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Brookside
The end has finally been announced for Brookside Close.
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THINKTV
BROOKSIDE BOWS OUT AT 21
The final episode of Brookside, one of Channel 4's most groundbreaking
and influential programmes of the past two decades, will be
broadcast in November.
Channel 4 and Mersey Television have agreed that the soap, which
first aired as part of Channel 4's opening night line-up, will
reach its final conclusion after 21 years.
However, Mersey Television's relationship with Channel 4 continues
with Hollyoaks going five nights a week, and a new interactive
drama about to go into production.
MARK THOMPSON, Channel 4 Chief Executive, said: "Brookside
has been a fantastically creative and brilliant programme for
Channel 4, pioneering dramatic and cutting-edge storylines.
It has always remained a high quality drama but television has
changed radically since Brookside's inception and it is no longer
an environment in which we believe it can exist and thrive.
"I'd like to thank everyone at Mersey Television who has
been involved in bringing Brookside to the channel, especially
Phil Redmond who has consistently driven the series with a passion.
I am very pleased that our 21 year relationship with Mersey
Television and Phil is to continue."
PHIL REDMOND, Brookside's creator and executive producer said:
"We have a lot to be proud of, although I know that a lot
of people will be sad at Brookside's passing. I'm particularly
pleased that the programme will end on such a strong year, doing
exactly what I intended it to do 21 years ago - blending entertainment
with the raising of social issues. This is both a testimony
and tribute to all the staff, cast and writers and Mersey Television
and the efforts they have put in.
"But life must move on and we have all come to terms with
that. I am very excited at the prospect of the new projects
we will be working on with Channel 4."
In the autumn, teen soap HOLLYOAKS will broadcast for five nights
a week. It is currently averaging 2 million viewers between
6.30-7pm (up 3% from 2002) and consistently has the highest
profile of 16-24 and 16-34 viewers.
A new interactive drama series from Mersey, for the Daytime
schedule, is about to go into production, a legal series based
on high-profile court cases with viewers able to act as the
jury as they text in their 'verdicts' at the end of each programme.
A deal has also been agreed to develop ideas for the late-night
schedule.
JOHN YORKE, Channel 4 Head of Drama said: "I will be very
sad to see the passing of Brookside, a show that transformed
popular drama in this country and launched a whole generation
of talent both in front of and behind the camera. Both we and
Mersey however, feel it is time to move on and I am looking
forward to working with Phil and his team not only on the hugely
successful Hollyoaks, but also his new legal series and a number
of other projects to come."
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THINKTV
12th June 03
The final days of Brookside have been announced, do you think
this was the right decision? Should Channel 4 have kept it going?
Perhaps you can think of an appropriate ending? Whatever your
view, let us know.
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THINKTV
If you have a comment on this subject, or any programme on any
channel then 'have your say'.
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