Regretful credits

Published Monday 28 April 2008 at 18:00

I now know the supposedly reassuring words from BBC controller Roly Keating, back in February, as to how sensitive the Corporation is to illegible end credits, mean absolutely nothing. Can it really get any worse? Having viewed last weekend’s wonderful play Miss Austen Regrets, I see it can.

Gentle music ended a beautifully filmed piece and as the credits rolled they zapped away into a quarter page while we were urged to make a purchase and view the next item - a repeat of The Vicar of Dibley.

Was it really worth it, BBC, to leave us breathless with rage and disbelief at the philistine way we were being treated? How did the producer Anne Pivcevic, the co-producer Jamie Laurenson and the director Jeremy Lovering feel, I wonder.

As for the writer Gwyneth Hughes, she must have been really chuffed to hear and see her sensitive piece trampled by commercialism in this way. At a time when broadcasting and in particular the BBC, is under such attack, you would think someone would realise the damage they are doing to its reputation.

Will no one from the Corporation enter into meaningful talks about this and change this unacceptable situation before it’s too late and they lose even more viewers?

Jean Rogers

Vice-president

Equity

Hurstfield Road

West Molesey

Surrey