Nigel Farage Takes On Doctor Who: Hiding to Nothing

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Nigel Farage and Doctor Who. Which is better? There’s only one way to find out… Use your common sense.

Yep, even our favourite TV show can’t escape the election, which you might’ve heard about over the past forever. It’s an important event, and as such, every outlet has been blurting out pledges. Even Sky Sports 1 and the Babestation. Uh, or so I’m told. Ahem. No way I’m admitting to watching Sky Sports.

UKIP leader, Nigel Farage is a controversial figure. His party has been accused of being racist, which, to be absolutely honest, I think is unfair. I’m pretty sure every party out there has its share of members who’re either racist, sexist, homophobic, or all of the above. Obviously this is a horrible thing to contemplate, but then people are disappointments: society is riddled with these types of people. It’s just that members of UKIP appear to be more stupidly loud about their prejudices, making them easy targets.

But Farage has put his foot even further into it, this time targeting the BBC. More specifically, Farage appeared to suggest the corporation should only focus on news, not entertainment show – including Doctor Who.

He’s already said that, if in power, he’d cut the license fee down to one-third of its current value, so that would naturally mean quality programming would have to be culled too. Talking to Andrew Marr (who, fact fans, himself appeared in 2005’s Aliens of London!), the MEP (and prospective MP) said:

“I think the BBC as a public service broadcaster has a role. I think the BBC as a global brand for this country is very, very important. But I think the BBC is far too big and has far too much influence. I don’t think it needs to do entertainment for example.”

Marr asked if this meant “Vote UKIP and exterminate the Doctor” as well as other popular shows like Strictly Come Dancing. Farage certainly didn’t rule out the idea. However, he denied his previous remarks when opposition leader, Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats took him to task about the idea. Deputy Prime Minister Clegg seemed especially offended by a post- Strictly world, perhaps eyeing up a role in the show after leaving Number 10. Farage responded with a series of “nos” followed by “I’ve never suggested that for a moment.”

The BBC, too, appears an easy target because it takes £145.50 out of our pockets. Nonetheless, the majority seem to agree that it’s worth it. We’ve speculated about what would happen to Doctor Who if the license fee were done away with, and pretty soon, you’ll see our defense of it. So keep your eyes peeled for that one.

So fearing a backlash from the masses, UKIP then unveiled a press release which seemed to contradict Farage’s interview, with the leader amending his comments to:

“When it comes to entertainment, the BBC should be proud of its ‘crown jewels’ such as Strictly Come Dancing and dramas such as Dr Who. They have become valuable global brands as well as programmes hugely appreciated by British audiences. Should the BBC feel it has to come up with its own version of every commercial TV genre, from dating formats to home makeover shows? I don’t think so.”

And a spokesperson further clarified:

“Some people have wilfully misinterpreted Nigel’s comments on Andrew Marr this morning.  Shows like Strictly and Dr Who are the crown jewels of the BBC, but we do not feel that it needs to spend licence-fee payers’ money on hundreds of poor to average entertainment shows, as well as left-liberal, London-centric ‘comedy’.”

Frankly, this second comment doesn’t help matters. Hundreds of poor to average entertainment shows? Really? And who’s to decide which shows are good value and which aren’t? The ones that bring in the big money through the BBC’s commercial arm? That would mean niche shows aren’t even made – and providing shows for everyone is something the Beeb should be very proud of. Meanwhile, comedy shows would only be made by well-recognised faces like Peter Kay whose (admittedly great) Car Share recently moved from iPlayer to BBC One. It would give newcomers little opportunity to prove themselves.

This is a load of nonsense.

Furthermore, UKIP won’t get enough power to impose such limits on the internationally-renowned BBC. So why has Farage said this?

It seems he’s in a bit of a strop. He thinks the BBC’s coverage of UKIP has been biased. In a live debate, he accused the BBC of selecting an audience that was “even by the standards of the BBC” too far left wing. Then the police received complaints from the party after journalist Camilla Long said she had spent more time in his constituency, South Thanet, than Farage. This was on Have I Got News For You?, a show Farage has appeared on in the past. Yes, Ian Hislop did give him a mauling, but he does with all MPs.

Personally, I find UKIP has been painted as The Bad Guys, yet the party is, at least, addressing some very real concerns. These have been shouted down under a barrage of racist accusations. I don’t agree with them on much, but I do admire their determination and ability to shrug off the insults; I like a live wire. Allegations of hypocrisy – that the party who appear to value freedom of speech involve the authorities when blogs dare to question their agendas – don’t sit well, naturally.

But this rant against the BBC is a final nail in the coffin. I’ll defend the BBC forever. I genuinely think it’s a wonderful (if imperfect) company. There are far more just causes ripe to tear into, that’s for sure! I think UKIP needs some perspective on things.

So what are your thoughts about Nigel Farage’s recent comments?

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