Doctor Who has delved into all kinds of genres of storytelling, from horror to murder mysteries and spy stories. It’s always had science fiction as a core component and is most well known for it’s scare factor and horror. Yet I think comedy is a key element of Doctor Who that is underestimated. The level of levity, campiness and silliness has to be well balanced and is essential for the success of a story. There have been several comedy centred stories with a focus on gags, one liners and humorous situations that deserve to be celebrated. It’s a difficult genre to tackle, but Doctor Who’s efforts are rather underappreciated which is why today I’m going to be discussing the best comedy focused Doctor Who stories. Let’s get started!!!
10.) The Return of Doctor Mysterio (2016) written by Steven Moffat
I think this story got badly judged at the time because it was the only Doctor Who story of 2016, but isolated from that context, I think it does a very good job of what it’s trying to be. Superheroes were at their height of popularity in 2016 with the MCU and therefore Doctor Who decided to do its own version of that genre. What I like about the Return of Doctor Mysterio is that it provides a different kind of superhero story that wasn’t being offered at the time and also seems absent now by delving into the concept of a secret identity. The story is a fitting and loving homage to an old-fashioned kind of superhero story, especially the Christopher Reeve Superman films. The story has an absurd comedy to it that just works; it has a light-hearted vibe and embraces the silliness and the humour of the superhero concept and the traditions of a superhero in all the best ways. It pokes fun at superhero tropes in the best of fashions. Seeing Grant trying to balance his ordinary life as a nanny and his life as a superhero creates relatable domestic issues and the sitcom comedy and drama feels appropriate. The relationship between Grant and Lucy is the heart of the story which has a familiarity but a believability to it at the same time and a great deal of emotion at its centre. Peter Capaldi is excellent as the Doctor and moments like him eating sushi whilst spying are a delight. Yet the arc of his grief of River Song is very clear and well played.
9.) Boom Town (2005) written by Russell T Davies
Boom Town was for a long time dismissed as a filler episode but has gained a lot more appreciation, it finds the right blend between comedy and asking challenging fundamental questions about the actions of the Doctor. The Slitheen are villains which I have always disliked, but I think they are handled best in Boom Town. The farting and the silliness of them is restrained and you just focus on one with Blon, and I like the spotlight that is put on her as a killer. Boom Town is a fairly laid-back episode but I think that works in its favour. There is a marvellous chemistry and relationship between the Doctor, Rose, Jack and Mickey. It’s nice to see their characters all come together and the slapstick comedy especially in the chase after Margaret works a treat. The humour is well timed and judged with some hilarious laugh out loud moments and entertaining gags. The tension in the dinner sequence between the Doctor and Blon has especially well played comic timing. Yet I like how the performance from Annette Badland paints her as a sympathetic figure and you have challenging and interesting questions on the morality of the Doctor and the consequences of his actions that I enjoy. The responsibility of the Doctor to Blon’s fate has a captivating moral grey area to it. I also like the exploration of the relationship between Mickey and Rose and the consequences of Rose abandoning Mickey for a life in the Tardis.
8.) Paradise Towers (1987) written by Stephen Wyatt
Paradise Towers is known for its pantomime tone and comical feel, but I feel what makes it work is the unsettling vibe and political satire under the surface. It feels like a solid mission statement for the era of Andrew Cartmel as a producer and the rest of the run. You have a very memorable group of characters with different factions at each other's throats, which creates a strong challenge for the Doctor in being able to bring them together. The highlight of the story is Elizabeth Spriggs and Brenda Bruce as Tilda and Tabby. The role of the kindly and unsettling old ladies is played to perfection. There is a dottiness to their performances and a nice comical quality, but a sinister creepiness to them always. You have Richard Briers playing the Chief Caretaker and Clive Merrison playing the Deputy Chief Caretaker, who are just a joy to watch. The corrupt selfishness and dubious nature of Richard Briers’s performance just fits the character. There is a comedy to the uselessness of the Caretakers being unwilling to fix the problems they are faced with and being totally obedient to the rulebook, which leaves them open to mockery. The nature of the corruption under everyone’s noses creates a lot of depth to the society. I think Pex as a character also works very well, and he is given a worthy arc. He is presented as a heroic character only to have his cowardly nature exposed. I like how Paradise Towers shows him prove his heroics and gain respect at the end for his sacrifice which gives the story a lot of heart and tragedy.
7.) Partners in Crime (2008) written by Russell T Davies
This was the story to introduce Donna as a companion and yet I think it’s very much a solid story in its own right for the comedy which it offers. Mainly for the comedic double act of David Tennant and Catherine Tate who just meld together and work perfectly with such excellent chemistry between them. The opening half of the story is joyful, it’s incredibly humorous and nicely developed to see the Doctor and Donna continually miss each other across the story. It creates an anticipation where you are waiting for the two of them to run into one another which is just thrilling. There is a physical aspect to the comedy of the story that is wonderful to watch. Donna is very well characterised and developed to feel like an even better fit for the Doctor for where she is in her life now. The reunion of the Doctor and Donna is such an iconic moment that is highly memorable. I like the idea behind the story a lot and the way it deals with the obesity crisis and the sketchiness of instant solutions in a relatable way. It feels like a reality that is well baked into our world. The Adipose splendidly finds a merge between funny and disturbing. They have a loveable innocence about them and a hilarious and absurd quality, but the truth behind them is disturbing at the same time. Sarah Lancashire, as Miss Foster, is a pleasing match for David Tennant, especially with her sonic pen and there is a sense of gravity to their interactions.
6.) The Pirate Planet (1978) written by Douglas Adams
The Pirate Planet is a story that has had a mixed reaction over the years, but I think if some fans could look past its overambitious effects then there is a lot to like. It has a very good script with the sparkle and wit of Douglas Adams at the helm. You have a vivid imagination and ambitious vision with high concept ideas which it is a joy to behold and see develop. You have a great set of villains with the comedic double act between the Pirate Captain and Mr Fibuli, and their frivolous relationship is an entertaining one. Yet there is an interesting depth and history to Zanak with Xania as an oppressive queen. The way she has managed to survive and holds authority over the Captain is a surprising and rewarding twist that flips the expectations of the story in a satisfying way. The Mentiads, linear induction corridor and K9 having a fight with a robot parrot certainly adds some degree of levity and there is a dry and absurd wit to the story which is valuable. Yet the fight for freedom against oppressive forces creates powerful drama. I love the idea and concept of Zanak being used to strip planets of mineral wealth. It shows a creative imagination whilst also justly taking a stand against imperialistic values of wealth at the expense of life. The performance from Tom Baker and his pure anger and immoral outrage is a highlight of the story. Beyond this, the story ties into the Key to Time story arc rather well with a creative solution to the story that uses the Tardis and the Mentiads powers in a very interesting manner.
5.) The Time Meddler (1965) written by Dennis Spooner
The Time Meddler is one of Hartnell’s most important stories as the first pseudo historical but is also a very humorous story mainly with the presence of the Meddling Monk. There is a tremendous wit with the writing from Dennis Spooner, who had a good sense of humour. It’s Steven’s first adventure in the Tardis and it shows him taking everything in and learning the ropes of travelling through history from Vicki as a more seasoned companion very well. Peter Butterworth was a rather well-known name at this point, and he fits perfectly into the role of the Meddling Monk. He is a solid opposite of the Doctor. I like the clumsiness and scatterbrained carelessness of Peter Butterworth’s rather comedic portrayal of the Meddling Monk. His physical mannerisms and facial expressions make him a fun character and he has entertaining chemistry with Hartnell as the Doctor. He isn’t cruel but simply selfish and overly curious, which makes him a joy to watch. It’s cool to see him disappear into his role as the Monk and there is a comedy to seeing his mask slip. His mischievous antics and past history paint a picture of his enjoyment of trouble. Seeing his outlined plan, diary of his exploits and collection of things from everywhere he’s visited brings a smile to my face. He represents what we would all want to do if we had the power of time travel at our disposal, which is amusing. Yet there is an important lesson on protecting the timeline.
4.) Robot of Sherwood (2014) written by Mark Gatiss
I do find it amazing that it took until 2014 for the Doctor to meet Robin Hood because it feels like something that should have happened during the Hartnell era. However, the Doctor and Robin Hood are two characters who work wonderfully together not only for the interaction but for what they are meant to represent which ties very well into the overall arc of Series 8. Tom Riley does a very satisfying job of playing Robin Hood with a very heightened performance. His prankster silliness merged with a sadness and sense of justice works for the story; he’s a fitting contrast to the cynical and logical grumpiness of Peter Capaldi’s Doctor. The two are suited opposites and the Doctor's anger at Robin’s laughing and immaturity creates hilarious comedy. I especially like the Doctor battling Robin Hood with a spoon upon meeting him. The arrow shooting contest is a nice spin on a well-known scene and the way they both escape from the Sheriff of Nottingham is also very amusing. You have Ben Miller playing the Sheriff of Nottingham who is a brilliant fit for the role with his menacing presence. Clara’s place within the story is rather essential trying to find a way for the Doctor and Robin Hood to work together and I like her role a lot having a well-founded optimism. Her scene with the Sheriff is a key highlight of the story. The story has a tremendous humour but a lot of heart and emotion with the mirrors it draws between the Doctor and Robin Hood as the Doctor questions the value in himself as a hero and those themes make a lot of sense to tackle.
3.) The Time Warrior (1973/74) written by Robert Holmes
The Time Warrior kicks off Season 11 with the first Sontaran story and introduces my favourite companion, Sarah Jane Smith. It’s also a very comedic story from Robert Holmes that fits the opening of the season very well. You have an inspired idea with Linx providing Irongron with weapons beyond that of the period, creating problems for the timeline and presenting a clear danger and a compelling sense of consequences. The story has a strong set of villainous characters to fear, and yet have a comedic quality to be made fun of at the same time. Linx, played by Kevin Lindsay, is a well-played joke based on military imperialism. Linx is a ruthless, dangerous and formidable presence and yet the concept of the Sontaran is nicely made to be ridiculed. I like how Linx still fits into the setting and feel of the story. The Sontarans feel like they are designed for the medieval setting, being a kind of futuristic version of a knight that I just love. It might be a solid reason why Linx is still the best Sontaran, because they fit in with the warlike mindsets. Irongron and Bloodaxe make for an amusing comedy double act, especially with the vicious and brutal nature of Irongron contrasted with Bloodaxe. I like the conflict that builds with Linx. The insults of Irongron and Linx and the way they attempt to match each other is nothing short of entertaining, with some very pleasing put downs. There is a hilarious levity to the bickering of Linx and Irongron as they are a gross reflection of the same military values.
2.) The Romans (1965) written by Dennis Spooner
It’s a very Carry On inspired story with a strongly farce style which ends up working in its favour. What I love about the Romans is that as absurd as the jokes and the style of the whole thing is, it is balanced with a lot of dark themes. There are ideas tackling what life was like in Rome and the difficulty of the period, and that’s shown well through absurd comedy. I love the opening scenes of the Doctor, Vicki, Ian and Barbara just hanging out at a roman villa. It’s nice to see the characters enjoy themselves for once. Seeing the Doctor being mistaken for Maximus Pettluian is rather amusing, especially considering his interactions with Nero. Seeing the Doctor trying to figure out the conspiracy he is meant to be involved in is entertaining to see unfold. The scene of him pretending to play the Iyre at the banquet is a proper laugh out loud and clever moment. William Hartnell is clearly enjoying himself with a comic quality to his performance and seeing him beat up an assassin is a lovely inclusion. Derek Francis as Nero is the villain of the story and a superb character and performance to be enjoyed. He pitches it just right with being dangerous and ruthless and a total idiot to be laughed at at the same time with a terrifically heightened performance. The only comedy of the story that does not work is seeing Nero running around trying to assault Barbara, which feels both dated and uncomfortable. I love the Doctor having inspired the Great Fire of Rome, which is a fitting twist on a historical event with absurd comedy.
1.) City of Death (1979) written by Douglas Adams
City of Death is one of the closest to perfect Doctor Who stories that has ever been made. The setting of Paris gives the story a very distinct flavour and style that makes it unique and one of a kind. A lot of the first episode is based around the Doctor and Romana running around Paris, but you are willing to enjoy that just for the pleasure of seeing the wonderful landmarks and beauty of Paris in a certain period of time. It’s nice to spend some time seeing the Doctor and Romana enjoying themselves and you get fantastic chemistry between Tom Baker and Lalla Ward with time for them to naturally play off of one another mixed in with a sense of intrigue. With Douglas Adams at the centre, you have an amazingly well written and incredibly witty script with a lot of memorable quips, one liners and moments of humour throughout which, of course, Tom Baker fits into immensely. The addition of Duggan also creates a good comedic contrast to the intelligence of the Doctor and Romana with his blunt nature and simplicity and he also works as an audience surrogate character. I love Julian Glover as Scaroth, Last of the Jagaroth, one of the best standalone villains in Doctor Who. He has an undeniable menace, a compelling narcissistic quality and an insanity and depth to him that makes him an interesting villain. There is a timey wimey nature to the story that is clever, intricate, well plotted and rewarding with driven stakes and pacing with strong consequences.
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