Doctor Who, What, Why...?

[Syberberg]

Ah well, if he turns out to be useless, just reverse the polarity and shove a sonic screwdriver up his bum. Anyone like a jelly baby?

Nice one big si.

[stufarq]

at least it's not Sylvester McCoy!

Severely underrated.

I too was hoping for a black Doctor... that would have been wild!

Try watching The Simpsons.

[DeWinter]

Why was Paterson Joseph such a favourite? He was naff as De Carabas in Neverwhere, although I liked his dress style in it. Colin Salmon, or Danny John-Jules maybe. Having The Doctor change race or gender might have been pushing it a bit too far, I think.
The BBC's have your say had one person claim it should have been someone with disabilities to reflect population diversity. Bit awkward when 95% of the series involves technobabble and running away from something nasty very,very fast. Mind you, the only guy with disabilities in the show so far was Davros..
I reckon this guy will be okay, he has the quirk factor, even if he does look like a Myspace Emo. I still held out hope for Stephen Fry though, or possibly Tony Hawks (who I met once and found out is surprisingly handsome in person).

Sylvester McCoy was actually one of the best. I couldnt stand him when he first showed up, but he actually had a lot of depth. My only gripe with him is his Doctor replaced my favourite, the sneery smart-arse with the multicoloured coat!

[Jim]

I disagree, Paterson Joseph is excellent. Neverwhere isn't really a fair way to assess anyone, it was an abortion of an adaption.

He's strong in most stuff, has a great intensity and a proven comic touch -- all very Doctory qualities. Plus , regardless of race, he's very *different* from Tennant. The beauty of the show is in the evolution and the new qualities the actor brings to the character (the Doctor's reincarnation possibly the best storytelling device ever concocted for filmed media in fact), and this new chap is essentially a Tennant clone.

Probably, in my opinion, brought in *because* of his similarity to what's gone before -- they're too scared of alienating their new audience and losing viewers, so they take the soft route. As a long time fan and viewer, I'd have expected more. I'm not saying he'll be bad, he's no doubt excellent, and will have strong scripts, but the message they're sending with the choice ... I'm not impressed.

[markfiend]

Yeah, agreed, part of the strength of Tennant was his difference from Chris Ecclestone. It's too much like playing safe; a back-pass to the keeper that might end up being an embarrassing own-goal.

[timsinister]

Agree with the above, he might raise an interest in boudicca's eyes - even if she might feel like a cradle-snatcher! - but for veteran fans he's another 'bridge to the kids'. What about a bridge to the Classic Fans? Or do we not compete with their merchandising potential?

Still, having not seen Smith act before, I am more than willing to watch the first episode he does, and then pass judgement - recommend all nay-sayers do the same.
Stufarq, Moffat wanted an older actor? You got an interview or something that you could link to? I was sure his show was proceeding in the same direction as RTD's.

[stufarq]

having not seen Smith act before

I think this is the problem with the general reactiom - most of us have seen very little of him and a lot of people seem to be judging him purely on age. From what I've seen of his acting I'm not convinced that he's anything like Tennant. timsinister is absolutely right when he says we should watch him before judging.

Stufarq, Moffat wanted an older actor? You got an interview or something that you could link to? I was sure his show was proceeding in the same direction as RTD's.

In the Doctor Who Confidential episode they devoted to revealing Smith's identity (an entire programme just to announce the new Doctor!) Moffatt said that he'd been determined to cast an actor in his forties or late thirties at the youngest and was quite forceful in arguing his case with the other producers. He also told them that the shortlist had far too many young actors on it and asked for most of them to be removed. Smith was one of the first actors they saw and, even though he suspected deep down that they'd found their man, he doggedly went on with the auditioning process before finally ringing up Piers Wenger one day and saying, "It's Matt, isn't it? It's always been Matt." Definitely no youth agenda or Tennant cloning here.

The episode's still on the BBC iplayer.

[silentNate]

I trusted Moffat completely before this decision and will definately be checking my copy of 'Party Animals' as though I think him too young he at least deserves a chance.

Still upset at missed opportunity for Paterson though