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From: percus@acf4.UUCP (Allon G. Percus)
Newsgroups: net.tv.drwho
Subject: Re: Do we want to keep the current stars?
Message-ID: <5020052@acf4.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 29-Oct-85 20:13:00 EST
Article-I.D.: acf4.5020052
Posted: Tue Oct 29 20:13:00 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 1-Nov-85 01:42:25 EST
References: <905@abnji.UUCP>
Organization: New York University
Lines: 47

Since I am to be blamed for starting the commotion to begin with, I'll
present some follow-up flames (careful -- I get very harsh sometimes):

> (*FLAME ON*): J N-T is probably the best producer Doctor Who has had. If
> it wasn't for J N-T, Doctor Who might still be stuck in the rut of slap
> stick comedy. J N-T brought the level of Doctor Who up from a childrens
> show to a show worthy of Sci-Fi. Not only is he a great producer, but he is
> a great person too. Do you think Graham Williams or Pennant Roberts would
> come to a small-time convention just for the sake of the fans? Probably not.
> I know we are all entitled to our opinions, but out of curiosity, Brad,
> who is your favorite producer? (*FLAME OFF*) [for now anyway]

Why should Dr. Who come up to the level of standard Sci-Fi?  The whole
essence of the show is its offbeatness, and, yes, even occasional
slapstick humor.  As for JN-T as a person, I understand your feelings
entirely -- not because you are right, though.  Indeed, I find him to
be one of the slimiest people existing in his ability to make all his decisions
seem so great: almost immediately after becoming producer, he started
pushing Tom Baker to the extent that Baker simply decided to leave
(this is a less-known fact).

Personally, my favorite producer, by far, is Barry Letts.  He gave
Jon Pertwee leave to do anything within reason, and provided assistance
when it was necessary.  For more praise, ask Pertwee himself.  You
would never get the same response from Tom Baker or Peter Davison when
discussing JN-T.

> One of the reasons why the show went on hiatus was because of money. Do
> you think a cheapskate like Grade would spend a bunch of money on a show
> he doesn't like. This is the guy that cancelled Star Trek, and didn't 
> even cost the BBC anything to produce!!!

I'm afraid that your first statement simply will not hold water.  Shortly
after the cancellation news, Ron Katz (of DWFCA) offered to give to the
BBC enough to film and broadcast another full 26 episode season.  Grade
said "Nyet."  It was pointed out that BBC brings in from Dr. Who
much more than it spends, from the States alone.  Grade still said
"Nyet."  Money doesn't seem to be the crucial issue.

           .
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        |II II|      (ARPA) percus@acf4
        |II II|       (NYU) percus.acf4
        |II II|      (UUCP) ...{allegra!ihnp4!seismo}!cmcl2!acf4!percus
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