Jodie Whittaker to quit as Doctor

[ProfessorDavey]

It's maybe not fair on the writers or Whittaker but the franchise has been going on for awhile now since being reincarnated by RTD.

To ask viewers to accept a female Dr., as well as on over familiar concept, along with cost cutting and scripts that have been variable (I'm being charitable here) and a need to always up the ante at the end of each series was always going to be difficult and lead, I think, to diminishing returns.

In this age of streaming giants perhaps the way forward is a deal with Netflix or Disney or whoever, with BBC maintaining creative control which will give better budgets, more exposure and more episodes.

Part of the problem is that the time gap between series has been erratic and grown longer (even without Covid) and the audience forgets instead of being engaged.

In Dr Who's case absence does not make the heart grow fonder.

Agree with all of that - events have not been kind to Whitaker.

But I think you can make fantastic tv on a low budget, but you need to get the writing right.

Perhaps the best episode of the rejuvenated franchise was, in my opinion, Blink - the first outing of the weeping angels - surely can have only cost half a crown to make.

[Steve H]

Jody Whittaker's stories were too preachy and clunkily inclusive: not only the first female Doctor, but also an Asian female companion, a black male companion who was, though not obviously, disabled, and an older, white working-class companion, whose late wife was black. One or two of those elements would be ok, but all of them at the same time was over-egging the inclusive pudding a bit.
Richard Ayoade for the next Doctor? He's been suggested, along with a black female actor whose name I can't remember, and a couple of others. RA would be excellent.

[Aruntraveller]

Now I think this would be very interesting:

https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/babylon-5-creator-volunteers-replace-chris-chibnall-doctor-who-newsupdate/?

[jeremyp]

Now I think this would be very interesting:

https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/babylon-5-creator-volunteers-replace-chris-chibnall-doctor-who-newsupdate/?

If that happened, I'd probably start watching Doctor Who again, at least for a bit.

[Aruntraveller]

Last night I wasn't finding anything even remotely interesting to watch so went on to Iplayer and watched an old David Tennant episode.

It was the Agatha Christie homage "The Unicorn and the Wasp". My memory of it was that it was a middling episode, not brilliant but perfectly acceptable.

The thing is when you compare it to the episodes that have emerged recently with Jodie Whittaker and indeed Capaldi before her, it positively fizzed with good comic writing, well pitched performances and a thorough knowledge of what was being homaged (that may not be a word).

I fear until we get writers that fully "get" Dr Who we won't get another "middling" episode.

[Anchorman]

Last night I wasn't finding anything even remotely interesting to watch so went on to Iplayer and watched an old David Tennant episode. It was the Agatha Christie homage "The Unicorn and the Wasp". My memory of it was that it was a middling episode, not brilliant but perfectly acceptable. The thing is when you compare it to the episodes that have emerged recently with Jodie Whittaker and indeed Capaldi before her, it positively fizzed with good comic writing, well pitched performances and a thorough knowledge of what was being homaged (that may not be a word). I fear until we get writers that fully "get" Dr Who we won't get another "middling" episode.

Not my favourite Tennant story, but there's a wee catch there. Did you notice the elderly butler? That was actually a cameo by the Rt Rev Dr Sandy MacDonald - David's father! I met David when he was a spotty teenager - David MacDonald - dragged along to a youth fellowshp I was running at the time, by his dad, Sandy, who was doing stuff on his trip to Pakistan for TEAR Fund.

[Aruntraveller]

That's interesting, anchs.

Not my favourite Tennant story,

Yep, that was kind of my point. I'd got it down as middling, but still so much better than recent output.

[Nearly Sane]

Russell T Davies returns.


https://www.doctorwho.tv/news/?article=russell-t-davies-to-return-as-doctor-who-showrunner

[Aruntraveller]

Russell T Davies returns.


https://www.doctorwho.tv/news/?article=russell-t-davies-to-return-as-doctor-who-showrunner

Well, well, well.

[Aruntraveller]

We are thrilled that Russell is returning to Doctor Who to build on the huge achievements of Chris and Jodie.

Surely that should be worded slightly differently, as in "we are really desperate to keep the franchise going so we will turn to the person who knows how to run it"

[Anchorman]

Russell T Davies returns.


https://www.doctorwho.tv/news/?article=russell-t-davies-to-return-as-doctor-who-showrunner

   
Breathes sigh of relief.....

[Aruntraveller]

I wonder what the Beeb had to offer RTD to lure him back?

[Nearly Sane]

I wonder what the Beeb had to offer RTD to lure him back?

I'm ambivalent on this. I liked his re-creation but always felt his resolutions of the series were deus ex machina. He's one of the great TV writers of the last 30 years but not sure this revisiting will work.

[Harrowby Hall]

I wonder what the Beeb had to offer RTD to lure him back?

He is coming back as "showrunner" - which (as I understand the term) means that he will have total control over all aspects of production

[Aruntraveller]

He is coming back as "showrunner" - which (as I understand the term) means that he will have total control over all aspects of production

Indeed, but I recall reading that at the end of his last stint he would not do it again as he was completely exhausted, as a result of running the show writing scripts and also, apparently, significantly re-writing scripts by other writers.

I just wondered if he's struck a deal for other productions, given that he had a bit of a struggle to get "It's a Sin" commissioned - and even when he did he had to compromise on the length of series.

[Aruntraveller]

I'm ambivalent on this. I liked his re-creation but always felt his resolutions of the series were deus ex machina. He's one of the great TV writers of the last 30 years but not sure this revisiting will work.

It is a concern, however given how the quality has drifted downwards in the last few years I'm guessing the Beeb wanted what they perceive as a safe pair of hands.

I think Dr Who has relied on the deus ex machina mechanism in all it's iterations to a greater or lesser extent. The real issue isn't internal logic or believability (I pretty much leave that outside the room when watching Who) it is simply watchability, enjoyment, hope, emotion. Sadly lacking recently.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Series should be rested.

[Aruntraveller]

Series should be rested.

This would be another option but for the fact that Dr Who is important internationally for the BBC, figures aren't made available for how much it earns, but I think it is safe to say it is significant and they aren't going to want to lose that income.

[Anchorman]

Series should be rested.

   

Not with the 60th anniversary coming up next year.
I'd suggest RTD would pilot a new 'safer' series for two further seasons, then give it a rest for three or four years.

[Anchorman]

Just to say that my copy of 'Evil of the Daleks', (Troughton) has just popped through the letter box.
'Evil' is the latest in the serties of animated stories which combine the extant audio from the missing episodes with reasonably good animation, to recreate the story.

[Aruntraveller]

   

Not with the 60th anniversary coming up next year.
I'd suggest RTD would pilot a new 'safer' series for two further seasons, then give it a rest for three or four years.

I don't think it's clear yet what they intend to do. It may be that they opt for more "specials" rather than series as they did at the end of the Tenant era, or go for a series again - but if they do, please back to 13 episodes. Also this is interesting:

from 2023 it will be a co-production with Bad Wolf. The production house was founded by Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner who worked alongside Davies during his time on Doctor Who. Tranter was the BBC's head of drama, Gardner was an executive producer on the show. Both are seen as less high profile, but still crucially important parts of Doctor Who's previous success.

[Nearly Sane]

'As RTD prepares to re-take the helm of Doctor Who, the nation enjoys the live action immersive version of his hit show Years and Years.'

[Aruntraveller]

'As RTD prepares to re-take the helm of Doctor Who, the nation enjoys the live action immersive version of his hit show Years and Years.'

 

In my current confused, bemused, angry state of mind I wasn't sure which emoticon was most appropriate.

[Aruntraveller]

Just to say that my copy of 'Evil of the Daleks', (Troughton) has just popped through the letter box.
'Evil' is the latest in the serties of animated stories which combine the extant audio from the missing episodes with reasonably good animation, to recreate the story.

Oh I loved Troughton's doctor. My favourite of the original run. I've seen clips of these on social media and they look well done.

[Nearly Sane]

Oh I loved Troughton's doctor. My favourite of the original run. I've seen clips of these on social media and they look well done.

Started watching the originals from the start this week on Britbox.