BS: A History of Dr Who

Subject: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 09:21 PM

Doctor Who: 47 Years in 6 Minutes [video included]

[quote]

By Helen A.S. Popkin

When Doctor Who and his sonic screwdriver return for a new season at 9 p.m. ET Saturday (April 23) on BBC America, expect a special tribute to Elisabeth Sladen, 63 who passed away on April 19. The actress, who first joined the series in the 1970s, played the Doctor's most beloved companion, reporter Sarah Jane. Sladen, who appeared in the series reboot, even got a spin-off show, "The Sarah Jane Adventures."

But if you're even a casual Whovian, you know what I'm talking about.
If you need a refresher however, YouTube's Fine Brothers are here to oblige. The (alleged) siblings have big fans over at BBC America who are impressed by their speed spoilers such as "100 scary movies in 5 minutes," "50 Book Spoilers in 4 minutes," "100 TV Spoilers" and a whole bunch more. So with the new Dr. Who season right around the corner, BBC America asked Benny and Rafi do the same for this very seasoned show.

With 11 doctors (not including "Doctor Donna" — yeah, you heard me), a revolving door of companions, and one robot dog, there's a lot to get through. Sure, the hardcore nerd could take issue with what the boys choose to include and what they leave out. One might point out that — Aikido and gadgets aside — John Pertwee's bouffant — sporting, frilly-sleeved dandy-of-a-Doctor was more a stern Austin Powers, rather than the James Bond-type the Fines call him here.

But that's splitting hairs, really — back-combed, hair-sprayed, poofy hairs. Still ... what kind of self-respecting nerd doesn't nitpick?
The guys give Sarah Jane her proper shoutout. And if you're watching reruns until Saturday night's "Dr. Who" premiere, keep an eye out for our rising YouTube stars. The Fine Brothers are doing commercial-break plugs on BBC America, too.

I'm just so proud! *sniff*

[end quote]

What else is there to say?

John

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 11:14 PM

I dunno' John but who are you talking about anyways?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 11:21 PM

Really......I don't get it.........What Doctor is this?   I mean, personally I don't know...................So who is it?   Help me out here........................


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 11:25 PM

Very kewl, but I still wish David Tennant were Who.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 11:35 PM

Spaw (don't know if you're joking, or not, but in case anyone else is wondering the same thing)--

"Doctor Who" is the longest running science fiction series. It ran from 1963 to 1989 with only one hiatus before it was cancelled. But it continued non-stop in the form of novels, comic books, audio dramas and Internet films.

Then, it was brought back to television in 2005. The main character (Known only as The Doctor) is an alien who travels through space and time meddling in history and making despots angry.

The alien has a nifty trick: whenever his body has a near fatal accident or illness, its cells and genes rearrange themselves, and he gets a totally new body.   That way, the show doesn't have to be cancelled when the lead actor wants to retire.

I've been a fan of the show since 1980

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 11:41 PM

Old Abbott and Costello routine..........Here's Bud and Lou just for you Dear!!!


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 12:11 AM

Doctor Who has always been quite dear to me. In the mid-1980s I was fairly well-known for dressing up like William Hartnell and appearing at conventions and PBS pledge drives. (I was also about 50 lbs. thinner then!) I met most of the actors who had played the Doctor and have fond memories of those meetings - particularly Patrick Troughton. I met my late wife - quite by accident - because of Doctor Who. Yesterday would have been our wedding anniversary. Episodes with Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant started airing on our local PBS station just before she died.

We ended as we began...

But my cable company does not carry BBC America, and they are the only game in town where I live. (My building's landlord will not permit any satellite dish installations.) The local PBS station stopped showing Doctor Who more than a year ago. So, I'll have to wait until I can see the episodes on DVD - that is, if my old ComputerSaurus will even play the discs (it's quite tetchy about those things).

But, I am quite happy that the series is still alive and well - even though I also think that David Tennant should have stayed on.

My costume, wig, ring, cane and props still hang in my closet. Now, if only I could lose 50 lbs.....

Jay

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 02:01 AM

I missed the first episode when it was shown in Brisbane - I was staying with my grandparents, and the nice lady next door to them asked the young grandson if he would like to look at her stamp collection: I stayed too long...

I later caught up with the first episode, the first series, and as far as I know, almost every episode since, since just like the many times The Goon Show and other BBC radio comedies were repeated, The ABC here played Dr Who many times, many many times, many many many times, many many many many times, many many many many many times .... [hey, what show was that!? :-)]

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 02:02 AM

Sorry, Spaw, A good joke that I really like, but nothing to do with Dr Who ...

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 04:35 AM

I think that David Tennant should have stayed on. At one point I thought they were going to rejenerate him in the same body but with a different personality which not only would have been a cool thing to do but would have showed his acting prowess. Do the powers that be change them when the actors themselves has had enough of the role or when the producers say so if for example they are not particularly good. I wonder this because the reign of David Tennant's predecessor was short lived in comparison. If that is the case I wonder how long the newest Doctor will last? He doesn't do it for me at all and I had expected more. It was David Tennant that got me watching the show again and it is Rupert Whatshisname that has lost my viewing. If more people feel as I do I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the boot by next year.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Penny S.
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 04:46 AM

Matt Smith. And I think it is the writer rather than Smith who is the problem. The language is babyish, and encourages the frenetic behaviour. It's all too fast.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 06:38 AM

Christopher Eccleston should have hung around a bit longer. And doesn't Peter Cushing count? Odd one, given both Cushing films were Hammer remakes of William Hartnell stories, but the special effects in Daleks Invasion Earth are a cut above...

Who can forget the Folk Horror of The Daemons with Jon Pertwee & Katie Manning? A true classic, unmatched by the recent stuff - complete with the Headington Quarry Morris Men...

Talking of Katie Manning - no Who-lore would be complete without a mention of her naked photoshoot in Girl Illustrated, at one point posing delightfully with a dalek. It's all on-line for the curious...

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 06:48 AM

It was nice to see Katy Manning in 'The Sarah Jane Adventures'. She was my favourite companion (from before the Dalek photos) till Karen Gillan. I did watch right from the original William Hartnell episodes though missed a few later on, partly from not having a telly. The only two Doctors I've seen on stage are the two Bakers, Tom in 'An Inspector Calls', and Colin in 'HMS Pinafore', both excellent performances.

I think the writing is slightly less frantic under Stephen Moffat - if you really want frenetic try 'The Sarah Jane Adventures'.

I'm looking forward to River Song coming back in the new series when all will be revealed (or at least some of it).

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 06:49 AM

PS. Katy Manning's the one who looks most like my wife.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 07:26 AM

The original episode "An uneartly child" aired in UK on 23 Nov 1963, but was somewhat overshadowed by a news event from the US, so was re-shown the following week.
I remember it as if it was fifty years ago!

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 08:42 AM

I recall in an episode, going back to the time of Peter Davison all or a collection of Doctors appeared in it and I thought it was quite a novel idea at the time, it would be interesting to see if that could work again obviously minus the ones who are no longer with us.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 09:01 AM

Patsy, that would be The Five Doctors from 1983. A clip of the late William Hartnell was shown before the title sequence, but in the show the part of the first Doctor was played by Richard Hurndall. Tom Baker declined to appear in the story, so footage of him from the unfinished Shada was used.

William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee are no longer with us. I'm sure, though, that a nice story could be written incorporating many of the surviving Doctors. If the Master ever comes back, though, I would like to see him more in the Roger Delgado/Anthony Ainley mould.

Jay

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 09:30 AM

If the Master ever comes back, though, I would like to see him more in the Roger Delgado/Anthony Ainley mould.
I rather liked the idea of Derek Jacobi in the role, it's a shame he morphed into John Simm. I'm sure Derek Jacobi could have played evil equally as well as playing amnesiac/benign.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 09:44 AM

I'm sure Derek Jacobi could have played evil equally as well as playing amnesiac/benign.

Quite right, Nigel. For some reason, my mind went blank regarding Derek Jacobi. A fine actor, and one who could have definitely left his own personal stamp on the role.

I just never cared for John Simm as the Master.

Jay

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 04:07 PM

I just saw Derek Jacobi as King Lear, and about twenty years ago I saw him as Alan Turing. Quite apart from screen performances as C-C-Claudius etc.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Stringsinger
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 05:57 PM

My faves were Tom Baker, Chris Eccleston and Lala Ward as Romana.
I like Tennant and am getting used to the new guy, Matt.

I was sorry to hear about Elizabeth Sladen. I enjoyed the spin-off.

I actually liked Catherine Tate. Billy Piper and Agyemon (sp?) too.

There is a theory that Romana is actually an alien, just like the Doctor.

It's to refreshing to have a hero that doesn't rely on weapons, brawn or violence but uses brain power to solve problems.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 06:42 PM

There is a theory that Romana is actually an alien, just like the Doctor.

Unless my memory is faulty, I thought Romana was established as a Time Lord (or Time Lady) when, after one season with Tom Baker's Doctor, Mary Tamm regenerated into Lalla Ward.

Jay

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: CapriUni
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 07:10 PM

Romana was established as a Time Lady from the beginning. It was after Deadly Assassin; the Time Lord High Council assigned a promising young Accademy graduate to keep an eye on him for them.

And Spaw, knowing you, I thought it was probably a joke (and yes, I know the "Who's on first?" routine), but in case it wasn't, and in case there were others reading who didn't know, I used it as an opening.

David Tennant was fine. But I couldn't stomach Russel T. Davies' direction for the show, and much prefer Moffatt's writing.

But that's the great thing about the series: it's like the weather. You may not like it much now, but just wait a bit, and it's bound to change.

Back in November of last year, Matt Smith was a guest on The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, to promote the US release of the latest season on DVD. And in the cold open, Craig did a song and dance number to the Doctor Who theme, explaining the premise of the show to his American audience. You can see it here:

Youtube video of the Craig Ferguson cold open from November 16, 2010

(Just to throw a little music and filksonging into this thread)

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 09:43 PM

There was a nice homage to Doctor Who in the final (wedding) episode of The Vicar of Dibley with Dawn French.

Anyone remember that?

Jay

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Neil D
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 11:39 PM

Thanks for the videos John and CapriUni, I love that Craig Ferguson line, "..Doctor who's not really a Doctor, like Dr. Phil, but awesonme". Jay, my cable company doesn't carry BBC America either but I expect they'll make to SCIFI eventually. The Tennant ones did.
   My favorite Dr. was Tom Baker and my favorite companion was Leela played by Louise Jameson who was named after my favorite whiskey.;<)
   And speaking of derek Jacobi, I loved him as Cadfael.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: CapriUni
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 02:32 AM

Yes, I do remember that, Jay.

(and there have also been murmurings within my circle of fannish friends, that, if the Doctor regenerated as a woman, Dawn French would be great.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 03:14 AM

Dawn French? Perish the thought! Though wasn't June Brown mooted at one point? That I would like to see...

More folkish Who-lore: the great Geoffrey Bayldon is often referred to as the best Dr Who we never had having turned down the part to play that more bumbling of hapless time-travellers Catweazle. He'd go on to play the Crowman alongside ex-Dr Who Jon Pertwee in the title roll of (love it or hate it) Wozel Gummidge which has its folkier aspects as well.

Matt Smith is a lot of fun meanwhile:

Doctor Who Prom 2010 - Doctor Appears

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 03:19 AM

And not forgetting:

Dr Who & Orbital at Glastonbury 2010

No mention of Paul McGann yet?

Personally I'd love to see David Threlfall as Dr Who - there was a lovely Dr Who dream sequence in a recent episode of Shameless...

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 06:47 AM

And then there was Rowan Atkinson's hilarious The Curse of Fatal Death, proving that if anyone was born to inherit the role of the Master, it was Jonathan Pryce.

And, all things considered, Atkinson would have made a pretty good Doctor Who!

Jay

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 07:10 AM

There apparently are a few episodes that I missed. (Actually there are several whole seasons that weren't on where I could see them.)

I'm puzzled by the comment in the article:

With 11 doctors (not including "Doctor Donna" ...

Can anyone explain who the Doctor Who called Doctor Donna is/was -

or was that Doctor Who called Donna-Who?

or was Doctor Donna a Who in another Who book?

??????

John

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 06:51 AM

regenerate

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 12:43 PM

Doctor/Donna
There were several occasions in (the 21st century)series 4 with Tennant as the Doctor & Catherine Tate as Donna where introductions to The Doctor & Donna became confused. The Ood also referred regularly to Doctor/Donna as if a single character.
In the final episode of the series the Doctor goes into regeneration mode, but manages to stave it off by diverting the energy into his own severed hand (from a previous Christmas special & kept for a while by Torchwood). The energy stored there later creates a partial clone of the Doctor, but with only one heart, (and memories which only cover the period up to when the hand was severed by the Sycorax) and human characteristics. This occurence also passes the Doctor's intelligence to Donna. This character, Doctor/Donna then saves the day.

Cheers
Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 12:11 AM

The other day in the ABC shop, I saw the 11 doctor set of dolls - $AUD160.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Stringsinger
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 12:52 PM

It's interesting that the series was never exported to the States for production. Who could play the Doctor over here?

I would vote for Robin Williams.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 01:21 PM

I noticed the new series proudly proclaims itself to be a BBC America production. Most Americans of my aquaintance (Anglophiles to a man / woman) love Dr Who as the very epitome of Englishness.

American Doctor?

Despite blotting his copybook rather a few years ago - Michael Richards.

Otherwise, no contest - Larry David.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 02:56 PM

11 doctors set on Amazon showing at under £50.
The AUD price quoted above would come out at approx £104. Sounds like a good mark-up!

Cheers
Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 10:07 PM

I noticed the new series proudly proclaims itself to be a BBC America production. Most Americans of my aquaintance (Anglophiles to a man / woman) love Dr Who as the very epitome of Englishness.

Exactly right. For that reason, I've always found the very idea of an American Doctor Who quite repellant. (I also wish that Paul McGann had been given a fair chance in the role, but that's another story.)

I will also add that when Colin Baker's Doctor had an "American" companion - Peri - I thought that the writers dredged up every negative American stereotype they could come up with: a whiny, annoying pain in the ass that - thankfully - they softened somewhat as the series progressed.

But Colin Baker got a raw deal from the BBC (and the writers) - but don't get me started on that...

Jay

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 26 Apr 11 - 04:45 AM

Colin Baker, at the time, was playing 'nasty' characters - a sort of British JR. The writers were trying to make the Doctor less cuddly. When I saw him on stage in 'Pinafore' I realised what a fine actor he is.

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: Stu
Date: 26 Apr 11 - 06:50 AM

"It's interesting that the series was never exported to the States for production"

Why in the name of all that is holy would you want to do that? Leave it alone!

If really have to then I vote for, Kyle MacLachlan, Ray Wise (both from the brilliant Twin Peaks)

Wendell Pierce

Chris in the Morning

Jason Bateman

The guy who played Prop Joe in The Wire

Khandi Alexander, who plays Ladonna in Treme.

Steve Buscemi

Subject: RE: BS: A History of Dr Who
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Apr 11 - 08:42 AM

"It's interesting that the series was never exported to the States for production"

What lunatic US producer would export one of their best money spinners (just think of the money from the dolls mate!) to the UK for production?