Doctor Who has a long history with charity work, having raised large sums of money for these worthy causes. The show has often featured as part of the BBC's Children In Need and Comic Relief telethons, which help support people in poverty both inside of the UK and overseas. These charities have helped improve the lives of many individuals across the world, providing the necessary assistance they require.
Doctor Who's contributions have often taken the form of minisodes, designed to entertain and encourage the audience to donate money for these famous charities. These minisodes are responsible for some of the show's finest stories, giving audiences smaller adventures that wouldn't necessarily require the full runtime.
10 The Great Detective
The Chrismas Specials are among the show's most popular episodes, and for 2012's Children In Need broadcast, Steven Moffat decided to offer a special prequel for his next yuletide offering, "The Snowmen." Entitled "The Great Detective", the minisode sees the Paternoster Gang attempting to entice the Doctor into investigating a series of peculiar mysteries.
"The Great Detective" provides viewers with a fitting introduction for the then-upcoming Special, which sets the scene nicely. The minisode firmly establishes the Eleventh Doctor's bout of depression since losing his companions Amy and Rory, which adds some real emotional weight. It also provides one of Strax's funniest lines yet, as he declares war on the moon.
9 2020: The Movie
Airing as part of the 2021 Comic Relief telethon, "2020: The Movie" delivers a satirical take on the COVID pandemic. The sketch stars a wide array of famous British names, such as Carey Mulligan - who has delivered some truly incredible movies, Russell Brand and Keira Knightley. Doctor Who's contribution involves the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz posing as nurses.
The Doctor Who section of this short is arguably the greatest. Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill give a humorous performance, as they express concern that they won't get home in time for The Great British Bake-Off. The stand-out moment, however, is when the Doctor brandishes her Sonic Screwdriver. Yaz's reaction, as she immediately pushes the Doctor's hand back down, is amusing to witness, as she tries to maintain their cover.
8 Doctor Who/Catherine Tate Show
Crossovers with other media franchises have occurred a few times within Doctor Who's charity options, and 2007's Comic Relief broadcast features one of the best examples of this. Crossing over with The Catherine Tate Show, this minisode sees the Tenth Doctor posing as Lauren Cooper's new teacher, Mr. Logan.
The story uses David Tennant and Catherine Tate's comedic rapport well, as they deliver plenty of witty banter. Tate's sitcom character Lauren poses a considerable challenge for the Doctor, as her disobedient nature pushes the Time Lord to breaking point. It all ends in hilarious fashion, with an exasperated Doctor using his Sonic Screwdriver to turn Lauren into a Rose Tyler action figure.
7 Born Again
Before the Tenth Doctor made his first full-length appearance in "The Christmas Invasion," Children In Need treated audiences to their first proper glimpse of this incarnation in 2005's minisode "Born Again." Taking place immediately after "Bad Wolf/The Parting Of The Ways," this short shows the immediate aftermath of the Ninth Doctor's regeneration.
"Born Again" makes for essential viewing, as the Doctor's companion Rose tries to come to terms with this strange new man in her Doctor's place. David Tennant - who many fans now consider to be the best Doctor - commands the screen here, as he gives an electrifying portrayal of the Time Lord. Billie Piper meanwhile does a great job at selling Rose's struggle, as she questions if this newcomer truly is "The Doctor."
6 From Raxacoricofallapatorius With Love
Doctor Who's spin-offs rarely have a presence during these charity telethons, but in 2009 The Sarah Jane Adventures provided the exception to this rule. Airing as a part of Comic Relief, "From Raxacoricofallapatorius With Love" sees Sarah Jane and the Bannerman Road Gang encounter a Slitheen named Rahnius, who plans to steal K9.
This minisode provides a delightfully silly adventure, with Rahnius's gaseous nature exposing his evil intentions. Iconic British comedian Ronnie Corbett is hysterically over-the-top as Rahnius, as the actor is clearly having a great time playing the role. It's an enjoyable piece, which gives fans a bonus extra story within the beloved children's spin-off.
5 Looking For Pudsey
The Wizarding World and Doctor Who have many things in common, but very few people are aware that the franchises have crossed over. Considered by fans as proof that Doctor Who and Fantastic Beasts may exist in the same universe, "Looking For Pudsey" aired as part of 2016's Children In Need appeal and sees Newt Scamander call the Twelfth Doctor on his search for Pudsey bear (the Children In Need mascot).
The crossover is a joy to watch, as two of media's most popular characters join forces. Newt and the Doctor make for a fun pairing, as their individual eccentricities lead to an enjoyable albeit brief conversation. The Time Lord gives increasingly exaggerated examples of creatures named Pudsey who he has met, helping to create one of Doctor Who's greatest ever minisodes.
4 The Curse Of Fatal Death
In modern times Steven Moffat is known for his contributions to the show's 2005 revival, but Moffat's early Doctor Who work came many years before. Airing as part of Comic Relief's 1999 telethon, "The Curse Of Fatal Death" is the writer's first Who screenplay and features the Doctor (played by Rowan Atkinson) and his companion Emma battle the Master on the planet Tesurus.
The sketch uses the "timey wimey" plotting Steven Moffat would later become famous for, to great comedic effect. The Doctor and the Master's frequent bribes of the Tesurus's castle's architect is both clever and witty. The comedy short also gives audiences a fun glimpse at many short-lived incarnations of the Time Lord, as Rowan Atkinson's Doctor regenerates into Richard E. Grant, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant, and Joanna Lumley.
3 Space/Time
When Steven Moffat became showrunner of Doctor Who, many fans hoped the writer would create a follow-up to his earlier Comic Relief story. 2011's Comic Relief broadcast provided the goods, with the two-part adventure "Space/Time." The charity Special sees the Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory become trapped in a space loop after Rory accidentally drops the thermocouplings.
This minisode's heightened concept captures the spirit of the television series perfectly. Moffat's tight screenplay is full of the writer's trademark quips, whilst the central narrative acts as a cool throwback to earlier stories such as "Logopolis," which carried similar themes. Most impressive, however, is the moment where Amy Pond - who many fans regard as the best companion - meets a future version of herself, which leads to many amusing moments.
2 One Born Every Minute
2013 was a big year for Doctor Who, but one of the greatest highlights of this period is undoubtedly "One Born Every Minute." Airing as part of that year's Comic Relief telethon, this sketch sees the sci-fi series crossing over with Call The Midwife and the factual program One Born Every Minute. As young woman Dawn is about to give birth, she is faced with a string of odd individuals attempting to act as her midwife.
Whilst Call The Midwife's involvement provides plenty of laughs, it's Doctor Who's role in proceedings that truly stands out. The sci-fi show's appearance comes as Dawn calls for a doctor, with the request instead prompting the arrival of the Eleventh Doctor. Matt Smith is on fine form, as he warns the expectant mother's twins will grow up to be the infamous pop duo Jedward, a revelation which hilariously shocks the Call The Midwife characters.
1 Time Crash
Multi-Doctor stories have occurred a few times within the series, but one of the most popular is "Time Crash." Penned by Steven Moffat for the 2007 Children In Need telethon, the minisode pairs up David Tennant's Doctor with Peter Davison's fifth incarnation of the Time Lord. When these Doctors' TARDISes collide, the pair are forced to work together in order to prevent tearing a hole in space and time.
This short gives viewers an exciting glimpse at the potential that a classic and new series Doctor team-up holds. Peter Davison and David Tennant demonstrate plenty of chemistry, as their respective Doctors exchange witty banter. Alongside the story's humorous nature, this charity Special also works as a heartfelt tribute to Peter Davison's era, with Moffat's screenplay featuring many references to this beloved incarnation's adventures.
You can donate to Children In Need by clicking here, and Comic Relief by clicking here.
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