I do not like this new change to 'The Bill'. the bill used to be catchy and exciting, but the new background music and American feel to it has made it feel slow and frankly not as fun to watch. the rest of my family have the same opinion. i also would like the old theme tune back as it was that tune that makes you know your watching The Bill. I still like the actors, they are still awsome!

i am extremely glad 'the bill' has changed, its been along time coming and i stopped watching it many months ago because in my opinion it had become boring, i really like this new fresh look to 'The Bill' and im looking forward to some great story lines nice one guys, keep it up!!

I though I'd take a peek at one of the repeats, and all I can say is that the show has been ruined, and I will not be watching again, despite being a very long term viewer. One of the best things about the show was its "back to basics" production- no tacky film effect, camera angles or music all over the place. The writing and acting spoke for itself, and it felt as if the action was happening right in front of you. It is, in my opinion, the main reason why The Bill was the best drama on television- and not only that but it stood out from the crowd because, apart from the soaps, no other dramas were being made that way. Now that's all been chucked away, in favour of following the crowd like a sheep. It's like watching a totally different show, and in my opinion all these sort of production tricks are used in shows to cover up poor writing and acting- which never needed to be done before.

the 'new bill' is ***pathetic.  The old school bill actually represented what the metropolitan police actually do as best as a tv show can do. this new bill is just an american rip off soap opera.

1: in the old bill, you'd see the team sayng they'd go to someones house and you'd see them go there right then. in the new bill, you see them go there when its nighttime. which is obviously just to make it look more spooky. but is stupid because, why would they decide to sit on their *** till the sun went down? what are they vampires?

 

2: the new plots. their all based on stereotypes. examples: the one where there was a supposedly ''gang attack'', and miraculously, all of the boys there were black. even the ones who'd gathered to see what had happened. and in the episode tonight where that girl got raped, noone would believe her or do anything until she tried killing. yeah cos thats REALLY sending the right messege to girls that get raped isnt it?

 

3: The intro. or rather, the lack of the intro. theyve done away with the awesome music to make it seem more like a ''cut to the chase'' kinda thing. but what the hell was wrong with the old intro? this new thing sucks. you know it, i know it, and ITV should know it.

lions666:

What has happened to the well loved drama "'The Bill'?  There was a lot of hype about it being a wonderful "upgrade" of the previous show, well I am disappointed.  The Bill used to be exciting, real and believable, but the new "version" seems very Americanised, with the camera angles and the most hideous backround music.  While I do appreciate the move to 9pm to make way for gritier story lines, I feel the loss of the old Bill is frankly disappointing and upsetting.  I have watched The Bill from the beginning, and feel it a British institution, but now it seems ruined.  And as for the theme tune?  There isn't one to speak of.  All in all, very wrong and not a true representation of the actors excellent ability to draw you into the story.

I agree. I do not like the new change to The Bill. It has become too much like the other dramas such as Trial and Retribution. I used to like there being main storylines, but also seeing Uniform out and about dealing with little crimes such as youths and graffiti. It was a better insight to daily crimes rather than big cases. Plus you don't get to see that many of the cast members in this one. I prefer the old one

I am yet another loyal 'Bill' viewer and while I will undoubtedly get used to the day and time shift (but was it really necessary?) I am not certain I will get used to the revamped offering.

The imaging used to be crisp and clear but now resembles the sort of lesser clarity associated with film stock.  The script and on-screen action is now plodding and thoroughly pedestrian by comparison with everything that went before.

This viewer is in danger of falling asleep during the the new 'Bill'.

If it does not change for the better, I will ... to another channel! 

I absolutely concur.  The new format is incredibly annoying and jaded.  Whereas before it truly felt as if you were part of the real world that Smithy and his cohorts lived.  This new NYPD-like, gritty in your face Bill is just rubbish.  Unless it improves, the Bill has probably lost a long time follower (actually two including my wife).

dave742:

the 'new bill' is ***pathetic.  The old school bill actually represented what the metropolitan police actually do as best as a tv show can do. this new bill is just an american rip off soap opera.

1: in the old bill, you'd see the team sayng they'd go to someones house and you'd see them go there right then. in the new bill, you see them go there when its nighttime. which is obviously just to make it look more spooky. but is stupid because, why would they decide to sit on their *** till the sun went down? what are they vampires?

 

2: the new plots. their all based on stereotypes. examples: the one where there was a supposedly ''gang attack'', and miraculously, all of the boys there were black. even the ones who'd gathered to see what had happened. and in the episode tonight where that girl got raped, noone would believe her or do anything until she tried killing. yeah cos thats REALLY sending the right messege to girls that get raped isnt it?

 

3: The intro. or rather, the lack of the intro. theyve done away with the awesome music to make it seem more like a ''cut to the chase'' kinda thing. but what the hell was wrong with the old intro? this new thing sucks. you know it, i know it, and ITV should know it.

well said could not agree more

I've watched The Bill ever since it started and have always liked it. Especially when it changed to 2 x 1 Hour shows per week.  The show was so sucessful it was winning awards including BAFTA's.  So why oh why would they change it??  The new format sucks.  The theme tune is pants and the picture quality is rubbish and even the actors seem to have got rubbish.  I can't believe the actors are the same people.

What's wrong with leaving it as a light hearted crime drama.  There's enough gritty crime dramas on TV so why did they have to copy them.

I hope ITV are proud to admit they've made a mistake and change it back to the old format.  No doubt this will never happen as they've spent too much money advertising the new format.

I'm sure the only thing that's going to happen is for  the viewing figures to drop dramatically and ventually the show will disappear from our screens completely.

Come on ITV sort it out!!  Revert back ASAP!!!!

i USED to be a big fan of the bill. However the new style is RUBBISH!! what have they done!! i am extreamly upset!!! please bring back the old bill! one thing is for sure untill they do my tv will not be programed in to itv on a thursday EVER AGAIN!!

THE NEW BILL IS ABSOLUTLEY ####

i don't normally register to these sorts of forumns.

however this time i felt I had to just to show the donkey who thought it would be a good change what I feel. I barley watch any tv but would always watch the bill. I used to watch it so much as it was fast paced, unique in the way it was made, had fantastic actors and it was as real as possible leaving the viewer unable to change, even during the commercials. I watched the new bill for the 1st time on thursday and that was the 1st time i've ever turned it off as I was bored after 13 minuites and couldn't stand any more after 20.  I find it strange how every director now is using the same style, it now looks exactly like the street on BBC, show us that your not all mindless sheep. What about the awfull music, the idea is,if the music is wright the viewer isn't meant to notice it at all. Instead the music stuckout so much it was crazy and it would just stop and start for no reason.

Please ITV show us that you listen to the people and bring back the real bill. The alternative is to watch your ratings tumble.

How to destroy a successful programme.

1. Cut out half the cast and only have two uniforms in view in any one episode

2. Work with one thin story line for each 60 minute episode

3. Use lots of fill in shots of thoughtful faces , street scenes and cars

4. Use 'moody' music when the characters have run out of dialogue 

You have completely ruined one of the best tv shows.  I used to watch regularly and know that each episode would provide complex interwoven plot lines, strong characterisation  and would never be afraid to tackle difficult topics from a number of angles.  Now we have a sub standard poor quality 'detective' series and I shall not bother to watch again.  When I tuned in last week the only reason I knew that it was connected with The Bill was that some of the outstanding cast were on view - all looking vaguely embarrassed at what they were being asked to do.  I do not know which Herbert with the flash red braces planned all this but they do not deserve to keep their job!!  Back to New Tricks on a Thursday night for this family.

The Bill used to be one of the very few shows that I watched. I liked it because it was different to most of the other americanised cop shows that get rammed down our throats.

Now there is no difference.

We have poor picture quality, usually taken in the dark with poor lighting, unsuitable and unnecessary music and camera shots and angles that should come with a health warning. Perhaps it's a ploy to get us all to change to HD.

Or a plan to reduce veiwing figures to zero.

I have not watched the Bill for a few years, although have recently watched repeats on Alibi and Watch, my interest had been stirred and so I thought I would give ITV a go.  OH MY!  Who was the bright spark who put together the idea of changing the Bill so dramatically?  It is absolutely AWFUL!   I feel someone has been watching FAR TOO MANY shows like CSI, LAW & ORDER...When will TV makers realise that we are NOT in America and object to programmes trying to emulate US Television.  A few things VERY wrong with the bill...

1.  The theme tune - The Bill tune was as part of the show as were the characters!  The new theme tune (and I use that term loosely, because it doesn't even really sound like a tune!) is dismal to say the least.  

2. The Uniforms - Part of a police station is to have uniformed officers.  In the three episodes I have seen, there seem to be few of them and it is tending to focus far too much on CID!  

 3. Incidental Music???? - What is that all about?  It just doesn't sit right with The Bill.  Whilst some good incidental music may heighten atmosphere (Mostly used in US shows), the bad bad incidental sounds used in The Bill just do not work.

4. The lighting - What is with having the police station so dark????  Someone please get Sunhill some lightbulbs!

5. Characters - I have no problem with the current police characters, they are great, but now we don't seem to be getting great criminal characters, in fact it seems we focus completely on the CID investigating than we do getting to know the crimes and the characters properly.  

Some advice.  I recently watched the first series of the Bill on DVD, which I have to say was brilliant.  I realise policing has changed, social attitudes have changed etc, but perhaps the makers of the Bill should take a good look at the early days of the Bill.  Perhaps that will remind them of why it became so popular.  We got to know the characters, the place they worked, the local thugs and petty criminals, the estates, the informants.  That was what made the Bill.  A fully round and interesting look at life within Sunhill.  

I won't be watching the 'new' Bill now.  It is horrible.  A pity because I am sure that the actors are doing, as ever, their best.  The scripts now just seem laboured and boring to be frank. 

I remember reading about the producers getting rid of some of the old coppers (tony stamp being the one I remember) and I know that all policemen have to retire, but why don't they give us some more coppers with character instead of a load of children looking pretty.  I want to see a police drama, not a cheap and badly done US Crime show rip-off.  Policing in the UK is VERY different to U.S. policing.  

ITV Producers....keep the Bill BRITISH!