The History of Doctor Who Viewing Figures: Season 20 (1983)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ส.ค. 2024
- The journey continues through the history of DOCTOR WHO VIEWING FIGURES! We've reached SEASON 20, the second run of stories for Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor, in the programmes 20th anniversary year!
In the six main adventures, the Doctor comes up against a returning friend or foe. These include the renegade Time Lord Omega, the malicious Mara, and the malevolent Master. Nyssa and Tegan are back to assist the Doctor on his travels, and the trio are eventually joined by newcomer Turlough, a mysterious boy who has done some dealings with the sinister Black Guardian...
To top it all off, the season wraps up in a feature-length 20th anniversary special, in which all five incarnations of the Doctor, together with several must face the greatest challenge of all, waiting in the Death Zone on Gallifrey...
In all of this, how did the viewing figures hold up? Did audiences flock out in their millions to embrace every single moment of Doctor Who's 20th anniversary? Or were they far from interested... join me, and let's find out!
00:00 - Intro
00:39 - The Build Up to Season 20
02:06 - Arc of Infinity
08:45 - Snakedance
13:24 - Mawdryn Undead
18:39 - Terminus
23:26 - Enlightenment
28:05 - The King's Demons
34:02 - The Five Doctors
42:21 - Season 20 Viewing Figures Summary
46:02 - Outro
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Hello dear viewer, and thank you for tuning in to watch Part 20 of our documentary series!
The 20th anniversary year certainly had its ups and downs, but how did audiences take to it...?
These videos take lots of time and effort to make, alongside my regular job and other life events. If you wish to help support me and my work, I have both a Patreon and a Ko-fi page! There's absolutely no obligation to do this, but any support would be immensely appreciated!
Ko-fi - ko-fi.com/adammartynamtv
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Thanks again for tuning in, and I'll see you next time as we enter the final year for the Fifth Doctor, in Season 21!
*PLEASE NOTE* - Due to a copyright claim, I have had to remove around 25 seconds of material from the video. The material concerned was the section in which I explain why the Five Doctors was pushed back to air on the 25th instead of the 23rd November 198, so that it could be part of the Children in Need telethon for that year. I apologise for the removal, but hopefully the final video still runs and flows together smoothly!
The five doctors was the first classic episode i watched so that has a special place in my heart, intrigued to find out how this series did ratings wise.😊
It was my second ever classic episode! The viewing figures for it may surprise you!
You’ve done well commander Maxil
Season 20 isn't the strongest, for me. But I am very fond of Snakedance and Enlightenment, and The Five Doctors is a wonderfully cosy and nostalgic watch.
The TV ratings were softer, unfortunately. But as you mention, outside of that there were plenty of reasons for things in 1983 to still look rosy.
The Longleat & Spirit of Light conventions were big successes, even bringing Tom Baker and Patrick Troughton back. While Peter would be leaving, JNT already had both a fresh companion in Nicola and a successor in place with Colin. Along with an unusually long period between Colin's casting and first filming, allowing a lot more time than usual to plan out his character and design and scripts. With Tom and Peter's episodes being shown in the US on PBS channels and Jon's soon to join them, showing the growing international interest, funding for an American filming trip for a Season 22 story was also being offered. And the show was even beginning to dip a toe in the lucrative VHS waters, with Revenge of the Cybermen being the first released.
It would be very easy going in to 1984 to imagine that Doctor Who was as secure as ever.
Again, a wonderfully curated and pinpoint accurate overview. I’ve always felt from Time-Flight onwards the colours of JNT’s too loud Hawaiian shirts start to slowly bleed into and smother the show. Nathan-Turner was a high camp ideas man and there’s nothing wrong with that if you’re doing something high camp, if it’s light entertainment then it’s exactly right. Doctor Who is primarily literary inspired, heightened B-movie melodrama of which camp has always been an important, but should not ever be, a dominating part. In this season, I think we start to lose the naturally pronounced narrative threads holding the program together, we swap what depth that should be there for a more pizzazing sense of flash and colour. There’s always great shows, always great stories, but there’s an overpowering something happening and that’s JNT. Also, since the Graham Williams era, they’ve taken their eye off the visual integrity of the monster which didn’t help the series. The Tarran wood beast was an absolute abomination and completely demeans the solidity of the story it’s in. Also just take a long look at the Ergon, it doesn’t even try to convince, it completely fails. Soon we’ll have the worst ever Dr Who monster, the incredibly unthought through, Myrka. I remember when first watching this season, especially because it was an anniversary season, that it wasn’t lifting from the telly and pouring into your living room, for me, it largely stayed on the screen. The Kings Demons doesn’t know what it’s doing, it’s just there, it’s like a series of amateur vignettes. Love The Five Doctors, how can you not, but it does embrace a rather more pantomime tradition, particularly the walk down at the end. Again Adam, wonderful work. Gx
Just what I needed after a stressful move today!
I hope the move overall was successful! You can sit down and put your feet up now!
I can’t forget The Five Doctors, it was my first classic Doctor Who DVD I bought
It was my second! A cracking story!
@@AdamMartyn I got in 2015, in the US when I was new to Doctor Who
This season is really underrated
I'm glad it has its fans out there!
It's utter shite!
@@normanby100 like your tastes
@@normanby100 *shit. If you're saying your opinion, at least spell it right, kid.
@@Dimension5Productions Shite is a word.
Aw wasn’t expecting that shout out at the end. Cheers man 😀
My pleasure Phil! 😁
Can’t wait for season 21
You deliver these videos with so much ease, confidence and enthusiasm! Brilliant video, yet again 🎉🌠
Thank you for your lovely words Becca! Your support means the absolute world 😘❤
It's the 20th anniversary!!!!!!!!! Great video!
Thanks Roger! 😁🥳
@@AdamMartyn No worries!
Another amazing video Adam!
I’ve noticed that one of my favourite parts about these videos is learning about what television was like the 20th century as it was fascinating to learn when the ITV strike was, what the biggest hits on TV were and (in this episode) when Channel 4 was formed. I could probably just ask my parents these questions but I never realise I’m actually curious until watching these videos!
As for Season 20, it feels very much like Series 7 in Modern Who. They are both big anniversary years leading up to a much hyped special but most of the season isn’t very good. I like Mawdryn Undead and the Five Doctors of course but the rest is honestly mediocre or kinda crap. Still, hoping it will be coming to Blu-Ray soon 🤞
Definitely agree with you on that Series 7 comparison! But I would still buy a S20 Blu-Ray in a heartbeat! 😂
@@AdamMartyn me too (mostly so I have them all + Special features)
I think Five Doctors was one of the few serials to be released on the double-sided Video 2000 format as well.
Ooooo I didn't know that! I could barely find anything about the Beta release! And looking back I think it may have had a Laserdisc release too!
For some reason I was really traumatised by that poor gardener omega killed for his clothes in arc of infinity, even now I shiver from it lol.
There's always those small scenes that still give us the shivers! For me it's that scene in Resurrection of the Daleks where the policeman randomly gun down that guy down by the Thames!
The Five Doctors is the first classic story I ever watched in full. Unless you count the TV movie as part of the classic series (which I sometimes do), in which case, that one is my first.
It was my second ever classic story! Seems a lot of started with a multi Doctor tale! More bang for our buck! 😂
A very busy day - the football and a chance to sit down and watch Adam's EXCELLENT (sorry Bill and Ted ref there) series on the ratings. Something I look forward to.... right.... drink check..... phone off check and press play..... brill work as always Adam.... Please keep it up 8-)
Thank you as always for the kind words Lee! Hope you enjoyed it and fingers crossed that it's coming home tonight!
Great video I am loving this series you are doing you dont get enough praise for it this is one of my favourite seasons also aswell Davison is my favourite classic doctor
Thank you so much Lewis! 😁 it's not one of my faves but does have some hidden gems!
1983 was also the year that NOW That's What I Call Music! launched!
Certainly was!
@@AdamMartyn By the way, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is back next Saturday at 9pm on ITV with Farmer Jeremy! Will you be watching it?
Now that’s what I call an inner conflict
7:23 How does he know this. He must be an alien spy. And we all know the fate of alien spies!
Great vid as always. Def the weakest davison season but still a fairly enjoyable one. I assume it will be the next blu ray release. Growing up 'Terminus' was the only story from it i never got to see, so it's a pretty odd story for me to watch even nowadays. I'v never heard of terminus being any1's favorite from season 20 haha. 'The kings demons' has a rele good first episode i think, but a very poor second.
8:41 that clip was used in 'Twice upon a time' in the doctor of war scene :)
Arc of infinity - 4/10
Snakedance - 7/10
Mawdryn undead - 8/10
Terminus - 5/10
Enlightenment - 8/10
The kings demons - 4/10
The five doctors - 8/10
That guy who plays commander maxyl might make a pretty good doctor, we'll have to see i guess....
Awesome Video, I thoroughly enjoyed myself 😁👍
I'm glad to here it! More episodes will be coming soon! 😁
C4’s ratings were nothing to write home about for its first years, it was the IBA’s answer to BBC2, with ITV being their version of BBC1. Its advert breaks often went unfilled and its losses were underwritten by ITV being made to subsidise it.
I think in future instalments I'll mainly.stick to the ITV competition as you rightly say, the opposition on Channel 4 wasn't anything too major
@@AdamMartyn How about BBC2's offerings at the time? Anything that could have lured some viewers away?
Great video and sad to see the ratings dipped slightly for the 20th. I've seen arc of infinity which I thought was good and five doctors which is brill.
Five Doctors is a solid favourite of mine! Glad you enjoyed this instalment! 😁
Brilliant again thank u
Thanks for watching Phil! Glad you enjoyed it! 😁
Watched all on time of airing never knew figures was low on this season.
Been looking forward to this
Hope it was a good watch Thomas!
@@AdamMartyn it always is
It does appear that 'Time Flight' drove away a significant number of viewers who did not come back. Season 20 was overshadowed in part by Longleat making the show's past more appealing than the recently-finished season, but mostly by JNT being more focused on promoting 'The Five Doctors'(as well as promoting *himself*, at conventions, particularly in America, where fancied himself some sort of international 'rock star' of TV production.
One of the reasons Davison cited for his departure was that JNT was unavailable on more than one occasion when the actor had hoped to meet with him to discuss his contract status, and plans for season 21(After season 19, Davison had begun thinking about staying beyond his self-imposed 3 year 'deadline').
Turner was either jet-setting at another overseas convention, or, if in the UK, taking more long lunches while spending less time in the office. It was a stretch where JNT was only back at work for a day or two,but was 'too busy' in between American convention jaunts, that convinced Davison that it was no longer worth reconsidering his original plan.
The 'Classic villains return' angle for the season was rather underwhelming, with only the Brigadier being handled reasonably well, despite the UNIT chronology issue. The 'Amsterdam' angle didn't add much beyond interesting scenery, 'Snakedance' was a bland copy of its predecessor, and the Black Guardian(another fairly recent villain with few appearances) was limited due to Valentine Dyall's illness. Nyssa's departure was not handled well, and that story and 'Enlightenment' kind of got lost in elaborate sets and costumes.
The less said about 'The King's Demons', and Kamelion, the better.
Through no fault of Davison, Fielding, and Strickson, the 'character chemistry' of Turlough and the others remained a bit stilted, leading to an unspectacular finish to the season.
It sounds to me like if JNT had left and been replaced sooner, Davison might've stayed on longer and had a better run.
It's sad because instead he ended up playing a weak character who got a weak run that happened to end on an anomalous strong note.
It's clear in Earthshock & Caves that he could've been a superb Doctor had the material been there more often. Praise of his era seems to be based on those stories alone.
But it's not just frustrating because of what could've been. It's also frustrating because so much avoidably bad, clueless writing tarnished his era and relegated his Doctor to being 'unfit for purpose' as a hero in his own show.
The continuity rehashes of this era were also a problem. The Cybermen's return in Earthshock worked wonderfully but it was lightning in a bottle. The Five Doctors, likewise so. Arc of Infinity said nothing that The Three Doctors hadn't already said better.
I could probably take or leave the Black Guardian's return (Enlightenment is probably the best story of the trilogy, and could've probably easily worked with the Guardian removed). The Master definitely shouldn't have been so overused.
Warriors of the Deep was unforgivable, moribund, and really showed that JNT misunderstood that just because the show needed to be pulled into the 80's, it didn't mean every single distant past element of it from the 70's needed to be too.
The irony is that for all of the returning characters and villains of Season 20, it really doesn't feel even like a celebratory anniversary season at all (The Five Doctors did, but that was a separate beast). Certainly not in the way Season 10 had been. Hell, even Season 17 could've fulfilled the mandate better just on the strength of Destiny of the Daleks alone. But Season 20 doesn't feel like it marks the show's longevity so much as puts years on it.
@@sadako24 Yes, 'Earthshock' and 'Caves' really are the 'out of character' Fifth Doctor stories(Doc straight up murders the Cyberleader, even shooting the 'corpse' out of spite). Holmes deliberately made the Doctor more 'heroic' in 'Caves', explaining he wanted to 'put him through his paces'.So many stories made Davison's Doctor look weak or, at best, only gave him a degree of control/effectiveness in danger situations, with some definite 'hollow victories'(Visitation, Earthshock), or outright losses(Warriors of the Deep, Resurrection of the Daleks).
Terrence Dicks' original draft for 'The Five Doctors' (written assuming Tom Baker would take part) gives the Fifth Doctor and Tegan the task of making it through the electrified 'maze'(given to Hurndall in the final version). It was Tom Baker's Doctor who originally teleports into the High Council chamber, and eventually needs to be rescued from Borusa's mind control by the others, following the Fifth Doctor's lead.
But, the onscreen version just adds to the evidence of the Fifth being the one who either 'needed help to win', or just 'watched things happen around him'.
@@sadako24 Another good point, the Master was wasted in 'Time Flight', and IMO, as pointless as his being in that story is, 'King's Demons' is worse, with that awful madrigal, the 'even panto-er than the usual panto' shoutiness, every other line being 'YAAAR, DEMONS!', and the stupid premise of 'Let's cleverly not include the historical figure, and just have the Master turn up to...say bad stuff about him'.(sound of air deflating).
I will say that I watched 'Enlightenment' again sometime after my original comment about the fashions overshadowing the story, and I have a higher opinion of it, as it 'saves' the Black Guardian 'trilogy', after a strong beginning with 'Mawdryn' and the unspectacular 'Terminus'(odd that the 'space pirates' of that story give way to much more literal 'space pirates' in 'Enlightenment'.
'Warriors of the Deep' had a lot of interesting ideas that were in the script but never made it to the screen(such as the unseen 'probe' attacking the TARDIS at the beginning of the story), and that story was basically sabotaged by being even more of a 'rush job' than it needed to be(most of it done in one take, and almost never 'the good one').
@@brianoneill7186 All good points you make.
I'd slightly disagree over the Earthshock example though. The Cyberleader in that moment had declared his intent to kill the Doctor, and we know how determined the Cybermen can be. So I'd argue it was a case of self-defence on the Fifth Doctor's part, rather than murder. I don't think it was spite that motivated the Doctor to keep firing. If anything I read the moment as the Doctor knowing it was kill or be killed, but when he realized the Cyberleader was still clinging to life but in great pain, his final shots were actually intended to put his enemy out of his misery.
It is certainly out of character for Davison's more pacifist incarnation, but actually more in character with the direct action of his immediate predecessors than fans would like to admit.
It definitely does seem to be the case that in both The Five Doctors and some of the early Season 19 stories, Davison seems to get more chance to shine and act heroic because the scripts were originally written for Tom's Doctor. It's just a shame that that good work would be undone by the weak showings that followed, like Time-Flight, Terminus and Warriors.
I do like that they ended up having to mix things up a bit with the Doctors & companions in The Five Doctors, with Sarah being paired with Pertwee instead of Tom, and Tegan with the first Doctor. It made things a bit more interesting, though I would certainly love to see what the full script for the version with Tom would've been like.
It would've certainly been nice if the moment where the other Doctors help Davison break Borusa's will had been a prelude to him finally coming to the fore in Season 21, but as you say, instead that was sadly the season where Warriors & Resurrection showed him as more of a failure than ever. No matter how much it might seem he'd grown and learned in one story, the reset button always got pressed in the next.
It was disappointing, but I think doubly so given that any Doctor following after Tom really needed to be one the audience could root for, and that's not what they got except in a few fits and starts.
(continued....)
Goodness me. 20 Years of who has bee Covered in this series 😱
I know! Honestly can't believe I've covered this many already!
It was a mistake to have brought Tegan back, get rid of Nyssa and bring in that screwball turlough. Nyssa should have stayed with the fifth doctor until right before peri was introduced.
Wow! Those modern British television computer graphics. Thanks for the videos!!! 📺📺📺
Fascinating. The drop from the previous season doesn’t surprise me, I was a viewer at the time and felt things just somehow had gone off the boil. But just one thing, no chart placings for Terminus?
I just think the quality of some of these stories is just so far away from what was offered in Season 19! And there are placings for Terminus! Should be at 19:32 😊
@@AdamMartyn oops sorry, I somehow missed that!
@@AdamMartyn I agree about the quality drop. Also, there were fewer guest stars that the press could get excited about. It was the season that began my interest in the programme waning.
I love Enlightenment. Best story of Season 20, bar none!
Another great video! I wonder if the show aired on Saturday night like it used to how many viewers would have tuned in.
My favorite (that I have seen) from this season is actually Mawdryn Undead. I honestly think the major reason is because the Brigadier was back for the first time since Terror of the Zygons.
I’ve heard the plan was originally for Ian Chesterton to come back but the idea fell through. If that we’re true it would have made much more sense. The whole “the Brigadier is now a teacher” thing os one of the many confusing things.
As a huge Tom Baker fan, the Five Doctors was a disappointment. Still it has the Cybermen’s battle with the Raston Robot & “No not the mind probe!” which are my favorite bits.
Am I right in saying that Enlightenment is also the first Doctor Who story to have both a female writer and director
First for both at the same time I think so yes!
Enlightenment is the first story by a female writer. Leslie Scott is credited as co-writer on Hartnell story The Ark but doesn't seem to have actually written anything.
Here we go 😁
Season 20 babyyyyyy!
It's been like fabulous watching this series and delving further into the Doctor Who viewing figures, thoroughly enjoying it and looking forward to more to come 😀👍😄
If you had to pick a period through the shows history as a favourite, which period would you pick? or would you go for all of them?
Thank you pal, really appreciate your kind comments! 😁
My favourite era of the classic series is probably the Third Doctors! Especially Season 7! Closely followed by the Sylvester McCoy era! There's very little Who stories that I find dull!
Ah ok that's interesting, that's nice to know, If I had to pick from the classic era for instance I would go for The Third Doctor too although then again I generally like all the doctors and their eras both classic era and new era.
Those books which you use as reference for this video whereabouts did you get those from just out of curiosity?
Once again very Enjoyable videos with the viewing figures through the ages and completion and bits of history throughout the ages of the show, keep them up when you do them and once again looking forward to more of these to come. 😀👍😄
I forgot to say, the nice comments, your welcome.
Enlightenment was also an inspiration for Disney's Treasure Planet.
One of my favourite films ever!
Awesome video once again. I haven’t seen all of season 20 (I’ve seen Arc Of Infinity, Kings Demons and Five Doctors) I really enjoy Five Doctors but the other two are a bit naff aren’t they? I was gutted that the 20th Anniversary Special didn’t get that high of a figure
There's a lot of missed potential with this season I feel! Though I do wish the Five Doctors had higher viewership!
'Arc' is 'Okay', but all the scenes of Tegan's boring cousin, his buddy, and that less than scary alien in the canal lock, add nothing to the story. It might be(along with the Five Doctors) the best Time Lord story.
It’s interesting to see this series, but one thing that’s frustrating is that it keeps using the terms ‘viewers’ and ‘households’ interchangeably. The viewing figures are expressed in terms of millions of viewers, not households. So Terminus Part Three, for example, was seen by 6.5 million viewers, and not 6.5 million households, as this video claims. An average household had more than 2 people in it, so the number of ‘households’ that saw that episode would be closer to 3 million or so.
Thank you for the feedback Tom! I'll make sure to rectify this mistake for future instalments in the series! 😊
@@AdamMartyn Good work!
Also, I definitely enjoyed season 20 better than you did
I'm glad you did! Some of the stories just aren't for me but I'm glad they have their fans 😊
Another great overview! Ah, Season 20 - an ambitious, if flawed, Season.
Thanks mate! Definitely agree with that analogy!
@@AdamMartyn I mean, there was nothing wrong with celebrating twenty years, and utilising Who's history, but you can see the beginning of the show naval gazing here - with elements too obscure to mean anything to a casual viewer, and used in a way that would irk the more hardcore fan. Add to that the continued lack of ANY levity in the stories and you have a rather earnest, but dull, run. AND THEN you get The Five Doctors, in which Terrance manages to celebrate everything in a totally family friendly way, and with humour.
Regarding the viewing figures being disappointing for the series 20th year. To be fair, I doubt Joe Public was aware the show was 20 until The Five Doctors and that in itself isn't always a recommendation to watch.
I notice the Wednesday episodes do better than the Tuesdays?
If this was syndicated on Saturday teatimes between January and May the competition may have been difficult throughout with CHiPs and The Fall Guy on ITV however.
Yet for the most part BBC1 screened reruns of the 70s Kung Fu TV series around 5.30pm.
I personally prefer the Special Edition of "Enlightenment" over the original broadcast version.
No-one sensible does. It completely ruins the entire thing by forcing it into the wrong aspect ratio and an omnibus.
Every time I watch one of these and you talk about the British summer I think, “THIS is the time that girl in the bikini is going to catch that frisbee.” It’s like Charlie Brown and the football.
Sadly for me this wasn't so much a season that commemorated the show's longevity, as one that really put years on the show. It is definitely for me the point where JNT and Saward (and Ian Levine) really begin to outstay their welcome. Enlightenment is a rare gem (and makes me long for a world where Fiona Cumming became producer), but other than that it's a miserable experience in a way Season 19 rarely was. And unfortunately there wasn't much turning back from this road of 'death by niche' JNT was taking here with all the impenetrable fanservice.
Whilst I know the arrival of Channel 4 can't be ignored as a contributing factor, I really can't help but think the ratings are showing Doctor Who just wasn't the nation's favorite anymore.
I think this a completely valid criticism! I think the long gap between seasons didn't help plus the novelty of a new Doctor wearing off! Whilst for me it has its gems it isn't one of my favourites!
Do you think that airing DW twice a week hurt its audience?
I think it was a success at first, as Season 19's figures were quite high! But I think after the hype of Peter Davison coming in wore off and as the competition got stronger, thats what started to bring them down! That's my view anyway!
I lived in a one-off house, so rarely watched Doctor Who hold it was broadcast on weekdays.
Wow, I am shocked at The Five Doctors figures, they suck. I am surprised the show held on for as long as it did. I love Who, but I feel like we approaching the same situation with the current series.
I too was shocked at the Five Doctors figures! Though I suppose all the events surrounding the 20th were a massive success!
Yes this was a strange season only the five doctors and mawdryn undead I enjoyed the rest was dull not one's I could rewatch its a shame for the doctors 20th anniversary and may have made Peter Davidsons choice to leave the next season easier
I know Peter said some of the scripts plus the various production troubles influenced him deciding to leave, but there are some hidden gems! Mawdryn Undead, Enlightenment and the Five Doctors for me!
@@AdamMartyn I know the last 6 seasons of classic who are up and down seasons 21,25 and 26 are the best ones that follow
Davison actually said that if season 20 had been more like season 21, then he might well have stayed.
I think that Season 20 is probably the weakest Davison season, but the anniversary is definitely one of the best stories from the era.
The Five Doctors is soooo good isn't it!
@@AdamMartyn Yes it is!
As for the ratings, I think sadly they come off as indicative of the fallout from Time-Flight being such a poor, nonsensical finale the previous year. I think for many the show became impossible to take seriously anymore there (and certainly impossible to take as seriously as the show now took itself), and too many of those who'd invested in the new era felt cheated. Nothing seemed to quite matter anymore after Time-Flight's ridiculous leaps of logic, and poor handling of the aftermath of Adric's demise.
And of course if Season 20's stories weren't so great, it wasn't going to generate sufficient word of mouth to bring viewers back unless they were already die-hard fans. I did find myself feeling for the production team here, where their efforts kept failing to pay off. But that sympathy probably will be short lived given what's ahead.
Then again, given the ratings, maybe it would've been an idea if the BBC decided to just rest the series for a bit after The Five Doctors aired.
I like the 5th Doctor, but he had to many people who weren't has companions in the Tardis.
Hang on, where's the ident review
It's still here, new episodes will drop on different days!
Hey fellow Whovians what actor do you wish had played the doctor?
Personally I love the kings demons
The Five Doctors was in the middle of Children of Need. Not many knew it was going to air. Had it been publicised as an anniversary Special back in the October then maybe it would have broken 8 Million mark. The BBC complacency was to blame. They just didn’t give any attention to Dr Who. It was of no interest to them.
Good video with some nice research but you seem fond of sometimes referring to the viewing figures as "households", which was the way the figures were originally obtained but certainly by the 1980s it was literal viewers that were recorded not households. Another slight niggle but the pronunciation of Lazars disease should be "lazzer" not "lazah".
it's depressing to see the viewing figures sink so low but thats how it was, Most folk really didn't like Dr Who. That's something the fanatical fans can maybe take on board. Nobody actually hates Dr Who more than the fanatical fans cos they want the series to be taken so seriously so they themselves can be taken seriously as grown up adults. They hate the idea that Dr Who is a silly kids show. Which is basically what it is. Don't get me wrong, Dr Who is frequently more than just a silly kids show, but most viewers don't see that. To them it really is kids stuff. That's why the viewing figures are so low. Most viewers like soap operas and crime dramas where characters change and grow. Not a silly sci-fi series where the main characters wear costumes and never change or grow.
It’s Omaga not Omayga
And dyles dead parrot on his head