The "Up" documentary series (Seven Up! to 63 Up)

[Mel O'Drama]

Sadly, but maybe appropriately as 70 is a nice round number and it will be a tribute to Michael Apted, the next instalment of the series will be the last.

That's disappointing. I realise participant numbers are beginning to dwindle and will continue to do so at this stage of life, and also that there is arguably less ground to cover as people's lives get calmer and less active. Still, though, I feel this is a waste The premise of the documentary lends itself to running for as long as its subjects are alive, and this series was uniquely placed to cover a whole life cycle.

I realise this may read as morbid, but I would find it interesting to see people reflect on their lives as they face the inevitability of death.

Also, I don't know how this can be said with any degree of certainty. A lot can happen in seven years, and it's quite likely that someone, somewhere would find 77 Up and beyond too tempting an opportunity to pass up. Even Michael Apted himself expressed a desire "to do 84 Up when I'll be 99".

Still, though, I'll take what's offered and will very much look forward to watching 70 Up.

 

[Angela Channing]

That's disappointing. I realise participant numbers are beginning to dwindle and will continue to do so at this stage of life, and also that there is arguably less ground to cover as people's lives get calmer and less active. Still, though, I feel this is a waste The premise of the documentary lends itself to running for as long as its subjects are alive, and this series was uniquely placed to cover a whole life cycle.

I realise this may read as morbid, but I would find it interesting to see people reflect on their lives as they face the inevitability of death.

Also, I don't know how this can be said with any degree of certainty. A lot can happen in seven years, and it's quite likely that someone, somewhere would find 77 Up and beyond too tempting an opportunity to pass up. Even Michael Apted himself expressed a desire "to do 84 Up when I'll be 99".

Still, though, I'll take what's offered and will very much look forward to watching 70 Up.

I agree there is more scope for this series of documentaries beyond 70 Up especially as many people today can expect to live well into their 80s and 90s. It would be fascinating to see how the uppers were coping with the challenges of old age in different ways and their reflections on their lives and the world as they enter their twilight years.

However, I think the problem with the last instalment was that the update was told over 2 episodes when the lives of many of the participants had become relatively uneventful and less interesting. A shorter, more focused single hour programme may have worked better. I also think now would be a opportunity to try something different with the format of the show and instead of recounting tales of retirement, tending their gardens and playing with grandchildren, they could more explore their views on a range of issues and how they may have been influenced by the different lives they lived. Also, getting the Uppers together to compare and contrast on each other's lives and experiences of the series, even if it was only possible to do this virtually, would be interesting.

That said, if the series has to end early, one final episode after Michael Apted's death to conclude his work does feel like an appropriate point to do it.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I think the problem with the last instalment was that the update was told over 2 episodes when the lives of many of the participants had become relatively uneventful and less interesting. A shorter, more focused single hour programme may have worked better.

Yes, I completely agree with this. And I see that 70 Up, too, is going to run over two parts to total three hours. But...

I also think now would be a opportunity to try something different with the format of the show and instead of recounting tales of retirement, tending their gardens and playing with grandchildren, they could more explore their views on a range of issues and how they may have been influenced by the different lives they lived. Also, getting the Uppers together to compare and contrast on each other's lives and experiences of the series, even if it was only possible to do this virtually, would be interesting.

I'm hoping that the claim of this being the final episode will allow for this to happen. If the series is concluding at this point there needs to be some closure, and I feel the most effective way to bring this about would be for the subjects to reflect on the process as a whole, ideally as a group.