The Nickscast, along with special guest friend, Alex Kennard (of Reality Bomb fame), discuss the _why_ of Doctor Who fans (aka Whovians). What is it that has kept the show on the air for over fifty years, and why did it stop? What draws in new fans? We 're going to invert the polarity and go all wibbly wobbly timey wimey to find out!
Next week, we'll be talking about Supernatural fans (aka SPNFamily). Stay tuned!
Episode outline Fandom Facts
Origins:
British science-fiction television programme produced by the BBC since 1963
Fandom Origins:
Doctor Who fan club (Britain, 1960s), recognized by production later with Doctor Who Appreciation Society (Britain, May 1976)
Names:
Doctor Who fan, Whovian (older term, less common)
Most Active:
Unclear, but probably during the era of "New" Doctor Who (2005--present)
Size of Fandom:
110 million viewers (From BroaDWcast, referencing a quote from the BBC)
Fanfics:
Over 73400 on fanfiction.net
Over 53000 on Archive of our own (strictly Doctor Who & related fandoms)
What did we discuss?
The longevity of the show ~ Is the show for children, or adults? ~ Doctor who as an inconsistent show ~ The sheer possibility of Doctor Who storylines ~ Different types of stories within the show ~ How the show runners impact Doctor Who and the doctor ~ The non-TV Doctor Who universe ~ Curative vs transformative fandoms ~ How the doctor's regeneration impacts the story ~ A brief history of the show's hiatus ~ Tropes in Doctor Who ~ The positives and negatives of the Doctor Who Fan community ~ Christmas specials and England
Are you in, or out?
Z is in.
> "Z, its perhaps a little moot because I know you are a Doctor Who fan and watch Doctor Who… so I guess you're in but say more words than that please."
> --G
Science fiction ideas sometime outshine bad writing or acting
G is in.
Even though the show is inconsistent, he has faith that the show will get to the good parts However, he is not involved in the fandoms; doesn't go to Doctor Who panels at conventions or to the theatre to watch the show with others More than happy to get into arguments about past or present doctors and companions being bad
T is out.
And will remain out. Doctor Who is huge; too big Likes the concept, and will still be really aware of the show and changes to the show through other fansites
Alex is in.
> "Wouldn't it be amazing if I said out?"
> --Alex
Couldn't really say anything but in His past experiences were very similar to the Nicks: was watching the show but not participating in the fandom Went to Gallifrey (One), and was never able to resurface
> "It's a fandom that kind of gets before you even know you've been got."
> --Alex
Fans of the week
> My current magical thinking: Bad world things happened because of no #DoctorWho
> Now that he is coming back, the world will revert to good.
> --DrLatigo (via [Twitter](https://twitter.com/DrLatigo/status/850785206323642368))
Alex also nomiated Peter Capaldi, a mega-fan who is now one of the doctors on the show!
This week's spotlight
[The Doctor Who Society of Canada](http://www.doctorwhosociety.com/)
A fairly recent organization, having only been formed in 2011, growing out of the Toronto Fan Expo. Last year, it managed to raise over $50000 Canadian for four different charities, and has chapters in Toronto, Waterloo, Halifax and elsewhere in Canada (though it mostly located in Ontario). We have had a [few](https://youtu.be/4etdjYCYvQA) [opportunities](https://youtu.be/pXJT4LOPXjA) to interview them in the past.
[The Race Against Time](http://raceagainsttime.io)
Now in its third year of running, the Race Against Time is the Nickscast's annual charity livestream where we work our way though Chrono Trigger, obtaining all its endings, and also raising money for the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Last year we raised over $1200 Canadian, and have plans to surpass that!
This year, the event will be held A...
