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[infiniteloop]

In the US probably more like 45% Tennant, 30% Smith.

Glad that Trout is 2nd for the classics, public has a little bit of taste.

 

[bengraven]

Fuck that, River getting double Amy's numbers.

 

[infiniteloop]

Yeah, thought Amy would be higher.

yay, list time.

Fav Doctors in descending order

Patrick Troughton
Christopher Eccleston
Tom Baker
Matt Smith
Jon Pertwee
William Hartnell
David Tennant
Paul McGann (got a bump from the recent mini episode)
Peter Davison
Sylvester McCoy
Colin Baker


Top Ten companions.

1. Ian
2. Brig
3. Amy + Rory
4. Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen)
5. Rose
6. Wilf
7. River Song (Alex Kingston)
8.Jamie McCrimmon (Frazer Hines)
9. Mickey
10. Victoria

Shit forgot wilf

 

[Shiv47]

Does the poll break things down by age? I'd imagine many classic era Who fans would choose Doctors from that period. I know I would (Tom Baker being my first and still favorite).

 

[DrForester]

Saddest thing I saw was at this years Denver Comic-con. Hundreds of young people in Doctor Who costumes...

...and almost none of them went to the Colin Baker panel.

 

[Lynd7]

Saddest thing I saw was at this years Denver Comic-con. Hundreds of young people in Doctor Who costumes...

...and almost none of them went to the Colin Baker panel.

That is sad, Colin isn't one of my faves, but when I went to a panel he did here in Aust he was really good, very entertaining.

I then proceeded to buy Revelation of the Daleks at the con and got him to sign it.

 

[Shiv47]

Colin was unfortunate to be there during a terrible stretch in the quality of the series. He's been so much better served in Big Finish's stuff.

 

[DrForester]

Colin is amazingly upbeat given he's been painted as the scapegoat for the series getting canned.

 

[Blader]

Colin is amazingly upbeat given he's been painted as the scapegoat for the series getting canned.

Wouldn't that fall on McCoy's shoulders though?

 

[APZonerunner]

Wouldn't that fall on McCoy's shoulders though?

The show was in something of a renaissance under McCoy, really. Ratings were doing ok, especially considering it was opposite Coronation Street (which would be a death sentence even for modern Who), he had a far higher AI and approval rating than Colin did and so on. It really was a better show. It found its groove again. By that point, though, certain elements within the BBC had already decided they wanted it gone (and in a sense shifted it opposite Corrie in order to hammer nails deeper into the coffin), so its fate was predetermined. A lot of circumstances are to blame, but if I had to put it at the foot of anything I'd say 1) The characterisation of C. Baker's Doctor, from costume to personality - none of which was his choice and 2) The extended plot arcs of Trial of a Time Lord, which never carried off and people never got interested in.

 

[Axiom]

Considering what Colin was handed, the bullshit behind the scenes during his tenure and even considering how he got the part - he really excelled beyond what he should have.

He just gets no credit because he couldn't elevate the material he had, but I don't think John Hurt could make a Pip and Jane Baker script work. When he had good stuff, he made it work in his own way that shows what he could have done.


As for the list, I'm kind of amazed that Jaime beat Captain Jack. I love Jaime and all but Barrowman fans are hardcore.

 

[Worthintendo]

The Radio Times, the UK's premiere TV-based magazine - one with a historic history with Who (it's been running longer than the show & featured Who on the cover for the first time way back in the 60s!) ran a reader poll for the 50th. The results:

1. 56.1% David Tennant
2. 15.93% Matt Smith
3. 10.05% Tom Baker
4. 6.59% Christopher Eccleston
5. 2.86% Patrick Troughton
6. 2.38% Jon Pertwee
7. 1.59% Peter Davison
8. 1.36% Sylvester McCoy
9. 1.35% Paul McGann
10. 0.9% William Hartnell
11. 0.88% Colin Baker

1. 25.09% Rose Tyler (Billie Piper)
2. 15.42% Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen)
3. 12.32% Donna Noble (Catherine Tate)
4. 9.09% River Song (Alex Kingston)
5. 4.79% Amy Pond (Karen Gillan)
6. 4.1% Jamie McCrimmon (Frazer Hines)
7. 3.49% Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman)
8. 3.09% Ace (Sophie Aldred)
9. 2.65% Clara Oswald (Jenna-Louise Coleman)
10. 2.54% Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman)
11. 2.39% Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart (Nicholas Courtney)
12. 15.03% (Others)

Utterly insane landslide for Tennant even after four years. How different the poll would be in America, though! Goes to show that the show does have a little less of the ridiculous fuss about it in the UK among Joe public than it did during the mental press storm of series 4, though. Tennant truly is a new generation's Tom Baker.

I find it really hard to rank the Doctors, Pertwee used to be my favourite back when ABC down here was doing a bit repeat of all the classic eps. I watched all his episodes and loved him to bits. But now after going through most of the surviving Troughton episodes he is my favourite. Yet I also love McCoy, his darker take on the character was great and I love his take and of course Smith has been fantastic but I feel unfair calling him my favourite while he's still current.

And then the even harder thing of placing my least favourite, I love all of them, even Colin Baker, you can tell he was a great actor and his take on the Doctor was awesome, completely different to anything before it but he had some of the worst written stories ever. Hartnel used to be the one I'd always say is my least favourite, but after watching some of his stuff now, I love his take, very manipulative and would hide behind the fact everyone would see him as an old bumbling man to fool them all.

I love all the Doctors, some I love more than others, but they all bring their own awesome take on the character and I'll watch them over and over again.

Colin was unfortunate to be there during a terrible stretch in the quality of the series. He's been so much better served in Big Finish's stuff.

You have to wonder if the show had of had the stories it had during McCoys run how his run would of gone. Worst thing about Colin was he never got a real final episode. I wish they had of let him film one last episode and then regenerate into McCoy like he wanted, would have felt better than what we got.

Decide as I have the weekend free, I'm going to do a rewatch of some classic Doctor Who, one story from each Doctor, on the menu we have

The Dalek Invasion of Earth
The Dominators
Planet of the Daleks
The Brain of Morbius
Resurrection of the Daleks (only Davidson episode I have, thought I had more, will need to fix that)
The Mysterious Planet (Trail of a Time Lord)
The Greatest Show in the Galaxy
Doctor Who The Movie

Watching The Greatest Show in the Galaxy first, one of my all time favourite stories, creepy clowns, McCoy being amazing and just a great setting, great highlight of the McCoy era.

 

[Trike]

I find it really hard to rank the Doctors, Pertwee used to be my favourite back when ABC down here was doing a bit repeat of all the classic eps. I watched all his episodes and loved him to bits. But now after going through most of the surviving Troughton episodes he is my favourite. Yet I also love McCoy, his darker take on the character was great and I love his take and of course Smith has been fantastic but I feel unfair calling him my favourite while he's still current.

And then the even harder thing of placing my least favourite, I love all of them, even Colin Baker, you can tell he was a great actor and his take on the Doctor was awesome, completely different to anything before it but he had some of the worst written stories ever. Hartnel used to be the one I'd always say is my least favourite, but after watching some of his stuff now, I love his take, very manipulative and would hide behind the fact everyone would see him as an old bumbling man to fool them all.

I love all the Doctors, some I love more than others, but they all bring their own awesome take on the character and I'll watch them over and over again.


You have to wonder if the show had of had the stories it had during McCoys run how his run would of gone. Worst thing about Colin was he never got a real final episode. I wish they had of let him film one last episode and then regenerate into McCoy like he wanted, would have felt better than what we got.

Decide as I have the weekend free, I'm going to do a rewatch of some classic Doctor Who, one story from each Doctor, on the menu we have

The Dalek Invasion of Earth
The Dominators
Planet of the Daleks
The Brain of Morbius
Resurrection of the Daleks (only Davidson episode I have, thought I had more, will need to fix that)
The Mysterious Planet (Trail of a Time Lord)
The Greatest Show in the Galaxy
Doctor Who The Movie

Watching The Greatest Show in the Galaxy first, one of my all time favourite stories, creepy clowns, McCoy being amazing and just a great setting, great highlight of the McCoy era.

He didn't want to come back for a regeneration scene. Who knows what we would have gotten if he did. It had to be shot like it is because he was not there. Maybe they could have done a better story if Colin agreed to film it. I don't blame him though, he got shafted pretty hard.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Colin was unfortunate to be there during a terrible stretch in the quality of the series. He's been so much better served in Big Finish's stuff.

Him and Evelyn are one of the best Doctor/Companion pairs ever. Period. They fit PERFECTLY.

edit: And yeah - the stories they gave Baker, coupled with that ridiculous fucking costume seriously kneecapped Who. It's pretty hard to argue otherwise. They made him a clown, straight up.

Although not as bad as EON did Bond. They LITERALLY made him a clown in Octopussy.

 

[Axiom]

Octopussy is pretty mediocre and Moore should have stopped after For Your Eyes Only at the latest - but his Colin Baker costume was A View to a Kill.

I can almost grasp what they were going for with the outfit, Colin was going for a gruff Doctor and the outfit would be there to make sure that even if he strangles Peri the kids still think he's friendly.
This is stupid, but I can understand why someone would think that. After all, some people think clowns are great and not nightmare creatures.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Octopussy is pretty mediocre and Moore should have stopped after For Your Eyes Only at the latest - but his Colin Baker costume was A View to a Kill.

Heh. I really like how you put that.

 

[Worthintendo]

He didn't want to come back for a regeneration scene. Who knows what we would have gotten if he did. It had to be shot like it is because he was not there. Maybe they could have done a better story if Colin agreed to film it. I don't blame him though, he got shafted pretty hard.

I need to track it down but I'm sure he said he would have come back for one last story to die at the end and regenerate into McCoy, but he felt insulted that they only wanted him back for the regen so he said did them.

Finished up Greatest Show in the Galaxy and Dakek Invasion of Earth, thinking time for some Coin Baker or maybe Tom

 

[acheron_xl]

The Radio Times, the UK's premiere TV-based magazine - one with a historic history with Who (it's been running longer than the show & featured Who on the cover for the first time way back in the 60s!) ran a reader poll for the 50th. The results:

Tennant on top is understandable I guess, but Rose too? I don't think there's been more undeserved accolade heaped upon a companion in the entire run of the show than what she receives.

For the record, my list (subject to whims and change):

T. Baker
Troughton
Eccleston
Pertwee
Smith
Tennant
Hartnell
McCoy
McGann
C. Baker
Davison

And top 10 companions:

Donna
Rory
Jamie
Brig
Sarah Jane
Wilf
Romana I
Ace
River
Leela

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Guess I'll get in on this. For the sake of time, I'll just post a link to the article I wrote about my 10 favorite New Who companions from about a year ago. I haven't updated it, and probably wouldn't - I don't know where I'd rank Clara just yet, as I don't even know if I consider her much of a companion yet. She's more like a physical plot device that gets lines of dialog.

The Doctors (TV only - no Audio dramas) :

1) Matt Smith
2) Tom Baker
3) David Tennant
4) Patrick Troughton
5) Christopher Eccleston
6) Peter Davison
7) Paul McGann
8) Sylvester McCoy
9) Jon Pertwee
10) William Hartnell
11) Colin Baker

Now, if I had to mix the audio dramas in (which is sort of unfair to New Who, but hey.)

1) Matt Smith
2) Tom Baker
3) Paul McGann
4) David Tennant
5) Patrick Troughton
6) Colin Baker
7) Chris Eccleston
8) Peter Davison
9) Sylvester McCoy
10) Jon Pertwee
11) William Hartnell

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Doctors:

1) Sylvester Mccoy
2) Christopher Eccleston
3) Patrick Troughton
4) Jon Pertwee
5) Tom Baker
6) William Hartnell
7) David Tennant
8) Paul Mcgann
9) Matt Smith
10) Peter Davison
11) Colin Baker

Companions:

1) Ian Chesterton
2) Ace
3) The Brig
4) Leela
5) Romana 1
6) Romana 2
7) Jamie McCrimmon
8) Zoe
9) Liz Shaw
10) Sergeant Benton

 

[Symphonia]

See, now as someone who only got into Who when it relaunched, I can only give my top three Doctors, but I'll also throw McGann in for good measure because although that prequel was my first experience with him, I loved it and already want more of him. So, yeah, my top Doctors:

1. Matt Smith
2. David Tennant/McGann
3. Christopher Eccleston

Now, in terms of companions, it would have to be something like this:

1. Amy/Rory
2. Clara
3. Donna
4. Rose
5. Martha

 

[Fred Norris]

See, now as someone who only got into Who when it relaunched, I can only give my top three Doctors, but I'll also throw McGann in for good measure because although that prequel was my first experience with him, I loved it and already want more of him. So, yeah, my top Doctors:

1. Matt Smith
2. David Tennant/McGann
3. Christopher Eccleston

Now, in terms of companions, it would have to be something like this:

1. Amy/Rory
2. Clara
3. Donna
4. Rose
5. Martha

 

[Symphonia]

That's the second time in a week that GIF has been used on me. I don't get the hate for Donna. She had more emotion in her episodes than the Doctor's previous companions and it was a welcome change to have a connection between the Doctor and his companion that wasn't purely sexual/romantic.

 

[DrForester]

Donna was great in "Midnight".

 

[Fred Norris]

That's the second time in a week that GIF has been used on me. I don't get the hate for Donna. She had more emotion in her episodes than the Doctor's previous companions and it was a welcome change to have a connection between the Doctor and his companion that wasn't purely sexual/romantic.

I meant that she placed too low on your list.

 

[Symphonia]

Donna was great in "Midnight".

I see what you did there, but I raise you "Turn Left"...

I meant that she placed too low on your list.

I was contemplating placing her and Clara in joint second.

 

[Kilrogg]

Rory all day every day.

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

I was contemplating placing her and Clara in joint second.

Ewww, why is Clara so high up?

 

[Exterminieren]

I'm rather looking forward to what they're doing with Clara. Jenna Coleman talks about her growing up and just being bloody good mates with the Doctor now the mystery's out of the way, which, reading between the lines, comes off as a bit of a relief for her as an actress.

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

I'm rather looking forward to what they're doing with Clara. Jenna Coleman talks about her growing up and just being bloody good mates with the Doctor now the mystery's out of the way, which, reading between the lines, comes off as a bit of a relief for her as an actress.

I really hope so. I want to like Clara.

 

[Symphonia]

Ewww, why is Clara so high up?

Because now the mystery is out of the way, the writers can focus on developing not only her character but also focus on integrating some fun between herself and the Doctor.

 

[acheron_xl]

Ewww, why is Clara so high up?

Exactly. I'm trying to figure out where I'd slot her amongst companions, and I have a hard time. I think she rates somewhere below Mel for me, personally. Hopefully a run with Capaldi changes that.

 

[paradox121]

I really hope so. I want to like Clara.

I think the potential of having a companion know pretty much every tiny thing about the Doctor is something too good to throw away (I hope).

Mostly it gives Capaldi the opportunity to be a bit more brash and dark and have Clara be able to rein him in if needs be. It would really be nice to see a Sixth Doctor style regeneration crisis done right.

 

[Zeppu]

My daily post

 

[maharg]

I think the potential of having a companion know pretty much every tiny thing about the Doctor is something too good to throw away (I hope).

Mostly it gives Capaldi the opportunity to be a bit more brash and dark and have Clara be able to rein him in if needs be. It would really be nice to see a Sixth Doctor style regeneration crisis done right.

I feel like they've really played out the regeneration crisis thing in new who so I kind of hope they let Capaldi just go from moment zero.

 

[SpacePirate Ridley]

Colin is amazingly upbeat given he's been painted as the scapegoat for the series getting canned.

He is a better man than Eccleston, I will tell you that (and I loved Eccleston as the Doctor). Poor Colin was mistreated, fucked by the big heads, etc... and after not wanting to appear in the regenaration (totally understandable at that moment) he has been there for the fans always, went to conventions, audio books...

Eccleston reaction, at this moment, just sounds like a crying baby (understandable to be angry then, but not now). If he is faking this for a big surprise in the 50th, I will eat my words, but right now its the only thing I can think of every time he does some strange interview.

 

[Raydeen]

Wouldn't that fall on McCoy's shoulders though?

Curse of Fenric may well be one of the best Dr Who stories ever.

It was getting on it's feet again and starting to kick arse.

Then the BBC cancelled it.

They actually had some great ideas for Season 28. Like Pertwee teaming up with McCoy to fight the Autons and stuff.

 

[Raydeen]

And on subject of Capaldi. I hope they ditch Clara sharpish and team him up with an older actress. I'd love a Sapphire and Steel style vibe, not doe eyed little girl.

 

[RedShift]

And on subject of Capaldi. I hope they ditch Clara sharpish and team him up with an older actress. I'd love a Sapphire and Steel style vibe, not doe eyed little girl.

Would kill ratings both sides of the Atlantic. Haven't they already put out a casting call for a new young male companion to join Clara and replace Matt Smith as Tumblr-bait?

 

[paradox121]

I feel like they've really played out the regeneration crisis thing in new who so I kind of hope they let Capaldi just go from moment zero.

What if it's more an identity crisis, as in guy who's been in a young man's body for hundreds of years is suddenly in the body of a 50 year old. Rather than the fish fingers and custard style stuff.

 

[Exterminieren]

Would kill ratings both sides of the Atlantic. Haven't they already put out a casting call for a new young male companion to join Clara and replace Matt Smith as Tumblr-bait?

People said that about Tennant and Tate. Wasn't true then, wouldn't be true now.

I imagine this mooted male companion would be there to take some of the physical strain and action sequences off Capaldi. I mean, the man's hardly feeble, but he's going to be older than Hartnell was when he properly starts- it's not reasonable to expect him to do the sort of things that Matt did at half his age. The new guy will probably fill the Ian Chesterton/ Harry Sullivan mold.

 

[Messypandas]

I think Breaking bad has helped prove you don't need a young strapping lead to be a hit with the tumblr crowd. Walter is a badass with the fans, I'm sure Capaldi can enjoy the same following.

 

[Hot Coldman]

Ace is the greatest companion, glad to see her get a decent place on that list.

Please bring her back Moffat ;_;

 

[Exterminieren]

I think Breaking bad has helped prove you don't need a young strapping lead to be a hit with the tumblr crowd. Walter is a badass with the fans, I'm sure Capaldi can enjoy the same following.

In fairness, it's not like Who and BB are aiming for the same audience.

Ace is the greatest companion, glad to see her get a decent place on that list.

Please bring her back Moffat ;_;

She was pencilled in to appear on The Sarah Jane Adventures before Liz's illness.

 

[Hot Coldman]

I can only hope 12 and Clara have some of that 7/Ace chemistry, there's nary been a better combination of Doctor and companion.

 

[APZonerunner]

RE 12 and Clara, we've got two rumours anyway, suggesting that

Spoiler

1) There'll be a young/attractive dude added to the crew and 2) that she's going at the end of S8 anyway.

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

RE 12 and Clara, we've got two rumours anyway, suggesting that

Spoiler

1) There'll be a young/attractive dude added to the crew and 2) that she's going at the end of S8 anyway.

No... no, I don't think so.

 

[RetroMG]

I'm rather looking forward to what they're doing with Clara. Jenna Coleman talks about her growing up and just being bloody good mates with the Doctor now the mystery's out of the way, which, reading between the lines, comes off as a bit of a relief for her as an actress.

I was thinking, (and actually wrote a post the other day, before GAF 504'd is out of existence,) that I do hope that Clara has changed as a result of her experience in the Doctor's timestream. In Asylum she was this brilliant, flirty, slightly mad girl and I loved her. In Snowmen she was this amazing feisty barmaid/governess, and I loved her. I still love Modern Clara, and I see little echoes of the other Claras, but mostly... she's just kind of dull. I'm hoping since the others were later in her timeline and we're now past that, it will give Moffat & Co license to have a bit more fun with her.

 

[acheron_xl]

I can only hope 12 and Clara have some of that 7/Ace chemistry, there's nary been a better combination of Doctor and companion.

I don't think that kind of dynamic is possible because Clara is so different from Ace. I think the absolute best case scenario when you account for her personality is a 'best buds' mentorship-type relationship like Sarah Jane and 3/4.

 

[Raydeen]

I think Breaking bad has helped prove you don't need a young strapping lead to be a hit with the tumblr crowd. Walter is a badass with the fans, I'm sure Capaldi can enjoy the same following.

Bryan Cranston as The Master. I could get behind that..