Doctor Who? BBC's Surprise Choice

[depakid]

Producers of Dr Who, the iconic science fiction TV series, have made a surprise choice in choosing the latest Doctor - a relatively obscure young actor called Matt Smith.



Smith, who at 26 will become the youngest ever Doctor, has still to establish himself as anything like a household name.

<snip>

Current Doctor David Tennant announced in October that he was quitting the role, sparking speculation as to who would succeed him. Names in the frame included David Morrissey, who appeared in the Christmas special, Paterson Joseph and Russell Tovey, while some reports mentioned Martin Clunes and David Walliams.

There was also speculation, which proved inaccurate, that a woman might take the role for the first time. Writer Russell T Davies said he would like to see an actress such as Catherine Zeta Jones play the role.

This year, there will be four Doctor Who specials featuring Tennant, with Smith taking over in 2010.

[Ilsa]

1. Please, not CZJ.

I don't mind that Matt Smith is so young. The fact that he is unknown might help him in the role. I really liked David Tennant as the Doctor.

[DJ13]

2. He's too young

I know the networks think young sells better, but not for roles with a long history.

Young Sherlock Holmes was a flop for that very reason.

[pinqy]

6. But it's the Doctor...

...and he has gotten younger every time (with one exception).

[depakid]

7. Yeah, but now he's even younger than Captain Jack!

[Cobalt-60]

11. Everybody's younger than Captain Jack!

but that's a spoiler.
I'm a hard core nerd with decades of Who viewing under my belt.
Let's give the guy a chance.
If he doesn't work out, well there's always another regeneration.

[depakid]

14. I'm actually looking forward to it

Though I'm not sure a Time Lord is younger than the FOB (spoiler).

[quiet.american]

3. I'm new to watching Doctor Who, so I really have to get used to this changing actors thing!

I was just getting used to the guy who preceded Tennant, then out morphed Tennant, who I now REALLY like.

Guess that's the nature of things, though. I'd better get used to it. :)

[Deja Q]

4. That photo just about sells me.

He may be a 26 year old mannequin, but that look on his face does pose that of mystery.

After 3 years of Tennant's poses looking like those of a constipation sufferer who doesn't know where the loo is, that's refreshing to see.

[donco6]

5. Still not ginger?

Sigh.

[Warpy]

8. I still liked Tom Baker the best

or maybe it was just the outfit.

He certainly gave the character panache no one else has.

Just as long as they don't redesign the Daleks away from giant salt shakers, just about any new Doctor would be fine.

[SharonAnn]

9. I liked Tom Baker the best, too! He's my "standard" for Dr. Who.

[Cobalt-60]

12. He's the definitive doctor

They're all good, but Tom took it over the top.

[comtec]

13. baker is who people think of when they think Dr Who

He really made the Doctor.
And yes according to some archaic texts, every time a time lord regenerates, it's into a younger body.
The first doctor was about 200 when he actually died of old age... literally the ONLY Doctor that did that.
Every doctor since has been killed or (in the case of the second doctor) forced to Regenerate.
I saw the interview with the new guy... and aside from hoping that HE stays on for a long time (there can only be 13 Doctors!!!) I like how he gestures, and stuff.

I think he'll be a decent Doctor. All the actors - aside from Baker LOL - needed most of a season to adjust.

but there's me an my silly hope.

[a kennedy]

24. Yup, I agree, he's my favorite too.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/index_fourth.shtml

[hornblast]

25. Oh yes, and the first Romana too

mmm, Mary whats-her-name...

I wear about my giant scarf, and every once in a while, people get it! If only I could offer them Jelly Babies...

To me, the Doctor should be middle-aged and asexual. But I suppose, this being a new and different Doctor Who, some things 've changed, even if I don't like it. We'll see how the new bloke does.

[Babel_17]

10. Here's a link

http://tinyurl.com/9ytbcz

[Political Tiger]

19. Speculation about Joanna Lumley taking over....

Now that would have been fabulous, darling!

[AsahinaKimi]

15. I could have sworn that ..

Time Lords only had 11 regenerations.. well, I guess maybe The Doctor proves that wrong.
Then again, I have lost track now of how many times he has regenerated. Any one?

[amb123]

16. According to the Doctor Who Mythos, Time Lords have 13 lives

Matt Smith will be the 11th Doctor.

1st Series 1966 - William Hartnell to Patrick Troughton
1970 - Patrick Troughton to Jon Pertwee
1974 - Jon Pertwee to Tom Baker
1981 - Tom Baker to Peter Davison
1984 - Peter Davison to Colin Baker
1987 - Colin Baker to Sylvester McCoy
1996 Movie - Sylvester McCoy to Paul McGann
2nd Series
2005 - Paul McGann to Christopher Eccleston
2006 - Christopher Eccleston to David Tennant
2010 - David Tennant to Matt Smith

So that's 10 regenerations. Two more to go before the Doctor dies permanently.

[NashVegas]

18. Not Necessarily

I've got to wonder about the splintering with Donna, and what effect that could have - or be justified to have.

[comtec]

20. Here's the thing about the "human" doctor... he KNOWS EVERYTHING the Doctor knows...

So why can't he make his OWN TARDIS?

Also... would that make his and Rose's children half-lords? Human Time Lords?

A new Galefrey, populated with human/timelord hybrids!

OK... im geeking out.. I'll go back to the politic rooms :)

[Fire Walk With Me]

21. Don't forget the Watcher, or whatever the humaniod was named

in that episode near the end of Baker's run, who unified with him...supposedly the Doctor on his last regeration...of course, didn't The Master get around all that somehow?

[AsahinaKimi]

22. The master...

I think he basically stole someones regenerations..If I remember right.. Wasn't
Anthony Ainley the best? For a villian, I loved him in the episode THE FIVE DOCTORS (My all time favorite episode).

[NashVegas]

17. I Think I Shall Call Him the Duranie Doctor

Or is it Durannie? Just look at that hair.

I'd never heard of David Tennant when he took over, though I recognized him from *somewhere* ... turned out to be Harry Potter, of course. I've enjoyed him, but it would be nice if the next Doctor doesn't get on his high horse so much.

Chris Eccleston became my all-time favorite doctor. He was the first - and only - truly sexy Doctor!

[a kennedy]

23. My favorite was the fourth Dr.........

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/gallery/fourthdoctor/index.shtml

I started watching this series when it was on our Public TV.....very cheesy, but great fun. I didn't realize how many Dr's. there are....yikes. #4 is my favorite of all time though. :thumbsup: :loveya: