Big fish in a big pond
Doctor Who is making the leap from the "small pond" of the UK into the ocean of networks that is the US of A. But will it stand strong, or get blown off in the current?
That's enough metaphors for now.
Just looking through one specific article on OG from The San Jose Mercury News, and one thing struck me about the writing. They seem to be saying "It's really very quaint.". Remember last year, all the wonderful praise in the papers about the special effects?
"The special effects are computer-generated and state-of-the-art - although part of that art is paying homage to the cheese-ball originals by not making the effects look too good."
And the monsters?
"And his opponents - including Daleks, his longest-running foes - are still the funniest, least-threatening group of bad guys in science fiction history."
And the nail in the coffin:
"If you're looking for allegorical, intriguing science fiction, this isn't it. If you're OK with rapid-fire, light-hearted dialogue with an occasional dig at politics and culture, this 'Doctor Who' is your cup of tea."
Looks like America doesn't seem to want our beloved show. Still, their are others out there, but I don't hold out much hope. The TV movie was a bust over there, and I believe this will be too. I repeat, the opinion will probably be that of "How quaint, the British make TV shows too!"
Screw them. Every American I've shown this too has LOVED it. Half of them will be at my house tomorrow night.
Posted by: Salem | Mar 16, 2006 at 17:43
I hope it's a success, it deserves to be. I just think it's a bit "cute" for a mainstream american audience. It's a family show, and there aren't many family shows in america.
Posted by: Coleberg | Mar 16, 2006 at 18:00
Well remember it's not likely to get for a mainstream American audience - it's on the bloody Sci-Fi Channel, for goodness sake. Not exactly high-profile! :-)
Posted by: Paul Hayes | Mar 16, 2006 at 18:29
Actually, I'd view that as quite a positive review for the potential US audience. It's basically saying that yes, it's been updated, but it's also still very much the same Doctor Who you remember fondly with the guy with the scarf. It's not a Battlestar Galactica style revamp but something more fun... ("allegorical, intriguing" means "like new BSG")
It's not going to repeat the level of success it had in the UK -- but I believe that it'll do all right.
Posted by: Michael | Mar 16, 2006 at 18:30
Put anyone in a room with a dalek (even the wobbly pre-dalek versions) and its brown trousers time.
You can even let them have a big american gun if you like.
I think that some US media have trouble accepting that there is a programme longer running and almost if not more internationally successful then Star Trek.
I think it will knock socks off.
Posted by: Paul Songer | Mar 16, 2006 at 19:25
us americans don't deserve Doctor Who.
there, i said it.
Posted by: feelk | Mar 16, 2006 at 19:53
I have the Dalek from "Dalek" saying "EXTERMINATE" on my phone as a ringtone. I had a friend over whom I had introduced the show to, and he had loved it, and I set off the ringtone behind him, and he literally jumped off the couch and across the room.
Later said he'd thought there was a Dalek in the room behind him and he was about to die. That's a good feeling, it is..
Posted by: Salem | Mar 16, 2006 at 23:04
Completely off this topic but doesn't the picture of Colin B. for Vengence on Varos look like Jamie "Fat tongue" Oliver?
Posted by: Stewart | Mar 17, 2006 at 12:49
Doctor who is a niche show, being aired on a niche network.
Sci-fi TV is not mainstream in the US. The last few Star Trek spinoffs barely registered on the ratings meter. Two of the three sci-fi shows that premered on mainstream network TV last fall have already been cancelled, the future of the 3rd is in doubt.
And for those who think the new "improved" Battlestar Galactica is the height of sci-fi sophistication, Doctor Who will seem very quaint indeed.
Despite the fact that everyone I have shown the new show too think it's great, the best we can hope for is that the show will develop a sizeable cult following, enough to keep new episodes coming.
Posted by: martin | Mar 17, 2006 at 14:20
There's room in this universe for both BSG and Doctor Who.
Doctor Who is escapist fun which fills your heart with joy, whereas BSG is grimmer than a burning orphanage and it really makes you question what it means to be human.
I think you need both. And we should feel incredibly lucky.
It's a golden age of science fiction, people!
Sorry for the rambling. I've got the same sort of flu that JMS had when he wrote 'A Voice in the Wilderness'
Posted by: Neil | Mar 17, 2006 at 17:41
And for another American appraisal of the new series check out this peice in the Des Moines Register: http://makeashorterlink.com/?T262240DC
This blog is big in Des Moines! Will wonders never cease?
Posted by: Neil | Mar 17, 2006 at 17:46
How about holding a Tachyon convention in Des Moines?
If Tom Baker can still be big all these years later in Abu Dhabi, then anything's possible...
Posted by: Sean | Mar 17, 2006 at 20:30
don't be surprised about the conviction one finds in the midwest, when it comes to all things WHO. there is nothing else out here for these people.
Posted by: feelk | Mar 18, 2006 at 03:04
"Doctor Who on Sci-Fi is sponsored by American Express."
Now THERE's Irony..
"nothing else out here for these people"
Well, that and Meth(according to all the news programmes I've seen..)
Posted by: Salem | Mar 18, 2006 at 04:09
Speaking as an American Dr. Who fan, American TV is so bad many of us have unplugged our sets and just wait for the DVDs. I just finished the first season box set, it's fantastic! We need more science fiction with heart and wit. If anyone wants to read them I've put up my reviews here: http://lionesshomeschool.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Lioness | Jul 22, 2006 at 15:47