Nerd-based consumer outrage shifted to a whole new level this week following news that thousands of fans of cheesy British sci-fi drama Doctor Who were left fuming after calling an on-screen mobile phone number for the heroic Time Lord only to be greeted by a default recorded network message.
BBC fields complaints from unhappy Doctor Who fans regarding fake on-screen phone number. Image: BenLeto/Flickr.
More specifically, ever-watchful viewers recently noticed the Doctor’s fictional mobile number appear on screen several times during a particular episode when various other fictional characters in the fictional show attempted to contact him -- as per the demands of the fictional script.
With a firm belief that the repeated nature of the number’s appearance was a hidden indicator that fans should take it upon themselves to call the good Doctor, more than 2,500 devotees duly attempted to inconvenience the regenerative Time Lord and tear him away from his perpetual quest to save the universe.
A spokesman for communications watchdog Ofcom, which allocates such disconnected numbers to the broadcaster for use in their TV shows, has attempted to allay fan fury (at least in a monetary sense) by explaining that “it wouldn’t have cost anything to call these numbers because they are not real.”
However, despite Ofcom’s financial assurances, Doctor Who fans appear more disgruntled by the fact that Scottish actor David Tennant was not waiting on the other end of the line to spend a few minutes/hours/days running through the entire 45-year history of the show with them.
“Grrr -- I phoned the Doctor’s phone number but there was just an annoying network message,” exclaimed one fan via the BBC’s official Web site, while another asked: “What’s the point in showing a phone number if you’re not gonna use it?!”
The Daily Mail reports that a spokesman for the BBC spokesman maintained that the corporation had fully complied with Ofcom, which supplied a safe number that was inactive and reserved specifically for the use of TV programmes.
Last Saturday’s exciting season finale of Doctor Who, which pitted the Doctor against his arch enemies the Daleks, was watched by approximately 10 million viewers and secured around 47 percent of the total audience share during its time slot.
SteveJul 8th, 2008 - 14:28:51
LMAO, they called a number on the TV and were upset it was fake? Really?
I recall something like this on Fox's 24. The number was fake, but ended up being switched to a promo recording. I guess my question is, why would they call the number anyway? It's a TV show. too bad that BBC can use 555-xxxx like they do here, maybe that would help.
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