Doctor Who

Having watched some Dr Who, but not really being into the whole thing could somebody explain the whole regeneration business ? Would it be possible for one of the previous doctors to re-regenerate, surely the best Doctor Who would be one of the ones who held the role previously, ie. Peter Davidson or Tom Baker ?

No ?

Regeneration is caused when teh current Doctor 'dies'. The First died of old age, the second was forced after being tried by his people, the third through poisoning, the fourth through falling, the fifth through poisoning (again), the sixth through God knows what and the Seventh was shot.... and was **** too.

It was written as a Time Lord gift and The Doctor has 12 regenerations or 13 lives.)

As regards 'Best Doctor' its very subjective. Mine is the Fifth, as he was 'mine' when I was growing up. If you want it to get into it a bit more, your local library should have some bits and pieces on video or perhaps DVD.

It may be better to have an old doctor and they could make it happen but there are distinct problems. The actors who played the first 3 doctors are all dead, Tom Baker hasn't played the role since 1981, and he left under a bit of a cloud. Also, he may not take it on even if it was offered - whilst he's healthy, he is getting on a bit and is unlikely to take on a major new role at this stage in his career; Baker is really down to doing bit parts now.

Peter Davison voluntarily left and probably won't come voluntarily back. Colin Baker was sacked after being made a scapegoat for the disastrous scheduling blunders in the mid 80's so I doubt he'd come back. Sylvester McCoy was only killed off 7 years ago - it's too recent for him to make a reapperance. Aswell as that, he's a weak actor who can't do much more than snarl as his TV run proved.

Tom Baker is really the only one I'd like to see come back and as I said, it just won't happen now.

I would like for them to have continued with Paul McGann. Anyone know if he was even approached about the possibility?

Yes, when was the series scheduled ? I seem to recall at some stage it went out at teatime on a Saturday night, but wasn't it also up against Coronation Street sometime ? Or have I got that wrong ?

it all started when Peter Davison took over and they scheduled it twice a week. Sounds good at first, but there was no increase in episode; it was just on air for half as many weeks.

When Colin Baker took over (or rather, his first full season) they changed format to 45 minute episodes. Again, it was on air for half as many weeks.

During the 'trial' season, they went back to 25 minute episodes, but with no increase in rate.

Also this t*ting about with scheduling lost them viewers. They wanted a scapegoat and found him in Colin Baker.

Then when Sylvester McCoy took over it was scheduled directly against Coronation Street in a dead weekday slot. The final season received no promotion at all on BBC1.

Thing is, Corin, it was set up to be mainly educational, then Terry Nation created the Daleks for the second story, they became a major craze amongst children (and no, I wasn't around then ) and the producers quickly changed the slant of the series into monsters, aliens and scariness - still, of course, maintaining the 'purely historical' (set in a historical timeframe without any aliens etc) stories, which did continue well into Tom Baker's years (and made a brief return with the dubious 'Black Orchid' of Peter Davison's tenure).

I appreciate that the above was an unfeasibly long sentence - feel free to use a time machine to go back and kill my grandfather so I don't write it.

The article suggests that no cast decisions have yet been made, Chris. Paul McGann has made it fairly clear in several interviews that, while he is happy enough to do the audio-only adventures, he's actually quite relieved that he didn't/doesn't have to do a TV series of Who.


I have to disagree on this one - I think if it's going to succeed Doctor Who needs to make a fairly new start and not rely too much on its history (which became more and more of a problem in the 1980s).
I'd be prepared to accept the idea of a new exterior for the TARDIS, as the policebox, which was a relevant cultural symbol in 1963, has no relevenace to most people these days.
And that will get me shouted at by some other Who fans, I have no doubt.

What would replace the police box ? The portaloo ?

Great news!! I bet the Dead Ringers team will be among the first to develop impressions of the new Doctor, whoever that may be. Anyone think Colin Firth (Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, Fever Pitch, etc...) would make a good Doctor? He's got the sort-of look about him that would lend itself well to the role....

I know the following statement is typical of me, but the thing I want them to keep with the new show- shoot it on VT with NO filmic effect. It can be at least one of the old things about Doctor Who they can keep, as a lot of the camp/cheesiness, low budget and dodgy effects certinally won't survive into the 21st century.

Am I the only person in the world who cannot stand Doctor Who, though it was good at the time, I don't see any reason why it should be revived and like most other shows which have been revived have flopped. I don't object to repeats of them, why not, it's popular, but I just don't see any reason why it should be brought back, if it was good or worth having Michael Grade wouldn't have axed it in 1989 and compare it to other Sc-Fi shows it looks crap.

I'm sorry, but I just don't welcome the return of the programme, IMO the BBC should start another Sci-Fi programme than rather bringing back a programme which should be left to "Rest In Peace."

[DALEK MODE] Exterminate!! Exterminate!! [/DALEK MODE]