I know we can't force the BBC to make a second series but is there any way we can make our feelings known to them? I am fascinated by this period of history and the authenticity of this show is a delight to behold. Alongside Life on Mars, it's thew best show on TV at the minute. Any ideas, anyone?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBoi1lBZAjs
No series 2? I understand the need to stop at the top, but only one series? Surely they could've done a Life On Mars and finished at 2?
I hope the people at the Beeb read the Lilies board and see the demand for a further series at the least.
From what I can gather, the Beeb reckoned it wasn't popular enough to justify a second series. I mean come on, how many episodes of "2 Pints of Lager" did they make? I don't know ANYONE who likes that show! Lilies is an instant classic, and as far as I can see, the Moss' story had only just started. Maybe just enough people aren't interested in that era of history though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBoi1lBZAjs
It's a real shame isn't it? especially when you take in the shows that are getting a second run (the dreadful Robin Hood).
I love that youtube video!
I had forgotten about that Robin Hood, wasn't it dreadful? The costumes looked as if they came from Oxfam or something. People were turning up in coyboy hats, sheepskin jackets, fleeces, and that's before we even got on to the plot! I know it's only supposed to be a bit of fun, but they could have made SOME sort of effort. Robin of Sherwood in the 80's was a far slicker programme.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBoi1lBZAjs
The decision was very weird. The show did get 4.5m viewers which isn't that bad at all actually, especially considering it was against Celebrity Big Brother etc And the show scored 88 on the BARB Appreciation Index which is extremely high.
There's a bit of a scandal brewing it seems about this. The Liverpool Echo reports that they have seen a memo from Peter Fincham, the BBC 1 controller, saying to scrap Lilies because the viewers were 'largely older and predominantly working-class.' It's created a stir and the BBC denies it etc. Wikipedia also says the show was axed for not attracting younger viewers.
Who really knows what's going on? Either way, the BBC has not listened to its viewers (note the tonnes of messages on the Lilies web site wanting a 2nd series) which is bad enough in my opinion. And I feel they never supported the show from the outset with poor promotion and silly scheduling.
I have written to Peter Fincham, Jane Tranter and George Dixon at the BBC, because I feel strongly that the Beeb shouldn't keep axing the good stuff, and keeping the dross - and oh yes, wasn't Robin Hood DREADFUL?!
http://screenstories.blogspot.com
I'm going to e-mail the Beeb too. I doubt it will do any good, but it can't do any harm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBoi1lBZAjs
@garboventures
"There's a bit of a scandal brewing it seems about this. The Liverpool Echo reports that they have seen a memo from Peter Fincham, the BBC 1 controller, saying to scrap Lilies because the viewers were 'largely older and predominantly working-class.' It's created a stir and the BBC denies it etc. Wikipedia also says the show was axed for not attracting younger viewers. "
The problem is it isn't the first thing that springs to mind when a young viewer thinks "something to crash in front of". It's designed to cater for a younger audience, and it's plots and where they go could hold water with the younger audience too. The problem is, if it doesn't attract enough younger viewers, is that it isn't advertised the right way. Anyone remember the saga of Arrested Development? It was the show the US Fox network kept winning awards for, but could never get the advertising right. It was canned.
If the younger audience had a few hours with May, Ruby and Iris, and saw May especially sleeping with her boss, and the romance surrounding it, I'm sure they would have held that demographic better. All historical dramas tend to get pushed the same way (at least in Australia)- "a drama about such and such a time and these are the people who it's about". Like, for most younger people...who cares? It could be just group of actors and their director pontificating about issues that were relevant 80, 100, 200 years ago. Now, if you say "scandal" and you say WHY it's a scandal, you might have a better shot at hooking them.
I'm 22 and didn't see the first episode and the second one I only really hooked into about half way through. I was then glued. As I say, for viewers, it's probably a matter of ensuring exposure. And it sounds like in the UK at least the BBC pitted it against a youth magnet. So what REALLY did they expect?
Yes, Robin Hood was appalling!
(I wrote this on another post and then realised the comment was back here) ...
How that got a 2nd series beggars belief. And how they could then ignore the quality of Lilies and the many, many fans desperate for a 2nd series is absurd.
http://screenstories.blogspot.com
HOW CAN I COPE IF I NEVER FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS TO IRIS AND RUBY AND MAY? AND THE BABAY AD BILLY AND DADA?
MY LIFE IS OVER...........
Russell can't be with us tonight...he's in Guantanamo Bay
There is so much potential for this series!! How can they not make another series?!? This is what I pay my lisence fee for! not crap like robin hood or more reality rubbish. I watched the interview with Jane Tranter on BBC news website...she cant even answer the question of why Lilies was axed, just keeps saying how much she loved it and so did peter fincham. Well why was it axed then?? doesnt make any sense....some kind of hidden agenda here.
shareSO ANNOYED THEY ARE NOT MAKING A SECOND SERIES.
that was the most amazing program, the script was beautiful, the actors were all brilliant, it was really realistic.... arrrggghh *kills the BBC*
i seriously hope they realise how many people want to see a second series! xx
Yes, it is strange that they cannot offer us any explanation. Most especially seeing as there is overwhelming support for this show - thousands of emails asking for a 2nd series.
Very strange.
I also think they never wanted the show to succeed, judging by the poor promotion and time-slot they gave the show.
It is actually the duty of the BBC as a public service broadcaster to explain their actions.
http://screenstories.blogspot.com
I emailed peter Fincham, jane tranter etc. I had the 'standard' reply from Peter Fincham, which still offered no real explanation. And have not heard from Jane Tranter.
On other message boards some people have been saying they are contacting the BBC Trust. I was wondering if anyone here has done that, and if they have heard back from them??
BBC have not updated comments on the offical site,and are closing Lilies threads on the points of view messageboard as well!!! Seems they are trying to silence us....
Fan protest saves US show Jericho.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6729411.stm
I'm very late to this. I am assuming that no coherent answer was given about why this was axed.
The BBC is accountable to its licence fee payers, surely. If they did indeed end it because of its demographic, then they should have had the courage to say so and to explain why they didn't go down the route of marketing it to the under 60s and to the middle classes (who watch Call the Midwife in droves, by the way).