It’s been said that some people in this world are stupid.
This is, of course, absolute nonsense. The majority of people in this world are stupid – hapless, witless mouth-breathers who drift gormlessly through their lives with all the intellectual vigour of a bag of Oven Chips. Bearing this in mind, however, it still boggles the mind as to the boundless depths of idiocy to which the truly moronic are capable of plunging.
Like dialling the number of a TV character. And complaining when there’s no answer.
Oh yes – approximately 2,500 Doctor Who viewers were left disappointed after they tried calling a number that had flashed on screen several times during a recent episode. Quite what they were hoping to hear remains a mystery – possibly a voicemail from the Timelord himself announcing “sorry I can’t get to the phone, but I’m busy speaking to a member of the opposite sex, something which the vast majority of you who are actually taking the time to dial this will unfortunately never do.”
Of course, the number wasn’t real. Just as the prefix 555 is used in American movies – an area code that isn’t in existence – the BBC understandably decided to use a fictional number, rather than running the risk of legions of geeks dialling up an unsuspecting plumber in Walthamstow and bombarding him with questions like “how did you cope with the atmosphere on planet Klaartu B-7?” or “what’s it like going outside?.”
Unfortunately, a lot of people are now a little miffed that they rang a dead line and that the funny man they done seen on the glowing box don’t not be real. Anger which a BBC spokesman has gently tried to dismiss:
“It wouldn’t have cost anything to call these numbers because they are not real. If someone did call it they would hear either a dead dial tone or number unavailable. There are a series of phone numbers we assign to producers for TV series.”
Or to put it another way:
“Jesus fucking Christ, what is wrong with you people? I mean, seriously. Is this a joke? What’s the deal? I just don’t know why I bother anymore. I really don’t.”
Rob Delaney says
To be fair, similar incidents on the Simpsons (Homer’s email address) and other programs (I think the X files did one, or something) have occurred, where the production company has set up an ansaphone or email reply system with a message in keeping with the program. I think the management speak for it is making the program more “interactive and consumer-focussed”.
However, those are American programs, which have a budget that exceeds 15p, an old cheese and onion sandwich and a 1985 copy of the Beano. I’d imagine the BBC MEANT to set up an ansaphone, but either they ran out of money, someone forgot, or the dolly grip in charge got mashed up on skunk and ran out to mug old ladies and the decided he couldn’t be bovvered, to quote La Tate.
Incidentally, the last episode was fvcking rubbish. Really.
David Bryden says
I can’t understand why, when Dr. Who encounters a difficult problem, he doesn’t just zip back a few years and nip it in the bud.
gir says
And they all seem to comment on hecklerspray articles.
I’m not talking about ME obviously, I am a paragon of wisdom and smartitude.
euclid says
Hey H’spray! What about a spoiler alert next time, h8ters!!!
Beth says
I don’t think it’s a budget issue so much as America’s sure knowledge that, while we are BETTER than everyone else ever, we are not smarter.
toolahroolahroolah says
If you do not dial the correct time continuum and dimensional area codes before dialing your party’s number then of course you won’t be able to complete your call.
Rob Delaney says
rah, rah, rah, why are you banging on about scientology, rah rah, it’s a valid religion, rah rah gibber, read the book, blah blah…
Oh, sorry, wrong thread.
dlwhite71 says
WHAT?!?! It’s not real?!? Next you’ll post a story revealing the non-existence of Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny…