|
||||||||
Is Doctor Who Losing People's Interest? |
![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|
#226 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,831
|
Quote:
To me, shorter runs for a series would be more beneficial.
Personally speaking, I struggle with series of anything more than six episodes a series. Eight I just about manage with but any more and then I struggle to maintain my interest. Now, whether that's just me is one thing but who knows whether it could be the case for other viewers. 12 episode is a committment to make in watching. So cutting down to six a year to me, spread out across the year (in a specials like style), or in just one block would work far better. It could easily mean six, one hour episodes which can then tell a story (with a bit of an arc) and then allow the show to breath and have fun across the year. It will allow the show reinvent itself as a show that comes for special occasions rather than being on just because (which it kind of feels like the last couple of years). Just making the show more special would be the main benefit of this. I wouldn't see it as depriving viewers. No show has the divine right to be on every year without fail. Shows change and to me, Doctor Who needs that. 12 episodes is a commitment to make in watching? Really? This show used to do 40+ episodes a year (as did many shows back then). The problem is not that there is too much bread, it is just that it seems that way right now because the butter (good ideas) is being spread out way too thinly because the cow (Moffat) ran dry years ago. We need more episodes per year, not less; we just need more and better ideas to fill those episodes. |
|
|
|
|
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
|
|
|
#227 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,362
|
Quote:
Yep. It has become a shore to watch this era and tbh moffat doesnt even seem to care about the show anymore. I only just realises there hasn't been an episode all year and tbh i don't even care. Moffats era has been utterly awful for the most part.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#228 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 413
|
Quote:
No, no, no, no, no. What we need is more Doctor Who, not less.
12 episodes is a commitment to make in watching? Really? This show used to do 40+ episodes a year (as did many shows back then). The problem is not that there is too much bread, it is just that it seems that way right now because the butter (good ideas) is being spread out way too thinly because the cow (Moffat) ran dry years ago. We need more episodes per year, not less; we just need more and better ideas to fill those episodes. No dramas, barring the soaps do 40+ episodes a year. They just don't. Less has always been more in regards to drama, certainly in my lifetime. Things have altered since the 60s. It's often said people are busier now too than they were back then - hence the rise of things like catch-up etc. It all feeds from that. You saying you want more and not taking things into consideration just makes you come across as a spoilt child. It takes 9 months to film a series of Doctor Who. So, if they were filming 40+ as you so desperately want (which is a stupid idea), then how long would that series take to film? Answer that. |
|
|
|
|
#229 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,008
|
Quote:
Wow, someone really doesn't understand that the TV landscape has significantly changed since the 1960s.
No dramas, barring the soaps do 40+ episodes a year. They just don't. The show needs 13 episodes and a complete overhaul to make it feel fresh again. It went stale after Matt left. Moffat never got 12 up and running properly and it just feels like the show is treading water not knowing what to do with itself. If Chibnall doesn't get a completely fresh start it'll be a massive waste. |
|
|
|
|
|
#230 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 413
|
Quote:
Personally I find the 20ish episodes a season of most US shows to be too much because they end up with a lot of filler. 13 episodes is a good number which is what DW has and should have.
The show needs 13 episodes and a complete overhaul to make it feel fresh again. It went stale after Matt left. Moffat never got 12 up and running properly and it just feels like the show is treading water not knowing what to do with itself. If Chibnall doesn't get a completely fresh start it'll be a massive waste. As I say, 13 for me I still think is too much for DW. My interest in most dramas can sustain 8 pretty much okay but when your getting near 10, it simply kind of goes. I guess I just come from the school of thought that less is more and quality over quantity. Then again, I've hated the last two series so I can hardly say its been quality in any sense of the word. But to me, to keep the show going for years to come. New Doctor, one full series (12/13 eps to satisfy most people) and then going into a block of 4, 5 or 6 episodes a year and treat them as a series of regular specials dotted across the year. To me, that will sustain the show far better... |
|
|
|
|
#231 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,080
|
Quote:
All he cares about is Sherlock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#232 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 695
|
Quote:
I've always struggled with American dramas because of the obvious filler episodes to get them up to the required 20 or 30 for their season.
As I say, 13 for me I still think is too much for DW. My interest in most dramas can sustain 8 pretty much okay but when your getting near 10, it simply kind of goes. I guess I just come from the school of thought that less is more and quality over quantity. Then again, I've hated the last two series so I can hardly say its been quality in any sense of the word. But to me, to keep the show going for years to come. New Doctor, one full series (12/13 eps to satisfy most people) and then going into a block of 4, 5 or 6 episodes a year and treat them as a series of regular specials dotted across the year. To me, that will sustain the show far better... A week between episodes is a long time, plenty of time to build suspense for the next episode and not too long that people will switch off. |
|
|
|
|
|
#233 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 695
|
Quote:
Wow, someone really doesn't understand that the TV landscape has significantly changed since the 1960s.
No dramas, barring the soaps do 40+ episodes a year. They just don't. Less has always been more in regards to drama, certainly in my lifetime. Things have altered since the 60s. It's often said people are busier now too than they were back then - hence the rise of things like catch-up etc. It all feeds from that. You saying you want more and not taking things into consideration just makes you come across as a spoilt child. It takes 9 months to film a series of Doctor Who. So, if they were filming 40+ as you so desperately want (which is a stupid idea), then how long would that series take to film? Answer that. |
|
|
|
|
|
#234 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 413
|
Quote:
If it were a good idea, shows would follow that logic of an incredibly small amount of 40 minute episodes spread across a year. Not a single show does it, there must be a reason for it. The reason is people will lose interest, first time in classic who interruptions happened show started to die. When it happened in new who show is losing interest just as an example.
A week between episodes is a long time, plenty of time to build suspense for the next episode and not too long that people will switch off. If the show is good enough, many millions will tune in; Strictly, Bake Off, Planet Earth II - they all did so on a weekly basis but dramas are struggling more than ever in that form now. Plus, again if it were done in the less is more approach, a lot comes down to how it is marketed. The shows marketing since Series 8 has been abysmal. So, if you make that better, you have a better chance of success. Obviously the show dictates that moreso, but marketing does play its part... |
|
|
|
|
#235 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,080
|
Quote:
But people are losing interest when its shown in the weekly form too. As we see, people are tending to stack or binge watch more than ever now. I don't personally get that side of watching TV but it happens.
If the show is good enough, many millions will tune in; Strictly, Bake Off, Planet Earth II - they all did so on a weekly basis but dramas are struggling more than ever in that form now. Plus, again if it were done in the less is more approach, a lot comes down to how it is marketed. The shows marketing since Series 8 has been abysmal. So, if you make that better, you have a better chance of success. Obviously the show dictates that moreso, but marketing does play its part... I like the "See the Universe Anew" from the Series 10 trailer, so maybe the marketing people have had a kick up the backside! |
|
|
|
|
|
#236 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 413
|
Quote:
The infamous "Same old, same old..." for Series 9.....good grief!
I like the "See the Universe Anew" from the Series 10 trailer, so maybe the marketing people have had a kick up the backside! I get it being a line in the show, but for the purposes of marketing, it was the worst way I've ever seen Doctor Who marketed in. Hopefully the marketing people have had the kick they deserve after that shambles. Its things like little 10-second teaser trailers or actual posters out in public places that I don't see anymore for the show. They were the kind of thing that were done so well in previous years but now, a bad trailer with a long-lingering bad line is all we get. Plus, the promo pictures are quite naff too in my opinion. Last series, we had Peter and Jenna looking on in a traditional Doctor and companion pose surrounded by mirrors. Well, I didn't get that at all.. Hopefully, fingers crossed, the marketing is far better for S10... |
|
|
|
|
#237 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 695
|
Quote:
I remember seeing that for the first time when the trailer aired on TV and was actually astounded such a line went into a trailer to entice people in. It was so shockingly bad.
I get it being a line in the show, but for the purposes of marketing, it was the worst way I've ever seen Doctor Who marketed in. Hopefully the marketing people have had the kick they deserve after that shambles. Its things like little 10-second teaser trailers or actual posters out in public places that I don't see anymore for the show. They were the kind of thing that were done so well in previous years but now, a bad trailer with a long-lingering bad line is all we get. Plus, the promo pictures are quite naff too in my opinion. Last series, we had Peter and Jenna looking on in a traditional Doctor and companion pose surrounded by mirrors. Well, I didn't get that at all.. Hopefully, fingers crossed, the marketing is far better for S10... |
|
|
|
|
|
#238 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Essex
Posts: 8,406
|
Two seasons in, I think viewers have pretty much made up their mind whether or not they like the 12th Doctor. Personally, I think the success of season 10 rests very firmly on Bill. From the trailer it seems much more of a 'Rose' type scenario - ordinary girl gets to to see the universe and shows just how extraordinary she can really be. I do like her, just from the trailer. I hope she's good for the show.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#239 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,080
|
Quote:
I remember seeing that for the first time when the trailer aired on TV and was actually astounded such a line went into a trailer to entice people in. It was so shockingly bad.
I get it being a line in the show, but for the purposes of marketing, it was the worst way I've ever seen Doctor Who marketed in. Hopefully the marketing people have had the kick they deserve after that shambles. Its things like little 10-second teaser trailers or actual posters out in public places that I don't see anymore for the show. They were the kind of thing that were done so well in previous years but now, a bad trailer with a long-lingering bad line is all we get. Plus, the promo pictures are quite naff too in my opinion. Last series, we had Peter and Jenna looking on in a traditional Doctor and companion pose surrounded by mirrors. Well, I didn't get that at all.. Hopefully, fingers crossed, the marketing is far better for S10... The worst for me was the Series 8 pic with Capaldi unflatteringly pictured with hands on hips and Jenna standing in a funny way which made her look like she really needed to visit the TARDIS toilet asap. |
|
|
|
|
|
#240 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 413
|
Quote:
Yeah, agree about the promo pics. They are often quite poor and lacking in *imagination*, since Series 7b anyway. I loved the posters they did for that run. The 'Mysterio' one was very bland.
The worst for me was the Series 8 pic with Capaldi unflatteringly pictured with hands on hips and Jenna standing in a funny way which made her look like she really needed to visit the TARDIS toilet asap. Generally, I do think the marketing since Series 7 has been quite off. I don't know if they've changed who does the marketing since then, but it's not been the same quality in my opinion. I loved the posters for Series 7 that even if the episode wasn't up to much, the poster did a lot to entice you and get the feel for the episode within an instant. As you say, the poster for 'Mysterio' was ultra bland. It didn't really do anything. It wasn't flattering for anyone in it if I'm honest. And it is something that I've picked up on a lot with Peter in the promo material. He's not old by any means yet all the pictures I've seen him in make him look so much older than he is. They really don't do him any justice at all. |
|
|
|
|
#241 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West London
Posts: 6,931
|
Quote:
You think thats bad Doctor Who Magazine put a logo for this story and it was a blatant rip off of Lois & Clark.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#242 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,076
|
Well judging by this forum, which of course is a perfectly accurate way to judge these things
, then yeah people have (to answer my own thread question)... This forum has gone really quiet, only 12 pages on the Xmas episode after it was aired two days ago... nobody even bothered to start the thread for the episode until the day.. it use to be they were started like a week in advance and would be up to about 4 or 5 pages before the episode even aired, with people talking and theorising before hand... The thread wasn't even done properly with a Poll so everyone could vote their grade for the episode... Also I'm not seeing that much talk about the next series, a trailer at the end of the Xmas episode would usually generate a lot, but there's not that much discussion going on about it. It seems like just the die hard DW/DS fans are keeping this DW section afloat... when I said this forum felt quiet about a month ago, myself only coming back to the forum just then after not being on here for most of the year (S9 and no episodes this year lost my interest so other things took it) people said it was just the time, it was the calm before the storm, it would pick up around the Xmas episode.... well it hasn't all that much, not really, not like it was a few years ago. Hopefully Series 10 will be good and start turning things around and get people discussing. |
|
|
|
|
|
#243 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,080
|
I think a number of people have moved on,or elsewhere, tbh.
As for the episode poll, well, some new FM's started threads last year and had them closed as they were deemed too early. Saw the irony on Sunday when there wasn't one! (Already made my excuses there; am a technical idiot and never done a poll on DS!) |
|
|
|
|
|
#244 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 650
|
Peter Capaldi is a good actor - quite natural - but in my humble opinion lacks warmth. No warmth in his eyes or smile and I feel casual DW fans need to like or relate to the Doctor in some way. I just can't see much or anything people can relate to with Capaldi's Doctor. I think I'm right in saying the show regularly dipped under 5 million - and was beaten by an episode of Casualty! - during Capaldi's last series. Capaldi is the least popular of the Nu-Who Doctors.
I just feel he's a bit miscast. If HBO or even the BBC made a darker more adult version of Doctor Who, Capaldi might be a natural fit, but for the evening CBBC type audience I feel he's miscast. Just not likable enough to get more casual kids and adults interested in the show. Hopefully they can find a younger, more dynamic and warmer actor to play the role. I reckon the show will have a rise in ratings when the role is recast but the show has been on for over a decade so it's bound to lose some viewers. If the show went off the air for five years and then came back - who knows - might give it a fresh feel! |
|
|
|
|
|
#245 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 413
|
Quote:
Peter Capaldi is a good actor - quite natural - but in my humble opinion lacks warmth. No warmth in his eyes or smile and I feel casual DW fans need to like or relate to the Doctor in some way. I just can't see much or anything people can relate to with Capaldi's Doctor. I think I'm right in saying the show regularly dipped under 5 million - and was beaten by an episode of Casualty! - during Capaldi's last series. Capaldi is the least popular of the Nu-Who Doctors.
I just feel he's a bit miscast. If HBO or even the BBC made a darker more adult version of Doctor Who, Capaldi might be a natural fit, but for the evening CBBC type audience I feel he's miscast. Just not likable enough to get more casual kids and adults interested in the show. Hopefully they can find a younger, more dynamic and warmer actor to play the role. I reckon the show will have a rise in ratings when the role is recast but the show has been on for over a decade so it's bound to lose some viewers. If the show went off the air for five years and then came back - who knows - might give it a fresh feel! To me, you've got to like the Doctor. There's no point in having an unlikable one. We've got to be on his side. There's just no charisma or wow factor about his Doctor for me sadly. It's just very flat. I hope too that we get a more dynamic and warmer actor to take on the role after Peter. I don't necessarily think it has to be younger, but Peter's take on the role has sadly put me off that idea. I do think the Doctor has become more of a younger actor's role now... |
|
|
|
|
#246 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West London
Posts: 6,931
|
Quote:
This forum has gone really quiet, only 12 pages on the Xmas episode after it was aired two days ago... nobody even bothered to start the thread for the episode until the day.. it use to be they were started like a week in advance and would be up to about 4 or 5 pages before the episode even aired, with people talking and theorising before hand... The thread wasn't even done properly with a Poll so everyone could vote their grade for the episode... Also I'm not seeing that much talk about the next series, a trailer at the end of the Xmas episode would usually generate a lot, but there's not that much discussion going on about it.
Only the OP could have added a poll, and he didn't and hasn't.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#247 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,295
|
Quote:
It wasn't even a newly started thread, but a resurrected one that had been started way back at the beginning of October!
Only the OP could have added a poll, and he didn't and hasn't. ![]() |
|
|
|
|
|
#248 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 871
|
Quote:
Aw, come on. Some people might not like his style of Who, fair enough, but if you read/watch interviews with him (or just read his DWM column) it's blatantly obvious how much Moffat cares about and loves the show.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#249 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,362
|
Quote:
Aw, come on. Some people might not like his style of Who, fair enough, but if you read/watch interviews with him (or just read his DWM column) it's blatantly obvious how much Moffat cares about and loves the show.
Whether Moff or the BBC decided that was crazy especially for a 13 episode season. Theres a reason America does it because when you have 20 - 30 episodes for something thats understandable. But 13 episodes??? C'MON! |
|
|
|
|
|
#250 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,295
|
I can agree Moffat loves the show, but doesn't the saying go: "When you love something, you should set it free" Its time for Moffat to step down.
|
|
|
|
![]() |
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 23:51.





, then yeah people have (to answer my own thread question)...