Staff Reports
In recent years, the popular British TV show “Dr. Who” has undergone changes in its lead character, creating different reactions among fans. When the production sought a partnership with Disney about a year ago, it was clear that a shift towards woke storytelling might be on the horizon. And predictably, that’s exactly what happened – with disappointing results.
Disney’s approach to the new season of “Dr. Who” involved promoting a gay POC lead character in a very loud and proud manner. While diversity and representation are important, the focus seemed to be more on checking boxes than on telling a compelling story. This kind of forced diversity often comes at the expense of storytelling quality, which can alienate long-time fans of the show.
The iconic TV show "Dr. Who" partnered with Disney for a woke casting decision that alienated fans, resulting in historically low ratings. The focus on activist demographics over quality backfired, leading to a plummet in viewership and backlash against… https://t.co/1UeiWdud5g
— The America One News (@am1_news) May 17, 2024
The decision to prioritize activism over entertainment was evident from the beginning. The new showrunner, Russell T. Davies, aimed to inject his activism into the series, aligning with Disney’s woke agenda. However, this approach didn’t resonate well with the audience, as the emphasis seemed to be more on pushing a specific narrative rather than honoring the show’s legacy and keeping fans engaged.
Unsurprisingly, the viewership numbers for the new season of “Dr. Who” were far from impressive. The holiday special introducing the new Doctor character received record low ratings, signaling a disconnect between the show’s direction and what fans were interested in watching. It’s a pattern seen in other woke Disney projects that have struggled to resonate with audiences.
Overall, the attempt to blend social activism with entertainment in “Dr. Who” may have backfired, as viewers chose to tune out rather than support a narrative-driven agenda. This failure highlights the importance of balancing inclusivity with quality storytelling, without alienating the core fan base. Hopefully, future iterations of the beloved show will find a better balance and focus on captivating audiences rather than pushing a political message.
