Poll: American doctor who?

[Eisenfaust]

he should almost definately stay british... anything else would just seem... wrong...

 

[WaywardHaymaker]

Why? It's a great show with all of its British awesome.

 

[oktalist]

We don't "steal." We incorporate things from as wide a variety of cultures as possible. In the end, each is less "pure" and "true to its original," but that's how we keep our bank on influences from growing as stale as some other nations (who foolishly believe that the exact same jokes the exact same way over and over is "tradition" instead of "stagnation.")

Care to give some examples of this stagnation?

If we think an American show is good, we just go ahead and watch it. We don't feel the need to Anglicise it in order to make it watchable, or in order to adopt it as part of our own culture.

It's called localization, folks.

No, it's called localisation.

One of the things that makes Doctor Who so cool to the BBC's loyal viewers is the, "Hey! I can relate to that!" factor. Also the "Hey! I've been to that place!" factor. People might not realize it all of the time, but it always plays a role in how easily someone relates to a show.

So when Daleks set up shop in Canary Wharf, you wonder why you should care, but when a Goa'uld system lord is found to be operating out of a house in rural Washington state I have no trouble relating to the danger posed by that situation.

Would you have enjoyed Doctor Who as much if it had originally been set in Japan? Or Russia? Or India? I doubt it. The sets, regional colloquialisms, historical/pop culture references... all of that wouldn't resonate with you quite as well. And it might just be that the plot and acting ALONE aren't quite enough to hook a massive audience on shows like that--there needs to be a relatable "hook" somewhere.

The British version of Firefly will star John Barrowman as Mal, Sophie Okonedo as Zoe, Simon Pegg as Wash, Sean Bean as Jayne, Michelle Ryan as Inara, Karen Gillan as Kaylee, Richard Ayoade as Book, Arthur Darvill as Simon, and Emma Watson as River [small](I'm sorry, Summer, I'm so sorry)[/small]. All the American colloquialisms will be replaced with English ones and all the references to Chinese culture will be replaced with Welsh. All the allusion to the Wild West will be replaced with a more Robin Hood style. And only then could British audiences really enjoy it in the same way that Americans have.

 

[Axolotl]

It's called localization, folks. One of the things that makes Doctor Who so cool to the BBC's loyal viewers is the, "Hey! I can relate to that!" factor. Also the "Hey! I've been to that place!" factor. People might not realize it all of the time, but it always plays a role in how easily someone relates to a show.

Of the new series 30 episodes are set in modern Britain, 10 are set in historical Britain and 29 are set outside Britain (this counts future space stations run by Britain as outside it in terms of relatability). Of those the majority are set in A generic London suburb or generic countryside rather than specific location.

Would you have enjoyed Doctor Who as much if it had originally been set in Japan? Or Russia? Or India? I doubt it. The sets, regional colloquialisms, historical/pop culture references... all of that wouldn't resonate with you quite as well. And it might just be that the plot and acting ALONE aren't quite enough to hook a massive audience on shows like that--there needs to be a relatable "hook" somewhere.

As above, it isn't set in one specific location, the basic premise of the how is that of people traveling through time and space. Besides, I watch dozens of programs set outside Britain and plenty of programs made outside Britain.

So, maybe the folks behind Doctor Who want to expand the audience a bit. Set up franchises, so to speak. Let them. Let some good American writers try a more America-localized version (not British or Canadian writers TRYING to "write American"), and see if it takes. If it does, that extra money coming in could make ALL of the shows better (which, incidentally, is why America has commercial breaks).

The BBC should not make or lisence programs for non-British viewers. It defies the whole purpose of the BBC.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

England has more in common with France than America.

Never ever say that near any of us british...

I'm British

Look at what we have in common: Pompous nature, Belief their culture revolves around the capital city, Shrugging, Obsession with food/drink and rights, major obsession with cheese.

But, I've had a long think about this, and they COULD do an American Doctor Who.

Going back to the basics, the TARDIS would have to be something anachronistic, but fitting. Say like one of the hot dog carts, or a newspaper shacks. The Doctor himself would almost certainly be a baseball fan, possibly Boston or New Yorker to start with; or a cabby... that would work.
Then he regenerates into a Californian surfer, or a Texan rancher - McCloud could be a decent role-model.

The main problem being is that he wouldn't be Doctor Who, but rather Doctor Whassamatter.

 

[Dastardly]

Actually the whole localisation thing is one that always annoys me because it isn't just British shows the States makes versions of.

And it isn't just "the States" that pull this shit, either. But beyond ALL of that, have you stopped to consider something else:

Maybe no one here is ASKING for an American "Doctor Who" series. I know I'm not. I find the writing and character development so hackneyed that I can't stand the show--it ain't cultural, I love plenty of "non-American" shows in their natural form. Maybe, just maybe, it's some of the BRITISH folks working at the BBC saying "Hmm, how can we get a piece of that American Sci-Fi Show cash?"

Foreign films and kids shows being just a couple of examples. I mean talk about ignorance and intolerance and believing everything needs to be made for Americans.

As long as folks from those other countries keep MAKING the stuff because THEY want the DOLLARS for it, it's not OUR problem. Look elsewhere--we make plenty of our own stuff. You act like we're the only country that does any of this stuff, when seriously, what percentage of the WORLD'S entertainment (music, shows, movies) is MADE BY us?

Look at all of our shows that other countries don't license, but rather copy pretty closely--but of course with their own national flavor. People on average prefer shows about people LIKE them that take place in locations that are FAMILIAR in some way. PEOPLE. Not "Americans."

If America want a time travelling hero, let them have one. But please make it something new entirely, rather than just altering an existing show beyond recognition just to suit them.

Yeah, we already did. It was called Quantum Leap, and it was a damn good show. We've been there, done that, which tells me AGAIN that this idea--if it's even REAL--is something some British businessman is cooking up because he and some British focus group decided it would be a way to make more money. The show is over THERE, so any decision for it to leave must originate from THERE, not HERE.

Don't get me wrong, us Brits do it too and it annoys me no less when we do it, it just annoys me that people don't seem to want to "get" other cultures. It may just be a personal thing however because I tend to find watching foreign films very interesting.

But it's somehow more okay to call it "arrogant" when it's something done TO (not BY) American culture? The things folks need to understand:

1) We don't ask for stuff to get "localised." People do it because THEY don't trust THEIR OWN product enough on its own merit to run as-is. That's a result of low-quality writers that haven't had to compete the same way we do here.

2) Other countries don't license our shit half as often as they just COPY it, slap a new name on it, and run it there. So to pretend we are the only folks doing this is a function of flawed perspective--you just SEE the "Americanized" versions of things far more often because our junk goes EVERYWHERE.

3) Why are people ignoring the REASONABLE purpose of the process? Why wouldn't people tune in by the thousands to watch the ORIGINAL "The Office" on NBC? Simple. Offices don't run the same way here. People in offices don't talk about the same stuff here. The entire POINT of the show (Lampooning office life and the modern office work culture) would fall flat. Not because we don't get the jokes, but because they don't RESONATE with us in quite the same way.

 

[Dastardly]

Of the new series 30 episodes are set in modern Britain, 10 are set in historical Britain and 29 are set outside Britain (this counts future space stations run by Britain as outside it in terms of relatability). Of those the majority are set in A generic London suburb or generic countryside rather than specific location.

And 100% of them focus on things that are more culturally relevant to mainstream BRITISH culture. Turns of phrase that we don't use here, references to sporting events we don't watch, yadda yadda yadda. Because you're IN IT, you don't realize how many cultural "stamps" are on the shows created by your culture--but you can't sure spot them in OTHER COUNTRIES' STUFF.

Why is that? Because you are noticing the absence of something that YOU consider to be "normal," with something "unusual" left in its place. We're far more tolerant of that kind of thing here, anyway, when one considers the ENORMOUS variety of different cultures we encounter in any given day on any given street--not just the small handful of mainstream European threads.

As above, it isn't set in one specific location, the basic premise of the how is that of people traveling through time and space. Besides, I watch dozens of programs set outside Britain and plenty of programs made outside Britain.

It is told through ONE set of cultural eyebrows, and it finds its ANCHOR in one specific location (or, more accurately, culture). And someone who works on the show isn't confident enough in the "basic premise" to feel that they could just send it over as-is. The writers aren't confident enough in their own craft, and that ain't our problem.

 

[are.you.the.god.its.me.vader]

Crickey.

Arnold Swartzenegger playing The Doctor? Could work......

Y'know, if the whole of reality blew up and pigs flew.

 

[CK76]

If it is made I'll just pretend it never happened, like the Brasilian Star Wars (do not watch it!) that never was made.

 

[capin Rob]

Don't watchh it, Mbaey that guy from House, NVM, he is britsh, puts on a great U.S accent.

 

[EN1GM4]

I am with you 150% the fact that the good doctor has been british for so many long years would make sense that he should stay that way thats the way it has always been thats they way it should stay, it shouldn't matter that it is a british show, but when fans think of Doctor Who one of the first things that pops into their minds is his accent

 

[laggyteabag]

no, Doctor Who should stay a British program, its like having a American James Bond or Harry Potter, its just not right.

 

[Zac Smith]

Don't care, never been into Doctor Who, my girlfriend is though, and she would say keep him British

 

[Axolotl]

And 100% of them focus on things that are more culturally relevant to mainstream BRITISH culture. Turns of phrase that we don't use here, references to sporting events we don't watch, yadda yadda yadda. Because you're IN IT, you don't realize how many cultural "stamps" are on the shows created by your culture--but you can't sure spot them in OTHER COUNTRIES' STUFF.

You should have specified you were talking about national pop-culture and a general zeitgeist. Now how does that draw me to the show? I watch lots of programs not made in Britain and the different idiosyncrasies don't put me off, infact it helps increase the appeal. What's the point in simply rehashing another culture's work? It rarely ends up with a superior product and the time and effot could have gone into something original.

Why is that? Because you are noticing the absence of something that YOU consider to be "normal," with something "unusual" left in its place. We're far more tolerant of that kind of thing here, anyway, when one considers the ENORMOUS variety of different cultures we encounter in any given day on any given street--not just the small handful of mainstream European threads.

Now you see what you're saying here, this is just insulting and detrimental to your arguement. If Americans are so much more multicultural then why do British TV shows need to be redone for the US? Plenty of American TV shows are shown over here and the programs that are remade are generally game or quiz shows.

It is told through ONE set of cultural eyebrows, and it finds its ANCHOR in one specific location (or, more accurately, culture). And someone who works on the show isn't confident enough in the "basic premise" to feel that they could just send it over as-is. The writers aren't confident enough in their own craft, and that ain't our problem.

What the hell does this paragraph mean?


Oh and before you start saying the British people do these thing looking for US money. No that's not what happens, for a start anyone with that mentality should not be allowed to work at the BBC. Secondly the majority of US remakes are proposed and funded by US studios.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

If they make an American version of Doctor Who, chances are that "Doctor Who" will be his name, he'll have a ray gun, and he'll be much more willing to kill his enemies. allies. Friendly fire?

But if it does get made, i hope it fails horribly while the BBC version flies high.

He'll also turn up late to everything.



Can't the Americans just watch the British version? Hell, I'm not even English and I can see that a not-British Doctor wouldn't be the Doctor at all. And an American version may as well wear spandex and a cape because they'll turn him into a bloody superhero.

 

[Macgyvercas]

NO! Absolutely fucking NO! There is no way in HELL that I would permit such an absolutely FCUKING RETARDED idea! American versions of British shows always suck! If this happens, I will destroy something.

*BTW, that rant came from an American*

 

[Zorg Machine]

The only thing that America has ever done better than the UK is (in my opinion) the office.
If they make an american doctor who, I will never, ever, see a single episode even if someone holds a sonic screwdriver to my head...or if they held something dangerous, like a laser screwdriver.