Radio Times

I wasn't sure at first, but I rather grew to like Apparitions (previously Thursdays, BBC1). Yes, it was as daft as a whole cupboard full of brushes. But it had the courage of its convictions and obviously believed in itself.

In case you missed it – and you probably did, viewing figures were pretty poor – Apparitions featured Martin Shaw as an exorcist priest, Father Jacob, whose faith was tested every week by demons. Yes, yes, I know it sounds silly and I suppose it was preposterous, but it had its moments, some of them unnecessarily gory (an unfortunate friend of Father Jacob's was skinned alive in the first episode in a jaw-droppingly unpleasant scene).

Martin Shaw was just right as Jacob, a thoroughly decent man who always stayed true to his beliefs and had enormous courage in the face of murderous wraiths and possessed souls out to do him harm. It would have been easy for both Shaw and Apparitions to be a bit knowing, having little winks at the audience while playing games with the genre.

But they were both dead straight, without a hint of humour, which I think worked well. Playing it any other way would quickly have become tiresome.

Of course, sadly, we probably won't see its like again. Television dramas based on the supernatural have always been thin on the ground – to my disappointment, as I love spooky books and films.

Something as big and expensive as Apparitions had a lot riding on its success and now it's over, it will be considered a failure. This isn't good for Apparitions, which probably won't be recommissioned, and it isn't good for anyone else who wants to have a go at supernatural drama, because "Apparitions didn't work" will become a watchword.

It's a shame. Still, spooky-lovers, make absolutely sure you don't miss Crooked House (Monday 22–Wednesday 24 December, BBC4). Good, old-fashioned horror at its best.

Before signing off for Christmas, can I make one small plea? Leave Nigella Lawson alone. She's great. Anyone who can get the words "bulge" and "ooze" into the same sentence (while talking about her loaded potato skins) without a hint of shame is a true star.

She is a Christmas treat. But some women can be really horrible about her, while she brings out the inner Benny Hill in about 75 per cent of the British male population. Terry Wogan's listeners have been composing poems about her "Christmas tips", which they seem to find very funny. How old are you, boys?

Anyway, Nigella is marvellous. I've never met her but I want her life – lovely fairylights in the kitchen, those gorgeous bookshelves and glamorous friends.

Merry Christmas.

**

Alison Graham is TV editor of Radio Times - read her column in the latest issue of Radio Times magazine, on sale now.

I agree with just about everyone. I thought this was really fresh and exciting and Shaw was excellent. It's a shame no-one bought it off the beeb because it had an awful lot going for it. I'm glad to hear there's a box set though as I missed episodes 1&6 - it was taken off iplayer way to soon BTW!

Please another series, this was fantastic - I have since got sa lot of people in the office watching a copy of the series andthey all love it. Very classy, very chilling and much needed. Why didn't the BBC do a big PR job on it.

I have just bought the dvd series and watched the whole thing. Loved it! only saw the last in the series when it was broadcasted.... by chance, as I can't remember seeing any promos and adverts for it on the beeb. why set a show up to fail if you're not going to promote it properly! It would be a shame to ditch this series, i too love this kind of drama. Perhaps the bbc has changed its mind by now. I hope so

If it's true that there is to be no second series of Apparitions then me and my better half will be gutted. This was a fantastic programme that was watched every week by me and my partner (both 36), our son (17) and my dad (67). If that isn't a cross-section of demographics, I don't know what is. Typical beeb to have a great show that they fail to promote and then wonder why the viewing figures aren't amazing. Someone mentioned "Strange" in another post - they did exactly the same with that. Come on BBC - reconsider. Give "Apparitions" another series!!!

I too was very disappointed to find out that there was no intention to immediately commission a second series of Apparitions. Isn't there evidence that many successful programmes started with very varied reviews and poor ratings? Regardless of which it is sad that there is no place in the BBC's budget and schedule for such a good dark drama.

I suspect that Apparitions won't get a second series despite being excellent and genuinely chilling at times. The same thing happened to Ultraviolet in the 90s (same writer, same feel to the show, same music!), it had one excellent series and then was dropped because it wasn't appealing enough to a wide audience.

No wonder TV is infested with brainless drivel that only appeals to the lobotomised masses.

does anyone know if there is going to be a series two the words "series one" is ominously missing from the front cover of the dvd case.

typical bbc they occasionally hit onto a good thing so what do they do,drop it.

they hailed "strange" as a success - which it was - so they dropped it.

unless of course its doctor who or a spin off from it.

as long as theres plenty of chav tv about why would the rest of us want or need more than the doctors verse.

inbetween we can watch most haunted - jeeez. thing is they have no masters to please,they dont have to worry about advertising revenue so they pick up and drop things at a whim and dont care what we think.

the fact that itv is in a financial crisis now which cannot affect the bbc will likely make them even more complacent.

best series on tv for years heard in mirror was to be scrapped what a shame as martin shaw was brilliant as the priest fantastic series will be disappointed if it has been scrapped as there was nothing else on tv worth watching that evening good programme for the bbc

having not kept up to date with what's currently on t.v. i missed this series, does anyone know when it's likely to be repeated ?

I agree with all those praising this series. It was appointment TV for me, a weekly must see. But it was NOT publicised enough by the BBC, who I think we're running scared after Ross & Brand. Father Jacob is a character we need to get to know better ( who did he lose his virginity to?) Sister Ruth and he are a great double act and the potential for great storylines is there too...so come on BEEB A NEW SERIES PLEASE! IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO GIVE ROSS A SECOND CHANCE, APPARITIONS DESERVES ONE TOO! AND IF COST IS AN ISSUE, SLASH ROSS' SALARY!

my daughter(aged 24) and I (aged 44) thought this was absolutley brilliant and were gutted that it was over so quickly.if the bbc are listening pls do lots more of this programme as it brought us back to the bbc which i rarely watch these days..Martin shaw was awesome in this drama and it certainly got you thinking and discussing the topic..loved it.

The best thing i've seen on tv for years. I was on the edge of my seat. Please please another series

I loved Apparitions so much. The finale was full of tension. Yes, it was daft stuff, but totally addictive TV. It's the best BBC drama in years. Shows the Yanks that we can make good TV drama again and move beyond the tedious dated naturalism of the Bill, Prime Suspect and Cracker. There must be a recommission!

This was the best Drama the BBC has produced in years! It's what the beeb does, well did, best.

I think the comments were unfair. The series was very scary and fresh at least it wasnt a rehash or involved celebritys in any way. The story moved on week by week drove him deeper to challenge himself and his own faith. It deserves another series it was exciting, scary, very well acted, original storyline, I wonder if this AlisonGraham actually watched it, compared to the other crap that has been on the television lately it deserves fairer comments.

I thought Apparitions was one of the best things to be seen on tv for a very long time. Bearing in mind that it was put up against Yet Another Celebrity Show on the other channel, and required a bit of thought and attention, I think its viewing figures were great. It's going to take a while for people to remember that it can be just as enjoyable - more so - to watch a show that invites them to use their brains and imaginations. I agree with the above - a second season, and a longer one please!

The series was a load of formulaic nonsense. Father Jacob always identified somebody who was possessed and a spectacular exorcism was carried out at the end of every show. What a bore....

This was a fantastic watch and I will be looking forward to more episodes if Martin can get everyone on side to give it another go. Please, please, please planners give it another series.........

Perhaps Ms Graham should consider the fact that Apparitions didn't get many mentions in the RT, and when it did Ms Graham wasn't what I would call enthusiastic about it. If the BBC and it's various marketing avenues wants to engage the interest of the viewers it should at least give decent promotion and that's something the RT definitely did not give to Apparitions. It's a bit late now for her to say she liked it when the failure of the magazine she edits to positively support Apparitions may have contributed in some part to low ratings. And how is she so certain it won't be recommissioned, does she have a personal hotline to the Head of BBC Drama?

I agree - I thought on the whole it was a great series, and yes martin shaw was great in the part. I sincerely hope it gets another run. We are overrun with the same rubbish of dramas and soaps, but this was something totally different and original.

Great series, overall. Told with conviction, creative ways to tackle the seemingly one-note idea of exorcism, a finale that pulled elements from the previous episodes together very well, a great performance from Shaw, well-researched scripts from Ahearne, enjoyable gruesome for primetime BBC. Low ratings are a shame -- if only because we probably won't get a second series. I think this would have been better-suited to Channel 4, really. But did it do well enough to justify a few specials, like Messiah?

I loved this! If there is no second series I shall be gutted, especially if instead there is another series of the dreadful Bonekickers.

apparitions is a first rate load of tosh but entertaining and scary enough for those who are not into horror. being an atheist it misplayed my views making out non believers of all types to be in league with Satan when in reality I simply am not religious. I loved all the cod- catholic guilt and sermonising (much of it made me think of my time being schooled by a certain zealous Sister Margaret aka Shaggy Maggy). apparitions needs to be recomissioned since it entertained, made one think a bit about ones place in the world and had Martin Shaw on top form. Better than any soap such as EastEnders which drones on at the same monotonous pace every few days - but not as good as Sea of Souls. Perhaps Martin can team up with the Most Haunted lot?

i loved it.

An interesting idea perfectly operated, it's a shame (like many programmes) that a lack of management patience (financial cowardice?) dooms it.

I absolutely loved Apparitions! If the BBC is reading this, please bring back a second series, and please repeat these first episodes so i can encourage more friends to watch it! I didn't realise it was going to be on so stumbled on it by chance. Martin Shaw was brilliant, as were the rest of the cast and I thought the story line was great. I'm gutted both this and Spooks are now finished, what will I watch now?!

totally agree - okay, some of the episodes could have been pacier, but all in all it was agreat little series - it needs to be given a chance. And who but Martin Shaw could pull off beardy and cleric, in a strangely sexy way? That could just be me though!!

Something new and different will take time to attract large viewing figures. Six episodes not enough for me. I need it to be my soap. Archers fans get to follow their friends in Ambridge every day. Apparitions must be recommissioned with twelve episodes at least per series. Only a matter of time before it becomes a cult.

Right on, Alison! Right on!