Any long-running franchise worth its salt will have a slew of spoofs and pastiches to its name. From scathing deconstructions to affectionate parodies, sending up popular properties isdefinitely nothing new. Unsurprisingly,Doctor Whohas had a wealth of spoofs over the decades, from predictable puns in children’s sketch shows (“Doctor Whoand the Garlics”) to more intelligent approaches.
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The best parodies are the ones that show a genuine love for the show, lightly poking fun in a way that is both amusing and respectful.Doctor Whois yet to receive the fullFamily Guy Star WarsTrilogytreatment, but there are some productions that have certainly come close; if not in scope, then certainly in the attention to detail and understanding of the source material. They’re also very funny.
10The Chaser’s War On Doctor Who
The Chaser’s War On Everythingis an Australian satirical show, that casts its comedic gaze over politics, social issues, and pop culture. It was inevitable that theDoctor Whouniverse would fall prey to them eventually.
In an episode from series 1, there’s a hilarious song that takes a stereotypical look at the life of a Whovian. Laced with knowing humor and lyrics lamenting about how girls aren’t impressed by an autograph of K9, it toes the line between offensive and relatable whilst always remaining funny.
9Inspector Spacetime
Cult showCommunityhad a lot of fun pastiching popular films and series (their venomous assault on rivalsGleewas particularly fun). In season 3, the nerdy Ahbed becomes obsessed with a show calledInspector Spacetime– a deliberate send-up ofDoctor Who.
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The show involves a time-traveling Inspector who traverses the universe in his red telephone box. As well as showing snippets of scenes from the fictional show,Communityalso set an episode in anInspector Spacetimeconvention. Interestingly,Inspector Spacetimehas become something of a cult in itself, with fan films and websites dedicated to the pastiche.
8The Silurian Disruption
“The Silurian Disruption” is a sketch from the iconic double-act French and Saunders, recycling the set from 1986’s “Trial of a Timelord”.
The sketch has Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders as a pair of bumbling Silurian actors, arguing over aspects of the script while filming an episode ofDoctor Who(thus causing the disruption of the title). Unfortunately, the scene was never broadcast, but it did turn up on the VHS release of “The Curse of Fatal Death.”
7Christmas Day At Doctor Who’s
Dead Ringershas a long history of spoofingDoctor Who, especially with impressionist Jon Culshaw’s uncanny take on Tom Baker. It’s a performance that’s landed him work in the officialDoctor Whouniverse.
“Christmas Day At Doctor Who’s” centers around the introduction of theTenth Doctor. He turns up to a party on Christmas Day, 2005, with a few of his ill-tempered past selves to watch his debut. Cue shenanigans, including the Doctor stumbling drunkenly out of the door with the words “EXTERMINATE ME” stuck to his back.
6Robot Chicken: Doctor Who Meets The Nerd
In one of severalRobot Chicken Doctor Whosketches, recurring character The Nerd meets the Doctor for an uninteresting adventure in time and space.
Whisked away by a generic incarnation of the Time Lord, The Nerd pokes fun at severalDoctor Whotropes, including the traditionally small budget that the show used to have. The Doctor soon tires of him and sends him back to earth shortly after The Nerd disposes of the Doctor’s deadliest enemy, aDalekby simply pushing it over.
5Doctor Who Night: The Pitch Of Fear
Back in 1999, the BBC held a very special night celebratingDoctor Who, with documentaries, repeats of classic stories, and brand-new sketches. Three of the sketches featured notable fans David Walliams and Mark Gatiss.
“The Pitch of Fear” takes a comedic look at the initial pitch meeting forDoctor Whoback in 1963. Walliams plays a version of Sydney Newman, detailing his plans for the complete 26-year run of the series to mysterious BBC boss Borusa (Gatiss). It ends with a perfectly timed acapella rendition oftheDoctor Whotheme tune.
4Doctor Who Night: The Web Of Caves
“The Web of Caves” is a pastiche of vintageDoctor Whothat was filmed in black-and-white in a quarry for that authentic 60’s feel. Mark Gatiss plays a future version of the Time Lord, with Walliams and Paul Putner as two humanoid aliens.
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The scene involves the Doctor being troubled by this pair of starstruck beings, who seem intent on causing some trouble, but only when it suits him. It’s a quieter piece than the other two sketches and perfectly delivers on the awkwardness of the Doctor’s predicament.
3Doctor Who Night: The Kidnappers
“The Kidnappers” taps directly into the dark humor that Mark Gatiss is renowned for, particularly with his contributions to the cult black comedyThe League of Gentleman.
Walliams plays an “enthusiast” who kidnaps Peter Davison and drags him over to his friend Mark’s house at night, gagged and all. It’s an incredibly sinister piece, with Walliams and Gatiss discussing Peter (the actual Fifth Doctor’s actor in a hilarious cameo) as if he isn’t there. That is until the moment Mark asks to “kiss” Peter at the end.
2The Curse Of Fatal Death
Steven Moffat’s first foray intoDoctor Whowas with this excellent, perfectly constructed spoof for Comic Relief back in 1999. It serves as both a loving send-up of the series and an authentic continuation.
Despite the many knowing winks, jokes about corridors, and the Master’s numerous expositional rants, “The Curse of Fatal Death” takes the source material seriously. The Daleks are played dead straight, and every single one of the A-list actors who portrays the Doctor in this adventure (includingJoanna Lumleyas the first on-screen female incarnation) makes the role their own.
1The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot
“The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot” was an incredible feat, put together by the Fifth Doctor himself, Peter Davison for the 50th anniversary ofDoctor Who.
Following the plights of Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylverster McCoy (the Sixth and Seventh Doctors respectively) on a mission to appear in the actual 50th-anniversary special, “The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot" is perfect. Crammed with cameos from every corner of the Whoniverse and beyond, it’s utterly hilarious and a beautiful way to celebrateDoctor Who’s golden jubilee.
