Due South (1998/12/04)

Due South

Posted by Jacquie Kelly on 1998/12/04 11:26

Hi All,

As I told some of you down the pub last night, I emailed the BBC asking when Due
South would return and also asking why schedule changes adversely affect the
"cult tv". Below is the response I got (as well as the original message).

Jacquie

Visakha Karunaratne wrote:

Thank you for your enquiry. There are plans to continue with Due South
during Christmas. I am afraid I have no precise transmission details at the
moment. I can only suggest you keep an eye on Radio Times and look out
trailers nearer the time.

Regarding your main comments, I would like to assure you that the BBC is
fully committed to the programme, and as you are aware, we actually
co-funded the new series. Our planners felt that the Saturday evening slot
was not doing it justice, and it was decided that it would be far better to
wait for a more suitable place where it can be seen by more viewers.

Regards,

BBC Information

-----Original Message-----
From: Jacqueline Kelly [SMTP:jkelly@]
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 1998 2:48 PM
To: info@
Subject: Due South

Hi,

I have a couple of questions / points I'd like to make:

1. I'm a major fan Due South and I was wondering if it was possible for
someone to be able to tell me when the BBC will be showing the remainder
of the series.
2. Is it BBC policy to show the first few episodes of a series and then
not show the remainder for at least 6 months? If so, then that is an
extremely bad policy to have.
3. I have noticed that the BBC seems to have a certain disregard for
"cult" tv - if there are any problems with the schedules then it is always
programmes like Star Trek or Sliders that have to make way instead.

I hope you can answer my questions,

Thanks in advance,

Jacquie Kelly

Due South

Posted by S. Singh on 1998/12/04 13:07

Since when was Due South scifi?
:)

----------
From: Jacqueline Kelly[SMTP:jkelly@]
Reply To: chat@
Sent: 04 December 1998 11:26
To: IFIS Chat
Subject: [Fwd: Due South]

<<File: jkelly.vcf>>
Hi All,

As I told some of you down the pub last night, I emailed the BBC asking
when Due
South would return and also asking why schedule changes adversely affect
the
"cult tv". Below is the response I got (as well as the original message).

Jacquie

Visakha Karunaratne wrote:

Thank you for your enquiry. There are plans to continue with Due South
during Christmas. I am afraid I have no precise transmission details at

the

moment. I can only suggest you keep an eye on Radio Times and look out
trailers nearer the time.

Regarding your main comments, I would like to assure you that the BBC is
fully committed to the programme, and as you are aware, we actually
co-funded the new series. Our planners felt that the Saturday evening

slot

was not doing it justice, and it was decided that it would be far better

to

wait for a more suitable place where it can be seen by more viewers.

Regards,

BBC Information

-----Original Message-----
From: Jacqueline Kelly [SMTP:jkelly@]
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 1998 2:48 PM
To: info@
Subject: Due South

Hi,

I have a couple of questions / points I'd like to make:

1. I'm a major fan Due South and I was wondering if it was possible

for

someone to be able to tell me when the BBC will be showing the

remainder

of the series.
2. Is it BBC policy to show the first few episodes of a series and

then

not show the remainder for at least 6 months? If so, then that is an
extremely bad policy to have.
3. I have noticed that the BBC seems to have a certain disregard

for

"cult" tv - if there are any problems with the schedules then it is

always

programmes like Star Trek or Sliders that have to make way instead.

I hope you can answer my questions,

Thanks in advance,

Jacquie Kelly

Due South

Posted by Andy W. on 1998/12/04 13:16

Since when was Due South scifi?
:)

That's not the point. It relates to the BBC's policy on all cult TV. You
must have noticed that whenever any programme overruns, it's always the Star
Trek, or the Sliders or whatever that gets cancelled, and never Songs of
Praise or Noel's House Party.

Andy

The BBC's abusement of Cult TV (was [Fwd: Due South])

Posted by Chris Turner on 1998/12/04 14:17

On Fri, 4 Dec 1998, Wren A wrote:

Since when was Due South scifi?
:)

That's not the point. It relates to the BBC's policy on all cult TV. You
must have noticed that whenever any programme overruns, it's always the Star
Trek, or the Sliders or whatever that gets cancelled, and never Songs of
Praise or Noel's House Party.

And take the X-Files - they showed a couple of episodes and have now
postponed it yet again. At this rate the USA will be on Season 7
(they're on Season 6 at the moment) before we even finish this one. It's
not as if that George Michael interview is going to be worth watching -
thank god most of us will be stuffing our faces and getting wasted tomorrow
*8).

Chris

christ@ #include <stddisclaimer.h> http://www.instituteofcorrection.org.uk/

"So this is really me? A no-style gimbo with teeth druids could use as a
place of worship" - Duaine Dibley (Red Dwarf - "Back to Reality")

The BBC's abusement of Cult TV (was [Fwd: Due South])

Posted by Andy W. on 1998/12/04 15:08

And take the X-Files - they showed a couple of episodes and have now
postponed it yet again. At this rate the USA will be on Season 7
(they're on Season 6 at the moment) before we even finish this one. It's
not as if that George Michael interview is going to be worth watching -
thank god most of us will be stuffing our faces and getting wasted
tomorrow
*8).

Chris

Here, you work for them. Aren't you supposed to defend them or something?

Andy

The BBC's abusement of Cult TV (was [Fwd: Due South])

Posted by Chris Turner on 1998/12/04 16:28

On Fri, 4 Dec 1998, Wren A wrote:

And take the X-Files - they showed a couple of episodes and have now
postponed it yet again. At this rate the USA will be on Season 7
(they're on Season 6 at the moment) before we even finish this one. It's
not as if that George Michael interview is going to be worth watching -
thank god most of us will be stuffing our faces and getting wasted
tomorrow
*8).

Chris

Here, you work for them. Aren't you supposed to defend them or something?

Oh damn. Someone noticed *8). I might work for them, but that doesn't mean
to say I even work in the same part of the country as those "lovely"
schedule making types.

Chris

christ@ #include <stddisclaimer.h> http://www.instituteofcorrection.org.uk/

"So this is really me? A no-style gimbo with teeth druids could use as a
place of worship" - Duaine Dibley (Red Dwarf - "Back to Reality")

Due South

Posted by Dominic T. on 1998/12/04 15:03

Since when was Due South scifi?

It's got supernatural occurences in it.
And that wolf could be an alien....

That's not the point. It relates to the BBC's policy on all cult TV. You
must have noticed that whenever any programme overruns, it's always the Star
Trek, or the Sliders or whatever that gets cancelled, and never Songs of
Praise or Noel's House Party.

The dictionaries I can find offhand describe "cult" as "Great devotion to" or
"an interest followed with exaggerated zeal". They don't mention a quantity.

So despite the fact that Noel's House Party is cheap candy-floss for the brain,
and about as educational as a doughnut, it is popular. And despite Star Trek
being raved over by a sub-section of the population, the fact remains that it's
a relatively small section of the population, and they're fanatical enough that
they'll watch it when it moves. The great unwashed are fickle. If something's
not on at just the moment when they're sitting down to their chips, bangers,
and beans, they're unlikely to follow it.

And you can't cancel Songs of Praise. You'd go to Hell for it.

Dominic.

A neighbor came to Nasrudin, asking to borrow his donkey. "It is out
on loan," the teacher replied. At that moment, the donkey brayed
loudly inside the stable. "But I can hear it bray, over there." "Whom
do you believe," asked Nasrudin, "me or a donkey?"

Due South

Posted by Simon Richardson on 1998/12/05 13:05

In article <9812041501.AA04508@>, "Dominic Thomas" <dthomas@> wrote:
[...]

That's not the point. It relates to the BBC's policy on all cult TV. You
must have noticed that whenever any programme overruns, it's always the Star
Trek, or the Sliders or whatever that gets cancelled, and never Songs of
Praise or Noel's House Party.

The dictionaries I can find offhand describe "cult" as "Great devotion to" or
"an interest followed with exaggerated zeal". They don't mention a quantity.

So despite the fact that Noel's House Party is cheap candy-floss for the brain,
and about as educational as a doughnut, it is popular. And despite Star Trek
being raved over by a sub-section of the population, the fact remains that it's
a relatively small section of the population, and they're fanatical enough that
they'll watch it when it moves. The great unwashed are fickle. If something's
not on at just the moment when they're sitting down to their chips, bangers,
and beans, they're unlikely to follow it.

I'm not sure what the viewer figures are, but I suspect you would be
surprised at how high cheap SF like "Star Trek" actually goes. They made
seven films of it, and they're still considered to be a viable product - or
they wouldn't be making more.

The other point - the fact that the viewers are devoted and will still tune
in when it's moved - is probably the important one.

And you can't cancel Songs of Praise. You'd go to Hell for it.

More pertinently, the Sunday "God-Slot" is protected by law, and the license
conditions that people like the BBC get their broadcasting licenses.

So you'd go to Hell via prison.

Simon

---
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simon@ | Not affiliated to any religion
simon@ | Not affiliated to any politics
H (+44/0)1784 431998 | Not affiliated to any ideology
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"I have been asked to point out, as if you couldn't guess, that my rantings
are not the opinions of One Chip Solutions. So now you know, don't you..?"

mistreatment of cult TV

Posted by Jenny Gould on 1998/12/06 18:24

Jacquie wrote

As I told some of you down the pub last night, I emailed the BBC asking when Due
South would return and also asking why schedule changes adversely affect the
"cult tv". Below is the response I got (as well as the original message).

Well done for trying- if we don't complain noone will ever listen, and it
looks to me that you got the enquiry spot on in being reasonable :-)
Of course, the BBC man completely blanked you from the look of it, but at
least you made your point, rather than most of us who quietly sulk.

Us Babylon 5 fans suffer the same sort of ill-treatment, with the fifth
season being cut off most of the way through with no warning. I failed to
hear the announcement after the last episode, and we realised when we turned
on the TV next week! Months later, we are finally hearing when they intend
to broadcast the finish, after months of wondering! When I went to the B5
convention, even JMS did not know when the finsh of the season was to be
broadcast.

As for Due South being cult. Just look for which TV programs have
conventions associated. *Most* of them are SF/fantasy. Due South is the
exception. Now, I cannot say anthing more about the program than that, as I
plain don't have time to follow up much TV, but it certainly suggests this
program hits the same sort of keen fan. Can you *imagine* a Neighbours
convention <groan>

Jenny Gould

---
jenny@

"Share and Enjoy"
-Marketing Division, Sirius Cybernetics Corporation

"Cutting the space budget really restores my faith in humanity. It
eliminates dreams, goals, and ideals and lets us get straight to the
business of hate, debauchery, and self-annihilation."
-- Johnny Hart

(The above opinions do not represent a policy statement for or on behalf of
One Chip Solutions)

mistreatment of cult TV

Posted by Philip Ayres on 1998/12/06 21:42

Jacquie wrote

As I told some of you down the pub last night, I emailed the BBC asking

when Due

South would return and also asking why schedule changes adversely affect

the

"cult tv". Below is the response I got (as well as the original

message).

Well done for trying- if we don't complain noone will ever listen, and it
looks to me that you got the enquiry spot on in being reasonable :-)
Of course, the BBC man completely blanked you from the look of it, but at
least you made your point, rather than most of us who quietly sulk.

Incidentally UK Gold are on the point of passing the Beeb on their run.
Tapes anyone ?

Us Babylon 5 fans suffer the same sort of ill-treatment, with the fifth
season being cut off most of the way through with no warning. I failed to
hear the announcement after the last episode, and we realised when we

turned

on the TV next week! Months later, we are finally hearing when they intend
to broadcast the finish, after months of wondering! When I went to the B5
convention, even JMS did not know when the finsh of the season was to be
broadcast.

I was aware that it was likely to stop at that point - the US run had and
there were good reasons - discussed here previously why we could not see the
eps before the states.

Should try being a Doctor Who fan though .... The BBC first killed 110
episodes of it, and then cancelled it all together. At least trek, B5 etc
exists and stands a chance of being released on Video. RIP Evil of the
Daleks, The Web of Fear, The Tenth Planet etc ....

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Philip Ayres
E-Mail: payres@
Web Site: www.netcomuk.co.uk/~payres
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