Comments on: Pay attention @StephenFry Dr Who = Food for the Soul http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/pay-attention-stephenfry-dr-who-food-for-the-soul/ Business Women of Opinion! Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:11:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: AnnGodridge http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/pay-attention-stephenfry-dr-who-food-for-the-soul/comment-page-1/#comment-4113 AnnGodridge Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:34:33 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=4752#comment-4113 For me the issue isn't about like or dislike - it's about whether or not it is just for children.<br><br>I wrote the blog in response to a stream of posts flying past me on facebook from people who had clearly read the same news stories I had, but who were delighted to see Dr Who dismissed as childish. <br><br>They loved the idea Dr Who was a kind of guilty pleasure - like chicken nuggets. Silly of me not to realise it was twisted by journalists as well - presumably part of the usual pattern of running down anything - and anyone - popular and loved. For me the issue isn't about like or dislike – it's about whether or not it is just for children.

I wrote the blog in response to a stream of posts flying past me on facebook from people who had clearly read the same news stories I had, but who were delighted to see Dr Who dismissed as childish.

They loved the idea Dr Who was a kind of guilty pleasure – like chicken nuggets. Silly of me not to realise it was twisted by journalists as well – presumably part of the usual pattern of running down anything – and anyone – popular and loved.

]]> By: Tessa Shepperson http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/pay-attention-stephenfry-dr-who-food-for-the-soul/comment-page-1/#comment-4112 Tessa Shepperson Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:15:04 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=4752#comment-4112 Most Whovians know you love Dr Who Stephen, because you were writing an episode. Everyone was really disappointed when it did not go ahead at that time - it would be great if it could be part of the next series. Most Whovians know you love Dr Who Stephen, because you were writing an episode. Everyone was really disappointed when it did not go ahead at that time – it would be great if it could be part of the next series.
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]]> By: Sally http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/pay-attention-stephenfry-dr-who-food-for-the-soul/comment-page-1/#comment-4096 Sally Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:46:24 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=4752#comment-4096 There is nothing more frustrating than being misquoted in whatever context, but if regular journalists are anything like medical or science journalists, then it probably happens rather too often for most people's tastes. I suppose the editors feel that controversy sells. Still, thanks for reminding me of Edge of Darkness, Ann. That was rather good as was the Smiley series and Inspector Morse. I must grumble at you lot for not telling me about Inspector Lewis while I've been away in the States though, I just found out and caught up with all 4 series on DVD. There is nothing more frustrating than being misquoted in whatever context, but if regular journalists are anything like medical or science journalists, then it probably happens rather too often for most people’s tastes. I suppose the editors feel that controversy sells.

Still, thanks for reminding me of Edge of Darkness, Ann. That was rather good as was the Smiley series and Inspector Morse. I must grumble at you lot for not telling me about Inspector Lewis while I’ve been away in the States though, I just found out and caught up with all 4 series on DVD.
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]]> By: AnnGodridge http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/pay-attention-stephenfry-dr-who-food-for-the-soul/comment-page-1/#comment-4091 AnnGodridge Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:23:05 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=4752#comment-4091 Not just clever, Morag - I think at times there's been real emotional depth. <br><br>I'm really not sure what this distinction between children and adults is supposed to mean, in the end. So long as we aren't looking at the tellytubbies, of course :) <br><br>Merlin, now, I enjoyed that too - but I did think it lacked in subtlety. In Merlin, you get an experience of personal loss, and then it is shrugged off with a laugh and bit of banter between Merlin and Arthur. Not just clever, Morag – I think at times there's been real emotional depth.

I'm really not sure what this distinction between children and adults is supposed to mean, in the end. So long as we aren't looking at the tellytubbies, of course :)

Merlin, now, I enjoyed that too – but I did think it lacked in subtlety. In Merlin, you get an experience of personal loss, and then it is shrugged off with a laugh and bit of banter between Merlin and Arthur.

]]> By: Linda Mattacks http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/pay-attention-stephenfry-dr-who-food-for-the-soul/comment-page-1/#comment-4090 Linda Mattacks Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:19:12 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=4752#comment-4090 Oh, don't give up - hang on in there ;-) And, anyway, it shows you're both arguing the same cause! Oh, don't give up – hang on in there ;-) And, anyway, it shows you're both arguing the same cause!
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]]> By: Morag http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/pay-attention-stephenfry-dr-who-food-for-the-soul/comment-page-1/#comment-4088 Morag Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:08:22 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=4752#comment-4088 To be fair, Stephen, you did stress that it was children's programming and then went on to say that much children's programming is like chicken nuggets and infantile. It is not surprising that journalists and others might have thought you meant you disliked Doctor Who. I am very pleased you did NOT diss it, because it is often truly clever.<br><br>On a choice between Doctor Who and Tracy Beaker, I pick the Doctor every time :) To be fair, Stephen, you did stress that it was children's programming and then went on to say that much children's programming is like chicken nuggets and infantile. It is not surprising that journalists and others might have thought you meant you disliked Doctor Who. I am very pleased you did NOT diss it, because it is often truly clever.

On a choice between Doctor Who and Tracy Beaker, I pick the Doctor every time :)

]]> By: AnnGodridge http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/pay-attention-stephenfry-dr-who-food-for-the-soul/comment-page-1/#comment-4087 AnnGodridge Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:08:05 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=4752#comment-4087 They weren't mentioned in the Bafta speech. Perhaps they were on the menu ;) They weren't mentioned in the Bafta speech. Perhaps they were on the menu ;)

]]> By: Morag http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/pay-attention-stephenfry-dr-who-food-for-the-soul/comment-page-1/#comment-4086 Morag Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:02:40 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=4752#comment-4086 I have to say, Russell T Davies' last series had a very cobbled-together feel, whereas Stephen Moffat's first series has (somewhat surprisingly) reinvigorated the idea of coherence. It was very cleverly done, and my children are full of admiration. I loved the last episode in particular, and it has made me want to get the series on DVD so I can go back and pick up the clues. I have to say, Russell T Davies' last series had a very cobbled-together feel, whereas Stephen Moffat's first series has (somewhat surprisingly) reinvigorated the idea of coherence. It was very cleverly done, and my children are full of admiration. I loved the last episode in particular, and it has made me want to get the series on DVD so I can go back and pick up the clues.

]]> By: MaggieBerney http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/pay-attention-stephenfry-dr-who-food-for-the-soul/comment-page-1/#comment-4085 MaggieBerney Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:00:10 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=4752#comment-4085 I have to say I'm a sci-fi/fantasy fan.I sometimes see people come in and peruse my bookshelves and look disappointed that there's little 'serious' literature there. However, some of the most beautiful and emotive writing that I've ever read (and yes I do read other genres) can be found in the fantasy genre. A good story, well written, is timeless, the setting - be it contemporary, another planet, an alternative reality is merely the backdrop. I have to say I'm a sci-fi/fantasy fan.I sometimes see people come in and peruse my bookshelves and look disappointed that there's little 'serious' literature there. However, some of the most beautiful and emotive writing that I've ever read (and yes I do read other genres) can be found in the fantasy genre. A good story, well written, is timeless, the setting – be it contemporary, another planet, an alternative reality is merely the backdrop.

]]> By: AnnGodridge http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/pay-attention-stephenfry-dr-who-food-for-the-soul/comment-page-1/#comment-4084 AnnGodridge Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:58:30 +0000 http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/?p=4752#comment-4084 Mea culpa, Stephen. <br><br>The Guardian does seem to be reporting on a completely different speech, and I should have read the original more carefully. <br><br>Thank you for putting the record straight. <br><br>Ann Mea culpa, Stephen.

The Guardian does seem to be reporting on a completely different speech, and I should have read the original more carefully.

Thank you for putting the record straight.

Ann

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