Vote for why you think it jumped
Never Jumped
Same Character, Different Actor (Peter Davison replaces Tom Baker)
Same Character, Different Actor (Colin Baker replaces Peter Davison)
John Nathan Turner
Sylvester McCoy
Shark Bytes
Whofan (Oct 22)
Well - I just voted for a jump at Troughton taking over from Hartnell. Like your fond rememberance of Pertwee - that in retrospect was perhaps not as solid as the episodes you remember - I'm probably wrong. But.....
For its time:
- That Radiophonic Workshop theme coupled to the flaring screen feedback splashing across a Saturday evening was SENSATIONAL!
- The Tardis fading away special effect - INCREDIBLE!
- The Daleks making such a hit that they were a MAJOR toy sensation in an era when the marketing guys rarely managed to make the hookup.
- and the truly, hide behind the couch and peek over the top to dare to look at the REALLY FREAKING SCARY cybermen huffing and puffing across the screen (Darth Vadar you didn't come close) moments. (Pertwee got nearly as close teaming up with UNIT to fight the yeti's in the London Underground a few years later).
The reality is that none of it would stand up today - but it was so fresh and revolutionary then.
When a clearly ailing and grumpy Hartnell morphed into Troughton a lot of the mystique went with him - though the show got more energy. And then Troughton pulled his whistle out his pocket and peeped mournful twitters - the show didn't just jump - it DIVED.
Well - I just voted for a jump at Troughton taking over from Hartnell. Like your fond rememberance of Pertwee - that in retrospect was perhaps not as solid as the episodes you remember - I'm probably wrong. But.....
For its time:
- That Radiophonic Workshop theme coupled to the flaring screen feedback splashing across a Saturday evening was SENSATIONAL!
- The Tardis fading away special effect - INCREDIBLE!
- The Daleks making such a hit that they were a MAJOR toy sensation in an era when the marketing guys rarely managed to make the hookup.
- and the truly, hide behind the couch and peek over the top to dare to look at the REALLY FREAKING SCARY cybermen huffing and puffing across the screen (Darth Vadar you didn't come close) moments. (Pertwee got nearly as close teaming up with UNIT to fight the yeti's in the London Underground a few years later).
The reality is that none of it would stand up today - but it was so fresh and revolutionary then.
When a clearly ailing and grumpy Hartnell morphed into Troughton a lot of the mystique went with him - though the show got more energy. And then Troughton pulled his whistle out his pocket and peeped mournful twitters - the show didn't just jump - it DIVED.
Good point, sir. I don't care if it's Ill to Speak of the Dead as John Nathan-Turner is now, but HE was the worst thing to ever happen to Doctor Who (even compared to Russell T. Davies' questionable "updates" in the new series). And it bugs me to no end to see so many "fans" play apologist for JNT with the tired excuses of how he was hamstrung by the BBC and not allowed to leave as he wanted to and had to deal with uncooperative writers and bad bosses and low budgets and blah blah blah.
Because if Nathan-Turner were a truly creative person who actually cared about and UNDERSTOOD Doctor Who in the first place, he would have found a way to make it good despite all of the problems that plagued the show-runners before him. Like Barry Letts. And Phillip Hinchcliffe. And even Graham Williams. But Nathan-Turner clearly didn't give a $#!t no matter how often he made a show of it, and the 1980s were the ultimate proof of that indifference.
Because if Nathan-Turner were a truly creative person who actually cared about and UNDERSTOOD Doctor Who in the first place, he would have found a way to make it good despite all of the problems that plagued the show-runners before him. Like Barry Letts. And Phillip Hinchcliffe. And even Graham Williams. But Nathan-Turner clearly didn't give a $#!t no matter how often he made a show of it, and the 1980s were the ultimate proof of that indifference.
a reply to Eragon
The JNT era was never an improvement on the Williams era. Sure, Season 18 looked far more impressive than Season 17, but a season later and the series started to show the same predeliction for cheap and naff looking stories as every era before it, with Four to Doomsday and Time Flight.
The difference is, JNT had by now sucked all humour and enjoyment from the show and turned it into something pretentious and deadly serious. And when it was cheap it was especially embarrasing in its over earnest delusions of being important meaningful television.
At that point, Horns of Nimon was a masterpiece by comparison, it was certainly more entertaining.
Furthermore, Graham Williams had respect for the character of the Doctor and always presented him as the hero. John Nathan Turner and his staff however had no respect for the character and set him up for failiures, defeatism and truly vile, twisted, nasty behaviour (Warriors of the Deep, Resurrection fot he Daleks, Twin Dilemma, all of which happen in the 1984 cut-off point).
Instead of helping people against a threat, this Doctor now throws in the towell, blames the victims, lets them all die, scorns the humans for defending themselves, praises the nobility of the killers (Warriors of the Deep, Attack of the Cybermen) or even violently attacks his own companion. The Williams era never disgraced the Doctor in such a way.
I'd agree though that Season 18 is a good one. In some ways it shows that the current team would have had a good handle on the Fourth Doctor, Romana and the burnt incarnation of the Master. But then they undo that by getting rid of them and replacing them with the wet vet and a bunch of brats to babysit and a pantomime Master to constantly pester him and prove how incompetent the Doctor is at vanquishing him.
For my money the show would have had a lot more dignity if they'd ended it with Castrovalva.
The JNT era was never an improvement on the Williams era. Sure, Season 18 looked far more impressive than Season 17, but a season later and the series started to show the same predeliction for cheap and naff looking stories as every era before it, with Four to Doomsday and Time Flight.
The difference is, JNT had by now sucked all humour and enjoyment from the show and turned it into something pretentious and deadly serious. And when it was cheap it was especially embarrasing in its over earnest delusions of being important meaningful television.
At that point, Horns of Nimon was a masterpiece by comparison, it was certainly more entertaining.
Furthermore, Graham Williams had respect for the character of the Doctor and always presented him as the hero. John Nathan Turner and his staff however had no respect for the character and set him up for failiures, defeatism and truly vile, twisted, nasty behaviour (Warriors of the Deep, Resurrection fot he Daleks, Twin Dilemma, all of which happen in the 1984 cut-off point).
Instead of helping people against a threat, this Doctor now throws in the towell, blames the victims, lets them all die, scorns the humans for defending themselves, praises the nobility of the killers (Warriors of the Deep, Attack of the Cybermen) or even violently attacks his own companion. The Williams era never disgraced the Doctor in such a way.
I'd agree though that Season 18 is a good one. In some ways it shows that the current team would have had a good handle on the Fourth Doctor, Romana and the burnt incarnation of the Master. But then they undo that by getting rid of them and replacing them with the wet vet and a bunch of brats to babysit and a pantomime Master to constantly pester him and prove how incompetent the Doctor is at vanquishing him.
For my money the show would have had a lot more dignity if they'd ended it with Castrovalva.
Like many here, I think that Doctor Who has jumped back and forth many times. Here are the jumps as I see them for the ‘classic’ program:
Hartnell and Troughton eras: I am really not familiar enough with this era to offer educated comment. For the Troughton era in particular, so many serials are lost forever that I think it would be difficult for anyone to offer a really informed judgement.
Pertwee Era: Gets off to a great start in Season 7, particularly with Spearhead from Space and Inferno. The seven part episodes are a bit too long, except for Inferno, and feel a bit ‘padded’. The program jumps after Jo Grant replaces Liz Shaw – I personally love these episodes because they’re the first Doctor Who I ever saw, but in retrospect most of them are pretty bad. Program takes a turn for the better with Sarah Jane Smith replacing Jo Grant.
Tom Baker Era: The first Baker serial still feels like a Pertwee story, but even here, Tom Baker’s incredible energy and offbeat persona are a breath of fresh air, and the program jumps back. The next two seasons and a bit are perhaps the best regarded in the history of the classic program, with the unbeatable combination of Tom Baker, Liz Sladen, and Phillip Hinchcliffe as Producer. It’s no coincidence that when fans are polled on their favourite serials of all time, serials from this period usually predominate. This era begins to end when Sarah Jane leaves, and the show definitely jumps when Phillip Hinchcliffe leaves at the end of season 14. The program has a very different feel during the next three seasons – Tom Baker’s performances are a little too over the top, and in general the program feels a bit silly (although Douglas Adams was still able to come up with the classic City of Death during this period). Program improves somewhat with John Nathan Turner taking over as producer, and the Baker era ends acceptably with Warrior’s Gate, The Keeper of Traken, and Logopolis.
Davison Era: The first two seasons were acceptable, with mixed great moments (Earthshock) and crap (Four to Doomsday). The Davison era takes a turn for the worse at the beginning of season 21 (Warriors of the Deep), and I dislike most of this season. However, Caves of Androzani is outstanding, and Davison leaves on a high note.
Colin Baker era: Gets off to an awful start with the wretched Twin Dilemma. A lot seems to have gone wrong in a short time here, possibly because they tried to change too many things at once. Baker had great enthusiasm for the part and it shows, but seemingly everything else went wrong at once, and it shows too. Colin Baker is fired by Michael Grade and the show hits bottom.
McCoy era: The first season of McCoy is probably classic Doctor Who at its worst, with the series featuring awful scripts and probably the most disliked companion in the shows history. The program makes a modest uptick with Ace replacing Mel, and the scripts are better. Arguably, the last two years of McCoy are the best part of Doctor Who since The Caves of Androzani, although it’s still not close to the level of Tom Baker at his best. In some ways, the last two seasons of Who classic foreshadow the new post-2005 series, with much more location shooting, companions speaking with a real accent (as opposed to classic BBC “received pronunciation”), and a more morally ambiguous Doctor than before. Program put on indefinite hiatus and apparently cancelled in 1990, only to rise from the dead fifteen years later.
“But that’s another story…”
Hartnell and Troughton eras: I am really not familiar enough with this era to offer educated comment. For the Troughton era in particular, so many serials are lost forever that I think it would be difficult for anyone to offer a really informed judgement.
Pertwee Era: Gets off to a great start in Season 7, particularly with Spearhead from Space and Inferno. The seven part episodes are a bit too long, except for Inferno, and feel a bit ‘padded’. The program jumps after Jo Grant replaces Liz Shaw – I personally love these episodes because they’re the first Doctor Who I ever saw, but in retrospect most of them are pretty bad. Program takes a turn for the better with Sarah Jane Smith replacing Jo Grant.
Tom Baker Era: The first Baker serial still feels like a Pertwee story, but even here, Tom Baker’s incredible energy and offbeat persona are a breath of fresh air, and the program jumps back. The next two seasons and a bit are perhaps the best regarded in the history of the classic program, with the unbeatable combination of Tom Baker, Liz Sladen, and Phillip Hinchcliffe as Producer. It’s no coincidence that when fans are polled on their favourite serials of all time, serials from this period usually predominate. This era begins to end when Sarah Jane leaves, and the show definitely jumps when Phillip Hinchcliffe leaves at the end of season 14. The program has a very different feel during the next three seasons – Tom Baker’s performances are a little too over the top, and in general the program feels a bit silly (although Douglas Adams was still able to come up with the classic City of Death during this period). Program improves somewhat with John Nathan Turner taking over as producer, and the Baker era ends acceptably with Warrior’s Gate, The Keeper of Traken, and Logopolis.
Davison Era: The first two seasons were acceptable, with mixed great moments (Earthshock) and crap (Four to Doomsday). The Davison era takes a turn for the worse at the beginning of season 21 (Warriors of the Deep), and I dislike most of this season. However, Caves of Androzani is outstanding, and Davison leaves on a high note.
Colin Baker era: Gets off to an awful start with the wretched Twin Dilemma. A lot seems to have gone wrong in a short time here, possibly because they tried to change too many things at once. Baker had great enthusiasm for the part and it shows, but seemingly everything else went wrong at once, and it shows too. Colin Baker is fired by Michael Grade and the show hits bottom.
McCoy era: The first season of McCoy is probably classic Doctor Who at its worst, with the series featuring awful scripts and probably the most disliked companion in the shows history. The program makes a modest uptick with Ace replacing Mel, and the scripts are better. Arguably, the last two years of McCoy are the best part of Doctor Who since The Caves of Androzani, although it’s still not close to the level of Tom Baker at his best. In some ways, the last two seasons of Who classic foreshadow the new post-2005 series, with much more location shooting, companions speaking with a real accent (as opposed to classic BBC “received pronunciation”), and a more morally ambiguous Doctor than before. Program put on indefinite hiatus and apparently cancelled in 1990, only to rise from the dead fifteen years later.
“But that’s another story…”
Personally, I think people are a little too critical of John Nathan Turner, which is not to say that he was not deserving of criticsm.
Consider the episodes of JNT’s first season as producer (season 18, the last Tom Baker season) versus the Graham Williams episodes that went before. JNT’s serials aren’t perfect (and Meglos is truly awful, one of the all time worst!), but in general, they’re a considerable improvement. The Williams era is probably the weakest period of Doctor Who between 1970 and 1984. I suspect that the Williams era would be considered even more harshly today were it not for Tom Baker’s performances, as well as Douglas Adams’ contributions (in particular City of Death, another outstanding episode, but very much the exception for the Williams period). Compared with most of the Williams era episodes, the initial JNT serials stand up quite well.
One of the strengths (frequently discussed on these pages) of Doctor Who is the freedom that the program’s format allows for changing the lead actor as required. Perhaps less apparent is the freedom that individual producers have had to alter the format of the program over time One of JNTs problems was staying on too long as producer – It might have been better if he had left after casting Colin Baker as the new Doctor, then allowing a new producer to put their stamp on the program. Another problem which has been raised by people who were there at the time is that JNT got too wrapped up in the world of Doctor Who fandom and the shows past, possibly making the program too concerned with past continuity to allow it to move forward .
Consider the episodes of JNT’s first season as producer (season 18, the last Tom Baker season) versus the Graham Williams episodes that went before. JNT’s serials aren’t perfect (and Meglos is truly awful, one of the all time worst!), but in general, they’re a considerable improvement. The Williams era is probably the weakest period of Doctor Who between 1970 and 1984. I suspect that the Williams era would be considered even more harshly today were it not for Tom Baker’s performances, as well as Douglas Adams’ contributions (in particular City of Death, another outstanding episode, but very much the exception for the Williams period). Compared with most of the Williams era episodes, the initial JNT serials stand up quite well.
One of the strengths (frequently discussed on these pages) of Doctor Who is the freedom that the program’s format allows for changing the lead actor as required. Perhaps less apparent is the freedom that individual producers have had to alter the format of the program over time One of JNTs problems was staying on too long as producer – It might have been better if he had left after casting Colin Baker as the new Doctor, then allowing a new producer to put their stamp on the program. Another problem which has been raised by people who were there at the time is that JNT got too wrapped up in the world of Doctor Who fandom and the shows past, possibly making the program too concerned with past continuity to allow it to move forward .
I don't think it ever jumped, but I am seeing some mistakes as I read though these comments.
Jamie was never killed. He was sent back to his own time at the end of War Games. Adric was the only companion to actually die.
Martha was not involved with a song and dance number. She was trying to sneak across the stage during the number and may have tried to dance while doing so. It's not like she was in a costume actually doing a performance.
Technically, The Master was never dead. "Human Nature" and "Family of Blood" help explain what really happened to him. The Master isn't mentioned, but you'll understand the situation better.
Why pick on Kylie? A show can't have guest stars? What about John Cleese in "City of Death?" I don't think that's jumping the shark. A singer trying to act then? Keep in mind Billie Piper was a pop star too before she turned to acting.
Out of 751 episodes (202 stories), there are bound to be a few low points. I admit Colin Baker was my least favorite, but I'm not sure if it was him or the stories written for him.
The changing of the actors is part of the story. It's not like James Bond where we just end up with a new actor. We see William Hartnell turn into Patrick Troughton. At the end of "War Games," the Timelords tell the Second Doctor that they are going to change him as part of his punishment. We don't get to witness the change into Jon Pertwee. ...and so on. However, we're supposed to just accept that Sean Connery's Bond became Roger Moore. Even Roger Moore in the Pink Panther series was explained in the plot.
As for the Doctor meeting himself, it's his past bumping into his present, and except for "The Two Doctors," it's a plot device limited to anniversary special episodes and a charity segment. Although all of the Timelords are supposedly dead in "Time Crash," he meets his past self. He had to be alive in his own past to be here in present time. Even though other Timelords were alive during Davison's era, it's still one Timelord present in that story - just an older and younger version of the same Timelord.
Jamie was never killed. He was sent back to his own time at the end of War Games. Adric was the only companion to actually die.
Martha was not involved with a song and dance number. She was trying to sneak across the stage during the number and may have tried to dance while doing so. It's not like she was in a costume actually doing a performance.
Technically, The Master was never dead. "Human Nature" and "Family of Blood" help explain what really happened to him. The Master isn't mentioned, but you'll understand the situation better.
Why pick on Kylie? A show can't have guest stars? What about John Cleese in "City of Death?" I don't think that's jumping the shark. A singer trying to act then? Keep in mind Billie Piper was a pop star too before she turned to acting.
Out of 751 episodes (202 stories), there are bound to be a few low points. I admit Colin Baker was my least favorite, but I'm not sure if it was him or the stories written for him.
The changing of the actors is part of the story. It's not like James Bond where we just end up with a new actor. We see William Hartnell turn into Patrick Troughton. At the end of "War Games," the Timelords tell the Second Doctor that they are going to change him as part of his punishment. We don't get to witness the change into Jon Pertwee. ...and so on. However, we're supposed to just accept that Sean Connery's Bond became Roger Moore. Even Roger Moore in the Pink Panther series was explained in the plot.
As for the Doctor meeting himself, it's his past bumping into his present, and except for "The Two Doctors," it's a plot device limited to anniversary special episodes and a charity segment. Although all of the Timelords are supposedly dead in "Time Crash," he meets his past self. He had to be alive in his own past to be here in present time. Even though other Timelords were alive during Davison's era, it's still one Timelord present in that story - just an older and younger version of the same Timelord.
Another shark-jump moment's just occurred to me, but maybe one of the experts here can clear it up for me.
If all of the Time Lords 'vanished out of time and space' for the Time War - never to return, and leaving TenDoc as 'the last' in the universe - then how is he able to bump into the Fifth Doctor in 'Time Crash'??? Surely all the previous Doctors (and previous Masters, Ranis, Borusas, etc.) would be gone from existence, otherwise the whole 'last of the Time Lords' idea becomes meaningless.
It's one thing to play a little loose with continuity - the show has always done that. It's another to chuck logic out the window like this. (The regeneration cop-out in 'Journey's End' is another teeth-grinding example, but don't get me started on that one . . .)
If all of the Time Lords 'vanished out of time and space' for the Time War - never to return, and leaving TenDoc as 'the last' in the universe - then how is he able to bump into the Fifth Doctor in 'Time Crash'??? Surely all the previous Doctors (and previous Masters, Ranis, Borusas, etc.) would be gone from existence, otherwise the whole 'last of the Time Lords' idea becomes meaningless.
It's one thing to play a little loose with continuity - the show has always done that. It's another to chuck logic out the window like this. (The regeneration cop-out in 'Journey's End' is another teeth-grinding example, but don't get me started on that one . . .)
One of the points of Doctor Who was that he was an alien who could "cheat" death by regenerating, so of course he's not going to look the same! This is the kind of show that you can't take too seriously. It is one of my favourite TV shows, and in my opinion it has never JTS, though I have to admit that I haven't seen any of the 'classic' episodes, being a little young when they first aired.
I really liked the "Midnight" episode because it didn't rely on special effects. The Doctor always seems to be able to win an arguement until this episode when nobody will listen. I thought the actors having to talk at the same time saying the same thing was very interesting/creepy. I feel that Tennent is the best actor of all the doctors. The "one set" I believe is supposed to convey a claustrophobic feeling of being trapped while something is trying to kill you. (and there's your story.)
Just watched the episode "Midnight" in the the latest series. God awful and cheap as a macca's pig fat soft serve.
Absolutley awful, one set, a pathetic graphic of an outside scene, no companion and no story. Was the crew on holiday or something?
hope this isn't the shark being jumped
Absolutley awful, one set, a pathetic graphic of an outside scene, no companion and no story. Was the crew on holiday or something?
hope this isn't the shark being jumped
While Jon Pertwee(#3) added wonderful dramatic flair and Tom Baker(#4)comedy and whimsy (but too much, became camp) Colin Baker was dreadful, only exceeded by the excruciating Sylvester McCoy. Truly awful, awful years.
But amazingly...the show regenerates years later and is a ripping good yarn! Fell in love all over again.
But amazingly...the show regenerates years later and is a ripping good yarn! Fell in love all over again.
does anyone remember that episode where the Tardis lands in a Wendy's and they had to keep eating "wendy's chicken nuggets" until the cybermen died?
i think the episode was "Dr. Who and the Return of the Hawaiian Cybermen"
i think the episode was "Dr. Who and the Return of the Hawaiian Cybermen"
"That's like one of the basic tenants of the show!"
:D
Did you meant "tenets" ?
Still, it's rather appropriate at the moment, especially if you add another 'n'.
:D
Did you meant "tenets" ?
Still, it's rather appropriate at the moment, especially if you add another 'n'.
Hmm... It seems that Doctor Who, simply looking at the plotlines, has jumped about twenty times... Same character different actor, of course with the Doctor and numerous time lords (some actors playing the same incarnation of certain time lords) you also have, well lets go down the list:
BIRTH: (SPOILER FOR THOSE OUTSIDE THE UK AND AUSTRALIA) The Doctor has a fully grown daughter cloned from his extrapolated DNA.
DEATH: The doctors companions, Jamie (killed by Cybermen) and Adric (killed also by Cybermen) spring to mind. Oh, yes, and ALL THE TIME LORDS DIED.
TED MCGINLEY: Ok he has not been on... YET.
PUBERTY: the Original Doctor's granddaughter, Susan Foreman grows up
Singing: In Daleks in Manhattan, Martha is involved in a song and dance number
THE MOVIE: Two movies in the 60s (starring Peter Cushing, not a TV doctor see Same Character Different Actor) and an even WORSE jump the shark sin A TELEMOVIE.
THEY DID IT: The newest incarnations are ALWAYS kissing their companions for different reasons.
MOVING: Well, the Doctor is constantly moving around, but he did spend a season stuck on Earth. Which is a big a change as actually moving.
SPECIAL GUEST STAR: Kylie Minogue. In a christmas special. Need I say more?
A Very Special...: Every time the Doctor dies...(see Same Character Different Actor) The Three Doctors. (See Same Character Different Actor) The Five Doctors (SCDA) The Two Doctors (SCDA)
NEW KID IN TOWN: Every new companion. Especially K9
HAIR CARE: Two Words: Tegan Jovanka.
EXIT STAGE LEFT: Captain Jack. Every Doctor. Every Companion.
COLOR: When the Third Doctor took the helm... and you know where that leads.
WEDDINGS Jo Grant... And even Donna Noble was introduced in her wedding dress...
BACK FROM THE DEAD: Daleks. The Master. Captain Jack.
There are also Christmas Specials... Charity mini episodes (where the doctor meets himself) Revamped old monsters updated for the 1970s 1980s and for the 21st Century.
There is only one thing that I can make of this. Doctor Who is immune to shark jumping. They could take Ted McGinley, having him singing live while marrying off character after character after character while having the TARDIS flying over shark cages and walking a robot dog and STILL be better than ever.
BIRTH: (SPOILER FOR THOSE OUTSIDE THE UK AND AUSTRALIA) The Doctor has a fully grown daughter cloned from his extrapolated DNA.
DEATH: The doctors companions, Jamie (killed by Cybermen) and Adric (killed also by Cybermen) spring to mind. Oh, yes, and ALL THE TIME LORDS DIED.
TED MCGINLEY: Ok he has not been on... YET.
PUBERTY: the Original Doctor's granddaughter, Susan Foreman grows up
Singing: In Daleks in Manhattan, Martha is involved in a song and dance number
THE MOVIE: Two movies in the 60s (starring Peter Cushing, not a TV doctor see Same Character Different Actor) and an even WORSE jump the shark sin A TELEMOVIE.
THEY DID IT: The newest incarnations are ALWAYS kissing their companions for different reasons.
MOVING: Well, the Doctor is constantly moving around, but he did spend a season stuck on Earth. Which is a big a change as actually moving.
SPECIAL GUEST STAR: Kylie Minogue. In a christmas special. Need I say more?
A Very Special...: Every time the Doctor dies...(see Same Character Different Actor) The Three Doctors. (See Same Character Different Actor) The Five Doctors (SCDA) The Two Doctors (SCDA)
NEW KID IN TOWN: Every new companion. Especially K9
HAIR CARE: Two Words: Tegan Jovanka.
EXIT STAGE LEFT: Captain Jack. Every Doctor. Every Companion.
COLOR: When the Third Doctor took the helm... and you know where that leads.
WEDDINGS Jo Grant... And even Donna Noble was introduced in her wedding dress...
BACK FROM THE DEAD: Daleks. The Master. Captain Jack.
There are also Christmas Specials... Charity mini episodes (where the doctor meets himself) Revamped old monsters updated for the 1970s 1980s and for the 21st Century.
There is only one thing that I can make of this. Doctor Who is immune to shark jumping. They could take Ted McGinley, having him singing live while marrying off character after character after character while having the TARDIS flying over shark cages and walking a robot dog and STILL be better than ever.
Huh?!? One of the reasons for Doctor Who jumping is that he regenerates?!? That's like one of the basic tenants of the show! And without it we wouldn't HAVE a show! I would have ended in 1966 when Hartnell was too ill to continue in the role! Putting that on as a reason for Doctor Who 'jumping the shark' is rather like saying Star Trek jumped the shark the first time they used the transporters or Red Dwarf jumped the shark the first time Lister mentioned a vindaloo. Seeing it as a reason for Doctor Who jumping the shark makes me think that Jump The Shark website has finally... jumped the shark.
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