[TheSilentFez]

Apologies if this has already been posted, but I couldn't see it anywhere.
Anyway, Moffat has been quoted as saying:

I don't know, on this occasion, that the thinking particularly came from me, actually. I've always been open to anything that shakes [the series] up. I think that decision actually came from the BBC. But I've been well up for anything that we can do to shake up the transmission pattern, the way we deliver it to the audience and how long we make the audience wait, simply because that makes Doctor Who an event piece.

The more Doctor Who becomes a perennial, the faster it starts to die. You've got to shake it up, you've got to keep people on edge and wondering when it will come back. Sherlock is the prime example, as far as that goes. Sherlock almost exists on starving its audience. By the time it came back this year, Sherlock was like a rock star re-entering the building!

So keeping Doctor Who as an event, and never making people feel, 'Oh, it's lovely, reliable old Doctor Who - it'll be on about this time, at that time of year'. Once you start to do that, just slowly, it becomes like any much-loved ornament in your house - ultimately invisible. And I don't want that to ever be the case.

So, what do you think? Do you agree with him?
I can't say I do. I want Doctor Who to be "lovely, reliable old Doctor Who" and I expect to see a full new series every year. It would really annoy me if it started airing at random times with large breaks between episodes, and whilst I've always been a supporter of Moffat, if he started doing this often, it may lead to my support of him dwindling.

Source (Beware! There may be some very slight spoilers):
http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2012/05...na-louise.html

[Josh Pinder]

Personally i love this about the show...it is unpredictable and adds to the true event and nature o it to make it the epicness it deserves to be.

i mean i loved that they shook it up a bit with Series 5, then drastically again experimented with the structure with Series 6 and now they are again with series 7 mixing it up. Cannot wait and i love this

Makes the wait worthwhile everytime

[Nikki E.]

Originally Posted by Josh Pinder

Personally i love this about the show...it is unpredictable and adds to the true event and nature o it to make it the epicness it deserves to be.

i mean i loved that they shook it up a bit with Series 5, then drastically again experimented with the structure with Series 6 and now they are again with series 7 mixing it up. Cannot wait and i love this

Makes the wait worthwhile everytime

I agree. Unpredictable is fun.

Except for at the times when one has been sectioned, with no way of finding out what time DW is on, and has to really fight their corner in order to watch a television programme.

[CoalHillJanitor]

I'm just happy they're not moving it to CBBC, which is where it would probably be if it premiered now instead of in 1963.

[TLC1098]

Originally Posted by CoalHillJanitor

I'm just happy they're not moving it to CBBC, which is where it would probably be if it premiered now instead of in 1963.

You have got a point if Doctor Who premiered now it would sadly be treated like a CBBC kids show.

[TEDR]

Originally Posted by Nikki E.

Except for at the times when one has been sectioned, with no way of finding out what time DW is on, and has to really fight their corner in order to watch a television programme.

To be fair though, that's probably quite an unusual position to be in?

I'm all for the mutation into event television; the medium is undergoing its biggest transition to date with the move to on-demand, online programming and anything that keeps the Doctor Who boat afloat is to be welcomed.

[Nikki E.]

Originally Posted by TEDR

To be fair though, that's probably quite an unusual position to be in?

Not so unusual, no.
Fortunately, Doctor Who is very popular, so it's a guarantee that there will be a few DW fans in the vicinity.
Unfortunately, a TV guide, however, won't be.

[DICKENS99]

So last year Moffat's idea was that we would never be more than three months away from a new episode of Dr Who, now it's a good thing for it to disappear for an unknown length of time with the audience having no idea of when it will be back. Make your mind up Steven.

I suspect this has far more to do with beeb funding shenanigans than creative decision making.

[CoalHillJanitor]

Originally Posted by DICKENS99

So last year Moffat's idea was that we would never be more than three months away from a new episode of Dr Who, now it's a good thing for it to disappear for an unknown length of time with the audience having no idea of when it will be back. Make your mind up Steven.

I suspect this has far more to do with beeb funding shenanigans than creative decision making.

Yeah, he did signal the fact that it wasn't his idea.

[nebogipfel]

Nothing to do with avoiding barbeques either, starting as it will in late summer / early autumn. And it appears that the gap between the series halves will be longer than simply that needed for the Christmas special episode . I hope the other half is shown in winter (ie January and February) as hinted at in the recent convention.

I believe the schedule has been dictated to a large degree by the production issues reported last year. Any resulting benefit or otherwise from being an "event" (ie late!) is coincidental to that. The schedulers will do the best they can given the constraints placed on them by the issues. I've never thought Moffat has had much to do with it (now confirmed by Moffat). In the same way I don't believe last years series split was inspired creatively or mainly due to requiring an "event". This year and last they're simply doing the best with the budget and production issues they have to deal with.

And good luck to him. It is important to keep the momentum on the show going and be wary of stagnation. I'm not certain making people wait to receive fewer episodes is necessarily a brilliant tactic, but then I don't think its something they had much choice over. And I'm no expert. Whatever, let's hope series 7 is a corker.

Some people will think this is all absolutely brilliant and the work of geniuses, and if they do, fair play.

[mossy2103]

Originally Posted by DICKENS99

So last year Moffat's idea was that we would never be more than three months away from a new episode of Dr Who, now it's a good thing for it to disappear for an unknown length of time with the audience having no idea of when it will be back. Make your mind up Steven..

Perhaps the passage of time has played havoc with your memory, but this is in fact what he was quoted as saying in August 2011:

This year has seen a departure in how Doctor Who is delivered to viewers. For the first time ever, the series has been split in two so that Doctor Who will never be more than three months away from our screens. There’s also been a much heavier story arc running through the show than ever before, something that we may see less of next year:

http://www.kasterborous.com/2011/08/...012-situation/

The "three months" comment was a factual one referring specifically to the situation with S6 (pushing the "three months" as a positive aspect of that series' split-scheduling).

[nebogipfel]

Originally Posted by mossy2103

Perhaps the passage of time has played havoc with your memory, but this is in fact what he was quoted as saying in August 2011:



http://www.kasterborous.com/2011/08/...012-situation/

The "three months" comment was a factual one referring specifically to the situation with S6 (pushing the "three months" as a positive aspect of that series' split-scheduling).

That makes little sense. of course it was factual for series six - they had to have the split due to production issues. If they had said so that would have been an end to it. (not that I wanted or expected them to have said so).

The inference of the quote is, however, that the three months was a deliberate benefit for the foreseeable future. ie - leading people to think reducing the gap between batches of episodes is something that may well roll forward. "for the first time ever" leads one to expect a second time. "never be" explicitly says that it is specifically not just a series six thing.

It's called spin.

It really is of no consequence at all. Moffat has to do what he can to keep putting out positivity, and good luck to him. But I am bemused by all the spinning of the spin that happens on the forum.

The production team don't owe us anything. I don't mind that they spin. I just get a little tired at the rudeness directed at people who tend to see it for what it is.

[Mulett]

Not sure I agree. If a show's good enough, you don't need 18-month breaks between seasons to keep an audience interested.

[mossy2103]

Originally Posted by nebogipfel

That makes little sense. of course it was factual for series six - they had to have the split due to production issues. If they had said so that would have been an end to it. (not that I wanted or expected them to have said so).

What was "factual" in my post was the reference to being no more than three months away from a DW episode (which was the case, and was therefore a statement of fact by SM, one which pertained to S6 scheduling and no other series).

The inference of the quote is, however, that the three months was a deliberate benefit for the foreseeable future. ie - leading people to think reducing the gap between batches of episodes is something that may well roll forward. "for the first time ever" leads one to expect a second time. "never be" explicitly says that it is specifically not just a series six thing.

Then all that i can say is that you picked up on an inference that I did not, or an inference that simply was not there.

It's called spin.

it's called you misinterpreting or misunderstanding the context of what was said at the time.

[nebogipfel]

Originally Posted by mossy2103

What was "factual" in my post was the reference to being no more than three months away from a DW episode (which was the case, and was therefore a statement of fact by SM, one which pertained to S6 scheduling and no other series).

Then all that i can say is that you picked up on an inference that I did not, or an inference that simply was not there.

it's called you misinterpreting or misunderstanding the context of what was said at the time.

Here we go again with the rudeness. My post explained how it is perfectly possible and entirely reasonable for some people to have interpreted it in the way it has been.

I don't particularly deny you your interpretation (maybe it really was a pure one off inspired by the baby kidnap plot), but Moffat did not say his comment was restricted solely to series six. His words were "never be".

Also the poster you insulted was questioning why "never be more than three months" was the story for last year but "make them wait longer" is the story for this year. He simply asked "make your mind up".

I think you should have the grace to accept that his wording was less than precise and that others can validly have interpreted differently without insult.

Part of Moffat's job is PR (or "spin"). It is not an insult for me to understand that and say so.

[Larry1971]

Originally Posted by Mulett

Not sure I agree. If a show's good enough, you don't need 18-month breaks between seasons to keep an audience interested.

no you don't but if we did have an 18 month break between series it could then allow Doctor Who to continue for a good masny years to come and we could then have in theory a slightly longer series when it did come back. Personally I'm not that bothered what time of year each series starts or how long there is between each series as long as Doctor Who,is contiuned to be made then I'm more than happy.

[mossy2103]

Originally Posted by nebogipfel

Here we go again with the rudeness.

There was no rudeness.

I don't particularly deny you your interpretation (maybe it really was a pure one off inspired by the baby kidnap plot), but Moffat did not say his comment was restricted solely to series six. His words were "never be".

I prefer to base judgements on what he did say, as opposed to what he did not say (or did not include in his interview). Let's take it one sentence at a time, and I will provide my deconstruction of the sentences:

He stated:

This year has seen a departure in how Doctor Who is delivered to viewers.

This year - very specific, referring to a particular year and no other. No future tense used.

For the first time ever, the series has been split in two so that Doctor Who will never be more than three months away from our screens.

Again, running on from the first specific point (and totally in context), he is talking about the series, referring to this series (S6) and no other. No future tense used.

There’s also been a much heavier story arc running through the show than ever before,

Again, referring to this series (s6), and no other (apart from accepting that earlier series did not have as heavy a story arc). No future tense used.

something that we may see less of next year:

Ah, the first time that any reference is made to a future series, and only then in the context of a possible story arc (mentioned in the first part of the same sentence).

With respect, I rest my case, as if you don't accept the point now, you are probably never going to (and it would be fruitless to continue what will then be a circular exchange).

Also the poster you insulted was questioning why "never be more than three months" was the story for last year but "make them wait longer" is the story for this year. He simply asked "make your mind up".

Again, no insult was made nor intended, I was putting the record straight as the poster (DICKENS99) seemed to have a markedly different recollection as to what SM stated - and may I suggest that if you see it as an insult, then please report the offending post. But don't start spraying around such accusations willy-nilly thanks.


I have made my points, I will leave it there.

[nebogipfel]

It was you who said their memory was playing havoc with them. Not the most olive branchy of introductions. I was not spraying my comment around Willy nilly.

We have two possible ways of looking at Moffat's statement. I think both are possible. That is all. Your deconstruction does not sway me from my view that Moffat's words could easily be misunderstood by perfectly rational people. And that fault for this rests more with Moffat than his audience. It's just my view.

I would never alert a post for anything other than outright offensive abuse. Not simple lack of manners. I just find it slightly tiresome. I don't mind it happening. It's just chatting.

But I'm happy to accept you did not intend to appear rude.

[mossy2103]

Originally Posted by nebogipfel

But I'm happy to accept you did not intend to appear rude.

OK.

[sohoguy]

Originally Posted by TLC1098

You have got a point if Doctor Who premiered now it would sadly be treated like a CBBC kids show.

Erm, it returned in 2005 and not on CBBC...

[Bruce Wayne]

Why did I read that as late Lunch?

[pajs1000]

A bit off thread but enjoy the move mate.

[Nikki E.]

Originally Posted by Bruce Wayne

Why did I read that as late Lunch?

I keep reading it as that too.

[nebogipfel]

Originally Posted by sohoguy

Erm, it returned in 2005 and not on CBBC...

I think what he is getting at is that starting very recently the BBC have a new policy of not having children's programmes on BBC1. They can only appear on CBBC. Not both. If the Sarah Jane adventures were launched this year it would not have had a sniff at a BBC one or BBC two airing. it would have been confined to CBBC and only CBBC.

It's not a huge stretch to imagine executives deciding what market to pitch Doctor Who at in 2012 (pretending 2005 hadn't happened here) might (wrongly) come down on the side of "its for kids isn't it?". And if kids are the target, off to CBBC it goes.

I think it was a lament for the new way of television channels being segmented to tightly focussed "markets". Gone are the days of parents sneaking a quick watch of the clangers before the news. These days the kids are supposed to be in one room watching their own channel while mum and dad sit in another room watching something else.

[Tom Tit]

Originally Posted by TheSilentFez

if he started doing this often, it may lead to my support of him dwindling.
l[/url]

He has no idea idea who you are; your support is worthless to him.

My own opinion? Not bothered. It's only a TV programme. I enjoy watching it when it's on but I have a myriad other things i can do.