Page 8 - 09_Bafta ACADEMY_Ali G_ok

Academy Profile
SHOOTING FROMTHEHIP
Lorraine Heggessey, Controller of BBC 1, lays down her law. John Morrell gets in the firing line
6
Bronzed from a skiing holiday, “I’m in my early 40’s - in the middle must act on the basis that if ITV
of the generations of television viewers - and I don’t often get upset by any- thing I see on television. And even if I did, I don’t think I’d complain. I would just change channels.”
So Grandma, don’t mess with Lorraine!
It’s equally refreshing to discover that BBC 1’s first woman Controller is ful- some in her praise for the competition.
“I think the BBC has often been rather dismissive of its competitors. I think they’re actually really good. Look at ITV, it’s in fantastic shape. David Liddiment [her opposite number at the ITV Network Centre] is an iconic figure in the industry. He’s really good at what he does. He’s had a tough time recently without a Chief Executive, but he’s kept his mind focused on the chan- nel and backed his instincts. “
Although extremely proud of her own top-rating quiz, The Weakest Link, she singles out Who Wants to be a Millionaire? as the one show she would most like to have in her schedule. “Who wouldn’t want Millionaire? It has a completely compelling format, can be produced in volume, and it’s totally flexible as a scheduling tool. It is like an Exocet. They can choose where they are going to aim it and fire.”
Would she duck? Not on your life. “What I’ve said is ‘Okay, we’ll tough it out.’ As a channel, BBC 1 can’t run scared. We’ve got to be confident; believe in our own programmes. We
batteries re-charged, very much in a ‘take no prisoners’ mood, Lorraine Heggessey - tenth Controller of BBC 1 - is
on sparkling form.
“I want BBC 1 to be the UK’s most
enjoyable channel. I don’t want people to watch out of a sense of duty. In terms of language and tone, let’s get a bit more modern. Let’s act like we’re in the year 2001 not 1971.”
Fluent, articulate, machine-gun delivery, she punches the point home: “Of course, the 60 plusses will remain an important audience for BBC 1 but we can’t always be worrying about upsetting Grandma. We just can’t.
“I think we have been very pater- nalistic in the past. “ Then she smiles, “maybe maternalistic now. I want a channel for everybody: very main- stream, broad appeal. But we need to modernise our sensibilities. The sign- ing of Johnny Vaughan and Ian Wright are very important for BBC 1. We have to be less conservative about our pro- gramme making, and about our talent. We must let them take risks.”
Without pausing for breath, Heggessey, six months into the job, produces a refreshing honesty. “In the past, the BBC has often been very frightened of upsetting a vociferous - but not necessarily representative - minority. It has been frightened of peo- ple who complain about matters of taste and decency.
haven’t got Millionaire, they’ll have something else equally strong. “
Which leads her rapidly to BBC 1’s durable EastEnders. “It is in such crack- ing form. It gives the lie to people who say you cannot produce popular drama in high volume and quality. The Phil Mitchell story line in particular was superb. The fact that EastEnders does as well in multi-channel homes as in analogue shows a very enduring quality. “
Smiling knowingly, she adds, “I’ve got my fingers crossed for when the fourth weekly episode comes into the schedules in the autumn. It can do the BBC nothing but good. “
And the good of the BBC is very much in the hands of this tiny dynamo. Heggessey cares passionately about BBC 1. It is not hubris but history which dominates when she says:
“People judge the BBC primarily by how they judge BBC 1. If BBC 1 is doing well, the whole perception of the BBC will be good. Viewer relationships with the BBC will always be different to commer- cial channels. If ITV puts on a bad Saturday night, they just shrug and watch something else. But if I put on a bad Saturday night they are actually disap- pointed. I’ve let them down. That’s some- thing I’ve got to work really hard at. “
And you know she will. The blink- ers are on. Only 100% focus on the channel will do. Unlike many a BBC top dog, Heggessey has little time for BBC
politics. “My attitude is get on with it. Do your job and, hopefully, if you do it well, you will be appreciated. I can’t be bothered spending all my life being nice to the right people.
“Because I’ve spent 10 years out- side, I’ve always had a slightly semi- detached view. You have to take charge of your own destiny. Be true to your- self. You have to learn to live with uncertainty - that’s what our working lives are now. What you have to market is your skill set.”
But it helps if you are close to Greg Dyke, the BBC’s Director General. She