Cultural references to the Doctor Who universe

Occasionally, elements of the Doctor Who universe are referenced in the broader popular culture. This page exists to throw a spotlight on some of these casual references made in television, comics, films and other media.

Television

 * In the UK version of ' (1999-2000) (created by Russell T Davies), the character of Vince makes various references to Doctor Who throughout the programme, and is bought a replica of K9 for his birthday. In episode three, a guy he brings home for a one-night stand lands up instead watching his ' tapes. In the same episode, Cameron comments on "the one with the shop dummies" and "that one with the maggots". He said the show scared him as a kid. Vince ends up breaking up with Cameron when he can't list "all the Doctor Whos", whereas, Vince's long-time friend, can list all 7 actors in order, even remembering that according to Vince, "Paul McGann doesn't count."
 * The comedy (1999-2001) (starring and written by Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes) features a comic book store. The door to its back room is painted to look like the TARDIS doors.
 * In another episode of The Big Bang Theory, a poster of Vincent Van Gogh's "The Pandorica Opens" can be seen prominently displayed in a comic book shop.
 * In (2009-2013), a UK sci-fi series, a character has a Dalek toy on his desk.
 * In the Disney Channel series (2009-2011), two characters are trapped in a phone box and the title character asks why they built another time machine.
 * The British comedy (2007-2014, 16) (which starred Claire Skinner, Samantha Bond, David Troughton and Mark Benton) has made several references to Doctor Who. The first was when Ben (one of the main characters) ended up stating that he was scared. While listing all the stuff he could be scared of, he asked, "What about those Krillitane bat-things from Doctor Who?" In another episode, Pete and Jake (a couple of other main characters) were flipping through TV shows that Jake liked but Pete didn't approve of and ended up with Doctor Who Confidential, which Pete didn't like because he compared TV shows to pork pies; they're something people like but don't want to know what went through the making of it. Ben later referenced it in a third episode when he walked into the kitchen saying, "Doctor, there is no escape! Exterminate!".

Monica's Gang

 * In the parody of Back of Future, at a time several different time machines from different franchises appeared, one of them was the TARDIS.

Marvel UK

 * In an issue of The Spectacular Spider-Man concerning paradoxes, alternate realities and time travel, the words "BAD WOLF" are grafittied on an alley wall.

Constantine

 * The TARDIS appears a few issues (and on a cover or two) of Constantine.

Prose

 * The novels have a number of references. Kryten, for example, owns a sonic screwdriver.