Like a lot of Americans, The Doctor always meant Tom Baker to me, but Christopher Eccleston, had he had a longer time in the role, could easily have displaced Baker for me. Not only was Eccleston’s ninth doctor a wonderful mix of whimsy and tragedy, he also benefited from what has to be the best-written Doctor Who series to date.
While “Doctor Who” has always had its moments of screenplay greatness, never has a single season had so many grace notes, including the tear-jerker “Father’s Day,” the horror and pathos of “The Empty Child” and “World War III” and the epic science fiction of “Bad Wolf.”
The only clunker — and it’s enough of a clunker to cost it a star with me — is the terrible decision to include far-future versions of contemporary British game shows and their version of Extreme Makeover in the penultimate episode. Forget this not holding up well in 10 years, this already feels dated and stupid.
But the special effects really are (almost) comparable to contemporary American science fiction shows like “Battlestar Galactica” (which has the same problem with alien/futuristic people wandering around in contemporary clothes that “Dr. Who” does). Coupled with solid acting (even from pop star Billie Piper) and top-drawer writing, this season of “Dr. Who” is a winner for fans old and new.
Strongly recommended for fans of science fiction television shows.
Well, Gilby Clarke last night said he was open to a woman fronting the band, and once again, Dilana and Storm were the clear standouts. We’ll see, we’ll see …
Jenn and I have no kids, but if we did, they’d be listening to lullaby versions of rock songs rather than the Wiggles (who, frankly, sort of creep me out). Heck, my two nieces may be getting an album each for Christmas this year.
10. ‘Fix You’
Coldplay (2005)
These British softies apparently didn’t get the memo that ‘Dawson’s Creek’ had been cancelled when they wrote this weeper. Luckily, the producers of ‘The O.C.’ love syrupy ballads, and frontman Chris Martin managed to outwhine the show’s mighty Cohen.
You can listen to each of the wuss songs individually, or even in a manhood-shriveling stream of all the songs, one after another, if you dare.
In considerably manlier news, the DVD of My Name is Earl, Season One (one of the few great shows to survive last year’s bumper crop of new shows) will have a new 15 minute episode (regular episodes are 22 minutes, sans commercials) with Earl following the wisdom of Family Guy’s Stewie instead of Carson Daly. That’ll definitely be worth a rental, if nothing else.
The thing about this show is that, when I watch it, I keep realizing “oh crap, we’re not even halfway done yet.” Because, honestly, skipping about half of these bozos slowly getting eliminated wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
