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The Scarf

The scarf I mention is only used by one Doctor. The Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, made a big splash with the audience of Doctor Who. Barry Letts and Terrance Dicks are both planning on leaving Doctor Who at the conclusion of the Eleventh Season. These men involve themselves in the recasting of the role of the Doctor. They want to make sure that the program gets the best man for the job. So, his successor, Phillip Hinchcliffe will do well.(1)

Letts really looks for an actor of the same age as William Hartnell to bring back his portrayal of the Doctor. Well, you know you can look for one certain thing and it never works out.(2) I understand that he may want that but maybe the fans don’t. In this case his choice, Tom Baker, turns out to be the best. He receives a suggestion from Bill Slater, the incoming Head of Serials. The man he suggest is Tom Baker. Baker is a lot younger than Hartnell and fifteen years younger than Pertwee.(3)

The Fourth Doctor makes the his hat and scarf famous. He is the one Doctor we separate by his scarf. It seems to be the first thing all whovians see when speaking about the Fourth Doctor. I remember the seven years he portrays the Doctor. I believe if I am right it is some of the most viewed. Baker is a fan favorite even today. He is the most recognized outside and is the favorite of most until David Tennant.

I love that he is eccentric, passionate, and cares much about his companions, but I truly love is his alien personality and being a little distant at times. The way he mixes these personality traits is genius. During his time the show becomes rather dark in the first three seasons. The viewership of the show increases during this three years, but the BBC does get complaints because it is suppose to be a children’s program. This brings a change in the showrunner and the BBC moves Graham Williams in an tells him to lighten the tone.(4)

Robert Holmes does not leave when Hinchcliffe does. He remains behind but does leave and Anthony Read takes over as script editor. This leads to the more comical style we see in season fifteen and beyond. This is where you can see Baker really soar with the part. He loves the change and takes complete possession of the role. This does cause some problems because of Baker’s ad-libs.(5)

Baker’s ad-libs as see them make the show better. he may have argued with directors, but I see them as good for the program. He is even more delighted when they Read leaves and Douglas Adams is brought in. This is something which Baker can go with. There is increase in the comedy level for the show. But there is some who do not see it that way. The show gets some of its best audiences during the these guys time of running the show.

There will be problems in season seventeen. Some people leave the show and then technicalities of production. Then inflation and budget problems. This season winds up with only twenty episodes.

Williams and Adams leave the program after the 17th season. This leads to a new era in Doctor Who. The choice for the showrunner is not an easy one. Williams does recommend someone who has some knowledge of the show. This man is John Nathan-Turner, but he is not the first choice of the Head of Serials, Graeme MacDonald. His first choice is George Gallaccio, but he turns him down. As a result, he offers the job to John Nathan-Turner.(6) 

Tom Baker is the first Doctor I see. His scarf, hat, trench coat, curly hair, and big smile remain in my mind to this day. His portrayal of the Doctor brings something new to show. I always hate when an actor chooses to leave the program, but I can bet that his leaving in 1980 is a hard one for the BBC.