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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.