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New Doctor Matt Smith is turn-off for Tennant fans
Latest Doctor Who series suffers Saturday night droop according to TV figures
Die-hard fans of Doctor Who appear to have deserted the BBC series in droves following the departure of David Tennant. The latest series which saw Matt Smith make his debut at the helm of the Tardis has lost 1.2 million viewers.
Smith, 27, and his new assistant Karen Gillan, 22, appear to have failed to attract the same sort of audiences which Tennant pulled in during his five years as the Doctor. Tennant's last full series, in 2008, drew an average audience of 7.2 million. According to latest TV ratings the newest series, which ended at the weekend, managed an average of only six million viewers.
Smith's first series started well, with the opening episode in March drawing around eight million viewers. By contrast Saturday's finale pulled in just 5.1 million. Media observers say they are at a loss to explain the drop, although the show did start slightly earlier than normal to accommodate the BBC's World Cup coverage of USA v Ghana. Hot temperatures over the weekend may also have played a part.
Meanwhile the BBC is insisting that viewing figures have remained consistent across the series. Many Doctor Who fans record the show or watch it online. "A large number of viewers are choosing to watch on demand throughout the week," a BBC spokesman said. "Consolidated figures show both series have so far averaged an extremely strong 7.8 million."
Even if viewing figures are down, Smith and Gillan can take some comfort in the fact that their portrayals of the Doctor and his assistant have been well-received by the critics. The Daily Telegraph's Benji Wilson awarded Smith an "A+" for his efforts while the Daily Mail's Sinclair McKay predicted that "Smith might turn out to be one of the best Time Lords of the lot". ·
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Matt Smith is developing his own character - but it isn't that of a Time Lord who is hundreds of years old. Not content with having a Doctor who becomes progressively younger, we now have one who acts like a teenager...
... and scripts which are - if possible - even less plausible than a Dan Brown novel.
"Isn't it time the whole nonsense was scrapped?"
Er...no.
For the first couple of episodes of the new series I wasn't at all sure about Matt Smith's Doctor, but as it's progressed he's grown into the role and developed his own character, as have the assistants. If nothing else, the scripts are far better than with Russell T Davies.
Many people I know watch online or record the show, so viewing figures aren't accurate, and surely Tennant took a while to become as popular as he was by the end of his tenure? I couldn't get used to Tom Baker immediately, after Jon Pertwee, but now he's still one of my favourites.......
For once I have to agree with the TV critics : the new Doctor, with the revamped tardis is an unqualified success. The Beeb has pulled out all the stops this time, and even employed decent writers for a change ! I look forward to the new series.
Well, I for one was at a wedding and couldn't watch it at it's scheduled time - my son and I went home and watched it on iPlayer later, and the bride and several other guests were either doing the same, or recording it, so I think these figures are tosh! It was a very hot, muggy day - many people were probably outside, trying to cool down and looking forward to seeing it later on...
I beg to differ - I found Tennant's contorted facial expressions quite disturbing, and never watched the program as a result. I am now, however, an avid watcher once more!
It might help if the BBC gave tem some decent scripts instead of the utter tripe they have had for the latest series. I should add that I have watched Doctor Who since it started in 1963.
At first I really missed Tennant but by the end of the series I've developed a fondness for Smith and his sidekicks. Give him a chance. He'll grow into it as Tennant did.
I love David Tennant, and he is my favorite Doctor, but Smith is doing a pretty good job filling the void left by the 10th Doctor. I think a little time is all he really needs to gain more fans.
Isn't it time the whole nonsense was scrapped?