I'm American and wonder if anyone could enlighten me on why this series is so long lived and seems so immensely popular/successful in the UK. I've tried to appreciate it but simply can't. I really do like most Brit tv series or film but don't get the Dr. Who. PS I don't mean to insult anyone.
shareIt's not just popular in the UK.
I'm an Aussie and have been a fan since the early 1970s. There is a large fan network in this country.
PS: I've also been a fan of STAR TREK since the 1970s too.
ant-mac
Guess either you do, or you don't. I also am an American but I so loved the series from 05 up through today, I took the year off that had no new Doctor Who, and went back and watched all the classics from 63 through 89
I enjoy all of them
For the same reason General Hospital, Bones, ER, 24, and various other long standing American shows don't have the same level of popularity in the UK. Doctor Who is a BRITISH Television Institution, it was on the air for 26 years in it's original run, and has been back for 11 years. That is a long time. In the UK, Doctor Who has a level of cultural appeal similar to Star Trek in the US. You may not be a fan, but you are aware of them, and know someone who is a fan(even if they won't admit they are a fan like some people I know.)
shareThis is just a theory but I think the Who formula is just not mainstream American enough.
Dr Who stories can take place anywhere and anytime in time and space, the far future or distant past. The Doctor goes where he wants with no constraints, the lead actor regularly changes as do supporting cast . This is very fluid format and has led to the longevity of the show.
American Sci fi shows are more structured with a set ensemble cast that viewers can identify with over 2, 3, or more seasons. The parameters of the shows well defined which viewers find comforting, whereas Who is looser with it's format, and vitally is made primarily for British audiences with little attempt to please American or international audiences.
One show you might like is Blakes7, this is made more or less by the Dr Who team, and that includes the writers, and is a more structured show, Britains answer to Star Trek and is available on youtube, I'm hoping Raventhom after finishing Who might like to give Blakes7 a go.
Unfortunately, Blakes 7 is not available on Netflix or from my library
No other rental places have it either.
If it shows up somewhere, sometime, I will give it a go, but for now, sorry mate
Its on youtube USA just checked it
Scripts by Terry Nation, Robert Holmes, Chris Boucher, made during Tom Baker's time playing the Doctor, even some of the sets are the same. You might like it.
"Blake's 7" was the best! I started out with "DW" when I was still in college; roommate raved about it and since I was a sci-fi fan it only made sense to check it out! I started watching it in '79 and taping to VHS and BETA formats of videotape in '81! He made a DVD of the series for a Xmas gift which I still treasure! I have 'em all and still get emotional at it's finale; episode #52, "Blake!" I liked how they got in and got out in 50 min. with story arcs that went on forever like "The Time WAR" in "DW!"
- http://scifiblogs3.blogspot.com/2011/01/introduction-to-blakes-7.html
- - http://www.childrenofrassilon.com/blakes-7.html - Blake's 7 Homage - -
- - http://scifiblogs3.blogspot.com/ - - Sci-fi, Batman, & E:FC
I'm American and wonder if anyone could enlighten me on why this series is so long lived and seems so immensely popular/successful in the UK. I've tried to appreciate it but simply can't. I really do like most Brit tv series or film but don't get the Dr. Who. PS I don't mean to insult anyone.
I'm a 59 year old male American and I've loved Dr. Who since I was about 20 or 21. Most of my American friends love the show as well. Everyone has different tastes. Its as simple as that.
In the kingdom of the blind, you're the village idiot.
If Doctor Who wasn't popular here, Hot Topic wouldn't carry all that merchandise.
______
You see that evil will always triumph, because good is dumb.
For me, the big question has been why the sudden American adoption of NuWho? Classic Who always was a niche, PBS/Sci-Fi Channel show. It had its fans, but you ask someone on the street what Doctor Who was and you'd probably get stares. I still remember being so surprised when Doctor Who got a mention in a sketch on Saturday Night Live during the (I think) 1992 presidential election.
So, why America's sudden adoption of NuWho? My guess is the broader access to it. It first aired its first 4 season on Sci-Fi Channel. It's how I got to see them. So, like the Tom Baker years of Classic Who, a lot of America got access to the new series through that channel. Then, BBC America came along and they started offering the show, too.
I don't think it was THAT niche here. The stuff outside of Tom Baker, yes, but his episodes were more watched in the late 1970's and early 1980's than you might think. As an example, MST3k made reference to the show on multiple occasions. "Look, it's a Doctor Who set!" "It's a Dalek!" "Exterminate, Exterminate!" "It's the Tardis!" "He's got The Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver." Come to mind. If you talk to someone of the right age, I think you will find many people between 17 and 25 years of age prior to 1985 saw it on PBS.
shareI remember the time when the Dalek was mentioned in Time Of Apes on MST3K. And I think a reference to The Five Doctors turned up in Fugitive Alien.
And, as I said, there was Dana Carvey on SNL as, I think, Paul Tsongas. One of his primary Presidential candidacy platforms was more money for programs like Doctor Who. Like think even Blake's 7 got a mention.
The 1992 Presidential campaign. It just goes to show that even though Doctor Who never got much media attention before recent years, it made an impact.
Thinking of BBC programs on PBS, I have a great story about my Grandfather. His company was looking to advertise on something classy, so they picked our local PBS station, and a British program. Being British it was sure to be tasteful, dignified, high brow, and represent them well, so they didn't bother watching it before putting their name on it. The show was Monty Python's Flying Circus.
I don't think it was THAT niche here. The stuff outside of Tom Baker, yes, but his episodes were more watched in the late 1970's and early 1980's than you might think. As an example, MST3k made reference to the show on multiple occasions. "Look, it's a Doctor Who set!" "It's a Dalek!" "Exterminate, Exterminate!" "It's the Tardis!" "He's got The Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver." Come to mind. If you talk to someone of the right age, I think you will find many people between 17 and 25 years of age prior to 1985 saw it on PBS.
Over here, whenever I talk to someone who was in college during that period most of them know about it. TPT(our local PBS station) apparently showed it late at night here and those too young to have families but too old to be in middle school took to it with a plumb.
shareFor us in Chicago back in the mid 70's, it was a late nite Sunday PBS telecast; end of a British invasion with lead-ins of "Monty Python's Flying Circus, The 2 Ronnies, Dave Allen, & maybe Bennie Hill!" I'm strange and appreciate their humor collecting episodes of "Agony" & "Are You Being Served?!" Unfortunately it's on BETA format so donated them with a player to local library! Too old to carry around those heavy tapes; not like my VHS collection is any lighter!
- - http://scifiblogs3.blogspot.com/ - - Sci-fi, Batman, & E:FC
- - http://www.childrenofrassilon.com - - Homage to DW & B7
For us in Chicago back in the mid 70's, it was a late nite Sunday PBS telecast; end of a British invasion with lead-ins of "Monty Python's Flying Circus, The 2 Ronnies, Dave Allen, & maybe Bennie Hill!" I'm strange and appreciate their humor collecting episodes of "Agony" & "Are You Being Served?!" Unfortunately it's on BETA format so donated them with a player to local library! Too old to carry around those heavy tapes; not like my VHS collection is any lighter!
I did a little with talk shows when Chicago acquired access to WOR; one was Morton Downey, Jr.! What a loon! Those people aped his show and all I could do was shake my head!
- - http://scifiblogs3.blogspot.com/ - - Sci-fi, Batman, & E:FC
- - http://www.childrenofrassilon.com - - Homage to DW & B7
I did a little with talk shows when Chicago acquired access WOR; one was Morton Downey, Jr.! What a loon! Those people aped his show and all I could do was shake my head!
You should stick to your Vampire Diaries and Jane the Virgin Drivel and Bugger Off , PissPot !!!!
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