Americans, how popular is Doctor Who in America?
- Thread starter flux_29
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Yeah, most people might have heard of it, or the title. But, overall, it's unknown. The next percentage would be those that saw Tom Baker runs on PBS back in the 70's and 80's, but never got into it enough to really understand the whole "multiple Doctors" thing. As far they are concerned, Doctor Who = Tom Baker.
Then, there's my brood. The American kids raised on PBS Who, but who then went out and researched, read, and watched everything they could get their hands on concerning the franchise and concept...
Then, there's my brood. The American kids raised on PBS Who, but who then went out and researched, read, and watched everything they could get their hands on concerning the franchise and concept...
Its moderately popular in areas of New York
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSmeJY3Tmms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFkncEGDfTQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSmeJY3Tmms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFkncEGDfTQ
I run an improv comedy group that plays at a lot of the geek conventions: anime, sci-fi, comics. I've been pretty surprised to be receiving so many more audience suggestions for Doctor Who stuff this year than the previous ten combined, actually...
Mark
Mark
Mark, I'm very disappointed in you. You neglected to state you're in Canada. How dare you lump us in with the bloody Yanks! 
It's not. I heard it mentioned on an episode of NCIS once... that's the only pop culture nod and I watch WAY too much television.
Get technical like that with me again my friend and... I'll kick your Limey arse, eh!
Line starts here. You NEVER give a Canadian that "you're in North America, therefore you're an American" line. It's just perpetuating the uneducated-American-patriotic-expansionist stereotype. OTOH, we owe it to American PBS that we were even able to watch Doctor Who back in the 80s.
AnyWho (AnyWHO! Get it? HAW!), I only mean to bring it up because I've actually done American geek conventions too, and the rule does apply - the younger nerdy masses have been spoiled by Doctor Who being "new" and "cool" and have been bringing it up in my shows. I still don't do Doctor Who sketches in my improv, since it's still the minority who'll get it, but it's comforting to know there are newer fans out there.
Mark
AnyWho (AnyWHO! Get it? HAW!), I only mean to bring it up because I've actually done American geek conventions too, and the rule does apply - the younger nerdy masses have been spoiled by Doctor Who being "new" and "cool" and have been bringing it up in my shows. I still don't do Doctor Who sketches in my improv, since it's still the minority who'll get it, but it's comforting to know there are newer fans out there.
Mark
That's better Mark.
And sorry about your luck. Growing up in Ontario, I didn't have to thank American PBS channels for anything. I watched on TVO (TV Ontario).
And sorry about your luck. Growing up in Ontario, I didn't have to thank American PBS channels for anything. I watched on TVO (TV Ontario).
Hmmm ... perhaps I should stop referring to Ontario as the 51st state, then. Oh well, I need a passport to go there now, anyway.
Back on topic, I'd say it's moderately popular, especially with the "geek" crowd, but gaining ground as exposure to BBC America grows. I occasionally drop references to fish custard or similar nonsense in casual conversation just to see if I detect a spark of recognition. I do, sometimes, but it's nowhere near as ubiquitous as Trek references.
Indeed you should. Especially since if any province is the "51st state", it's definitely Alberta.
Very true. There are Trek references galore in "The Big Bang Theory" for example but I've only ever caught one to DW. It was quite funny though.
There was a good reception for Davies & Tennant at that comic con shown on the Complete Specials Boxset - that was a niche audience, but also outside of that, the premiere screening of The Eleventh Hour in New York seemed to be a big event, if we are to go by Confidential.
Still, it would seem that it has a long, long way to go before it even begins to permeate the culture in the way it has here and in Britain since the 1960's.
Still, it would seem that it has a long, long way to go before it even begins to permeate the culture in the way it has here and in Britain since the 1960's.
I'd say that Doctor Who is fairly popular in the American geek community, but that it's not very well known at all outside of the Not We. For the mainstream audience, it's a fairly obscure show on basic cable.
I'd also say that its relative popularity changes depending on where you are. It's more likely to be known on a college campus than in a small city or rural area, for instance.
I'd also say that its relative popularity changes depending on where you are. It's more likely to be known on a college campus than in a small city or rural area, for instance.
Like any other sci-fi show there are a fair number of fans out there, but we're spread pretty thin.
Hell somebody has to be buying all those dvd's.
Hell somebody has to be buying all those dvd's.
The other thing is that I don't think I'd want Doctor Who to be as big here as, say, Star Wars or Star Trek. Shortly after that happens, there's going to be an effort to make more American Who, and while I actually loved the McGann movie, I enjoy the infusion of British culture I get out of proper Who.
I have no doubt that a good American production team can put out a show every bit as fun and entertaining as what I'm currently getting out of the BBC, it's just that ... well ... it isn't very likely. For crying out loud, we've tried three times to re-invent Knight Rider, and not a single effort has been as good as the corny, cheesy, ham-acted original.
And can you imagine J.J. Abrams getting hold of the TARDIS? It'll come out the size of a double-wide mobile-home and the light on top will blind onlookers.
I have no doubt that a good American production team can put out a show every bit as fun and entertaining as what I'm currently getting out of the BBC, it's just that ... well ... it isn't very likely. For crying out loud, we've tried three times to re-invent Knight Rider, and not a single effort has been as good as the corny, cheesy, ham-acted original.
And can you imagine J.J. Abrams getting hold of the TARDIS? It'll come out the size of a double-wide mobile-home and the light on top will blind onlookers.
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