It's time to ditch tired TV, says STEPHEN LEWIS, who asks local TV pundits what shows should fall under the axe - and which should stay.

THREE cheers for Nigel Pickard. At long last, a top TV executive has realised what we've all known for years. Most of our telly is rubbish.

The new ITV director of programmes has pledged to get rid of 'tired' shows and stars in a shake-up of the new-look ITV's scheduling.

Speaking just hours after the Government approved the £4 billion merger of Carlton and Granada, Mr Pickard said a whole generation of stars and shows had passed their sell-by date. "Some are getting tired. Some have gone. Some, like Cilla and Barrymore, made the decision for us. New ideas and new faces are essential to refreshing and renewing the schedule," he is reported as saying.

Hooray! Because just look at some of the peak-time rubbish viewers have had to sit through with ITV this week. Yet more Heartbeat on Sunday; a double helping of Corrors on Monday; Taggart (still!) on Tuesday; The Bill on Wednesday; and Sweet Medicine (a supposedly new show that's just Peak Practice under another name) on Thursday.

Anything that can freshen up that little lot a bit has to be welcomed. But what should go - and what should be brought in to replaced it? We asked a few local TV pundits.

Donna Hay, romantic novelist and magazine soaps columnist

Is TV getting tired? "I sit in front of the TV most of the time doing a bit of a Victor Meldrew and thinking: 'this is awful'!"

What should go? "Any shows that feature doctors and policemen, or people who are doctors and policemen at the same time. Or policemen and vets! And that whole Sunday night nostalgia slot. Where The Heart Is: get rid of that! And anything with Dale Winton in it. He's like a throwback from the Seventies. He's been preserved in Ronseal!"

Anything else? "Today With Des And Mel! I've got nothing against old people, but you'd never have a woman in her 60s presenting with a himbo. And get rid of Richard And Judy. Or at least give her a facelift, poor woman!"

And what should replace them: "More soaps! They could probably merge Emmerdale and Coronation Street."

Chris Wood, who runs his own York-based video production company W3KTS

Is TV getting tired? "Oh, God, yes!"

What should go? "There's so much dross. Cable and satellite have various channels that have a Plus 1 feature, so that you can watch programmes an hour later. ITV ought to have a Minus 5 feature so that any half decent show that goes out at midnight you could see at 7.30pm. And I'd like to see all those makeover shows and programmes about buying a house in the Algarve rolled into one."

And to replace them? "ITV does very well with slow-paced dramas such as Morse and Brideshead. It wants to slow down a bit. And bring back variety, such as Morecambe And Wise and the Two Ronnies."

Julian Cole, Evening Press TV critic

What should go? "Heartbeat, because it is a tired old formula. And supposedly new shows such as Sweet Medicine, which is a re-tread of Peak Practice. And Rosemary and Thyme."

What should replace them? "More pieces by Russell T Davies, who wrote Queer As Folk and The Second Coming, where Christopher Eccleston played God as a Manchester City fan. That was one of the best dramas of the year."

Charlie Phillips, York-based TV editor

What should go? "Studio-based sitcoms. They are truly dreadful. And some children's TV. I'd like to see something a bit more fresh for my children on a Saturday morning. And they should stop constantly flogging the dead horse of reality game shows. There is an air of desperation about it."

What to replace them? "More innovative comedy and drama. And I'd like to see a good new comedy series that they stick with and give a chance. Quality TV will build a following. We've seen it happen."

Updated: 10:25 Friday, October 10, 2003