If you like this show, I created it. If you don’t, it wasn’t me, guv.
I worked on the first two series of Doc Martin for Buffalo Pictures and ITV. It was and remains a smash hit. I’m so pleased to see that the show thrives now in my absence. It’s in its sixth year and plays around the world.
Also delightful is that it is being remade in foreign versions – German, Spanish and French.
Martin Clunes is just fantastic as the grumpy doc, and I hope he never tires of berating the good people of Portwenn.
I want you back for the 6th series. You are terrific!
Thanks Molly.
Mr. Minghella,
I live in Washington, DC and work for C-SPAN (akin to your BBC Parliament Channel). Full disclosure, I am also a huge fan of “Doc Martin”. Recently SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) has been in the news. The act would make YouTube (and similar sights) libel for the content people post illegally on their sight. I’m curious, as a person this act affects, what do you think about limiting websites like YouTube from airing shows like “Doc Martin”?
I have to confess since I have been watching DM on Netflix and PBS here in the states I have also watched the latest series on YouTube. My personal feeling is, besides feeling a little guilty for watching online, YT is a great vehicle for bringing in fans to the show. My guess is “Doc Martin” has benefited from it being on YT. I would like your thoughts on this. Does this affect you? Who does it affect?
Thanks for your time,
Molly
Hi Molly,
I ought to have a well-developed line on this, but I don’t.
I suppose, like most people, I know in my heart it’s wrong to use youtube etc to view programming, but I find it a useful (if patchy) resource. And I like the democracy of it.
So it’s hard to moralise. On the other hand, I don’t think anybody can seriously argue that advertising and other revenues generated by displaying ill-gotten content are fairly earned. They should be shared among the content-owners. It can be done, eg with PRS and music; it can be done with video too.
I think there are other issues in the proposed legislation; I’m afraid I haven’t had time to look. Very lazy of me!
DM
Thank you for responding Mr. Minghella,
I’m so glad you didn’t go off on me for watching series 5 online.
You are correct, there are other issues connected with SOPA.
I feel guilty. This is why I write you.
It would behoove Buffalo Productions to create a way for their fans to have access on an advertised site – to the latest series especially. I would prefer to support the creator, writers, players and technical folks for bringing me the BEST series I have ever watched through this way rather than “ill-gotten” or “pirated” method. This series has a HUGE, expanding fan base here in America and I think your fans would love to support “Doc Martin” directly but don’t hesitate to watch the pirated versions because we can – it’s not illegal.
Just so you know I intend on purchasing the entire series when it’s done. But in the meantime I’ll watch Netflix and PBS and get friends and family hooked on it as my contribution to supporting the program.
C-SPAN’s Washington Journal call in show discussed this issue last month when the topic was hot. Here is a link you might find helpful to educate yourself on the topic. The expert opposed the SOPA legislation.
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/WJMa
Sen. Chris Dodd, (MPAA President) who is mentioned in this discussion will be on our Communicators program in the near future. If you would like to pose a question to him let me know and I will give it to the host.
By the way, I am friendly with Dodd’s assistant, she has purchase the series for her sister.
Molly