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The 1970s saw Crossroads become the second most popular soap opera in the
country after Coronation Street (ITV, 1960-). Noele Gordon was at the height of
her fame, and dominated the Most Popular Female Personality category in the TV
Times viewers' award for virtually the whole decade. But even at its zenith of
popularity, the programme remained controversial. The broadcasting environment
had changed since the 1960s, and most studio-based dramas had some leeway for
scene retakes. Crossroads had no such luxury, and ATV refused to spend any more
money to rectify this. The show's shortcomings were very evident when compared
to other television drama, and the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA)
watched on with an ever more baleful eye.
The increasingly bizarre and sensational plots that dominated the 1970s
didn't help. Although the introduction of stoical motel manager David Hunter at
least ensured that Meg was relieved of some dramatic duties, the series relied
on a suspension of belief that proved beyond most viewers, but was no less
entertaining for it. A summary is impossible, but notable events included
Sandy's paralysis after a car crash, Meg's amnesia, simpleton farmhand Benny
Hawkins's tragic wedding day, Amy Turtle's arrest on suspicion of being Soviet
spy Amelia Turlovska, and Hugh Mortimer's off-screen death at the hands of a
terrorist organisation in cahoots with David Hunter's son. In fairness,
Crossroads occasionally grounded itself in reality, and the storyline involving
Sandy's disability resulted in ATV funding an organisation called the Crossroads
Care Attendant Scheme that is still in operation today; nor was this an isolated
instance of the programme's social awareness.
The odder storylines were forgotten for a while when, in April 1975, Hugh and
Meg finally tied the knot in Bimingham Cathedral. This episode was also
significant because the occasion brought the different ITV regions into line,
and the show became properly networked at last. Although the series never again
achieved such high ratings, it remained much loved by viewers, if equally
disliked by the critics. But behind the scenes, with Lew Grade no longer in
control of ATV, and the franchise renewal coming up, the new executive board
made attempts to improve ATV's output and appease the IBA. Crossroads remained
too popular to tamper with at first, but further changes in the broadcasting
environment were to leave it more vulnerable.
John Williams
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1. Haggis address (1:57)
