Doctor Who Club of Australia

[Greg]

November 2007 Poll

It has been announced that there will be no regular series of Doctor Who in 2009 - instead, regular production will return in 2010 and three specials will be produced and shown in 2009. (See here for the formal announcement.)

While not formally stated as the reason, it appears that this has been done (at least in part) to accommodate David Tennant appearing in stage productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2009. However, it has yet to be announced whether David Tennant will be playing the Doctor in 2010 - it is too early for casting news for that year. (If there are other reasons, they haven't emerged yet.)

There's a poll below, so vote away - but please take the time to tell us what you think of this plan, good, bad or indifferent.

Poll closes on November 30 2007.

Opinions stated here may be used in Data Extract, the Doctor Who Club of Australia's newsletter.

[Greg]

Just to get my views on the record, I don't have a strong opinion.

Doctor Who was wound up by the BBC in 1989, seemingly forever. We had a brief resurgence on television in 1996, with the Paul McGann telemovie and the hopes it would be followed by a new series, and then nothing on TV again until Christopher Eccleston appeared as the Doctor in 2005.

Despite this, the show never really went away, and new stories in non-television formats were produced. Doctor Who Magazine continued their comic pages with new stories of the various Doctors. Virgin publishing produced new Doctor Who novels between 1991 and 1996 (with a second range featuring the first six incarnations between 1994 and 1996), with BBC books taking over the books from 1996 to 2005 before ceasing publishing new novels featuring earlier incarnations than the current TV one in 2005. Telos publishing had their short run of Doctor Who novellas between 2001 and 2003. Big Finish started producing full cast audio plays in in 1999, and they are still running. And there have been various spin-offs, official and otherwise, in various formats.

After 1989, Doctor Who ceased to be a TV show and became a series of stories told on TV, in books and comics, and by audio plays. Even if it had never returned to its original home, TV, it will continue.

Yes, I want it on TV. IT would be nice if there was no gap year, but it would also be nice if there were more TV episodes every year as well. But not having much Doctor Who on TV in 2009 is not a disaster.

[Tegan]

I'm a bit ambivalent about a "gap" year after the years of the "H" word. But on reflection the circumstances are a lot different from 1989.

If, as has been suggested, DT has the chance to do some 'proper' acting and take a break from a show that eveyone suggests is very demanding, then I can see it being a good thing for the show, David, and everyone else.

Everyone that is but the fans,

Still, I think it's four 'Specials' in 2009, one Christmas no doubt, and hopefully three other ideas that wouldn't fit into a normal season. Though what sort of story that would be considering the range of stories in this show I don't know.

Variety is the spice of life, and Doctor Who has been the most varied show in the history of TV, and yet remained the same show from day one.

OK I've convinced myself, I'm looking forward to 2009 and seing just what comes of it.

[dave]

I dislike the idea. If Tennant wants to move on, fine - it's wonderful the show's format lends itself to changes of the lead so easily. Not to say i don't like him as the Doctor, because I think he's done a great job. However, DW is bigger than David Tennant, and I dislike the fact we're not getting a proper season in 2009 to suit him.

Mind you, after a full season of Catherine Tate as the companion, I might come to see it as a blessing that we won't be getting too much DW in 2009!

[montypython]

Of course I'm a little annoyed about it, but it's not the end of the world. On the plus side, it means it'll give me a chance to catch up on getting older merchandise as opposed to spending all my money on the new stuff. It also means that David Tennant gets a break without totally giving up his role as the Doctor, which is a big bonus. You do have to feel for him - 9 long months has gotta be hard, even for the job you've been fantasising about since you were 3.

[Sulp Niar]

I think, basically, that I agree entirely with Greg. Yes, I'm happy to see the show on air, but - dare I be controversial - the 1989 cancellation was a good thing because it allowed other things to spring up, and one of the great things about Russell T Davies is that he's allowed all of them (except 'Scream of the Shalka', and fair enough) to continue. And something that Greg didn't mention - hopefully the gap year will allow extra input into (presuming there will be a) Series Three of Torchwood (which I reckon will be next to faultless by then) and, in terms of the DWM Comics, we may get a return to the "screw-continuity-let's-just-tell-great-stories" approach (which is where genius creations like the Rassilon-Gallifrey, Shayde, Frobisher and the Threshold sprang from).

Yes, we'll miss the excitement of that season-long arc, but I'm really not disappointed about this at all. We've got so many other things to lean back on (and I haven't even mentioned Faction Paradox, though now I have) that I'm perfectly happy. That's how big the Whoniverse (ugly word) is.

'Course, if you're only interested in the show, I completely understand why it would rankle you. I do honestly suggest spreading your wings into the other media of the franchise though. Definitely worth it.

[Chickmacgyver]

I agree with a lot of the comments here, as long as this "gap" year doesn't turn out to be a true "hiatus/cancellation" then I think it should be okay. It might also mean that everyone involved can come to the project refreshed again and not wanting to quit in the next season...

I just hope that the "Specials" will be of a higher quality than the last Christmas Special! I still cringe thinking of all problems with the script, and I usually can be rather forgiving in Doctor Who...

Smiles, Izzy

[Noni]

Personally, I'm looking forward to it.

I mean, sure it's not going to be a regular addition to our screens for a while, but with multiple specials, it means multiple countdowns! (Advent calendars anyone?)

But it also means an opportunity for those new to the whole Who world (ie. me) to further investigate the back catalogue. I'm still yet to see any stories with the fifth or sixth Doctors, and I haven't heard a single Big Finish.

It's going to be a great opportunity to further my awareness and with each one being a special, I'll have an excuse to turn down invitations to go out on those nights... "Sorry, I've got something really 'special' on. Can't make it..."

If that made sense, raise your hand.

[Speckled Jim]

Sheesh ... hi Noni!

[KnottyEmily]

I agree with what people have said so far. As long as it doesn't turn into an extended hiatus, it's good that the cast and crew are getting a break. I also hope that Tennant stays on for a bit longer as I reckon he's done a great job so far.

I'll also be taking the break as an opportunity to catch up on the older seasons, and to delve into the other media outlets for DW. I went into Minotaur the other day and they've got a whole bunch of the older books in and I spent about 20 minutes just looking at all the different stories.

[charlie]

Well, 2009 is the year I leave school so I will have less chance of missing too much. And the more Who Tennaat does the quicker he'll get sick of it and the closr we are to the end. I have no strong feelings tho.

[Tom N.]

I don't particularly mind one way or the other. Sure, it'd be nice to get a full season in 2009, but I won't be smashing my TV set over it. We still have the three '09 specials, plus the promise of another full series in 2010, to look forward to, so I'm not worried at all.

While I agree that DW has proven itself bigger than any one man, I don't see why this has to be a particular fork in the road for David Tennant. If he wants to do Hamlet without having to relinquish his Doctor Who role, then I think the 2009 situation is an acceptable compromise. Also consider that once DT leaves Doctor Who and a new Doctor takes over, he probably won't be coming back*... and I'm not sure DT wants to burn that bridge quite yet.


*except in ten years' time for a nostalgia-fest reunion special, of course.

[Ickabod]

I'll be sad but it will give the "Newbies" a chance to catch up on other DW related stuff and if DT splits then fair enough....as long as they find someone good....after all....DW isn't just DT......I was sad when Tom Baker left and equally sad when Peter Davison left.....but the show must go on

besides PD....DT is the cutest

[Tegan]

[Ickabod]

[Tegan]

[Ickabod]

[Tegan]

One day he'll be Sir David. Maybe that's why the Gap Year is coming, to give him a bit more gravitas.

[Ickabod]

[lochutus]

G'day, new member here. been watching Dr Who since I was old enough to stay up and watch (I have a brother 10 years older so he was watching when I was born). Grew up with Pertwee and Baker with Davison and Baker II following. I just couldn't cop ace and thought mccoys question mark motif was completely overdone. I have come to a new appreciation of the two via big finish audios though I must admit.

anyhoo, in answer to the gap question (new series outshines old in terms of production but storylines don't hold a candle to the old)

A gap year is a bad idea IMHO. If DT wants a year off to do some adult drama fair enough. why not bring back McGann as the doctor for a series on the time war. We never saw him die so his aging isn't a problem. When Eccleston met rose he was still going on about his new face so it stands to reason it was McGann who fought the time war (though given it was a time war it probably involved all past incarnations of the doctor ) and was killed at the end, regenerating to eccleston.

I'd love to see McGann get more screen time and would like to see the time war.

I'd really prefer it if RTD didn't script any of it though. would prefer Moffat and cornell. RTD uses too much 'magic' to solve things and I really don't like the slapstick moments

just a thought