Post by Flamingo on Sept 17, 2003 15:51:18 GMT
Many are waiting to see what diff C4 boss Mark Thompson will make. and what he expects from new programme director Kevin Lygo
Monday September 15, 2003
The Guardian
EXTRACT. Sorry about length
Kevin Lygo, the new director of programmes (replacing Tim Gardam), will arrive early, on November 1.
So, why does he need Lygo? "I just thought Kevin was right for Channel 4, he encapsulates Channel 4 values, Kevin's sense of mischief and fun is exactly what the channel needs, and what he will bring to everything he does. Kevin is very astute, in understanding what public service might mean, how you meet those targets too, but he's got a fundamentally rebellious streak." But here's the key: "Kevin's intuitive empathy with artists and producers, the fact he has the independent sector eating out of his hands is all very good. We will only flourish if we get the very best ideas."
Thompson looks annoyed when challenged about failing to deliver yet; 2003 was the transition. He promises that 2004's output will represent a "total revamp",
There's a belief that Channel 4 has become too buttoned-down, a bit uninspired, obsessed with slots and demographics rather than great ideas. There's also been little fresh entertainment or comedy apart from Bo' Selecta! and Derren Brown.
Then there's a worry about competition between 8-9 pm, about how long light factual entertainment moneyspinners, such as No Going Back and property shows, will continue to work because they are so easy to copy - as Lygo, the former programme director of Five, knows. "Certain light factual programmes are very thin gruel," says Thompson.
Thompson then leapt to his television set, to illustrate the critical imminent prime-time changes, a lot more drama, at 9pm on Wednesday evenings, with other series at 10pm. He played clips from two new drama series - Shameless, a seven-parter by Paul Abbott ("one of the best, most interesting dramas I have ever seen - warmer than you expect from Channel 4"), and The Deal, a dramatic reconstruction of the Gordon Brown/Tony Blair leadership "agreement". Much of the development for these and other projects took place long before he arrived. "What is happening now is we have put more money in, we've accelerated development, and commissioned a lot." A drama about lawyers (again) is in development, while Tony Garnett's World Productions has delivered a series about young nurses in Leeds.
They will be programmes older people will watch together, mind food - but not too demanding. It's a strategy that divides programmes between those that pull affluent older ABC1s and 16-34s, treating them as two distinct markets.
There are also lessons, says Thompson, from last week's surprise hit, The Games, which encouraged minor celebs like James Hewitt to train with top coaches and compete in curling and diving.
"What other television channel would try a completely untested live programme, strip it all the way through an autumn week at nine at night, plus 6pm and 11pm slots? It's a genuinely pretty potty piece of television," says Thompson proudly. It also proved a draw for male 16-34s, and was a product of internal brainstorming after BBC2's Celebrity Boxing.
Thompson will also discuss with Lygo improving "10.30pm onwards and into the late night" where there is little rhyme or reason to programming. That might even mean rescue for The West Wing. There is the looming question of whether Graham Norton will renew his deal with the channel, which ends next spring. It is also hard not to see Lygo reinforcing Channel 4's arts programmes, and checking the history sprawl.
Monday September 15, 2003
The Guardian
EXTRACT. Sorry about length
Kevin Lygo, the new director of programmes (replacing Tim Gardam), will arrive early, on November 1.
So, why does he need Lygo? "I just thought Kevin was right for Channel 4, he encapsulates Channel 4 values, Kevin's sense of mischief and fun is exactly what the channel needs, and what he will bring to everything he does. Kevin is very astute, in understanding what public service might mean, how you meet those targets too, but he's got a fundamentally rebellious streak." But here's the key: "Kevin's intuitive empathy with artists and producers, the fact he has the independent sector eating out of his hands is all very good. We will only flourish if we get the very best ideas."
Thompson looks annoyed when challenged about failing to deliver yet; 2003 was the transition. He promises that 2004's output will represent a "total revamp",
There's a belief that Channel 4 has become too buttoned-down, a bit uninspired, obsessed with slots and demographics rather than great ideas. There's also been little fresh entertainment or comedy apart from Bo' Selecta! and Derren Brown.
Then there's a worry about competition between 8-9 pm, about how long light factual entertainment moneyspinners, such as No Going Back and property shows, will continue to work because they are so easy to copy - as Lygo, the former programme director of Five, knows. "Certain light factual programmes are very thin gruel," says Thompson.
Thompson then leapt to his television set, to illustrate the critical imminent prime-time changes, a lot more drama, at 9pm on Wednesday evenings, with other series at 10pm. He played clips from two new drama series - Shameless, a seven-parter by Paul Abbott ("one of the best, most interesting dramas I have ever seen - warmer than you expect from Channel 4"), and The Deal, a dramatic reconstruction of the Gordon Brown/Tony Blair leadership "agreement". Much of the development for these and other projects took place long before he arrived. "What is happening now is we have put more money in, we've accelerated development, and commissioned a lot." A drama about lawyers (again) is in development, while Tony Garnett's World Productions has delivered a series about young nurses in Leeds.
They will be programmes older people will watch together, mind food - but not too demanding. It's a strategy that divides programmes between those that pull affluent older ABC1s and 16-34s, treating them as two distinct markets.
There are also lessons, says Thompson, from last week's surprise hit, The Games, which encouraged minor celebs like James Hewitt to train with top coaches and compete in curling and diving.
"What other television channel would try a completely untested live programme, strip it all the way through an autumn week at nine at night, plus 6pm and 11pm slots? It's a genuinely pretty potty piece of television," says Thompson proudly. It also proved a draw for male 16-34s, and was a product of internal brainstorming after BBC2's Celebrity Boxing.
Thompson will also discuss with Lygo improving "10.30pm onwards and into the late night" where there is little rhyme or reason to programming. That might even mean rescue for The West Wing. There is the looming question of whether Graham Norton will renew his deal with the channel, which ends next spring. It is also hard not to see Lygo reinforcing Channel 4's arts programmes, and checking the history sprawl.