Progressive Activism and Nostalgic Media: A Look at Doctor Who's Declining Ratings

The Golden Era of Progressive Media and Modern 'Woke' Activism

Modern 'woke' activists often draw inspiration from the 1960s, a time they perceive as the birth of far-left movements in the US and UK. This was a period when progressive ideals were seen as counter-culture and were widely embraced by celebrities and rock stars. However, the social instability of the 1970s was a direct result of this shift.

It's not uncommon to hear contemporary leftists claim that shows like Star Trek and Doctor Who have always been 'woke', and that they are merely continuing this legacy. This isn't entirely accurate. While many US and European productions did exhibit liberal tendencies, 'woke' activists are not liberals and do not uphold liberal values. Instead, they represent a hybrid ideology that combines elements of Marxism, communism, fascism, collectivism, moral relativism, and narcissism.

The Evolution of Liberal Thinking and Woke Activism

Some might argue that 'woke' activism is the inevitable end result, the final evolution of liberal thinking. This could be true, but it's a debate for another time. The point is, today's 'woke' activism shares little in common with the political movements of the 1960s. In fact, if you were to travel back just 15 years and try to explain to a typical US Democrat or UK Labour member what leftists are advocating for in 2024, they'd likely dismiss you as insane.

The Impact of Woke Activism on Television and Film

Over the past decade, nearly every major television and film franchise has been given the 'woke' treatment, a process leftists refer to as "updating for modern audiences." The result has been a significant drop in audience numbers, advertising revenue, and box office earnings. This is because 'woke' ideology represents a fringe movement that only a small percentage of the population identifies with. This is why "Get Woke, Go Broke" has become more of a rule than a theory.

Doctor Who: A Case Study

Doctor Who has not been immune to this trend, despite its reputation as a sci-fi series where almost anything is possible. The issue is that it doesn't matter what the canon technically allows or what the writers desire - the fans ultimately decide what succeeds and what fails. When a show starts lecturing its viewers about gender pronouns, they're unlikely to stick around for the next episode.

The BBC series, in collaboration with Disney, has been on a steady decline for several years as it becomes more 'woke'. The real downturn began with the introduction of a female and feminist Doctor (played by Jodie Whitaker) for three seasons. The series' ratings plummeted and Whitaker's Doctor became one of the most disliked iterations of the character in the show's history.

Despite the backlash, the BBC persisted in its confrontational approach with fans. The latest version of the Doctor, hailed as the first "black queer" Doctor Who, is played by Rwandan-Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa. The show also introduced a villain played by Drag Queen and trans activist Jinkx Monsoon.

The Fallout

Once a family show, parents are now turning away from Doctor Who to avoid exposing their children to constant gender propaganda. As a result, the show's audience numbers have halved compared to the previous two seasons. While mainstream entertainment media attributed the ratings disaster to "warm weather" in the UK, several representatives from the production openly criticized fans for their opposition to its 'woke' direction and advised them not to watch.

In a discussion with Variety about fan criticism, Ncuti Gatwa advised, "Don't watch. Turn off the TV. Go and touch grass, please, for God's sake...As the world darkens - and I do think the world is darkening around queer rights - there is a joy and a celebration, and there’s a community..."

It appears that the audience took Gatwa's advice to heart. They're no longer watching, and the show is now teetering on the brink of obscurity.

Final Thoughts

It's clear that the 'woke' movement and the resulting changes to popular media have had significant impacts on audience numbers and overall reception. The case of Doctor Who serves as a stark reminder that the audience ultimately decides what succeeds and what fails. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you agree with the "Get Woke, Go Broke" rule? Share this article with your friends and let's get the conversation started. Also, remember to sign up for the Daily Briefing, available every day at 6pm.