Dr Who

So, it's 2050 and the Muppets are still touring, and Jodie Whittaker suddenly appears on stage and the crowd goes "sorry, do I know you?"

The media charm offensive is really ramping up to 11 now.

In the end the trailer was a bit 'was that it' wasn't it? I didn't expect a full on compilation of acton material from upcoming episodes but the lack of recognisable Who iconography was quite disappointing (no TARDIS, not even the sound, no theme - even the music there was was surely generic and not by the new guy). This was decidedly a non-fan aimed thing of course, and so we get more Harry Potter mysticism over any overt sci-fi signalling.

The trouble is the constant hype around the new season and particularly Whittaker herself is creating a LOT of expectation now. Even keeping Mrs.Doc (she's married to River don't forget ) virtually dialogue free (officially) is adding to this. There's now an absolutely massive play being staked on the actress' obvious natural charisma, but should this fail to come off in this most peculiar of parts and even more peculiar circumstances, the fall will be all the more spectacular because of the relentless build up the beeb are insisting on. (Just how many adjectives have EW thrown 13's way in just the guff surrounding their article? "She’s incredibly lively, she’s funny, she’s warm, she’s inclusive, she’s energetic,” is just one typical sentence from Chibs. He eventually settles on the all embracing, “She’s the greatest friend you’d ever want.") Anyone would think they can't allow this revamp to see anything but a massively increased viewership don't ya know.

And then there's the nature of the scenes choosen to lead this season teaser. For the first sign of a new era that's supposed to be full of wonder they seem awfully keen to ground these characters here: The foundations - take away pizzas, cafes, football pundits and the Beano - just come over as a little mundane when the viewer might reasonably be expecting the universe on view. (The fact that Shearer and Ferdinand can be seen as commenting on the fledgling TARDIS crew went over my head on first watch - all a bit meta that - and an excuse for a weak connection to the clips World Cup surroundings and roping in some 'celebs' it seemed to me.) Regardless, this is very much back to the basics of Rose's council estate. Hopefully Chibnall's budget wont see us tied there as much as RTD found himself. (The death in Walsh's characters family, supposedly a feature of the first episode also has echoes of the issues Rose had with her dad's death.) But I suppose that might be the point - the doctor is supposed to be relieving her 'friends' ('companions' is no longer socialable enough or something apparently) of their boring lives and messing with their meals as mischevious prank in lieu of a calling card.

Maybe we can even read further... that the Doc will be remaining in the traditional timeslot for the show after all then and she'll be messing with our Saturday teatimes - after the football results as it was always termed - as of old once again?

...I just hope a tiny bit more of the rest of the universe out there will be arriving come Thursday is all: https://twitter.com/doctorwho_bbca/statu...5046023168

There's your mainstream media view on the trailer, and a decent one at that, here from the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...er-tell-us (though why he thinks the footie guys are on the radio is beyond me... bit of a grandad moment there me thinks. )

(16-07-2018 21:34 )ShandyHand Wrote:  The media charm offensive is really ramping up to 11 now.

Not enough charm, too much offensive.

I liked the following comment:

Quote:First female Doctor.

Instead of saving the world, she magically serves everyone dinner.

Any clues in the headlines? Sheffield. Summer 1981. Something to do with the riots?

Thatcher, clearly.

From this week's Radio Times:
This 'soft reboot' will be inspirational; it'll have "no barrier for entry" for new viewers; and will feature new monsters...
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...oung-girls
http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-who/...-monsters/
(The implicit lack of direct continuity with the Moffat era comes across a little slap in the face no matter how they try and dress it up. Any returning monsters or characters will not be Moffat's for the foreseeable future I feel.)

News from across the pond...

The doc is now getting intro videos like a wrestler! Whittaker arrived on stage to this at Comic Con: https://mobile.twitter.com/BBCAMERICA/st...7182576640

Chibs gave confirmation of the special to follow the previously announced 10 episodes: https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-...after-all/

...the season is standalones only and was written in a blend of the UK and US styles; "Doctor Who with sauce on" comparing it to when Pertwee brought colour to the show: http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-who/...o-parters/

More shoots and info on the sonic vib : https://mobile.twitter.com/bbcdoctorwho/...8123088896
https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-...-revealed/

DR WHO SDCC 2018 Trailer

^ Much more like it.

Still no date.

The SDCC panel is just finishing so might be news soon. Think it’s sometime in October it will start

New promo poster released

That's arguably as good as the Sunday one was bad But let's not get too carried away just yet...

(19-07-2018 20:36 )ShandyHand Wrote:  ...the season is standalones only and was written in a blend of the UK and US styles; "Doctor Who with sauce on" comparing it to when Pertwee brought colour to the show: http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-who/...o-parters/

It's not a US show and doesn't have a US style. Dear oh dear...