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'The Bill' resets its ep numbers
Published Wednesday, Jun 17 2009, 10:38 BST | By Kris Green | 11 comments
From the beginning of next month, ITV's flagship police drama The Bill will reset its episode numbers.
The production team will roll back the numbering to 001 from its July 8 episode, entitled 'Conviction: Breaking Point'. Bizarrely, this is the third instalment of a six-episode storyline run.
The first episode of the 'Conviction' series begins on Wednesday, July 1, when the Sun Hill serial begins airing in HD.
However, I'm told that even when the ep counter is reset, episodes still won't air in numerical order!
The production team will roll back the numbering to 001 from its July 8 episode, entitled 'Conviction: Breaking Point'. Bizarrely, this is the third instalment of a six-episode storyline run.
The first episode of the 'Conviction' series begins on Wednesday, July 1, when the Sun Hill serial begins airing in HD.
However, I'm told that even when the ep counter is reset, episodes still won't air in numerical order!
Your Views
11 Comments
Your Responses
Scott Napier, on July 2nd, 2009
I kinda understand why Graham Cole was dropped. Anyway, I watched it last night and Talkback Thames confirmed it was progressive HD. The interlaced state is now gone (sadly, for me) and it's now looking like Casualty in the police force. Trying to get used to it. Despite claims of a new theme, it's actually playing the one from 2003-2006.
I kinda understand why Graham Cole was dropped. Anyway, I watched it last night and Talkback Thames confirmed it was progressive HD. The interlaced state is now gone (sadly, for me) and it's now looking like Casualty in the police force. Trying to get used to it. Despite claims of a new theme, it's actually playing the one from 2003-2006.
Emily, Poole, on June 27th, 2009
It will be interesting to see what the new episodes are like, but it seems odd to me to reset the episode counters - no-one really pays attention to them anyway and I don't know why they're not resetting them on July 1st when everything else is changing! Its a shame they've got rid of PC Tony Stamp too - he was a great character who brought a bit more 'normal' to the show! As for the eps being HD - is this on the normal ITV1 or is there an ITV HD channel?
It will be interesting to see what the new episodes are like, but it seems odd to me to reset the episode counters - no-one really pays attention to them anyway and I don't know why they're not resetting them on July 1st when everything else is changing! Its a shame they've got rid of PC Tony Stamp too - he was a great character who brought a bit more 'normal' to the show! As for the eps being HD - is this on the normal ITV1 or is there an ITV HD channel?
Jamie Price, Neath, on June 19th, 2009
The Bill production team told me that on July 1st, the show will have brand new opening titles and new theme song. I'm looking forward to see how it's going to look.
The Bill production team told me that on July 1st, the show will have brand new opening titles and new theme song. I'm looking forward to see how it's going to look.
Faye, Devon, on June 18th, 2009
That's just confusing! And it's a bit stupid! :-P
That's just confusing! And it's a bit stupid! :-P
Maisie Hutt, on June 18th, 2009
This should not happen at all!!! It's going to be so wrong.
This should not happen at all!!! It's going to be so wrong.
Alex, Essex, on June 17th, 2009
Thats a bit confusing but as long as the episodes are to a good standard then I don't mind.
Thats a bit confusing but as long as the episodes are to a good standard then I don't mind.
Miss AP Miller, Devon, on June 17th, 2009
The Bill consists of characters who look as though they should still be at primary school. It's a load of rubbish and why it's still on screen is beyond me. It's about time it was axed.
The Bill consists of characters who look as though they should still be at primary school. It's a load of rubbish and why it's still on screen is beyond me. It's about time it was axed.
Scott Napier, East Kilbride, on June 17th, 2009
Seems bizarre indeed! Episodes were officially called by their number from 2002 (and in 2007, episode names were given), and now it's about to be reset? I'm curious to know what this new "grittier" 9pm set-up for the programme will be. Maybe swearing, more violence or what I dread to be shooting in film-mode instead of the traditional interlaced state which makes it look real. Episodes not airing in numerical order seems even more weird! How is a continuing storyline going to cope?
Seems bizarre indeed! Episodes were officially called by their number from 2002 (and in 2007, episode names were given), and now it's about to be reset? I'm curious to know what this new "grittier" 9pm set-up for the programme will be. Maybe swearing, more violence or what I dread to be shooting in film-mode instead of the traditional interlaced state which makes it look real. Episodes not airing in numerical order seems even more weird! How is a continuing storyline going to cope?
Glenn, Ireland, on June 17th, 2009
I don't know why they give out the episode numbers at all, as they've run out of sequence for some time now and tend to confuse people into thinking the episodes are airing out of order. They're only really useful to the production team themselves!
I don't know why they give out the episode numbers at all, as they've run out of sequence for some time now and tend to confuse people into thinking the episodes are airing out of order. They're only really useful to the production team themselves!
Christopher J Mahoney, UK, on June 17th, 2009
The times that ITV mess with the Bill is incredible no respect for the viewer or the cast. The other poor point is that The Bill cannot be watched on ITV online, so as there are no repeats. If you miss it, tough luck. Once again, no thought for the viewer. Before worrying about HD, how about putting this programme out on all formats? Come on ITV give the viewers a chance.
The times that ITV mess with the Bill is incredible no respect for the viewer or the cast. The other poor point is that The Bill cannot be watched on ITV online, so as there are no repeats. If you miss it, tough luck. Once again, no thought for the viewer. Before worrying about HD, how about putting this programme out on all formats? Come on ITV give the viewers a chance.
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I am not sure I like this look. I have a new HD TV, but I think this HD look, "distances" The Bill feel, from being on the streets. Its feels more set-up. I always thought the odd episode, that has been shown in HD, in the past, looked odd?... Was always glad to see it back to the old look, when it returned. Am hoping I get used to it, because I ADORE The BILL. Also hope, the new format does not mess it up, and KEEP TONY STAMP!!!