Babylon Who

[John R Davis]

Babylon 5 boss says 'contact has been made' with BBC over Doctor Who showrunner job

J. Michael Straczynski had previously tweeted his interest in taking over from Chris Chibnall.

www.radiotimes.com

 

[MarkB]

Hmm. As much as I enjoyed Babylon 5, JMS went kind-of off the rails with Crusade. I'd prefer him as a writer than a showrunner.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Babylon 5 boss says 'contact has been made' with BBC over Doctor Who showrunner job

J. Michael Straczynski had previously tweeted his interest in taking over from Chris Chibnall.

www.radiotimes.com

Seems ... unlikely. The "BBC process" that he is referring to probably means that they are already exploring other options.

That said, while he has certainly had the occasional misfire, JMS might be the exact shock to the system that Who needs. I can't help but think that they have now effectively wasted two complete iterations of the Doctor (both Capaldi and Whittaker are, in my estimation, amazing Doctors who were largely let down by the show and the scripts).

 

[Janx]

Well it could be fun. JMS has the experience and love for the series.

 

[Umbran]

Hmm. As much as I enjoyed Babylon 5, JMS went kind-of off the rails with Crusade. I'd prefer him as a writer than a showrunner.

Mostly not JMS's fault. Are you aware of the slew of nonsense the network required as things went on? They decided they wanted to make the show a good lead in... to pro wrestling...

 

[MarkB]

Mostly not JMS's fault. Are you aware of the slew of nonsense the network required as things went on? They decided they wanted to make the show a good lead in... to pro wrestling...

What they wanted was an action-packed space cowboys show. Which is what JMS pitched them, and then proceeded to do his own thing, and was shocked and appalled when they told him to actually deliver the show they'd commissioned.

 

[Morrus]

Hmmm. I know it shouldn't matter, but I'm not keen on the idea of an American running Doctor Who. Then again, I'm OK with the Brits who keep playing Batman (and Superman!) so that rather undermines my position.

 

[Umbran]

What they wanted was an action-packed space cowboys show. Which is what JMS pitched them, and then proceeded to do his own thing, and was shocked and appalled when they told him to actually deliver the show they'd commissioned.

Right. So, you going to back up that accusation of, in effect, his lying in a professional situation? Or are you just going to make it unfounded and hope nobody calls you on it?

 

[MarkB]

Right. So, you going to back up that accusation of, in effect, his lying in a professional situation? Or are you just going to make it unfounded and hope nobody calls you on it?

Why not? You were happy to level similar accusations at the network. What I stated matches my memory of what happened at the time, and I was a massive B5 fan then, and keeping as much in the loop as possible.

 

[Umbran]

Why not? You were happy to level similar accusations at the network.

No, I did not. You said JMS pitched a thing, and then went back on his pitch. I didn't say the network went back on any agreement - I said they asked for changes as the production went on, which is generally within their rights, but stupid.