With the new incarnation of the classic British sci-fi series "Doctor Who" soon set to air, the first few media reviews have started coming in although taste for the show may be divided across the Atlantic.
According to Gallifrey One, popular UK music magazine Q Magazine has published a glowing review of the new series in its latest issue, the reviewer praising series writer and executive producer Russell T Davies for the "triumphant regeneration" of Doctor Who (the series rather than the person) and for "the slick, sharp dialogue". He ends by saying that "Doctor Who is no longer the domain solely of sci-fi spods, this is must-see TV for everyone.
The word over in the US however isn't so peachy. IGN Filmforce reports that major cable broadcaster The Sci-Fi Channel are NOT in negotiations for the new series with their sources saying "Sci Fi Channel has already had a chance at the new series and passed after viewing some of the completed episodes. Some of the executives at the network found the series somewhat lacking and didn't think it would fit into the network's schedule."
The Sci-Fi Network is coming off one of its most successful few months yet with both its "Stargate" shows and its reinvented "Battlestar Galactica" doing strong numbers for cable and are being guaranteed for at least one more season each. On top of that the network has many specials, mini-series and new shows in active development. Many expected "Who" to be broadcast in the Q2 2005 window on Sci-Fi, when the aforementioned series are on hiatus.
Whereas US sci-fi shows with their bigger budgets have crossed overseas quite successfully, the reverse isn't true it seems with shows like "Doctor Who", "Red Dwarf" and "Blake's 7" being cult international mega-hits that never really took off in the US despite earning loyal followings. Even with better writing than many rival US sci-fi shows, the production values with rickety sets and limited and somewhat hokey effects make them hard to digest for certain audiences.
All's not lost though. The UK gets the show starting March 26th, Canada will have the broadcasts from April 5th and the US might still get a showing later this year on the Universal HD channel. The show will also be carried on Prime in New Zealand (no Aussie broadcaster yet announced).
Thanks to 'Adrian'.
