I'm sure that this topic has been discussed before but I don't recollect seeing any such threads. So apologies if I'm going over old ground but hopefully someone can enlighten me.
I've just been wondering for some time now why it is we never see classic (i.e. Pre-Russell T Davies) Doctor Who on BBC channels. Given that Doctor Who is now not only one of their big hits but arguably THE big show on BBC TV of the last few years, inspiring the likes of Torchwood, SJA, Merlin, Robin Hood, Survivors, Primeval, (on ITV) and the likes (have I forgotten any?), you'd think it would be an obvious oldie to drag out of the vaults. Few of the younger viewers will have seen William Hartnell through to Sly McCoy (or Paul McGann for that matter) in the TARDIS. So while the new show is on hiatus and we eagerly await Matt Smith's first full series, why not fill the schedules with some classic DW? For that matter, why hasn't it been aired in the last few years, between the first 4 seasons of the new, er, incarnation?
Is the Beeb embarrassed? Do they think the much-mocked wobbly sets and rubber monsters will put people off the shiny new version? Are they airbrushing the first 8 Doctors out of existence? Certainly, if they are, they're at odds with Davies, Moffatt etc, who have acknowledged the original series and Doctors in the new version.
Even on BBC3 or 4, the DW Confidentials seem to think that the series began in 2005. Okay, we might get the odd look at an old-model Dalek, a pre-Derek Jacobi Master but by and large 'The Doctor's Greatest Adventures!' or whatever seem to commence with Christopher Eccleston.
Has there ever been any official explanation or statement or are we left to read between the lines? But certainly the impression I get is that the old Doctor Who is like an embarrassing relative the Beeb prefers not to invite to its parties.
Thoughts, anyone?
I've just been wondering for some time now why it is we never see classic (i.e. Pre-Russell T Davies) Doctor Who on BBC channels. Given that Doctor Who is now not only one of their big hits but arguably THE big show on BBC TV of the last few years, inspiring the likes of Torchwood, SJA, Merlin, Robin Hood, Survivors, Primeval, (on ITV) and the likes (have I forgotten any?), you'd think it would be an obvious oldie to drag out of the vaults. Few of the younger viewers will have seen William Hartnell through to Sly McCoy (or Paul McGann for that matter) in the TARDIS. So while the new show is on hiatus and we eagerly await Matt Smith's first full series, why not fill the schedules with some classic DW? For that matter, why hasn't it been aired in the last few years, between the first 4 seasons of the new, er, incarnation?
Is the Beeb embarrassed? Do they think the much-mocked wobbly sets and rubber monsters will put people off the shiny new version? Are they airbrushing the first 8 Doctors out of existence? Certainly, if they are, they're at odds with Davies, Moffatt etc, who have acknowledged the original series and Doctors in the new version.
Even on BBC3 or 4, the DW Confidentials seem to think that the series began in 2005. Okay, we might get the odd look at an old-model Dalek, a pre-Derek Jacobi Master but by and large 'The Doctor's Greatest Adventures!' or whatever seem to commence with Christopher Eccleston.
Has there ever been any official explanation or statement or are we left to read between the lines? But certainly the impression I get is that the old Doctor Who is like an embarrassing relative the Beeb prefers not to invite to its parties.
Thoughts, anyone?
