Doctor Who in popular culture

Popular culture references to the science fiction franchise Doctor Who been found in various media. Some of these references have ranged from cameos, pastiches and by name or word.

Film

Title

Reference

Ref(s)

The Lego Batman Movie

The Daleks appear in the film where they are referred to as "British Robots" and are trapped in the Phantom Zone with other villains.

Television

Title

Reference

Ref(s)

Mr. Bean

In the episode "Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean", Mr. Bean plays with a toy Dalek in the nativity set inside the store.

Rugrats

In the season 2 episode "Toy Palace", pink Dalek toys can be seen on the store shelves. The show's animator, Gábor Csupó, featured the reference as he's a fan of Doctor Who.

Sesame Street

In the 2014 episode "Numeric Con", one of the characters is dressed up as the Fourth Doctor with the TARDIS appearing, two Cybermen and two Dalek-like Aliens saying “Enumerate”.

Video games

Title

Reference

Ref(s)

Beneath a Steel Sky

When you place the welding robot body onto Joey and talk to him, he'll say "EX-TER-MIN-ATE! EX-TER-MIN-ATE

" mimicking the Daleks.

Borderlands 2

After blowing up the dam in the side mission "Hell Hath No Fury", Handsome Jack will read a list of names of the week's construction casulaties which are Hartnell, W. Troughton, P. Pertwee, J. Baker, T. These are references to the actors William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker; respectively, who had played the role of the Doctor.

EverQuest

An NPC named Tavid Dennant, a reference to actor David Tennant who played the Tenth Doctor, can be found in the Guild Hall, who was previously named Flavin Deepockets until the release of the expansion EverQuest: Seeds of Destruction. When talking to him, he'll ask the player to find his long colorful scarf, a reference to the Fourth Doctor's scarf, and also claims to have a watch which he can't recall where he got it but believes it is a part of him, a possible reference to the chameleon arch fob from the episode "Human Nature".

Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham

A Weeping Angel can be found in the Hall of Doom. Every time you move the camera away from it, its hands will move away from its face and back again.

Pokémon Platinum

The character Looker is a reference to the Tenth Doctor. He features almost the same attire as the Tenth and refuses to reveal his true name similar to the Doctor. In the game, his goal is stop Team Galactic from taking over the universe.

RuneScape

In the town of Burgh de Rott, you can find two characters named Rory and Amelia, references to Rory Williams and Amy Pond; respectively. If you claim to be the hero in their stories, they'll accuse the player of lying and state that you're not wearing a cool bow tie like their hero.

Taz: Wanted

When you collect all of the sandwiches in a level, a blue phone box with a flashing blue light will arrive to take Taz to a bonus challenge. Inside the box also have the classic TARDIS interior.

Team Fortress 2

The bow tie item "Dr. Whoa" is a reference to the show and in particular the Eleventh Doctor who was synonymous with bow ties.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Outside the church near Lindenvale, there are two angel statues that when you turn away will have moved towards you from where they were standing, a reference to the Weeping Angel enemy.

Comics

Title

Reference

Ref(s)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

In issue #6 of Season Eight, the Tenth Doctor with Rose Tyler can be seen in London.

Power Man and Iron Fist

In issue #79, Iron Fist and Power Man encounter J. A. Gamble and the Dredlox, who are pastiches of the Doctor and the Daleks. Writer for the comic Jo Duffy was a fan of the show and described the story as her "love letter to Doctor Who,".

See also

  • List of Doctor Who parodies