed at a different audience - primarily kids. I mean, goats inside the school and playing dress up?! But the really weird thing about this show is that, amid all the childish elements, writers will chuck in themes such as rape (Dynasty) and drugs (Barry in the last episode), which just does not work at all. I just had to laugh when they played dubstep music to represent the mental affects of taking drugs :rolleyes:

 

There's nothing particularly shocking or dark in the show now. The earlier series were aimed at adults and late-teens, I would say, hence the much grittier themes. Does anyone know if it's always aired at 8pm? I might have read somewhere that Series 1 & 2 aired past the watershed but I'm not sure.

 

I agree with you completely. They say they try to tackle these issues as appropriately as possible but they are just NOT dealt with in the way they should be when there's all this comedy going on at the same time. It's just like taking the piss out of the subject that they're trying to deal with (don't get me wrong though, the way they dealt with Dynasty's rape story was absolutely FANTASTIC).

 

I think the show's always aired at 8pm, though - apart from on one occasion where 4.1 was 90 minutes and it aired at 7:30pm (how they got away with that though I will never know - it was a gun storyline and they had it on an hour and a bit before the watershed?)

Having been a fan from the start, never missing an episode, I'm not enjoying it very much these days. I think the series should move to 9pm frankly and beef itself up a bit with some swear words. Must be the only secondary school in the world where no-one swears!! Also the storylines could beome a bit more aimed at teens/adults, more about sex etc. Does anyone agree with me? Yes I know you can have such series without swearing but is just an idea.

Edited October 26, 201311 yr by Common Sense

Having been a fan from the start, never missing an episode, I'm not enjoying it very much these days. I think the series should move to 9pm frankly and beef itself up a bit with some swear words. Must be the only secondary school in the world where no-one swears!! Also the storylines could beome a bit more aimed at teens/adults, more about sex etc. Does anyone agree with me? Yes I know you can have such series without swearing but is just an idea.

They used to swear a lot in series 1-3, and there was the odd swear word thrown in here and there in series 1-6, but after that they seemed to just cut it out completely. When they moved to Scotland they did have the odd swear word here and there at the start of series 8, but then it was just removed. Either it doesn't fit in with the scripts that they're writing (aimed at children), or it's that they're being far too cautious and need to move the show to after the watershed to explore these issues in depth and actually have them mean something (I'm willing to bet it's them being over-cautious and it not just being a case of not fitting in with the script(s), though).

I don't think it's necessarily the move that's changed it and ultimately killed it, it's the writers that have killed it by trying too hard to radically change the school since it did move. Other shows can go through a change of the same amount, but the writers here just don't have the same grasp on the show and what it actually stands for as they used to. There are a lot of one-off writers coming in now and being hired to write maybe one or two episodes per series for a couple of series' and then just leaving and not coming back. They don't have a committed team behind the show any more, that's where it has broken down.

 

IMO, it's a school based drama, and the overall theme will always be relevant and will have people interested in it. I.e. people who go to school. I think going to Scotland has caused some damage but that can change as it's all about the storylines, and characters, for WR anyway which is only on once a week. It's the predictable characters and boring plots that have severely contributed to the demise IMO, which is largely the responsibility of the writers. I don't think the majority of viewers are particularly bothered about the location. I do agree about them needing a committed team though.

Edited October 26, 201311 yr by Parallel Reality

I saw Angela Griffin (better known as Kim Campbell) in One Man, Two Guvnors at theatre in London on Thursday night. The show itself was horrendous but Angela was great acting-wise and looks - BOOBS. *.*

Not entirely sure if I dare to attempt tonight's episode. I almost died of cringing at the last one! I guess it's still good for a laugh or two though (or I might just stick on the end of the Series 2 boxset).

 

 

Not entirely sure if I dare to attempt tonight's episode. I almost died of cringing at the last one! I guess it's still good for a laugh or two though (or I might just stick on the end of the Series 2 boxset).

This week's looks a lot more serious, more about Kacey and Nikki's relationship, and Nicola Adams is also guest starring, so probably worth tuning in - and we'll likely see more turns in the friction between Christine and Simon.

This week's looks a lot more serious, more about Kacey and Nikki's relationship, and Nicola Adams is also guest starring, so probably worth tuning in - and we'll likely see more turns in the friction between Christine and Simon.

 

You've convinced me to give it a go! Nothing can be as bad as last week.. I think!