The Doctor Who Years: The Eighties (documentary)

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The Doctor Who Years: The Eighties was the third and final episode of The Doctor Who Years, a three-part musical documentary series charting the history of the so-called "Classic Series" of Doctor Who.

It was released on the Doctor Who website on 21 May 2005.[1]

The style and format of the documentary was based on the BBC television series The Rock 'n' Roll Years (1984-94). It featured clips and images from every Doctor Who story, in chronological order, as well as various promotional appearances, merchandise and newspaper clippings, accompanied with tounge-in-cheek captions and scored with pop music from the UK Singles Chart at the time.

Initially it was only available to stream in RealPlayer (.ram) format, then on 6 July 2005 it was made avalable in a second format, Windows Media Video (.wmv), after a website visitor survey in which RealPlayer was heavily criticised.[2][3]

Other material featured[[edit] | [edit source]]

Other clips featured were:

Press clippings featured were:

  • "Will the cruel Beeb really kill off K9?", The Sun, 7 June 1980.
  • "Time's up, Doctor And the new Who could be a woman", Daily Star, 25 October 1980.
  • "Peter Who?", Daily Record, 5 November 1980.
  • "Tell me, Doctor, who's Who and who is not?", 1983.
  • "Colin's the new Dr Who", Daily Star, 20 August 1983.
  • "Dr Who is axed in a BBC plot", The Sun, 28 February 1985.
  • "Dr Who down-Graded!", Daily Mail, 28 February 1985.
  • "Now for Dr Who on radio", c.10 June 1985.
  • "One last chance for timeless Dr Who", Daily Mail, 14 August 1986.
  • "Colin Baker quits as the Doctor", Glasgow Herald, 19 December 1986.
  • "Why I'll never forgive gutless Grade, by axed Dr Who", The Sun, 6 January 1987.
  • "Who do you do, Doctor", Daily Mirror, 3 March 1987.
  • "McCoy, That's Who", The Sun, 3 March 1987.
  • "Doctor Who is the real McCoy", Today, 3 March 1987.
  • "Dr Who and the battle of Coronation Street", The Guardian, 9 September 1987.
  • "Jubilee spree for Doctor Who", The Guardian, 16 November 1988.
  • Radio Times cover from 19-25 November 1983.

Images of the following pieces of merchandise:

A publicity photo was used to illustrate the BBC Radio 4 audio drama Slipback.

Captions[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Viewers settle down to the new season, expecting the usual eerie music & titles...
  • ...but they are in for a shock!
  • New Producer John Nathan-Turner's first step is to send the show rocketing into the 1980s with radical new titles & music.

1980

  • The new team plan to get rid of K9 and signal their intentions by disabling him almost immediately.
  • A very polished look is achieved for the opening story, "The Leisure Hive".
  • Would you dance with this man?
  • Jacqueline Hill, who starred as Barbara in the first two series, returns in a guest role.
  • Enter Matthew Waterhouse as Adric, the first male companion for five years.
  • After 7 years, Tom Baker announces he is leaving the series, hinting at a female replacement...
  • ...but the man chosen to replace the irreplaceable is 29 year old Peter Davison, star of "All Creatures Great & Small".

1981

  • After a trilogy of adventures set in an alternate universe, Romana stays behind with K9 and a bloke she's only just met.
  • Sarah Sutton enters the fray as Nyssa.
  • Anthony Ainley gives The Master a new lease of life.
  • Baker's last adventure, "Logopolis", is suitably morose.
  • A season of repeats is commissioned for transmission on BBC2 over the Autumn.
  • The reaction to K9's departure is sufficient to warrant a spin-off drama.

1982

  • Dr Who abandons its Saturday teatime slot for the first time, in favour of twice-weekly evening showings.
  • The move is an instant success as viewing figures improve considerably.
  • Nyssa becomes a regular along with Janet Fielding's Tegan.
  • "Kinda" tells the disturbing tale of what happens when nobody wants to sleep with you...
  • ...you get taken over by an evil snake-like being and end up with a dodgy tattoo.
  • Eric Saward gets the job of new Script Editor on the strength of "The Visitation".
  • The Sonic Screwdriver soon follows K9 out of the series.
  • Peter Davison really did bowl out this extra.
  • The Cybermen make surprise return.
  • Their appearance at the end of the first episode of "Earthshock" is one of the best kept secrets in Dr Who history.
  • 10 million viewers watch as the story delivers a second surprise with the death of Adric.
  • The show uses silent rolling credits for the first time to mark the event.
  • Dr Who is the first drama series to be allowed to film at Heathrow Airport.

1983

  • The Doctor is back on Gallifrey in "Arc of Infinity".
  • He also finds the time for a quick trip to Amsterdam...
  • ...and soon finds himself in trouble in a red light area.
  • This is Maxil – played by Colin Baker. More on him later.
  • Omega is the first of many old characters to return for the 20th season.
  • The Mara returns to haunt Tegan for a second time.
  • Some of the guest stars in "Snakedance" are destined for greater things.
  • Mark Strickson joins the regular cast as Turlough, who spends the next month or so trying to kill the Doctor...
  • ...and the Brigadier is back after an absence of eight years.
  • Nyssa looks nice in this story, doesn't she?
  • This chap obviously thinks so.
  • Nyssa eventually runs out of clothing and says her goodbyes at the end of "Terminus".
  • The Master's latest appearance is disguised by the use of anagrams both in the story and in that week's Radio Times.
  • The shape-shifting android Kamelion joins the TARDIS crew but is quickly forgotten, appearing only once more.
  • The show's 20th anniversary celebrations begin with an over-subscribed weekend bonanza at Longleat.
  • Work begins on a 90-minute special to feature all five Doctors, four of whom give Sue Lawley a hard time on "Nationwide".
  • Peter Davison puts a dampener on things, announcing that he will leave at the end of the next series.
  • "The Five Doctors" is broadcast as part of the BBC's "Children of Need" night, two days after the show's 20th anniversary.

1984

  • The Sea Devils & Silurians return in "Warriors of the Deep".
  • The story is beset with production difficulties, mostly arising from the BBC's coverage of the 1983 General Election.
  • "Resurrection of the Daleks" sees the return of the old enemy after nearly five years.
  • The story is broadcast in two 45-minute episodes to accommodate coverage of the Sarajevo Winter Olympics.
  • Tegan is the first of the regulars to leave, bidding farewell after three years.
  • Nicola Bryant didn't wear this to her audition.
  • It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it.
  • This was Kamemlion's second and last appearance.
  • Turlough decides to go home, leaving Peri in the Doctor's capable hands.
  • She quickly finds herself in trouble on Androzani Minor.
  • The Doctor's in trouble too.
  • Our hero gives his life – well his fifth life anyway – to save his friend.
  • The 6th Doctor and Peri get off on the wrong foot when he tries to strangle her in his first episode.

1985

  • The show is back on Saturdays for Season 22, but in 45 minute episodes.
  • For the first time in many years, the show is criticised for its violent content.
  • Patrick Troughton returns for "The Two Doctors" along with Frazer Hines...
  • ...but that's not what Jimmy Saville is referring to.
  • He's talking about a special "Jim'll Fix It" episode in which a lucky fan gets to live his dream!
  • Meanwhile in the series proper, the Sontarans are back, having doubled in height since their last appearance.
  • BBC News – 27 February 1985
  • The reaction to the news is a national outcry as fans fear for the show's' future.
  • The show limps on for the rest of the season.
  • To help bridge the gap to the next series, a one-off serial, "Slipback", is broadcast on Radio 4.
  • News leaks that the BBC are looking to shorten the series to just 14 25-mintue episodes.

1986

  • Bonnie Langford is announced as the next companion.
  • The show finally returns in September, carefully monitored by BBC bosses!
  • Peri appears to die at the end of the second segment of evidence.
  • The audience is later told that in fact she stayed on Thoros Beta and married some bloke she only just met.
  • Bonnie Langford joins in the third segment of evidence – the Doctor's case for the defence.
  • Robert Holmes falls ill and dies mid way through writing the climax of the Trial.
  • Script Editor Eric Saward resigns after clashing with Nathan-Turner over the conclusion of the story.
  • The dispute results in a somewhat confusing finalé.
  • The ratings for the series have not been good and Colin Baker carries the can.
  • The BBC offer him just four episodes of the next series. He refuses and the search is on for the 7th Doctor.

1987

  • Patrick Troughton dies, aged 67, while attending a Dr Who convention in the USA.
  • Colin Baker's refusal to shoot the regeneration story has predictably contrived results.
  • Sylvester McCoy's debut story comes in for criticism and John Nathan-Turner finds himself on the ropes.
  • The show has switched to Monday evenings and its being broadcast opposite Coronation Street.
  • Part 1 of "Dragonfire" takes the cliff-hanger concept to extremes.
  • The Doctor swaps Mel for Sophie Aldred's Ace at the end of the season.

1988

  • The Timelords, an early guise of the KLF, reach Number 1 for a week with "Doctorin' the TARDIS".
  • Meanwhile, the Daleks are back, armed with improved special effects.
  • Contrary to popular belief, Daleks did climb stairs in the original series.
  • The Doctor and Ace have a go on this amazing go-kart...
  • ...before realising it's quicker to get off and walk.
  • The first episode of "Sliver Nemesis" is broadcast on the show's 25th anniversary.

1989

  • The Brigadier comes out of retirement in "Battlefield".
  • The Doctor and Ace find their pasts catching up with them in "The Curse of Fenric".
  • The Doctor and The Master have one final battle on the planet of the Cheetah people.
  • The ratings have dropped to just 4 million and the BBC don't commission another series.
  • "Survival" is the last story of the original series, the final episode being broadcast on Wednesday 6th December.

Music list[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • "Enola Gay" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
  • "Ashes to Ashes" by David Bowie
  • "Feels Like I'm in Love" by Kelly Marie
  • "The Tide Is High" by Blondie
  • "Fade to Grey" by Visage
  • "Imagine" by John Lennon
  • "Kids in America" by Kim Wilde
  • "Vienna" by Ultravox
  • "It Must Be Love" by Madness
  • "Don't You Want Me" by The Human League
  • "The Land of Make Believe" by Bucks Fizz
  • "I'll Find My Way Home" by Jon & Vangelis
  • "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by Tight Fit
  • "See You" by Depeche Mode
  • "Poison Arrow" by ABC
  • "A Town Called Malice" by The Jam
  • "Mickey" by Toni Basil
  • "You Can't Hurry Love" by Phil Collins
  • "Down Under" by Men at Work
  • "Africa" by Toto
  • "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson
  • "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler
  • "Blue Monday" by New Order
  • "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club
  • "Moonlight Shadow" by Mike Oldfield
  • "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel
  • "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
  • "Wouldn't It Be Good" by Nik Kershaw
  • "Radio Ga Ga" by Queen
  • "99 Red Balloons" by Nena
  • "Doctor! Doctor!" by Thompson Twins
  • "Robert De Niro's Waiting" by Bananarama
  • "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls
  • "Like a Virgin" by Madonna
  • "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner
  • "Run to You" by Bryan Adams
  • "The Boys of Summer" by Don Henley
  • "Every Time You Go Away" by Paul Young
  • "We Close Our Eyes" by Go West
  • "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears
  • "And She Was" by Talking Heads
  • "Thorn in My Side" by Eurythmics†
  • "The Way It Is" by Bruce Hornsby & The Range
  • "Walk Like an Egyptian" by Bangles
  • "The Final Countdown" by Europe
  • "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin
  • "Caravan of Love" by The Housemartins
  • "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way" by The Blow Monkeys
  • "Alone" by Heart
  • "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" by Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield
  • "You Win Again" by Bee Gees
  • "China in Your Hand" by T'Pau
  • "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" by Belinda Carlisle
  • "Doctorin' the Tardis" by The Timelords
  • "A Little Respect" by Erasure
  • "One Moment in Time" by Whitney Houston
  • "Orinoco Flow" by Enya
  • "Waiting for a Star to Fall" by Boy Meets Girl
  • "If I Could Turn Back Time" by Cher
  • "Ride on Time" by Black Box
  • "Listen to Your Heart" by Roxette
  • "Never Too Late" by Kylie Minogue
  • "Nothing Ever Happens" by Del Amitri

†Although credited this song isn't used in the documentary.

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ Who Years: The Eighties. bbc.co.uk (21 May 2005). Retrieved on 16 January 2019.
  2. ↑ Windows Media: Doctor Who Years. bbc.co.uk (6 July 2005). Retrieved on 16 January 2019.
  3. ↑ Website survey results. bbc.co.uk (6 July 2005). Retrieved on 16 January 2019.
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