Doctor Who’s last chance?
I’ve been getting nervous, these past few days, about the future of Doctor Who. It’s not because of anything I’ve read or heard about the new series. All signs point to this being possibly the best version of Who ever made - certainly the most expensive and high-profile.
What makes me nervous is that the BBC are pinning huge hopes on this show. Not only has it cost so much money that the Beeb are cutting over 3000 jobs (there’s no evidence that the two events are directly connected, but half a mill or so per episode can’t have helped!), but it’s also the biggest attempt yet to unsettle the mighty ITV Saturday night lineup. If it’s not a huge success, not only will the BBC have a very large amount of dairy product on their collective visages, but it’ll be the end of Doctor Who as a TV show for pretty much, well, ever. Can you ever see them bringing it back again in ten years time, knowing that in 2005 it was such a huge failure despite having a huge promotional push, a dream writer, an excellent cast and a budget the size of the US trade deficit?
But it’s not going to be a failure. I think it’s going to be a monster hit. I think Doctor Who will be more popular then it’s ever been, and certainly more cool. It’s time to put “our” show to the test and see what the World’s Best TV Concept can really do when given everything it needs to succeed.
Posted by John on Tuesday, March 22 at 11:47 am
10 Comments...
You don’t sound completely confident to me.
I have little doubt that it is going to be popular, but the question is, will it be as hugely popular as the BBC wants it to be?
Anyway, if it fails I get my books back.
(This last sentence is brought to you by the “What everyone expects John to say” department.)
Posted by John on 03/22 at 01:04 PM
I’m confident that “Rose” will be mega-huge and bring in big ratings. Will people come back for episode 2 and beyond? That’s the big question mark. I really hope they do. For years I’ve been saying that Doctor Who is the best concept for a TV show ever, and there doesn’t seem to be much standing in the way of that concept fulfilling its promise this time around, except for what the audience chooses to watch.
Posted by Richard Salter on 03/22 at 01:08 PM
If they think it’s going to be some monster huge hit of history making proportions then it’s almost certain they will be dissapointed so I hope that they have realistic expectations. We can all hope but realistically 7-8 million would be what you might expect and likley will get.
Posted by Ryan on 03/22 at 04:06 PM
Listen Smeagol, hand over the precious and if you’re good you can have it back at the end of June!
Posted by Scott on 03/23 at 09:21 AM
The show is definitely up to the test. The time is right. Let’s do it!
Posted by Rob Irwin on 03/23 at 07:19 PM
Dear Chicken Little.
Please at least wait a little while before determining whether the sky is falling.
Yours sincerely
Mother Goose.
Posted by Graeme on 03/24 at 10:05 AM
You have made some good points. I have been astounded by the push given to this series by the BBC. Even if it is the best piece of fantasy ever made in the UK it is still niche viewing for many and not as broad as most soaps or quizz shows etc. I hope it works but part of me wants a lower profile and smaller expectations. Oh well, here we go.
Posted by Mark Smith on 03/25 at 08:42 AM
It’s already an online hit from the reviews that I have read. It’s funny and scary and not disrespectful to the legacy of the show. What’s not to like!
insider joker: This is funny / stupid: Doctor Blue Box ( http://www.lnreview.co.uk/cartoons/004961.php )
Posted by Larry on 03/25 at 09:51 AM
I’m a lot older than I would like to admit, but the two episodes I have watched are exactly what I would expect from the Beeb. I think that the Doctor is as eccentric as all the others dating back to William Hartnell, who I watched, in black and white, when I was a child. Rose is terrific as his companion, he has the wisdom of his travels and she has the naivety of a newcomer but shows both the human and the emotional side, which balances out the team.
I haven’t watched Doctor Who for years, but I’m glued to this series.
Posted by Barrovian Boy on 04/15 at 06:44 PM
I had heard of “Dr. Who” before it came to CBC, but I wasn’t sure what it was all about. I don’t remember seeing it when I was growing up, but - I started watching it out of curiousity and think - it WILL INDEED ! become a very big hit ! It’s so unique, bizarre and “Britishly funny”, I’m quite sure it will “live long and prosper !!
Posted by Angel Wings on 04/27 at 12:05 PM
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