Doctor Who in serious doubt as Real Housewives of Melbourne contestant Anjali Rao spills secrets | INSIDE MEDIA

In the 50th edition of INSIDE MEDIA: Is Doctor Who about to be axed because of ‘wokeness’? | X launches a new current affairs show – is this the future of news? | And exposing the secret tricks used to make reality TV shows, from someone on this inside.

*You can watch a video edition of this article in the player above

ARE ‘WOKE’ STORYLINES KILLING ONCE POPULAR SHOWS?

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Some troubling news for Doctor Who fans — like myself — with The Sun reporting the show’s future is in serious doubt. The outlet claims the iconic sci-fi series “is facing the axe, with star Ncuti Gatwa poised to quit and crew claiming to be laid off.

The article then goes on to say: “The recent series suffered abysmal ratings with fans outraged by the BBC shoehorning wokery into storylines”.

Ncuti Gatwa, left, and Millie Gibson arrive at the premiere of the new season of "Doctor Who". Credit: Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

It’s claimed a regeneration scene has already been filmed, with Gatwa keen to try his luck in Hollywood as ratings plummet in the UK.

And for those thinking this is nothing more than a media beat-up, back in July last year Deadline noticed the show didn’t feature in Disney’s upfronts – an annual showcase for media and advertisers.

Disney bought the worldwide rights to the show from the BBC, excluding the UK, for its Disney PLUS streaming service.

The BBC has hit back, with a spokesperson for the show saying “This story is incorrect, Doctor Who has not been shelved.

“As we have previously stated, the decision on season three will be made after season two airs.

“The deal with Disney Plus was for 26 episodes — and exactly half of those still have to transmit. And as for the rest, we never comment on the Doctor and future storylines.”

That’s hardly a promise the show will continue.

But let’s get to the issue at hand and the criticism of the ‘woke’ storylines…

Russell T Davies in 2005 when he brought Doctor Who back to much acclaim but he has faced strong criticsm over ‘woke’ storylines since his return. Credit: BBC

Russell T Davies was the original executive producer in 2005 when he brought the show back.

He did a great job, even though there were a few issues.

He’s now come back to the show after leaving and it would be fair to say it hasn’t got the same magic. Yes, as we can see, it’s a bigger budget, great effects, and Ncuti Gatwa is a fantastic doctor.

It is fair to say woke storylines have overtaken the show.

The difference here is that Doctor Who has always been progressive, but now we’re treated to storylines that don’t so much take the viewer on a ride, but are more likely to bang you over the head and then bang you over the head again.

We even have situations where even the doctor is being lectured about his language when it comes to pronouns.

It doesn’t have to be this way. You can have a transgender character, no problem. You can have a female doctor, no problem, but you don’t need to lecture the audience.

I’ve been watching this show for most of my life, So when I tell you I love this show, you’d better believe it.

Being a long-term fan doesn’t mean I believe everything was better back in the good old days.

I really don’t — the show has to evolve, or it will die.

The difference here is that smart people can make a point and bring the audience along… others think they have to bash us over the head because we are too stupid to get it.

People don’t like being preached to… but that’s exactly what Russell T Davies is doing at the moment.

And that’s why the show is facing possible cancellation.

THE FUTURE OF TV NEWS?

This morning a new global current affairs show launched on X starring Australia’s very own Erin Molan.

Erin Molan hosting 69 Minutes. Credit: X

You can see the show in the video player above.

Called 69X Minutes the show is a blatant rip-off of 60 Minutes, even using the iconic stopwatch in pre-promotion materials, failing to create a unique voice for itself.

69Xminutes used the iconic 60 Minutes stopwatch to promote the new show Credit: X

But maybe that will come with time.

Molan, as the host, throws to very long stories (the show goes for a full one hour and nine minutes) but it fails to utilise her commentary talents on hot topic issues.

It’s my belief opinion is the key to engaging audiences on social media.

Headlines are everywhere but being able to disagree or agree with someone helps people to understand issues and allows them to take part in the conversation.

Hopefully in the coming weeks we will see editorials from Molan on issues of the week included with the reports and interviews like those featured in the first episode.

Meanwhile, what does this type of content mean for traditional TV broadcasters?

There’s no doubt news-based programming plays an important role in commercial television (excluding Channel 10 which decimated its news budgeted in a series of cost cutting measures).

Both Nine and Seven air news-related programming from 5am — midday (with Seven going until 1pm), followed by a 4pm news and 6pm news.

The question is — why haven’t these resources been used for a 24-hour news channel that could be aired on a digital channel and online?

Cost is obviously a factor but while I was in Sydney last week I presented INSIDE MEDIA from a new studio at Seven’s Everleigh headquarters that was big enough, in my opinion, to house a news studio.

In these days of automation, it would not take a great deal of resources to provide a service like this and engage an online audience with a mix of traditional news plus opinion programs.

Something to consider…

REALITY TV SECRETS REVEALED

In the previous edition of INSIDE MEDIA we looked at the contract participants on Married At First Sight are forced to sign, so I thought I would get some insights into how reality TV shows are made from someone who has starred in multiple shows.

Anjali Rao is a former CNN anchor who went on to feature in The Real Housewives of Melbourne and Australian Survivor and divided viewers because she didn’t play by the rules. In fact, she left the RHOM production before the series was finished.

Anjali Rao in the opening titles of The Real Housewives of Melbourne. Credit: FOXTEL

“I was egregiously lied to, by a certain producer, about what the season would be,” she told me on Saturday’s edition of McKnight Tonight.

You can see a clip from the interview in the player above.

Anj was told audience expectations were changing and the tone of the show would be changing, but when shooting began she felt like a lamb to the slaughter, which led her to a very dark place, which is why she quit the show mid production.

“I actually got into a very, very dark head space when it was happening, and it felt almost embarrassing. It wasn’t something that I shared really with anybody until one day. It all just like came tumbling down”.

Anjali Rao revealing reality TV secrets on McKnight Tonight Credit: Rob McKnight

While Foxtel’s legal team were issuing all sorts of threats, the Head of Foxtel, the iconic Brian Walsh, made a surprising phone call to offer his support.

“I was absolutely in shock,” laughs Anj.

“We were on the phone for a good half-an-hour and let’s just say that he was extremely open about who he never wanted to be on the show ever again.

“You have my support, you’ve got the support of the network”.

In the end Anj was featured and happy with her edit, but she does believe the villain edit exists but is only possible because of your own actions.

Rob McKnight is a television producer and the co-owner of TV Blackbox.

INSIDE MEDIA is published every Monday and Thursday on the 7NEWS website.