BBC America: What Happened?

By Michael Hawk on January 6th, 2010

• Link to StumbleUpon
• 3 Comments

BBC America was a daily ritual for me for over three years, but recently they’ve descended into the pits of Great Britain’s leftovers.  There used to be so many great specials, comedies and dramas, and interesting second run programs that introduced the colonies to what our former Queen and her subjects were up to.  Now?  Looking at their schedule is a little like staring at one of those 3D posters from the eighties.  You’re eyes cross trying to pull anything of interest out of it, but it just becomes a blurry mess.

And indeed it is.  Once a channel boasting dozens of BBC productions, today it is a mere handful.  Cash in the Attic, Antiques Road Show, and How Clean Is Your House take over every single morning with multiple episodes.  Prime time is no better with overdose levels of Top Gear, Robin Hood on the weekend, and something with Gordon Ramsay in it.  All great shows for sure, but daddy needs some variety!

In years past there were comedies on every Friday night.  I loved it!  It’s how I discovered Catherine Tate before she met the Doctor.

 It is where I could see my repeats of Coupling or My Family.  It used to show Father Ted and one night blew my mind with The Mighty Boosh!  It is where I fell deeply in love with Gavin and Stacey, one of the best shows I’ve seen in the last decade.  These days it is talk show Friday Night with Jonathon Ross and of course, Top Gear.  Both of which play the same episodes back to back three times!

Mary Queen of Shops has been enjoyable, but it is just a Kitchen Nightmares redux.  Occasionally they show one of those documentary specials about folks with fake babies or some teenager in Manchester going through a sex change, but they’re not exactly appointment television.  And Dragon’s Den?  Good show but even that has fallen off the schedule.  Everything has become so repetitive.

I was hoping things might get better as Christmas draws closer and closer.  Last year they had great marathons of Britcom Holiday episodes.  Alas, no such luck.  A review of BBCA’s website reveals nothing but a Doctor Who special being added to the lineup.   I was desperately hoping they’d air the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special that premiered in England last year, but not gonna happen. (update: BBCA announced on Dec. 9th that they will air the special Christmas Eve)  I’ve been forced to find a crappy upload on the internet to see what has become of my beloved show.  Is that what you want BBCA?  Is it?

And you know what they’re showing Christmas night? The Great Escape.  WTF?  Steve McQueen?  It doesn’t get any more American than Steve McQueen.  Hardly the traditional British fare I’ve come to expect of the BBC.

The website does reveal a few new shows coming in January, but the rookies only feature one comedy, Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show, and a couple hour longs that look like Doctor Who knock offs.  And what is really hurting the channel is that with the internet and region free DVD players readily available, I can see UK programs online after their premiere or own them before BBCA gets around to thinking about them.  So yes, I’ve already seen Katy Brand.

I don’t know why the assortment has gone from the big 5 pound gift box to the 3 piece sampler, but I’m assuming it has to do with money.  The man in charge at BBCA for the last two years, Garth Ancier, has repeatedly stated he feels the “how-to ” shows give BBCA a niche in the American market.  Huh?  There’s about half a dozen other channels that do the same thing.  Garth is also in charge of guess what, home video sales and other BBC properties like Dancing With The Stars, which does not air on BBCA.  So, instead of cultivating a proprietary channel with awesome shows, he seems to be intent on scooping as much cash from other revenue streams.  Thankfully, he is stepping down in March.

Someone once asked me what channels I’d keep if I could only keep five.  I think it was Facebook.  Anyhoo, BBC America was always a quick first on that list, but now, I could care less.  Please come back to us BBCA!  Let us inside the awesome shows you once exposed to our eyes.  We want the next Skins or at least the old Skins repeated a couple times a week.  Give us something to love, something to latch onto, something to watch on your bloody channel.

Maybe Gordon Ramsay can come down to the offices and sort out your network for sweeps!  ”More comedies you donkey!”