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One Year Break - Good or Bad Idea?
DiscoP
Posts: 5,931 Forum Member
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I would be interested to know what people think of the one year break from Doctor Who, now that it is nearly over...
When I first heard the news I was quite dismayed, and it brought back memories of when the series was last put on hold, way back during the Colin Baker years, which didn't seem to do it any favours at all. I also thought it was an underhand way of the BBC to save a bit of cash.
But in retrospect I think it has worked out for the best. I think the steady flow of info and trailers about the specials and next series being filmed have helped to maintain interest, and judging by the ratings for Waters of Mars it hasn't lost any popularity. So if it helps to keep the show, fresh and alive then I think it is a good idea that the show takes a break every 4-5 years.
From what I have seen of the next series it seems like the new production team will be re-engerising the format once again, and it really does feel like a new beginning which I guess will only help to maintain interest in the series in this cut throat, ratings led TV world we live in.
When I first heard the news I was quite dismayed, and it brought back memories of when the series was last put on hold, way back during the Colin Baker years, which didn't seem to do it any favours at all. I also thought it was an underhand way of the BBC to save a bit of cash.
But in retrospect I think it has worked out for the best. I think the steady flow of info and trailers about the specials and next series being filmed have helped to maintain interest, and judging by the ratings for Waters of Mars it hasn't lost any popularity. So if it helps to keep the show, fresh and alive then I think it is a good idea that the show takes a break every 4-5 years.
From what I have seen of the next series it seems like the new production team will be re-engerising the format once again, and it really does feel like a new beginning which I guess will only help to maintain interest in the series in this cut throat, ratings led TV world we live in.
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All the signs for Matt Smith as The Doctor seem to be very good and the show is in safe hands. The smaller amount of new DW stuff on our screens has increased my hunger for seeing the xmas specials and the next series.:)
I think that maybe another special around August Bank holiday would've made me more excited (and consequently gutted) about WOM.
HAving now seen WOM though, I am incredibly excited for the last two.
most american shows have 22 episodes a year and they seem to manage.
True, but it was also mainly shot in studio like a soap opera, with limited special effects.
Yes they do but they're not fuinded and run by the BBC. I think production is very different to the way it's done in americas. I don't know how it works by any means but Doctor Who is a British show and to produce BBC quality stuff and keep the same quality maybe this is the way it has to be done.
And bigger casts, with an army of writers.
It's just a shame that Planet of the Dead was a dodgy special. You can tell both RTD and Tennant's hearts just weren't in it as much as other episodes. Waters of Mars felt the opposite, one of their best joint efforts ever. One of Tennant's most essential performances.
Thank the Timelords we have a proper series next year
incorrect!
I definitely picked the wrong time to become addicted to Doctor Who - right at the end of the fourth series. I got through the boxsets of New Who in about a fortnight, and until last week had been left with nothing but Planet of the Dead for stimulation.
I enjoyed Waters of Mars (although i quite disliked Adelaide) and it's left me desperate for the next two specials.
As for taking a break regularly: I was under the impression that the only reason we were without a full series this is was because Tennant wanted to do something else.
I think I'd feel less deprived of Who if Torchwood had been a full series this year.
Hi Alderaan, welcome to the forum.
It was actually the other way about - the break was already planned and DT took the opportunity to use the time to do other work.
I didn't mind the break too much - there were enough bits and pieces and news from filming to keep me going, even if the wait for WoM was a little longer than I expected. Between re-watching all of New Who and TW and quite a lot of Classic Who stories, it's not been too bad.
The wait until Christmas Day, though - now all of a sudden, that seems a long time away!
I went to toys r us over the summer and those of you who have done the same will know that on entering the stores (they are all set up the same nationwide) there would previously have been a huge photo of DT with a sonic screwdriver. Around him would be everything you can imagine to do with Doctor Who with sound effects whirring etc etc. This year, said display belonged to Transformers. I eventually found a small amount of Doctor Who stuff hidden at the back of the store.
I have no doubt that this is partly to do with the fact there was nothing new to sell this year and it was out of public conciousness. Given that this sort of income is likely to be a big part of the series' viability, and that kids are notoriously fickle over the latest crazes, was this a bit of an own goal? Will Doc11 be able to regain the same sort of presence after a year's break?
Are they doing advent calenders this year, has anyone seen any?
It wasn't quite enough and the casting of Michelle Ryan in POTD was a bit of a let down really that kind of ruined that episode for me. IMO anyway.
Re merchandise i would assume its due to the rebranding for season 5 as the producers of this stuff need to know nearly a year in advance in order to produce the toylines and all appropriate parifnalia
Kenneth
One of the only US show comparable would be X-files (with only 2main leads)
But as stated they had lots of different writers, and less special effects/alien planets etc.
It's BBC license fee programming. Something I'm sure that we're all proud of, That's what I mean. Obviously American cult is way ahead of us in terms of quality but I love the BBC and that Doctor Who is not commercially supported broadcasting.