Doctor Who
Broadcast
28th February 1981
Long-time production manager John Nathan Turner became the series’ producer from season 18. He felt seven years of ‘time tunnel’ animation was enough and wanted to bring the programme firmly into the 1980s. He also considered the classic image of Tom Baker too young to match the actor as he looked in 1980.
Graphic designer Sid Sutton took us splendidly into space rather than time enhanced by dazzling ‘starburst’ lens filters, while Peter Howell gave Ron Grainer’s theme a 1980s re-arrangement that was never bettered that decade. The ‘Close Encounters’-style synth melody, faux guitar licks and sonic booms join the deep star field to make it all so thrilling!
