Doctor Who, David Tennant Reference on The Crystal Maze
By David Hill
David Tennant may not have been the host of the revived game show The Crystal Maze, but we still had a Doctor Who reference.
When the BBC has their causes, some of the specials they put together are truly incredible. Shows will get a bit of a revival, coming back for an episode in order to draw in the viewers. Specials can also occur with current programs, as has been the case on Doctor Who. The top talent from around the network comes together, as these charitable causes get the attention they deserve.
One of the revived programs was The Crystal Maze for a celebrity Stand Up to Cancer special. A show that lasted for six episodes, one per year, from 1990 through 1995, it involved contestants facing challenges to win Time Crystals from each of the four zones. Those crystals then allowed an additional five seconds in The Crystal Dome, where they had their final challenge.
Given the focus on time, it is not surprising that a Time Lord would be considered for the host role. As such, David Tennant was rumored to possibly be brought on. Alas, that did not turn out to be the case, as The Crystal Maze special ended up being hosted by Stephen Merchant instead.
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However, that did not mean that Doctor Who, and Tennant, were not represented. In fact, both were referenced in the beginning of the show, as Merchant chatted with original host Richard O’Brien, who took on the role of the computer. O’Brien, when discussing Merchant as the host, joked that someone else may have been a better fit, saying, “I’ll tell you who would’ve been good. That chap that played Doctor Who.” To this, Merchant irritably replied, “Yeah, he’s not available.”
Well, there is no denying the appeal of David Tennant, even though it has been years since the Tenth Doctor regenerated. Considered the most popular Doctor of the revival, and one of the most beloved ever, one can understand why he would be considered a great fit.
Next: The “Big Ideas” of Peter Capaldi and Steven Moffat