NationStates Jolt Archive

Every thread I go into seems to have at least one American Doctor Who nut, as if it's required by law or something. What gives?

WTF is Doctor Who?

it IS required by law.

the ISP allocation act of 2005 requires ISPs to designate a certain number of whovians (allocted at random, number determined by number of customers). any ISP failing to have the proper number of whovians faces a $1000 fine per day until it is corrected.

The Daleks requested that I be this thread's official Doctor Who nut!

If I don't....

EXTERMINATE!

The Doctor rocks.

It's not super-popular, but it has a fairly large cult following, mostly among people who are fans of science fiction in general. Internet forums in general tend to attract sci-fi fans, so it's not surprising that there are a lot of Dr. Who fans on this board.

I'm not a nut, but I've watched all the new doctors, as well as Torchwood.
Some of the popularity is due to a dearth of good sci-fi out there, Battlestar Galactica notwithstanding, so we sci-fi fans tend to gravitate toward anything decent. And, as has been noted, there's a big overlap between sci-fi fans and internet forum users.

Just remember, Daleks don't climb stairs, they level the building.

Interweb nerds aren't a great sample.

While I enjoy Doctor Who, he isn't my favorite T.V. character. It's just a really neat, and sometimes very strange, television show. I blame my father. He is a big fan of that and other sci-fi shows. It was his corrupting influence on me that got me to watch it. My favorite incarnation of the good doctor was the old one with the really long scarf. I wonder how many on here know him?

While I enjoy Doctor Who, he isn't my favorite T.V. character. It's just a really neat, and sometimes very strange, television show. I blame my father. He is a big fan of that and other sci-fi shows. It was his corrupting influence on me that got me to watch it. My favorite incarnation of the good doctor was the old one with the really long scarf. I wonder how many on here know him?


Probably pretty close to the same number of people vaguely annoyed by a post from someone who thinks they're in the minority for having watched Tom Baker without actually knowing his name, yet who still manages the underlying elitist condescension when assuming no one else does, either.

But that's just a guess.

Every thread I go into seems to have at least one American Doctor Who nut, as if it's required by law or something. What gives?

DON'T DISS THE DOCTOR!!! >:^(

Saw it once; didn't like it. So, no. :p

Saw it once; didn't like it. So, no. :p

You must have had every emotion removed....except for hate towards awesome television shows.

*flees*

You must have had every emotion removed....except for hate towards awesome television shows.

*flees*

Maybe it's just important to see it from the beginning, I dunno. None of it made sense to me.

EXTERMINATE. EXTERMINATE!

Fixed.

I only see it occasionally, but I usually find it interesting.

Then again, if I am actually watching television I have to be pretty bored to begin with...

The Doctor rocks.

My first Doctor was Tom Baker; I've got to say I have enjoyed Christopher Eggleston and David Tennant immensely, though... and Torchwood is interesting (but not as interesting as Doctor Who).

Every thread I go into seems to have at least one American Doctor Who nut, as if it's required by law or something. What gives?
wait. Let me get this straight: You're on the internet, the place where sci-fi geeks of all races and countries congragate, and you can't understand why there's so many Dr Who fans (the ultimate in sci-fi geekiness) on it?

The Doctor rocks.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Billstrom/master_thumbsup.gif



Dammit, Steven Moffat's episodes are still so far away :(

It'll be worth the wait though, just like it is every year :D

it IS required by law.

the ISP allocation act of 2005 requires ISPs to designate a certain number of whovians (allocted at random, number determined by number of customers). any ISP failing to have the proper number of whovians faces a $1000 fine per day until it is corrected.

we have the same thing in the UK. the Queen comes round and checks *nods*

I think Doctor Who is rather lame, and a sad attempt at being cool.

I think Doctor Who is rather lame, and a sad attempt at being cool.

Well, can't fault you for being blunt and honest.

I on the other hand rather like the Doctor.. though since this is the 10th aren't we close to or have we even passed the maximum regenerations??

I on the other hand rather like the Doctor.. though since this is the 10th aren't we close to or have we even passed the maximum regenerations??
quoth wikipedia:
"The serial The Deadly Assassin established that a Time Lord can regenerate twelve times, for a total of thirteen incarnations (although at least one Time Lord, The Master, has managed to circumvent this)."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr_Who#The_Doctor

so we've still got another 3 Doctors to go - and even then, they can change the rules to continue Who'ing.

quoth wikipedia:
"The serial The Deadly Assassin established that a Time Lord can regenerate twelve times, for a total of thirteen incarnations (although at least one Time Lord, The Master, has managed to circumvent this)."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr_Who#The_Doctor

so we've still got another 3 Doctors to go - and even then, they can change the rules to continue Who'ing.

Thanks DH. I have a feeling that we may yet see the death of the Doctor... I know Tennant is not contracted to do much more Who'ing

Well, can't fault you for being blunt and honest.

I on the other hand rather like the Doctor.. though since this is the 10th aren't we close to or have we even passed the maximum regenerations??

I doubt it.

As far as I understand it the canon (such as it was) from the orginal serials is seperate from the current canon (unless it is specifically invoked).

Which makes sense and is particuarly welcome, since it allows new fans an access and it means you needn't have was the previous 4 decades worth (which is quite nice considering what happened in the 70s, or whenever)

Thanks DH. I have a feeling that we may yet see the death of the Doctor... I know Tennant is not contracted to do much more Who'ing
If he goes, it'll probably be due to the stress of making the programme. It's a very full-on job. From what I understand, that's why Chris Ecclestone left after just one series. Real shame, too cause he's such a great actor and way better than Tennant (imo of course).

If he goes, it'll probably be due to the stress of making the programme. It's a very full-on job. From what I understand, that's why Chris Ecclestone left after just one series. Real shame, too cause he's such a great actor and way better than Tennant (imo of course).

I must say that i actually agree with you. Don't get me wrong, Tennant does make a good Doctor with his quirks but, Ecclestone was superior. I guess i just liked the way he played the doctor more.

Im still undecided on Catherine Tate as the assistant though she is a far better serious actress than she ever was a comedienne (imo of course)

If he goes, it'll probably be due to the stress of making the programme. It's a very full-on job. From what I understand, that's why Chris Ecclestone left after just one series. Real shame, too cause he's such a great actor and way better than Tennant (imo of course).

I thought Brit series usually ran roughly half the episodes American ones call for. How can that be a full on job?

I must say that i actually agree with you. Don't get me wrong, Tennant does make a good Doctor with his quirks but, Ecclestone was superior. I guess i just liked the way he played the doctor more.

Im still undecided on Catherine Tate as the assistant though she is a far better serious actress than she ever was a comedienne (imo of course)
Why do you feel the need to say, "i actually agree with you" - are you that shocked by this?! ;)

I prefer Ecclestone for many reasons, not just his superior acting skills (I've yet to see him in anything he wasn't superb) but also he played the Doctor in a much better way, character-wise. Tennant gets up my nose a bit with his temper tantrums and the underlying implied sleaziness of him.
By sleaziness I mean the fact he's only ever has young female companions (yes I know most have been that but in his case more so). In the Xmas special he asks Kylie Minogue to join him. Later, after she dies and the old guy asks if he can accompany him, Tennant turns him down flat with a, "I travel alone" line. Not sure if this is what they had in mind (might be he's upset by Kylie's death and doesn't want to see anyone else die) but it sure came across as a Doctor spinning through time and space looking for nooky.

Haven't seen this year's series yet (got some d/l'd) so can't comment on Tate. Hope she's better than Martha (though she was hot, her character just didn't quite work for some reason).

I thought Brit series usually ran roughly half the episodes American ones call for. How can that be a full on job?
They do the entire series all at once meaning several months of very long hours on set each day.
So during that time it's very stressful. I think Ecclestone hated the fact 1/2 his year was basically spent completely apart from his family. And remember, Brit actors don't get paid anywhere near what US actors get. So the financial rewards for the work-stress is far less endearing.

I doubt it.

As far as I understand it the canon (such as it was) from the orginal serials is seperate from the current canon (unless it is specifically invoked).

Which makes sense and is particuarly welcome, since it allows new fans an access and it means you needn't have was the previous 4 decades worth (which is quite nice considering what happened in the 70s, or whenever)

I don't think that's the case, they've made references back to other companions and such.

I do have to say, though, that the new episodes are way more accessible. I used to watch it on PBS with my friends and thought they were just nuts.

Ecclstone was good, a very bipolar Doctor. The one is more manic. He doesn't have those "Oh shit, he's serious! I think he's going to bite me!" moments.


I have to say I'm not feeling the Sarah Jane Chronicles.

A lot of 20&30-something year old American fans got into the show on various PBS stations in the 70s and 80s. I'm happy that Sci-Fi shows the new series (which I mostly enjoy), but personally I've always been disappointed that they've never shown much of the original series...

These days, there are some PBS stations still showing the older episodes, besides everything being on DVD. :)

PLANETARY showtimes link: http://www.gallifreyone.net/thisweek.php
(US PBS is about halfway down the page)

I don't think that's the case, they've made references back to other companions and such.

Yes, sorry. I meant that the original series aren't being considered hard and fast canon. So certain things (eg Daleks) might be, but other things (eg Sutekh) might not be considered canon.

Which I prefer. Having only seen the McCoy years in its entirity and not having an encyclopaedic mind :)

I do have to say, though, that the new episodes are way more accessible. I used to watch it on PBS with my friends and thought they were just nuts.

Ecclstone was good, a very bipolar Doctor. The one is more manic. He doesn't have those "Oh shit, he's serious! I think he's going to bite me!" moments.

I have to declare an interest on the Eccleston/Tennant thing if I am to wade in.

Also (and this may make more sense to fellow Brits), was anyone else genuinely pleasantly suprised by Billy Piper performance as Rose?

I have to say I'm not feeling the Sarah Jane Chronicles.

I never dared look.

I like how he has a different 'companion' for almost every series, and how they have some cobbled together story on how they meet.
"will you come with a strange man who lives in a telephone box or will you want to live here?"
hmmmmmm i wonder what the best option should be?
man this is hard oh hell let's go along with it.

still despite it's obvious flaws it can be hilarious. good stuf, i wish the UK would make more extreme sci-fi stuff.

New Who isn't as good as the old Who.

Its on the Sci-fi channel...and I think it blows.

There's no justice in a world where Dr. Who lingers on and on and on and on but Battlestar Galactica gets 4 seasons.

My favorite incarnation of the good doctor was the old one with the really long scarf. I wonder how many on here know him?
I'm REALLY dating myself here... but those are the last Whos that I saw.

While I enjoy Doctor Who, he isn't my favorite T.V. character. It's just a really neat, and sometimes very strange, television show. I blame my father. He is a big fan of that and other sci-fi shows. It was his corrupting influence on me that got me to watch it. My favorite incarnation of the good doctor was the old one with the really long scarf. I wonder how many on here know him?

Everyone knows Tom Baker!

http://z.about.com/d/scifi/1/7/A/b/1/TomBaker.jpg

Who would say he is not the greatest Doctor Who? It is like saying Sean Connery is not the greatest Bond.

Who would say he is not the greatest Doctor Who? It is like saying Sean Connery is not the greatest Bond.

Maybe I am some sort of mutant, but I disagree on both those counts :confused:

It's not super-popular, but it has a fairly large cult following, mostly among people who are fans of science fiction in general. Internet forums in general tend to attract sci-fi fans, so it's not surprising that there are a lot of Dr. Who fans on this board.
Like me. I'm... a bit odd

If he goes, it'll probably be due to the stress of making the programme. It's a very full-on job. From what I understand, that's why Chris Ecclestone left after just one series. Real shame, too cause he's such a great actor and way better than Tennant (imo of course).

As I remember, the word at the time was that there was a £40,000 difference in what he wanted to be paid and what the BBC was prepared to pay him.

There's no justice in a world where Dr. Who lingers on and on and on and on but Battlestar Galactica gets 4 seasons.

i love BSG but its better to have it end in 4 seasons. that way it doesnt linger on in crappitude like so many shows do. dr who being one of them.

As I remember, the word at the time was that there was a £40,000 difference in what he wanted to be paid and what the BBC was prepared to pay him.

its a shame. he was worth the money

Every thread I go into seems to have at least one American Doctor Who nut, as if it's required by law or something. What gives?


Personally I hate the show. Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis all the way

What the fuck? Doctor Who is actually popular outside of the UK? I find that really strange.

What the fuck? Doctor Who is actually popular outside of the UK? I find that really strange.

i dont know that popular is the word but it has a devoted following in the US.

i dont know that popular is the word but it has a devoted following in the US.

I watch it in the US. Quite devotedly. It's 'popular' with people I know.

Everyone knows Tom Baker!

Who would say he is not the greatest Doctor Who? It is like saying Sean Connery is not the greatest Bond.

The problem, you see, is that Many think Roger Moore is the best Bond.

I therefore submit Jon Pertwee for the block.

http://www.firsttvdrama.com/show1/honor/pertwee.jpg

I watch it in the US. Quite devotedly. It's 'popular' with people I know.

its popular in my family. my sister introduced me to dr who back inthe 70s

its popular in my family. my sister introduced me to dr who back inthe 70s

I was quite a fan back in the 70's and 80's. In fact, all the way up until they decided to kill the product by making it unwatchable. I wasn't overly enthusiastic about the possibility of a new run, and have been more than pleasantly surprised. "Blink" is one of the greatest episodes of any era of Doctor Who... in fact, it stands up pretty well in the 'sci fi as a whole' arena.

Forget Dr. Who. Firefly is where it's at.

Too bad all it got was one (partial) season. :/ At least we also got Serenity!

Forget Dr. Who. Firefly is where it's at.

Too bad all it got was one (partial) season. :/ At least we also got Serenity!

And Firefly is one of the few real contendors Doctor Who might have. If it hadn't been axed 9 episodes in.

(Speaking as a devoted Browncoat)

Forget Dr. Who. Firefly is where it's at.

Too bad all it got was one (partial) season. :/ At least we also got Serenity!

And the comics . . .

Interweb nerds aren't a great sample.


QFT;

there isn't a large fanbase in America, but there are a good amount of people who watch the show

Forget Dr. Who. Firefly is where it's at.

Too bad all it got was one (partial) season. :/ At least we also got Serenity!

Cancellation of Firefly was really a disappointment, but then, most shows that my family enjoy end up being canceled. Either we are just too far out from mainstream or it's a conspiracy to mess with the television programming we enjoy.

Regarding Dr. Who...I started watching it in the 70's, half hour segments each day after school. Today, I'm still a fan, and now my kids love it. I just wish the new seasons didn't take three quarters of a year to get across the pond.

Cerean;13656474']New Who isn't as good as the old Who.
Or even Horton hears a Who

The problem, you see, is that Many think Roger Moore is the best Bond.

I therefore submit Jon Pertwee for the block.

<snip>

"Reverse the polarity of the neutron flow!"

Personally I hate the show. Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis all the way

Can I further congratulate you on preferring Cheap Trick to U2? :D

"Reverse the polarity of the neutron flow!"

NB: Jon only did that once in his tenure!

NB: Jon only did that once in his tenure!

I know. But it is still a nice phrase :)

NB: Jon only did that once in his tenure!

*Puts geek hat on*
Although he did say it twice on screen.