Watching Doctor Who

As most of you know there have been ten different television-based incarnations of The Doctor (soon to be eleven). The original show ran from 1963-1989 (7 Doctors during that time), then there was an American-made film for television (loved the Doctor, thought that the film itself was not the best ever…), and then the new series that began in 2005. Now, I’m sure that you all know that the current series is designed rather like most American television shows, in that the episodes are about an hour in length (when you include advertisements). The Classic series wasn’t like that. One story could last up to twelve episodes (in the case of The Dalek Masterplan), with a cliff-hanger generally at the end of each one. Now, granted that the current series does include some two-parters, but it’s still not quite the same thing. So, I offer you a basis for comparison. (Yes, this would be another one of my lists. Oh, and for the record, I am not including multi-doctor episodes in the tally of any other than the reigning Doctor at the time.)

1. William Hartnell - 1963-1966
29 Stories/134 Episodes (25 minutes each)

2. Patrick Troughton - 1966-1969
21 Stories/119 Episodes (25 minutes each)

3. Jon Pertwee - 1970-1974
24 Stories/128 Episodes (now in color)

4. Tom Baker - 1974-1981
42 Stories/178 Episodes (if you include Shada)

5. Peter Davison - 1982-1984
20 Stories/69 Episodes

6. Colin Baker - 1984-1986
11 Stories/31 Episodes (45 minutes each after The Twin Dilemma, then back to 25 minutes each during Trial of a Time Lord)

7. Sylvester McCoy - 1987-1989 (and 1996 film)
12 Stories/42 Episodes (and the film)

8. Paul McGann - 1996 film
The American Film (and many audio adventures)

9. Christopher Eccleston - 2005
13 Episodes

10. David Tennant - 2006-2010?
39 Episodes, 4 Christmas Specials, 3 other specials…

11. Matt Smith - 2010-?

The Doctor, William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Doctor Who

Here we see the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theater with another Doctor Who-related video. This time around they’re attempting to sing the names of all eleven Doctors while standing in front of one of their “Edinburgh TARDISes.” (As seen in a couple of their previous videos.) They even throw in the Doctors from the Curse of Fatal Death, a spoof written by a certain Steven Moffat you may recall. Clever hand puppets, aren’t they? I’m quite amused by their stated reasoning for liking Matt Smith. Yes, a Doctor with two single syllable names certainly makes it easier to work said name into a song. What could they possibly come up with next? An ode to K-9? A marathon of Companion names? Personally, I can’t wait to find out.

Enjoy!

The 11 Doctor Whos Name Song:

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theater, Doctor Who, Matt Smith

(Like me, Mooker Strabinski is glad to have the good Doctor back on television. Oh, those terrible drought years! Do you have a My First Doctor story that you wish to share? Please e-mail it to me by using the “Contact Me” link near the top right of the blog. Thanks for telling us your story, Mooker!)

My First Doctor: by Mooker Strabinski

I first saw Dr Who in or around 1977, on PBS, out of Chicago. I remember watching it with my brother, staying up late one Saturday, since my parents were out.

When the theme music came on, we looked at each other. I had never heard anything like it, and from that first episode, we were hooked.

Jon Pertwee was my first Doctor, since new episodes were never shown here. I believe that the first episode that I saw was Day of the Daleks.

Someone at PBS seemed to favor Tom Baker, as he is the only Doctor that I saw for quite a few years to come, in many, many reruns.

When PBS pulled the good Doctor from their lineup, I was beside myself. Unable to watch anymore, and there was nothing that I could do about it. It wasn’t until I finally got BBC America a few years back that I was able to catch up. I was without the Doctor for nearly 15 years…the horror, the horror.

Image Source: BBC Doctor Who Site

My First Doctor, Jon Pertwee

Okay, this one is for The Vig. It’s a follow-up to my question about which companion costume you’d choose. This week I’m wondering: Which of the Doctor’s outfits would you like to wear? There are ten Doctors to choose from, and some of them even have a few different outfits to choose from. So, what will you choose? Are you a fan of the tenth Doctor’s blue suit? Do you have a secret yen for celery on your lapel? Perhaps you prefer a cloak and a frilly shirt. Let me know. To help you jog your memory of our Doctor’s stylish choices I am including links below. (No chance of wandering off this time, sorry. Just stick with our ten versions if you please.)

Doctor…who? (I get that a lot…)

• The First Doctor
• The Second Doctor
• The Third Doctor
• The Fourth Doctor
• The Fifth Doctor
• The Sixth Doctor
• The Seventh Doctor
• The Eighth Doctor
• The Ninth Doctor
• The Tenth Doctor

I actually have a thing for waistcoats, so is it any great surprise that I have chosen the eighth Doctor’s outfit? Actually, I think I’d look quite nice in it, and not merely because I’d have to get it custom made to fit me. (I’m five feet tall, for those of you who don’t know.) Mind you, I’d have to learn how to tie a cravat, but that would be a small price to pay.

So. Who’s outfit did you chose?

8th Dr. Image: BBC

Series 4 of Doctor Who is set to start in the UK on 5 April 2008, so it’s already time for the trailer avalanche.

If you go to the front page of the Official Doctor Who site, you can click on the picture of the Doctor and Donna to see what looks like a shorter version of the cinema trailer (which will be on the site on 29 March.) For three more quick trailers, you can go here for the Ood Trailer, the Sontaran trailer, and the Dalek trailer.

This year’s Hugo Nominees have been announced. This time around in the Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form we have three of the five nominations. Steven Moffat’s episode of Doctor Who, “Blink” (no big surprise there), Paul Cornell’s two-parter of Doctor Who, “Human Nature“/”Family of Blood“, and Catherine Tregenna’s Torchwood episode “Captain Jack Harkness.” Here’s hoping for a Whoniversal hat trick.

Kent News is reporting that Tom Baker said that he would do a cameo on the New Doctor Who “if they ask him nicely.” Well, I certainly hope that they ask him nicely! That is really saying a lot, considering that he didn’t come back for The Five Doctors. (They used footage from the unaired “Shada” by Douglas Adams for his part.) Keep your fingers crossed folks!

Doctor Who, Ood, Sontaran, Dalek, Hugo Nominees, Steven Moffat, Blink, Paul Cornell, Human Nature, Family of Blood, Catherine Tregenna, Torchwood, Captain Jack Harkness, Tom Baker

I was going to bring you all some more Doctor Who themes today, but then I found this. As I’ve mentioned before, I have a weakness for outtakes. So, it should come as no surprise to you that I think this collection of Tom Baker era outtakes is hilarious. Between foul language, the continuously non-firing gun, and K9’s Christmas song, I’m thinking that you all might be amused as well. What do you think that The Doctor really wants for Christmas, eh?

(more…)

Doctor Who, Tom Baker

I thought that it might be fun to do a Thursday Thirteen this week, so I offer you Thirteen people who have played The Doctor at various times. I know that there are more folks that I could add (Peter Cushing for example, though technically he played “Dr. Who.”) but I had to stick with thirteen. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy my list.

13 People Who Have Played The Doctor (in no particular order)

1. Christopher Eccleston (9th Doctor)
2. Mark Gatiss (The Web of Caves)
3. David Tennant (10th Doctor)
4. Hugh Grant (The Curse of Fatal Death – The (Handsome) 12th Doctor)
5. William Hartnell (1st Doctor)
6. Paul McGann (8th Doctor)
7. Tom Baker (4th Doctor)
8. Sylvester McCoy (7th Doctor)
9. Patrick Troughton (2nd Doctor)
10. Richard Hurndall (The 1st Doctor in The Five Doctors [William Hartnell had passed away])
11. Peter Davison (5th Doctor)
12. Colin Baker (6th Doctor)
13. Jon Pertwee (3rd Doctor)

Thursday Thirteen, Peter Cushing, Christopher Eccleston, Mark Gatiss, David Tennant, Hugh Grant, William Hartnell, Paul McGann, Tom Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Patrick Troughton, Richard Hurndall, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Jon Pertwee

Hi all. I’ve got some fabulous news. It looks like the DVDs for the first series of Torchwood should appear in the US on 8 January 2008. (This date is, of course, subject to change.) The cast photo that TVShowsOnDVD.com got from BBC America seems to be missing a cast member. Now who could that be? (Maybe Captain Jack is out hunting Weevils?) Now, if that news wasn’t happy-making enough, how about this: A monthly Torchwood Magazine! Apparently it shall appear beginning early next year. Hopefully this magazine will prove to be a bit easier to find than Doctor Who Magazine.

Speaking of Doctor Who, the word on the street is that DVD set of Doctor Who Series Three will be available in the US on 6 November 2007. (Date again subject to change.) This is good to know. I hope that there will be tons of extras on this set.

On the Classic Doctor Who front, the fully-loaded-with-extras version of The Key to Time episode set from the Fourth Doctor era is set for release on 24 September 2007 in the UK. Hopefully it won’t take too long for this release to appear in the US. (please? Oh, Auntie Beeb…*hopeful smile*)

You may all now join me in the upcoming DVD happy dance.

Image Source: The Official Doctor Who Site

Torchwood, Captain Jack, Torchwood Magazine, Doctor Who Magazine, Doctor Who

This is pretty much what it says on the tin. 43 years, 10 Doctors, 5-and-a-half-minutes. For those of you who are not particularly familiar with the classic series of Doctor Who, here is a video that covers some of the important and amusing bits from each of the first ten Doctors. It’s sort of like a visit to the department of backstory, actually. The Doctor has been fighting the monsters for a very long time. (Great job with the vid, bishopzero!) Enjoy!

Doctor Who

(MKEJenkins has been kind enough to tell us about her First Doctor, and her first encounter with Doctor Who. It looks like she and I also share some favorite Doctors. Thanks for telling us your story!)

My First Doctor: by MKEJenkins

Ah, the memories, Where to begin? Let’s see…a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….ooops, sorry wrong fandom. Anywho.

In the mid 1980s I was in college. One Saturday night I was with a group of friends at someone’s home. We had dinner and our usual D & D game and everyone was talking about the new show that the local PBS station was going to start showing that night. Some sort of British science fiction. Well, we were all sci-fi fantasy geeks so we decided what the hay. Right before 9:00 rolls around we adjourned to the living room and start setting up chairs, snacks, etc.

Strangely, one thing I clearly remember at the time was that someone had the TV on MTV and they were playing the music video for Weird Al Yankovic’s ‘Eat It’. Three puppet mice dancing around like Michael Jackson. And THIS is what I was watching before Dr. Who came on. Don’t know why that has stuck with me…Oh well…

Nine pm rolled around and we were treated to our first Dr. Who story. The incomparable Tom Baker in ‘The Ark in Space’. Now admittedly, all of us had grown up with Star Trek, Star Wars, some of us could quote Trek dialog verbatim. But with that opening story, as campy as the production values were, we were hooked! From then on, every Saturday it became a ritual to hog the TV from Mom and Dad so that we could spend the next 2 1/2 hours watching the Doctor defeat evil across the galaxy.

I will always have a special place in my heart for Tom Baker’s Doctor. I just love the exuberance he brought to the role. My favorite has to be Christopher Eccleston though. He brought such depth and pathos to the role that had not been seen before. I only wish he had stayed with the role longer. Let’s just hope David Tennant sticks around for many years. The Doctor’s running out of regenerations….*bites fingernails*

(Do you have a My First Doctor story that you would like to share? Comment here or e-mail me today!)

My First Doctor, Dr. Who, Tom Baker, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant

Look what I found. This is a video containing all of the Doctor Who title sequences complete with title music. (Not each entire sequence, rather more of a continuous melding of once sequence into another.) Someone by the handle of “royalmarriage” over at Youtube put this together, and I think that they did a great job. They even included one of the 3rd Doctor sequences that I had completely forgotten about. For those of you who have not seen much of the classic series, this video will give you a better idea how the opening titles, and title theme, have changed throughout the years.

Doctor Who, 3rd Doctor

(I’m on vacation this week, so I bring you an edition of “My First Doctor” written by my friend Eideann. Doctor Who fandom is something that we have shared since we first met, lo those many moons ago. Enjoy!)

My First Doctor by Eideann

Easter Break, 1983

I was helping clean the house in preparation for a family gathering while my father cleaned out the fireplace in our family room. He had the TV on our local public television station, and he called me in to see what he was watching. He said it was a fun, very silly science fiction show that I would love.

I fell to watching, mightily puzzled by the tall man with his insanely long scarf running around a futuristic city with a scantily clad woman who responded to people with laser guns by threatening them with her sharp knife – and nevertheless succeeded in intimidating them. As the afternoon wore on, I grew to know the man as the Doctor and the woman as Leela, his companion.

Thus began a family tradition that continued for several years. Between theater, scouting, church and school, the only time all four of us were consistently at home together was on Sunday afternoons. At that point in time, KVIE, our PBS station, played the serial segments of Doctor Who on weekday nights, then played the whole week’s worth on Sunday afternoons. We watched it weekly as a family till I was in late high school, growing to know each Doctor in his turn, and each companion.

Last year, at just about this time, my father was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, an immune deficiency disorder that depletes the blood of just about everything. He couldn’t go out without risking infection, and his body wasn’t getting enough oxygen, so anything more active than sitting was out. I had just purchased the DVD set of the Christopher Eccleston Doctor Who, so I took it to him. It was something we could share again, something he could enjoy at his own pace and that wouldn’t tire him out.

I know he enjoyed the ones he got to watch. He died on June 30th, 2006, so Doctor Who was some of the last TV we shared together.

My First Doctor, Doctor Who

Once upon a time, I had never watched Doctor Who. Then, I reached High School and everything changed. I kept hearing about this amazing show that was played on our local PBS station. I encountered mentions of time travel and really long scarves. I even managed to listen to part of the Fourth Doctor Story The Pyramids of Mars on the radio, as you could occasionally pick up the PBS station way at the end of the dial, without quite knowing what I was listening to. One day I went on a field trip to a Shakespeare festival with my school. One of the other folks on that trip was a particularly dedicated Whovian by the name of Mindi Rambo. During the trip she told me all sorts of things about her favorite show. So, as you might imagine, by the time we got back I decided that I had to see what she was talking about.

My very first episode of Doctor Who Tom Baker’s Underworld. Not the best episode to start with to be sure, but my interest was captured. By the Key to Time series I was hooked. So, I dragged every last member of my immediate family into the fandom with me. (Rather like I did more recently with my husband come to think of it.) We read Doctor Who Magazine and collected the novelizations. I even studied a bit of time theory. All the while I kept my eyes open for a stray Police Box, just in case. As is the case with most folks, I will always have a special place in my heart for my first Doctor.

Anybody care for a Jelly Baby?

Now I’m curious to know: How did you first encounter Doctor Who? Who was your first Doctor? How did this new show affect your life? You see, I would like to start a new periodic feature here on Watching Doctor Who called “My First Doctor.” Tell me your story, and I will feature it on a future installment. You can do this by either commenting below, or using the “Contact Me” feature to the right of the page. I hope to see your story soon.

Doctor Who, The Pyramids of Mars, Tom Baker, Underworld, Key to Time, Doctor Who Magazine

As you can see, I’ve been surfing around on YouTube again. Here is another of those Doctor Who skits by the folks from the UK show Dead Ringers. In this one, we have The Fourth Doctor (played by Jon Culshaw) doing a bit of sightseeing in London. He encounters the London Eye and does a spot of shopping for a friend…who seems to be a Sea Devil. As before, their Fourth Doctor has the voice spot on. (I’d like to see what would happen if he met Tom Baker…) I actually had to pause the video a few times because I was laughing too hard, so you might want to be sure that you aren’t eating or drinking anything while watching. Enjoy!

As I’m sure that most of you know, Tom Baker portrayed the 4th Doctor from 1974-1981. He is one of the most popular incarnations of The Doctor ever. So, imagine my delight when I was surfing around on the internet and I encountered Tom Baker’s Official Website! It has interviews that Mr. Baker has done, a shop stocked with everything from photographs to DVDs, and even a discussion forum. (Yes, the shop *does* ship outside of the UK.) Did I mention that many of the photographs are signed? Obviously I need to start saving my money for yet another cool thing. This would be so much easier if I could just win the lottery. Anyway, consider yourselves informed, and enjoy the site!

Tom Baker, 4th Doctor