Cult sci-fi hero Doctor Who won the battle of prime time as 10 million viewers tuned in to watch the series return after a 16-year absence, figures revealed today.
The much-loved time traveller beat off competition from ITV’s Ant and Dec – and their guest David Beckham – to claim an average audience of 9.9 million on Saturday night.
Salford-born Christopher Eccleston became the ninth small screen Doctor in a special effects-packed comeback, with former pop star Billie Piper starring as his new sidekick.
The series, which was screened at 7pm, had an average audience share of 43.2% and hit a peak of 10.6 million viewers.
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, which ran against Doctor Who, had an average of 7.2 million viewers, taking a 31.4% share.
The Geordie duo peaked with an 8.5 million audience, 37.5% of the viewing public.
Plea to Babbleblog members – use your Photoshop skills against the grinning twosome?
That was utterly fantastic… they’ve completely nailed Doctor Who for 2005. Yes, the plot was weak but only because it was a pilot and they had to grip the audience while introducing the characters. So story wise, I gave it 4 out of 5.
I know it was a success – my mum hated Doctor Who (“I don’t get it”) and was reluctatantly persuaded to watch it “just this once”… laughed at all the right places, will now tune in next week! And my 9 year old sister was beside herself – Doctor Who is back!
[Outpost Gallifrey Forum]And if you didn’t watch it, then give yourself a slap and tune in tomorrow at 7pm on BBC THREE.
I’m running out of ways to get more excited about Rose (26th March – 7pm – BBC1) what with the billboards \ trailers \ press coverage and all. Even Newsnight Review loved it, apart from American Bonnie Greer, who thought the acting and plots were wonderful but didn’t “get it”. Which gives me a very good feeling: it’s a British show after all.
(And yes, I promise I was only watching Newsnight Review for that!)
Now then – term ends on Wednesday (already!?) so I’ve got to finish my ICT Coursework and then it’s all revision. Although technically you can’t revise something until you’ve actually learnt it the first time… Humanities department, are you listening? 
Oh, and tonight’s shout out goes to Maya, because she’s shockingly escaped a mention here so far despite helping me to hijack Babbleblog. And she fancies Nic. Strange girl…
I don’t want to sound spiteful, because they’ve tried hard. Real hard. The boring sets, dull costumes, and even sticking (pretty much) to the UK plots. But somehow, from the promo at least, they just don’t ‘get it’.
A big problem is the incredibly stupid music that’s overlaid on top. Again, it’s just a promo thing, so I’ll reserve judgement. But the whole thing doesn’t look like a cheap documentary, it looks like a sitcom. Their David Brent is just – well – he’s too happy. Brent was never really a happy person, just desperate to entertain others. He would speak slowly in the talking heads section, trying to be a great philosopher rather trying to crack a joke.
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Over the past few days I’ve seen the first 3 episodes…. backwards. And – it’s good. It’s very good. There’s just the right blend of drama and comedy, with the ‘unmissable’ factor that comes from a good plot. It’s not particularly deep but there’s enough substance to make it great TV. The narration by the dead character (don’t worry – I’m not spoiling anything) is a bit cheesy but quirky enough to hold the thing together.
Everybody does end up looking like a supermodel though – aren’t the suburbs Super-Sized too?
Linda Moffitt on Colombia: “Such a sweet memory of the four of you meeting up in Colombia!” Dec 2, 07:42
