©️GeraldineBanksSeptember2025
Chapter 4
Max, whisky in hand had no intention of going home that night.He sat staring at the flames of the fire in the old fireplace, he would stay there until they died down, he would keep Marlena on her toes, she was always so grateful when he got home and he always said he’d been at his club though she didn’t believe him.
The fire had been freshly stoked by the butler and its’ warmth and the whisky made him feel sleepy, he closed his eyes.
It was one of those neverending Corporate BBC meetings, but Max had his figures at the ready. Christmas was in decline, and the star fees were getting out of control, heads had to roll and new cheaper talent had to be brought in.Audience loyalty was non existent.
“We have to let Morecambe and Wise go”.Max said it coldly and bluntly.The other executives looked at each other.
One mumbled “but..”
“But no….it’s time ,let ITV take them, they’re old hat , we can get cheaper and better,well if not better ,different.”.
“..and anyway”Max continued “We don’t have the money”.
Everyone knew this to be true..
“Look I’ve been doing the figures, this is where we are and this is where we need to be”
The meeting rumbled on, but Max got his way…a complete reorganisation of News and Current Affairs, less Drama and Comedy and more Reality and Quiz shows, everyone loved a Quiz.
In reality , that meeting was the beginning of the end for the traditional, socially aware and basically British television.
The BBC had to get real, if it wanted a National Licence Fee, then it had to appeal to the Nation,all of them.It had to prove it’s worth to those who they disagreed with in principle,they had to be less lefty and more appreciative of the right.
Somehow, Max had integrated this thought into his well prepared, yet impromptu presentation and he was very pleased with some of the board member’s reactions .It had hit the right spot with some key people .There were mutters of ” yes”, they needed to change and to appeal to the masses.
The majority though were disheartened, Play for Today was riding high,with “Edna The Inebriate Woman” making a strong statement on Social Issues in Society that needed to be addressed, good drama could drive Policy.
“Our job is not to drive Policy, that is for the Government in Power to do, we must reflect Society, all elements of it , however distasteful that may be.We are a Nation of millionaire entrepreneurs as well as alcohol ridden social misfits.’
And so it continued, Max had set the seed in place for the future…he woke up in his chair at the Club,just as the meeting he had relived in his dream ended.
It was one o’clock in the morning, he sat bolt upright in his chair and decided he would head home and plant his seed in Marlena, she would still be up waiting for him.Perhaps he would get her to dress up for him and do her funny German accent, it was so funny. Marlena was such a good sport.
thenotsomightyom 