DR WHO returns to television in the autumn after an 18-month break with a new look less violence and more humour.
The changes follow recent criticism of the programme by BBC-1 controller Michael Grade, who threatened to axe the show last year.
"The humour won't be slapstick-we're not turning the programme into a Carry On Doctor," said producer John Nathan Turner.
"But we want to highlight the humorous content, because there is a place for it in the programme.
broadcasting, and we will be watching that "Violence is a sensitive area everywhere in very carefully.
"The object of Dr Who is to scare audiences, but not to terrify them.
"The series has been running for 23 years and has gone through many different phases. In the 1970s there was not a lot of criticism about violence in the programme, but when Tom Baker took over the title role it altered and became more whimsical. The show can take changes."
Mr Grade said earlier this year he felt Dr Who had become too violent, had lost much of its humour, and was let down by thin story lines.
Mr Nathan Turner disagreed that Dr Who was on trial because of what Mr Grade had said.
"All BBC programmes are on trial all the time inasmuch as they all come up for review each year," he said.
He was speaking during a break on location at Butser Hill, near Petersfield, Hants, where the first of Dr Who's three adventures in the next 14-week series is being filmed.
Colin Baker, 43, who plays Dr Who, sald he did not think the last series was too violent.
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