Posted on 01/12/2006 5:04:33 PM PST by Panerai
The good Doctor is finally coming to the United States! The SCI FI Channel and BBC Worldwide Americas announced today that the new Doctor Who series will debut this March on the cable network.
The 13-episode first series (or 27th season of Doctor Who, depending on who you ask) will air Fridays at 9 p.m. Eastern/Pacific starting in March -- taking over Stargate Atlantis's regular timeslot, no doubt after new episodes have finished. The series drew big ratings when it premiered on BBC ONE in the U.K. last spring.
Doctor Who stars Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor and Billie Piper as Rose, his travelling companion. The duo risk their lives in new adventures battling monsters and aliens and travelling in time and space via the famous TARDIS.
"The Doctor's made all sorts of journeys in time and space, but this is one of his most exciting yet," head writer and executive producer Russell T. Davies said. "I'm a huge fan of The SCI FI Channel, and I'm delighted that Doctor Who is appearing on a channel that supports and enhances the entire genre."
The deal also includes an option for the season season of the new series, which stars David Tennant as the Doctor's latest reincarnation and begins airing in the U.K. this spring.
Meanwhile, Who's upcoming North American DVD release has been pushed back from February to July 4 to capitalize on the television debut.
The classic Doctor Who series won the hearts of many science fiction fans in the U.S. during its run on public broadcasting stations, but has never had a wide distribution in the States. As the longest-running genre series in TV history, Who's ever-changing leading men, TARDIS, K-9 robotic dog, and evil Daleks have become cultural icons since the show's original debut in 1963.
Read the BBC's complete announcement at the network's official Web site. Check out fan site Outpost Gallifrey to learn more about the Doctor Who universe!
Whenever one criticizes this show, the fans respond that the show isn't about special effects or action. And yet the science fiction ideas are routine, and the characters are twits.
I watched it here (in the U.S.) for several years in the late '70s, I believe on PBS. Tom Baker was by far the best of the Dr. Whos.
I remember my boys watching Dr. Who, during the late 70s and early 80s, I think, when Tom Baker was in the role of Dr. Who...they loved the series, and watched it faithfully...then we moved, and the new area we moved to, had no TV coverage of Dr.Who, so they just did not watch it anymore...I also enjoyed watching it...so maybe now, with Sci-Fi channel picking it up, I will begin watching it again...thanks for the heads up on this one...
Just like Battlescar Craplactica, huh?
I was in London last April, and caught one show from the new series. Parts of it were interesting, but their casting was horrible. The latest guy that plays Dr. Who has the most insipid grin on his face at all times, and his "acting" (if you can call it that without laughing) ability is at best second rate...
Agreed.
Baker was good. I also like Pertwee's rendition of The Doctor.
I agree, how anybody can torture themselves with that refuse is beyond me.
ping
I guess some should go back to watching the crap on Oxygen
Battlestar has gone downhill since the first episode aired, I am perfectly happy watching reruns of the old episodes thank you very much.
NEW Doctor Who on Sci-Fi ping !
And Sarah Jane Smith ( Elisabeth Sladen ) for the guys.
Oh, man did I have a crush on her. Loved her accent.
Even better than Mrs. Peel.
I never saw him...the only one we ever saw was Tom Baker, and we sure did like him...
Pertwee was the actor who immediately preceded Tom Baker (the 4th incarnation of the doctor). Sylvester McCoy also did a good job as the 7th incarnation/regeneration. Hartnell was a little spooky as the first incarnation.
Sarah Jane Smith was one of the best of the Doctor's stable o' chicks. Birgadier Leftbridge Stewart was also a good sidekick for The Doctor (he provided a stodgy foil for The Doctor).
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