Before Saturday March 26th 2005, ""Doctor Who"" had been off the air as a regular, new TV series for more than fifteen years; until a production team led by Russell T. Davies re-imagined the programme so successfully, so triumphantly, that it's become an instant Christmas tradition, a BAFTA winner, an international 'superbrand' and a number one rated show. It's even been credited with reinventing family TV. This is the first full-length book to explore the 'new Who' phenomenon through to the casting of Matt Smith as the new Doctor. It explores ""Doctor Who"" through contemporary debates in TV Studies about quality TV and how can we define TV series as both 'cult' and 'mainstream'. Further, the book challenges assumptions in focusing on the importance of breath-taking, dramatic moments along with narrative structures, and in analysing the significance of Murray Gold's music as well as the series' visual representations. Matt Hills is a lifelong ""Who"" fan and he also considers the role of fandom in the show's return. He investigates too the multi-generic identity, the monster-led format, and the time-travelling brand of BBC Wales' 'Doctor Who'. In the twenty-first century, TV is changing, but the last of the Time Lords has been more than ready: he's been fantastic.
By:
Matt Hills (Huddersfield University UK)
Imprint: I B TAURUS
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 216mm,
Width: 138mm,
Spine: 19mm
Weight: 299g
ISBN: 9781848850323
ISBN 10: 1848850328
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 30 January 2010
Audience:
General/trade
,
Adult education
,
ELT Advanced
,
Tertiary & Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
CONTENTS Introduction - Bringing Back a TV Icon PART ONE: FANS AND PRODUCERS Chapter One: 'The Russell T. Davies Era': Authorship and Organisation Chapter Two: 'The Doctor Who Mafia': Textual Poachers Turned Gamekeepers PART TWO: GENRE AND FORMAT Chapter Three: Time Travel in New Who as Comedy, Soap Opera, Adventure... and Science Fiction Chapter Four: TV Horror -- The Importance of Monsters Chapter Five: Creating Moments? PART THREE: QUALITY AND MAINSTREAM TV Chapter Six: The 'Quality TV' Debate... and the Value of Doctor Who Chapter Seven: Mainstreaming Who -- The Importance of Music Chapter Eight: Mainstream Cult? Bibliography Index
Matt Hills is Senior Lecturer in Media & Cultural Studies, Cardiff University. Author of 'Fan Cultures' (2002), 'The Pleasures of Horror (2005) and 'How To Do Things with Cultural Theory' (2005).
Reviews for Triumph of a Time Lord: Regenerating Doctor Who in the Twenty-First Century
(continued) difficulties, ambiguities, and possibilities without forcing solutions, resolutions, or proofs....Reading such work is a scholar's delight....The book is extremely well organized....This work has advanced far beyond its predecessors in many ways, and therefore is indispensable for research in this era, whether in Jewish history, ancient Western European history, or inscriptional study. All who use this primary source material are now heavily indebted to David Noy's superb research and illuminating presentation. Lawrence J. Mykytiuk, Perdue University, SHOFAR
