Buzzin TV

Brookside

A group of Brookside fans are campaigning to get ‘classic’ episodes of the soap released on DVD. Given the current trend to monetise popular TV shows it is some surprise that Channel 4 and the Brookside producers are not keen to jump on the bandwagon.

Here is an article from the campaigners that gives some background into their ambition:

“Liverpool. For many people it’s the home of The Beatles & Gerry & The Pacemakers, however for those of us born after 1970 it’s the home of Brookside Close.

Brookside was a TV show born in 1982, on the same night as our 4th Television channel, the imaginatively titled Channel 4. However, this wasn’t just any old Soap Opera, it was unique in the way it was filmed and the subjects it covered.

The way it was conceived, written and filmed was different because it was entirely on location. That location was entirely an actual street in Liverpool. This has never been done before or since.

The subjects it covered were unique to the time it evolved in. Watching it, for those of us who grew up in that era, still teaches us things we did not know, but can relate to. The industrial disputes and unemployment which affected the whole country in the 1980’s is writ large for those of us who only observed these things from the sidelines.

As it grew older, Brookside tried to respond to the changing media market. It may have ultimately  failed in that race, but for the 4000 people who want the show preserved on the new media of DVD, and the  more than 100 people who want to see the Close preserved (including many who actually worked on the Show) it is something that will never ever be forgotten.

This may sound ridiculous, but Shakespeare’s house has lasted more than 400 years. These houses (Brookside Close), which I honestly believe are unique, can only last if they are allowed to stand for that long.

Long live Brookside Close.”

The Brookside fan group are currently trying to contact more Ex Cast, having  already got Dean Sullivan (Jimmy Corkhill), George Christopher (‘Little’ Jimmy Corkhill), Bryan Murray (Trevor Jordach) & more signing the Campaign’s online petition.

Here is a link to the petition to preserve Brookside on DVD.

For further information on this campaign visit the Brookside fans website.