TELEVISION / BRIEFING: Doctors in the house
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Viewers may well have been feeling queasy recently. This is nothing to be alarmed about; it is a perfectly normal condition known as medical soapitis. Lukewarm on the heels of Casualty and Dr Finlay, MEDICS (9pm ITV), Granada's new six-part drama, returns with former Tardis-dweller Tom Baker as flamboyant surgeon Geoffrey Hoyt. He's so flamboyant, he conducts his operations to the accompaniment of classical piano music. The series reflects the difficulties the Henry Park Hospital is encountering as a Trust; all the dialogue is about budget-holding, bed-shortages and bad agency nurses. Hoyt is concerned about creeping commercialism; confronted by executive Ruth Parry's (the ubiquitous Sue Johnston) new logo in the hospital lobby, the surgeon wonders: 'What next? A whelk stall? A boot sale in the consultants' car park?' The rest is awash with the suds of standard hospital soap - boozy GPs, doctors with gun-shot wounds, love triangles and, yes, the odd medical condition, too.
The very title SOUNDBITES (7.30pm BBC2) is reminiscent of the Classic FM theory that people shouldn't be made to swallow too much at one time. Perky percussionist Evelyn Glennie introduces musicians and their music. Tonight Cynthia Millar demonstrates the sort of music she has contributed to 75 film scores.
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments