"British television was changing in the mid 1980's. You had the likes of cheap second hand programming from the US and Australia coming into the UK as well as the first stirrings of satellite television. Money was and still is a major issue. When it came to Doctor Who there was an issue. Michael Grade hated the series, he's said it often enough and he was under pressure to make the licence fee value for money. Philip Hinchliffe was to leave the series after Rik's first series and he spoke to me about taking over. I first declined saying that Dr Who wasn't a comedy.
He said he wanted me as producer because the plans that he was putting into effect for the show depended largely on Rik's ability to portray more of the mystery of the Doctor and that he and I had been a success in the Young Ones. I listed to what Philip had to say and to be honest I thought he was crazy but as I listened I began to understand his thinking and I realise how much the show meant to him plus I recall how the show nearly ended after the Chapman years.
I agreed to he request to take over but I had to insist that there would be no interference from the sixth floor. I suppose you could say that I was a prototype showrunner
(Paul Jackson, Executive Producer 1985-1988)
He said he wanted me as producer because the plans that he was putting into effect for the show depended largely on Rik's ability to portray more of the mystery of the Doctor and that he and I had been a success in the Young Ones. I listed to what Philip had to say and to be honest I thought he was crazy but as I listened I began to understand his thinking and I realise how much the show meant to him plus I recall how the show nearly ended after the Chapman years.
I agreed to he request to take over but I had to insist that there would be no interference from the sixth floor. I suppose you could say that I was a prototype showrunner
(Paul Jackson, Executive Producer 1985-1988)