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Boo

An update on the future of Doctor Who

Today we’re announcing an update on plans for the future of Doctor Who.

As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC’s Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year. Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC and this tender underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to Doctor Who ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come.

After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode. This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans, but in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory.

The previously announced new Doctor Who animation series for CBeebies is currently in production.

Details of the tender will be announced in due course.

The BBC retains all IP in Doctor Who. BBC Studios will continue to lead the global distribution of Doctor Who as well as licensing, consumer products, digital and immersive experiences on behalf of the BBC.

https://x.com/bbcdoctorwho/status/2064649001568543172?s=46

So it's fucked then.

Maybe they should forget the CBeebies animated version - and just regenerate the Doctor as a child...

Already done something similar in that utter shit ‘Timeless Child’

It’s already fucked. It’s utter dross. The second coming of RTD was a disaster as was having an actor in the lead role who didn’t seem too engaged in it.

Never go back, they say and its right. RTD saved Dr Who from obscurity once, but second time round he appeared to have gone mad.

Indeed.

All he did was fuck his legacy, and it was a good legacy.

I watched some of his initial episodes recently and what struck me about them was they were fun. Watching them was fun. It wasn’t a chore. It was a joy.

Totally. In my head cannon everything after "Twice Upon a Time" never happened. Your are on the money with the fun - it was fun. You looked forward to watching Dr Who. Now? I just hope its not shit, and that the sermonising isn't too obvious.

I agree with some of this, though I’d put the rot setting in a bit earlier.

For me New Who peaked with Matt Smith, although I’ve come to appreciate Capaldi’s era more over time. Some of the best episodes of the revival came during his run.

Where I disagree with a lot of fans is on Jodie Whittaker. I thought she was perfectly good casting and could have been a great Doctor. The problem was the writing. Chibnall’s era suffered from weak stories, flat supporting characters and an obsession with lore over storytelling.

The Timeless Child is a good example. My issue wasn’t that it changed continuity. Doctor Who has been rewriting its own continuity since 1963. It was that the revelation was less interesting than the mystery.

RTD’s return never really worked for me either. His first run was fun. Even when it was daft, it was entertaining daft. The second run often felt like it was trying very hard to be important and clever, but forgot to be enjoyable.

At its best Doctor Who should be imaginative, slightly bonkers and above all fun. Somewhere along the way it seems to have lost sight of that.

Chibnall made the classic mistake of having too many companions. It worked in the early years when TV was slow, you could give actors a holiday one week and have the others carry the episode etc. But in the modern ear of 45 minute stories it failed. Add in the companions becoming 'mini-doctors' and it was a disaster. The companion is partly meant to be the viewer in the show. The way in. Things are explained to the viewer via the companion. Take Pyramids of Mars. Sarah asks why can they not just walk away as her world of the 1980s would still be there. the doctor shows her that it wouldn't. Even with Nu who we see what happens when a companion thinks they can be the doctor in Face the Raven.

I have no beef with Whittaker. Its not her fault the stories were terrible and the character she was given to play was awful. Jo Martin came along and showed what could be done with 'gasps' a woman doctor.

And yes - sure - Dr Who canon is forever changing. There had been the Cartmell masterplan towards the end of old Who. And it can change again.

In the sixties, as you rightly point out, they got away with too many companions. JNT tried it and soon abandoned it when Davison took over.

I'm sorry but anyone who thinks other than, that Dr Who is a programme for Under 12s and an insult to intelegence and a complete waste of money.needs to give their head a wobble

Don't watch it then.

Other than that, take your opinion and shove it up the Eye of Harmony

Dr. Poo?

Now there’s a story !!

Boo

An update on the future of Doctor Who

Today we’re announcing an update on plans for the future of Doctor Who.

As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC’s Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year. Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC and this tender underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to Doctor Who ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come.

After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode. This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans, but in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory.

The previously announced new Doctor Who animation series for CBeebies is currently in production.

Details of the tender will be announced in due course.

The BBC retains all IP in Doctor Who. BBC Studios will continue to lead the global distribution of Doctor Who as well as licensing, consumer products, digital and immersive experiences on behalf of the BBC.

https://x.com/bbcdoctorwho/status/2064649001568543172?s=46

So it's fucked then.

Maybe they should forget the CBeebies animated version - and just regenerate the Doctor as a child...

Already done something similar in that utter shit ‘Timeless Child’

It’s already fucked. It’s utter dross. The second coming of RTD was a disaster as was having an actor in the lead role who didn’t seem too engaged in it.

Never go back, they say and its right. RTD saved Dr Who from obscurity once, but second time round he appeared to have gone mad.

Indeed.

All he did was fuck his legacy, and it was a good legacy.

I watched some of his initial episodes recently and what struck me about them was they were fun. Watching them was fun. It wasn’t a chore. It was a joy.

Totally. In my head cannon everything after "Twice Upon a Time" never happened. Your are on the money with the fun - it was fun. You looked forward to watching Dr Who. Now? I just hope its not shit, and that the sermonising isn't too obvious.

I agree with some of this, though I’d put the rot setting in a bit earlier.

For me New Who peaked with Matt Smith, although I’ve come to appreciate Capaldi’s era more over time. Some of the best episodes of the revival came during his run.

Where I disagree with a lot of fans is on Jodie Whittaker. I thought she was perfectly good casting and could have been a great Doctor. The problem was the writing. Chibnall’s era suffered from weak stories, flat supporting characters and an obsession with lore over storytelling.

The Timeless Child is a good example. My issue wasn’t that it changed continuity. Doctor Who has been rewriting its own continuity since 1963. It was that the revelation was less interesting than the mystery.

RTD’s return never really worked for me either. His first run was fun. Even when it was daft, it was entertaining daft. The second run often felt like it was trying very hard to be important and clever, but forgot to be enjoyable.

At its best Doctor Who should be imaginative, slightly bonkers and above all fun. Somewhere along the way it seems to have lost sight of that.

Chibnall made the classic mistake of having too many companions. It worked in the early years when TV was slow, you could give actors a holiday one week and have the others carry the episode etc. But in the modern ear of 45 minute stories it failed. Add in the companions becoming 'mini-doctors' and it was a disaster. The companion is partly meant to be the viewer in the show. The way in. Things are explained to the viewer via the companion. Take Pyramids of Mars. Sarah asks why can they not just walk away as her world of the 1980s would still be there. the doctor shows her that it wouldn't. Even with Nu who we see what happens when a companion thinks they can be the doctor in Face the Raven.

I have no beef with Whittaker. Its not her fault the stories were terrible and the character she was given to play was awful. Jo Martin came along and showed what could be done with 'gasps' a woman doctor.

And yes - sure - Dr Who canon is forever changing. There had been the Cartmell masterplan towards the end of old Who. And it can change again.

In the sixties, as you rightly point out, they got away with too many companions. JNT tried it and soon abandoned it when Davison took over.

I'm sorry but anyone who thinks other than, that Dr Who is a programme for Under 12s and an insult to intelegence and a complete waste of money.needs to give their head a wobble

Don't watch it then.

Other than that, take your opinion and shove it up the Eye of Harmony

I don't watch it.

Which is the problem. Few people did.

My take on Dr Who is that the solution is to cut out the Big Bang!

The thing that has weakened it is chasing a bigger and bigger calamity with every series, saving London, saving, earth, saving the solar system, then the galaxy, universe, reality!

But many of the best episodes are self contained, almost intimate, Midnight being one of my all time favourites. The same think infected the so called MCU always needing a bigger Boss to fight until all Bosses blend into one.

Focus on character and story not big bang!

As to stand alone parts of the universe I’d like to see a Dalek Invasion series. Not set on Earth, just some novel civilisation or planet being attacked overwhelmed and despite their best efforts crunched. Again focused on characters bravely battling against the inevitable.

No happy ending!

Peter.

..some novel civilisation without stairs:

(narrator: Daleks have been depicted on TV as being able to fly since at least the 1980's)

Remembrance of the Daleks

My take on Dr Who is that the solution is to cut out the Big Bang!

The thing that has weakened it is chasing a bigger and bigger calamity with every series, saving London, saving, earth, saving the solar system, then the galaxy, universe, reality!

But many of the best episodes are self contained, almost intimate, Midnight being one of my all time favourites. The same think infected the so called MCU always needing a bigger Boss to fight until all Bosses blend into one.

Focus on character and story not big bang!

As to stand alone parts of the universe I’d like to see a Dalek Invasion series. Not set on Earth, just some novel civilisation or planet being attacked overwhelmed and despite their best efforts crunched. Again focused on characters bravely battling against the inevitable.

No happy ending!

Peter.

..some novel civilisation without stairs:

(narrator: Daleks have been depicted on TV as being able to fly since at least the 1980's)

Sounds like fake news to me. Not even sure I believe Daleks exist at all any more.

My take on Dr Who is that the solution is to cut out the Big Bang!

The thing that has weakened it is chasing a bigger and bigger calamity with every series, saving London, saving, earth, saving the solar system, then the galaxy, universe, reality!

But many of the best episodes are self contained, almost intimate, Midnight being one of my all time favourites. The same think infected the so called MCU always needing a bigger Boss to fight until all Bosses blend into one.

Focus on character and story not big bang!

As to stand alone parts of the universe I’d like to see a Dalek Invasion series. Not set on Earth, just some novel civilisation or planet being attacked overwhelmed and despite their best efforts crunched. Again focused on characters bravely battling against the inevitable.

No happy ending!

Peter.

..some novel civilisation without stairs:

(narrator: Daleks have been depicted on TV as being able to fly since at least the 1980's)

[Dalek voice] E-JAC-U-LATE!

My take on Dr Who is that the solution is to cut out the Big Bang!

The thing that has weakened it is chasing a bigger and bigger calamity with every series, saving London, saving, earth, saving the solar system, then the galaxy, universe, reality!

But many of the best episodes are self contained, almost intimate, Midnight being one of my all time favourites. The same think infected the so called MCU always needing a bigger Boss to fight until all Bosses blend into one.

Focus on character and story not big bang!

As to stand alone parts of the universe I’d like to see a Dalek Invasion series. Not set on Earth, just some novel civilisation or planet being attacked overwhelmed and despite their best efforts crunched. Again focused on characters bravely battling against the inevitable.

No happy ending!

Peter.

..some novel civilisation without stairs:

(narrator: Daleks have been depicted on TV as being able to fly since at least the 1980's)

Classic cliff hanger in Remembrance if I remembrance it correctly.

Boo

An update on the future of Doctor Who

Today we’re announcing an update on plans for the future of Doctor Who.

As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC’s Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year. Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC and this tender underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to Doctor Who ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come.

After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode. This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans, but in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory.

The previously announced new Doctor Who animation series for CBeebies is currently in production.

Details of the tender will be announced in due course.

The BBC retains all IP in Doctor Who. BBC Studios will continue to lead the global distribution of Doctor Who as well as licensing, consumer products, digital and immersive experiences on behalf of the BBC.

https://x.com/bbcdoctorwho/status/2064649001568543172?s=46

So it's fucked then.

Maybe they should forget the CBeebies animated version - and just regenerate the Doctor as a child...

Already done something similar in that utter shit ‘Timeless Child’

It’s already fucked. It’s utter dross. The second coming of RTD was a disaster as was having an actor in the lead role who didn’t seem too engaged in it.

Boo

An update on the future of Doctor Who

Today we’re announcing an update on plans for the future of Doctor Who.

As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC’s Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year. Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC and this tender underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to Doctor Who ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come.

After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode. This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans, but in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory.

The previously announced new Doctor Who animation series for CBeebies is currently in production.

Details of the tender will be announced in due course.

The BBC retains all IP in Doctor Who. BBC Studios will continue to lead the global distribution of Doctor Who as well as licensing, consumer products, digital and immersive experiences on behalf of the BBC.

https://x.com/bbcdoctorwho/status/2064649001568543172?s=46

So it's fucked then.

Maybe they should forget the CBeebies animated version - and just regenerate the Doctor as a child...