Capaldi=cancellation?

[Doctorwhovian]

In 1984 there was a lot of hype surrounding a new Doctor-a fan of the series, a much older actor than the previous one, who was popular if not as popular as his predecessor, and who was a big fan of the series and wanted to play the role for as long as possible. There was also a lot of merchandise promoting this new Doctor, and the beginnings of American popularity, with the actors doing a tour.



We all know what happened then. Could it happen again?

 

[Allyn Gibson]

We all know what happened then. Could it happen again?

No. Next question?

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

We all know what happened then. Could it happen again?

No. Next question?

Not only no, but hells no.

In the 80's ratings were approaching terrible and you had a BBC controller that basically hated Doctor Who.

Different eras.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

Not only no, but hells no.

In the 80's ratings were approaching terrible and you had a BBC controller that basically hated Doctor Who.

Different eras.

There are also more interested parties now. I don't mean fans by that, I mean organizations who have a stake in Doctor Who and its existence. If, somehow, Doctor Who wasn't commissioned by BBC 1, there's a good chance that Worldwide would commission it on its own; Worldwide likes flogging Who merchandise, and it flogs better when there's a program to support it. (Where a Worldwide-commissioned Doctor Who would end up in the UK is anyone's guess; if ITV outbid the BBC for the rights to air it, that could be really interesting.)

 

[Captaindemotion]

We all know what happened then. Could it happen again?

No. Next question?

Not only no, but hells no.

In the 80's ratings were approaching terrible and you had a BBC controller that basically hated Doctor Who.

Different eras.

And DW is now one of the flagship programmes and biggest earners for the Beeb, not only at home but abroad.

And, let's face it, the new man is an infinitely better actor than the earlier incarnation you mentioned and has sparked a lot of buzz by his casting. Anecdotal, sure, but I know people who haven't watched nuWho but are planning to do so because it's Capaldi.

 

[JoeZhang]

If Capaldi turned out to be a disaster (doubtful), you wouldn't get cancellation, you'd get "creative differences" and a recast.

 

[Timewalker]

In 1984 there was a lot of hype surrounding a new Doctor-a fan of the series, a much older actor than the previous one, who was popular if not as popular as his predecessor, and who was a big fan of the series and wanted to play the role for as long as possible. There was also a lot of merchandise promoting this new Doctor, and the beginnings of American popularity, with the actors doing a tour.



We all know what happened then. Could it happen again?

It was in 1987. I attended the appearance he did in Spokane, Washington, in September 1987, on Labor Day weekend.

 

[inflatabledalek]

Potentially anything could happen, but I'd say the odds are about the same as me finding Jenna Coleman in the hotel room I'll be staying in over the weekend.

 

[DimesDan]

Not only no, but hells no.

In the 80's ratings were approaching terrible and you had a BBC controller that basically hated Doctor Who.

Different eras.

There are also more interested parties now. I don't mean fans by that, I mean organizations who have a stake in Doctor Who and its existence. If, somehow, Doctor Who wasn't commissioned by BBC 1, there's a good chance that Worldwide would commission it on its own; Worldwide likes flogging Who merchandise, and it flogs better when there's a program to support it. (Where a Worldwide-commissioned Doctor Who would end up in the UK is anyone's guess; if ITV outbid the BBC for the rights to air it, that could be really interesting.)

This.

It's also the reason why Clarkson still has a job and Top Gear is still going.

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

The only way I could see Capaldi backfiring a bit is if they lose some of the audience that came in because they found Matt Smith attractive. This would not be substantial enough to cause anyone to even consider cancellation

 

[Captaindemotion]

^ I imagine that the new male actor who's joined the cast is partly there to cater for that demographic.

 

[Professor Zoom]

In 1984 there was a lot of hype surrounding a new Doctor-a fan of the series, a much older actor than the previous one...

MUCH? There's 8 years between Davison and Baker. That's not much at all. Especially when you consider Capaldi and Smith.

And Doctor Who wasn't a global phenomenon in 1984.

So, yeah. No.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Yeah, there's a lot of straining to make the two time periods factually analogous, but it's not really all that close.

Could the show get cancelled? Any show could get cancelled, but history won't have much to do with it.

 

[M.A.C.O.]

Doctor Who being cancelled in fanfic. And we all know where fanfiction belongs.

 

[Orac]

If we're predicting history repeating itself, I predict Doctor Who will get cancelled shortly after Star Trek returns to the telly.

 

[M.A.C.O.]

^ OH DAMN!
Orac you just won the internet today.

 

[tomalak301]

I want to see how Capaldi does as Doctor. That doesn't mean cancellation. If anything I kind of wish the series would change show runners after this season, to give someone else the helm of the show.

 

[Venardhi]

I'm hoping the same. Especially after perusing the first few scripts of this series. For all the good he has done, Moffat doesn't seem to have much more to offer the show and his insistence on leaving his mark all over it is becoming tired.

 

[BruntFCA]

I believe Moffet has confirmed that he will be staying through at least series 9.

 

[Rarewolf]

In 1984 there was a lot of hype surrounding a new Doctor-a fan of the series, a much older actor than the previous one, who was popular if not as popular as his predecessor, and who was a big fan of the series and wanted to play the role for as long as possible. There was also a lot of merchandise promoting this new Doctor, and the beginnings of American popularity, with the actors doing a tour.



We all know what happened then. Could it happen again?

You can find parallels with other moments of the new series too - Bonnie/Billie, David also being a massive fan just offered the job without an audition, we survived those times.

There was a suggestion the BBC wanted to call it a day when RTD left - they weren't sure anyone else could takeover.

I'm not sure I'll ever take the show for granted - certainly not as a weekly series - they could easily do 2 specials a year and consider it ongoing.