Meet the New 'Doctor Who' - Matt Smith will take over the role ...

It's a brave choice, and Doctor Who fandom over in the UK is already experiencing a "Daniel Craig"-style meltdown. But remember Peter Davison was only 29 when he took on the part, and he was almost as much an unknown as this guy. And no one had ever heard of Tom Baker -- or David Tennant -- before they took on the part. I have plenty of faith in the production team. This is going to be interesting.

Heh, looks like "The CW" programming has come to Doctor Who. I wish them luck. Luckily the seasons are short to 13 episodes. If the ratings sink, atleast they wont pull it.

26 years old -- thats just too young!

No, it was different with Peter Davison, he'd already become well-known in All Creatures Great & Small, while this guy hasn't really been in much. That said, I trust that Steven Moffat knows what he's doing, so while I have reservations I think he'll turn out to be the right choice.

I agree with the too young, as for Davison he seems to be at the bottom of everyones list when ranking doctors. I wouldn't mind seeing some younger companions.

Why can't anybody get a decent picture of him?

Tennant rules. Never had an interest in the show until he came on board

I agree Davidson was not that Great as the Doctor...BUT he did have 2 of the better looking companions. Tegan Jovanko (Janet Fielding) and Nyssa (Sarah Sutton)...I think Davidson enjoyed coming to work each day.

An interview with the new Doctor...

http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Val wrote:

Why can't anybody get a decent picture of him?

Here you are.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/ce...

~or~

http://www.gallifreyone.com/news.php#newsitem...

"Who the heck is he???" was my initial reaction. I along with many other fans was fully expecting them to cast Paterson Joseph, he would've been the first black actor to take on the role.

My top choice though was Bill Nighy. He's on the opposite end of the age scale, alot might have been saying "but he's too old". However, I think he would simply ROCK as the Doctor! Oh well. I guess it will never happen now as Bill will definately be too old for the role by the time Matt Smith is done (assuming he has the role for at least 3 or 4 years like Tennant).

Maybe Bill Nighy could play the Master on the show instead.

Now that's a great idea! He'd make a really good Master...he has that "underlying evil" look about him.

johnd wrote:

I agree with the too young, as for Davison he seems to be at the bottom of everyones list when ranking doctors.

I'm not sure what list you're looking at, but most of the lists I've ever seen rank him quite highly. He also happens to be the favorite Doctor of one David Tennant, and John Barrowman is also a fan. The Doctors that tend to rank near the bottom are Colin Baker (unfairly) and Paul McGann because he was only in the TV movie (not counting the dozens of audio and radio plays he's done as the Doctor since 1999). Those who rank him low don't do so because of his age, but because the stories weren't always the strongest and he had the uneviable task of playing George Lazenby to Tom Baker's Sean Connery. Brad Pitt himself would have had a hard time living up to that, and Matt Smith faces likewise. And remember, the actor may be 26, but the character is 900+. And that is what makes casting a young guy so interesting.

Paul wrote:

Heh, looks like "The CW" programming has come to Doctor Who. I wish them luck. Luckily the seasons are short to 13 episodes. If the ratings sink, atleast they wont pull it.
26 years old -- thats just too young!

I am wondering how that show really is doing. Looking at it it reminds me of Battlestar Galactica: all hype, no ratings!

Rena Moretti wrote:

<quoted text>
I am wondering how that show really is doing. Looking at it it reminds me of Battlestar Galactica: all hype, no ratings!

Before I answer your question, I have one for you. Are you a fan/regular watcher of "Doctor Who"? It doesn't sound like it. It's a FAR better show than "Battlestar" if you ask me and one the whole family can watch.

Now to answer your question. It depends on whose ratings you're looking at.

In America where it's shown on the Sci-Fi Channel the ratings are decent for a program on cable TV, but would be beyond dismal on regular network TV (regular network TV would cancel it after only 1 week).

But if you're talking about the ratings in England (where the show is made), then they're beyond excellent... record setting at times. And that's all that matters, it's ratings in England/the UK... the show sinks or swims on that and not how it does here in America or anywhere else in the world.

Steve - From Utah wrote:

<quoted text>
Before I answer your question, I have one for you. Are you a fan/regular watcher of "Doctor Who"? It doesn't sound like it. It's a FAR better show than "Battlestar" if you ask me and one the whole family can watch.
Now to answer your question. It depends on whose ratings you're looking at.
In America where it's shown on the Sci-Fi Channel the ratings are decent for a program on cable TV, but would be beyond dismal on regular network TV (regular network TV would cancel it after only 1 week).
But if you're talking about the ratings in England (where the show is made), then they're beyond excellent... record setting at times. And that's all that matters, it's ratings in England/the UK... the show sinks or swims on that and not how it does here in America or anywhere else in the world.

Thanks for the info. Ratings of every show on SciFi (except for the first couple years of Eureka) have been dismal. I'm not sure how high any show on BBC America does as they rarely (if ever) crack the Top 15 where they would be reported on this site.

As to the show, I did not find it interesting or well-made (which is why I compared it to Galactica, although from what you say it does a lot better in England than Galactica does here!)

Alex wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm not sure what list you're looking at, but most of the lists I've ever seen rank him quite highly. He also happens to be the favorite Doctor of one David Tennant, and John Barrowman is also a fan. The Doctors that tend to rank near the bottom are Colin Baker (unfairly) and Paul McGann because he was only in the TV movie (not counting the dozens of audio and radio plays he's done as the Doctor since 1999). Those who rank him low don't do so because of his age, but because the stories weren't always the strongest and he had the uneviable task of playing George Lazenby to Tom Baker's Sean Connery. Brad Pitt himself would have had a hard time living up to that, and Matt Smith faces likewise. And remember, the actor may be 26, but the character is 900+. And that is what makes casting a young guy so interesting.

Davison was just too British for us in the states.

Real Dr Who fan here... Not sure what to think of the New Doctor, need to see first. I hope the CW mentality DOES NOT come to Dr Who. What on that channel besides a FEW smallville and Supernatural shows would even get a clue as to what stories to do on DR Who. Also, I was unsure when David Tennant came in after Eccleston, but WOW did he do a good job.

Rena,
Its true many of Dr Who followers actually know the Back stories, therefore going forward it seems hard for new viewers to get it. One of the great things about Eccleston(sp?) was that even though the history of Dr Who wasn't gone over, it was contiguous and allowed a lot of new people to COME IN to Dr Who. On the 2008 2 Episode Show finale with Dr. Donna and Tennant was one of the best TIE UP shows in BBC history.

PS Galactica Bad then, Bad now!:)

Thanks to the BBC for keeping a REALLY GOOD show and keeping good care of it.

WHOVIANS UNITE!

-DONK

johnd wrote:

<quoted text> Davison was just too British for us in the states.

You brought up Peter Davison (the 5th Doctor) why? And how is he "too British"?

I'm American and love everything British, things from England and the country itself I love... I especially like the accents. I personally don't see how something can be "too British". Also, the British feel to "Doctor Who" is a large part of it's appeal around the globe for most fans.

DONK wrote:

Real Dr Who fan here... Not sure what to think of the New Doctor, need to see first. I hope the CW mentality DOES NOT come to Dr Who.

What is the "CW mentality" exactly?

Simple: market/write/care only about the 13-25-year-old demographic at the expense of all else. In other words, will Dr. Who turn into Dr. Who, Like, Really, Like, Cares, Like, Y'know?

That sort of thing...:P