Learning Journal #24 (3/26)

After preparing for class last week by reading up about books, television, and radio in English newspapers, I found myself asking one big question: why is everyone so obsessed with Doctor Who? Having been raised on Masterpiece Theater and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, I thought I had this English entertainment thing down without ever seeing an episode of Doctor Who. But after seeing three articles about "the Doctor's new companion" on the main television page, and even on the paper homepage, I began to wonder if this was an issue of national concern, rather than just a weird corner of Tumblr fandom.

Apparently it is.

Apparently, it has also been running for forty-six years (with a sixteen-year hiatus of cancellation somewhere in there), and is the most popular science fiction television series of all time. Doctor Who knew? (My apologies. That was horrendous. Absolutely unacceptable. Moving right along ...) A Google search about the popularity of the show includes results such as "The Doctor's skyrocketing popularity in America" and "Doctor Who prompts surge of popularity of bow ties" ... now that's what I call power!

I read an article, "What  Makes Doctor Who So Great?" by Kendall Korolowicz, who describes the show as "something of an institution for the whole country." His explanation for the show's popularity is its

... sheer level of originality and diversity of its storytelling caused by the production team’s willingness to go as far 'out there' with itself as possible. Giving themselves a universe of opportunities with a character that can travel throughout the universe they decide to boldly go to the places that other TV shows, primarily American TV shows, have no sack to go to. Other shows like Star Trek may go around the spectrum with what they do, but Star Trek is still science fiction, while Doctor Who, in a fashion that makes his regenerative abilities quite symbolic, can change to any genre at undeterminable will.

An interesting interpretation. I suppose if it's really that popular and pervasive in English culture, I'm going to have to watch it. For research purposes only, of course.


... ;)