Episode 5 Points of View

This week, you've be lining up to take aim at commentators and exclaiming, "What the Dickens!"

at a decision by BBC drama commissioners.

All that and more. Welcome to your Points Of View.

But we begin with the Bard.

Last Saturday saw the launch of the BBC's Shakespeare Festival,

a month-long celebration marking the 400th anniversary of the poet

and playwright's passing.

Kicking off the scribe's season was Shakespeare Live! from the RSC,

a nearly two-and-a-half-hour-long extravaganza broadcast

live on BBC Two,

with interpretations of Will's works, ranging from ballet to the

blues, an all-star cast crowned by a surprise thespian.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Do you mind? I hope you don't mind.

To be or not to be, that is the question.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

For most of you, it was a hit, a very palpable hit.

It was a modern, medieval variety show with ballet, rap,

opera, dancing, plus a little bit from Prince Charles, too.

What more could you ask?

Well done, BBC, celebrating Shakespeare in style.

I was absolutely gobsmacked and wiped out.

I thought it was fantastic.

Shakespeare certainly knew his bacon.

But for some of you, any praise was much ado about nothing.

I didn't think you could dumb down Shakespeare.

But BBC Two managed it.

What a complete mishmash of a programme.

Not just BBC Two getting in on the Shakespeare act last weekend either.

Over on CBeebies, stars from some of the channel's biggest shows,

such as Swashbuckle and Something Special,

were treading the boards in a performance of

A Midsummer Night's Dream, specially tailored for toddlers.

You were best to call them generally, man by man,

according to the script.

The mix of fairies, familiar faces and fun brought in rave reviews.

He's a bit of a sore subject around here this week, Kirsty.

More on him later.

Common Shakespearean themes of love and death were played

out in a modern, real-life drama on BBC Three this week.

Series three of Life And Death Row: Love Triangle

features the case of Emilia Carr,

sentenced to death by lethal injection for the kidnapping

and murder of her lover's estranged wife.

Everyone in prison will tell you they're innocent.

Either they were at the wrong place at the wrong time, they were

framed or they had a confession beat

out of them by law enforcement.

I'm actually one of those people.

Well, previous episodes of the Bafta-winning series were

a traditional 60 minutes long. This time, BBC Three chose to

drip feed this in ten-minute bite-size chunks

appearing twice a day,

and that change in format has left you frustrated.

Well, at least all eight ten-minute episodes are now

available on the BBC Three website for you.

Now, clear for takeoff on BBC Two recently, another cookery show.

After previous trips to Thailand and Turkey,

this time Rick Stein is staying closer to home, exploring

the cuisine and cafes of short-haul destinations over long weekends.

# Get those taste buds going this weekend. #

Friday's episode had Rick dip his toes in the waters

of Icelandic cooking.

But the series began in Bordeaux where, joined by his son,

the seafood loving chef took part in a marathon wine-tasting session.

Honestly, we've had so many wines now,

my mouth is like the outside of a prune, right?

I can't...I can't taste a thing!

Too many cookery shows is a common complaint amongst you,

but actually, this one slipped down nicely.

A hugely enjoyable watch.

Rick is highly engaging, as he explores both the location

and the cuisine on offer in his enthusiastic manner.

All encompassed within the food culture of his destination.

-Great viewing.

-I'm glad to see Rick Stein back on the TV again.

He's one of the most down to earth and honest TV presenters around.

Not only that, but he's a great chef.

-It is perfection.

-Also back on screen, a much-loved Northerner.

While we wait for the second series of Car Share to get

back on the road - rumours that's filming this summer -

BBC One has been reliving Peter Kay's best bits in the six-part

clip show Peter Kay's Comedy Shuffle.

Hobnobs are like Marines, Hobnobs. They're like SAS.

They're like Steven Seagal of the biscuit world, an Hobnob.

You dip an Hobnob, it's like, "Again!"

Now, some of you are bemoaning the fact that there is nothing new here.

What did he say? Hang on a minute.

But others are revelling in the chance to relive

some of Peter Kay's comedy classics.

And the series has made at least one of you reappraise your whole

view of the comedian's talents.

I haven't really been a fan of Peter in previous times,

but this mix of stand-up and clips

from previous series has converted me,

as it showcases his comedy talent.

Peter Kay's Comedy Shuffle returns on Monday night at 9.30 on BBC One.

Not making a comeback, much to your annoyance, however, this one.

Launched on Boxing Day last year in a blaze of publicity,

the 20-part, big budget drama Dickensian

was the brainchild of a former

EastEnders writer, Tony Jordan, and brought together characters

from famous Dickens novels, such as Bleak House and Oliver Twist.

But if you had been begging for more, please,

sir, you're bang out of luck.

Last week, the BBC announced Dickensian would not be

returning for a second series, and that has left some of you livid.

Including viewers Emily and Neal.

When I found out Dickensian wasn't coming back for a second series,

I was so angry because they've just given us this new, exciting,

fresh TV show, but then they've just completely withdrawn it.

-I was completely distraught, I was gutted.

-I'm sorry!

I'm sorry, so sorry!

It was just completely different to anything we've ever seen before.

You know, all these different Dickens characters coming together.

-Humbug.

-The sets were marvellous, and just the way it had been written that

made you feel for the characters, to believe in the characters.

You have stolen my heart.

And you have broken mine.

I don't think it was given a chance to live up to its full

potential because it wasn't given a regular time slot.

I think if it had been given a prime Sunday slot,

people would have flocked to it. Period drama, that's what people like.

Please, sir, I want some more.

The last episode was a real cliffhanger.

There are so many loose ends that just need to be tied up.

I just felt pain. I've got to see the next episode.

This has got to be really interesting. And it stopped.

We just want it back because it was so original.

You've got the sets, you've got the people, keep it going.

Advertise it better, keep it to one time slot.

People will start watching it.

Plenty more of you got in touch to both condemn the decision

to ditch the drama and suggest erratic scheduling was to

blame for the decline in viewing figures.

Well, the BBC issued this statement.

Hmm, I'm wondering if I might have heard that line before.

I will let IggysDen on Twitter have the last word here.

Hard times faced by the subjects of Louis Theroux's latest

documentary on BBC Two last Sunday night.

Drinking To Oblivion saw the presenter spend time at a London

hospital's specialist liver centre, getting to know

patients in the grips of alcohol addiction, like 32-year-old Joe.

-You were doing really well when we saw you.

-I was, wasn't I?

But I don't want it.

I just don't want it. I don't want it at all.

What don't you want?

To be a drunk.

It was riveting stuff, and it made for uncomfortable viewing at times.

What an absolute eye-opener on the dangers of alcoholism.

Well done, Louis.

In a society where it's become almost the norm to wine o'clock,

we seriously do need re-educating.

But, while you praised the documentaries for showing

so graphically what happens to people deep in the grip

of alcohol, some of you felt the programme was a missed opportunity.

Others criticised the documentary for failing to show it can be

possible to beat the bottle.

There is a solution,

and I was disappointed the programme didn't mention the millions

of alcoholics worldwide who are living sober and productive lives.

There is hope.

Next in the frame,

the sporting pundits you've been lining up to take a shot at.

Snooker's World Championships have been playing out on BBC Two

for the last two weeks, with a commentating team featuring

former players such as Willie Thorne, John Virgo and Stephen Hendry.

Quietly over there, please.

Well, not a bad break-off shot from Judd, just left the one red.

But their persistent patter means you've been queueing up to give

the players from the past some tips.

And you feel there is one in particular who really needs to give it a break.

Where's the cue ball going?! Behind the black? Yes!

Where's the cue ball going?!

Where's the cue ball going?

I've already used the break pun, Gavin.

Now, just in case Mr Virgo is watching,

this is how it used to be done.

-He's done it!

-CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

And finally, some barefaced cheek on BBC News.

SIREN BLARES

Ending on a bit of a bum note this week.

Whether you've spotted an on-air clanger or a show has left you

delighted, or displeased, we want to hear about it.

The best way to get in touch is to send us a video.

You can do that via our website...

Or you can of course e-mail us at...

If you prefer to put pen to paper, our address is as follows...

And finally, you can message us on Twitter, where we are...

Or through Facebook. Just search for BBC Points Of View.

We're back next Sunday at the same time, 3.45, right here on BBC One.

See you then.