Thread:Benny1982/@comment-25358237-20190111111735/@comment-3244635-20190127145347

Even though Feb and March 1986 was the aftermath of the murder, it was still quite boring, and just dealt with the possible murder charge hanging over Matt, and I think the viewers all knew he was probably innocent. Apart from January, I feel the rest of 1986 was a bit of a snoozefest. The siege in April was just 1 episode. 1987 was also quite boring, and 1988 could be boring in places.

I think the reason why the show went back to mundanity in early 1986 was that the later slot on ITV had been rejected, and on the BBC, Michael Grade moved EastEnders to a later slot, and its ratings soared to 20 million or more by late 1985, so at 11-12 million viewers, Emmerdale Farm felt it did not have to compete any more. Once the Mowlam business was over, they coudl regain the more sleepy farming feel to the show.

Whereas in 1978 and 1984/1985 the show got 15 million.

1972 and 1973 were good, and 1976 to 1985 was very good, always something happening. 1974-1975, and 1986-1989 was much more boring and sedate, apart from the odd dramatic scene.