Anyone Know Why Tom Baker Distances Himself From Doctor Who Now?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
April 24, 2011 9:37am CST
I noticed this when a tribute was shown on the television regarding Elizabeth Sladen, who died a few days ago (sadly)
and Tom Baker didn't even appear in it.
I asked hubby what he thought about this as the last two Doctor Who actors appeared on the programme in question..and he said, "I dunno, I just know he likes to distance himself from the Doctor Who role."
Does anyone know why? It's not as though he's done anything significant SINCE Doctor Who so why does he distance himself from it?
I find it all very strange. My favourite was Jon Pertwee and I'm sure he would've appeared if he'd still been alive.
First Doctor Who of the new series was very good by the way..I just wish the Scottish girl would "retire" and Alex from "ER" got the role instead, as she can act.
Haha!
and Tom Baker didn't even appear in it.
I asked hubby what he thought about this as the last two Doctor Who actors appeared on the programme in question..and he said, "I dunno, I just know he likes to distance himself from the Doctor Who role."
Does anyone know why? It's not as though he's done anything significant SINCE Doctor Who so why does he distance himself from it?
I find it all very strange. My favourite was Jon Pertwee and I'm sure he would've appeared if he'd still been alive.
First Doctor Who of the new series was very good by the way..I just wish the Scottish girl would "retire" and Alex from "ER" got the role instead, as she can act.
Haha!2 people like this
7 responses
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
24 Apr 11
Actually, Tom Baker wrote a very touching article about Lis
http://www.digitalspy.com/british-tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a315581/tom-baker-consoled-by-lis-sladen-memories.html
Now, Tom Baker has said in the past if the story was good enough he would revisit Doctor Who, and he has just signed with Big Finish to start recording BF Doctor Who adventures, and was supposed to start recording with Lis in a few weeks, the story is having to be re-written to have Leela (Louise Jamison) as his companion instead.
I didn't see any of the "old" Doctor Who actors in that tribute except for Katy Manning (Jo Grant) who has already made a come back in the Sarah Jane Adventures.
2 people like this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
24 Apr 11
Well, that's me well and truly "told" lol. It was a touching tribute, you're right. Pity he couldn't appear on telly though.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6775)
• United Kingdom
24 Apr 11
Tom Baker played Dr Who so long ago I can barely remember it. Why he would distance himself from the role, I have no idea, but he is an old man and maybe can't even remember playing the part.
"Knock, knock"
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
25 Apr 11
You have hardly been here yet, if you keep posting you will get there.
I know right now it seems that you are getting nowhere, just don't give up.
And Tom never really distanced himself from the part, he was going to conventions, talking to people about it, even reprized the part on an old Children in Need thing. Its just he was so unhappy with John Nathan Turner that he didn't do the 5 Doctors.
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
26 Apr 11
There is nothing wrong with Tom's mind! He's got more snap than others less than half his age!
Maggiepie
"We have room for but one flag, the American Flag. We have room for but one language, the English language, & we have room for but one sole loyalty, & that is a loyalty to the American people. " ~ President Theodore Roosevelt
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
24 Apr 11
I know I'm showing my age here, but I can still remember the very first episode of Doctor Who. 
I watched the first series of Star Trek when it was first trasmitted as well. Also Niel Armstrong taking his first steps on the moon on live TV - it was about 3 in the morning when he finally got out and I had to be at work at 8 am. I think that I managed to grab an hour or two light sleep before I had to go to work. I'd not have missed watching that historic moment though for anything.
I watched the first series of Star Trek when it was first trasmitted as well. Also Niel Armstrong taking his first steps on the moon on live TV - it was about 3 in the morning when he finally got out and I had to be at work at 8 am. I think that I managed to grab an hour or two light sleep before I had to go to work. I'd not have missed watching that historic moment though for anything. 
I wuz a BIG boy! 
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
10 Jul 11
he must be getting old by now..maybe he's retired in general?
i don't recall seeing him in anything as of late..
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
10 Jul 11
He makes fleeting appearances and has been known to do voiceover work.
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
26 Apr 11
I hadn't heard that Tom had done that! If he really has, I can only imagine it's for the same reason many actors do it: fear of typecasting. I doubt he hates the role; he's spent too long telling folks how much he enjoyed playing the Time Lord. But people do change...
I love Tom. I still love the Doctor. All of him! 
Maggiepie
"We have room for but one flag, the American Flag. We have room for but one language, the English language, & we have room for but one sole loyalty, & that is a loyalty to the American people. " ~ President Theodore Roosevelt
I love Tom. I still love the Doctor. All of him!
Maggiepie
"We have room for but one flag, the American Flag. We have room for but one language, the English language, & we have room for but one sole loyalty, & that is a loyalty to the American people. " ~ President Theodore Roosevelt@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
28 Apr 11
Elic & I have been saying that for decades!
Maggiepie
"The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots & Tyrants." ~ Thomas Jefferson
Maggiepie
"The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots & Tyrants." ~ Thomas Jefferson
@burrito88 (2774)
• United States
25 Apr 11
Baker is 77 years old now. Most of the work he has done has been narration and voice overs but he has also recorded audio versions of Doctor Who books. Perhaps he doesn't want to appear on screen because of his age.
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
28 Apr 11
Nah...that's not Tom. He's one of the least self-conscious folks you'd ever have the pleasure of meeting. I really love his genuine nature. He also doesn't care what others look like, & will give anyone his entire attention when one converses with him. It's a really nice trait.
Maggiepie
"The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots & Tyrants." ~ Thomas Jefferson
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
28 Apr 11
My Dad said to Mum, "Why do all these Doctor Who's have goggly eyes?"
Hmmm, I don't think all of them do. I can only think of two, Tom Baker and David Tennent, the latter being my favourite Doctor.
I also liked Christopher Eccleston as I'm a huge fan of his. He didn't play the part for long enough, in my opinion.
Maybe he will come back as a "baddie?"
The lovely John Simm is thinking about coming back as a baddie. He was interviewed on telly yesterday and I love him! In fact, he'd make a BRILLIANT Doctor but he's in demand doing other things.
@yellowocean (22)
• Slovak Republic
24 Apr 11
According to BBC: "Unlike most of the other actors to have taken the role, Tom Baker has mostly distanced himself from Doctor Who after quitting part9. Initially that reluctance to remain associated with the part of the Doctor was largely because of a concern over the inevitable typecasting associated with the role. Latterly, however, he has said that he has nothing new to add to the character and will never return to it for that reason"
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
24 Apr 11
I've been told in this discussion that he was about to start audio recordings with the Sarah Jane character and she's been replaced. I suppose, if he were to appear on television his persona (which is huge) would overshadow the current doctor, I don't know...then there would be the inevitable "come back!" from his fans!
