Contains discussion of sexual abuse and harassment.
The Doctor Who fandom has been responsible for some of the most wonderful things, but equally some factions of the fan base have displayed some abhorrent behavior. Following the release of the latest Doctor Who Magazine—which has faced criticism from less desirable fans for its trans cover star Yasmin Finney—viewers are discussing some of the fandom’s least pleasant aspects.
Some Doctor Who fans have shown themselves to be deeply unlikeable, with their strange views regarding the sci-fi seriesraising many eyebrows around the more positive individuals in the Doctor Who community. Although it is important to remember that not all fans are horrible, the Doctor Who fandom has disappointingly still been responsible for some of the worst things.
10 Dismissive Of Other Mediums
Doctor Who’s expanded media is an extensive library of TARDIS adventures, with stories told across books, graphic novels, and video games. Despite the impressive amount of material on offer, some fans are not happy with some of the formats utilized.
A few members of the fan base have proven strangely dismissive of other mediums used to tell Doctor Who stories, believing that they should be told exclusively on television. Big Finish, in particular, has come under fire from some fans, who have disregarded their audio dramas as “just audios.” It’s a crying shame that some Doctor Who fans can’t embrace these wild and inventive releases.
9 Fan Entitlement
Doctor Who can be difficult for its showrunners to produce, as they are placed under significant pressure from both the BBC and the fans to produce quality television. Although Doctor Who fans mostly appear understanding of some of the behind-the-scenes issues that can arise, some have displayed an entitled attitude towards the program.
Most notably, the Doctor Who fan base expressed much frustration towards Steven Moffat’s decision to split the show’s sixth and seventh series over two years, despite him having produced some of Doctor Who’s best horror episodes. These changes were implemented due to the show’s punishing production schedule and ensured it could still be made without causing significant stress for the cast and crew.
8 Nitpicking
Doctor Who has a gigantic fan base that is home to many different voices. These wonderfully diverse opinions can sometimes cause friction between fans, with some members of the fandom becoming increasingly particular over how the program is discussed.
One of the fan base’s biggest nitpicks is over the name of Doctor Who’s titular character. While some loyal viewers refer to the character as “Doctor Who,” others argue that this is merely the show’s name and that the lead protagonist should always be referred to as “The Doctor.” This is despite Doctor Who’s Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi publicly referring to his role as “Doctor Who,” reflecting that the cast and crew themselves believe this to be the Time Lord’s name.
7 Gatekeeping
The show’s fan base is deeply passionate about Doctor Who, as they spend hours debating about it online. While this infectious enthusiasm can help attract new viewers through positive word of mouth, occasionally it can prove a hindrance. Some corners of the Doctor Who fandom insist that viewers must watch certain content from its past to be a “true fan.”
One of the fan base’s most common demands is that audiences check out the classic series if they wish to be welcomed into the community. Theclassic series may have produced some of the best Doctor Who stories, but its low production values and high episode count can make it inaccessible to new fans, making this gatekeeping an unrealistic expectation.
6 Taking The Show Too Seriously
Doctor Who has always been a wonderfully quirky series. The show’s eccentric nature has always been a key part of its identity, but fans have not always appreciated this important aspect. The Doctor Who fan base sometimes tends to take the program a little too seriously.
Doctor Who’s 2005 revival received some unfavorable comments from a few fans, who were unhappy with the 2005 series’ burping bins, as well as its farting aliens known as the Slitheen. This is despite Doctor Who having previously aired stories featuring giant ants named the Zarbi, and vampire stones called the Ogri. Doctor Who has never been afraid to embrace its sillier side.
5 A Snobbish Attitude
Doctor Who’s casual viewers make up a significant chunk of the show’s ratings, with most audiences choosing to dip in and out of the series, rather than committing to being a fan. Unfortunately, some fans can show a snobbish attitude towards the program’s more casual viewers, with one of the most contentious aspects being David Tennant’s popularity among mainstream audiences.
Although David Tennant’s Doctor is beloved by the public at large, some fans see those who idolize his Doctor as not being “true” viewers and believe David Tennant’s return to be a “problem.”Doctor Who’s Tenth Doctor deserves more respect from fans, with David Tennant’s outstanding performance having introduced many to the show who may otherwise have never watched.
4 Controversial Members
Although most Doctor Who fans are lovely, some have proven to be truly despicable individuals. Certain members of the fan base have been accused of some horrendous crimes, that reflect badly on the fandom. Although some of these cases have only come to light on social media, and have never been raised in court, they still reflect a more unpleasant side to fandom.
Among the most notable accusations regards a production member of the Doctor Who fan film “Doctor Who: Dark Reality,” who was accused by Twitter’s @SpaceForChanges of underage sex. Elsewhere, Doctor Who YouTuber VoteSaxon07 was charged with the murder of pregnant woman Natalie McNally, according to BBC News,making this a deeply disturbing aspect of the fandom.
3 The “Not My Doctor” Group
Although many fans are progressive in their ideals, there is a certain section of Doctor Who fandom who are less accepting of those from other backgrounds, known as the “Not My Doctors.” Doctor Who’s disgruntled “Not My Doctor” fans were formed in response to Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor, as they took issue with the female Doctor concept.
Although Jodie Whittaker’s era got many things right, the “Not My Doctors” have been less pleased with Chibnall’s approach. Doctor Who’s vocal fan group have been heavily critical of Chibnall’s wonderfully diverse era, which has seen him cast the first black Master in Sacha Dhawan, as well as the first black female Doctor Jo Martin. Their narrow-minded views make them an unlikeable bunch.
2 Stalking The Cast & Crew
Doctor Who’s filming is typically visited by dozens of fans during on-location shooting. The fandom has taken a deep interest in the show’s backstage production, and have become fascinated with watching the program being made. While for the most part, fans respect the show’s cast and crew, some have been known to go too far.
Doctor Who’s crew have been forced to deal with fans stalking them during location shoots, adding some unnecessary stress during an already stressful environment. Most notably, Jenna Coleman was followed to her hotel by some fanatics during Doctor Who filming, with some onlookers choosing to tail her car. This creepy behavior has made Doctor Who filming a toxic working environment for the cast and crew.
1 Their Outspoken Nature
Doctor Who’s Whovians are unafraid to express their opinions, as they spend hours debating their views on the show’s history. Their strong enthusiasm for the series can lead to some delightful discussions. Sometimes, however, Doctor Who fans can get a little too personal regarding their thoughts.
The Doctor Who fandom’s outspoken nature can provide a significant mental health challenge for the show’s cast and crew. The cruel comments concerning Helen Raynor’s scripts for “Daleks In Manhattan/Evolution Of The Daleks” reduced the writer to tears, for instance, according to “The Writer’s Tale.” While Doctor Who criticism can be constructive for the show’s creative talent, sometimes fans can go too far.
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