Chibnall: "I don't read reviews."

[Doctor Bombay]

http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/chibna...jlo3oRRy3TggG-YlILZUdZD39pA9voQlayqA8Pc9IVans

Back in the 80s, a young Chris Chibnall went on TV and gave a critique to then Doctor Who writers Pip and Jane Baker. But as showrunner now, he admits he stays well away from any fan criticism.

Chibnall told Doctor Who Magazine: “I’m not on social media, I don’t read press coverage and I don’t read reviews.”

He continued: “The one thing you can say about every series of Doctor Who that’s ever been made is that some people liked it, some people didn’t. That will be true forever.

“What you have to do is make the show you believe in, hope that it connects, then go home. If we allow other things in then we’re not making our vision.

“In terms of external opinions, it’s not a democracy. We make the show we want to make.”

Perhaps you should start, Chris. "Orphan 55" was a hobo-infested dumpster fire.

 

[Tosk]

I guess viewer numbers is the only form of criticism that he'll know about. (And then blame on something other than the writing.)

 

[Doctor Bombay]

I really like this statement: "If we allow other things in then we’re not making our vision."

It's a roundabout way of saying "I'm going to do what I like, and fuck anyone who doesn't like it." It's also in the Royal "we" so that makes it extra authoritative.

 

[SolarisOne]

"Orphan 55" was a hobo-infested dumpster fire.

Unfortunately, I have to agree. This is the first episode of Chibnall's run I've actually disliked, and it really earned that distinction.

 

[Starkers]

Hardly alone in not reading reviews, an awful lot of writers/actors/musicians/directors don't.

Oh God I'm defending Chibnall. I think I need a lie down...

 

[somebuddyX]

I think you'd second guess yourself if you read reviews all the time. Some people like what you do, some won't but I think it's better to stick to one idea and go all out or you get stuff like the Justice League film or Armageddon 2001.

 

[thribs]

He should read some of the Cats ones. They’re hilarious.

 

[Starkers]

I think you'd second guess yourself if you read reviews all the time. Some people like what you do, some won't but I think it's better to stick to one idea and go all out or you get stuff like the Justice League film or Armageddon 2001.

Exactly. I think it's probably fair to say Chibnall will get a feel for reviews, there'll presumably be all manner of comittees reporting on what worked/what didn't, there'll be the viewing figures obviously and the AI figures, and all manner of other focus groups. That he doesn't read tabloid journos with an obvious axe to grind or fandom in general who, let's be honest, will have wildly different views to say the least, doesn't mean he isn't open to making changes. It's very clear from these first three episodes that some things from last year were taken on board.

He should read some of the Cats ones. They’re hilarious.

 

[JoeZhang]

I really like this statement: "If we allow other things in then we’re not making our vision."

It's a roundabout way of saying "I'm going to do what I like, and fuck anyone who doesn't like it." .

So I think CC has been mediocre but this is absolutely the right attitude.

 

[Tosk]

If this is the "right" way, then anyone who listens to feedback is somehow wrong to do so? I disagree. Each artist should decide for themselves if they want to pay attention to feedback, and if they use that feedback to inform future decisions.

 

[Jayson1]

I don't believe him. Of course he is going to read stuff written about him. He might try and block it out but it's just human nature. If people are talking about you how would you not want to find out what they are saying. Granted I don't think he spends hours constantly checking on Twitter or whatnot for the latest talk but I am sure he is familiar with some of the reviews. If he wasn't how would he even know that people weren't happy with no familiar monsters in season 1 and thus needing to address the issue.


Jason

 

[Kirk Prime]

Maybe he can write reviews after he gets justifiably fired.

 

[Awesome Possum]

Given what criticism has devolved into I don’t blame him. Especially online criticism which is largely whining about the reviewer didn’t like it and it becomes a bizarre rant about whatever their particular hang up is.

 

[Doctor Bombay]

https://cosmicbook.news/doctor-who-ratings-nosedive-loses-300k-viewers

Doctor Who ratings and viewership once again continue to nosedive which could lead to Season 12 being the worst of the new series to date.

The second episode that aired this past Sunday was only viewed by 4.6 million people, a drop of 300K viewers from the first episode on New Year's Day that brought in 4.9 million people.

 

[Emperor-Tiberius]

Man, taking it off the air for a WHOLE YEAR, for no apparent reason, was just such a great idea, wasn't it?!

 

[Awesome Possum]

https://cosmicbook.news/doctor-who-ratings-nosedive-loses-300k-viewers

I wouldn’t trust anything that particular site posts. It’s all fictional clickbait generated to tell alt-right fanboys what they want to hear. I used to get it in my recommended news feed on Firefox. It’s all articles about how women are ruining media and similar bizarre ideas. They’re just making shit up, don’t buy it.

 

[Doctor Bombay]

I wouldn’t trust anything that particular site posts. It’s all fictional clickbait generated to tell alt-right fanboys what they want to hear. I used to get it in my recommended news feed on Firefox. It’s all articles about how women are ruining media and similar bizarre ideas. They’re just making shit up, don’t buy it.

So... you're saying the figures are wrong?

 

[Starkers]

Remember in his last season Capaldi's overnights were sub four million, by some margin at times. Plus you can add between 1.5 and 2 million to that from iPlayer. Are the numbers as good as they were when Jodie started, or during the Tennant/Smith heyday, nope, but maybe that's just not possible anymore. The show's been (off and) on for 15 years, tastes change and it has way more competition than it ever used to.

 

[Awesome Possum]

So... you're saying the figures are wrong?

They’re carefully selected and excludes information to push a narrative. TV ratings use several methods to determine the viewers since few people watch TV live now. So no, the figures aren’t accurate.

 

[The Wormhole]

Does this thread serve much of a purpose besides Chibnall bashing? I mean, fine, no one's required to like him, but many writers and producers out there make it a policy not to read reviews of their work. This is nothing new. But, Oh no! Chibnall won't read reviews. He's unfit to run Doctor Who! Save us Moffat! Why have you forsaken us RTD?

Wake me up when there's a real discussion going on here.