Who's watching whom?
- Publication: The Stage and Television Today
- Date: 1991-02-21
- Author:
- Page: 24
- Language: English
THERE are high audience appreciation figures, there are die-hard fans of television programmes, and there are cults that just will not lie down and die - a prime example of the latter being the BBC's Dr Who. Born is 1963, the sci-fi drama series has been on temporary hold since 1989, following several years of stagnating ratings and some strange scheduling on the part of BBC 1 controller, Jonathan Powell.
Rumors have circulated for over a year that the Corporation plans to have future series made by an independent producer, but its drama department seems to be in a permanent quandary about what to do, creating rising tides of frustration among the programme's loyal fans.
Last November fans organised a phone-in day of action, mentioned in this very column -- although the mention we gave them was not apparently redeemed with open arms.
Perhaps Who fans mistook Diary's slightly sarcastic tone as pure ridicule.
However, our prediction that the mass phone-in would only serve to irritate many secretaries and personal assistants was reportedly true. Well-meaning as campaigners might be, there are obviously some over-ebullient individuals whose fervour extends into abuse and obscenities - hardly the kind of constructive argument to win the BBC over.
Arguments within Dr. Who circles have now even reached the point where some fans are blaming that more extreme fellows for the show's disappearance - hardly a united front. Meanwhile, a new campaign proposes swamping the BBC with money to persuade than to start work on a new season.
To be fair to true Who devotees, one would havr thought the BBC would be happy to make a programme which people actually want to watch, and, in spite of suggestions to the contrary, is a guaranteed money-spinner.
BBC Enterprises' data reveals it to be among the company's top earner. If any proof were needed, a glance at the latest best-selling videos shows the latest Dr. Who titles, The Curse Of Fenric and The Krotons, to be close to the top of the chart.
Reliving their hero's past adventures seems to be all Who fans have to look forward to - until the BBC makes its mind up, that is. In the meantime, Diary suggests that few of than take lessons in etiquette if they really want to endear anybody to their cause.
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- APA 6th ed.: (1991-02-21). Who's watching whom?. The Stage and Television Today p. 24.
- MLA 7th ed.: "Who's watching whom?." The Stage and Television Today [add city] 1991-02-21, 24. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "Who's watching whom?." The Stage and Television Today, edition, sec., 1991-02-21
- Turabian: "Who's watching whom?." The Stage and Television Today, 1991-02-21, section, 24 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Who's watching whom? | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Who%27s_watching_whom%3F | work=The Stage and Television Today | pages=24 | date=1991-02-21 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=13 May 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Who's watching whom? | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Who%27s_watching_whom%3F | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=13 May 2025}}</ref>
