Doctor Who: A sci-fi classic
By: Kim Boyd
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Entertainment
Since 1963, the BBC's Doctor Who has been one of the most important sci-fi series of our time. Despite being removed from the BBC schedule in 1989, the show was resurrected in 2005 by executive producer Russel T. Davies. The plot of the series features 'The Doctor' of the title, an alien Timelord from Gallifrey who travels throughout time and space in his ship. The ship, called 'The TARDIS' (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space) is "disguised" as a blue police box, and carries the Doctor and his companion (or companions) through different adventures.
Generations of British-and now American-children have watched the family fare from "behind the sofa." This behind the sofa phenomena is based on the concept that children would be too scared to watch the show from anywhere else. The special effects were horrible, and cheap but somehow the Master, the Cybermen, and of course the pepper-potted Daleks, were enough to overcome wobbly cardboard sets that fell down from time to time.
Also aiding in the show's longevity has been the ability to keep the show going by through the use of "regeneration." Ten actors have played the role of the Doctor over the years, and when current Doctor, David Tennant, leaves after this year's Christmas specials, the role will be filled by an eleventh: 26-year-old Matt Smith.
But how has the series survived and how has it become so beloved? In Britain, Doctor Who is frequently it's top rated show, with large market shares. The series has spawned two spinoffs. The first is the very adult Torchwood, which tells the tale of one of the Doctor's companion from the new-post 2005-series, Captain Jack Harkness as he tries to save the planet and shag everyone around (especially Ianto). The second series is one for kids, The Sarah Jane Adventures staring an older companion who has made several appearances with the tenth doctor. There are also what one would expect with something like the Star Wars movies: action figures, conventions, books for both adults and children, audio adventures broadcast on BBC radio and various sorts of other things that make Doctor Who an event.
And that's what Doctor Who is, really. It's an event, it's fun, it's something you can watch with your family but it still has enough adult humor and drama that it can be viewed by adults. Further, the series especially in its current incarnation features some amazing actors, even if Americans don't know who they are. Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Derek Jacobi, John Simm, Simon Pegg, Billie Piper, Catherine Tate, Simon Callow, Anthony Stewart Head and many more have earned on the show in the past few years to acclaim. Doctor Who crosses themes that we all face, and things we all feel. But most of all, Doctor Who offers a lark and a hope that things aren't as bad as all that.
Generations of British-and now American-children have watched the family fare from "behind the sofa." This behind the sofa phenomena is based on the concept that children would be too scared to watch the show from anywhere else. The special effects were horrible, and cheap but somehow the Master, the Cybermen, and of course the pepper-potted Daleks, were enough to overcome wobbly cardboard sets that fell down from time to time.
Also aiding in the show's longevity has been the ability to keep the show going by through the use of "regeneration." Ten actors have played the role of the Doctor over the years, and when current Doctor, David Tennant, leaves after this year's Christmas specials, the role will be filled by an eleventh: 26-year-old Matt Smith.
But how has the series survived and how has it become so beloved? In Britain, Doctor Who is frequently it's top rated show, with large market shares. The series has spawned two spinoffs. The first is the very adult Torchwood, which tells the tale of one of the Doctor's companion from the new-post 2005-series, Captain Jack Harkness as he tries to save the planet and shag everyone around (especially Ianto). The second series is one for kids, The Sarah Jane Adventures staring an older companion who has made several appearances with the tenth doctor. There are also what one would expect with something like the Star Wars movies: action figures, conventions, books for both adults and children, audio adventures broadcast on BBC radio and various sorts of other things that make Doctor Who an event.
And that's what Doctor Who is, really. It's an event, it's fun, it's something you can watch with your family but it still has enough adult humor and drama that it can be viewed by adults. Further, the series especially in its current incarnation features some amazing actors, even if Americans don't know who they are. Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Derek Jacobi, John Simm, Simon Pegg, Billie Piper, Catherine Tate, Simon Callow, Anthony Stewart Head and many more have earned on the show in the past few years to acclaim. Doctor Who crosses themes that we all face, and things we all feel. But most of all, Doctor Who offers a lark and a hope that things aren't as bad as all that.