A talking pig has re-opened the age old debate of whether or not Doctor Who is a children’s programme. Peppa Pig, the 2-D pig and pawn of the Labour Party, has brought home the merchandising bacon to the tune of £200 million- taking over the obviously delayed-at-the-signals Thomas the Tank Engine.
This news has led The Daily Telegraph to bundle together the longest running children’s shows with Doctor Who sitting pretty at number 7- so how comfortable are you with your favourite show lining up against shows like The Sooty Show and Rainbow?
The debate over whether or not Doctor Who is an actual children’s programme rather than a drama programme aimed at children like others on the list, such as Grange Hill, recently came to ahead when Stephen Fry stoked nerd flames of hate by highlighting Doctor Who for being one of the reasons TV had sunk into ‘Infantilism’
One the one hand Fry acknowledged was that Doctor Who was a well written, children’s programme but again the term ‘children’s programme’ is misleading. The show has never been produced by the children’s department at the BBC and throughout its run has introduced both the real world and a myriad of complex sci-fi ideas into tea time living rooms.
Perhaps it’s the fans’ problem; maybe we take these labels and attach a perceived negative connotation based on our love of the show, both in adulthood and during our youth, and perhaps we shouldn’t take these arguments so seriously – something that Mitchell and Webb star David Mitchell, poked fun at recently.
So, where do you lie on this argument? Does it matter that it shares similar accolades with The Sooty Show?
(via The Daily Telegraph)
![How Leaks Are Spoiling Doctor Who's 50th [SPOILERS]](http://www.kasterborous.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/special-recent-posts/cache/NTA1MG5vNTB0aC1jYXN0aW5nLWh1cnQ=.jpg)
It’s for eeevery age. That’s one of the best things about it.
It can be advertised to kids but the BBC also advertise it in their trails with all their ‘grown up’ drama too. Just cos it’s much more family friendly than most other dramas doesn’t make it just a kids show. I don’t see what the problem is.
I agree with Carn. What’s the point in the debate anyway. Kids like Doctor Who. Adults like it, and big kids like it. It’s a show that has a broad appeal, and I really don’t care if you call it a kids’ show. Not important. But infantile? Go play with your shiny overpriced apple toys Stephen.
Stephen Fry is a bit of a pompous douche. Why is it so hard for people to understand a show that is appropriate for “the whole family”? Accessable to kids but doesn’t talk down to them while at the same time, is intelligent enough for all adults to appreciate and it entertains all of the above—*without* trying to be pompous and over-intellectual. Fry and many others of his ilk should take note.
Right on Rick!