Midsomer Murders, ITV1

Neil Dudgeon is the new DCI Barnaby in suddenly controversial show

by Adam SweetingWednesday, 23 March 2011

Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby, with a rather desirable MGA sports car

It'll be interesting to see what the recent race row - or more accurately, lack-of-race row - does for the ratings of Midsomer Murders. Possibly nothing, if the research that says that people from ethnic groups all hate the show and never watch it is to be believed. It certainly defies logic that producer Brian True-May has been made to walk the plank for saying that the programme has an all-white cast when... it does. Somehow, everybody has contrived not to mention this ever since Midsomer began in 1997.

An epidemic of improbability had infested Darnley Park girls school, like mice in the wainscoting

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Permalink Submitted by Roger Neill (not verified) on Thu, 24/03/2011 - 08:37

It does seem to me that we Brits are in favour of freedom of speech so long as it doesn't inconvenience us. The way footballers and their managers are treated is more suitable to the Soviet Union in its prime. Perhaps a new Gulag could be set up in the Highlands for those who step out of line.

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Permalink Submitted by Julia (not verified) on Thu, 24/03/2011 - 20:33

I thought it was perfectly dreadful. I was trying to find something I recognised. Causton, the sleepy little market town had transmogrified into bustling Windsor? What was all that about? Neil Dudgeon, whom I normally admire as an actor, was dreary though it was hardly his fault due to the awful script. but he's got a long way to go to match the charisma of John Nettles. Forget Midsomer. It was just another cop show and a not very good one at that. If I hadn't know that Brian True-May was still involved I would have thought he had already departed. I should think he is well shot of it if the first episode was anything to go by.

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Permalink Submitted by Margaret Eccles (not verified) on Thu, 31/03/2011 - 17:27

I actually switched to another channel after the first 10 minutes or so - first time ever! However, I gave it another chance with last night's second episode - much better! Almost credible...... And I really like Neil Dudgeon as Tom's cousin (think I prefer him to the sainted Nettles....)

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