Sci-Fi Fodder

"Doctor Who" Done in 2008...Maybe

May 31, 2007 1:03 PM  |  Comments: 4

The Sun (a British tabloid) is reporting that the "...HIT show Doctor Who will be EXTERMINATED next year — after the fourth series."

To quote Keanu, "Whoa."

According to the article, Russell T. Davies, the writer and producer of "Doctor Who", has decided to end the show. Heavy workload (described as "...nine months of 16-hour days every year...") was cited as his reason for leaving the show. Davies and his staff have allegedly planned to collectively resign during the summer of next year, after season four of the series is complete.

This would be a fairly earth-shattering report - if it were true. Sure, it might be true that Russell T. Davies plans to leave the series. But, consider the following:


  • The series draws about eight million viewers a week in the UK

  • The series survived the loss of Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor and successfully replaced him with David Tennant

  • "The Sun" is not exactly the most reliable publication

So, until we receive legitimate verification that the series has been cancelled, I think it is wise to hold off on sending little cardboard phone booths to the BBC to save the show. But, you might want to start gathering those phone booths...just in case.

Already debunked. Probably should have looked around before posting this.

-- Posted by: Joe Siegler at May 31, 2007 3:10 PM

Joe - thanks for the Doctor Who site. I like it!

As for the debunking, though - I wouldn't call it strongly debunked. Sure, the Guardian is reputable, but here is the quote they used:

" 'Discussions have not begun so we cannot say if Russell will be involved or not' with Doctor Who beyond the end of the fourth series in 2008. "

To me, that says - "Hey, we don't know for sure." And, basically, that is what I was trying to say in the post.

Personally, I can't see how they would cancel it at this point. It's just too popular.

-- Posted by: fred at May 31, 2007 4:49 PM

The quote originated at the Sun, which had their nonsense picked up by other places, and now it's all over the place.

-- Posted by: Joe Siegler at June 1, 2007 11:02 AM

Yeah..The Sun said Tennant was leaving, then Freema Agyeman and now Davies.

It's obvious they want to stir the pot...but, this one was not completely denied outright like the others. I suspect Davies may actually leave - but, instead of cancelling the show, they just replace him.

-- Posted by: Fred at June 1, 2007 3:04 PM