Best Popular Factual Programme Shortlisted


Junior Doctors: Your Life In Their Hands BBC Productions for BBC Three This was the year that BBC Three’s popular fac- tual series “grew up and became bolder and more confident”, our judges declared. This was partly thanks to a thoughtful response to the rise of shows such as Made In Chelsea and TOWIE, with this series injecting a little more soap – but crucially, without being a pastiche. “The producers were very aware that the audi- ence had moved on and there was ramped-up competition among the doctors,” judges said.


Kids Behind Bars Lambent Productions for BBC Three “Shocking without being sensational” was the judges’ verdict of this sensitively handled docu- mentary, which had amazing access to child offenders and many conflicts of interest for its production team to deal with. Its broad appeal went beyond the BBC Three audience. “It could play anywhere because it matters to every- one,” noted one judge.


After Life: The Strange


Science Of Decay BBC Productions for BBC Four


T


his unusual, ambitious and lengthy science documentary for BBC Four bowled over our


awards judges with its engaging mix of hard facts and information, delivered with a light, accessible touch. “Outstanding innovation and populist


approach to an area of science you wouldn’t expect,” they said. One judge described it as a “pleasant surprise that had me hooked from the off”. BBC Scotland appears to have uncov-


ered a star in the making with Dr George McGavin, who explored what happens when a typical kitchen’s food is left to rot over two months. “A sweet and likeable presenter,” said


one judge, while another described him as a “classic BBC passion presenter” who got stuck right into the project and kept viewers up to speed, an expert worthy of a place alongside the likes of David Attenborough. The programme could, they said,


comfortably stand tall alongside other risky science stunts such as Inside Nature’s Giants.


12 | Broadcast Digital Awards | 22 June 2012 Even by BBC4’s esoteric standards,


decay is far from a sexy subject, and viewers could have been forgiven for expecting a dry take on it. But time-lapse, cutting-edge micros-


copy and macro filming produced stun- ning sequences that offered previously


‘Outstanding innovation and populist approach to an area of science you


wouldn’t expect’ Awards judges


unseen perspectives on everyday food. Judges praised its distinctiveness and fresh take on its subject. “Managing to keep a subject like this


going for 90 minutes is no small task and it was quite full-on, but it kept me engaged,” said one. Perhaps the highest praise our judges


bestowed upon the documentary was this observation: “This was one of the first times that I forgot the format while I was watching it.”


www.broadcastnow.co.uk


Steps Reunion ITV Studios for Sky Living The judges were pleasantly surprised by this reality show and were gripped by the opening 16-minute dinner party scene – “a really brave decision and shot like a drama,” one said. The dynamic of a pop group who, one noted, “pathologically hate each other” made for a captivating and honest narrative whose sub- ject was a perfect fit for its channel.


The Bert Trautmann Story Testimony Films for Yesterday Testimony had a tough job intertwining a sports doc with a history doc without falling between two stools. But it comfortably escaped both niches thanks to its astonishing story and incredible archive, despite a challenging budget. “Magical and wondrous, and conveyed well in the music choices,” said one judge.


The Story Of Musicals Twofour for BBC Four Probing interviews with a cavalcade of stars and impresarios drew out some interesting drama from theatreland, from Elaine Paige talking about smoking dope to tales of conflict between Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber. “People were giving a lot and really opening up,” said one judge of this comprehensive overview of a popular subject.


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