Originally Posted by Chris (Post 35990046)

What a lot of classic TV suffers from, many years later, is their producers’ aversion to using extras and other tricks to make their worlds look populated. They typically filmed on location in mid-summer at stupid o’clock in order to get completely empty streets - better for controlling the composition of the shot - but then, for reasons of budget and time constraints, didn’t artificially refill the scene with passers by, other vehicles, etc. The result is that the worlds they created tend to look flat and artificial when compared to even fairly modest modern productions which are a lot better at adding texture to the finished product.

Originally Posted by Maggy J (Post 35990079)

Not a problem in Callan. Most of the outdoor scenes are tightly shot on the main characters and there a lot of indoor scenes.

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35990085)

Shame they wiped a lot of the first 2 (b&w) series. Although I'm sure there.are.some available that TP haven't shown. Wonder why? Maybe not broadcastable quality, not that that usually stops them.

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35990098)

Possibly, although TP did show a few isolated Callan episodes from the early b/w series. However the episodes are self contained stories, unlike DW.

---------- Post added at 11:58 ---------- Previous post was at 11:55 ----------

I'm just happy the Steptoe and Son writers had the foresight to record all their episodes on one of the earliest recorders, ensuring all episodes survive. Unusual for a series from that time.

---------- Post added at 11:59 ---------- Previous post was at 11:58 ----------

Maybe we should retitle this thread to 'vintage TV series' or something similar.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35990335)

The trouble is that people might now think that it refers to the music channel called Vintage TV that closed fairly recently (but is said to be returning).

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35990335)

The trouble is that people might now think that it refers to the music channel called Vintage TV that closed fairly recently (but is said to be returning).

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35990297)

A good idea methinks as there are plenty of us oldies on this forum.;)

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35990435)

You don't have to be old to appreciate good TV Den ;). All that glitters doesn't necessarily have to be in UHD, or indeed in colour. Content, actors and script are everything.

Originally Posted by Mr K;35990435[B

]Sitcoms in particular, we just don't to be able to do any longer. Thats why Gold is so popular with Dad's Army, Steptoe, Only Fools, Fawlty Towers etc.[/B] The BBC has tried recently with Hold the Sunset (John Cleese), and Warren (Martin Clunes), but they've been awful.

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35990435)

The BBC has tried recently with Hold the Sunset (John Cleese), and Warren (Martin Clunes), but they've been awful.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35990437)

That is because the people the BBC have who are commissioning these new sitcom comedy series seem to think that what is funny and great comedy to them will then appeal to a large section of the TV populace.

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35990441)

At least they tried, most other channels seem to have given up on sitcoms. The only half decent one is maybe Trollied on Sky, still not a patch on the classics though.

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35990441)

Maybe they were of their time, can't be recreated and the quality of writer isn't around any longer. Also the danger of offending anybody these days doesn't help creativity.