Channel 5's latest attempt to revive the BBC's groundbreaking drama strand Play for Today has fallen flat. The new series, which boasts a similar format to its predecessor, fails to capture the same sense of innovation and audacity that defined the original.
Instead, Channel 5's revised vision is a watered-down, formulaic take on the classic format. Each episode focuses on standalone dramas by different writers and directors, with an emphasis on tackling "thorny issues" affecting the over-50s demographic. The result is a string of predictable, naffly presented plays that are more suited to daytime TV than high-brow drama.
The first instalment, Never Too Late, sets the tone for the series. Anita Dobson shines as Cynthia, a feisty and unlikable septuagenarian, but even her strong performance can't elevate this banal pantomime of a play. The story follows Cynthia's antics as she plots to escape a retirement village after a second fall – predictably, her feelings become complicated when she reconnects with her ex-rockstar neighbour.
The other episodes fare little better. Big Winners attempts to tackle the issues faced by retirees, but its approach is heavy-handed and melodramatic. A Knock at the Door tries to inject some real-time thrills into a one-off drama, but its twists are telegraphed from a mile off. Special Measures, meanwhile, offers a refreshingly naturalistic portrayal of an overworked teacher, but the chaos of her underfunded school feels depressingly familiar.
What's most disappointing about Channel 5's revival is that it fails to challenge its audience or push the boundaries of contemporary TV drama. Instead, it plays it safe, relying on tried-and-true tropes and formulaic storytelling. Where are the bold, innovative producers who would take risks and produce something truly remarkable? The lack of vision and willingness to experiment is a missed opportunity for Channel 5.
The reboot may have been touted as a return to form, but Play for Today's revival feels more like a cynical cash-in on its cultural heritage. With its emphasis on "thorny issues" and formulaic storytelling, it's little more than a shallow attempt to woo an older demographic. Where was the boldness, the audacity, or the willingness to challenge its audience? Unfortunately, Channel 5 has opted for bland, middle-of-the-road drama that fails to inspire or provoke.
Instead, Channel 5's revised vision is a watered-down, formulaic take on the classic format. Each episode focuses on standalone dramas by different writers and directors, with an emphasis on tackling "thorny issues" affecting the over-50s demographic. The result is a string of predictable, naffly presented plays that are more suited to daytime TV than high-brow drama.
The first instalment, Never Too Late, sets the tone for the series. Anita Dobson shines as Cynthia, a feisty and unlikable septuagenarian, but even her strong performance can't elevate this banal pantomime of a play. The story follows Cynthia's antics as she plots to escape a retirement village after a second fall – predictably, her feelings become complicated when she reconnects with her ex-rockstar neighbour.
The other episodes fare little better. Big Winners attempts to tackle the issues faced by retirees, but its approach is heavy-handed and melodramatic. A Knock at the Door tries to inject some real-time thrills into a one-off drama, but its twists are telegraphed from a mile off. Special Measures, meanwhile, offers a refreshingly naturalistic portrayal of an overworked teacher, but the chaos of her underfunded school feels depressingly familiar.
What's most disappointing about Channel 5's revival is that it fails to challenge its audience or push the boundaries of contemporary TV drama. Instead, it plays it safe, relying on tried-and-true tropes and formulaic storytelling. Where are the bold, innovative producers who would take risks and produce something truly remarkable? The lack of vision and willingness to experiment is a missed opportunity for Channel 5.
The reboot may have been touted as a return to form, but Play for Today's revival feels more like a cynical cash-in on its cultural heritage. With its emphasis on "thorny issues" and formulaic storytelling, it's little more than a shallow attempt to woo an older demographic. Where was the boldness, the audacity, or the willingness to challenge its audience? Unfortunately, Channel 5 has opted for bland, middle-of-the-road drama that fails to inspire or provoke.
I'm so over this revival of Play for Today on Channel 5... it's like they're just phoning it in 
. Where's the creativity? The innovation? It feels like they're trying to cash in on the original's success without putting any real thought into it 
. And don't even get me started on how formulaic and predictable everything is 
. I mean, come on, a septuagenarian woman plotting to escape her retirement village? How trite 
. Can't they try something new for once? It's like they're speaking directly to an audience of sedate pensioners who just want to be entertained without being challenged 
. Boring 
. I mean, what happened to the innovative spirit of the original BBC series? This new take feels like a watered-down, formulaic mess 
. They're trying to tackle "thorny issues" affecting the over-50s demographic, but it just comes across as lazy and predictable 
. And don't even get me started on Big Winners... heavy-handed and melodramatic? Come on! Where's the nuance? The depth? 
. Where are the bold producers who would take risks and produce something truly remarkable? It feels like they're just cashing in on their cultural heritage instead of pushing the boundaries of contemporary TV drama 
. Channel 5, you should be aiming higher than this! 
they're just regurgitating the same old formulaic storytelling and expecting it to fly 
newsflash: we've seen this before, like a million times, and it's getting SO old 
the lack of vision is what's most disappointing, tbh 
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. Who needs bold, innovative storytelling when you can have something reliable and predictable? I'm all about that middle-of-the-road drama vibe 
. Bring on the bland, formulaic plays and let's get this nostalgia fest started! 
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. The writing is so cheesy and the acting is only saving it from complete disaster – Anita Dobson's performance was actually pretty great, but not enough to make me care about any of the over-the-top plot twists 
. And don't even get me started on how they're trying to "tackle thorny issues" by making them all about retirees 
Channel 5 could've had a chance to bring something fresh and exciting, but instead we got formulaic dramas that are more suited to daytime TV 