Dr Who

[butlerstbob]

As per title, anyone watch it? Loved it over the years but I have to say the latest Dr...Ncuti Gatwa is bloody awful!? Viewing figures are rock bottom too apparently?

[Robo10]

Used to as a kid

Loved it when it came back, thought Ecclestone baled too early, Tennant was a really fantastic Doctor supported by ace companions and really good scripts

Matt Smith I could give or take but really liked the companions - Karen Gillan now a Marvel/Disney megastar and Jenna Coleman was brilliant

Got to be honest I didnt like Peter Capaldis incarnation, but if totally honest the scripts had gone to pot by then - all seemed to be filmed in the same field in Wales, limited storylines, as if it had ran out of ideas
Saw one or two of the Jodie Whittaker ones, she is a fine actress but suffered again with wank scripts

Ncuti Gatwa was ace is Sex Education, and another fine actor but I've tried to watch and its like am dram how its filmed, lots of people just shouting over each other a lot. His assistant is eye catching..!

Mrs R watches it still, I cant be arsed, its lost a bit of edge, used to be occasionally a bit scary for Sat tea time, but just feels naff now and thats not the actors fault, thats the writing and production.

I used to watch Strictly with the missus too on a Saturday but I havent watched that for 4 seasons - its just over the top pap nowadays focussed on parody judging, social media reactions etc rather than a dancing show


I'm not one for agendas, honestly not arsed, but many great shows, Saturday sports content included, is ruined by over zealous attempts to be inclusive that actually alienate the core audience - all shows have to move on and keep with the times, and yes all shows should reach out as much as possible to diverse audiences, but stop ruining what made them great! (Dr Who included)

[jesusmcmuffin]

BBC as they were with the female Doctor ,seem reluctant to talk actual viewing figures but seems they are the lowest ever in the show's history . They do have a knack of tampering with their shows and flushing them away .

[Deleted]

This version of the show has been running for 20 odd years, which is a similar amount of time to when they cancelled it previously. Shows run their course. Producers try different things to re-engage an audience and more often than not, it just keeps the product staggering a long for a little while.

[chuffedstokie]

Target audience are too busy taking pictures of intimate body parts and posting them on thicktok to even turn the telly on.

[jesusmcmuffin]

Jun 25, 2024 12:14:58 GMT chuffedstokie said:

Target audience are too busy taking pictures of intimate body parts and posting them on thicktok to even turn the telly on.

🤷 It's a hobby I got bored of jigsaws

[ian57]

I haven’t seen it myself as I refuse to buy a tv license but from what I’ve heard it’s utter shit.
John pertwee and Tom baker were the best imo.

[butlerstbob]

I think Matt smith followed by Tennant were my favourite Dr's, I started watching this series but was put right off when the Dr started tounge waggling with another character! That and the mincing around! Drs are characteristically eccentric!

[jesusmcmuffin]

Jun 25, 2024 12:27:05 GMT ian57 said:

I haven’t seen it myself as I refuse to buy a tv license but from what I’ve heard it’s utter shit.
John pertwee and Tom baker were the best imo.

Jo Grant


Meow

[maninasuitcase]

After Tom Baker, doctor who effectively died as a series for me.

[Chewbacca the Wookie]

Jun 25, 2024 23:17:06 GMT maninasuitcase said:

After Tom Baker, doctor who effectively died as a series for me.

I’m similar too though I thought Peter Davidson was OK.

I gave the new series with Christopher Ecclestone a go and thought it was OK but didn’t go out of my way to watch it and haven’t seen an episode since Matt Smith.

For me and I’m sure the majority of the older generation the Beeb have changed it so much that it holds no resemblance to the initial series and what made that so special (great doctors, companions and monsters) which is a shame as with the improvement in special effect it could have had the potential to be superb if they’d reigned it back and not tried to change it too much.

I guess the straw that broke the camels back for some of the old school viewers was when they made the doctor a female which totally tore up the history books and was never going to go down well with the traditionalists all with the intention of the Been to prove a diversity point which only resulted with the figures going west and people turning off.

Sometimes things don’t need to change if it means interfering to much with a programmes history so it bears no resemblance to what made it great.
If the producers want to do that and use a programme to push their views and reflect the changes in society then do it under a new name and different banner.
Sometimes people don’t like change especially the older generation who make up the majority of the viewing figures. If you want to appeal to the minority then numbers will always go down.

I’m sure the likes of You Tube is a factor too but not to the degree that everyone’s turning off.

I’ve not seen the new Dr at all so comment but read somewhere where there was singing and dancing in the new series which if true is just plain daft and will only cause more people to turn off.

[frasier37]

For me it's about the writing, not so much the actor.....and apart from a small % the most part has been garbage. So haven't bothered since my son grew out of it

[maninasuitcase]

All the old episodes and old doctor who's are on iplayer. Currently watching the episodes with Mary Tamm as Romana.
She was my first crush lol.

[Chewbacca the Wookie]

Jun 26, 2024 8:08:01 GMT maninasuitcase said:

All the old episodes and old doctor who's are on iplayer. Currently watching the episodes with Mary Tamm as Romana.
She was my first crush lol.

She was stunning. Sadly no longer with us.

Always thought the best period was around 75-76

Pyramids of Mars
Seeds of Doom
Talons of Weng Chiang

being standouts

One of the later most underrated stories was City of Death

[jesusmcmuffin]

Jon Pertwee was hard work apparently

When he was offered the role the Dr he demanded that the actress who had been cast as Sarah Jane Smith be replaced. Don't know her name but she was the tall blonde one in the Fawlty Towers episode the Wedding Party. The BBC had to pay her contract up on full without her filming an episode.

Best doctor for me watching them back and the Brigadier and the very doable Jo.

[Chewbacca the Wookie]

Jun 26, 2024 9:09:45 GMT jesusmcmuffin said:

Jon Pertwee was hard work apparently

When he was offered the role the Dr he demanded that the actress who had been cast as Sarah Jane Smith be replaced. Don't know her name but she was the tall blonde one in the Fawlty Towers episode the Wedding Party. The BBC had to pay her contract up on full without her filming an episode.

Best doctor for me watching them back and the Brigadier and the very doable Jo.

Only saw “invasion of the dinosaurs” this year for the first time. Despite the ropey special effects a great story.
Loved the Autons and Roger Delgado’s master was a great villain.

[jesusmcmuffin]

Jun 26, 2024 9:26:25 GMT Chewbacca the Wookie said:

Jun 26, 2024 9:09:45 GMT jesusmcmuffin said:

Jon Pertwee was hard work apparently

When he was offered the role the Dr he demanded that the actress who had been cast as Sarah Jane Smith be replaced. Don't know her name but she was the tall blonde one in the Fawlty Towers episode the Wedding Party. The BBC had to pay her contract up on full without her filming an episode.

Best doctor for me watching them back and the Brigadier and the very doable Jo.

Only saw “invasion of the dinosaurs” this year for the first time. Despite the ropey special effects a great story.
Loved the Autons and Roger Delgado’s master was a great villain.

Wasn't a kid I knew who would walk past Burton's shop window after Terror of The Autons. Was one on a ship..a stage act couple had some machine with monsters inside. Was that Carnival of Monsters? I think the girl was Wolfie's gf from Citizen Smith

Edit..just a quick Google. Not only was she Wolfie's gf, she was married to him in real life. You learn something on here. That was a great episode

[maninasuitcase]

Jun 26, 2024 8:34:45 GMT Chewbacca the Wookie said:

Jun 26, 2024 8:08:01 GMT maninasuitcase said:

All the old episodes and old doctor who's are on iplayer. Currently watching the episodes with Mary Tamm as Romana.
She was my first crush lol.

She was stunning. Sadly no longer with us.

Always thought the best period was around 75-76

Pyramids of Mars
Seeds of Doom
Talons of Weng Chiang

being standouts

One of the later most underrated stories was City of Death

City of death was great, with the sexy Catherine schell in it.

Keeper of Traken and robots of death were also great.

Pyramids of Mars was excellent.

I always thought Tom Baker had some excellent storyline.

[ian57]

Pyramids of mars is my all time favourite dr who story.
The daemons and the sea devils were also excellent imo, I particularly liked the scene in the sea devils when roger delgado as the master was held in captivity and was watching the clangers on tv and he made the comment “what strange primitive creatures “ 😁

[dexter97]

I think most people's favourite Doctor is just the one they grew up with, and as with all popular culture, with age comes a disdain for anything new-fangled. I can remember the Jon Pertwee period, but Tom Baker coincided with my formative years and so he's the standard by which I've measured subsequent incumbents. I lost interest when Peter Davidson came along, but the new version coincided with my kids growing-up, so I've paid a bit of attention to it since.

I think Christopher Eccleston could have been one of the greatest if he'd had a bit more time in the role, but then David Tennant was superb and has been a hard act to follow. Matt Smith suffered simply from not being David Tennant. I quite liked Peter Capaldi's version (would've been better with a few 'fuckity-fucks' thrown in ). I was hopeful for Jodie Whittaker's incarnation, but the writing let her down. The new guy seems ok to me, but again, the writing is a bit hit-and-miss. I liked the Black Mirror-esque episode.

The poor viewing figures may be as much about the way kids consume telly these days (or rather, the way they don't) as they are about the quality of the show.

[RichieBarkerOut!]

Dr Who has been on the slide for years, and my son has finally allowed me to leave the room when it comes on. The "subtle" diversity plot lines irk me a little, but what does my head in most is the tell-me-how-to-feel-about-a-situation-music!

Having said that, I'm not convinced that my "Tom Baker is the best Doctor" opinion is still relevant to a 2024 kids' show.

[dutchstokie]

Jun 25, 2024 12:27:05 GMT ian57 said:

I haven’t seen it myself as I refuse to buy a tv license but from what I’ve heard it’s utter shit.
John pertwee and Tom baker were the best imo.

Both legends....,..used to shit myself when the cybermen walked on set.....to much amusement from my parents !

[Robo10]

For those of similar mindset who think the writing has tanked, the re-imagination of the show is pretty much the work of one guy - Russell T Davies

He bought it back in 2005 and oversaw the Ecclestone/Tennant/Smith versions, then left (he also did Torchwood that was decent for the most part) - before disappearing to LA for films etc
He came back to pick up after his successor (Chris Chibnall) left in 2022 so has overseen both Whittaker and Gatwas appointments

He has a huge back catalogue of work - from Why Dont You and other kids TV, a ton of darker adult stuff including Its a Sin

Obvs a very talented man, and throughout his career has championed LGBT stuff - even in Childrens Ward on BBC - I'm guessing the more successful he has become, the more daring and outrageous each script/show goes out there to challenge people perceptions - personally I think there are other avenues for that - original shows (he has done many) - not sure there was a need to bring that slant into Doctor Who (although the Doc isnt human, so whether he is a man, woman, gay, straight, black, white should be irrelevant as long as the writing/show is good!)

Its just lost its meaning of what it was about in my eyes - it was always a bit camp - a fun, sometimes scary sci fi show aimed at families of good triumphing over evil. Its not that anymore (as a lot of things arent!)

[skip]

Jun 26, 2024 13:24:01 GMT Robo10 said:

For those of similar mindset who think the writing has tanked, the re-imagination of the show is pretty much the work of one guy - Russell T Davies

He bought it back in 2005 and oversaw the Ecclestone/Tennant/Smith versions, then left (he also did Torchwood that was decent for the most part) - before disappearing to LA for films etc
He came back to pick up after his successor (Chris Chibnall) left in 2022 so has overseen both Whittaker and Gatwas appointments

He has a huge back catalogue of work - from Why Dont You and other kids TV, a ton of darker adult stuff including Its a Sin

Obvs a very talented man, and throughout his career has championed LGBT stuff - even in Childrens Ward on BBC - I'm guessing the more successful he has become, the more daring and outrageous each script/show goes out there to challenge people perceptions - personally I think there are other avenues for that - original shows (he has done many) - not sure there was a need to bring that slant into Doctor Who (although the Doc isnt human, so whether he is a man, woman, gay, straight, black, white should be irrelevant as long as the writing/show is good!)

Its just lost its meaning of what it was about in my eyes - it was always a bit camp - a fun, sometimes scary sci fi show aimed at families of good triumphing over evil. Its not that anymore (as a lot of things arent!)

Agree with most of that, apart from the last bit, but <thinks> the fuzzy space in between good and evil is where Dr Who has often been drawn and the last episode of this current run did just that.

As for RTD, I think he is a genius when it comes to using his craft to communicate and platform just a more informed place to enable more people to think and judge less, the gloriously brilliant, necessary drama It's A Sin is a case in point. To paraphrase Peter Capaldi recently, Dr Who is a kids show and nowadays it acknowledges that not everyone is Normal (whatever the fuck normal actually means). That's the point. And if you don't like it, don't watch it.

One thing further that interests me about the show in its current form, is the backing of Disney, a company renown for winding up fantasy universe purists. This series has been clearly developed to appeal to audiences that pay no mind to the nostalgia of Saturday teatime viewing, and I'd be interested to know what its streaming stats are in other digital territories, regardless of the apparent lack of viewing figures in the UK.

[skip]

Jun 26, 2024 13:24:01 GMT Robo10 said:

For those of similar mindset who think the writing has tanked, the re-imagination of the show is pretty much the work of one guy - Russell T Davies

He bought it back in 2005 and oversaw the Ecclestone/Tennant/Smith versions, then left (he also did Torchwood that was decent for the most part) - before disappearing to LA for films etc
He came back to pick up after his successor (Chris Chibnall) left in 2022 so has overseen both Whittaker and Gatwas appointments

He has a huge back catalogue of work - from Why Dont You and other kids TV, a ton of darker adult stuff including Its a Sin

Obvs a very talented man, and throughout his career has championed LGBT stuff - even in Childrens Ward on BBC - I'm guessing the more successful he has become, the more daring and outrageous each script/show goes out there to challenge people perceptions - personally I think there are other avenues for that - original shows (he has done many) - not sure there was a need to bring that slant into Doctor Who (although the Doc isnt human, so whether he is a man, woman, gay, straight, black, white should be irrelevant as long as the writing/show is good!)

Its just lost its meaning of what it was about in my eyes - it was always a bit camp - a fun, sometimes scary sci fi show aimed at families of good triumphing over evil. Its not that anymore (as a lot of things arent!)

Agree with most of that, apart from the last bit, but <thinks> the fuzzy space in between good and evil is where Dr Who has often been drawn to, and the last episode of this current run did just that.

As for RTD, I think he is a genius when it comes to using his craft to communicate and platform just a more informed place to enable more people to think and judge less, the gloriously brilliant, necessary drama It's A Sin is a case in point. To paraphrase Peter Capaldi recently, Dr Who is a kids show and nowadays it acknowledges that not everyone is Normal (whatever the fuck normal actually means). That's the point. And if you don't like it, don't watch it.

One thing further that interests me about the show in its current form, is the backing of Disney, a company renown for winding up fantasy universe purists. This series has been clearly developed to appeal to audiences that pay no mind to the nostalgia of Saturday teatime viewing, and I'd be interested to know what its streaming stats are in other digital territories, regardless of the apparent lack of viewing figures in the UK.

[skip]

Jun 26, 2024 13:24:01 GMT Robo10 said:

For those of similar mindset who think the writing has tanked, the re-imagination of the show is pretty much the work of one guy - Russell T Davies

He bought it back in 2005 and oversaw the Ecclestone/Tennant/Smith versions, then left (he also did Torchwood that was decent for the most part) - before disappearing to LA for films etc
He came back to pick up after his successor (Chris Chibnall) left in 2022 so has overseen both Whittaker and Gatwas appointments

He has a huge back catalogue of work - from Why Dont You and other kids TV, a ton of darker adult stuff including Its a Sin

Obvs a very talented man, and throughout his career has championed LGBT stuff - even in Childrens Ward on BBC - I'm guessing the more successful he has become, the more daring and outrageous each script/show goes out there to challenge people perceptions - personally I think there are other avenues for that - original shows (he has done many) - not sure there was a need to bring that slant into Doctor Who (although the Doc isnt human, so whether he is a man, woman, gay, straight, black, white should be irrelevant as long as the writing/show is good!)

Its just lost its meaning of what it was about in my eyes - it was always a bit camp - a fun, sometimes scary sci fi show aimed at families of good triumphing over evil. Its not that anymore (as a lot of things arent!)

Agree with most of that, apart from the last bit, but <thinks> the fuzzy space in between good and evil is where Dr Who has often been drawn to, and the last episode of this current run did just that.

As for RTD, I think he is a genius when it comes to using his craft to make fictional space to enable more people to think more and judge less, the brilliant, necessary drama It's A Sin is a case in point. To paraphrase Peter Capaldi recently, Dr Who is a kids show and nowadays it acknowledges that not everyone is Normal (whatever the fuck normal actually means). That's the point. And if you don't like it, don't watch it.

One thing further that interests me about the show in its current form, is the backing of Disney, a company renown for winding up fantasy universe purists. This series has been clearly developed to appeal to audiences that pay no mind to the nostalgia of Saturday teatime viewing, and I'd be interested to know what its streaming stats are in other digital territories, regardless of the apparent lack of viewing figures in the UK.

[jesusmcmuffin]

Jun 26, 2024 13:42:54 GMT skip said:

Jun 26, 2024 13:24:01 GMT Robo10 said:

For those of similar mindset who think the writing has tanked, the re-imagination of the show is pretty much the work of one guy - Russell T Davies

He bought it back in 2005 and oversaw the Ecclestone/Tennant/Smith versions, then left (he also did Torchwood that was decent for the most part) - before disappearing to LA for films etc
He came back to pick up after his successor (Chris Chibnall) left in 2022 so has overseen both Whittaker and Gatwas appointments

He has a huge back catalogue of work - from Why Dont You and other kids TV, a ton of darker adult stuff including Its a Sin

Obvs a very talented man, and throughout his career has championed LGBT stuff - even in Childrens Ward on BBC - I'm guessing the more successful he has become, the more daring and outrageous each script/show goes out there to challenge people perceptions - personally I think there are other avenues for that - original shows (he has done many) - not sure there was a need to bring that slant into Doctor Who (although the Doc isnt human, so whether he is a man, woman, gay, straight, black, white should be irrelevant as long as the writing/show is good!)

Its just lost its meaning of what it was about in my eyes - it was always a bit camp - a fun, sometimes scary sci fi show aimed at families of good triumphing over evil. Its not that anymore (as a lot of things arent!)

Agree with most of that, apart from the last bit, but <thinks> the fuzzy space in between good and evil is where Dr Who has often been drawn and the last episode of this current run did just that.

As for RTD, I think he is a genius when it comes to using his craft to communicate and platform just a more informed place to enable more people to think and judge less, the gloriously brilliant, necessary drama It's A Sin is a case in point. To paraphrase Peter Capaldi recently, Dr Who is a kids show and nowadays it acknowledges that not everyone is Normal (whatever the fuck normal actually means). That's the point. And if you don't like it, don't watch it.

One thing further that interests me about the show in its current form, is the backing of Disney, a company renown for winding up fantasy universe purists. This series has been clearly developed to appeal to audiences that pay no mind to the nostalgia of Saturday teatime viewing, and I'd be interested to know what its streaming stats are in other digital territories, regardless of the apparent lack of viewing figures in the UK.

Fact is people aren't liking.it. and aten't watching it according to ratings.

Russell T Davies has put his stamp so to speak on much of his work and I think this wasn't the platform for it. He's ideal for the BBC to be fair. I think we've pretty.much witnessed the end of it as was on a big downward spiral anyway. David Tennant was perfect and pulled in the viewers, Billie Piper also. Davros in a white T shirt listening to Gloria Gaynor wasn't the answer

[Robo10]

You are correct skip - the 'good' I guess in DW is sometimes the Doc making morally repugnant decisions for the 'greater' good of humanity - into that grey area of 'would you kill baby Hitler to change history' scenarios, I doubt many of us could do it.

He (RTD) is very good at that sort of moral dilema writing, its just seemed to veer away from that.

The end of Torchwood was equally harrowing!

Fine writer, a massive catalogue of impressive work, am guessing he agreed to come back to DW if he had full creative control on narrative and casting to push the boundary.

It just misses the target for me story wise and has done for a while.

[Chewbacca the Wookie]

Jun 26, 2024 14:43:27 GMT jesusmcmuffin said:

Jun 26, 2024 13:42:54 GMT skip said:

Agree with most of that, apart from the last bit, but <thinks> the fuzzy space in between good and evil is where Dr Who has often been drawn and the last episode of this current run did just that.

As for RTD, I think he is a genius when it comes to using his craft to communicate and platform just a more informed place to enable more people to think and judge less, the gloriously brilliant, necessary drama It's A Sin is a case in point. To paraphrase Peter Capaldi recently, Dr Who is a kids show and nowadays it acknowledges that not everyone is Normal (whatever the fuck normal actually means). That's the point. And if you don't like it, don't watch it.

One thing further that interests me about the show in its current form, is the backing of Disney, a company renown for winding up fantasy universe purists. This series has been clearly developed to appeal to audiences that pay no mind to the nostalgia of Saturday teatime viewing, and I'd be interested to know what its streaming stats are in other digital territories, regardless of the apparent lack of viewing figures in the UK.

Fact is people aren't liking.it. and aten't watching it according to ratings.

Russell T Davies has put his stamp so to speak on much of his work and I think this wasn't the platform for it. He's ideal for the BBC to be fair. I think we've pretty.much witnessed the end of it as was on a big downward spiral anyway. David Tennant was perfect and pulled in the viewers, Billie Piper also. Davros in a white T shirt listening to Gloria Gaynor wasn't the answer

I read where he’d decided that Davros was offensive to people in wheelchairs as he was half dalek so was unable to walk.

Did RTD speak to anyone with a disability or did he make this decision because he was offended that an evil dictator would be unable to walk.
Another unnecessary change to interfere with the shows history because those in charge know “better.”

It reminds me a bit of what’a happening with the Washington Commanders at the moment where the NFL felt their old name the Redskins was offensive to native Americans so changed their name / logo. .
It now appears that the native americans in question liked the old name because it honoured one of there greatest ever leaders and they are now sueing the NFL for changing from the Redskins without consulting them.

[Northy]

Jun 26, 2024 8:34:45 GMT Chewbacca the Wookie said:

Jun 26, 2024 8:08:01 GMT maninasuitcase said:

All the old episodes and old doctor who's are on iplayer. Currently watching the episodes with Mary Tamm as Romana.
She was my first crush lol.

She was stunning. Sadly no longer with us.

A fine British lass, didnt realise she'd passed so looked her up, her husband died of a heart attack a few hours after her funeral, what a horrible day for the daughter that must have been.