From across the pond more than one source is suggesting that Doctor Who is approaching the abyss, not to be confused with the Time Vortex. That sort of squares with the impressions I've been getting, and it's also to be expected.
In its original incarnation Doctor Who started in 1963 and was a hit in Britain almost immediately. In terms of international audience―which hinges on America, for better or worse―it really took off in its second decade. That had to do with both Tom Baker's charisma and its discovery by public TV viewers. It's quite plausible that 1980s budget cuts at PBS were a factor in its demise in 1989. But there's also just the fact that what goes up must come down.
NuWho, as its generally called, started in 2005. That's also the year that David Tennant took over the lead role, and when it started peaking in popularity. So compared to its predecessor it appears to have been living an accelerated lifespan. It's not really a surprise that gravity is having its effect sooner this time around.
The question is whether Russell T. Davies, who was the prime mover in bringing DW back in 2005, was the right choice for showrunner again, whether his way is the most interesting way for the show to spend what may be its final years for a while. But from what I understand he was the only candidate considered once Disney got involved with the show's distribution and financing. Disney, yet again.
I tend to think that the Critic's Myke Bartlett is right to suggest that it would be good if they "Trade expensive faux cinematic scale for thrifty domestic folk horror." i.e., go simpler. It would leave them less reliant on MouseBucks, for one thing.
2 comments:
I was reminded of 'time machines' if not actual Time Lords when you reminded me of living in London in 1965 and 1966 when the new BBC hit children's program at the time was Doctor Who with the first Doctor being William Hartnell (wiki): Hartnell's portrayal of the character was initially a stubborn and abrasive old man who was distrustful of humans. I remember it and the other from ITV, Thunderbirds which was also very popular. I understand that one was revived many years later too.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbirds_(TV_series)
Doctor Who began with the ultimate basis for a long lasting tv series - the transition of actors playing the Doctor that allowed for multiple new Doctors if one of them got bored - or if the producers or whatever got bored with the current Doctor - unhappy accident or dying in combat for the benefit of society we get to see somebody new.
It was a bit of amusement at the time but I pretty much forgot about it until Tom Baker had taken over the role of the Doctor when it showed up on PBS in the 80s when we watched it with you.
Now, once again, I know nothing about NuHu, but I do know that it was always a children's show and I imagine much the same has been done with the Doctor as has happened to other famous programs that once were meant just for kids - ie, the Marvel Comic movies and the recent Sherlock Holmes tv shows.. too much emo and not enough weirdness. Bring on the Time Vortex.
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Oddly enough after I was telling you about 101 Leadenhall St where I worked for a while I came across this video from 1960s London - the second scene shows that building on the right side with St. Paul's at the end. Cheesegrater now...
https://x.com/PageOf_History/status/1914326836189741339
I've actually gone back and watched some of the William Hartnell Doctor Who stories. He was quite charming as well. One interesting thing about the show in the early-mid sixties is that it had a really grueling shooting schedule, because they were broadcasting for most of the year. There also wasn't much time for reshoots. So Hartnell would sometimes flub his lines and they just sort of worked it into his character.
The ability to recast new actors into the lead part at will is quite an asset. A lot of producers must envy that one. Of course the husband on Bewitched was played by two guys who had the same general look and everyone rolled with it. I guess it depends on your audience.
There's a trap you can fall into of trying to second guess the audience and not really saying or doing anything. It's especially a hassle when said audience thinks of themselves as wanting mature, demanding entertainment but they're asking this of the same properties they were into as kids. Then it gets even stickier when there's a lot of money involved, as there will be if Disney is in the picture.
Huh. I wasn't able to see the Leadenhall St. videos just now because apparently that Twitter account has been suspended. Hopefully that doesn't last too long.
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