# I've never seen Dr Who **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 18, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577 "2017-07-18T16:08:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/1 "2017-07-18T16:08:52Z")
But I believe I understand the basic premise. What I’m curious about is where it fits on a scale with slapstick and cartoons on the left, and serious drama on the right. It started out as a droll Brit comedy of sorts, didn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/2 "2017-07-18T16:14:11Z")
It has always had comedic elements, but, no, it was never a comedy. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/3 "2017-07-18T16:17:06Z")
Young-adult/children horror? Disclaimer… I’ve only seen New-Who. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/4 "2017-07-18T16:17:38Z")
The show had varying degrees of comedy throughout its long run, but mostly as comic relief. The actual stories were usually played as straight space opera and it was pitched to the BBC as an educational program for science and history. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/5 "2017-07-18T16:27:01Z")
As Cher3 said, it was never a comedy. It was always intended to be a science fiction show for the whole family, scheduled early on Saturday evenings. The writers came up with a brand-new premise - an alien humanoid hero that used a machine capable of travelling in both time and space. This allowed Doctor Who to have adventures in present-day, historical times and visit distant planets far in the past or future. The early episodes had a story spread over a few episodes with a scary climax at the end of each episode. I remember my sister and I covering our eyes and even hiding behind the couch :eek: when the music suggested that a terrifying monster was about to appear. There have been a couple of spin-offs (one for children and one for adults), but after a gap of a few years the main series has been successfully rebooted. Here’s an excellent BBC drama program which looks back at the early days of Doctor Who. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/6 "2017-07-18T16:27:02Z")
The show has never been a comedy, though it has jokes and doesn’t take itself entirely seriously. The initial pitch was for more of an educational science and history show, but by the time it made it to air had turned into a science fiction show with strong drama and some action/adventure elements, which is what it’s stayed as. The exact mix of external drama vs internal drama vs action shifts around a lot, both as long-term trends and within a show, and the science fiction is soft science with a strong sense of wonder plus a lot of ‘monster of the week’. It’s always been set up as a family show, so it needs to have elements that appeal to all ages, and has sometimes drifted around that idea (becoming more ‘kids show’ at times, and more ‘whoa that’s too dark for kids’ at others). The old series was written as standalone stories split into 4-6 ‘half hour’ episodes with a few longer shows and a few story arcs. The new series is written as standalone ‘hour’ episodes, with some multi-episode stories and some longer (often full season) story arcs. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/7 "2017-07-18T17:10:31Z")
I always thought it was a comedy too. Then again, the only thing I know about _Dr. Who_ I learned from Ricky Gervais’s _Extras_. In that, he deigns to play an alien slug on the show. The point seemed to be that it was a bottom of the barrel role for a struggling actor. They made it look like a silly show … though \*Extras \*most certainly is comedy, so there you go. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/8 "2017-07-18T17:51:54Z")
_Vicious_ joked about it, too, but _Doctor Who_ has been a part of UK popular culture since 1963, a touchstone for all those generations. It’s as much a part of the cultural landscape as _Star Trek_ is in the US. So there have been many parodies and comedy sketches referring to it. The show itself is straight space/time opera (some episodes in the early years were purely historical adventures; the last of those was in 1982, and the one before that was in 1966). Some actors played the roles for laughs (notably Tom Baker), but he was always serious when it came to dealing with the plot. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/9 "2017-07-18T18:23:55Z")
It’s a comedy like _Indiana Jones_ movies are comedy. There’s action and adventure, and in the course of the adventure the main people sometimes say funny things. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/10 "2017-07-19T20:21:12Z")
> [@](#): > > - It’s as much a part of the cultural landscape as Star Trek is in the US. So there have been many parodies and comedy sketches referring to it.\* This. Like Star Trek, it was never intended to be high-culture, just a kids show. Only in recent years did it develop pretensions to be something more. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/11 "2017-07-19T20:33:47Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I always thought it was a comedy too. Then again, the only thing I know about _Dr. Who_ I learned from Ricky Gervais’s _Extras_. In that, he deigns to play an alien slug on the show. The point seemed to be that it was a bottom of the barrel role for a struggling actor. They made it look like a silly show … though \*Extras \*most certainly is comedy, so there you go. That likely had to do with classic Who’s abysmal production values. Good show, sometimes laughable sets and/or costumes. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/12 "2017-07-19T20:44:22Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > That likely had to do with classic Who’s abysmal production values. Good show, sometimes laughable sets and/or costumes. Regardless of production values playing a space slug is not an ideal acting role. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/13 "2017-07-19T20:51:34Z")
Haven’t seen it either, and since I’m not a big fan of sci-fi/fantasy stuff, I really don’t much care. The only reason I’ve seen as much Star Trek as I have is solely due to my spousal unit - he likes that stuff. In fact, apart from the original Star Wars Trilogy, I never went out of my way to watch sci-fi. I like some fantasy, but not zombie/vampire/werewolf silliness. I’ve picked up enough of the Dr. Who references from memes and other social media references, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t exist for me. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/14 "2017-07-19T21:16:06Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Regardless of production values playing a space slug is not an ideal acting role. You have to understand it’s motivation. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/15 "2017-07-19T21:35:51Z")
The Doctor always did have a way with words – smart alecky and insightful at surprising times. That’s pretty much what sucks me in – to Sean Connery’s _James Bond_, to Hawkeye on _M_A_S_H\*, to David Addison on _Moonlighting_. Yes the last two are definitely comedy – but not endless sitcom riffing. Virtually everything has _ **some** _ humor. There was some comic relief on Star Trek: TNG, there was one episode of DS9, the group is ambushed, and Jadzia Dax starts cracking jokes, and Sisco says, “Stop it, nobody’s laughing.” But really, James Bond and the Doctor are only funny to prove that they’re smart and unflappable. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/16 "2017-07-19T21:43:52Z")
Family horror sci-fi with production quality that suits a lighthearted and comedic presentation. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/17 "2017-07-19T21:50:50Z")
I watched half of the first season with Christopher Eccleston and realized the show was not for me. I’d say it was more intentionally goofy than funny. Like there are ridiculous characters and circumstances but they’re not going for big laughs. I wouldn’t call the show a comedy. I’d put it in the same category as the 60’s Batman series with Adam West. Just a goofy action/adventure. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/18 "2017-07-19T21:57:09Z")
I love science fiction, I love British television, and I love the writing of Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat. But I can’t get into Doctor Who. I’ve tried several times and it’s just not grabbing me. I thought Peter Capaldi would help me like the series, because I’ve watched him in Letters Live and like him (and his accent) a lot. But nope, still can’t get into it. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/19 "2017-07-19T21:58:35Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Regardless of production values playing a space slug is not an ideal acting role. Well, there are [slugs](http://www.squaremans.com/images/DoctorWho/Ark.13.jpg) and there are [slugs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sil_(Doctor_Who)). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/20 "2017-07-19T22:08:23Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > I watched half of the first season with Christopher Eccleston and realized the show was not for me. I’d say it was more intentionally goofy than funny. Like there are ridiculous characters and circumstances but they’re not going for big laughs. I wouldn’t call the show a comedy. I’d put it in the same category as the 60’s Batman series with Adam West. Just a goofy action/adventure. The biggest problem with the first season of NuWho is that they really couldn’t figure out tone. You have farting aliens in one episode and creepy gas mask children in another. It’s still an issue on the show, but not nearly as bad as that first season. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577.md?page=2)