Dr. Who is the name of one of the longest running British Broadcasting Corporations (BBC) television series. The main plot involves the Time Lord Dr. Who and a female assistant journeying through time and space to fight evil foes. Although the program was designed specifically as a children's television show, it has gained a cult-like status and is also popular among adults.

Dr. Who first appeared in black and white on 23 November 1963. Since that time, it has gone through many changes and has broadcast over 700 episodes. Ten actors have taken on the role of the Doctor over the years. The spawning of a new Doctor is called regeneration. The Doctor regenerates his body, conveniently allowing a new actor to take on the role.

The show was originally intended to present an educational view of history for children. The educational theme was soon dropped, and science fiction elements quickly took over as the main plotline. Dr. Who would battle many villains, such as his nemeses the Daleks and the Cybermen.

Before it became a cult favorite, Dr. Who was regarded as long-running joke. The special effects used in the early series were widely laughable. Comparing the special effects at the time to the effects used in films today is similar to comparing two tin cans and a piece of string with a mobile phone. Dr. Who only needed to run upstairs to escape the terrifying force that was the bubble-wrapped tin can on wheels, the Daleks.

Even though the special effects were laughable, the show was considered by some to be too upsetting for children. Mary Whitehouse, a moral campaigner in the 1970s, made a number of complaints to the BBC. These complaints only led to an increase in the popularity of the show.

The vehicle used to transport Dr. Who and his always female assistant around the universe was known as the Tardis. This was basically a 1950s London police box. Although about the size of a portable toilet cubicle from the outside, once inside, it became very spacious. With its white interior and hi-tech chrome feel, it was remarkably similar to an 1980s bachelor pad.

Dr. Who is now going through something of a revival both in Britain and around the world. The last series drew audiences of around ten million. However, Christopher Eccleston, a highly respected British actor who played Dr. Who in the 2005 season, became time-travel sick after one season and decided to jump Tardis. Dr. Who has a strong cult following in Australia, Canada and America and inexplicably looks set to have a continued large fan base for many years.