half a century young
23rd November. Fifty years ago today a new science fiction show for kiddies aired on the BBC at Saturday teatime...and captured the imaginations of a nation. The popular culture of this country has never been the same since.
I have known and loved Doctor Who my entire life. It was always on in our house, in season. I can remember watching Tom Baker adventures when I was four years old, grew up reading Target novelisations of the Doctors and companions from before I was born, watched VHS tapes of past adventures when we could afford them - and then later in re-runs on UK Gold (oh, how I miss UK Gold). Although love for the show drifted into a background nostalgia during the wilderness years, I remember the excitement of the TV Movie in 1996 (I still love it) and the sentiment behind my first DVD purchases (the Sylvester McCoy serials I remembered so vividly from my childhood). Then came the announcement that the show was coming back - filmed right here, in my home town - and the fire was relit and has been burning brighter and brighter ever since...as that DVD collection grew exponentially.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is: this show has been part of the fabric of my life in a way that no other show ever could be.
On Thursday night I sat entranced through An Adventure in Space and Time, the docudrama telling the story of the origins of the show - and wasn't it just beautiful? Such a touching, compelling story. I've always loved William Hartnell's Doctor, and David Bradley did an amazing job, capturing Hartnell so beautifully. That, right there, is what this anniversary is all about: looking back over the 50 years of the show and paying tribute to those whose vision and creativity brought it into being, and to the many, many individuals who have been part of it through the years. The show has had many ups and downs, but even at its weakest moments it still inspires the imagination, while at its best it can be truly powerful - and that has been true from the very beginning.
So, whether you love classic Who or new Who or both, whether you've been a lifelong fan or a recent convert, raise a glass with me today to say Happy Birthday, Doctor Who.
[ source]
I have known and loved Doctor Who my entire life. It was always on in our house, in season. I can remember watching Tom Baker adventures when I was four years old, grew up reading Target novelisations of the Doctors and companions from before I was born, watched VHS tapes of past adventures when we could afford them - and then later in re-runs on UK Gold (oh, how I miss UK Gold). Although love for the show drifted into a background nostalgia during the wilderness years, I remember the excitement of the TV Movie in 1996 (I still love it) and the sentiment behind my first DVD purchases (the Sylvester McCoy serials I remembered so vividly from my childhood). Then came the announcement that the show was coming back - filmed right here, in my home town - and the fire was relit and has been burning brighter and brighter ever since...as that DVD collection grew exponentially.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is: this show has been part of the fabric of my life in a way that no other show ever could be.
On Thursday night I sat entranced through An Adventure in Space and Time, the docudrama telling the story of the origins of the show - and wasn't it just beautiful? Such a touching, compelling story. I've always loved William Hartnell's Doctor, and David Bradley did an amazing job, capturing Hartnell so beautifully. That, right there, is what this anniversary is all about: looking back over the 50 years of the show and paying tribute to those whose vision and creativity brought it into being, and to the many, many individuals who have been part of it through the years. The show has had many ups and downs, but even at its weakest moments it still inspires the imagination, while at its best it can be truly powerful - and that has been true from the very beginning.
So, whether you love classic Who or new Who or both, whether you've been a lifelong fan or a recent convert, raise a glass with me today to say Happy Birthday, Doctor Who.
[ source]