Robin Hood is slain - by the BBC
ROBBING from the rich and giving to the poor apparently doesn't pull in the TV ratings like it used to.
The BBC announced yesterday the cancellation of Robin Hood, the programme it introduced three years ago to bolster its BBC1 Saturday-night family line-up revitalised by Doctor Who.
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ON ThE WAY OUT: End of the road for Robin and gang
Set in Sherwood Forest but filmed in Hungary, the programme starred Jonas Armstrong as a young version of the legendary hero. But Armstrong has announced he would not be back for a fourth series, casting its future in doubt.
It was still capable of pulling in millions of viewers on a good Saturday – and had built up an international following, including a slot on BBC America – but was no longer the massive ratings-getter expected by the BBC.
Saturday's season three finale had only 1.7m viewers – although it was bumped to BBC2 to make way for Andy Murray at Wimbledon.
The cancellation comes at a time when city tourism bosses are focusing more on the big screen as a way to capitalise on Robin-loving tourists' interest in Nottingham. In particular, they're looking at the in-the-works big-budget re-telling of the legend starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett.
As reported yesterday in the Post, tourism body Experience Nottinghamshire is in talks with Universal Pictures to bring the film's premiere to Nottingham, and to use images from the film to publicise tourist attractions.
The television programme had helped garner new interest in the legend, said Experience Nottinghamshire's Alex Green. But he insists the programme's demise would not end that.
"We've certainly enjoyed the benefits of the programme's popularity in terms of increased visitors to Nottinghamshire," she said, "but I think this will continue, despite the series coming to an end''.
Stephen Barker, director of communications at Nottingham City Council, said: "The legend lives on. The series could not have gone on forever.''
24 Comments
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by Tim, nice but dim !
Saturday, July 04 2009, 7:27PM
“yeh what next Rasta Robin ?”
by si frost, nottingham
Saturday, July 04 2009, 9:32AM
“Best news I have heard for simply ages. If your going to a show like Robin Hood look at the shows in the past NOT films. IE robin of Sherwood. which was a wonderful series.
But no, they give you a black friar tuck WHY!
It was just political correctness gone MAD!”
by Judy, Australia
Saturday, July 04 2009, 3:43AM
“I wholeheartedly support brittvfan's comments. How about laying the blame for this show's downfall where it really belongs - with the Executive producers, inept script-writers and Production Team. Don't even think of holding the stars, particularly Jonas Armstrong's leaving the show at the end of his committed 3-year contract, at fault because he, like the rest of the cast, were brilliant with the rubbish they were expected to deliver. TPTB were the ones at fault with their lies and misleading the public into believing it was Robin Hood when they (1) took the focus off Robin and (2) killed Marian off.”
by Lisa, New York, USA
Saturday, July 04 2009, 12:26AM
“It wasn't filmed in Sherwood Forest because the forest isn't as "foresty" as the one in Hungary; also, there was the castle, etc. The guys in charge thought the setting looked more believable.
I'm really glad they're not continuing this show w/out a Robin Hood; whoever heard of such a thing! It was bad enough they killed off Marian at the end of S2; that's when they should've ended it.
I completely agree w/brittvfan's comments: spot on!”
by Marcus Down, at School
Friday, July 03 2009, 11:27PM
“Mr. Sensible, The Real World.
I'd like to see Kenny Baker play the Hulk!”