After being somewhat disappointed that BBC-2 didn't follow on from last week's "The Final Problem" with the next series of Sherlock Holmes this week, I called up BBC Information today and asked them if they were going to show any more of the Granada series.
Sadly, the woman there told me that they only had the rights to show the first 13 episodes up to and including "The Final Problem", and that they were unlikely to be acquiring the rights to show any more.
Which is a bit of an arse frankly, as I'd been enjoying seeing them for the first time and can't afford the DVD sets. "Cagney & Lacey" is not an adequate substitute in my Saturday afternoon viewing experience...
"Cagney & Lacey"
You don't know how lucky you are! I miss that show so much! Far as I know, it's been off the air here for years. Lifetime had it for awhile many years ago.
Sorry to hear about your other show though. That sucks.
That's a shame, I always thought Granada and Beeb "got on" after all Granada has always made, produced whatever What The Papers Say, University Challenge and The Royle Family for the BBC. Something I've not really seen with other ITV networks. Looks like I'll have to buy the DVD's now.
Incidentally T_M you still enjoying Shameless? The new series starts shooting in May I'm reliably informed, hope they don't kill off Frank which is the rumour going round the Channel 4 boards.
I would guess it's probably a case of Granada pricing the later series too high for them, but I don't know for certain. I know that Granada did take the time and trouble to have the original prints of the episodes re-transferred at Yorkshire Television, royally pissing off all those who shelled out for the DVD sets as apparently the picture quality is far superior on the BBC-2 run.
Yes, I'm still enjoying "Shameless" - great stuff! It's a real joy, and quite possibly the highlight of the week. Frank in drag last week was priceless, and Debbie's child abduction episode was also pretty fine. As for Frank, I hope he survives - I do know that in the forthcoming last episode of this series he fakes his own death, but I can't imagine they really killing him off.
In addition, "Shameless" has really made me hope that the rumours of Paul Abbott writing an episode for his old chum Russell T Davies's forthcoming sci-fi show revival for the BBC are correct...
I'd forgotten just how good Sherlock Holmes was and am royally disappointed that no more are to be shown.
Cagney and Lacey...why? While they're at it they might as well bring back Midnight Caller.
Top marks for your investigative skills Mr Taylor-Mayed.
It probably all comes down to the fact that due to Equity agreements for residuals and so forth, it remains far more expensive to repeat British shows on terrestrial television than it does to show American imports. Sadly.