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Is Doctor Who Losing People's Interest?


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Old 29-12-2016, 10:05
Lord Smexy
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It is not viewer fatigue. How do you get viewer fatigue with 12 episodes a year?

It is Moffat fatigue pure and simple.

People are tired of stupid, convoluted plots like the Magic Leaf of Doom, Forests that don't Burn, The Moon is an Egg, etc., etc., etc..

People are tired of insanely, amazingly hyper-competent, hyper-intelligent female companions who take over the show and can one-up The Doctor at ever turn (Clara Who, anyone; please note that the constant drop in viewer figures was all during the Clara Who period).

People are tired of story arcs that are incredibly convoluted, but, in the end are not reasonably explained.

People are tired of the PC garbage being rammed down their throats all of the time.

People are tired of having to wait a year for a new episode with constantly long breaks between small half seasons occurring in yet-another time of the year. They want consistency, which we have not had in a long, long while.

Basically, people are not tired of Doctor Who. They are tired of the sorry excuse for a show which Moffat has been making (Clara Who) which has been falsely mislabeled as Doctor Who. (Note the correlation in time with Clara Who starting in Series 7b and then the ratings dropping off sharply in Series 8 and in Series 9 as it went on.)

What you put down to fatigue for the show, is actually fatigue of Moffat's Clara Who and all of the inconsistent production crap and sorry stories that come with it. We don't need a break of Doctor Who, we need Doctor Who back. We haven't had Doctor Who for several years now.

Nice try with the excuses, but they just don't ring true. The viewing public as well as those on this forum (and reality itself) disagree with you.
And that's probably the silliest post I'll read all day.
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Old 29-12-2016, 10:08
Lord Smexy
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It's just too childish. It is. Admit it.

It's aimed at 8 - 16 years old, I reckon. (It's also very gory for a kids show - heads opening and all other gruesome stuff! - but that's going off-topic)

Sure, if you put your adult mind in hibernation for a while you can enjoy the show but you can't put it in hibernation for too long. Sooner or later your adult mind thaws out, and you realize the show is completely childish and silly.

To be fair to Mr Moffat, he does add some adult stuff but it's more a brief moment just to fool/appease adult fans they're watching an adult show. But deep down we all know we're much too old to be watching this show. Admit it. It's a kids show, not aimed at Digital Spy users.
Hasn't that kind of been a big part of the show's charm from the very start?
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Old 29-12-2016, 10:16
misfitt
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Much as I hate the time between series,I personally don't think there is any harm in resting any programme as long as they use the time to write some stronger storylines then they would have been able to.

Otherwise there is the real danger of turning it into the Casualty or Last of the Summer Wine senerio of just being flogged to death like a soap opera to the point that nobody really cares about the show anymore.

Some programmes have benefitted by long breaks.The occasional one-off specials of Jonathan Creek for example are much more superior IMO than when it was a series.
Completely agree JC works much better now

I did not even watch Doctor Who this year as why 5.45pm Christmas and 8pm at other times. Still enjoying Christmas at that time so TV til about 8
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Old 29-12-2016, 10:17
Nelson_De_Souza
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It is not viewer fatigue. How do you get viewer fatigue with 12 episodes a year?

It is Moffat fatigue pure and simple.

People are tired of the PC garbage being rammed down their throats all of the time.

People are tired of having to wait a year for a new episode with constantly long breaks between small half seasons occurring in yet-another time of the year. They want consistency, which we have not had in a long, long while.

Basically, people are not tired of Doctor Who. They are tired of the sorry excuse for a show which Moffat has been making (Clara Who) which has been falsely mislabeled as Doctor Who.

What you put down to fatigue for the show, is actually fatigue of Moffat's Clara Who and all of the inconsistent production crap and sorry stories that come with it. We don't need a break of Doctor Who, we need Doctor Who back. We haven't had Doctor Who for several years now.

Nice try with the excuses, but they just don't ring true. The viewing public as well as those on this forum (and reality itself) disagree with you.
Well your true colours have shone well and truly now. It was just a way of getting a essay on your hatred for Moffat and then insulting me in the process. You've really shown yourself up to be a horrible person.

The show has been back since 2005 - viewer fatigue occurs because its been on that long. That happens with most shows. They become less must see and become just there. It was always going to fall out of favour eventually.

Your short-sightedness and blinkered vision to the whole situation just sums you up. And the vile way you've put me down in the process is just awful.

You had an agenda and finally got to air it in all its glory. Happy with yourself?
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Old 29-12-2016, 10:21
Theophile
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Well your true colours have shone well and truly now. It was just a way of getting a essay on your hatred for Moffat and then insulting me in the process. You've really shown yourself up to be a horrible person.

The show has been back since 2005 - viewer fatigue occurs because its been on that long. That happens with most shows. They become less must see and become just there. It was always going to fall out of favour eventually.

Your short-sightedness and blinkered vision to the whole situation just sums you up. And the vile way you've put me down in the process is just awful.

You had an agenda and finally got to air it in all its glory. Happy with yourself?
That is odd, while I do insult Moffat (or more directly his handling of the show and his writing, I don't insult you in that post at all). Please point out where I did. You have an opinion, which I state as being wrong; that is all.

You are the one who just called me a horrible person; I believe that you are projecting what you have done onto me.



Edit: P.S. Part of my post which you quoted seems to have been truncated from the original (it happens all of the time with long posts). You can check the original above for the complete text and my statement still stands; I did not insult you.
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Old 29-12-2016, 10:25
Michael_Eve
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Um, just checked out the Jonathan Creek overnights. 5.1m. Who remains the second most watched drama (behind, and not *far* behind CTM) on all UK TV over the Christmas period.

Just saying, like! Bit of context.
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Old 29-12-2016, 10:28
Nelson_De_Souza
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That is odd, while I do insult Moffat (or more directly his handling of the show and his writing, I don't insult you in that post at all). Please point out where I did. You have an opinion, which I state as being wrong; that is all.

You are the one who just called me a horrible person; I believe that you are projecting what you have done onto me.



Edit: P.S. Part of my post which you quoted seems to have been truncated from the original (it happens all of the time with long posts). You can check the original above for the complete text and my statement still stands; I did not insult you.
"Nice try with the excuses, but they just don't ring true. The viewing public as well as those on this forum (and reality itself) disagree with you."

It's the reality itself bit that is the insult here. So you're just labelling me as an outcast and out of touch with reality. Really clever....

That hurts you know. It's a spiteful remark. The fact you don't see it as one is the issue...

I've been bullied my whole life. Comments like that just put you in that same category.
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Old 29-12-2016, 10:30
Michael_Eve
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Hasn't that kind of been a big part of the show's charm from the very start?
Yup. My response to the 'kids show' stuff I get occasionally (it's not original, unlike Who!);

"How DARE you! It's a *family* show! It's not on CBBC, you cad!"

But that's tongue in cheek, honest! I don't care how it's defined. Basically, I think the show is for anyone with a sense of wonder, sense of humour, good imagination and great taste in escapist TV. It's why I love the show.

(He said modestly. )
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Old 29-12-2016, 10:35
Airborae
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I think Doctor Who really did well this year with 5.68 million - considering all the other shows were hovering around that mark as well - the Queen's speech got 8.1 million combined from BBC and ITV showing at the same time and the rest weren't much better than Who.

So in context the Christmas special was a great highlight for BBC 1 audiences, whether they were fans or not.
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Old 29-12-2016, 11:38
mossy2103
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People are tired of having to wait a year for a new episode with constantly long breaks between small half seasons occurring in yet-another time of the year.
Hasn't that only happened once?
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Old 29-12-2016, 12:16
droogiefret
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I thought this year's Christmas edition was a bit meh tbh. I'm already looking forward to the next doctor and hoping for a return to Tennant standards.
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Old 29-12-2016, 12:31
GDK
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I think Doctor Who really did well this year with 5.68 million - considering all the other shows were hovering around that mark as well - the Queen's speech got 8.1 million combined from BBC and ITV showing at the same time and the rest weren't much better than Who.

So in context the Christmas special was a great highlight for BBC 1 audiences, whether they were fans or not.
I agree with this. Despite the often exaggerated and unhealthy negativity constantly being pushed by some around here, the real reality is that Doctor Who is doing very well thank you, audience-wise. That's not to say it's without its problems when we, as fans, critique the stories but that has always been the case.

I would say, with this and last year's Christmas specials, the fun is back.
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Old 29-12-2016, 12:38
digitalspyfan1
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Re the show being childish:

Hasn't that kind of been a big part of the show's charm from the very start?
Yes, a fair point.

Doctor Who is a weird show because it shouldn't appeal to adults. What I mean is if Doctor Who were commissioned today I doubt many adults would watch it. I think it'd be on CBBC, not BBC 1. It hooked children in the 60s/70s/80s and they continued watching it as they got older. But I get the impression most of the Digital Spy Doctor Who fans are adults, not teenagers. If that is the case then it's easier to find fault with the show.

When you're an adult watching a kids tv show it's easy to say "it's silly or dumb" but if I were 8 years old I might love most episodes of the show and not think it's that silly.
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Old 29-12-2016, 12:48
GDK
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Re the show being childish:



Yes, a fair point.

Doctor Who is a weird show because it shouldn't appeal to adults. What I mean is if Doctor Who were commissioned today I doubt many adults would watch it. I think it'd be on CBBC, not BBC 1. It hooked children in the 60s/70s/80s and they continued watching it as they got older. But I get the impression most of the Digital Spy Doctor Who fans are adults, not teenagers. If that is the case then it's easier to find fault with the show.

When you're an adult watching a kids tv show it's easy to say "it's silly or dumb" but if I were 8 years old I might love most episodes of the show and not think it's that silly.
It's a family show, meant to entertain people of all ages, which does mean it's vulnerable to the sort of attack you mention from mundane people with little imagination, sense of wonder at the universe or who otherwise "just don't get it". Teenagers especially can feel it's too childish for them, but that's a sign of their own immaturity while they're still growing into true adulthood.

Much of its appeal is to the child in all of us, but it's not a children's show.
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Old 29-12-2016, 12:49
Mulett
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Much of its appeal is to the child in all of us, but it's not a children's show.
A lovely description, GDK. Agree entirely.
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Old 29-12-2016, 15:46
M_J
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Completely agree JC works much better now

I did not even watch Doctor Who this year as why 5.45pm Christmas and 8pm at other times. Still enjoying Christmas at that time so TV til about 8
Pretty much admitted by the BBC that 8pm was far too late for Doctor Who and is one of the main reasons why the show has lost a fair chunk of it's viewers in the last few years. That and the very poor publicity that the BBC have given the show.
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Old 30-12-2016, 05:29
Theophile
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"Nice try with the excuses, but they just don't ring true. The viewing public as well as those on this forum (and reality itself) disagree with you."

It's the reality itself bit that is the insult here. So you're just labelling me as an outcast and out of touch with reality. Really clever....

That hurts you know. It's a spiteful remark. The fact you don't see it as one is the issue...

I've been bullied my whole life. Comments like that just put you in that same category.
I am simply saying that you are wrong. And that is bullying and insulting? You called me a horrible person, which I never did to you. I think that you need to look in the dark mirror yourself, sir.
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Old 30-12-2016, 07:18
broadshoulder
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Well your true colours have shone well and truly now. It was just a way of getting a essay on your hatred for Moffat and then insulting me in the process. You've really shown yourself up to be a horrible person.

The show has been back since 2005 - viewer fatigue occurs because its been on that long. That happens with most shows. They become less must see and become just there. It was always going to fall out of favour eventually.

Your short-sightedness and blinkered vision to the whole situation just sums you up. And the vile way you've put me down in the process is just awful.

You had an agenda and finally got to air it in all its glory. Happy with yourself?
Aren't you taking the show abit too literally

He's entitled to express his views
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Old 30-12-2016, 07:28
Nelson_De_Souza
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I am simply saying that you are wrong. And that is bullying and insulting? You called me a horrible person, which I never did to you. I think that you need to look in the dark mirror yourself, sir.
You didn't say that though. You were ostracising me by saying you, the forum (and the rest of reality) disagree with me.

Ostracising is bullying. You clearly don't see that.

You could have said I don't agree with you, plain and simple. Instead you went for a spiteful comment that was bullying.

You got called a horrible person because of that. And the BIB just proves my point even more...
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Old 30-12-2016, 08:56
dave_windows
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The shows what on its 10th season in the modern era and people lose interest already. Couldnt say the same thing if it was Pertwee at the helm.
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Old 30-12-2016, 09:02
Theophile
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You didn't say that though. You were ostracising me by saying you, the forum (and the rest of reality) disagree with me.

Ostracising is bullying. You clearly don't see that.

You could have said I don't agree with you, plain and simple. Instead you went for a spiteful comment that was bullying.

You got called a horrible person because of that. And the BIB just proves my point even more...
You play the victim card well, sir. Enjoy the Special Snowflake status in which you seem to revel.

When you want to actually debate the many points which I have previously laid out against the Moffat era, I am willing to do as such. However, I will not allow you to sidestep the points which I have made with the "he called me names!" meme.

I wish you all of the best and I hope that you enjoy a good life. Good day to you, sir.
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Old 30-12-2016, 09:30
claire2281
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People are tired of the PC garbage being rammed down their throats all of the time.
No they're not because DW isn't exactly massively PC (in fact sometimes very far from it if you look at the creeper-like behaviour of the 'hero' in the Christmas special!). Anyone who thinks so must be rather delicate to any challenge of their tiniest sensibilities.

People are tired of an increasingly boring show with a charmless, aimless lead character, and inconsistent writing from a man who is out of ideas. No one except the truly feeble have gone 'more women! black people! omg I can't bear this, I'm turning off immediately!'
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Old 30-12-2016, 10:54
haphash
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People are tired of an increasingly boring show with a charmless, aimless lead character, and inconsistent writing from a man who is out of ideas. No one except the truly feeble have gone 'more women! black people! omg I can't bear this, I'm turning off immediately!'
I agree. I haven't really enjoyed the show since Capaldi took over and although I liked Matt Smith he was hampered by the awful Clara in his last season. Clara killed the show for me.

I really hope they get it right with the next companion because that is the only thing that can save the show for me. Someone who is fun, a decent person and shows the doctor some respect. Please no more companions who are more important than the doctor and think they know everything.
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Old 30-12-2016, 13:51
POTD
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The shows what on its 10th season in the modern era and people lose interest already. Couldnt say the same thing if it was Pertwee at the helm.
The Classic show was losing interest by the end of the Troughton era, indeed it could easily have been cancelled at that point.

Instead they effectively rebooted the show with a very different set up of the Doctor stranded on Earth, working with UNIT, Colour etc.
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Old 30-12-2016, 14:15
tenofspades
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I've been getting into doctor last couple series. But it can be hit or miss. I think there is many childish episodes recently- I mean Batman? I refused to watch the Christmas episode. I'm not certain if the idea is to appeal to kids now so they're staple audience when they get older. But seems quite a risk.
Doctor who in itself is a bit of surprise entity of a show to exist. The general idea being work on a shoestring budget while being as creative a dialogue as possible with each episode, a bit like early Star Trek. It must be one heck of a task for the writers to keep a 10 series show going and convince watchers it's following a credible script.
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