Moffat vs. Moffat

2010: Year of the Tiger. That’s if you’re up to date on your Chinese Astrology. If, like me, you’re not, and all you care about is TV then 2010 was the Year of the Moff.

With two flagship BBC shows under his belt – Sherlock and Doctor Who – Steven Moffat’s reign over British TV in 2010 was supreme. The task of taking over as executive producer and head writer on Who probably seemed daunting enough to many (How would Matt Smith fare against David Tennant? Would the series live up to fan expectation? Was it going to be full of "Blinks"?). But Moffat took it all in his stride and also found time to co-create a new, revamped, 21st century relevant incarnation of the world’s greatest detective.

And neither of the shows suffered at the hands of the other. 9 Million viewers tuned in to see Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman solve a Study in Pink and 10 Million viewers watched as newly regenerated Matt Smith crashed to Earth changed the life of little Amelia Pond and made tweed and bowties (and Fezes) cool again.

But which was better? That’s up to the British viewing public to decide as Steven Moffat goes head to head with…well himself…in two categories of this year’s National Television Awards.

I say with himself – let’s just clarify this. Here’s how the two categories stand:

Drama

Doctor Who / Shameless / Sherlock / Waterloo Road

Drama Performance

Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) / Philip Glenister (Ashes to Ashes) / David Jason (A Touch ofFrost) / Matt Smith(Doctor Who)

In the Drama category, Waterloo Road can probably be written off. It is a little bit ‘soap-y’ and the final episodes had viewing figures half the size of Sherlock and Who. Shameless, for me, has past its prime and while it continues to produce good scripts, and the series length has doubled since it’s initial outing (and is still growing), it has lost some of the initial charm.

Drama Performance is a little bit more tricky, but considering that Smith & Cumberbatch are new to their characters I think they are more likely to be recognised for putting in a good performance.

Ok, that cleared up (or at least swept under the rug), who will win; The Doctor or the Detective?

Drama

I’m going to give this one to Sherlock. There was something extremely clever about this 3 part series that makes it stand out in this category; something a little different from the usual stuff we see on TV. (TV bosses take note – there are no courtroom dramas starring James Nesbitt in this category. What does that tell you?!) .

While Doctor Who series 5 was great drama and entertainment, it stuck rigidly to the formula of other series’ and didn't offer up anything particularly different. This was expected, and welcomed, because with all the new changes in cast and crew (and horrible power-ranger Daleks) to stray too far from what we know and love could have been alienating to viewers.

Sherlock on the other hand was the perfect platform to bring back someone who we know and love and send him charging into the 21st Century. Viewers new to Holmes were welcomed with open arms, but there was so much extra content in for die hard fans that it was always going to be a hit. Sherlock wins this round.

Drama Performance

Tough decision, but I’m giving this one to Matt Smith. Cumberbatch and Freeman both won initial nominations before the shortlist; and rightly so, they made a formidable duo. But there is something about Smith – his searching eyes, the way he uses his hands, his ability to command a scene (even against the likes of the legendary Sir Gambon).

The moment that won it for him was from a two part Silurian episode. Smith seems to be able to look past the obvious delivery of a line, and choose a way of doing it that is so perfect for his incarnation of the character:

Alaya [A Silurian]: I am the last of my species!

The Doctor: No, you’re really not. Because I’m the last of my species, and I know how that sits in a heart. So don’t insult me.

While Tennant’s ‘last of the Time Lords’ might have made a big emotional fuss about this line, Smith’s quiet, controlled anger made it more poignant.

Following Tennant was never going to be easy, or so everyone thought, but Smith seemed to just walk straight into the role. He instantly embodied the Doctor. That makes it sound like he didn’t put any effort in, but it’s like anyone doing a job – if you’re exceptionally good at what you do, you make it look easy. And that’s why Smith wins this one.

And Who does Steven Moffat want to win? “For all those of you who have asked, I will only be happy with an exact draw. I'm counting on you all.”. Sorry Steven, I can’t rig a draw. Nor can I promise you this prediction will come true, but I reckon you’ll get one for each this year. As I said, Year of the Tiger, who's motto is "I Win".

See if I'm right (and gloat if I'm wrong) on ITV, Wednesday 26th January, 2011