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angling back on telly!

Howard Cooke said:
I think we all get the commercial need to create a programme that has the broadest possible appeal. The thing I don't get is that fishing is meant to be the most popular of all hobbies isnt it? It's not exactly niche. I just found the programme a bit dull to be honest, despite the efforts of the presenters. I'm a huge fan of Dean Macey but I couldn't help feeling that he found the whole thing a bit embarrassing. They might need to follow the Top Gear formula. Reviewing and driving fast cars is OK up to a point, but Top Gear has survived well because of the ridiculous antics the three of them get up to and these are often only vaguely associated with cars. You also need strong presenters and if you are not majoring on the activity itself, the banter needs to be extremely funny. Passion For Angling was actually very amusing in places- OK, perhaps only to anglers.

Slightly surprised the Porn industry hasn't adopted a similar approach to the show last night. "The Great Fuc* Off". A sort of light hearted pornographic game show in which contestants and porn stars engage in various activities in a bid to win a prize. And in total contrast to normal shows of this kind, the booby prize would be universally coveted.
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Is anyone posting in this thread surprised they didnt like it? Anglers are never happy with tv shows that get produced, comparing everthing to 'A Passion' but Im afraid your every day non-angler will find 'A Passion' absolute gobsh??te.

I watched it all, and whilst it was a bit lame I found the subplot (a la Top Gear) of the big greek lad not being in the slightest bit interested or enthusiastic quite amusing. In the end he was hooked and buzzing from head to toe after having had a good scrap with a fish. I will probably watch a few more just to gauge the non-anglers reaction each time.


It is the sub plot that gets non anglers to watch hence why Jungle Hooks and River Monsters are popular.
 
Ash. I thought it was the environment (locations)and excitment of those two programes you mentioned that helped "sell" them.

Anglers Paradise? Looked it.....

Graham
 
I suppose the locations help but really everyone wants to see what man-eating-child-snatching-monster Jeremy will land next.

It was Anglers Paradise Graham. When I was a nipper Anglers Paradise sounded like.. erm.. paradise. Now Im olderer and wiserer I know it to be an oxymoron. It is nothing like what I imagined having seen it in the amazingly illustrated Dave Costers Angling Year (Anglers Mail).
 
FB seems alive with fierce debate about the programme with many strongly bemoaning its style and content. I must confess that it didn't trigger a strong reaction in me either way- it was largely benign. I could see what they were trying to do, I just found it a little dull and too contrived. I didn't watch it live either which helps. That x30 function on the remote can be a life saver.

Anglers Paradise makes me think about fishing in someone's garden pond- all those pretty, colourful fish. Elaborate colouring just isn't good old British fishing is it. A bit of red and orange is OK though.
 
when I think back to what we have been given in the way of angling on main stream tv I think that those by Hayes / Brown and Mr Wilson stand head and shoulders above the rest. The split with tactics, banter and environment / venues being about right for both the experienced and novice angler and of course the general public. In fact it would be interesting to see if a re run of the original John Wilson series run in the same time slot would draw a similar viewing audience to that of what we have just witnessed.
Im not a big fly fisherman by any means but have seen several series by the likes of Hywel Morgan that concentrated purely on tackle, tactics and techniques on specific venues without being infomercials by tackle manufacturers. Did anyone watch 'Botham on the fly'? Even he managed to put together a descent show whilst trying to dispel the elitism of fly / salmon fishing with interesting interviews with celebrity guests such as Eric Clapton. Whilst I feel that these shows where well made and interesting viewing I don't feel that they gained main stream applause simply because the topic of fly fishing doesn't strike the same cord as coarse angling.
I just cant understand how time and time again producers keep getting these formats wrong. Can anyone recall a tv program that perhaps followed a matchman to a swim and just picked his brains on how he intends to tackle the water in front of him, what his plan of attack would be? Surely there are enough anglers in the country to watch a show of this type out and out without the need to pander to non anglers. When I think about all the cr*p that's streamed on the likes of bbc3 there has to be funds somewhere to fund such a venture for our sport.
 
In my experience Ash, the 'A passion for Angling' series was the first angling programme that DID appeal to non anglers. The whimsical humour and antics of Chris Yates, contrasting with Bob James was great, and the stunning filming by the great Hugh Miles appealed to many. Not the...errrr...'other' types that this latest stuff is designed to appeal to perhaps, but I think it was all the better for that.

Whatever.

I do agree with you on 'River Monsters' and 'Jungle Hooks' though, great fun for all.

Cheers, Dave.
 
From the limited experience of watching angling TV programs with non-angling colleagues, friends and family, I'm not especially convinced that they appeal that much to anyone but anglers. However, using a "celebrity" known for something other than angling might not hurt. The alternative is to dress up a show as being a nature one with added drama and a bit of seemingly incidental angling, like River Monsters.

The fact is that there will probably never be an angling show that gets universal acceptance from anglers. I suspect that A Passion is the closest yet. However, despite many retrospective plus points, as a twenty something northern angler, it didn't do a lot for me at the time. It was a bit slow, a bit artsy fartsy, distinctly floppy hatted and bore few similarities with the angling sphere I inhabited then.

Conversely, I actually enjoyed the recent "Crabtree" stuff, despite most seeming to hate it. The fact that some seem to think it somehow desecrates the name means nothing to me (the original Crabtree stuff passed me by completely) and I don't harbour any particular dislike for John Bailey.

I can't imagine how dull a really technical angling program must be for a non-angler. I find them dull enough myself. However, really technical stuff is where the likes of You-Tube can really score.
 
Justin Cubberley said:
I just cant understand how time and time again producers keep getting these formats wrong. Can anyone recall a tv program that perhaps followed a matchman to a swim and just picked his brains on how he intends to tackle the water in front of him, what his plan of attack would be? Surely there are enough anglers in the country to watch a show of this type out and out without the need to pander to non anglers. When I think about all the cr*p that's streamed on the likes of bbc3 there has to be funds somewhere to fund such a venture for our sport.
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I vaguely remember the Beebs match angling program "hooked" presented by Jack Charlton circa 1983 which was always odds on to send me to sleep.
To me, the magic of angling is almost impossible to convey on screen and programs like Hooked would leave most viewers bemused.
It needs a sympathetic presenter/ wildlife cameraman like Hugh Miles to bridge the gap between those that wet a line and those that don't and give a program broad appeal without diluting it's core theme.
Given the BBC,s Countryfile production team edited out most of Hugh's balanced and imformed 'negative ' observations on the re introduction of otters when interviewed and their obvious dislike of fieldsports I wouldn't look to them to come up with an angling gem anytime soon.
 
Again Chris, it is strange (or perhaps not so strange, thinking about it) how different folks gain such diverse impressions or experiences from the same things. My 'non anglers' that I watched the 'Passion' series with did enjoy it, as did the families and other halves of a number of my friends, and those on other forums when this subject has popped up.

It may be significant that a fair few of the non anglers I am sighting would have had previous experience of angling programmes and DVD's, and certainly those closest to me found 'Passion' a refreshing change. It may also be more than a little to do with the age group your particular 'non anglers' belong to.

Interestingly, many of the 'nons' (females in particular) I spoke to on this subject found the inane 'dinky plinky' lift music that directors saw fit to play before and during angling programmes at one time, and amusingly, the soul destroying laugh of John Wilson....were at the top of the list of 'irritation factors' that put them off angling shows on the box :D

As has been said, I think the 'horror film' factor of River Monsters had a lot to do with that particular programmes appeal to non anglers.

Cheers, Dave.
 
Dave Taylor said:
I vaguely remember the Beebs match angling program "hooked" presented by Jack Charlton circa 1983 which was always odds on to send me to sleep.
To me, the magic of angling is almost impossible to convey on screen and programs like Hooked would leave most viewers bemused.
It needs a sympathetic presenter/ wildlife cameraman like Hugh Miles to bridge the gap between those that wet a line and those that don't and give a program broad appeal without diluting it's core theme.
Given the BBC,s Countryfile production team edited out most of Hugh's balanced and imformed 'negative ' observations on the re introduction of otters when interviewed and their obvious dislike of fieldsports I wouldn't look to them to come up with an angling gem anytime soon.
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Spot on Dave, agree with every word. Well said chap.

Cheers, Dave.
 
As all round entertainment , the TV programme that was streets ahead for me was the original ''Fishing Race '' or '' Great Fishing Race '', not the one with Hayes and Brown , but with Gibbinson , Gillespie , Gammon and I can't remember the other chap . All of the participants were naturals , and very funny .Hayes and Brown nicked the basic format , which was to catch as many different species of fish in a given time , the prize being the golden maggot . Don't know what viewing figures it got but it was a series , I think on the Beeb . I would love to get a tape / DVD of it . Indeed I recall putting a plea out on this very forum for a copy with no result
 
Mike Hodgkiss said:
As all round entertainment , the TV programme that was streets ahead for me was the original ''Fishing Race '' or '' Great Fishing Race '', not the one with Hayes and Brown , but with Gibbinson , Gillespie , Gammon and I can't remember the other chap . All of the participants were naturals , and very funny .Hayes and Brown nicked the basic format , which was to catch as many different species of fish in a given time , the prize being the golden maggot . Don't know what viewing figures it got but it was a series , I think on the Beeb . I would love to get a tape / DVD of it . Indeed I recall putting a plea out on this very forum for a copy with no result
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Although I'm in danger of contradicting my last post, The Fishing Race was one of my all time favourites Mike. I hate most reality shows but in a way it was exactly that I guess. There were two series I think, ... the last being in Scandinavia with lots of hilarious windups between the competitors
I too have looked out for recordings of either series without success.
 
I watched it and although its not my cup of tea, I think the format of getting a couple of minor TV celebrities out fishing with plenty of bankside banter and a few fish thrown in will possibly appeal to a younger audience. I thought Dean and Ali were fairly natural behind the cameras. The venue could have been better. The TV Fishing Show with Chilly is much better IMHO, but nothing compares to APFA.

Nick C
 
Not that I'm at all opinionated.............. It met all my expectations which were already low...................SHOCKINGLY BAD!

I did however manage 20 minutes but Cat's laughter took it's toll.

I won't be watching any more.

Happy days,

Jeff
 
Hi men,

Bit of fun , entertainment , not meant to be a serious fishing program , and as such made me smile in a few places . Will deff watch the one tonight , cats on the Ebro .


Hatter
 
This ones a cracker, missed the first 20 mins, wish I was famous!!
 
Has anybody noticed the inconspicuous product placements?

Trakker have their full range of chairs in use, Cygnets full range of pods, Daiwa reels & rods its like another Korda infomercial!
 
John Wilson's Go Fishing was on mainstream. I enjoyed the varied fishing styles and venues but, his presentation was irksome, and the repeated pointing out of willow herb........................
I remember the show where he fished my bit of the Ouse, when there was a great head of barbel in it, he even caught a few on the float.
 
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