The Million Pound Drop Doctor Who Scandal

[Roranicus]

Last Friday on The Million Pound Drop, the question was asked "Who has played the Doctor for the longest time?". The couple in the show placed their last £325,000 on it being the Seventh Doctor, but they lost their money and now the Mirror is questionning what the right answer should have been and saying that it was unfair as it was sort of a trick question. The choice of answer was given as either the Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann or David Tennant as the 7th, 8th and 10th Doctors.

The Seventh Doctor was technically the Doctor for 9 years as he regenerated in 1996 in the movie, though SM didnt play him consecutively for all those years.

The Eight Doctor has never officially regenerated but has been played by PM for 14 years because of the audios, though technically you could say he played the Doctor for only 90 minutes.

Tennant played the Doctor consecutively, but only for 4 years and one week.

They put their money on SM and lost it all, but many are now saying its unfair. What do you think?

[Iceman]

Who played the Doctor the longest.

Not which Doctor was around the longest.

But it could be argued either way.

[Roranicus]

Well yea, thats the point. Its not specific enough. McGann has been playing the Doctor for 14 years, but he wasnt the right answer. They probably meant on TV, but can you imagine a proper whovian up there if that question came up? Davina wouldnt know what had hit her

[The Doc]

I suppose the logical answer is David Tennant, though any answer would no doubt strike up a load of canon related arguments. DW questions are best left out of TV shows

[thefifthdoctor]

Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey.
That should have been an option.

[BeeSC]

Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey.
That should have been an option.

I'm with you. And it should have been the right answer.

[Oh-Wise-One]

Based on the question asked, the right answer is technically Mcgann, but I agree with the wibbly wobbly option

[Roranicus]

Channel 4 have apparantly launched an investigation now as they feel it may not have been a fair question depending on whats canon and not.

[Sandiwich11]

As they should imo

[MandyDuchovney]

Dear oh dear

Tv quiz shows really REALLY need to do their homework. Even experts/fans argue the toss about it so what makes them think THEY had/knew the correct answer?

* sigh *



Investigation indeed

[BeeSC]

Did they say which one was the "right" answer in the game show?

[Sandiwich11]

They said the 'right' answer was DT, I think 9 was the 4th option they had.

I read on Google news last night that C4 have agreed that the couple were right, they had split their last £650K between 7 and 8 I believe?  They have been handed a cheque for the £325K they should have won on screen which is good news

[thefifthdoctor]

I remember when I was younger there was a quiz at my youth club & one of the questions was to name all the Doctors (at this time it was off air, so we only had up to 7) - they tried to disqualify me as I included Peter Cushing!
Just as well in my spotty geek youth I was quick to point out that not only had I named them all, as he did the two movies, I'd named them all in order (including Richard Hurndall!)

Anyhoo, we won the prize.
Can't even remember what it was.

[Sandiwich11]

There's reports now that the couple will get a second chance instead - http://www.oddspreview.com/category/Online-Games/Channel-4-give-Million-Pound-Drop-couple-2nd-chance-over-Doctor-Who-question-201011090044/

I assume the £325K will be the stake they then have to complete the game.

[Exterminate]

My computer is blocking that link for some reason, but I read today that they will be going back on on friday and given a second go, starting where they left off. Is that what it says on there?

[Sandiwich11]

Here' a copy/paste, that's about the gist of it thou as far as I can see.

Viewers tuning in to watch last Friday's show saw husband and wife Johnny and Dee asked who was the longest-serving actor to play Doctor Who and were given the choice of Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, David Tennant and Christopher Eccleston.

The couple split the £650,000 they had left between McCoy and McGann, but lost everything when the answer was revealed to be Tennant.

But Channel 4 investigated the show after viewers contacted the Million Pound Drop to point out that the question was misleading as Tennant portrayed the Doctor for the longest uninterrupted stint between 2005 and 2009, but McCoy had played the role for two years between 1987 and 1989, as well as appearing in the TV film released in 1996.

Since nobody had played the role of the Time Lord between 1989 and 1996, the correct answer was in fact McCoy.

Channel 4 on Tuesday confirmed that the duo will now get a second chance to play this weekend.

[BeeSC]

It's great that they get to play.  They should have specified though in their question.

[Sandiwich11]

Just been pointed out to me that there is a case for Davison being the longest running Doctor since he reprised the role in Time Crash.  That would make his tenure 26 years or so

[Iceman]

Just been pointed out to me that there is a case for Davison being the longest running Doctor since he reprised the role in Time Crash.  That would make his tenure 26 years or so

But he wasn't the current Doctor at the time....

[Sandiwich11]

Lol, he was in his current timeline, just pointing out another possible way of agrguing it, not sayinging it's right