January 2020 Laurie Nunn Inexperience is highly rated GLOBAL MUSIC FOR LOCAL USE We’ve hand-picked our best albums and composers to create playlists for Europe, Africa, America, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. The series represents global music styles through their regional instruments and sounds. AVAILABLE FOR LICENSE AT AUDIONETWORK.COM/DISCOVER/WORLD-LIFESTYLE-SERIES FIND OUT MORE Naomi Koh [email protected] +44 (0)207 566 1441 Journal of The Royal Television Society January 2020 l Volume 57/1 From the CEO The year ended on a his career. He also highlighted new work events in this edition. I’m thrilled that high for the RTS, with the coming out of his Wonderhood Studios. our cover story is an interview with the conclusion of a packed For fans of fantasy, the RTS’s exclusive creator of Netflix’s hilarious Sex Education, events programme. screening of episode 6 of His Dark Laurie Nunn. Caroline Frost’s article is a One of the last events Materials, followed by a Q&A with the must-read. In common with millions of was “Why we love… quiz series’ makers, was revelatory and other people, I can’t wait for season 2. shows”. My thanks to all confirmed the devotion audiences have A huge thank you to Peter Bazalgette the panellists who made it such great fun, for this amazing show. Congratulations for giving us his unique take on the year not least the inimitable Anne Robinson. to Jane Tranter, Jack Thorne and team for that was 2019. Readers can test their own TV knowledge their curation of this precious franchise. Finally, a very happy, healthy and by tackling the RTS Futures Christmas Quiz In Birmingham, soap sage Mal Young prosperous 2020 to all our readers. in this issue. Enjoy. told the RTS how he successfully navigated The London Centre’s prestigious the demands of US TV to keep daytime Christmas Lecture featuring David juggernaut The Young and the Restless in Abraham was an opportunity for the pole position in the ratings and the Emmys. former Channel 4 CEO to look back on There are full reports from all these Theresa Wise Contents Cover: Sex Education (Netflix) Simon Bucks’ TV Diary Race to the top Pre-Christmas preparations are reprioritised by the London The team behind RuPaul’s Drag Race UK explains how 4 Bridge attack and the funeral of a TV news luminary 18 the show successfully crossed the Atlantic Working Lives: Costume designer Why we love quiz shows Costume designer Pam Downe takes Matthew Bell An RTS event answers the $64,000 question – why are 5 behind the scenes 20 we so addicted to TV quizzes? Ear Candy: Office Ladies A festive brain teaser A new US season of The Office may be nigh. Kate Holman Test your television knowledge with the RTS Futures 6 recommends a podcast based on the mockumentary 22 Christmas quiz Horny but heartfelt The mould breaker Laurie Nunn, the creator of Sex Education, invites Former Channel 4 CEO David Abraham reflects on a 7 Caroline Frost into her writers room, where awkward 23 working life encompassing advertising and running TV teenage memories are mined for dramatic gold networks on both sides of the pond Brexit, BritBox and beyond The soap sage Peter Bazalgette looks back on a year Mal Young, who gave British viewers soap’s first lesbian 10 of cliff-hanging drama 26 kiss, treats the RTS to a drama masterclass Our Friend in the West A labour of love All producers need to reduce their carbon footprints Creative collaboration was key to bringing His Dark 13 now, says natural history film-maker Wendy Darke 28 Materials to the screen, hears an RTS audience Impartiality under siege RTS Masterclasses 2019 Roger Mosey argues that broadcasters were tested as Television distils two days of expert advice from leading 14 never before in an often rancorous election campaign 30 television practitioners Hell’s own media tribe RTS Craft & Design Awards 2019 Simon Shaps says that those attempting to identify the The winners and nominees from the awards, which were 16 real Roys in Succession are missing the point 34 hosted by Ahir Shah and sponsored by Gravity Media Editor Production, design, advertising Royal Television Society Subscription rates Printing Legal notice Steve Clarke Gordon Jamieson 3 Dorset Rise UK £115 ISSN 0308-454X © Royal Television Society 2020. [email protected] [email protected] London EC4Y 8EN Overseas (surface) £146.11 Printer: FE Burman The views expressed in Television News editor and writer Sub-editor T: 020 7822 2810 Overseas (airmail) £172.22 20 Crimscott Street are not necessarily those of the RTS. Matthew Bell Sarah Bancroft E: [email protected] Enquiries: [email protected] London SE1 5TP Registered Charity 313 728 [email protected] [email protected] W: www.rts.org.uk Television www.rts.org.uk January 2020 3 TV diary Simon Bucks’ pre-Christmas preparations are reprioritised by the London Bridge attack and attending a funeral for a TV news luminary hen the awards entries soak up resources. After the carols, we belt out For Those editor of Without hesitation, I agree. in Peril on the Sea before charging Television Jurors get the opportunity to review down to the crypt for restorative calls, my the absolute best of the year’s video refreshments. phone journalism. We will all be goggle-eyed Ten days later, I am back at the is bag- over the holidays. By the time you same church for a sadder occasion: wrapped read this, the judging will be well the funeral of Richard Lindley, the to prevent photography. I am at a sec- under way. distinguished TV foreign correspon- Wret charity dinner, supporting a mili- dent – at ITN and later Panorama. The tary unit that I can’t name, at a location ■ The British Forces Broadcasting order of service includes a photo of a I can’t divulge. Social media is out. Service (BFBS) straddles the two dis- young, dashing Lindley in the uniform The high-octane auctioneer Jonny parate worlds of media and military of the Royal Hampshire Regiment, Gould, who presented sport for me at with trustees from both. The luvvies, another military/media crossover. London Tonight, alternately flatters the David Moody (BBC), Darren Long The overwhelming theme is Richard’s audience and abuses them (“Shut up (Sky), Mark Browning (Zinc) and devotion to truth in journalism, which, in the cheap seats, with your clip-on Vanella Jackson (Omnicom), provide Roger Bolton says, he stuck by regard- ties and Casio watches”). hugely valuable industry knowledge less of the cost to him personally. The high-rollers spend astronomi- and advice. There are a few laughs. Michael cally. I stay statue-still rather than At the Christmas lunch afterwards, Palin describes Richard as a good risk accidentally bidding 50 grand to the two groups mingle, each curious neighbour in north London: “We be a commando for a day. Gould is and, I suspect, a little envious of the thought he was quite a catch when nicely self-deprecating. other. Moody knows both – he was he moved in, especially as Lynsey de His son alleges that he appears “on a “military brat” and BFBS was his Paul had recently left.” TV shows no one watches at times no constant companion as his family The vicar’s sermon text is “The one is awake on channels no one has travelled the world. truth will set you free” (John 8) but, heard of”. The armed forces do carol services he argues, real journalists who believe Untrue, but funny. especially well. BFBS sponsors the it, such as Richard, are increasingly brilliant choir at the ABF Soldiers’ rare. Journalism, he says, is becoming ■ It’s Christmas party time, but at RTS Charity service at the Royal Hospital, an “adjunct of marketing, governed HQ Jo Sampson and Jamie O’Neill are Chelsea. Again, my two worlds collide. by algorithms”. Some of us disagree, flat out, sorting the RTS Television The pipers of the London Scottish sotto voce. Journalism Awards entries. Regiment come courtesy of Major Richard’s widow, Carole Stone, I am delighted that our new Digital General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich, speaks immensely movingly of their Award has got good traction. It’s for better known in TV circles as Sky mutual love. Her Christmas parties video journalism made primarily for News’s ceremonial and constitutional were legendary; media luminaries, internet-connected outlets, including commentator, as well as the historical tycoons and politicians vied for an YouTube and social media – an over- advisor on Downton Abbey and many invitation, so, unsurprisingly, the due innovation. other productions. wake is packed to the gunnels. Days before the deadline, there’s a big story – the London Bridge stab- ■ At a chilly St Martin-in-the-Fields, Simon Bucks is CEO of BFBS and SSVC, bings – and an extension is requested. it’s the Admiralty service of the Royal and Chair of the RTS Television Journal- I know from experience that Navy and Royal Marines Charity. ism Awards. 4 WORKING LIVES Costume designer How do you get into costume design? Nowadays, it’s best to come in as a trainee, learn on the job and work your way up – it can happen so quick- ly now, because there’s so much work around. There are not enough people in the industry. With the arrival of the US streamers, so much more drama is being shot. Are there specialist jobs? If you want to be a cutter, you have to learn how to construct period costumes – many art-school costume courses are really good for that.