Dr Who Review, Part 5 - The Tom Baker Era
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2024
- The fifth episode in my ongoing series of reviews, with analysis, of the BBC science-fiction show, Doctor Who.
In this part, the era of the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, is considered. We explore the 'Golden Era' of Doctor Who, looking at how the show developed into a far darker and scarier version, influenced by the Gothic Horror genre, and the resultant backlash from self-appointed 'moral guardians'. We also consider the economic troubles of the late seventies and their effect on the show before its regeneration just in time for the eighties. Along the way, three stand out stories are looked at in depth with plenty of clips from the full seven-year Baker tenure!
Chapter Selection:
0:00 An actor's legacy
1:17 The state of the show
2:29 Philip Hinchcliffe
3:33 Casting the Fourth Doctor
6:20 Tom Baker
10:23 The Fourth Doctor
14:44 Robot
15:11 First Impressions
16:12 Changes
19:39 Choosing a favourite
21:08 The Daleks
23:43 Genesis of the Daleks
33:48 A successful first year
36:07 Pyramids of Mars
43:07 Farewell Sarah-Jane
44:06 Fandom
45:23 Mary Whitehouse vs the BBC
48:48 The Williams Era
52:52 JNT
54:02 Season 18
55:54 Warriors' Gate
59:24 It's the end...
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This is for the purposes of entertainment and education. Doctor Who is owned by the British Broadcasting Corporation. Any other audio visual material is copyright to the respective owners.
"Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use." - บันเทิง
Breathtakingly good - as good as any officially produced programme about the show I've ever seen.
Thank you so much Carl. So happy my hard work is appreciated!
Carl B And you should thank you to me for the K9 stuff :)
I Wholeheartedly agree CarlB brilliantly produced Subbed, Tom is without a doubt my SuperHero, Big Finish is about to release some new audios of him playing his favourite character/ Himself, He continually says He's never been happier since he's come back to the Doctor in 2012 , Such a shame Liz Sladen died before they could record his first Big Finish audios, Tom Baker has without a doubt made the world a better place, as scary as the Hinchcliffe era was, Tom made it so enjoyable, if it wasn't for Mary "Fucking" Whitehouse we may have got a fourth Hinchliffe season. Great work CDF
Thanks so much! I've only heard a few of Baker's audios but they are superb. I agree; it's such a shame Lis Sladen passed away at such a young age.
I fully agree. A fascinating study of the era of the Fourth Doctor.
Tom is proof that it’s never too late for things to change. The man was 40 when he went from a penniless nobody to being the most well recognised and loved actor in British history.
That is soo true . A great lesson to Artist and actor especially , a field filled with rejection. We all have our time so never give up trying!
no one can do better.
If I recall correctly, he had a bad period with alcohol late in his Doctor days and after, and then got better. That would mean two comebacks. He's impressive.
@@benw9949 Yes, he was very unhappy in his last season and drinking heavily on the set. JNT, worst producer of the classic era, actually sacked him.
@@benw9949 Over the last few years, he's been playing the fourth Doctor again in the audio Big Finish productions. I suppose you could count that as a third comeback in the 2010s and 2020s.
Fourth Doctor: Guys, I can explain.
Sixth Doctor: You've got 7 seasons?! I only had 2!
Ninth Doctor: 2? I only ever had 1 season! I'm the shortest-running Doctor!
Eighth Doctor: You guys have seasons?
XD
@@nepeta3286 British shows have Series not Seasons...
@@thelastmotel well, in my country it's called seasons, but didn't knew that in UK it was called series
@@thelastmotel Not entirely. Classic Who has Seasons, Revived Who has Series.
horaciosi the Other: you guys get appearances?
I was fortunate to grow up with Pertwee and Baker as Dr Who in the 1970's. They were both incomparable.
100th like
agreed, Alan. I grew up on those two. AND THE THEME MUSIC was great.
Definitely my favourites
Same here too really.
Tom always was and always will be The Doctor. He said it himself... He wasn't playing a role, he was just being Tom: his natural charisma and love for children in the right place at the right time. I think he's still involved with the show and his fans because he loves it and it keeps him young. I'm pushing 50 and he was already middle aged when I started watching him. As an American, TB4 was my first and only Doctor. He is the blessing that keeps on giving. Sir, may you continue to touch hearts for many years to come.
Agreed: Tom could deliver a throwaway line like nobody else.
It's hard to believe it's so long ago. I was 15 to 21 and now I'm 63!
The Fourth Doctor will always be "My Doctor" - Tom Baker forever.
i haven't seen much but he just became my favorite
10th, 11th, 4th are my favorite Doctor Who
no hes my doctor
Same here, he was my introduction to Doctor Who back in 1979.
He's not my fav Doctor ..he's "The Doctor" when Dr Who is mentioned..really only baker comes to mind .. but it's a case of generations and time, how peculiar as he's a time lord.. every incarnation holds a special place in the hearts of fans... if you were 12 years old in 68' you liked Pertwee, my exposure was through TV Ontario in the early 70's .. so baker was my Doctor, but he does stand out among all other doctors an instantly recognizable ,
you see the face and you don't think Tom, you think Dr.. and that impression is what sets him apart.. as he says" The Doctor was Tom, and visa versa " the others were acting , Tom was being Tom ..
@@planegaper I was gutted when he morphed into this buffoon.
So much love for Tom Baker. When I heard his voice as The Curator, I had a tear in my eyes.
This is THE best documentary I have seen on him. Thank you!
Went out for Halloween dressed as him, girlfriend knitting me a 14 foot long scarf for me 👍and I spent a whole week building a full sized Dalek for her in the kitchen for her to wear.... BRILLIANT night out with lots of clapping and cheering us on 👍👍👍💕🌃☮️🤗💜💗💡😂🤣☮️👍
@@stuartmack8769 you two are friggin adorable.
I had my Mum make me a Tom Baker scarf! Still have it, love it, endlessly useful in winter. (70 yrs old)
Michigan / US
As did I. Each time I watch it, I smile when I hear him.
That episode brought together my favorite classic doctor (#4) and my favorite new era doctor (#11.) Others are fine, even very good at playing the doctor. But I will always remember when *they* were the doctor. That’s because they were my first impressions of both old and new Who.
I met Tom at a convention awhile ago. He is as awesome as his Doctor. His positivity and energy just radiates from him.
To fully understand what Tom Baker did for Dr. Who: He became the "iconic" version not only in the UK, but in America as well. Not many UK shows had much of a following in America at the time. Maybe Monty Python and MAYBE Benny Hill in small pockets here and there. But Tom Baker as Dr. Who in America during the 70's was an ICON of the show's popularity in the US. So much so that most American children at the time kind of faded from the show when Tom Baker's run ended being aired in the US.
I did not get Doctor Who here in Louisiana until 1982
Hi, I'm sorry to sound ignorant, but I wasn't even aware up until recently that Dr Who was even AIRED or had an audience in America. I was under the impression that America had enough of its own great sci-fi shows and didn't need Dr Who, so I thought Americans didn't even care about it. I thought--then--that this was a shame, because for me, Dr Who is the greatest thing that Britain has ever produced, in terms of tv shows anyway, of course, I am speaking as a biased Dr Who fan here. Imagine my delight when I found out that Americans did like it, even love it, and there is a huge audience for it over there.
Tom Baker is the most iconic Doctor in my opinion. It truly was "the Golden Age." Pertwee was great too.
Loston Wallace: Pertwee, Baker, Sara Jane Smith. Perfection!
Right on, Brian!
He leaves even the best of the modern Doctors in the dust.
Tom Baker is one of my least favorite Doctors.
Have to agree with most everybody else on here. Tom was one hell of a fabulous Doctor and has become my favorite even though I didn't start with his Doctor!
60 years old and still watch classic Dr. Who. Still innovative, fresh and creative after even decades.
As a twelve year old kid first discovering 'Pyramids of Mars' being shown on PBS at 3:00 PM after school, Tom Baker changed my life. I know he is an imperfect person in real life just like the rest of us but, goddamn did he personify everything that I looked up to as a kid in his portrayal of The Doctor during his tenure. Thanks Tom. I'll love you forever for your excellence in your craft.
PBS in the mid 80s at 6:00
Frankly this declaration alone ought to be enough to get you British citizenship.
@@buckster2575730pm for me
now I understand why Tom was my favourite Doctor, he was the most genuine and honest because it was just him, no facade.
Jon did that too
Steve, my ex-husband, now deceased, got me started watching Tom Baker's stories in 1982 on an American public channel. Steve and my father, also deceased, really got a kick from the Daleks. I wish they could see this clip.
Legend has it the Dr who tapes were sent to that public station by accident. We used to get a lot of BBC stuff, so someone threw those in the box by mistake and we aired them. They seemed to hit a nerve and got popular. I 🤔 no by the time BBC found out about the mistake, there was already a big market.
Love how his voice still sounds the same as it did back then, in the audiobooks it's like he never really stopped being the Fourth Doctor.
Like he said himself, he really just got to be Tom! :D
at 90 years old, Tom can still be seen walking the streets of Rye in a hat, overcoat & scarf... referring to himself as Doctor Who. his eyes still gleaming!
The professionalism of this documentary puts TH-camrs to shame - no damn horrid click bait!
I honestly thought this was a BBC documentary. They should hire you.
it wasn't an "official" doc"? holy toledo!!!!! wow! excellent quality - thanks again :}
What? You mean full of falsehoods?
@@Grandmastergav86 Dumbnut.
Many actors did well in Doctor Who, but only Tom Baker was born to BE Doctor Who. His scarf is still a major icon of the character.
I dunno, McCoy gives him a run for his money.
The Doctor hasn't worn a scarf for nearly 4 decades, yet it remains an iconic part of the character.
@@sillygoose635 ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
The Doctor*
Think we can safely say Doctors 1 through to 4 were iconic, 5 to 9 not so much so. 10 & 11. Tom, Jon, Pat, Bill templates. Perfect. (Specialiy 11!)
The greatest Doctor, possibly the greatest actor on TV/film ... people can laugh if they want, but I say watching Tom Baker play the Doctor is like watching Olivier play Hamlet. Powerfully effortless and 100% believable. He was truly born for the part.
I completely agree
There's a reason he's become iconic.
Doesn't hurt he has the best stories.
Jelly baby?
The 1970s was the greatest decade for the show. Two domineering actors whose performances took the show to new heights with brilliant stories, two first class producers and all time great companions.
And Douglas Adams.
@@studogable eh no
@@stormhawk3319 lol. Adams was script editor and wrote City of Death
@@studogable and that was it. And he wasn’t in the same league as Robert Holmes and Terence Dicks as a script editor. Just introduced silly humour into science fiction.
@@stormhawk3319 who hurt you?
These vids kept being recommended to me but I always passed them by thinking "oh its just another third-rate fan commentary gibberish". I finally broke down and watched one. Now I've sat through them all. It is truly a four-star effort. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much, Michael! It was precisely because of those other videos that I was inspired to do this series so I'm glad it's serving its purpose!
You and Oliver Harper need to do something about whatever cause you 2 Brits are amazing an the quality in these videos shows some great passion!
Calling it a four star is doing it a dis-service, this series is far better than any other TH-cam documentary I've seen, hell, even real documentaries five stars!
Samuel Barber it could be that he is using a 4 star rating system because it’s an even number
Four out of three - first-class. Thank you.
Tom Baker can never die. He will just regenerate!!
@Gregory Carter -- Wouldn't it be WONDERFUL if Tom Baker could do JUST that?
He'll just live on as the curator forever
That clip of the Dalek being beaten to death with sticks and screaming I'm losing control is a clip I sent a couple dozen times during my finals. It contributed to their degradation into jokes but it's also such a mood.
This man was responsible for me being in the best physical condition of my life during his tenure, being that i had to ride my bike home from school in a time that would have garnered me a yellow tour de france jersey so as to not miss the start of the show. The theme music is a burnt in part of my childhod.
"Who Knows",,"Who Nose", Tom Baker at the end of the 50th. That one made my eyes leak.
I love Tom's interviews. Completely humble, honest man.
In the words of the Great man himself as the Doctor “9 times out of 10” honesty is the best policy.
Ehhh, Tom is my favorite Doctor, but I’m not sure he would consider himself the picture of “humility”. He was truly excellent and quite intelligent but I think it would be fair to say he gave up abject humility with his time in the monastery.
Lol humble? Hardly! He is full of bravado, has a learned accent and booming bass, brags, exaggerates and adds flourishes, and it's in that total lack of humility coupled with his shamelessness about the lifestyle that's left him violet red in the face and morbidly obese that makes him so captivating. I feel like you must have been watching a different video! "Humble" seems more like how you would describe Davison.
@@EC2019 I have to agree with you, humble is not a word I would use to describe Tom Baker, but you have to admit that he is brilliant, and interesting,.As for him being red in the face and Obese, he must be doing something right I think he's almost 90 years old. I think all of the actors who portrayed the Do for were brilliant. You mentioned Davison, a bit of a wanker in real life I always thought.
A fantastic human
Tom B: “I wasn’t acting.” I knew it! He is an alien!
😆
A time lord specifically that's been my theory, every interview I have seen of him he states he enjoyed being The Doctor more than Tom suggesting that being the doctor was the only time he could let his time lord side loose without suspicion. ( no wonder he dressed up as The Doctor outside shoots)
In America the Tom baker era is known as the PBS era
You make a good point.his episodes aired on Channel 11(WTTW)here in Chicago back in the '80s.
Tragically being American, my first introduction to Doctor Who was Tom Baker era reruns on PBS in the late 80's/early 90's. I was hooked immediately on this weird and wonderful show and continue to be (more or less) engaged by it to this day.
Christian Alan Wilson exactly this. Word for word I agree and it’s true.
Tragically?
Being from a small town in northern Iowa, we only had a few channels growing up in the 80’s with PBS being one of them. My favorite TV shows of all time are all British. Dr. Who, Red Dwarf, Are you being served, The Vicar if Dibley. My fondest childhood memories was being excited for Saturday nights when Dr. Who would be on. It was always preceded by Jack Horkheimer, Star Gazer.
same here. and since PBS played the episodes without any kind of preamble or background information, it was years before i even found out i was watching the fourth actor /Fourth Doctor. He just seems like the definitive one to me. i suppose everyone feels like that about whichever one they started with.
@ he meant tragically, he didn't get to see them in the seventies. Shhhh 🙄
We lived in the centre of Australia and had only one channel, and would watch Dr Who before dinner every afternoon. Thanks for reminding me of so many great stories, they gave us scares, laughs and wonder. So much fun. We were lucky to see a lot of great TV production from the UK. Top shelf vid thank you!
4th isn't my favorite Doctor, nor is he the one I first think of when someone mentions Doctor Who, but I do think he is the doctor to "beat". He is the definitive Classic Doctor, and perhaps the definitive Doctor period.
Who's your favourite
Tom Baker is the face i see when someone mentions Doctor Who
EGGGGZZZZAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKLLLLLLYYY
mine is just ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Yessss. It was his lifeblood
Never watched him but I can see now why he is mentioned as the best.
Gabby Davis
Ool
May Tom Baker live 1000 years.
Dr. Zippy Mcscoots or
More than that
And beyond hopefully
This was a customary greeting to sovereigns in ancient times: "O King, live forever."
Tom Baker is Dr. Who for me up to this day, but, I was introduced into the Pertwee era and he will always be the Dr.
Well at least when the Doctor decides to stop being the Doctor, he becomes the Curator and shall be Tom Baker forever
All my life an an American i never knew there was more than one Doctor, i always assumed it was only the 4th Doctor with his long scarf and robot dog, it was only until i started watching the David tennant era that i found out there was so many doctors i never got to see living in america.
As a young American of 4 years old, I remember seeing Doctor Who on my grandma's houseboat in Tasmania whilst on a visit from the States. I was so fascinated by the strangeness of it all, especially this gent with the curly hair, hat, and scarf. It's one of my earliest memories.
When I think of Dr. Who, I immediately think of Tom Baker.
WE ARE TWO.
Sign me up for that trail of thought.
Everybody does , that scarf is legendary.
Yes it is.
As do I. But I was born in 71. So of course Tom was the first doctor for me;)
Michael Wisher as 'Davros' was never bettered. Pyramids of Mars, Brain of Morbius, Genesis of the Daleks....the golden era !!
gingerladyaubern Seeds of Doom.
Brain of Morbius was banned in Australia. I have only watched it once on tv and they showed it late at night. Tom Baker Dr Who is part of my child hood [I am 48].
Talons of Weng-Chiang was the greatest Dr Who story ever. If you disagree, you are wrong. Talons even heavily influenced the return of DW in 2005, and formed the basis for things like Captain Jack's backstory.
@@thelastmotel "if you disagree you are wrong"
@@thelastmotel If you disagree, you disagree, its an opinion.
Tom Baker was my first Dr in the early 70’s. And he is still the best!
Agreed!!!
His performances are always amazing. Beyond Dr Who, he played Rasputin in Nicholas And Alexandria, a truly iconic role.
"I don't rate my acting.. after all, it's *acting*.. but in Doctor Who, I was just Tom.. I got to be just ME" And THAT, is why we love you, and he's the best doctor ever!
We got to see the real person, episode after episode.. And I always his sense of humor was wonderful.. I will never tire of his personal appearnces and interviews such as in here..Thank you Mr Tom Baker!
PS.. I have to say I agree with "Carl B"s comment. this is, actually, *better* than any other retrospective I've seen elsewhere, official or not. Kudos!
"Running up and down corridors, and silly monsters" - Chris Chibbers
Poor Things The episodes he’s written in series 12 has been some of his best and have been pretty entertaining.
ChickenToast26 it’s kinda ironic that the very thing he insulted about Colin and McCoy’s eras are the very thing he would to but even worse 30 years later 😂
@Poor Things "builds narrative and character around it"? That's giving it more credit than it deserves.
@@alex30425 um no
I’ll give you season 12s been some of his best but it’s still worse than the stuff we got pre-season 11. Spy fall and fugitive of the judoon are the only ones which you could call good the rest is either bland or outright terrible with hamfisted messages and either terrible dialogue/direction or completely wooden acting especially from the character who plays Ryan.
I always found the moment where the 4th Doctor reflects on his life, lying there, broken, to be the most bittersweet moment in Doctor Who. Tom Baker IS the Definite Article of the Doctor and how he accepts that all good things must come to an end is beautiful.
I watched these when I was younger, and in my eyes, Tom Baker IS the Doctor , just as Sir Sean Connery IS James Bond.
The BEST Dr Who, I was a kid during the Tom Baker Dr Who era and he was amazing, surreal and and had charisma.
So was i
TOM BAKER WAS THE BEST.............................EVER !!!!!
@Simon Leib agreed, some good Davison ones too!
thanks ABC aussie for repeating Tom Baker dr whos every year until 1990.
@@commentfreely5443 - Shoot!!!! wish we had that here in New York (City) - darn! :}
epitome of the Dr Who character - eccentric, witty, smart and sometimes dark (yes just realised that rhymed)
Whenever I think or hear someone say Doctor Who, I instantly think Tom Baker. He was the first Doctor I ever watched.
Not just you mate everyone, even though Smith is my favorite Doctor Tom will always be the most popular.
Realised Tom’s span was exactly my secondary school and sixth form years before college. Untouchable and unmissable charisma to grow up with on tv. Exceedingly well put together gem of a video - Thankyou.
Pyramids of Mars would have been my pick. Absolutely amazing casting. The guy who plays Sutekh is really amazing with his sinister whisper and clear madness. Plus Sutekh is probably the most powerful villain the Doctor ever faced.
This is my era and Tom will always be the Doctor. Production values may have become better, but this era of Dr Who will always be my favourite.
Pertwee built up the franchise with his charisma (onscreen and off, during interviews and public meet and greets). Then along came Tom, who batted the ball right out the stadium ;-)
Tom played Tom not The Doctor.
@@Omnicient. or, the BBC actually choose a perfect casting!
;-)
In fairness to Tom he has joined in the mockery in recent years. He ended in mates with Vic Reeves I think.
The Daleks “single-suckeredly” built up the franchise between December 1963 and January 1964. Hiked the viewing figures from 6-7 million to over 10 million within a month in the ‘60s by word of mouth on school playgrounds. The inestimable Mr Pertwee didn’t do a bad job though :)
Hartnell and Troughton planted the tee. Pertwee lined up the ball. Baker swung a hole in one.
My mum remembered Baker's years when I started with Tennant in 2007. That year she got me Brain of Morbius for Christmas, saying that my Doctor Who experience wasn't complete until I'd seen Tom Baker. She was right
Baker is a goddamn treasure
Thank you for both a well written and researched production, and also a walk down memory lane. Pertwee and Baker will be the two favourite doctors of my age.
The best Doctor in the entire series. "The nose knows!"
Hey really enjoyed this. looking forward to part 6!
Thanks very much! Hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
Good to see you here, man. Your videos are great.
@@cleverdickfilms Good documentary. I suppose only a Clever Dick could do such a fine job. My top three favorite episodes - 3. The Brain of Morbius 2. The Deadly Assassin 1. The Talons of Weng-Chiang
I was a kid in the 80s and Tom Baker as Dr.Who and the 80s synth anthem intro absolutely blew my mind. I’ve tried to watch others but nothing even comes close, also read Douglas Adams, and fell in love with Hitchhikers Guide in my teens. I know he wrote a couple episodes for Dr.Who which was like double awesome.
Young Chibs interview is peak comedy with how the show eventually turned at his hands.
And never wrote a good Doctor Who episode worth a damn. Including Torchwood.
This is why I love tom Baker... He loves the character he played as much as we do. He doesn't despise it like other actors yet embraces it. Great actor pluse seeing him brings a smile to fans.
You forgot to mention another classic " The Robots of Death" a masterpiece of writing!
I loved that episode so much, it has so many good moments. "9 times out of 10" lmao
I discovered Dr. Who in my early teens in the early 80's, via PBS in the US. Tom Baker has always been my favourite Doctor, although Eccleston was pretty dope too! Thank you for making these! It has really expanded my appreciation and admiration of the entire series.
The Leela stories are what I consider the true golden age, but I get the love for the ones with Sarah
Season 14 ones, yes. Season 15 ones, ehhhh.
Born in 1963 I only vaguely remember William Hartnell's Dr, laughed at Patrick Troughton and side-kick Jamie ( Fraser Hines) and once watched a Jon Pertwee episode from the safety of the back garden looking through the living room window. I was home alone at the time and felt vulnerable in the home. Tom Baker took me from childhood and adolescence to manhood.
The best Doctor of all.
YES! indeed!
Janka Janssen he is a living legend
Tom Baker is not just the best but he was legendary alongside with Hartnell, Throughton and Pertwee.
McCoy says hi.
Tom Baker was by far my best and favorite Dr. His outfit was just simply the best. I loved his scarf and hat but the rest of the ensemble was quite fitting.
"If someone who knew the future pointed out a child to you and told you that child would grow up to be totally evil..."
Steven Moffat must have been influenced by this line when he wrote The Magician's Apprentice and The Witch's Familiar. In the first episode, Peter Capaldi's Doctor found little Davros and abandoned him and in the second, he came back to rescue him.
Genesis of the Daleks is probably my favourite Doctor Who story ever.
I loved Genesis Of The Daleks at the time as a kid. Now I can see it could easily have been shown as an adult BBC1 drama of the time.
This man is the very epitome of a man born to play a role.
Wonderful actor and his first three seasons as the Doctor have never been bettered.
Tom was the greatest of all the Doctors, hands down!
This is an OUTSTANDING documentary, thanks for the hard work putting it together! I always thought Tom Baker was THE Doctor, probably because of seeing them on PBS. That incarnation deserved a more fitting death than falling
PBS is where I found doctor who.
"Didn't you want to be recognized as an actor outside of Dr Who?" I only wanted him to say NO. He did.
Awesome account of a great show. The 1970's was indeed a golden era of Dr Who and Tom Baker was hands down the best Doctor to date
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
c
I've been watching this Doctor since I was 10 years old, some 40 years. I really enjoyed this. Your commentary was extremely insightful and brought me new appreciation for some of the themes and characters throughout Tom Baker's run. Amazing work.
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
A novice Monk, who got the Doctor Who job working as a Brickie. Truly, he was destined to be The Doctor. And not just The Doctor, THE Doctor.
Thank you Tom
I feel Horror of Fang Rock deserved mention here as an outstanding example of the era
Yes, I should have really. It's another one of my favourites!
Mine too!!!
I hate nitpicking about great episodes that were left out during some of the best series ever. That being said, it's a shame 'The Masque of Mandragora' and 'Image of the Fendahl' weren't mentioned as great examples of mingling historic elements with Sci-Fi. Same with The Stones of Blood.
The deadly assassin was good even though Roger Delgado was missed.
Spooky as all get out. Great episode!
dude this is liek the best dr who documentory i have ever seen, should be televised
Thank you so much! I'm very flattered!
You shouldn’t be this is tremendous work. I grew up with the new series and the UKgold re-runs of the 3rd 4th and 5th doctor’s runs that happened after the first new series so this is so cool to see an in depth look into each doctor’s history.
The 4th Doctor was my introduction to Dr. Who. I remember those nights clearly turning on PBS late at night to watch Dr. Who, Are you being served, and Blackadder. I'm American, but British television has left such a major impact on my life.
PBS turned me on to doctor who.
Fun fact, Gabriel Woolf returned in New Who as the Beast. And he's just as menacing there as he was as Sutekh.
"Harry i'm standing on a land mine."
If I move my foot it'll go off - don't move your foot - I won't.
Harry Sullivan is an imbecile!!!!!!!!!!!!!
End of Tom Baker's series was so crushing for me at the time as young boy much beloved Doctor for me. These are very informative great work I have watched these a few times thank you.
No offense to Peter his Doctor has a huge part in my heart now, but I'd say I didn't really accept his Doctor at the time until Four to Doomsday Ep3. I think what didn't help was his Doctor's dismantling of the scarf.
Thank you Mr, Baker for all the fond childhood memories. After this interview i realized I'm more of a fan of Tom Baker then i am of the 4th Dr.
The iconic theme tune has to be surely one of the most original theme tunes of all time. I grew up with Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker as my Drs Who. Both superb but Tom probably is my favourite.
Greetings from Chicago - bravo! I was just a kiddie in 1975 when the local PBS station WTTW started rebroadcasting Jon Pertwee episodes; we didn't get Tom Baker here until 1980 but he was tops. The shows were usually aired in one 90-min or so batch but from batch to batch were in random sequence. It is really great to learn the story behind the story explained with both aplomb and style. Your narrative and context is well worth every second...grazie!
Thanks so much for your kind words and thanks for sharing your experiences of the show; it's always fascinating to hear of how others discovered and enjoyed it! Hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
Did you happen to catch the Max Headroom interruption on WTTW during The Horror of Fang Rock?
Exceptional review/production.
I was utterly mesmerized by Dr. Who as a child and this review is freakishly good in how it adds another layer of confidence and dimension to all that I thought and believed in with respect to Dr. Who.
Tom Baker is easily the best Dr. Who.
With Jon Pertwee a close second.
Jo Grant and Sarah Jane were beautifully cast/sophisticated assistants.
I remember, as a young boy, being upset when Sara finally exited the Tardis to never come back.
Dear Tom thank you from the bottom of my heart.the pleasure you gave me as child after school on the TV series of the Dr Who .an escape from boredom that will stay for ever.
Genesis of the Daleks is still my favourite serial to this day, ever since buying the DVD at aged 9. I can't help but feel if it were made today it would just be called Genesis, and the Doctor wouldn't be told he's on Skaro until the cliffhanger of the first episode. And I don't think it would have been any better for it...
Genesis of the daleks was one of the best appearances of the time lords showing them as mysterious figures who at any time could take the doctor away and make him do what they want
I wasn't a fan of the Daleks; I enjoyed the Dalek episodes least of any. I have quite a few of the Tom Baker DVDs.
"...the so-called 'History Channel...'" [Shots fired]
Yeah. Nat Geo is the only real educational channel besides the science channel. TLC is not educational, and MTV doesn't play music. Discovery has disgusting reality shows. Maybe it's Disgustory Channel now
The episode that sticks most in my memory was "The Talons of Weng-Chiang": I loved the pop-culture mashup of Sherlock Holmes, Fu-Manchu, and possibly a hint of 'Phantom of the Opera'.
"Pyramids of Mars" and "Masque of Mandragora" were also quite memorable as well. Additionally, I am grateful that Douglas Adams had a hand in some of the scripts. Love Tom Baker's Doctor!
That clip is the most lovable thing I've ever heard an old man actor say.
I think they admitted it was a mistake getting rid of Harry Sullivan.
Really? Where did you read that? Yes it was a mistake. But, BBC is full of idiots. Michael Grade, JNT, and Jimmy Savile were all alike.... Horrible creatures.
@@macturner2196 bit unfair to compare Grade to Saville. One is a joyless, small-minded yuppie and the other is the most prolific sex criminal of all time. JNT had some pretty nasty allegations levelled against him, granted.
Oh the memories and nostalgia ... Tom Baker will always be my Dr
I was about six years old when they started playing in Doctor Who on public television in the states. When I first saw the show, Tom’s charismatic nature and perfect betrayal of the Dr was is so mesmerizing it overcame the tacky costumes and special effects even for that time. Americans either got it or they didn’t and I definitely did because of Mr. Baker’s brilliant acting and great personality.
This is probably just because I grew up watching this Doctor on PBS as a child, but Tom will always be THE Doctor Who to me.
Worst thing they ever did was letting Philip Hinchcliffe go too early, best producer the show had.
i think so too he was a great producer.but he was ahead of his time.and i wish that we could have found out about more of his home world the orgin of the time lords. we know where their power comes from i wish that the bbc and philip hinchcliffe made a two part doctor who on becoming the mighty time lords
Sorry, have to disagree, his last series was awful. Best producers were Verity Lambert and Barry Letts.
absolutely, he & Bob Holmes transformed the show with hard hitting science fiction vs gothic horror . A pity that bitch Mary Whitehouse had Hinchcliffe removed
Delboy359 awful? The Deadly Assassin, The Hand Of Fear, The Robots Of Death, Talons Of Weng-Chiang.
The Deadly Assassin and Weng-Chiang are the most overrated stories ever IMO. I just don't like them, and the Hand of Fear is enjoyable but hardly a classic. The only really good ones IMO are Face of Evil and Robots of Death. Two out of six does not make a good series. That's my opinion and I have been watching since the 60s. Please try and respect other people's opinions.
Many stories about Tom are embellished, but I swear to God that I found him at Charing Cross Station half an hour after he had been recording voice talent at the sound studio I worked at in Covent Garden. He'd managed to get even more pissed, and spent an hour telling me, at full volume, about the "fucking giant ferret" - 15' long, apparently, that lived in his back garden.
Some people are, simply, larger than life.
Tom was original and unique... gifted to the max in that he could act without acting...he became the character...outstanding Dr. Who ...plain and simple! Amazing!
Tom, I may certainly have grown old slightly behind you, but I am neither stooped nor most certainly not bald. While there may be other Doctors, you sir, are my Doctor. Dr. Who was our one respite every Saturday night (US TV) through university. Thanks for all the laughs, entertainment and fond memories of group watches. There is, never has been and never shall be another like you.
Tom Baker is the first Doctor Who I've watched. Back in late 70s to early 80s PBS used to show several episodes back to back on Saturday afternoon.
Tom Baker was my favorite Dr for years until David Tennant came along. Tennant reminds me of Baker in alot . He can be funny and impulsive much like Baker. I was so happy to see Baker return in the movie with Tennant and Smith and also K 9 return with Tennant and Sarah Jane. I think deep down I will always have an infinity for Tom Baker💞
Tennant becomes too dark.
Honestly that opening interview bit really is the perfect sum-up of the actors who make the best doctors. The interviewer is more concerned with the fear that you might be reduced to one role or sold short because of its cheesiness, but the best Doctor actors find a way to make their turn their own thing to the point where it is IDEAL to be the shining jewel in your life’s crown.
He was the first Dr. Who I remember from childhood. Loved the show as it was often on Sunday afternoon when nothing else was worth viewing.
The interview with Chris Chibnall... ohhhh the irony as the criticism comes full circle
It is an interesting twist of fate as well as extremely ironic but obviously he was a fan before he could write and produce the modern series just like Steven Moffat and Russel T Davies before him
@@ozsdcontentcreator1068 Shame he stopped being a fan when he took over the show...
@@ozsdcontentcreator1068 But unlike Chibnall, Davies and Moffat were good writers and show runners
@@codzab084 okay well I'm gonna stope you there. Because Chibnall can be a phenomenal writer. I mean look at broadchurch or the torchwood episode "Countrycide"
He can be brilliant, I just think he doesn't have new ideas and is just prolonging a dying state of the show. We need a big revitalisation soon, and hopefully after Whittaker (who deserved better and should've tried harder with characterisation) next and last season we will see a change akin to series 4 to 5 or season 6 through to 8. That will push some life back in to show.
But we can only hope, I just hope that we don't hear anything about cancellation because there are some moments in series 11 and 12 that show hope and potential and cancelling would be a massive mistake.
Chibnall and Whittaker were absolutely awful and they both should be ashamed.