'Soap and semi-literate excrement'

Nice sentiments - but someone has to write for the telly, no?

...especially when it is the beautifully crafted quality of tonight's Murder Rooms........

I don't suppose that this would be the same Jeanette Winterson who shot to prominence after that (admittedly excellent) adaptation of "Oranges are not the only fruit" was televised? Surely not? Who needs "pseud's corner" when we have her, eh? Oh, Wolfie.. agree with your opinion of "Murder Rooms", but this spin-off series - though wonderful entertainment - isn't a patch on the original two-parter, is it? That was simply one of the great TV productions.

"I will lick the toad of my conscience and free the anchovy within" Blood seeped from his toenails as he sat reading the "Times". There was only one digestive left and it was up to Aunt Sophie to refill the tin. The bitch! One lousy job. Henry was not normally so aggressive but this particular morning, what with the blood, and the refusal of the cat to defecate in the appropriate spot, well. There was a ferocious thump, and Henry fell to the floor, quite dead. "Darling, darling are you decent?" The disembodied voice came from the direction of the landing. Henry's last words might have been, " I am now."

Not Henry Rawlinson, I presume? (if it ain't it should've been)

I would greatly contest the fact that television or film are dumb mediums. They can both engage the mind as well as literature. It is simply that they cater for two senses instead of one. I adore language and a poignant, tightly crafted script is a joy (Yes, Roy the two initial Murder Rooms were the dog's whatsits). You simply have to be selective, in the same way that you avoid the turgid slush in bookshops. In television, the book is thrust in your face, so to speak.

Yep, totally agree, Wolfie. I very rarely watch telly, but love progs such as 'The Blue Planet' etc. There are some fantastic dramas, also. And what about 'The Singing Detective' and the like? Fabulous stuff! As you say, selectivity is the key...