The Standard is a television series. Produced by BBC Scotland in 1978, it was shown on BBC1. The series dealt with an ailing Scottish newspaper - the eponymous Standard - and the attempts to reverse its declining fortunes by its team of journalists and administrators. Only one series of thirteen episodes was made. The series starred Patrick Malahide, Colette O'Neil, Tom Watson and Neil Stacy.
The Standard (Season 1)
Golden Boy (Episode 1)
Air date: 1978-04-04
Overview: Peter Dawson arrives from London to assess whether Standard should close down due to heavy losses. He hijacks a Union meeting with a £5 million upgrade, of the paper, at expense of job loses. A planned strike will see the paper close down.
Houseparty at Kildun (Episode 2)
Air date: 1978-04-11
Overview: Colin Anderson investigates secret building work at Kildun House. He learns Sir George Calley bought the property using a holding company, in Lichtenstein. Contractors Grace and Bailey have been hired and armed guard patrol the grounds.
Come to the Revolution (Episode 3)
Air date: 1978-04-18
Overview: The unions are battling for the Standard's future. Peter Dawson wants 65% redundancies when new machinery is introduced. Colin Anderson discovers former MP Arthur Major is working to get the union to strike which only benefits the owners.
De Mortuis (Episode 4)
Air date: 1978-04-25
Overview: Colin Anderson is asked to write an obituary for self made multi-millionaire Lord Dulswinton who is dying. Alex Forsythe reports that three men died on a ship burning in the Clyde. Flying under a Liberian flag but owned by Lord Dulswinton.
Death of a Pink Elephant (Episode 5)
Air date: 1978-05-02
Overview: Colin and Peter go to investigate an illegal sea-cull on a remote Scottish Island, but find themselves threatened with the same fate as the seals.
Win a Few, Lose a Few (Episode 6)
Air date: 1978-05-09
Overview: Aid worker Dr Graham Ferguson has been held in captivity, by Oramban Guerrillas, since 1974. Colin scoops everybody by being on the same Glasgow bound plane has him. He wants to get the story without letting Ferguson know he's journalist.
The Name of the Game (Episode 7)
Air date: 1978-05-16
Overview: The takeover at the Standard is agreed but Peter Dawson finds the board has a changed it's mind and has voted to shut the paper down. Dawson has 24 hours to save, the Standard, but needs Felicity Grant to make a mock up for a relaunch.
Strictly Confidential (Episode 8)
Air date: 1978-05-23
Overview: Tommy McCaine let's slip, to rival reporter Fred Allan, Alex Forsythe's exclusive about corruption during an oil rig deal. Peter Dawson over rules Felicity Grant and wants him sacked but Alex decides to give young Tommy union backing.
Two Birds, One Stone (Episode 9)
Air date: 1978-05-30
Overview: The board warn Felicity about Forsythe's oil industry story. Anderson gets tipped off about sub-standard concrete causing a possible serious leak. With Pan-Global ready to open a new well, Anderson becomes under pressure to bury his story.
Bread and Circuses (Episode 10)
Air date: 1978-06-06
Overview: Lawrence Holt raped Maureen Carter and murdered husband Tom. He evaded justice by jumping under a train. The Standard give £10,000 to Maureen for her story and £5,000 to Holt's mother for her's. Colin Anderson soon begins to regret it.
Silence Is Golden (Episode 11)
Air date: 1978-06-13
Overview: "Charlie" warns Anderson about arrests made after his Chronicle story on deer poaching. The Procurator. Fiscal wants him to answer questions the wounding of a police officer. With a possible contempt of court charge the Standard won't help.
A Fair Exchange (Episode 12)
Air date: 1978-06-20
Overview: East German football player Hans Gruber wants to defect to the West. Colin Anderson interviews him but accidentally passes him back to the East Germans. The Standard writes a story accusing both the British and East Germany are lying.
New Standards (Episode 13)
Air date: 1978-06-27
Overview: East German striker Hans Gruber has been stopped by the Home Office when his team mates have left. He claims he wants to return home but has been lied about his wife defecting to Berlin. A paper strike is a major concern for the relaunch.
Seasons
Episodes 13