New Dr Who (5 Viewers)

[SkyblueBazza]

It's nothing to do with 'prejudice'. It's about the way the series has been buggered about with the last few years making a mockery of everything that's gone before it. Changing the lead character from male to female was simply the last straw for many viewers who've struggled to keep watching the series this long. I already gave up even before the most recent series was shown and it had nothing to do with who was playing the lead.

That's perhaps a prejudice towards tradition?

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[dutchman]

Clearly not to my mind, for a survey was carried out in the 1970's and 60% of the viewers were said to be adults.

Not just 'adults', more than half the viewers today are over the age of 50. Four times as many pensioners watch the show as do children who make up only 6% of the total Dr Who audience. Only a third of children watching TV at that time watch Dr Who.

 

[Otis]

It's nothing to do with 'prejudice'. It's about the way the series has been buggered about with the last few years making a mockery of everything that's gone before it. Changing the lead character from male to female was simply the last straw for many viewers who've struggled to keep watching the series this long. I already gave up even before the most recent series was shown and it had nothing to do with who was playing the lead.

Any chance a female might give it a whole new lease of life and renew your interest?

 

[Johnnythespider]

You see, I WAS enthralled as kid. Mesmerised and thrilled in equal measure and because I grew up with it and it formed a significant part of my viewing life (there was nothing else like it) it has stayed with me and I religiously still watch it now. There are a number of by the numbers epsiodes, but it is worth sticking with it for the odd gem that really shines and is brilliantly written and played out.

Doesn't bother me at all that a fair few on here have slated it, it remains saleable asset all around the world. 50 countries at last count. Also doesn't bother me that some say it's for kids. Clearly not to my mind, for a survey was carried out in the 1970's and 60% of the viewers were said to be adults.

My daughter got into it at 9 and now we both watch it together and both really look forwards to every episode. Long may it continue. It's an institution.

It was the same with me and my lads Otis, the Christopher Ecclestone re-launch coincided with my eldest getting into it and we used to watch it together religiously, he is now capable of telling me about stuff that happened from the very beginning of it.

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[dutchman]

Any chance a female might give it a whole new lease of life and renew your interest?

No, because I'm no longer willing to sit through a whole series on the off-chance of catching one brilliant episode and maybe one quite decent one as well.

 

[Liquid Gold]

Shows how far it's fallen

 

[hill83]

No, because I'm no longer willing to sit through a whole season on the off-chance of catching one brilliant match and maybe one quite decent one as well.

Fixed

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

I am happy with a woman and personally would be very happy with Jodie Whittaker.

Surely the Doctor can regenerate into anyone and anything.

I don't watch the show so I don't really care about it

But from a story telling pov, if the doctor can regenerate into anyone and anything then why has he always been a man?

If he can regenerate into anything then it would be highly unlikely odds that every previous time he has been a man.

 

[Otis]

I don't watch the show so I don't really care about it

But from a story telling pov, if the doctor can regenerate into anyone and anything then why has he always been a man?

If he can regenerate into anything then it would be highly unlikely odds that every previous time he has been a man.

Because TV has very much been a male dominated world historically. Things have changed greatly over recent years though with women writers and directors and producers finally getting a foothold.

Just simply don't think it was even considered before. Just a this is the way it always is thinking process previously.

 

[dutchman]

Because TV has very much been a male dominated world historically. Things have changed greatly over recent years though with women writers and directors and producers finally getting a foothold.

Doctor Who had a female producer from the outset (Verity Lambert).

Just simply don't think it was even considered before. Just a this is the way it always is thinking process previously.

It wasn't considered because it's a bloody stupid idea which will kill the show stone dead.

 

[Otis]

Doctor Who had a female producer from the outset (Verity Lambert).



It wasn't considered because it's a bloody stupid idea which will kill the show stone dead.

Yes, Verity Lambert was a producer back in the day, but but they were very few and far between and it was still a very much male dominated world. Very clearly apparent.

Yep, it may well have been a stupid idea, I would have said the same back in the 1970's, but now the tapestry is different and it will be much more readily accepted.

I would have been against it had you asked me 10 years ago, but now I really have no problem with it. For me I don't think we should judge Jodie Whittaker on her being a woman, but merely on her performance in the show.

You never know, she might be sensational and the role might just fit her like a glove

 

[dutchman]

Yep, it may well have been a stupid idea, I would have said the same back in the 1970's, but now the tapestry is different and it will be much more readily accepted.

Have you read any Doctor Who forums since the announcement was made?

 

[Otis]

Have you read any Doctor Who forums since the announcement was made?

Do I look like the sort of person who reads Doctor Who forums? No, don't answer that!

To be quite honest I would expect nothing else. Have you tried looking at normal people's forums to see what they are saying?

A lot of these people are staunch traditionalists who want to stick to the tried and tested, come what may.

 

[Otis]

These are the very people I would expect to be outraged.

 

[dutchman]

These are the very people I would expect to be outraged.

They are also the people who make up the bulk of regular viewers these days, casual viewers having deserted the show long ago. The ones who think it's a great idea and tune in for the novelty of seeing a female Doctor for the first time will soon tire of it and stop watching.

 

[Otis]

They are also the people who make up the bulk of regular viewers these days, casual viewers having deserted the show long ago. The ones who think it's a great idea and tune in for the novelty of seeing a female Doctor for the first time will soon tire of it and stop watching.

Unkess she is great of course and she may just be great.

I really don't see what the problem is. If it doesn't work they will replace her and go back to a man. It's not set in stone.

I remember all the outrage from James Bind fans because they cast Daniel Craig in the role, a blond actor!! On my god, what an absolute meltdown from some Bond fanatics!

It's laughable.

Let's just judge her as an actor, not just because she is a woman.

 

[Otis]

Unless she is great of course and she may well just be great.

I really don't see what the problem is. If it doesn't work they will replace her and go back to a man. It's not set in stone.

I remember all the outrage from James Bind fans because they cast Daniel Craig in the role, a blond actor!! On my god, what an absolute meltdown from some Bond fanatics!

It's laughable.

Let's just judge her as an actor, not just because she is a woman.

 

[ajsccfc]

If Dr Who isn't a man but some kind of being who can inhabit whatever form, having a woman cast is less ridiculous than whichever white chap was Prince of Persia, or Tom Cruise as double hard bastard Jack Reacher.

 

[Otis]

If Dr Who isn't a man but some kind of being who can inhabit whatever form, having a woman cast is less ridiculous than whichever white chap was Prince of Persia, or Tom Cruise as double hard bastard Jack Reacher.

Ha! Yes, indeed!! Well said.

So far Doctor Who has gone from old grumpy OAP to Matt Smith's young clowning goofiness and back. If he can be old, young, Northern, Scottish, tall or small, why can't he be a woman?

 

[dutchman]

Unless she is great of course and she may just be great.

It won't make any difference to the viewing figures whether she is 'great' or not. Capaldi was 'great' (in my opinion), it didn't stop the audience falling below three million for the first time in the show's history. Even before they cast a woman I predicted the next series will fall below two million and the BBC drama department will not keep pumping money into a show that hardly anyone watches any more.

 

[Otis]

I have two mates (yeah, I know, just the two) and one is a Star Trek nut and the other and out and our Whovian ,(even drives a car with the number plate Who 1.

I know for a fact that the Who fan will be totally outraged at this news. He is very much a traditionalist and likes things to remain cast in stone.

The Star Trek fan will always tell you he is a fan of Star Trek, but everyone he goes up to, to tell after being asked what he is into, he always says 'Star Trek, the classic series, not the Next Generation.'

Same sentence every time and he really cannot stand anything other than the original series, because Kirk is Kirk and Spock is Spock and Kirk is Shatner and Spock is Nimoy. That's it. Nothing else accepted.

These people are so much within their own little bubble worlds they wrap themselves around what is comfortable and familiar to them and they don't like change!

Sounds just like my parents and their whole view to life. Won't use banks or direct debits, won't buy anything online. Only want brick phones, don't trust smartphones.

Bless em!!

 

[Otis]

It won't make any difference to the viewing figures whether she is 'great' or not. Capaldi was 'great' (in my opinion), it didn't stop the audience falling below three million for the first time in the show's history. Even before they cast a woman I predicted the next series will fall below two million and the BBC drama department will not keep pumping money into a show that hardly anyone watches any more.

Ah, well I disagree on the reasons for that. Capaldi is a great actor, but I thought he brought dourness to the role and Bill was hardly a looker either. Usually Doctor Who (the new incarnation anyway) always had some eye candy. Be it Tennant or Smith (don't know why, but lots of women found him sexy,) or Billie Piper, or Karen Gillan or Jenna Coleman.

Capaldi and Pearl Mackie didn't at all make for an attractive combination. Not saying it's right, but if they had replaced Clara Oswald with another attractive women the viewing figures would be up. Convinced of it.

Both my daughter and I haven't liked this last series much at all and one of the main reasons is because we have now found Capaldi a bit old and tedious and have not liked the Bill character at all and I mean not at all!!

We have been put off by the Capaldi/Mackie combination big time. Made a massive difference to our wanting to watch the show. We do so still though just because we always have, but are not doing so at all enthusiastically last series.

I liked Capaldi a lot at first, but he was beginning to grate on me and my daughter too.

 

[dutchman]

Same sentence every time and he really cannot stand anything other than the original series, because Kirk is Kirk and Spock is Spock and Kirk is Shatner and Spock is Nimoy.

and Sulu was straight, not gay!

 

[Otis]

and Sulu was straight, not gay!

But Kirk and Spock fancied each other apparently.

Heard two Trekkie fans on the bus once going into it all very animatedly, analysing every nuance of the show.

Only took about 45 seconds for me to assume they were both single.

 

[dutchman]

Heard two Trekkie fans on the bus once going into it all very animatedly, analysing every nuance of the show.

Only took about 45 seconds for me to assume they were both single.

I don't watch it any more but when I did watch Dr Who I used to kill the sound when the theme tune came on so the neighbours wouldn't know I was watching it. That is how embarrassing it had become.

 

[Otis]

I don't watch it any more but when I did watch Dr Who I used to kill the sound when the theme tune came on so the neighbours wouldn't know I was watching it. That is how embarrassing it had become.

I used to love the theme tune, but haven't at all liked the new realisations of it.

Bring back the old. It's the traditionalist in me!!

 

[Liquid Gold]

It won't make any difference to the viewing figures whether she is 'great' or not. Capaldi was 'great' (in my opinion), it didn't stop the audience falling below three million for the first time in the show's history. Even before they cast a woman I predicted the next series will fall below two million and the BBC drama department will not keep pumping money into a show that hardly anyone watches any more.

Most shows' viewing figures are dipping, it's just a sign of how people watch their TV now, mainly on catch up or streamed. The BBC still makes shed loads of cash selling Doctor Who around the world so it's not something that is likely to be shelved any time soon. I'd also put some of the decline down to Clara who was almost universally disliked, I'd bet anything figures have risen this season.

 

[Otis]

Just wonder what the reaction would be if say a Chinese or Japanese male actor was cast in the role. More outrage I guess.

What about a dwarf? A gay? Or a Mexican?

What about a gay Mexican dwarf?

Bet you'd all watch then wouldn't you!!!

 

[Liquid Gold]

Just wonder what the reaction would be if say a Chinese or Japanese male actor was cast in the role. More outrage I guess.

What about a dwarf? A gay? Or a Mexican?

What about a gay Mexican dwarf?

Bet you'd all watch then wouldn't you!!!

I wouldn't give a shit as long as the show was good.

 

[Otis]

Well said that man.

Jodie Whittaker is an excellent actor, so I am really looking forwards to her interpretation.

Should be a whole new fresh feel and that I think can only be a good thing.

I see on Netflix yesterday the number one trending movie on display was Attack the Block.

 

[Liquid Gold]

Well said that man.

Jodie Whittaker is an excellent actor, so I am really looking forwards to her interpretation.

Should be a whole new fresh feel and that I think can only be a good thing.

I see on Netflix yesterday the number one trending movie on display was Attack the Block.

I've downloaded Broadchurch and am paying particular attention to her, she's very good in it. Would like to see how she plays something more upbeat though, I'll have a look at her IMDB.

 

[chiefdave]

Most shows' viewing figures are dipping, it's just a sign of how people watch their TV now, mainly on catch up or streamed. The BBC still makes shed loads of cash selling Doctor Who around the world so it's not something that is likely to be shelved any time soon.

That's the problem when people look at ratings, they're down across the board. If you look at viewer share or position in the top 20 the show holds up really well. It also tends to level out with catch up, so if less people watch live the catch up numbers increase - not the case with most programs. The other thing is with the exception of soaps viewing figures tend to drop the longer something has been on. Doctor Who holds up remarkably in that respect. Strip out sports and soaps and its generally in the top 5 most watched programs.

As you say the BBC also make a fortune out of it. Although technically that's not supposed to be a consideration when deciding to renew you'd be crazy to think they ignore that in reality.

 

[Otis]

Most shows' viewing figures are dipping, it's just a sign of how people watch their TV now, mainly on catch up or streamed. The BBC still makes shed loads of cash selling Doctor Who around the world so it's not something that is likely to be shelved any time soon. I'd also put some of the decline down to Clara who was almost universally disliked, I'd bet anything figures have risen this season.

Clara was almost universally disliked? Huh? Is that correct? I thought she was very popular.

Amy Pond is still my favourite though. Every time I see that first episode with her in a police uniform I have to have an ice cold shower straight after.

 

[Liquid Gold]

Clara was almost universally disliked? Huh? Is that correct? I thought she was very popular.

Amy Pond is still my favourite though. Every time I see that first episode with her in a police uniform I have to have an ice cold shower straight after.

Nobody I know likes her, I personally couldn't stand her. Lecturing and telling off the doctor the whole time. For me she was by far and away the worst thing about it since the remake.

 

[Otis]

Nobody I know likes her, I personally couldn't stand her. Lecturing and telling off the doctor the whole time. For me she was by far and away the worst thing about it since the remake.

Okay, maybe I just didn't pick up on that then. Clara was my daughter's favourite and she would always go on about her, so maybe that has swayed my thinking.

Also maybe helps that she is so pretty I was mainly just gawping at her face without paying much attention to what she was actually saying.