Moffat's acerbic wit is no match for RTD's PT Barnum enthusiasm.
Bad news for 2012
- Thread starter RevdKathy
- Start date
People who think that an autumn schedule for part of each season will mean dark, cold nights may need to think again. This year Doctor Who is coming back in September, and a start in the 6:00-7:00 range at that time of year is not exactly going to yield pitch-black and chills. (This aside from the fact that Doctor Who is comic adventure as well as spooky horror, and will always have some episodes that don't "match" the weather.)
Pretty much - the BBC is not a commercial network and there are political implications from it's decisions - spending more on Doctor Who means spending less on something less sexy but that might be important to it's public service remit. Sure they could double the budget of Doctor Who but it would mean that something would have to go elsewhere. It's not purely about the audience figures for the BBC - it's more "are they meeting the needs of all licence players"?
There are some very complex politics behind any big decision taken by the BBC.
It's not about "thinking evil". It's about the expectation that we should all just shut up and accept whatever we're told, whenever we're told it.
Every since Moffat, Wenger and Willis took over there have been pretty constant talk of behind-the-scenes problems, including the departure of some key production personel from the RTD-era and budget overspends that shifted Neil Gaiman's episode a year and caused the last-minute replacement of two planned episodes with the cheaper to shoot 'Amy's Choice' and 'The Lodger'.
I'd be far happier if the people in charge said nothing at all rather than asking me to believe that everything is proceeding according to some well-functioning plan.
Since no one here has the power to do anything, there is no point in getting angry.
BTW There was trouble during RTD's run (*cough* Eccelston *cough*)
Also Stephen Fry's episode, and having to put in quick replacements like Fear Her. These things happen.
It basically looks like the BBC is pulling a SyFy. Many of their shows got split up seasons (BSG, SGU, Caprica) and it really hurt them in the end.
I don't see how the BBC is actually saving money on this. Any money they save will be lost with the increase in promotion to remind people that Doctor Who is on.
Who says they're trying to save money? There could be any number of reasons for it, from a new show they want to try out in the Saturday evening slot to moving studios being a bigger problem than expected.
Sadly am not in control of the BBC, I simply don't understand what the BBC is trying to pull here. I also wonder how much say Smith/Moffat have in this over the BBC or did they all come to this conclusion for a new set up. Spreading the season over 2 calender years will just screw with the minds of some of the fanbase who don't read internet forums ie - the majorty.
The BBC really should just do a shorter 3rd season and some specials in 2013 to ease in a brand new schedule and not just throw it in like this.
I'm starting to think this is a snowball effect
1. Sherlock
2. Dr. Who
3. The studio move
Perhaps the filming schedule, working around the studio move, would make filming, writing, running both Sherlock and Dr Who full series would just be too taxing, and really would deprive Moffat of sleep. Perhaps, it would only be a 3 month period that would be awful and cause 16 or 18 hour days, but, doign that for 3 months straight would be kind of taxing.
Add to this preparing for the 2013 Major event(s), and possibly also searching for a new Doctor to play Twelve, if Matt Smith wants to leave after the 50th Anniversary event(s). In addition to this, maybe even Moffat is planning on ending his tenure at about the same time.
1. Sherlock
2. Dr. Who
3. The studio move
Perhaps the filming schedule, working around the studio move, would make filming, writing, running both Sherlock and Dr Who full series would just be too taxing, and really would deprive Moffat of sleep. Perhaps, it would only be a 3 month period that would be awful and cause 16 or 18 hour days, but, doign that for 3 months straight would be kind of taxing.
Add to this preparing for the 2013 Major event(s), and possibly also searching for a new Doctor to play Twelve, if Matt Smith wants to leave after the 50th Anniversary event(s). In addition to this, maybe even Moffat is planning on ending his tenure at about the same time.
Lonemagpie mentioned it but I've heard this excuse from many experienced Doctor Who watchers. It's hard for me to find this credible because a)Doctor Who is really popular b)If it was production problems the BBC would just fire people instead of splitting the season (unless Beth Williams has pictures
) b) unlike American TV which is based on advertising, the BBC budget is fixed (and self supporting ?)You wouldn't need to split the season to mess with scheduling. As for the studio move, I don't buy that either. That would cause production delays, not a split season.
The only credible explanation is just like RTD, The Moff requested it. I know people don't like talking about it but the rumor that the Moff is not happy with the time he has to do "Sherlock" to me is the most credible. That in the fact after 2013 BBC will need to find a new show runner and a new Doctor.
Indeed there was (and you never saw Keith Boak invited back to direct again) but they still managed to get fourteen episodes out a year for four years and when they did take a break it was planned two years in advance.
Put it this way, how many people still think the mid-series break this year was always intended?
(At least we now know why Matt Smith was off to LA the other week; given that the BBC are only giving him one month's work between May 2011 and January/February 2012.)
Lonemagpie mentioned it but I've heard this excuse from many experienced Doctor Who watchers. It's hard for me to find this credible because a)Doctor Who is really popular b)If it was production problems the BBC would just fire people instead of splitting the season (unless Beth Williams has pictures
You wouldn't need to split the season to mess with scheduling. As for the studio move, I don't buy that either. That would cause production delays, not a split season.
The only credible explanation is just like RTD, The Moff requested it. I know people don't like talking about it but the rumor that the Moff is not happy with the time he has to do "Sherlock" to me is the most credible. That in the fact after 2013 BBC will need to find a new show runner and a new Doctor.
Budget is fixed, yes, but that's kind of the problem. The licence fee settlement was rushed to placate the new government. The fee is fixed for 6 years which is actually a budget cut when you take inflation in to account. Then the government saddled the BBC with running costs of BBC World Service and the Welsh Language channel S4C, which taken together is over half a billion pounds. So not only are they looking at a budget cut but more expenses too. They're looking to cut costs by about 20%
My point was there are any number of reasons for delays, split series are a matter of choice and scheduling though. May be they have a good reason for it in the plans for the series.
You know, I was quite in favour of a 2012 world-ending. Have the Olympics and avoid paying for them, interest rates low till the end of time, solve the problems in the middle-east, population, global warming.
But if it means we go out mid-season in Doctor Who, I'll have to rethink and withdraw my approval.
QFT, We have to maintain good priorities
I'd say it depends, is it going to be a big cliffhanger or the middle of a story? If so then yes, withdraw approval. If not I think I can live with it, or not as the case may be.
That's why Moffat get's paid the big bucks
He can write a line for the Doctor in less than 140 characters that will sound epic and send aliens and monsters running.
I think that was the original plan for "The Next Doctor", before they ended up just shooting it at the end of series 4 instead.