Saturday 3 October 2015

#thebigannouncement

This week, there was a big announcement in the world of Doctor Who. We know it was a big announcement because we were warned about it for several hours in advance and everyone immediately started using the hashtag #bigannouncement. What could it be? The BBC claimed it was big news, bigger than anyone was guessing. What on earth could it be?

It was never going to be missing episodes. I don't believe that that is how that particular piece of news would be handled. In 2013, when nine episodes were returned to us, we all knew about it for most of 10th October. We'd known for some time that something was coming back – and the titles themselves were revealed many hours in advance of the midnight iTunes release. Ah, what a time that was to be alive.

So no, I never thought that the big announcement had anything to do with missing episodes. However, it seems that many other people did.

In fact, the announcement was that the BBC are making a new spinoff series set at Coal Hill School, called Class. 

REALLY? OMG!

Because I thought that was really terribly exciting. I've missed Torchwood (which could be very good) and the Sarah Jane Adventures (which was fantastic). It's bound to be at least good, but with talented novelist Patrick Ness at the helm, it will probably be outstanding. 

This, however, was not the main reaction I saw clogging up social media. Fans (nearly used quote marks there) were outraged. Largely, it seems, because the announcement wasn't the one they wanted. Apparently, finding The Space Pirates would be great but making whole new stories is less so.

Others objected to the way in which it was announced. Apparently, this is too much hype for something as minor as an entirely new TV show.

I really feel like people are looking for things to be negative about. If the rumours about Who being largely off air in 2016 are true, then ok, be cross about that. But bashing the new spinoff before the damn thing's even been made? Not cool.

Some tweets I saw:

"Maybe moffatt will include the defunct members of one direction to guest appear... i despair."

I assume this means that the tweeter feels that aiming the show at a young audience is beneath Who's dignity. EXCUSE ME? It may be screened across the watershed this week, but Doctor Who was conceived as a children's programme. Remember?

"only one thing will really attract me to this and that's if a certain school governor makes an appearance"

Yes, of course. Never mind the quality of the scripts - just make sure the nonagenarian William Russell totters down the lane for a cameo. That's what Doctor Who is all about. A guaranteed ratings winner.

"#TheBigAnnouncement would have been much cooler if it had been, "Phillip Hinchcliffe has agreed to become the new #DoctorWho producer.""

Facepalm. Yes of course - even better to hand over the whole show to a septuagenarian who hasn't worked in 15 years.

"Class, ripoff of Buffy/Dark Season/Sarah Jane Adventures. So much for #DoctorWho #thebigannouncement Moffat, please bugger off now."

It hasn't been made yet! How do you know what it will rip off? Did you dismiss SJA because it would rip Buffy off?

Ready for the best one?

"I think I'm excited about this. #thebigannouncement  "
"I'm sad for you. #thebigannouncement 
#thehugedisappointment"

Slow hand clap. You can't even let other people enjoy the moment.

Poor Patrick Ness. He doesn't know what's going to hit him.

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