Comments on: On Aliens in Aidensfield

By: Philip Palmer

Philip Palmer — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:57:03 +0000

I don't have an email I'm afraid - my friend who was producing the show has moved on to even better things. I know that the Duty Office has been besieged with calls; and there's no point giving the shows producers a hard time, because they aren't responsible for scheduling. A few years back a friend of mine had a BBC TV film with Richard E. Grant which was superb and very funny and was thrown into the schedules without any pre-publicity. Why does this happen? There's little enough good stuff made,why not tell audiences when it's coming up? Sigh, it's all a mystery to me. Publishing is a much saner racket; the people who market the books are real human beings who become the writers' friends. And everyone has the same goal; to make sure sure good work is appreciated.

By: Rosie

Rosie — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:40:12 +0000

Maybe Mr Palmer knows an email address where we can direct our complaints?

The Duty Office don't have one - or aren't allowed to give one out.

I want to know who these faceless/voiceless people are, who show such scant regard for the opinions of the viewers.

These are the real aliens of Aidensfield!

By: ross

ross — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:03:16 +0000

Is this episode from Season 18?

It has made me mad with ITV this year, they have really made a cock up for this season, not saying this years season of Heartbeat as been rubbish because I think it has been fantastic, I'm on about the scheduling where earlier on in March, the series came back for only 3 episodes, and same again in May, I really hope that when it continues its 17th season, I just hope that they don't do it again and just show the remaining 9 episodes week after week.

By: Maryan

Maryan — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:22:22 +0000

Not only the viewers deserve a better treatment, but also everyone involved: actors, scriptwriters etc. It looks as if their input and hard work isn't really appreciated.

Has Heartbeat only become a stop-gap between the other shows?

I'm also intrigued to see the alien episode, whenever this will be.

By: Rosie

Rosie — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:06:58 +0000

Mr Palmer - thank you so much for answering my post personally. It's very much appreciated. We have been campaigning on behalf of HB for a while now, and ITV must be sick of hearing from us. We've also made our feelings known through various message boards. We'll continue to do so even if it's futile because at least we'll know we tried. As I said before - really looking forward to the alien episode. Let's hope it's not in 2010 if they continue this ludicrous three episodes at a time fiasco.

By: Scarlett423

Scarlett423 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:46:10 +0000

Sounds an interesting idea, and goodness knows Heartbeat needs interesting ideas, it would be nice to see PC Mason (Joe McFadden) doing something 'undercover'. I never quite understand why PC Mason's backstory is never brought to the fore in the series. This applies to all of the characters. I'll look forward to this episode, won't hold my breath as Lord knows when ITV schedulers will actually show it, this series has been butchered up to now !

By: Philip Palmer

Philip Palmer — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:45:56 +0000

Hope you all enjoy it when it comes...Rosie, you're absolutely right about the scheduling. It's as if someone has ripped half the pages out of the book you'r reading and is holding them ransom. The producers of Heartbeat have no say in this - and ITV know the show will get a huge audience no matter what. But viewers deserve better treatment...

By: Darren T

Darren T — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:26:53 +0000

I think my Mum watches Heartbeat religiously... wonder what she'll make of this episode when it airs?

By: George

George — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:31:30 +0000

I have to admit that I have never watched an episode of Heartbeat in my life, but this post has convinced me that I want to watch this particular episode - sounds irresistible.

By: Rosie

Rosie — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:29:44 +0000

Well, that sounds like something totally different to the usual kind of episode.

It's been very frustrating watching this series of Heartbeat because of the bizarre scheduling - I don't think it's done any favours for the cast or for the storylines. With new characters it is important to let the public get to know them - 15 episodes on from the arrival of Joe Mason, and he still seems like a new character; the death of Phil Bellamy came and went with no time for viewers to grieve for a much loved character. There has been no momentum or continuity - I know for sure that some people have just lost interest altogether.

I'm also hoping that at some point the scripts will deal with the excellent backstory that Joe Mason has - there is so much potential there for a great episode - or more.

Anyway - this alien episode sounds great, and I'm looking forward to seeing it.