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Hi StevenR61706,

Yep, I also love Shoestring. I think the edits originate from the BBC repeats of the show when they aired in the afternoons several years ago mainly due to content.
I think Alibi have had 2 problems. They have to cut out material due to content but they have the added problem of fitting it into an hour slot with at least 3 sets of adverts to accommodate hence some extensive editing.

As far as I'm concerned every episode had cuts made to some extent and I'd be surprised if any of the episodes went out fully intact.

According to Wikipedia Shoestring was due to be released on DVD in 2005 but the legal issues with the music rights made it far too expensive to be viable.

Hi All,

Yep, after the last episode the announcer said that The Bill was taking a short break and would return in September!

Hi MM95672,

I know what you mean. It was also handy when they had a final repeat of the episode at 6pm but that disappeared a couple of weeks ago!!

Hi MatthewP31644,

They've dropped the 6pm screening of The Bill. You can only catch it at the new times of 8am and 11am

The episodes from 1999 are great, especially Carver's alcohol storyline. That comes to a head on Monday (March 9th) and Tuesday (March 10th)! Catch it if you can. It was my fave storyline in The Bill.

Hi Abby,

Yep, I don't remember him having an affair but he had a fight with Beech and hit his head on a rock and died.

Burnside had all the best lines in The Bill.

Thanks for running the 1999 series of The Bill. It's hard to believe that only Tony Stamp and Jack Meadows are the only 2 characters still around in todays ITV1 episodes!

Loving 1999 though and my favourite storyline's coming up in the next week or 2 as Jim Carver spirals downwards into alcoholism (and Burnside pops up for the storyline too). Fantastic acting from Mark Wingett and the best acting I've seen in all my time of watching The Bill.
Try and catch it if you can!

Hi Abby,

Yep, Shoestring's disappeard from Alibi again.
So glad they showed 'Dangerous Game' though.

Wasn't too well myself on Sunday/Monday but thank goodness I'll be fine for Thursday..fingers crossed!!!

I'm sure you'll get all your Xmasy things sorted before the 25th!!!

Do you remmember The Cult Of Sunday Night TV on BBC4?

Well they're re-running the whole series again every night from December 28th.
Shoestring is on Monday 29th but it's at 2am.
You should get the half hour documentary( with interviews with all cast members and writers) followed by the episode 'Mocking Bird'

Hope Xmas treats you well!
Not sure when I'm back 'cos the library closes on Wednesday!

Have fun.
Ian

Hi Abby,

I certainly will try to catch more of Trevor in WTD.

I'm feeling really hard done by at the moment as I cant watch any of Alibi's daytime output...But I checked the schedule and it looks like the final Shoestring episode 'The Dangerous Game' will air either on Monday or Wednesday which is great as it's a fab episode to watch at Xmas!! Not sure if it was planned or just a fluke though!!

Regarding the 'budget' on Return Of The Saint... I didn't know it had one!!! lol

I know exactly what you mean though. I always think in the days pre video, serials like this were made to be viewed once only and they thought they could get away with those types of anomalies(<
Hope Christmas isn't getting you too stressed out.
Should be back on in the next few days.
Catcha later.

Ian

Hi Abby,

Wow David McCallum...that IS a 'claim to fame'

I don't think anyone actually knew what the heck Saphire and Steel was all about!! I reckon the writers were on drugs when it came to script writing! It used to freak me out.
Wasn't it funny that David McCallum had a 'Purdy' pudding bowl hair-cut alongside Joanna Lumely!!!

Trevor has definately aged well. He was cool in Shoestring but I like him as Boyd... my 'stubble beard's' has that hint of grey in it these days!!! But I must see more Waking The Deads...


Catcha soon.

Ian

Hi Abby,

No I didn't see Waking The Dead...
I really should watch more of Trevor in the 21st century!!!

As you say, Alibi are fairly consistent in their re-runs!!!

I was just thinking, if they stick to the schedule, they might be running Shoestring's final episode ('Dangerous Game') around Christmas time...That would be great!
Whatever happens that's what I'm watching on Christmas Eve anyway!!!

(DO YOU REMEMBER SAPPHIRE AND STEEL???) Spooky!!!!

Bye for now,

Ian

Hi Abby,

Managed to catch the last 2 Shoestring episodes.
In 'I'm a Believer'...Oh Dear! How great would it be to join the Sunshine People??? (Not)
I'll just give all my worldly goods to some dodgy cult crook and I'll find inner peace!!!!!
Shouldn't really take the mick 'cos lot's of folk have been conned into this type of thing over the years with tragic consequences on occasions.

On a lighter note, todays episode 'Room With A View' was such fun if only for the fabulous actress Madoline Thomas who played Eddie's 'sidekick' Lettie Ross.

I did a check on her and did you know she was 90 years old when she played that part!!!
She was fantastic for her age. Sadly she passed away in late December 1989 just a few days before her 100th birthday.

Got to go for now

Ian

Hiya Abby,

I once heard that Bergerac couldn't swim!! That's why Eddie had the upper hand...come to think of it I'm not sure if Eddie was a very good swimmer either!! Lol


I was 9 yrs old when 'Return Of The Saint' was first broadcast in 1978 and it's the opening titles that still intrigue me....
The stick man's meant to be 'The Saint' but that was something I just used to accept as a kid (Never questioned anything when I was wee!).

"The name's Templer...Simon Templer"....as Ian Ogilvey looked up to his 'Halo'....Priceless stuff.
Watching now as a mature adult (Ha ha) I find the opening titles are the highlight of the epiodes!!!...and weren't most of them filmed outside the UK (France or Italy??)

Hey but how cool would it have been if it HAD been about a cartoon stick man with a halo??
And he does all these cool things like jumping off the bridge and 'swimming' onto a boat...and the sunglasses!!!!!!

That's great news Abby,

Wow they don't give you any warning!!!

What's the time-slot?...Have they given 'Big Jim' the heave-hoe or have they ditched Simon Templer???

I'm on a course at the moment so can't see any morning or afternoon TV!!!

Hi BrianK78051

The BBC didn't actually cancel Shoestring....Trevor Eve decided to leave after the second series.

I agree with your Bergerac comment...He never really did it for me either...He was always gonna 'batter' the baddies...Eddie was a vulnerable character, and I guess, that's why I liked him!

Yep Abby,

I take your point. Where else would we get the chance to watch all of these fab programmes if it wasn't for the cable networks?

I think I should watch this Lynley programme at some point!! Doesn't sound like I'll be able to make any sense of it though!!

Hi Abby,

I know what you mean but isn't it a shame that viewers who pay a subscription for a service have to "hope for the best" regarding any sort of programme continuity?

When Alibi was UKTVDrama, I used to watch Doctor Who (Ok, it was only for nostalgiac reasons!!!).
But it was like you said with Lynley, (which I've never had the chance to watch so far)they would jump episodes from different stories...Eg. many Who's were 4 episodes long. Drama would show prt 1 of a story and the next night show part 3 of a completely different story only to return to the original story a few days later!!!

I'm sure Alibi/UKTVDrama will have Eddie turn up one day in an episode of Waking the Dead as Boyd's long lost twin!!

Bye for now.

Hi Abby,

Not been here for a few days.

You enjoying 'Return Of The Saint'??
I really liked it when I was young but my attention span just isn't long enough these days!!!

On a similar note..Beeb 4 are running 'The New Avengers' at the moment although it keeps jumping around the schedule. I can still watch that. It was so much fun and I remember 'Purdy' being my first crush as a 7yr old!!!

Yep, I just don't watch Bergerac (Not really sure why!!)
Be prepared 'cos it ran for, I think, 10 series...

Hopefully Shoestring will be back soon...During the week the episode 'Room with a view' was shown in the information box on Virgin when, in fact, Bergerac was showing!!!

Shoestring!!!! Can't even spell..it was the shock of Alibi not showing it anymore!!!

No more Shoesring on Alibi!!!!
Can't believe they ran the show once then cut it half way through it's second run!!!!!

I'm sure they WILL show more Eddie in the future...
It's a shame that all the fans might have missed the final episodes!

Hi, Abby,

I bank with them!!! Lol

You're so right about Eddie and Erica's relationship.
It's so private and no-one really understands it..I like that and it always keeps everyone guessing!

Hee hee, The Nolans...I know what you mean...
In 'The Dangerous Game' there's great music..Kate Bush, 'December Will Be Magic Again', Stop The Cavalry' and John Lennon's 'Happy Christmas (War Is Over)' in the very last scene! That's the episode you HAVE to watch on Christmas Eve.

I think they must have added a lot of the music post production..The last episode went out on December 21st 1980 but it was filmed in October!

Anyway I gotta go soon, I'm only booked on the computer in the library for a short time.

Hi AO90023 (Do you have a name or are you only a number?)

Trevor says in an interview a while back that he would consider a kinda Shoestring follow up 20 years on kinda thing but said he wouldn't be losing sleep if it didn't happen!!

I always thought that Eddie and Erica had a really strange relationship. (Did we ever find out how they met?) They were a lot closer in series 1 compared to series 2 where Erica seemed to have other male 'friends'.

Watching series 1 again I can't believe how flirty Eddie is when he's doing his investigations...He has many of the women melting to his charms!!!

I know what you mean about the relationship between Trevor and Sue...It seems a bit love hate but I reckon they like one another really!!

Hi MichaelaA73573

Yep, I remember Shelley but when that first went out I was scared of Hywell Bennet. Not sure why but I found him scary. I guess as a 10 yr old I didn't really get the humour (or the creepy theme tune!!)

I remember The Return Of Shelley in the late 80's and my fear had disappeared by then!!!

Saw many of them on UKGold a while back and absoltuely loved it.

I did a check and the first 3 series were released on DVD last year.
It looks like a box set of all 10 series could be a future release!!

I'm alway floating around so will catch you soon!

Hi AO90023,

'Old Trevor Eve at night, shepherd's delight, young Trevor Eve in the morning, shepherd's warning'

Yep, I sometimes catch Waking The Dead..pretty heavy going though!! I pretend that it's Eddie and that's where he finally ended up after 1980 (Not sure if Eddie would have progressed from Radio West to the police force though!!)

The documentaries ran a few months back on Beeb 4. It was a series called The Cult of Sunday Night TV. It covered shows such as Howard's Way, The Onedin Line, Bergerac, Hamish Macbeth and of course Shoestring. Each show had a 30 min documentary followed by a full episode!

It was great to see all the original cast up to date.

Beeb 4 generally re-run most of their output so the series should get another run at some point.

TeranceP55116

On the main messageboard 4 topics down, other people have had a similar problem to you with recording.

Hi AO90023,

Yeah, the suit and white trainers. It must have seemed so weird to the audience back in 1979.

Much of this was down to Trevor Eve. In a documentary he says that he felt Shoestring was a bit of a left-field character and he wanted to potray him like that. He said that Eddie lived on a boat so wouldn't have nicely ironed suits..so on the first day of filming he made sure the suits (badly tied ties) and shirts (or in some cases pyjama tops!!) were crumpled and dishevelled looking.
The writer Robert Banks Stewart wasn't impressed with this at first but finally agreed it was a good idea.

I also agree 'bout the David Tennant point...Just change his hair a bit and give him a moustache and 'Hey Presto' Eddie!!!!



Can't comment so much on Charlie Hungerford as I said I haven't watched very much Bergerac but, from memory, Hungerford does have more of an input that poor Don Satchley ever did. He was always tearing his hair out about the lawyers closing down Radio West thanks to Eddie's investigations!!

Hi TeranceP55116 again,

Just wondered, is it only when you try to record Shoestring that this happens or perhaps only programmes on Alibi?

If you have no probs with other programmes or other channels then perhaps it could be a copyright issue!!

I've recorded all the Shoestrings from Alibi (Virgin Media) straight to VHS without any problems (except for the 5 minutes they edit out of each episode!!! but that's another rant ...see below!!)

Hi TeranceP55116,

Not sure what could be causing the problem with recording. I wouldn't have thought that copyright would cause that.
Maybe someone with a bit more know-how than me can help out!

Hello MichaelaA73573

A few months ago I borrowed the DVD of Hazell series 1 from the library and absolutely loved it...again bringing back memories of my 'forgotten' youth. (I was 9 when that originally went out in 1978).

Nicholas Ball is great in the role and, like Shoestring, only ran to 2 series!!

I heard the Nicholas wanted the next series to be 'filmed' rather than 'videod' in a similar way to how Minder was made and there was some argument about this. Also, I think Venebales was never too keen on such a young actor playing the part.

It would be the perfect series for Alibi to run..I'd never thought of it!!
Series 2 has never been released on DVD so far (as far as I know).

AO90023,

I know exactly what you mean. I'm not the biggest fan of Bergerac (Just because he 'stole' Eddie away from us!!).

Re Eddie's big mop of hair....sadly you're right, it wouldn't have done him any favours!! Lol

Charlie is quite similar to Don Satchley. I think with Bergerac the writers just switched the lines from Shoestring to Bergerac and to the 'new' characters!!!

I watch too much telly too!!

Hi AO90023,

I know what you mean Lol.
Did you know that the only reason Bergerac happened was because Trevor didn't want to continue with Shoestring and the writers had to come up with a substitute!!!
Same set-up with a private detective with issues...just a different location!

Who would win in a fight between Shoestring and Bergerac???
Physically, I guess it would be Bergerac but Eddie is far more psychological and would freak him out like a game of chess!! Lol

Glad you like the website.

It's a shame about some of the cuts made to the episodes.
Re 'Utmost Good Faith', the director, Marek Kanievska filmed two impressive scenes, Firstly when Tim Reynolds commits suicide at the beginning, the scene originally showed him falling towards the camera angle in slow motion but when it was screened this time round, he's hoisted half way up the building and it jumps to his body at the bottom!!


The other scene was with Eddie, towards the end of the episode, being threatened with the guy with the broken bottle. There's a great shot of Eddie's face looking into the end of the broken bottle...very effective!


Both scenes were cut from this episode although the end credits do show the bottle scene as a still!


I wonder if it's the content of the episodes or the duration that requires the cuts. All of Alibi's episodes have been approx. 47 mins and, in the case of 'Utmost Good Faith', a full 5 minutes were edited out of the episode.


A few months ago BBC 4 screened a 30 minute documentary in 'The Cult Of Sunday Night TV' series which featured 'The Cult Of Shoestring' with all of the regualar cast and writers being interviewed followed by a full episode..'Mocking Bird'


All the regulars and writers wanted to carry on for a 3rd and possibly 4th and 5th series but Trevor wanted to move on from Eddie to pursue theatre and film roles.
Even Michael Medwin was on the documentary (I think he's 85 now) and he really regrets that it didn't continue.

Hiya MichaelaA73573

You're so right. Some episodes of Shoestring have lots of actors that we're so familiar with (especially in 'The Dangerous Game') such as 'Pink Panther' man Burt Kwouk and the late Michael Elphick and the great Maurice (Howard's Way) Coulbourne who also died far too young as well as Eric Richard who went on to be Sgt Cryer in 'The Bill'....Goodness knows how he went from scary 'Taff' to Cryer!!!

There's a fab Shoestring web page

http:/www.eddieshoestring.com/homex.html

Tuesday November 4th even!!!

Hi AO90023,

I'm videoing them too and the final episode not yet screened (Utmost Good Faith) should be on tomorrow (Tues Nov 2nd).

According to Wikipedia both series were scheduled to be released on DVD in 2005 but problems with the high cost of music royalties put an end to this!!

All episodes that Alibi are showing are somewhat short of their original transmission times with the average episode running at 47 mins. From memory (being a 10 yr old in 1979) the episodes were originally around 50 mins plus. Some of the cuts are quite obvious especially when the break cuts in half way through a sentence!!



Like you say, at least we're getting the chance to re-live the series again and, for me, brings back great memories of being allowed to stay up on a Sunday night after my bath before back to school on Monday!!

For the record 'Mocking Bird' and 'The Dangerous Game' are my faves.

Yep, I noticed this too.
Even the announcements before each episode are referring to the wrong one in recent days!!!

I've checked and the run should end on Tuesday Nov 2nd with a re-run beginning with 'Private Ear' beginning on Nov 3rd.
This should mean that all 21 episodes should have been shown by Tuesday (all be it in the wrong order since around episode 16!!)

A shame because 'A Dangerous Game' (1 of my fave episodes and the final ever episode - broadcast Christmas 1980) might not be shown last.

The programme you're after was called 'Charles Endell Esq'. This was made in 1979 and followed Charlie Endell, having served several years in prison, return to Glasgow.

It was giving the character, originally in 'Budgie' and played by the brilliant Iain Cuthbertson, a chance to branch out on his own.

I have distant memories of this series, especially the theme tune (Which I think Iain sang!!)

Due to a strike at ITV in 1979, only 6 episodes were ever made and aired, and to my knowledge there has never been a repeat or DVD release!!

Hi gregsahorn,

Not sure what's happened to series 2 and 3 of Tenko. They screened series 1 twice in as many months but that's where they end the run.
Secret Army is enjoying a complete run of all 3 series at the moment for the 'second' time in a few months.
It may be something to do with copyright or something.
I guess we'll just have to keep an eye on the schedule!

I wonder if anyone at UKTVDrama can help.
As far as I know episode 11 ('Question Of Loyalty') of Secret Army was overlooked during the week.
Perhaps this was something to do with the content, I'm not sure. If it was simply a mistake will Drama screen this episode at a later date?

Thanks.
Ian.

The current run of Tenko ends on Monday Jan 15th. This means that once again, series 2 and 3 haven't been included.

As of Tuesday Jan 16th, Poldark has the 10am slot.

I'm only a viewer folks, nothing to do with UKTV.
It looks as if they've settled into a new weekday schedule so I can only hope that this means full runs of these series.

I remember back in 1984 sitting back on a Sunday evening watching Tenko and Just Good Friends. It's great they're back after all these years.

Deary me,
I posted this info last week. Seems nobody checks other relevant posts!

Just wondered if anyone at UKTVDrama can confirm if Just Good Friends will be screened in it's entirety including the rarely screened series 3 from 1986? Thanks.

According to the schedule, Secret Army and Tenko begin weekday screenings beginning on Tuesday January 2nd from 9am.

It seems Secret Army is being screened, again, from the very beginning (Folks might have noticed the first 6 episodes were screened in December as double episodes on Saturdays).
As regards Tenko, it's a bit unclear if it will continue with series 2 or return to the beginning!

Anyhow, hopefully we'll get a long run of both of these series.

Secret Army was originally transmitted:
Series 1 1977 16 episodes
Series 2 1978 13 episodes
Series 3 1979 13 episodes

Tenko was originally transmitted:
Series 1 1981 10 episodes
Series 2 1982 10 episodes
Series 3 1984 10 episodes
Reunion Special 1985

Didn't see it Kerry. Happy New Year (when it comes) too!

I think 'The Bill' returns in January...Hopefully!

Not sure what Beth's in next or if she's in Heartbeat next week. I only found out by chance. Loved her outfit in Heartbeat..the beret and jacket. She looked like Bonnie out of Bonnie and Clyde!!

I understand where you Peeps are coming from.
Drama showed all 10 episodes of the first series of "Tenko" and are now screening series 1 of "Secret Army"
As I said somewhere else, they'll probably go back and show series 2 of "Tenko" when they end series 1 of S.A.

To my knowledge, both shows have been screened (continually) in their entirety on previous occasions.

Who knows, they might move on to "Colditz" next!

Beth Cordingly makes an appearance playing a character called "Connie Green" in "Heartbeat" ( ITV1, 8pm, Sunday Dec 10th).

Series 2 of "Tenko" might get screened when they finish series 1 of "Secret Army" but I'd only be guessing.

Roll on Chrimbo Night!!

bookworm,

They might run series 2 of "Tenko" when they finish the first series of "Secret Army"

Hi Bookworm,

Series 1 of "Tenko" has just ended. The 10 episodes were screened as double episodes at 8am on Saturdays for the last 5 weeks and ended on December 2nd.
A re-run of "Secret Army" (Series 1) begins in the same slot from Saturday Dec 9th.

Hi Kerry,
Check this link for info on Beth.

[link]

davidtennant.

Hi There,

I'm old enough to be a fan of the older Dr Who's, I was brought up with Tom Bakers Doctor.
I think the new series is great. Was sad that Christopher Eccleston was only there for 1 series though. David Tennant is doing a great job.

Sadly, as far as I know, the new series doesn't begin until around March but the Christmas Special should be on either Christmas Day or Boxing Day..or there abouts. Can't wait!

See Ya.

Hi thomasuno,

According to the schedule, Series 1 of "Secret Army" replaces "Tenko" (Saturday Dec 9th at 8am).

I know what you mean!!

Hi Garyo72,

Do you get BBC4?
Last night (27/11) at 7.10pm they screened the first 2 parts of "Ark In Space" as an omnibus. They seem to be having a 70's season so not sure if they're gonna be showing Doctor Who for any siginficant length of time. Fingers crossed!

Sat 02/12 The Sea Devils.
Sun 03/12 The Silurians.

Sun 03/12 0245 New Earth.
0330 Tooth and Claw.

Sat 09/12 The Green Death?!?! (Again)
Sun 10/12 The Sea Devils?!?! (Again)

Sun 10/12 0215 "Girl In The Fireplace".
0305 "Rise Of The Cybermen".

That's the schedule according to UKTV Gold. It makes little sense showing stories that were shown a week earlier!!

Hi There,

Does anyone have any info of UKGold showing Hartnell or Troughton stories during the current run?

I love Pertwee but we have seen them several times before. It's a funny running order..Wonder why?
Wasn't the Daemons in black and white!!. They've already screened it in colour before so that's another mystery!

I think the planner had 1 too many when this schedule was created.

I'd love Hartnell episodes from the start. It wouldn't take that long to screen. They could get through the Troughton era in a week as there are so few remaining!!
My stories from that era were chewed up by the video so badly need a re-run.

Hav fun.

Ian.