"The Bill" was solid drama series that kept itself grounded in reality from the time it first aired in 1983 until 1997. In 1998, the show began to shift it's outlook towards the personal lives of it's characters. Things got a little melodramatic (the whole Quinnan/Garfield love triangle storyline is a prime example) but the program was still anchored to real life. In 2002, the series adopted a serialized format and changed from police drama to cop soap. As such the influx of love affairs, bent/psycho coppers not to mention the death toll dramatically increased and whilst ratings were high, the credibility factor got strained noticeably. An attempt was made to get the series back on track in it's later years but declining ratings saw the show fall out of favour with viewers and the program ended in 2010.
Couldn't agree with you more, my friend. When the show first started, it was very good. They brought in a group of talented, unknown actors, and that was good. The stories were good too, and quite believable. But after 2002, I got so frustrated with the over dramatic stories, I stopped watching. It all got quite silly. Shame really. My own personal favourite tv cop show, has to be 'A Touch Of Frost'. It might be lacking the rough and tumble of 'The Bill', but at least they have the balance of drama, credibility, and humour right. And for me, that's what makes a good cop show.
This sort of thing is what has ruined a many great shows of the years. Apparently 'London's Burning' also went down this route. If I wanted to watch people's personal dramas I'd watch a soap. :/
@@davewhiteside6698 This old Bill fan couldn't agree more. Back in the day, the Bill had the balance right (just like A Touch of Frost) and then the show changed writers/producers and it all turned to sh*t. Someone fixed it for the last two series and then the show got cancelled.
@@Tozzywozzy01 Amen to that. Somehow, after a brilliant 12 series, the Bill got turned from an unmissable police procedural drama (which, apparently, even the real London police approved of) into soap where the totally ridiculous personal lives of the officers took over any real police work. Shame.
@@SleepExports I excepted its passing years later, at the time - no, however life and time moves on 9 years on, I have read of its return as SUN HILL, unsure how far they, whoever they am with talks, wondering what they use as a fake police station.
They currently have series 1-5 all up right now as well as daily showing 'new' episodes of series 21 for legal streaming on on itv's uktvplay.com website. Again I would like to remind everyone uktvplay.com is ITV's FREE AND LEGAL STREAMING SITE: The Bill: The Early Years (unfortunately the 'Woodentop' Pilot episode is not included) can be seen from Series 1, Episode 1 here - uktvplay.uktv.co.uk/shows/bill-early-years/watch-online/6152011929001?autoplaying=true The Bill: Series 21 [the 'newest' episode currently available] - uktvplay.uktv.co.uk/shows/the-bill/watch-online/6152789740001
What's not to love about Smithy and Callum? Meanwhile Trudie Goodwin and Graham Cole are still lovely to this day and are helping to keep the Bill alive for fans. xx
My mum worked on the nights the bill was on. My great Nana would babysit me and we'd watch the bill and eat Afterates. Some of the best memories I have . RIP NANA X
Glad Smithy was made Insp he came along way from cocky PC then a grounded Sgt/Insp always reminded me of a young Bob Cryer And Jack Meadows always will be the Govnr glad he became a Supt again always one of my favorites
they wont bring it back, a lot of the actors have said that it should be left where it is and that they wouldnt want to be on it if it did make a return, they have moved on now.
The bill was the only show when i was really young that my parents use to let me stay up later and watch with them and boy what wonderful memories i got of those times, my dad sadly no longer here though. The early years were and always will be the best, it went terrible when they adopted the stupid soap opra style which is what killed London's burning and i'm amazed the bill didn't get finished off to by it. Fair enough the series got back to somewhat normal a little while later then sadly they made it go too CSI like which spoiled it fair enough they tried to capture the gritty and dark moments of the early years but it just didn't work out. I know it's rumoured to be coming back in some format but i can't see it working that well in this day of age, they would have to be careful not to offend snowflakes and that means we won't get great characters like burnside or dez.
It is hard to believe that viewing figures were so low that the show had to end because it is still the greatest police drama on TV to this very day but I guess that's why it ended? It's like a chicken and egg situation because I often think that the reason less people watch TV nowadays than before is not because of the internet and Netflix but because there is nothing on worth watching. If The Bill was still around and was as good as it was then I for one would be watching it. The writing managed to capture real life and combine it with TV entertainment perfectly and probably better than any other show. It was certainly up there.
God the Bill went downhill fast. Everything b4 the glossy remake in the 2000's was class everything after not so much. Howling at their insistence on keeping it real.....some of the storylines towards the end were ridiculous beyond belief, a shame cause in it's hey day it was untouchable.
@Qasim Hussain just thought they were grittier and had some great storylines. The serial killer, Zane's corruption, the kidnapping that took Jack Meadows to Germany, Cathy Bradford storyline, Gabriel Kent. I found the characters more rounded, Smithy, Manston, etc
For me, the Bill went from unmissable to unwatchable at about Series 13. But there is no doubt it got its mojo back for the final 2 series before it ended. Personally, I will never forgive the writers for sticking Jim Carver back in uniform and turning him from a bright, fun young DC into a shambolic alcoholic. And I'll also never forgive them for killing off Cass Rickman. Then there were the station psychos Gabriel Kent, Tom Chandler, Kathy Bradford - and they are just off the top of my head. It's not the only brilliant show that went pear-shaped when new writers/producer fuc*ed up the storylines but it's hard to deny that while it was good, it was great.
The white Cortina rolling onto its's roof was Series 2 Episode 7 'Ringer' , the Jag crashing into the white Ford was Series 10 Episode 106 'Instant Response' , and the blue Maestro crashing into the heap of rubbish and then driving off was Series 13 Episode 55 'Split Second'. I uploaded 'Instant Response' a few weeks back.
Interesting that the most disliked policeman towards the end, Max Carter played no part whatsoever in the documentary. I disliked his character so much!
@Timekeeper1200 - That is an excellent question. Corrie has been rubbish for years and yet it is still going. The Bill turned to sh*t after Series 12/13 and then eventually redeemed itself for its last 2 series. No one knows how Coronation Street survives but those of us who were fans from the 1970s haven't watched it for years.
Chris simmons is in hollyoaks Don beach went to eastenders and died Smithy holby city Not meany british shows like thid all amrrican rubbish now a days
Good job this isn't going anymore. It would have to highlight two tier policing and more corruption within the metrocommical. Not to mention protests and terrorist sympathiser flags in every episode. I hate to think of having to write the script's in the current climate....🙄
The Bill will never be forgotten
brilliant bring the bill back miss it loads
Me too. I'd love to see it from the pilot (again). But like most of us, I don't want to pay to watch it.
I worked on it as as runner floor assistant.. Best job I ever had
The best TV Police drama ever. UKTV drama still show it today. And those who do thumbs down have no taste and are probably sick.
"The Bill" was solid drama series that kept itself grounded in reality from the time it first aired in 1983 until 1997.
In 1998, the show began to shift it's outlook towards the personal lives of it's characters. Things got a little melodramatic (the whole Quinnan/Garfield love triangle storyline is a prime example) but the program was still anchored to real life.
In 2002, the series adopted a serialized format and changed from police drama to cop soap. As such the influx of love affairs, bent/psycho coppers not to mention the death toll dramatically increased and whilst ratings were high, the credibility factor got strained noticeably.
An attempt was made to get the series back on track in it's later years but declining ratings saw the show fall out of favour with viewers and the program ended in 2010.
Couldn't agree with you more, my friend. When the show first started, it was very good. They brought in a group of talented, unknown actors, and that was good. The stories were good too, and quite believable. But after 2002, I got so frustrated with the over dramatic stories, I stopped watching. It all got quite silly. Shame really. My own personal favourite tv cop show, has to be 'A Touch Of Frost'. It might be lacking the rough and tumble of 'The Bill', but at least they have the balance of drama, credibility, and humour right. And for me, that's what makes a good cop show.
This sort of thing is what has ruined a many great shows of the years. Apparently 'London's Burning' also went down this route. If I wanted to watch people's personal dramas I'd watch a soap. :/
Agreed 👍
@@davewhiteside6698 This old Bill fan couldn't agree more. Back in the day, the Bill had the balance right (just like A Touch of Frost) and then the show changed writers/producers and it all turned to sh*t. Someone fixed it for the last two series and then the show got cancelled.
@@Tozzywozzy01 Amen to that. Somehow, after a brilliant 12 series, the Bill got turned from an unmissable police procedural drama (which, apparently, even the real London police approved of) into soap where the totally ridiculous personal lives of the officers took over any real police work. Shame.
Bring it back !
9 years on still find it hard to except it’s passing.
They would have had to cancel it anyway after BLM
@@SleepExports Your comment was past tense 9 years too late as The Bill was now in its grave RIP.
@@jacksugden8190 So you didn't accept its passing after 9 years but you do after 11?
@@SleepExports I excepted its passing years later, at the time - no, however life and time moves on 9 years on, I have read of its return as SUN HILL, unsure how far they, whoever they am with talks, wondering what they use as a fake police station.
@@jacksugden8190 Sing me the theme tune
The bill. An amazing TV show. We need this in todays world. To support the police and send the message that they aren't all bad.
I miss The Bill alot. I wish it would come back one day
Did you enjoy Line Of Duty??
At least we now have the American version of the bill. Chicago Pd. Well I think it is anyway.
I miss the bill I always watch it
I watch the old 1980s early 90s episodes on here it’s so fun to enjoy them passes the time at home.
I was 10 in 1983 & remember the first episode vaguely but always loved Jim, Reg & June.
I miss the bill ☹️
Snooble Nooble same
They currently have series 1-5 all up right now as well as daily showing 'new' episodes of series 21 for legal streaming on on itv's uktvplay.com website.
Again I would like to remind everyone uktvplay.com is ITV's FREE AND LEGAL STREAMING SITE:
The Bill: The Early Years (unfortunately the 'Woodentop' Pilot episode is not included) can be seen from Series 1, Episode 1 here - uktvplay.uktv.co.uk/shows/bill-early-years/watch-online/6152011929001?autoplaying=true
The Bill: Series 21 [the 'newest' episode currently available] - uktvplay.uktv.co.uk/shows/the-bill/watch-online/6152789740001
Still looks fresh 14yrs on. It’s a classic series.
Amazing. Waiting for the return of tmThe Bill in 2021.
The Bill was one of all time favourite shows I really miss it Xx
i miss the bill😥
Thanks for posting this.
What's not to love about Smithy and Callum? Meanwhile Trudie Goodwin and Graham Cole are still lovely to this day and are helping to keep the Bill alive for fans. xx
THE BILL IS COMING BACK
Really Miss it indeed ❤️
Need to come back love the show ps stay safe 🙏👍
My mum worked on the nights the bill was on. My great Nana would babysit me and we'd watch the bill and eat Afterates. Some of the best memories I have .
RIP NANA X
Great series back in the 1990s was weird being a met cop people always asked is it like the bill lol
Classic tv series 😊😊😊awesome.
THANK YOU 💯❣
Glad Smithy was made Insp he came along way from cocky PC then a grounded Sgt/Insp always reminded me of a young Bob Cryer
And Jack Meadows always will be the Govnr glad he became a Supt again always one of my favorites
It was great and I watch it daily on RUclips and dvd. That being said it ran its course.
I watch it daily on RUclips
I used to watch this in young offenders huntercomb
Bring back the bill
they wont bring it back, a lot of the actors have said that it should be left where it is and that they wouldnt want to be on it if it did make a return, they have moved on now.
The bill was the only show when i was really young that my parents use to let me stay up later and watch with them and boy what wonderful memories i got of those times, my dad sadly no longer here though. The early years were and always will be the best, it went terrible when they adopted the stupid soap opra style which is what killed London's burning and i'm amazed the bill didn't get finished off to by it. Fair enough the series got back to somewhat normal a little while later then sadly they made it go too CSI like which spoiled it fair enough they tried to capture the gritty and dark moments of the early years but it just didn't work out. I know it's rumoured to be coming back in some format but i can't see it working that well in this day of age, they would have to be careful not to offend snowflakes and that means we won't get great characters like burnside or dez.
It is hard to believe that viewing figures were so low that the show had to end because it is still the greatest police drama on TV to this very day but I guess that's why it ended?
It's like a chicken and egg situation because I often think that the reason less people watch TV nowadays than before is not because of the internet and Netflix but because there is nothing on worth watching. If The Bill was still around and was as good as it was then I for one would be watching it.
The writing managed to capture real life and combine it with TV entertainment perfectly and probably better than any other show. It was certainly up there.
they really really need to bring the bill back
There's no TV Drama quite like The Bill; the interview's finally terminated.
Sad i loved The Bill
my guilty pleasure
They didn't mention how Rik Mayall was in the Bill too.
Should be back on tv
0:23 did he just do an army salute in a police constable’s unifirm
What’s the name of the song at 10:24
Anyone wanna start a petition
Reece Vince me
Yeaa
Any mention of the feet?
i miss the bill and the actors best police drama there was
Chris Ellison Frank Burnside ran the bill when in was in it
the bill can you still use the studio now and are all the sets up
Sun hill the building is still there however all sets inside have been demolished
God the Bill went downhill fast. Everything b4 the glossy remake in the 2000's was class everything after not so much. Howling at their insistence on keeping it real.....some of the storylines towards the end were ridiculous beyond belief, a shame cause in it's hey day it was untouchable.
Disagree. Loved the last few series more than the earlier ones but I guess each to their own.
@Qasim Hussain just thought they were grittier and had some great storylines. The serial killer, Zane's corruption, the kidnapping that took Jack Meadows to Germany, Cathy Bradford storyline, Gabriel Kent. I found the characters more rounded, Smithy, Manston, etc
I feel as if The Bill started out as a police procedural, then turned into a soap then turned into a police drama.
@@garyaizen8699 Oh God I hated Zane's storyline! I was so glad to see the back of him! I don't know if it was the storyline or the acting or what.
Amen to that. And well said.
i loved the bill, my cousin was in it, imagine how it would be if they made it today. crap i bet
I heard news it's coming back this year
What is that ep of the bill where reg is down a swear looking for drugs
For me, the Bill went from unmissable to unwatchable at about Series 13. But there is no doubt it got its mojo back for the final 2 series before it ended. Personally, I will never forgive the writers for sticking Jim Carver back in uniform and turning him from a bright, fun young DC into a shambolic alcoholic. And I'll also never forgive them for killing off Cass Rickman. Then there were the station psychos Gabriel Kent, Tom Chandler, Kathy Bradford - and they are just off the top of my head. It's not the only brilliant show that went pear-shaped when new writers/producer fuc*ed up the storylines but it's hard to deny that while it was good, it was great.
It's so crazy looking at young, slim Jim Carver at the beginning turn into the overweight, alcoholic gambler he was before leaving the show.
Superintendent John Heaton at 10:25!
I watch the bill coz of smithy and Callum Mel Leon Ben and Roger they are the best
I say never remake the Bill it went crap towards the end of its time
Does anyone know the “ chemical and biological warfare” episode(s) 19:05-19:15?
what episodes of the bill were them car chases at 2:10 and 2:40
The white Cortina rolling onto its's roof was Series 2 Episode 7 'Ringer' , the Jag crashing into the white Ford was Series 10 Episode 106 'Instant Response' , and the blue Maestro crashing into the heap of rubbish and then driving off was Series 13 Episode 55 'Split Second'. I uploaded 'Instant Response' a few weeks back.
Might have been an awesome ending blowing sun hill up
Tom Williams Productions that did in 2002 and 2005
Best police program in the business
stupid idea to cancel it. Should bring it back.
Why Martin Kemp?
I've seen it's returning
39:25😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Interesting that the most disliked policeman towards the end, Max Carter played no part whatsoever in the documentary.
I disliked his character so much!
Gute ist die Series
Super ace show😅
How the hell was this axed but Coronation Street survived??
Coronation Street is Britain's first ever soap.
@Timekeeper1200 - That is an excellent question. Corrie has been rubbish for years and yet it is still going. The Bill turned to sh*t after Series 12/13 and then eventually redeemed itself for its last 2 series. No one knows how Coronation Street survives but those of us who were fans from the 1970s haven't watched it for years.
1995-2002/3 was good
Before The Wire, there was...
Sad.
In year 1999
If they brought back the bill now they would need alot of knee pads on set.
Chris simmons is in hollyoaks
Don beach went to eastenders and died
Smithy holby city
Not meany british shows like thid all amrrican rubbish now a days
Should bring back a one off two parter z
@Sian Dyas would be good
Good job this isn't going anymore. It would have to highlight two tier policing and more corruption within the metrocommical. Not to mention protests and terrorist sympathiser flags in every episode. I hate to think of having to write the script's in the current climate....🙄
And ITV gave us VERA!! TOTAL RUBBISH
What? Vera isn't "The Bill"but it is still a brilliant show.
@SuzyQ334 yea so realistic....not. never seen a di like her.