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No Q&A, a semantic standoff
Published Saturday, Apr 19 2008, 15:07 BST | By Neil Wilkes | 49 comments
It had to happen at some point. After an unbroken run of eight weeks, this week I come to you empty-handed, with not a Q nor an A to my name. The slightly good news, however, is that I've already started work on next week's Q&A session, which could quite possibly be the longest edition of Q&As ever.
Meanwhile, I'm going to pose a question of my own. Semantically speaking, which do you prefer: the more American "season", or the more British "series"? Is it acceptable to refer to a British show in terms of "seasons"? Let me know your thoughts by adding comments below.
Meanwhile, I'm going to pose a question of my own. Semantically speaking, which do you prefer: the more American "season", or the more British "series"? Is it acceptable to refer to a British show in terms of "seasons"? Let me know your thoughts by adding comments below.
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Your Views
49 Comments
Your Responses
Alison, Rotherham, on April 25th, 2008
I prefer Season.
I prefer Season.
Benji, London, on April 23rd, 2008
I've grown up using the term 'season' for all shows - be they American or English. A season refers to a block of episodes, while series means the show as a whole. I've never really understood why we call a season a series? It's doesn't sound quite right, IMO. Besides, a lot of magazines and newspapers refer to an English series as a season, now; it seems to be a trend - and I like it!
I've grown up using the term 'season' for all shows - be they American or English. A season refers to a block of episodes, while series means the show as a whole. I've never really understood why we call a season a series? It's doesn't sound quite right, IMO. Besides, a lot of magazines and newspapers refer to an English series as a season, now; it seems to be a trend - and I like it!
Oli, Maidstone, on April 23rd, 2008
The United States has proven for years now that it does TV far better than us, so lets bow down, get on our knees and say "bring on the next SEASON"!
The United States has proven for years now that it does TV far better than us, so lets bow down, get on our knees and say "bring on the next SEASON"!
Ali, UK, on April 22nd, 2008
I prefer season.... It sounds more epic. However, I would not call a UK series a season, simply because a 7 week run doesn't quite cut it, which is what we mostly get over here.
I prefer season.... It sounds more epic. However, I would not call a UK series a season, simply because a 7 week run doesn't quite cut it, which is what we mostly get over here.
Matt, Blackpool, Lancs, on April 22nd, 2008
Well i just use series all the time, even with american shows
Well i just use series all the time, even with american shows
Craig Alnwick, on April 22nd, 2008
Series all the way except for 24 when I talk in days
Series all the way except for 24 when I talk in days
Eliott, Grantham, on April 22nd, 2008
I use season to describe the individual seasons and then series to describe the show as a whole. Although I must admit sometimes I get muddled up and use both interchangeably
I use season to describe the individual seasons and then series to describe the show as a whole. Although I must admit sometimes I get muddled up and use both interchangeably
Matt, Cornwall, on April 21st, 2008
For me, the americans have it right. A season are the episodes that occur in one television year, and the series is all of the seasons together. So for example, the 'series' of Lost will comprise of 6 'seasons'. That being said, if I was to refer to Season 2 of Fry and Laurie, I'd feel a bit silly, cause it's like the word, doesn't fit with the time of the britishness. A series like Skins seems much more adaptable to the use of 'seasons'
For me, the americans have it right. A season are the episodes that occur in one television year, and the series is all of the seasons together. So for example, the 'series' of Lost will comprise of 6 'seasons'. That being said, if I was to refer to Season 2 of Fry and Laurie, I'd feel a bit silly, cause it's like the word, doesn't fit with the time of the britishness. A series like Skins seems much more adaptable to the use of 'seasons'
Macca, Glasgow, on April 21st, 2008
'Season' refers to each run of episodes. (From Season Premiere to Season Finale) 'Series' refers to the entire run of the show. (From Series Premiere to Series Finale) Forget US and UK differences - Lets make the above universal.
'Season' refers to each run of episodes. (From Season Premiere to Season Finale) 'Series' refers to the entire run of the show. (From Series Premiere to Series Finale) Forget US and UK differences - Lets make the above universal.
Si, on April 21st, 2008
Surely you mean syntactic standoff, the words are semantically equivalent.
Surely you mean syntactic standoff, the words are semantically equivalent.
Daniel Erskine, on April 20th, 2008
I just think that series is to describe a show as a whole and season for its individual group of episodes it just sounds better and makes more sense.
I just think that series is to describe a show as a whole and season for its individual group of episodes it just sounds better and makes more sense.
Shylar, on April 20th, 2008
What's more funny is that the "anti-Americanism" posse on this article's comments are constantly referring to "programs", instead of "programmes". Neil, DS is HQd in Britain, no? Therefore I think British English will suffice.
What's more funny is that the "anti-Americanism" posse on this article's comments are constantly referring to "programs", instead of "programmes". Neil, DS is HQd in Britain, no? Therefore I think British English will suffice.
Jen, Liverpool, on April 20th, 2008
I only watch two british shows, Dr Who and Torchwood so I always say seasons. Did I mention the fact that I hate paying for a TV Licence when I only bother with BBC related programs twice a week and don't bother with there radio stations.
I only watch two british shows, Dr Who and Torchwood so I always say seasons. Did I mention the fact that I hate paying for a TV Licence when I only bother with BBC related programs twice a week and don't bother with there radio stations.
Tilly, London, on April 20th, 2008
I agree... American should be Seasons and British should be Series and it's always seemed to be that way. I do tend to refer in to them that way too when talking to people.
I agree... American should be Seasons and British should be Series and it's always seemed to be that way. I do tend to refer in to them that way too when talking to people.
Nick, London, on April 20th, 2008
How about series for half hour shows and season for longer shows. ie. Ugly Betty, Doctor Who, The Apprentice = Seasons My Name Is Earl, Moving Wallpaper, The IT Crowd = Series (not a hard and fast rule if you look at programmes that increase in length like Suburban Shootout) I don't think any reality show or live show should be called a 'season' either.
How about series for half hour shows and season for longer shows. ie. Ugly Betty, Doctor Who, The Apprentice = Seasons My Name Is Earl, Moving Wallpaper, The IT Crowd = Series (not a hard and fast rule if you look at programmes that increase in length like Suburban Shootout) I don't think any reality show or live show should be called a 'season' either.
Dee, Leeds, on April 20th, 2008
Even though I know the difference I ignore it and just change between.
Even though I know the difference I ignore it and just change between.
Brekkie, Wales, on April 20th, 2008
Series generally. As for the format I prefer, it is good to see British shows beginning to move away from the short six-part series, but at 22-24 episodes some US series can drag. I think 12-13 is about the best compromise. Shameless this year didn't do itself any favours with a 16 part series - I think they would have been best off splitting it into two and holding back eight episodes to air later in the year.
Series generally. As for the format I prefer, it is good to see British shows beginning to move away from the short six-part series, but at 22-24 episodes some US series can drag. I think 12-13 is about the best compromise. Shameless this year didn't do itself any favours with a 16 part series - I think they would have been best off splitting it into two and holding back eight episodes to air later in the year.
Mel, London, on April 20th, 2008
I prefer to call it a season and refer to the entire run of the show as a series (i.e. complete 10 series of Friends).
I prefer to call it a season and refer to the entire run of the show as a series (i.e. complete 10 series of Friends).
Will, on April 20th, 2008
The American way is better. Because a "series" is expected to be both a series, as in 'Doctor Who', 'Spooks', 'Charmed' etc., and a series as in the third series of 'Charmed' or the seventh of 'Buffy'. It's confusing! It should be a series for the whole thing bundled up, and a season for each year of 6 or 13 or 22 episodes.
The American way is better. Because a "series" is expected to be both a series, as in 'Doctor Who', 'Spooks', 'Charmed' etc., and a series as in the third series of 'Charmed' or the seventh of 'Buffy'. It's confusing! It should be a series for the whole thing bundled up, and a season for each year of 6 or 13 or 22 episodes.
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all the seasons make up a series-eg the series Alias had 5 seasons, its pretty simple really :p