For those who don't know...

"Doctor Who" is a British SF TV show that originally ran from 1963-1989 and centres on a time travelling alien called The Doctor. In 2005 it was revived by Russell T Davies as Head Writer/Showrunner and has since become one of the most successful drama shows on UK TV. The last episode shown, a few weeks ago, got 10.5 million viewers - which is staggering for a drama show now.

The show's cultural impact is significant, having given the English language words like Dalek and Tardis, and it is even been referenced by American shows such as "The Simpsons", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "CSI New York" and "NCIS".

One of the central character's main abilities is to change his appearance, allowing different actors to play the role. We currently have David Tennant, the 10th actor to play the part, and probably the most successful, winning numerous awards and plaudits.

But his time, and the time of Russell T Davies as the force behind the show, is drawing to a close after four years. This Christmas will see them both depart, with new faces taking over in 2010.

I have watched the show since I was 4. It played a huge part in my childhood, and is probably one of the main reasons I wanted to be a writer. Although I have not warmed to the new show as I did to it's earlier incarnation (no doubt partially due to my age), it is still the only show I'd like to write for.

(Many of the new show's writers are fans who were inspired by it's original run, including the new Head Writer. I would hope the new series will have done the same for a new generation).

So, it will be a sad watching the farewell shows, as it always is at the end of a Doctor's era. And a bit worrying - will the next one be any good? Will the show continue to be as popular? Back in the 1980s, it was getting excellent ratings, had a popular (young) Doctor and had just celebrated it's 20th anniversary. The he left, the ratings plunged, we got through two poor Doctors, and it was cancelled - all in the space of five years!

Hopefully, history will not repeat itself!

Yeah,

But it's rubbish though, int it?

Sorry. It's a lot better than it was with Sylvester "They must be nuts to give me a job" McCoy. Been downhill since Tom "Voice of God" Baker left in my humble.

Renders

Quoted from rendevous Been downhill since Tom "Voice of God" Baker left in my humble.

I grew up in America, and even I watched the "Baker" episodes growing up.  I think it was our PBS station, which sometimes carries Brit imports.

And, frankly, I was never interested in "another" Dr. Who.

I heard about the rotating cast on that show -- and saw snippets of other Drs. from time to time -- but I was never impressed -- and I always assumed nobody would ever be as good as Baker.

I suppose seeing him first might well have ruined the series for me.  Anyone else seemed like some sort of a pretender or pale imposter.  Particularly that blond bloke -- whoever that was.

What's the feeling amongst you fans on the other side of the pond?

Baker is all I really know -- was there anybody better than Baker -- or even close?

Bertie,

The first two guys were good - Hartnell & Troughton. They used to show them old episodes when I was a kid.

Of course they don't show them now. The Beeb also stopped showing Laurel & Hardy.

Parents note - not showing your kids L&H at least once a week throughout their childhood is tantamount to child cruelty and abuse in my book. Alright, if you can't stand them show the kids The Clangers, Bagpuss or Mr. Benn.  Dr. Who is not bad for kids either.

Ecclestone was good. But he always is. And the scripts were pretty damn good when they rebooted the series. The new guy's not bad either, Scottish fella.

But they ain't Baker, they ain't even close. Jelly baby anyone?

Renders.

They say that the Doctor you grew up with is always "your" Doctor - which in my case would mean Jon Pertwee (hey, I had a velvet jacket for years!).

I had a pretty lonely and miserable childhood, and the adventures of the Doctor gave me an escape into a wonderful world of the imagination.

Also, the first professional encouragement as a writer that I had, when I was a teenager, was from a DW script editor.

David Tennant has now just been cast as the lead in a new US TV show - a sort of "House" with lawyers, so he could be the next big thing out there.

---

RV Too right about L&H. They may have their iPods and GameBoys, but the kids of this generation are missing out on simple pleasures, like watching Oliver "Babe" Hardy being hit on the head by endless bricks down a collapsing chimney!

Quoted from Niles_Crane hey, I had a velvet jacket for years!

I can just picture you one of those Niles. Complete with pipe and a dickie bow. Very Oscar Wilde. La di Dah, of course dear boy. What what!

Quoted from Niles_Crane RV Too right about L&H. They may have their iPods and GameBoys, but the kids of this generation are missing out on simple pleasures, like watching Oliver "Babe" Hardy being hit on the head by endless bricks down a collapsing chimney!

Too true. They've also got internet porn. For years all I had was a very old copy of Mayfair. I thought all women looked like that when they took their clothes off. My, was I disappointed. And they don't like being called "bitch" or "whore" either. Damn you Mayfair!

Laurel and Hardy. Bless them. Now there's a thread worth starting.

Ren

I grew up watching Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker. I liked them both but I liked Baker the most. I never really watched any other Doctors. My favourite villans were the Cybermen.  

when I was a kid, Dr Who was on every sunday night. we didn't watch it cos my dad hated anything sci-fi!
Years later, I used to watch all the repeats. My fave was Tom Baker, cos they were clever and, of course, one of his companions was the lovely Leela, played by Louise Jameson. Damn, that little loincloth she wore...

The new age Dr.Who is very good. My missus loves it. David Tennant is a top actor for the part, quite possibly the best Dr.Who? Billie Piper was nice too when in it.