The Future Is Bright
The Times today ran a piece by Michael Evans, the newspaper’s Defence Editor, about how the government is considering introducing a new Bank Holiday to celebrate the work of the Armed Forces. Whether it comes into effect or not the country should be brought together immediately to celebrate the news that Russell T Davies is stepping down as executive producer on Doctor Who.
This has been of the cards for a while now and in late March, in an interview in The Daily Telegraph, RTD stated that Piers Wenger would be the new executive producer. Whether that was the case then, or it was another example of the weeble cocking around with the fourth estate, Stephen Moffat has been announced as the new head writer and exec producer.
This sort of news should lead to people piled up and fucking and sucking in the streets. And cake. Although there is Jekyll to consider, which started off interesting and then went all silly, Moffat has been responsible for the better episodes. And, of course, there’s Blink. So while he’s a fan of the show – which means the lunatics will still be running the asylum – Moffat doesn’t come across as the sort of total cock who would willingly compare Robert Holmes’ The Talons of Weng Chiang to Dennis Potter.
He doesn’t step up until production of the fifth series in 2010, but for once it means that we can actually look to the future and smile.
posted by Good Dog @ 9:24 pm
7 mouthy comebacks
7 Comments:
2010 is a long way away.
Cutting through the bullshit (and that BBC 'news' report is filled with the stuff) it's worth noting that Russell-Spectacularly-Talented-Davies has yet again delivered a programme in full-on ratings freefall.
Doctor Who's audience has collapsed by almost a third in the past month.
If the trend continues, even the BBC's compliant bitches in the media might have to take notice.
Of course the show is an overpraised piece of crap. That hasn't changed. What HAS changed is the introduction of a new companion. I can't help wondering whether the lovely Catherine Tate hasn't single-handedly driven away 2m viewers.
The adult audience is an audience of fanboys. They like their fantasy figures (hell, we all do). And a menopausal, screechy redhead lumbering round the set is no fantasy figure. How the fuck can they not see that?
No one's going to quibble with the choice of Moffat as producer. But by 2010, there may not be much left of the franchise.
Good LORD.
Catherine Tate was born in 1968. That makes her 40 years old! If that's menapausal, I'd freak out -that means I have under 12 years of fertility left!
They clearly chose Tate because of her iconic status amongst kids: the "Am I bovvered?" thing. And it WORKS. My lad and his friends LOVE Donna. These are the same kids who barely noticed Freema and let the whole Dr/Rose thing pass them by - why? 'Cos they're not interested in love and all that stuff, girls have cooties anyway.
So the fanboys might not like Donna which *may* account for the drop in ratings. I think Dr. Who can stand it; kids will always love Dr. Who. not for the companion, but for the gadgets and saving the world and stuff. And who is it REALLY for, anyway? It's no accident the fanboys loved it as kids.
Tell you something though - I don't know a single kid who enjoyed BLINK. They were scared to death of it. That's my concern - making it too much for the adults. Kids need more drama in the vein of Dr. Who: it's imaginative, fun and has a strong moral message. But I think as a show it needs to decide once and for all in the next series which camp it goes for - adults or kids - otherwise it could end up in halfway house state.
J&C,
Next year there's only the quartet of specials which I suppose will be scattered throughout the year, probably showing up on public holidays. So unless they constitute a full on Viking funeral, there should be something left for Mr Moffat to salvage.
Lucy,
You're absolutely right, they need to decide which camp the show is in.
Mr Dog: You, thinking of Doctor Who and smiling? Moffat's appointment has already achieved the impossible!
J&C: Who's figures dip by a coupla million mid-season, every year. But by all means, continue to delightedly rub your upper thighs if it pleases you.
Mr Jason, it is true, I know. And I've even agreed with something Tight Buns* has said. I have a birthday drink to go to tomorrow. I expect to get somewhat bladdered.
* leave it!
GD's positive comments about Doctor Who, while rare, are as familiar as death and taxes compared to your critical remarks, Jason.
The one concern I'd offer about Mr Moffat is that he's so well-regarded that expectations will be hard to meet.
And Lucy makes a good point. Maybe the show needs to lose some of the fanboy stuff and commit to being the kids' programme that it really is.
J&C: Sorry, all I heard then were clicks and whirs.
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