Having spent the last couple of years having a ball writing for My Parents Are Aliens I’d say that the production values and the creative process has been equal, if not superior, to my experiences in adult drama. These are programme makers who are truly committed to engaging and entertaining their unique audience and it’s been a privilege to work for them. But the ‘Save Kids’ TV’ campaign is important to me not just a writer but as a parent. When you watch quality children’s programmes with your own kids, you realise the importance of home grown stories. And there’s a lot at stake here.
Of course, the politicians are right, nobody wants the nation’s kids to grow up overweight and unwell, but is this the right way to go about it? If the government really is committed to improving the health of our children, then they should stop flogging off playing fields, force food manufacturers to improve the quality of their products and leave the storytellers alone.
Do we really want to give our children the cultural equivalent of the Turkey Twizzler? Home cooked dinners, home made kids’ programmes. There’s more than one way to nourish a child…
Julie Gearey has written for Coronation Street, Casualty, and My Parents are Aliens. Recent commissions include original series for the BBC and C4 and new kids TV sit-com Live and Let Spy.
