Comedy Quote by Steven Moffat
“The trouble with a series as it gets older is it can feel like a tradition, and tradition is the enemy of suspense, and it's the enemy of comedy. It's the enemy of everything, really. So you have to shake it up.”
About This Quote
Source TV Series: Sherlock, Season 4, 2017
Long-running series become predictable, turning tradition into a barrier to surprise, humor, and freshness, so creators must disrupt expectations.
In simple terms: Tradition can kill excitement; change is needed.
Key Takeaway
Introduce unexpected twists regularly.
Themes
creativity
risk
genre
Mood
playful
critical
Type
analytical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- season finales
- series revamps
- writing workshops
- fan events
Key Concepts
narrative fatigue
audience expectations
genre conventions
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance tradition with innovation?
- What risks are worth taking for fresh storytelling?
A Different Perspective
Changing too much may alienate loyal fans.
![“One of Governor Romney's aides today on television said that Governor Romney, after he wins the primaries, will be like an [Etch A Sketch] - you take whatever he said and you can shake it up and it will be gone, and he's going to draw a whole new picture for the general election.” quote by Rick Santorum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e32/rick-santorum-1840_draws_one-of-governor-romney-s-aides-today-on_200819.jpg)
![“The Doctor: This is bad, I don't like this. [kicks console and yells in pain] Never use force, you just embarrass yourself. Unless you're cross, in which case... always use force! Amy: Shall I run and get the manual? The Doctor: I threw it in a supernova. Amy: You threw the manual in a supernova?…” quote by Steven Moffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d08/steven-moffat-2328_amy_the-doctor-this-is-bad-i-don-t-like-this_111624.jpg)
![“Rose: Look at you, beaming away like you're Father Christmas! The Doctor: Who says I'm not, red-bicycle-when-you-were-twelve? Rose: [shocked] What? The Doctor: And everybody lives, Rose! Everybody lives! I need more days like this! Go on, ask me anything; I'm on fire!” quote by Steven Moffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c7d/steven-moffat-2328_ask-me_rose-look-at-you-beaming-away-like-you-r_139153.jpg)
