Call the Midwife

neemish · 15-01-2012 9:22pm #1

Anyone watching the new program on BBC 1 - Call the midwife? Turned on just as it was starting.

Biggins · 15-01-2012 9:36pm

Currently watching it too right now.

neemish · 15-01-2012 9:53pm

Shouldn't have left having dinner so late.:)

Biggins · 15-01-2012 9:57pm

neemish wrote: »

Shouldn't have left having dinner so late.:)

Me too - was eating mine at the first birth!

With every mouthful, there was a lot of screaming lol

neemish · 15-01-2012 10:00pm

lol. Mine is sittting half eaten. And the lovely desert i had planned will be left.

Interesting series though....

JP Liz V1 · 15-01-2012 10:06pm

Miranda Hart is in it :eek:

WaltKowalski · 15-01-2012 10:20pm

Am hooked already!

neemish · 22-01-2012 6:11pm

Sensibly having dinner now so that I can enjoy episode two later one!

Looking forward to it already

emeraldstar · 22-01-2012 8:21pm

Yep, caught this during the week and really enjoyed it. I love most BBC dramas so am looking forward to tonight. It's followed by Birdsong too, so should be a good evening's viewing!

Lisha · 22-01-2012 9:58pm

This is brilliant, bloody bawling for last 10mins

I love Miranda Hart anyway, think she s brilliant. I always think she could be Dougal (from Fr Ted) s sister:pac::pac:

neemish · 22-01-2012 10:34pm

emeraldstar wrote: »

Yep, caught this during the week and really enjoyed it. I love most BBC dramas so am looking forward to tonight. It's followed by Birdsong too, so should be a good evening's viewing!

Ended up missing it in the end. Didnt think my flatmate would appreciate the gore!

Where did you watch it last week? Will have to go in search of tonights ep

stargazer 68 · 23-01-2012 11:49am

Just found this thread. Absolutely love the programme. Hope they dont make one series and then scrap it!! Miranda Hart is fantastic - definitely a new string to her bow.

brian_t · 23-01-2012 12:40pm

neemish wrote: »

Anyone watching the new program on BBC 1 - Call the midwife? Turned on just as it was starting.

Its opening episode last week attracted eight million viewers, a bigger audience than the final episode of the BBC hit Sherlock, which pulled in 7.9 million. It also comfortably beat ITV's rival offering, Dancing on Ice..

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/midwives-deliver-ratings-that-put-sherlock-to-shame-6293223.html

emeraldstar · 23-01-2012 1:12pm

Dovies wrote: »

Miranda Hart is fantastic - definitely a new string to her bow.

Isn't she?! Without doubt my favourite character. So hilarious!

mikemac1 · 23-01-2012 2:57pm

It's very good

I love the nun who speaks in verse

brian_t · 23-01-2012 7:06pm

Dovies wrote: »

J Hope they dont make one series and then scrap it!!.

The BBC has commissioned a second series of hit Sunday night drama Call the Midwife, which stars Jenny Agutter, Miranda Hart and Pam Ferris, after airing just two episodes.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/jan/23/bbc-call-the-midwife

Danny Cohen, the BBC1 controller, has commissioned independent producer Neal Street to make a second series of the drama to air in 2013.
The next series of the drama, which is penned by Cranford and Upstairs Downstairs writer Heidi Thomas, will comprise eight episodes.

"Call the Midwife has had a huge impact with audiences," said Cohen. "It's a very high-quality drama series from a brilliant team. It manages to be both hard-hitting and emotional, gritty and warm."

The BBC said the consolidated figures for the opening instalment – which includes so-called "timeshift" viewing on personal video recorders such as Sky+ in the seven days after first transmission – lifted its audience to 9.8 million, a record for a launch episode of a BBC1 drama.

"Call the Midwife is a totally original mix of comedy, tears, babies and nuns and it is fantastic to see this distinctive piece of British drama win such high praise and ratings," said Ben Stephenson, controller of BBC drama commissioning.

neemish · 23-01-2012 7:37pm

Yay!

Not at all surprised. Got to watch last nights episode and it was just brilliant. Hope they continue as they have started

stargazer 68 · 24-01-2012 10:34am

brian_t wrote: »

Danny Cohen, the BBC1 controller, has commissioned independent producer Neal Street to make a second series of the drama to air in 2013.

.

There are 4 more episodes left and then we have to wait a year for the second series!!

:(:(

emeraldstar · 24-01-2012 10:43am

Dovies wrote: »

There are 4 more episodes left and then we have to wait a year for the second series!! :(:(

Well, it's only just been commissioned! It has yet to be written, cast, filmed, edited... so really how could they conceivably do it in much less time?

stargazer 68 · 24-01-2012 10:45am

emeraldstar wrote: »

Well, it's only just been commissioned! It has yet to be written, cast, filmed, edited... so really how could they conceivably do it in much less time?

I know but I want it now!! lol

no patience me!

emeraldstar · 24-01-2012 11:55am

Watch other things in the meantime

starlit · 24-01-2012 10:12pm

Watched the end of it there the last time it was on seems like a good drama. Might watch the next episode fully next time.

stargazer 68 · 30-01-2012 10:58am

Great episode last night. Funny and sad at the same time.

Biggins · 30-01-2012 4:56pm

Loving this show - and the fact that its based on truth makes it also a part history education.

pinkypinky · 01-02-2012 11:00pm

Such a sad episode. When that man accepted the black child - wow and the old soldier dying...tears in my eyes. Really good drama.

starlit · 01-02-2012 11:03pm

Very good episodes, yet sad but good and funny too. Love to see how the story unfolds despite watching Birdsong after, anyone any take on that drama though only for two episodes?

Biggins · 06-02-2012 11:54pm

Episode 4 was a heart-breaker.
The acting by all involved is absolutely brilliant.

Reception

A second series of Call the Midwife has been commissioned after the drama's opening episode attracted nearly 10 million viewers. The second episode increased its audience to 10.47 million, while the third continued the climb to 10.66.
"Call the Midwife... manages to be both hard-hitting and emotional, gritty and warm" said BBC One controller Danny Cohen. "I am already looking forward to the second series."
The drama is based on the best-selling memoirs of the late Jennifer Worth and the second series is expected to air in mid 2013. The second series will comprise 8 episodes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_the_Midwife

angelll · 07-02-2012 11:07am

I read the book last week that it's based on and was a bit disappointed,the stories are almost identical,as soon as the baby was taken last week i knew who had her and the back story etc. I'll still keep watching though as there as some slight changes. The second series should be better as they will have to make up completely new stories

Biggins · 07-02-2012 12:37pm

angelll wrote: »

I read the book last week that it's based on and was a bit disappointed,the stories are almost identical,as soon as the baby was taken last week i knew who had her and the back story etc. I'll still keep watching though as there as some slight changes. The second series should be better as they will have to make up completely new stories

The person (now deceased I think) that wrote the original book also wrote more afterwards.
The BBC might stick with those other books. We will have to wait and see.

I think its better that they stick as close to the original book as possible.
Its certainly a better historic glimpse into a recent past for its efforts to stay true to the written word.

angelll · 07-02-2012 12:51pm

She did indeed write a trilogy but the other two books aren't about midwifery.

Biggins · 07-02-2012 12:59pm

angelll wrote: »

She did indeed write a trilogy but the other two books aren't about midwifery.

Aaa right. Cheers.

brian_t · 09-02-2012 10:00pm

The last episode of this season (February 19) will be shown a half hour later then usual to avoid a clash with Coronation Street.

BBC moves Call the Midwife to avoid Coronation Street clash

Corporation avoids head to head after rival schedules long-running soap against hit drama on 19 February

The BBC has moved the final episode of hit Sunday night drama Call the Midwife to avoid a clash with ITV1's Coronation Street.

BBC1 series about 1950s midwifery will run half an hour later than its usual 8pm time slot, after ITV decided to schedule an episode of its flagship soap against the show.

BBC executives made the decision after draft programme schedules released early on Wednesday revealed that on Sunday 19 February, ITV had rejigged its usual lineup and put Coronation Street against Call the Midwife at 8pm.

A BBC insider said: "Call the Midwife has been the standout hit of the year and it's both surprising and disappointing for viewers that ITV1 were prepared to sacrifice an episode of Coronation Street just to damage its audience."

Call The Midwife, starring Miranda Hart, has attracted audiences of up to 9 million – rising to more than 10 million when seven-day timeshifted viewing is added – and has already been recommissioned for a second series.

Like all good dramas there is also a twist in the tale. Call the Midwife has been so popular that the BBC decided to launch the second series of Downton Abbey rival Upstairs Downstairs on the back of its final episode.

ITV denied its decision to put Coronation Street on a Sunday night was designed to sabotage BBC1's lineup and said it was because that week's Thursday night episode of the soap has to be moved to accommodate a Uefa Europa League football match.

An ITV spokesman said: "It's because the Porto v Manchester City match is on that Thursday so Coronation Street has been displaced as a result. The Sunday is the earliest we can book it in."

The change in lineup means ITV1's Sunday night regular Dancing on Ice, which has dipped in the ratings, will move earlier to 6.05pm.

Dancing on Ice will be followed by Coronation Street at 8pm, long-running safari drama Wild at Heart at 8.30pm – which will play against the later Call the Midwife – then the Dancing on Ice skate-off at 9.30pm, against Upstairs Downstairs.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/feb/08/bbc-call-midwife-coronation-street?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487

stargazer 68 · 20-02-2012 12:55pm

All over now until next year

:(

emeraldstar · 20-02-2012 2:45pm

Dovies wrote: »

All over now until next year :(

Yup. I confess to being a little disappointed with the final episode though; a little dull at times. Jenny Lee is becoming a bit moany and blah, and I groaned when Tina O'Brien appeared.

Loved all to do with Chuffy though!

Biggins · 20-02-2012 5:33pm

The last episode wasn't the best but was still enjoyable.
It was at least still much better than the rubbish that came on after it (Upstairs Downstairs).
Nothing to watch of any decency around this time slot on a Sunday now.

starlit · 20-02-2012 5:42pm

Ya I quiet enjoyed it. It was a nice end to the series anyway. Hope they continue it next year. The storylines have been very touching and heart warming.

Loved last nights episode with the triplets and Camilla getting Married to Peter.
I was a bit surprised at Camilla for almost ending it with Peter, they were so good together. She at least thought long and hard and realised her mother was just getting in the way of her happiness. The whole thing about the dress was quiet funny when she said she wasn't entitled to a white one, think the mother didn't like that but the mother herself was a bit snobby though. Camilla married for love and he loves her so what more could the mother want just because he wasn't in the army but in the police force. Meant she looked down her nose at him with disapproval. Camilla is a grown woman she can make up her own mind no need for her mother to be butting in like that.

Wonder what will happen between Jenny and Jimmy. There has to be more to tell though? She is telling the story from when she is an older woman so surely there is more to her story? Love to see how things pan out!

emeraldstar · 20-02-2012 6:27pm

Biggins wrote: »

It was at least still much better than the rubbish that came on after it (Upstairs Downstairs).

Yeah, it wasn't great, was it? Really didn't hold my attention and I have never been able to warm to Keeley Hawes. I didn't enjoy the first series either though, so didn't have high expectations for this one.

Biggins · 20-02-2012 6:59pm

doovdela wrote: »

...Wonder what will happen between Jenny and Jimmy. There has to be more to tell though? She is telling the story from when she is an older woman so surely there is more to her story? Love to see how things pan out!

The original book tells what happens (wife read it and told me) but its not for me to spoil any of your future enjoyment here.

I posted a link already that says there will indeed be a second series.
That was almost assured when it got 8 Million plus, tuning in.

Yeah, it wasn't great, was it? Really didn't hold my attention and I have never been able to warm to Keeley Hawes. I didn't enjoy the first series either though, so didn't have high expectations for this one.

I posted the following comment about Up/Downstairs on (England) The Times site review of the show (and they didn't give it a good review either):

I watched with interest "Upstairs Downstairs" from the BBC last night.
I had high hopes it would be of the high quality drama we oft times find on the BBC - sadly I was let down greatly.
The acting was standard fare, nothing exceptional, sometimes even stuffy to be honest.
The storylines while trying to stick to real history events, came across as slow and too drawn out. Frankly it was hard work sticking with the show. It was grey, dull and the characters held little interest. I ended up not caring what happened to most of them or interested in the hints of a possible back story.

The BBC can be better than this. The preceding show "Call The Midwife" had viewing figures of 8 Million - possibly near 10 million for its final part.
I cannot see in all honesty "Upstairs Downstairs" reaping such viewing numbers based on the quality and boring, numbness of last night first returning episode.

...And thats a shame. The BBC can do better when it really wants to!

I'm sticking with Downton Abbey!

patk72 · 11-07-2012 9:47pm

Anyone know what happened to the BBC drama call the midwife they showed 3 of the 6 episodes the last shown 22/6 but it seems to have disappeared from the schedule,very interesting drama but is it on again?

brian_t · 12-07-2012 1:03am

The BBC showed the series originally from the 15th Jan to the 19th of February. They then repeated the series on their BBC HD channel from the 17th March to the 21st April. Then they showed 3 episodes last month and dropped it.
That is very unlike the BBC.

I'm afraid that it's not in the schedules for the rest of this month and for the first half of August they won't have room for it with the Olympics been on.

I don't know when they will show the remaining 3 episodes.

The BBC will show a Call the Midwife Christmas special this year and they are making a second series of 8 episodes to air in the middle of next year.

Flip Flop · 12-07-2012 10:50am

brian_t wrote: »

The BBC showed the series originally from the 15th Jan to the 19th of February. They then repeated the series on their BBC HD channel from the 17th March to the 21st April. Then they showed 3 episodes last month and dropped it.
That is very unlike the BBC.

I'm afraid that it's not in the schedules for the rest of this month and for the first half of August they won't have room for it with the Olympics been on.

I don't know when they will show the remaining 3 episodes.

The BBC will show a Call the Midwife Christmas special this year and they are making a second series of 8 episodes to air in the middle of next year.

As you said "Call the Midwife" was first shown on BBC One in January and February of this year. It was the most successful launch of a drama on the BBC for ten years averaging between 8 and 9 million viewers. It was then repeated on both BBC 4 and the BBC HD channel in March and April. However when the BBC decided to show it for a third time on BBC One in June, it did so to terrible viewing figures of around 2 million viewers. That figure is just not acceptable for the 9.00pm BBC One slot, even during the Summer. I suspect for that reason that the rest of the repeat showings have been cancelled. I would suggest purchasing the DVD boxset online if you wish to watch the rest of the series.

brian_t · 12-07-2012 11:20am

Flip Flop wrote: »

However when the BBC decided to show it for a third time on BBC One in June, it did so to terrible viewing figures of around 2 million viewers.

It was replaced on a Friday evening with repeats of New Tricks which I gather does well in the ratings even when repeated.

JP Liz V1 · 18-01-2013 4:09pm

Season 2 starts this Sunday at 8pm on BBC 1

Mr E · 18-01-2013 4:20pm

CTMW threads merged.

stargazer 68 · 21-01-2013 12:05pm

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Season 2 starts this Sunday at 8pm on BBC 1

Watched it last night. Brilliant!! Love this programme.

_Whimsical_ · 21-01-2013 3:36pm

I have only watched the first episode of season one and welll... it was not for the squeamish.

Does it get better or continue in the vein of bed pans and people talking about "whiffy under carriages"?

I'm not sure I have the stomach for it.

starlit · 21-01-2013 4:57pm

Its a bit more detailed in this series compared to the last one. Its interesting though its showing how hard life was back then its only now you realise that when you see it in the eyes of the 1950's.

stargazer 68 · 25-01-2013 12:58pm

See Miranda Hart won an NTA for her role. Well done her - she is brilliant in this.

swimgal · 29-12-2013 7:56pm

Anyone know when there is a repeat of this on? Can't seem to find where it says it online

phasers · 29-12-2013 8:46pm

swimgal wrote: »

Anyone know when there is a repeat of this on? Can't seem to find where it says it online

The repeat was on yesterday I'm afraid

swimgal · 29-12-2013 8:50pm

oh ono

thanks for your reply!

Call the Midwife

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