Doctor Who's 'risky' gamble paid off in the best way possible
Doctor Who is no stranger to risk. After all the tenacious Time Lord has spent the last six decades battling Daleks, Cybermen, and other terrors beyond our imagination.
Yet the Doctor, or Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies to be more specific, has just pulled off an incredibly risky gamble.
While plotting this year's series, Russell rather cleverly devised an episode that was essentially a love letter to the Eurovision Song Contest… or The Interstellar Song Contest, as the episode was called
Even better, the 62-year-old pulled off a piece of scheduling wizardry that ensured the episode would air on BBC1 on the same day as the Song Contest. It was a marketing coup and one that earned the episode a lot of publicity.
To make a sweet situation even sweeter, the FA Cup final was due to be shown before Doctor Who, offering the sci-fi series an impressive audience lead-in.
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
In theory, then, The Interstellar Song Contest was set up for success, but here's where the risk comes in. Scheduling the episode around two live TV events had the potential to massively backfire.
If the FA Cup went to extra time or penalties, then Doctor Who would have to move to a later timeslot, but because Eurovision is also live, it couldn't be pushed later.
That meant Doctor's latest adventure was at risk of being bumped from the schedule entirely, a possibility that terrified fans online as at best it would have undone all Russell's carefully laid publicity plans and at worst thrown off later episodes of Doctor Who which have all been building to a cataclysmic event happening on May 24.
Thankfully, the worst didn't come to pass. In fact, it seems like Russell's bet that this would get the show more attention has paid off splendidly.
According to BARB – an organisation dedicated to measuring television ratings in the United Kingdom – The Interstellar Song Contest has been watched by 3,754,000 so far, including streaming.
That makes it the most viewed episode of the season, not including the Christmas Special, and it was the ninth most watched show the week of May 12 to May 18.
Of course, not everyone will have been watching the show right before Eurovision, but it's clear that the effort that went into promoting this episode has had a positive effect on audience numbers. More Trending
Time will tell if the series can keep up these viewing figures. Ncuti Gatwa's second series has been a hit with fans and critics, who've praised the writing and performances, but sadly, this has failed to pull in viewers.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The episode Lux has the ignominy of being the lowest viewed episode since the show's revival in 2005, and there has been endless press speculation that the show may be running out of road.
Last we heard, the BBC hit back at claims that Ncuti had been axed from the show, but with rumours swirling of a possible regeneration during Sunday's episode, The Reality War, it's likely that the grand finale will attract a lot of attention, but not necessarily for the right reasons.
Doctor Who: The Reality War will air on May 31 at 6:50pm on BBC1
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
View More »
MORE: Doctor Who boss promises finale will address 'controversial' Time Lord change
MORE: Doctor Who fans convinced unexpected character will change show forever after finale
MORE: Doctor Who star 'had his eye on' Fantastic Four role that went to Pedro Pascal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Who is Lois Boisson? World No.361 who has reached French Open semi-finals
Lois Boisson continued her fairytale run at Roland-Garros on Wednesday with the French world No.361 now just one win away from the 2025 final. The 22-year-old stunned Mirra Andreeva 7-6 6-3 in last eight to become the first player in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals of the French Open women's singles event as a wildcard. Little was known about Boisson before this year's Grand Slam in Paris – but after knocking out three seeded stars – she's attracting plenty of attention. Ahead of Boisson's semi-final showdown against American second-seed Coco Gauff, here's everything you need to know about the Frenchwoman… Boisson made her WTA Tour debut at the Lyon Open in 2021, playing as a wildcard in the doubles tournament alongside Juline Fayard. The following year, Boisson landed her first singles title on the ITF Circuit in Dijon. After a second ITF title in 2023 in Le Havre, Boisson hit serious form in March 2024 by landing three ITF titles in the space of just one month. That saw Boisson jump up a level to play on the WTA Challenger Tour and she landed a clay-court title at the Open de Saint-Malo in May 2024. Boisson was set to receive a wildcard for her major main draw debut at the 2024 French Open – but injured her left knee – tearing her ACL just a week before the event. It meant Boisson had to wait until the 2025 French Open – where she has now made an incredible and historic run to the semi-finals in Paris. First round – 24th-seed Elise Mertens – 24th-seed Elise Mertens Second round – Anhelina Kalinina – Anhelina Kalinina Third round – Elsa Jacquemot – Elsa Jacquemot Fourth round – Third-seed Jessica Pegula – Third-seed Jessica Pegula Quarter-final – Sixth-seed Mirra Andreeva Boisson is set for the biggest ranking jump from a Grand Slam run since British star Emma Raducanu won the 2021 US Open as a qualifier. She was the world No.361 heading into Roland-Garros – but has now earned a huge 780 points for reaching the last four – with a projected new career-high ranking of world No.65. Analysis from Metro's dedicated tennis reporter Liam Grace… At the age of just 22, Boisson is already a very impressive technical player, which is way she's so well suited to the clay surface. She can generate lots of spin on her forehand shots which has caused her opponents all kinds of problems. Her movement is unbelievably good and her sliced backhand also makes her a huge threat. She's able to hit aces, too. Tennis experts have been left blown away by Boisson's performances at this year's French Open. 'She has the whole game,' Mats Wilander told TNT Sports. 'So you wonder whether it's just injury that's kept her out of it or if it's a mental thing. 'For me, she's a top-20 player on any surface with that kind of game.' More Trending Former British No.1 Tim Henman added: 'It's been an incredible story this fortnight. 'ACL injury last year, out of the equation and the game for nine months. The way she's come through and backed up the [Jessica] Pegula victory. 'I thought emotionally and technically she wasn't going to get close to winning this match [against Andreeva], but she was just incredible. 'The way that she competed, three sets, over two hours. It was a phenomenal effort, mentally and physically.' MORE: French Open odds: Novak Djokovic can beat Alexander Zverev and close in on a record 25th grand-slam title MORE: Novak Djokovic accuses French Open rival of 'spying' on him before showdown MORE: How Jack Draper could land French Open title after 'clinical' Joao Fonseca win
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Owen Wilson reacts to series being compared to ‘one of TV's biggest shows ever'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Living up to the reputation of one of the biggest shows ever to be released on TV is no mean feat. But that's the task that lies ahead for Apple TV Plus' latest comedy Stick, which people immediately started comparing to the global hit Ted Lasso as soon as a trailer was released. Starring and executive produced by Owen Wilson, the newly-launched series follows former pro golfer Pryce Cahill (played by the Wedding Crashers star), who spots greatness in wonderkid Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager) and decides to take him under his wing. It's giving Happy Gilmore merged with a dash of Jason Sudeikis' Ted Lasso, so when Metro sat down for an exclusive chat with Owen and his co-star Judy Greer, we had to find out what they thought of the comparisons. Having personally spent many hours of my childhood watching Adam Sandler spark chaos on the golf course, and then years later found myself crying over a fictional football team, Stick felt like everything I could want in a comfort watch by seemingly combining the two. 'I love the show,' Owen, 56, said when asked how he feels about Stick being compared to Ted Lasso, which was reported to have scored 16.9 billion minutes viewed in 2023. 'So, of course, you would hope that the show could connect with people in that way.' The Loki star continued: 'What made me like that show, there was this kindness, and obviously this humour to it, that just made it really unusual. I do think, with our show Stick, there's funny stuff, and there's also heart and some emotion. I think there's a kindness to it that is nice in these times.' Owen is joined in Stick by What Women Want and 13 Going On 30 actress Judy, who plays Pryce's ex-wife Amber-Linn, who remains a crucial part of his life despite their separation. Judy, 49, agreed with the idea that watching Stick gives viewers a sense of nostalgia, as it reminds them of other 'underdog stories', like the 2005 sports comedy Bad News Bears. 'I'm always happy to be compared to super popular, successful TV shows and movies. So I'm all for it, but I do think that there is something timeless about the story of Stick,' she shared. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'That is probably why people are finding those comparisons easy to make. Because there is something like the underdog, about recognising young talent, about redemption, about relationships, about choosing a family, as opposed to getting handed a family. And then everyone loves a good road trip comedy. So there's that sprinkled on top.' As you might expect from a sporting underdog story, Stick is a fun and light-hearted watch, but it also comes with buckets of emotion that'll tug on the heartstrings. One aspect of filming Stick that hit Owen the hardest was the scenes that he shared with Judy, when her character Amber-Linn decides to support her ex-husband Pryce by investing in his new venture. 'In my life, I've benefited so much from people believing in me and giving me a chance. So the scenes with Judy, believing in me enough to put money into this crazy idea I have, that's a moving thing,' he said. Judy, on the other hand, found herself stirred by a scene that she wasn't even a part of when Pryce hears Santi hit a golf ball for the first time in the opening episode, and is blown away. Before speaking to Owen and Judy, I was astonished when I realised that I'd never seen them together in a project… the exception being when they both starred in the 2010 film Marmaduke. However, Owen was voicing the titular animated dog, so they didn't get the chance to share the screen. 'It's like when people ask me about Paul Newman in Cars. Well, he wasn't ever there,' Owen said, comparing Marmaduke to the 2006 Pixar movie where he voiced the racecar Lightning McQueen opposite Paul Newman as Doc Hudson. 'Getting to work in real life together, it was just very easy,' he said of working with Judy. 'We just hit it off. Sometimes somebody has a different process than you have, or the way they're saying it, that's not the way I heard it in my head. But in my head, every time I would hear Judy, it was like, yeah, that's better than I heard. That's good, I can do something with that. So it was just nice. It was easy,' he outlined. Apple TV Plus appears to be playing the long game with Stick (pun intended), releasing the first three episodes on the premiere date, before the following instalments come out weekly. More Trending Chances are that word might spread over the next few weeks as more and more people find out about the golf comedy and recommend it to their friends, and perhaps start pondering whether it could return for a second season. 'You never know,' Owen remarked over the possibility of a season two, suggesting Australia and the UK as possible filming locations in the future. Given he's also an executive producer on the project, perhaps he'll have the sway to make it happen. View More » Stick is streaming on Apple TV Plus, with the first three episodes available to watch now ahead of weekly episode releases. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Jonathan Joss' husband says he 'held his face together' in his final moments MORE: Thriller that 'deserves to be bigger than Line of Duty' is back very soon MORE: I binge-watch TV for a living – here are my recommendations for June
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
Football's most-travelled player finally retires aged 46 after more than 50 transfers
Football's most-travelled player finally retires aged 46 after more than 50 transfers Jefferson Louis has finally decided to hang up his boots at the age of 46 after a career in which he played for 51 different clubs, including Wrexham and Newport Jefferson Louis, who once lined up against Arsenal, has finally retired (Image:) Football's ultimate journeyman, Jefferson Louis, is hanging up his boots after an extraordinary career that saw him change clubs 51 times. Announcing his retirement at the age of 46, he bows out following a stint with non-league outfit Thame United. Louis' 29-year football career features a lengthy roll call of clubs so numerous that even he once confessed to forgetting some. He began his career in 1996, making his debut for Risborough Rangers, aged just 17. He mostly played in the lower echelons of the football pyramid where he played for the likes of Wrexham, Oxford United, and Lincoln City, as well as stints at Newport County, Bristol Rovers, and Mansfield Town. Some of the most memorable moments of his career included taking on Arsenal with Oxford United in an FA Cup third round match in 2003 and representing Dominica internationally. Following his fourth tenure at Thame United, Louis has decided it's finally time to conclude his playing days. In a heartfelt post on X, Louis said: "A young boy that had a dream, and I lived it, but it's now time to call it a day! To go to the age of 46 is something I'm hugely proud of. Massive thanks to my former managers, team-mates and fans that have supported me throughout. Now to give back to the next generation." Thame United honoured him with a statement sharing his impressive stats. Over nearly three decades, Louis played a staggering 903 games, scoring 293 times. Article continues below Jefferson Louis, who made his name with Oxford United, has retired from football (Image:) The club said: "Jefferson spent four years at Thame and finishes his career leaving with three Oxfordshire Senior Cups. A massive congratulations on an amazing career Jeff, from everyone at Thame United and we wish you all the best for the future." In a 2014 interview with The Telegraph, Louis discussed the challenges of his journeyman career. He said "It's like I'm cursed. When I signed for Wrexham, [manager] Dean Saunders said, 'I wish I had you when you was young. You'd be a Premiership player now.' "For them to say this makes me think, wow. Something went wrong for me, innit? People say he must be a rebel, Jefferson must have been rude. And it's tarnished me. Some managers think I must be a bad apple." Louis' past includes some controversial episodes. He spent a short spell in jail for dangerous driving when he was 22. And during his time with Wrexham, he raised eyebrows with an X-rated interview given to Setanta Sports during a match against Altrincham. When asked why he'd been substituted, he said: "I was f***ed." Jefferson Louis, pictured playing for Wealdstone, has led a nomadic existence in football (Image:) He recounted a particularly grim spell under the management of Scottish football boss Steve Evans at Crawley Town. "It was the worst thing I ever did," Louis said. "His man-management is terrible. We're playing AFC Wimbledon on the Tuesday. After the game he asked my opinion. "I said we went a bit too negative. He went mental at me. He started effing and blinding, spitting everywhere. But he asked my opinion." Louis has since discovered joy in teaching children who have been expelled from mainstream education. Despite facing some difficult times, he maintains that he harbours no regrets about his professional journey. Article continues below "I'm just happy with what I achieved," he said. "I played international football. I met my idol Thierry Henry. I've been back page in a newspaper. That's what I try and drill into the kids at school. Don't have no regrets."
