A Sad Tale
- Publication: Starlog
- Date: issue 29 (December 1979)
- Author:
- Page: 6
- Language: English
... I am writing to you concerning Dr. Who. The program was on briefly last year in the afternoon and then was put on at 1:30 a.m. I have written the station twice to put it back on at any time better than that. They won't do it. What should I do? In issue #26 there are many letters concerning the program in "Communications." As I said, I did that (twice) and they won't put it on because of "low ratings." At 1:30 a.m.— I would say so! I even sent them copies of articles from your magazine concerning the show's popularity. Still no. I also asked if they would show the two Dr. Who movies at their regular afternoon movie time. No answer to that letter. I even went as far as to write to PBS to ask them to repeat the John Pertwee shows that were shown earlier this decade. No answer yet. I have spent much money and time becoming a member of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society and buying the Doctor Who novels and magazines. How can you appreciate a show without watching it?
Brad C. Smith
1480 West California Ave.
Falcon Heights
St. Paul, MN 55108
DR. WHO FLOPS?
... As a devout fan of the syndicated BBC series Dr. Who, I was apalled by a recent article in another SF media magazine. The article stated that, due to a lack of response to the program, Dr. Who has failed to make it here in the States. They went on to say that "a bare handful of stations that began running the show last September continue to do so nine months later," and that the failure was due in part to Time-Life Television importing some of the less effective episodes, starring the fourth Doctor, Tom Baker. I hope this report is erroneous. Could you please clarify the show's status for its many fans across the country?
Jules R. Agnew
326 23rd Street Gulf
Marathon, FL 30050
Dr. Who's success is undeniable. The facts: In September '78, the series began broadcasting on 75 U.S. stations. In the months to follow, a few stations dropped out, but even more have picked up the show. As of this writing, the show is being broadcast on 92 stations. As for the quality of the Baker episodes, that's a matter of personal preference. We've admired Baker since his first major film role— as Rasputin in Nicholas and Alexandra.
Spelling correction: Jon Pertwee
Disclaimer: These citations are created on-the-fly using primitive parsing techniques. You should double-check all citations. Send feedback to whovian@cuttingsarchive.org
- APA 6th ed.: (issue 29 (December 1979)). A Sad Tale. Starlog p. 6.
- MLA 7th ed.: "A Sad Tale." Starlog [add city] issue 29 (December 1979), 6. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "A Sad Tale." Starlog, edition, sec., issue 29 (December 1979)
- Turabian: "A Sad Tale." Starlog, issue 29 (December 1979), section, 6 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=A Sad Tale | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/A_Sad_Tale | work=Starlog | pages=6 | date=issue 29 (December 1979) | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=24 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=A Sad Tale | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/A_Sad_Tale | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=24 April 2025}}</ref>
