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To Americans, Doctor Who is known as a cult science fiction TV series from the British Broadcasting Corporation. In Britain, it’s an institution, regarded with reverence. It originally ran for 26 years (from 1963 to 1989) and returned in 2005, becoming one of Britain’s top-rated shows.
For the unacquainted, Doctor Who is about a cosmic hero (a mysterious alien known as “the Doctor”) who travels time and space, usually saving worlds (or the entire universe). Whenever the lead actor quits, the Doctor can “regenerate” into a new actor – and unlike, say, James Bond, he can look like almost anyone. So far, in the TV series, 10 actors have played the good Doctor. (The latest is 37-year-old David Tennant.)
Doctor Who isn’t just popular and long-running. It also rivals Star Trek as the most important science fiction show in television history. The reasons are many. Among them…
1. The Theme Song
Many TV shows have had memorable theme songs, but few were as innovative as the eerie Doctor Who theme. Composed by Ron Grainer (who also wrote the themes for such classic 1960s shows as Steptoe and Son and The Prisoner), it was arranged and mixed by Delia Derbyshire at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The Workshop pioneered electronic music in Britain, and Derbyshire’s arrangement (using electronic oscillators, tape loops and reverse tape effects) was unlike anything ever heard before, with no conventional instruments. Recording the theme was a lengthy process, taking several weeks, but it was worth it. After a concert in 1971, the Queen herself was introduced to Desmond Briscoe, head of the Workshop. “The Radiophonic Workshop?” said Her Majesty. “Ah yes… Doctor Who!” Have a listen:
2. Dalekmania
In the mid-1960s, the Doctor was in danger of being beaten by his greatest enemies… in popularity, at least. The Daleks are robot-like mutants from the planet Skaro, who invade planets with piercing, electronic cries of “Exterminate!” British kids found them terrifying – and just like in roller-coasters, they loved being terrified. Soon, Dalekmania was all the rage in Britain. Kids could buy Dalek toys, comics and singles like “I’m Gonna Spend My Christmas With A Dalek” by a group called the Go-Go’s (no, not those Go-Go’s). Kids would even line up for hours to see the Daleks make charity appearances. Not bad for a race of evil monsters. The Daleks became part of British culture, influencing many new sci-fi monsters and characters (perhaps even good guys like R2-D2), and even entering the language…
3. Such language!
Only a few TV series have added words to the English language. Doctor Who added at least two, possibly three. “Dalek” was the first one added to the Oxford English Dictionary. “Not only had I created a monster, I had created a word,” wrote their creator, Terry Nation. “What writer could ask for more?”
Later, the Doctor’s unique traveling machine, the Tardis, also found its way into the OED. Though it’s a handy machine (able to travel through time and space), it entered the language for one of its even more impressive properties: as it occupies two different dimensions, it’s bigger on the inside than the outside (which is just as well, because it’s outwardly disguised as a 1920s-style British police box, leaving little room to move). Hence, any room or cabinet that somehow seems more spacious on the inside is a “Tardis” (which, for the record, stands for “Time And Relative Dimensions In Space”).
But perhaps the series biggest contribution to the English language was the prefix “cyber,” to describe anything computerized. Though the term “cybernetic” was used in 1948, it was probably some ongoing Doctor Who villains, the Cybermen, who turned “cyber” into a prefix. Countless IT and internet geeks, not to mention science fiction authors, have followed their lead.
4. Violence and Gore for Boys and Girls
Doctor Who was created as a kids’ show, but its concepts and stories were smart enough to win a following among adults. As a result, the show became slightly more “grown-up,” which didn’t impress people like outspoken morals campaigner Mary Whitehouse, who thought it was too scary and violent for kids. In 1972, it was on the BBC’s “black list” of the 10 most violent shows. “Our program isn’t violent, it’s all just fantasy,” objected actor Jon Pertwee (left), who played the Doctor at the time. “It wouldn’t upset an 80-year-old maiden aunt and my young son loves it.”
The complaints of scariness and violence continued throughout the 1980s, but the series became a yardstick of what was acceptable on children’s television. It changed attitudes and caused much debate. It might have been fantasy, but it inspired British kids’ TV to become tougher and grittier.
5. Changing the Genre
Doctor Who was a major influence on British science fiction television, which is very different from the American sci-fi. For starters, British producers didn’t have the budget for great special effects or sets, so instead they focused on imaginative scripts, finding creative ways to do cheap effects and building alien sets that made the plastic planets on the original Star Trek look realistic. In fact, were it not for the success of Doctor Who, British science fiction might be very rare indeed. Without Doctor Who, we would never have had such cult sci-fi shows as Blake’s Seven, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Red Dwarf and Life on Mars. Even many of Britain’s non-sci-fi comedy and drama series were Who-influenced.
The new series of Doctor Who has a higher budget and production standards, but the focus is still on scripts and acting. It helps that so many of Britain’s best writers and actors grew up on Doctor Who, and are eager to do it. The first head writer of the new series, noted playwright Russell T Davies, was a long-time Doctor Who fan. So are current star David Tennant, and most of the writers and directors. For a cheap kids’ show, it sure influenced a lot of Britain’s finest creative people.
Mark Juddery is a writer and historian based in Australia. See what else he’s written at markjuddery.com.
See also…
Battlestar Galactica vs. Star Trek
*
10 TV Shows That Changed the Course of History
*
6 Sci-Fi TV Shows You Probably Didn’t See
*
Quiz: Star Wars Music
Comments (33)
Comment
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thanks, mark. you made my (rainy) day. long live the doctor!
posted by terri on 10-8-2008 at 11:58 am
I stayed in Manchester, UK for a few months at the Castlefield Hotel in ‘03. There is an Air and Space Museum across the street and in a case on the second floor they had a Dalek next to a mock up Tardis. Not nearly as impressive as the intact kamkize plane from WW2, but it still caught my eye. I never expected to see any of those things in a museum.
posted by Sean on 10-8-2008 at 1:30 pm
I have fallen in love with this show! It seems like I run into in everywhere now. It’s smart, funny, moving and fun! I’m glad to see it get the recognition it deserves.
posted by Brittany on 10-8-2008 at 2:07 pm
Ya know, if we could figure out the TARDIS thing, real estate would no longer be an issue.
And props on the article–I always get super excited when I see the Doctor here on the _floss!
posted by nutmeag on 10-8-2008 at 2:23 pm
Love Doctor who. I never knew cybermen played a part in starting the cyber- prefix. How awesome is that.
posted by Chris Snyder on 10-8-2008 at 2:33 pm
It’s so weird that you posted this now… I’ve just spent the last week watching all of season 1 (of the new show) online. Such insanely good timing!
posted by Meghan on 10-8-2008 at 3:11 pm
Thanks for the great article, it excites us Whovians to see any story about Doctor Who on floss. I also read that Patrick Stewart is going to guest star next season as the Meddling Monk.
posted by Kelli on 10-8-2008 at 4:04 pm
Wonderfully fun read.
By the way, did you know that Douglas Adams wrote for Doctor Who?
posted by Bryan on 10-8-2008 at 6:14 pm
It’s all the Doctor’s fault that I can’t live without my digital cable now…what did I ever do before access to BBC America??? Allons-y!
posted by Connie on 10-8-2008 at 6:52 pm
Let’s see:
Cybermen= Borg
Yeah, Star Trek TNG is a pale imitation….
posted by John Schaefer on 10-8-2008 at 7:56 pm
As a (relatively) new fan to the series, great article!
Now that the new series is temporarily on hiatus, I’ve been delving into the older episodes thanks to Netflix. They’re cheesy effects-wise, but they have a charm all their own.
Dalek toys are still popular–even if they’re handmade. I’ve got a plush Dalek a friend knit for me.
posted by Ben Smith on 10-8-2008 at 9:22 pm
Kind of losed interest in Dr.Who these days, nothing like the old original series. Too much tongue and cheek for me now.
posted by Aquarium Fish on 10-9-2008 at 5:14 am
I grew up with Doctor Who. It became a part of me and I’m sure it played a part in shaping who I am.
I never cared that the sets were crap, I saw so many other shows with good sfx and juvenile plots, I was grateful that one show didn’t insult my intelligence. I am really happy that a new generation can now grow up with what I experienced.
posted by Mark on 10-9-2008 at 5:33 am
It never interested me much. Rather boring and, well, most people just watched it because it was the thing to do, I think. But, hey, we all have our weaknesses when it comes to TV.
posted by Valerie on 10-9-2008 at 5:56 am
The Belleville Three; Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, and Derrick May have have been quoted many times that the Doctor Who Theme was one of their major influences to start playing around with electronic music. They are considered the godfathers of Detroit Techno, which would branch out and merge with House becoming techno, trance, and electronica music.
posted by Dave Z on 10-9-2008 at 6:57 am
And, of course, let’s not forget, the late great Douglas Adams, he of Hitchhikers fame, was a writer of many episodes of the Dr.
posted by JerryQ on 10-9-2008 at 7:19 am
Thank you Mark, for a brilliant article; but I hope you don’t mind a few minor points of disagreement?
#3. A Tardis should not be any room or cabinet that somehow seems more spacious on the inside; the term for that (also from the good Doctor) is “dimensionally trancendental”. The Tardis itself is a device that has that capability (among others).
The idea of something being bigger on the inside goes all the way back to the works of C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll if not further.
#4 While influential on setting a standard for on screen violence, Doctor Who was returning to a tradition as old as the original stories from Grimms fairy tales; including difficult (for children) scenes and situations to both entertain, and to provide safe exposure to not just violence and gore, but ideas of morality and ethics (and sometimes a little science) that was also a cornerstone of the content and character of the show.
#6 – Story Arcs
While Doctor Who was not the first television show to present the idea of plots and storyline elements that carried over beyond standard episodic content, it was one of the first to do so for a science fictional series.
To the point that many of the more consistent themes from the history of Doctor Who were almost automatically carried over after the 2005 return:
Companions, Daleks, Gallifrey, Cybermen, U.N.I.T. and the Master.
This had a great influence on the writing and production for many of the shows to follow, to the later revision of shows like Star Trek TNG to Babylon 5. And to the writing of Doctor Who itself.
posted by Cary Quinn on 10-9-2008 at 8:38 am
Thank you Mark, for a brilliant article; but I hope you don’t mind a few minor points of disagreement?
#3. A Tardis should not be any room or cabinet that somehow seems more spacious on the inside; the term for that (also from the good Doctor) is “dimensionally trancendental”. The Tardis itself is a device that has that capability (among others). The idea of something being bigger on the inside goes all the way back to the works of C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll if not further.
#4 While influential on setting a standard for on screen violence, Doctor Who was returning to a tradition as old as the original stories from Grimms fairy tales; including difficult (for children) scenes and situations to both entertain, and to provide safe exposure to not just violence and gore, but ideas of morality and ethics (and sometimes a little science) that was also a cornerstone of the content and character of the show.
#6 – Story Arcs
While Doctor Who was not the first television show to present the idea of plots and storyline elements that carried over beyond standard episodic content, it was one of the first to do so for a science fictional series.
To the point that many of the more consistent themes from the history of Doctor Who were almost automatically carried over after the 2005 return: Companions, Daleks, Gallifrey, Cybermen, U.N.I.T. and the Master.
This had a great influence on the writing and production for many of the shows to follow, to the later revision of shows like Star Trek TNG to Babylon 5. And to the writing of Doctor Who itself.
posted by Cquinn on 10-9-2008 at 8:41 am
Delia Derbyshire who mixed the music was brilliant in her own way. The bbc has a recording of her mixing electronic style music 30 years before it was in style.
A sample of it is on the bbc website.
posted by Pete on 10-9-2008 at 8:43 am
Back in 1963 I was 4 years old and Doctor Who was must see TV.
I would often get so scared at the Daleks appearing that I would hide behind the couch and often have an embarrasing accident!
Bring back the Daleks!
From Dalek #1959 age 49.75 years
posted by Dalek #1959 on 10-9-2008 at 11:10 am
Doctor Who was amazing back in the day. I’ve watched a few of these new episodes and I can’t stand them. I think you should go back and watch the old ones again and then tell me that these new ones are well written and acted.
posted by John on 10-9-2008 at 11:47 am
Dr. Who is and was terrible.
posted by datdamonfoo on 10-9-2008 at 2:02 pm
The Doctor is brilliant. The last 4 seasons have been well done and very much a continuation of the best traditions of the time Lords, except of course, for the relaxing cup o’. having Rose as a companion brought the Doctor out of the past and into the present very well. She proved to be a very nice addition to the insanity that is the life of a Time Lord. The writing is better that never and the plot lines are engaging without being overwhelmingly complicated.
Bravo!
posted by Doc Willett on 10-9-2008 at 5:06 pm
This post is made of so much win.
posted by Celeste M. on 10-10-2008 at 5:06 am
“Who” doesn’t love the Doctor?
I’ve been a Whovian in the “catch as catch can” fashion, being an American, since I was 7. To me, Tom Baker is the Doctor; the definite article, you might say, though I’ve enjoyed the last few years of the show as well. Tennant is very handsome, indeed, and a good Doctor. I can see where he takes a lot of his cues from Tom Baker’s portrayal. I’m glad Tennant’s a fan and not just some young actor guy looking to make his big break.
posted by Brooklynperson on 10-10-2008 at 12:08 pm
Brooklynperson:
It’s interesting that you see Tom Baker in David Tennants portrayal of the Doctor as he (Tennant) has stated that “his” Doctor was always Peter Davison.
If you watch “Time Crash”, last years Children In Need special, you will see the two of them together!
posted by dj_salinger on 10-10-2008 at 6:57 pm
Always glad to see Who mentioned anywhere in print or otherwise; I’ve loved it since 1963 or ‘64, the point at which the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation picked it up from the BBC. I remember being absolutely fascinated with the Daleks, and impressed beyond fear with their voices. In fact, they were the first characters with which I experienced the terror of something unseen, yet horrifically different.
posted by kaffyr on 10-11-2008 at 2:17 pm
I love Dr.Who, but, living in America, I don’t know of any one else who watches it. I stumbled upon it one nite on the BBC and i can’t stop watching it, the slightly lower budget special effects add to the show, making it a cultish awesome sci-fi.
posted by Jeff on 1-10-2009 at 12:16 am
me and cam are fans of dr who.
posted by reece on 2-18-2009 at 8:52 am
The Doctor is awesome!!!! I’ve heard the news that the Doctor will be *ahem* “regenerate” in 2010 & they’re going to replace David Tennant. All other sci-fi shows will cower at the face of Doctor Who!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! But Star-Trek is still a classic, duh.
posted by Karl on 3-7-2009 at 4:13 am
No one compares to Tom Baker! I think he may have also been in the role the longest…
posted by Mama9cats on 7-28-2009 at 1:11 pm
Tom Baker had the role the longest in terms of number of years spent performing it. For span of years from first to last appearance, Sylvester McCoy wins, because of the long hiatus between his last starring appearance in 1989 (the serial “Survival”) and his guest appearance on the American made-for-TV movie in 1996. For number of actual stories, interestingly enough, David Tennant wins, despite the fact that his seasons are just half-seasons. This is because the new series has abandoned the old serial format, and apart from the occasional two-parter (and rare three-parter), the stories are completed in a single episode of 45 minutes, which means more actual stories get done in a season.
But there’s one other way of counting a Doctor’s tenure: not number of stories or number of years from first appearance to last appearance but amount of time from the first time he appears until the time his successor appears, which is particularly useful if a regeneration scene is not filmed. If you figure it this way, the longest-serving Doctor is actually Paul McGann, who first appeared as the Doctor on May 12, 1996. It was his *only* televised appearance as the Doctor, as the Fox network opted not to treat the movie as a pilot and instead just let it go. (How much did they not care? They can’t even be bothered to let it be released on DVD in the US, where they retain exclusive distribution rights.) There was no more “official” Doctor Who produced until the new series was launched by BBC Wales in 2005, starring Christopher Eccleston. No regeneration scene was filmed; the 9th Doctor appears already regenerated and apparently recovered from the experience. Eccleston’s first appearance was March 26, 2005. This means Paul McGann’s tenure lasted almost nine years — and four months longer than Sylvester McCoy’s. So the briefest Doctor could also be considered the longest Doctor.
In general, however, Tom Baker is typically regarded as the longest-serving Doctor, having put in seven seasons as the title character, more than anyone else.
posted by Calli Arcale on 9-29-2009 at 6:09 pm
“Wonderfully fun read.
By the way, did you know that Douglas Adams wrote for Doctor Who?
posted by Bryan on 10-8-2008 at 6:14 pm”
Life, The Universe and Everything was created from a rejected Doctor Who script.
What’s more, the serial Shada (only partly filmed due to Industrial Action and never finished) became a story for Adams’ other hero, Dirk Gently – Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency
posted by Damian on 10-28-2009 at 7:13 pm