was quite excited, Waiting for the start of the "all new BILL" ITV 1 2100. was quite happy with the new time too. but as I write this now at 2130 its for dissapointment.

I honestly thought I was watching some american crap on 5US or something, no start theme the plot is lost.

After the introduction of the start of the BILL we first see the sponsorship for it and this time it was some stuff for you toilet that sounds like what the toilet is for just that the P has been replaced with a B, then we have some sort of film intro! no no no did not mean that we did not get an intro, well we did as i forementioned the toilet stuff, 

  The BIll used to be very realistic now very very unrealistic, its no longer like seeing a video of real life bobbys on the beat. now it is like a very very poor American pilot to start a series just hoping that it may get a following. what the hell is the odd strike of useless music about. WE ARE BRITISH we get it we are not American and dont need a piece of music to let us know a point. Believe us when we say our fantastic cast of actors can do that we dont need a strike score of music. we are not watching a film here, we get it, we have been watching it for 30 years, well until today anyway.

The writers still may have it, The actors are still the best even though it now looks wooden acting on cam coz of the way its filmed, Producers have deffo lost it and should be replaced (if they are responsible for the current changes.)

 

SORRY guys but after being a Lifelong fan from when I was only 14 you have lost me. I dont mind change just not destruction of what was once one of the best things on TV. Just tuned to LA law on 5 US or is it the BILL? I get confused. RIP the BILL

 

Changing the BILL to the new format will quicken itv's failure, the bill used to be a brilliant show but thursdays new format was dire with annoying music throughout.

don't know if I will bother watching it again and will lok at box sets of all the old series of the bill, sweeny etc.

 

another ex viewer

I'm sorry guys but I really must agree with the previous post.

 The music is atrocious and its use during scenes is intrusive and annoying. Panning in and out of shots diminishes rather than adds to the overall effect and although it will be interesting to see how the new series develops I can only offer a score of 2/10 on present showing.

Rather than The Bill it seemd that I was watching CSI Tower Hamlets. If I want American cop shows I have a plethora from which to choose. The real attraction of The Bill has, for me, always been its distinctive British flavour, now sadly lost. This is a sad way to let down a great cast of first class actors.

 I shall continue watching while the new format beds in but suspect that in me you have, before long, lost another long term viewer.

I totally agree with you about the continual music - for me it removed the sense of "reality" that the programme always had. And whilst I can understand a new title sequence it seems crazy not to have retained the theme music - even in a re-vamped format. (The new Dr Who didn't feel it necessary to totally change theme for obvious reasons).

I was looking forward to watching it in HD but found the HD channel logo so intrusive I went back to the standard view.  Why digital channels need a logo on screen at all I don't understand - a) I KNOW what channel I am watching and b) Digital has the info button to remind you what channel you're on if for some reason you forget!!

If they HAVE to show a logo then take lessons from the BBC whose HD logo is so transparent it almost disappears.

I did hear one reason for the revamp was due to interest from US - so maybe  ITV is pandering to the US market at the expense of then UK viewers.

old time fan:

I'm sorry guys but I really must agree with the previous post.

 The music is atrocious and its use during scenes is intrusive and annoying. Panning in and out of shots diminishes rather than adds to the overall effect and although it will be interesting to see how the new series develops I can only offer a score of 2/10 on present showing.

Rather than The Bill it seemd that I was watching CSI Tower Hamlets. If I want American cop shows I have a plethora from which to choose. The real attraction of The Bill has, for me, always been its distinctive British flavour, now sadly lost. This is a sad way to let down a great cast of first class actors.

 I shall continue watching while the new format beds in but suspect that in me you have, before long, lost another long term viewer.

old time fan:

I'm sorry guys but I really must agree with the previous post.

 The music is atrocious and its use during scenes is intrusive and annoying. Panning in and out of shots diminishes rather than adds to the overall effect and although it will be interesting to see how the new series develops I can only offer a score of 2/10 on present showing.

Rather than The Bill it seemd that I was watching CSI Tower Hamlets. If I want American cop shows I have a plethora from which to choose. The real attraction of The Bill has, for me, always been its distinctive British flavour, now sadly lost. This is a sad way to let down a great cast of first class actors.

 I shall continue watching while the new format beds in but suspect that in me you have, before long, lost another long term viewer.

After watching the bill for as long as I can remeber and loving most of it throughout the years I have to say I was very sad last night when I tuned in for the new look drama.

Where do I start? I supose the theme tune or lack of it all I have to say to that is WHY ! Did the old tune have hefty royalty fees to which ITV wanted to get rid of along with a whole host of other things and people.

Then theres the first scene building up to the main event. Two coppers having a deep conversation (or at least attempting to) whilst patroling the streets of Cannley in London one dark night.

Sudenly the action starts and blow me a week plot followed by wooden acting from not only the two lads on the street who look like they are fresh faced from the grange hill school of acting but most of the full time cast members who normaly pull off some fantastic acting suddenly looking wooden (next week sponsered by B&Q fence panels).

The music although not to our liking was gritty as I suspect intended but the music did not match the story. When DI Manson came ot of the house and pulled his tie off I was reminded of Taggert in the 80s and fully expected the next scene to be Manson dswigging whisky at his desk whilst slamming a filing cabinet draw (shut it). First impressions are BAD but I am willing to give it a second and if need a third chance but I fell I may also be one of those viewers ITV looses some point soon.

Lets do the summery - what have you learned Dorothy (last nights final scenes the Bill) or at least thats what it felt like, Yes we the audience need it splling out to us as we are all stupid.

The bill is the bill (or was at least) and for some 25 years it has survived well even with little changes here and there over the years so why now go so far in my eyes to ruin such a fantastic drama as once it was.

 

 

Couldn't agree more.

I too have watched off an on from the very first episode although I'm now convinced I will soon become an ex viewer. I've already written to ITV who tell me they think its all excellent, in fact my wife and I took the view their response was the equivalent of a two fingered salute. I've now written the same to my TV mag and I can only hope that if enough people do the same we may get the British version back as opposed to the many Americanisms we now seem to have to put up with.

Hate the new film format, the characters are remote and distant, the short blasts of 'atmospheric' music are irritating, the pacy camera angles are all a distraction and it all amounts to the ruination of a great programme. I don't need grittier storylines as there are plenty elsewhere, the very enjoyment was based on a mix of lightweight storylines together with many compelling ones. I too don't mind change but this appears to be change for change sake and only serves to lessen the enjoyment.

 

 

 

I have to agree with most of the previous comments I am life long fan of The Bill (well until now) I used to like the different story lines going on in one episode, but now it focuses on one storyline and not so much on the characters. Hate the music, I agree it's too american. Basically I think it should go back to 8.00pm and back to the old format, it is a case of it worked don't change it. They tried to change it a years ago by making it a half hour show that didn't work and this isn't working either. Please, Please bring back the old Bill.

I used to be a big fan of The Bill and watched yesterday's episode for the first time in ages and was very dissappointed, it has totally lost its edge, the acting was quite poor.  Bring Back Reg Hollis!