Though spoofs aren't technically Doctor Who (no Lenny Henry appearing here!), The Curse of Fatal Death, written by Steven Moffat for Comic Relief, was broadcast when the show was off the air in the late 1990s and features the 'Ninth' Doctor who is this time played by Rowan Atkinson. It's got a cast that the current show would kill for, including Jonathan Pryce, Joanna Lumley and Hugh Grant. The Master's in it, as are the Daleks, and the timey-wimey nature of the jokes gives us an early indication of Who under the Moff. Atkinson actually comes across as rather a dull Doctor, like a watered down Blackadder. Much better value are the Doctors that follow when he keeps regenerating. These include Jim Broadbent, Richard E Grant (so much better here than as the Shalka Doc) and Hugh Grant. There's also Joanna Lumley, the first female Doctor! Communication by bottom burp and Dalek bumps are two of the great joys and, as spoofs go, this is better than a lot of actual Doctor Who episodes. It can even be canon if you want it to be.
Writer of The Blog of Delights, a review site covering film, TV, cult TV, books and audio. Fan of Dr Who, Bond, X-Men and Marvel. Also the writer of e-book 'Fictional Legends: Doctor Who - the TV Adventures' for Collca.
