This BBC audience reaction report was one of the first nails in Doctor Who's coffin in the late eighties…
“Not for publication” is printed at the top of the 1988 audience reaction report for Doctor Who’s 24th season. It’s there for the purposes of BBC confidentiality, but could equally be a pain-saving instruction to save Sylvester McCoy fans the distress of reading the show’s three-page death sentence.
Because this report is painful stuff. Compiled in February 1988 after the broadcast of McCoy’s first four serials as the Doctor (from Time And The Rani to Dragonfire), it doesn’t mince its words in describing audience apathy and antipathy towards late-eighties Doctor Who. Looking back with the knowledge that the wilderness years were around the corner, each unimpressed audience response and scathing comment feels like another nail being hammered into classic Who’s coffin.
To begin with, the numbers weren’t good.
“Not for publication” is printed at the top of the 1988 audience reaction report for Doctor Who’s 24th season. It’s there for the purposes of BBC confidentiality, but could equally be a pain-saving instruction to save Sylvester McCoy fans the distress of reading the show’s three-page death sentence.
Because this report is painful stuff. Compiled in February 1988 after the broadcast of McCoy’s first four serials as the Doctor (from Time And The Rani to Dragonfire), it doesn’t mince its words in describing audience apathy and antipathy towards late-eighties Doctor Who. Looking back with the knowledge that the wilderness years were around the corner, each unimpressed audience response and scathing comment feels like another nail being hammered into classic Who’s coffin.
To begin with, the numbers weren’t good.
- 3/4/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Similar News
Richard Franklin, ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Actor, Dead at 87
- 12/26/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘House of the Dragon’ Review: HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Fails to Catch Fire
- 8/19/2022
- by Thelma Adams
- The Wrap
Simon Pegg Says ‘Star Wars’ Stans Are More ‘Toxic’ Than ‘Star Trek’ Fans
- 7/20/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
‘Doctor Who’ Stars Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson Talk Naughty Babies, Former Doctors and Companions
- 5/10/2024
- by Cameron K McEwan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
James Laurenson Dies: ‘The Crown’ And ‘Coronation Street’ Actor Was 84
- 5/10/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Most Underrated Action Movies of the 2000s
- 5/9/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
The Hobbit: Five Key Differences Between the Book and the Movies
- 5/7/2024
- EpicStream
Doctor Who | Celestial Toymaker animation to be released on DVD and Blu-ray in June
- 4/12/2024
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson Spark Returning Villain Rumours By Watching Classic Who Story
- 3/28/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Makes $6.6 Million in Previews
- 5/10/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning
- 5/10/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Eurovision: Switzerland Wins the Most Divisive Song Contest In Competition’s 68-Year History
- 5/11/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Switzerland’s Nemo Wins the Eurovision Song Contest, Breaks Trophy (and Thumb)
- 5/11/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety - TV News
Sam Rubin Remembered: Reporter Who Filled in for Ktla Legend on Day He Died Pays Tribute (Guest Column)
- 5/11/2024
- by Scott Mantz
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Law & Order’ Bidding Farewell to Camryn Manheim
- 5/10/2024
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Frank Grillo Joins ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 as Rick Flag Sr.
- 5/10/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - TV News
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning
- 5/10/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’ Adds ‘The Witch’ Star Ralph Ineson as Galactus
- 5/9/2024
- by Katcy Stephan, Angelique Jackson and Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Aida Rodriguez: Unpacking My Childhood Traumas Through Comedy Is Cathartic
- 5/6/2024
- by Aida Rodriguez
- Popsugar.com
The Scariest (and Most Traumatic) Mom Movies: ‘Talk to Me,’ ‘Coraline,’ ‘Mommie Dearest,’ and More
- 5/11/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Utah Pushes to Keep Sundance in State: ‘Utah Will Best Assure the Sundance Film Festival’s Continued Growth’
- 5/11/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
‘Star Wars’: Sigourney Weaver Joins ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ Film
- 5/11/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Hideo Kojima’s Response to Seeing ‘Furiosa’: ‘[George Miller] Is My God, and the Saga He Tells Is My Bible’
- 5/11/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Drew Pearce Thinks ‘The Fall Guy’ Twist Is ‘Tangible’: ‘A Lack of Carbs Is Very Damaging to Your Cognitive Processing’
- 5/11/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Announces 2024 Winners
- 5/10/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety - Film News
Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Makes $6.6 Million in Previews
- 5/10/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning
- 5/10/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’ Adds ‘The Witch’ Star Ralph Ineson as Galactus
- 5/9/2024
- by Katcy Stephan, Angelique Jackson and Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
The Scariest (and Most Traumatic) Mom Movies: ‘Talk to Me,’ ‘Coraline,’ ‘Mommie Dearest,’ and More
- 5/11/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
‘Law & Order’ Bidding Farewell to Camryn Manheim
- 5/10/2024
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘The Bachelor,’ ‘American Idol’ Among Seven Unscripted Renewals at ABC
- 5/10/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘The Conners’ Renewed for Seventh and Final Season at ABC, ‘Not Dead Yet’ Canceled
- 5/10/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Frank Grillo Joins ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 as Rick Flag Sr.
- 5/10/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - TV News
‘Shogun’ Nears Season 2 Renewal at FX as Star Hiroyuki Sanada Signs Deal to Return
- 5/10/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety - TV News