We have a new Dr Who! by whozit

OTHER SCIENCE FICTION SERIES

We have a new Dr Who!

POSTED BY: WHOZIT
UPDATED: Monday, January 12, 2009 22:07
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Sunday, January 4, 2009 12:20 PM

www.zap2it.com reports that Matt Smith will be the new Dr Who! He will take over the roll in 2010.

I'm going to microwave a bagel and have sex with it - Peter Griffin

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Monday, January 5, 2009 8:13 AM

CORNCOBB

What a horrible choice.
I usually resist prejudging but there's a lot of factors preventing me from seeing how Smith could possible do the role justice. He's far too young. He actually looks older than 26 in still photography (due to his strange face) but in interviews and acting roles he comes across as a teenager. He's sooo green, and that's something you can't hide. I don't agree with people who say he's got an old soul, or a look or knowledge and experience in his eyes, I didn't get that from him at all. I don't think there's any chance he'll be able to convey the Doctor's presence, wisdom, otherworldliness, experience or authority. That final look he gave at the end of Confidential - what was that even meant to be? Mysterious? Creepy? Manic? Smug? Whatever it was it fell flat and, to me, prompted the same reaction as a bad xmas cracker joke - half-laugh, half-groan. Embarrassingly unconvincing.
He comes across as a bit of a middle-class yob, posing as an emo. I think it was quite telling that one of the things Moffet liked about him was his hair. I used to respect that guy for his intelligent writing but in Saturdays Confidential he came across as an idiot. As for Smith's appearance, his hair contributes so much and that could've been replicated with anyone if the producers are actually crazy enough to want a look like that. Under the hair he just looks like a bit of a lumpy-faced neanderthal, like the former footballer he is.
I can't think of a single thing I like about him, or a single reason they might've cast him except to appeal to the Twilight/Demons audience (who will see right through him)or a single way they could make him an interesting doctor. If they try to play on his strange appearance by making him all alien and 'dark' it's going to really stretch his acting ability and the further they push it the more he'll overact and come across as false. Same goes for if they try to make him seem like an old man in a young man's body. If they play to type he's just going to be an annoying yuppy, probably running around snogging every girl in range.
And what about in-story considerations? How is a teenage doctor going to command respect? I know he's not a teenager - he's 26 same as me but I can't even see him as an equal, he seems far less mature than I am, with much less life experience. And what about companions - older won't work and neither will younger. I'm worried they may have cast him on impulse or under pressure from forces higher up in the BBC, and overlooked a lot of inevitable problems. In his extended interviews he's admitted that he had trouble learning all the scenes for his audition and is daunted by the thought of filming taking over his life, and that he's hoping for advice from David Tennant. No, no, no - if he can't figure things out for himself he's not ready for the part. I don't want to watch some kid playing at being the Doctor and I don't think he will even cope with the pace of filming on this show.

Don't get me wrong - I accept that they might be able to make him popular, to make him into a popular doctor - just because he doesn't appeal to me, doesn't mean no-one will like him. This si all my opinion - the shows over for me but that's just me and I don't expect everyone to agree. I also realise that this is primarily a kids show and if the kids like him that's the main thing.
But I do have concerns for the show in general because from reports I've heard so far kids don't like him. He's not going to appeal to adults either. There's going to be a very narrow demographic of people who're going to find Who NVQ appealing. Surely the casting people realise this. Why cast someone who's going to encourage so much doubt rather than some one people will have confidence in and be pleased to see in the role? Doesn't have to someone truly famous just someone with a proven track record. Paterson Joseph was seemingly used to distract attention from their true casting - a crass tactic and woefully misjudged considering the politics involved and how great a choice Paterson Joseph would have been. Smith is a horrible disappointment in comparison

That's it from me, rant over. I've been a Who fan since I was 6, I've seen every surviving episode, but it's dead to me when Tennant leaves. Thanks for ruining the show for so many of it's fans Moffat

"Gorramit Mal... I've forgotten my line."

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Monday, January 5, 2009 9:35 AM

CYBERSNARK

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We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Monday, January 5, 2009 10:43 AM

HOBBLEIT

Quote:
Originally posted by Cybersnark:

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We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

that made me laugh

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http://www.myspace.com/muddy_waters
http://www.freewebs.com/hobbleit

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Monday, January 5, 2009 11:01 AM

CORNCOBB

LMAO
Gotta admit, you've covered all the bases there. Funniest thing I've seen in a while

"Gorramit Mal... I've forgotten my line."

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Monday, January 5, 2009 11:10 AM

CORNCOBB

By the way, I know my rant was a bit over the top and overwrtten. I just needed to express my annoyance and thought it would be better to try and give a detailed rational explanation for why I'm so unhappy than just go 'yuck I HATE him waaah!' which wouldve come across as a kneejerk reaction, and theres been too many of those already. Not trying to turn anyone else against this guy, if other people like him and the show remains popular thats great, but unfortunately I can't see it appealling to me any more :(
Anyone else here have any strong opinions on this either way?

"Gorramit Mal... I've forgotten my line."

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Monday, January 5, 2009 11:13 AM

JAKE7

I just saw a picture of this new guy.

As an adult (41) I *instantly* got the creeps.

I guess I won't feel too bad about missing new episodes while he's the doctor!

What *were* they thinking?

--------------
MAL: Everybody's makin' a fuss.
***********
"They just float out there, sending out raver breeding parties..."

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Monday, January 5, 2009 11:20 AM

HOBBLEIT

Meh, I'm going to take the old wait and see approach.

He might be great, he might be crap but I'm not going to say until I've seen him just like I didn't form an opinion on David Tennant/Freema Agyeman/Catherine Tate until I'd seen them.

From the interview I saw he seemed all right

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Monday, January 5, 2009 11:42 AM

IMNOTHERE

Quote:
Originally posted by Corncobb:
He actually looks older than 26 in still photography (due to his strange face) but in interviews and acting roles he comes across as a teenager.

OK, so he looks as if he's going to have to show ID in order to buy a drink (thank God for psychic paper!) and the next time the Daleks arrive they'll ask him whether his daddy is home, but...

There's all sorts of things to do with (a) having a script, (b) a director (c) proper makeup and (d) a costume which might make the effect when he gets into role more acceptable. I think Moffat and co could get some good mileage out of the "old soul in a young body" idea.

It doesn't actually make sense that, if you had the power to regenerate, you'd turn into a 50 year-old when you could turn into a 26-year-old instead (even allowing for the slight danger that your daughter might hit on you).

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Monday, January 5, 2009 3:12 PM

CYBERSNARK

Plus, y'know, if he doesn't work out, it's not like they'll be stuck with him for all time.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Monday, January 5, 2009 3:32 PM

CORNCOBB

Cybersnark: LOL good point. Thanks for reminding me of that, it's reassuring.

"Gorramit Mal... I've forgotten my line."

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Monday, January 5, 2009 3:38 PM

CORNCOBB

Imnothere: to a time lord there's very little difference between 26 and 50. They age incredibly slowly even between regenerations and so their natural lifespan is amazingly long regardless of how old their body looks. Plus they usually don't have full control over the process or it's end result.
Sorry for the Geek-gasm there lol

All true about the script and direction though (costume and makeup matter little to me). Guess I'll just have to hope for the best.

"Gorramit Mal... I've forgotten my line."

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Tuesday, January 6, 2009 9:50 AM

CLJOHNSTON108

What's the deal with his eyebrows?

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Tuesday, January 6, 2009 10:04 AM

STORYMARK

I think it's rather silly to judge the guy before seeing him in the role. He may suck, but I'll wait till I see something concrete to pass judgement.

And since all my favorite episodes since the relaunch have been written by Moffat, I'm pretty confident the show will still be fine.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Tuesday, January 6, 2009 11:47 AM

MSA

I am also in the wait and see, but the publicity photos that looked an awful lot like posters for Twilight did not exactly fill me with confidence.

Not really an age concern for me, more an experience concern. If this was a young actor with a lot of complex roles experience or a lot of theatre experience I'd be more confident in his ability to pull this off.

To love someone is to see a miracle invisible to others.
--Francois Mauriac
It's fuzzy-minded liberal thinking like that that gets you eaten.

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Tuesday, January 6, 2009 1:15 PM

WAKEUPSOON

I agree with MsA: more about experience than age.

Although, if everybody thought that nobody would be able to get said experience.

Well, he seems OK for now.

I'm leaning towards like, maybe love, but I'll still have to see him in action before my opinion is concrete.

--- O.o ---

This is not my signature, I have to write this every time I post.

Smile && Nod, it makes it seem like you know what's going on.

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Tuesday, January 6, 2009 1:36 PM

IMNOTHERE

Quote:
Originally posted by Corncobb:
Imnothere: to a time lord there's very little difference between 26 and 50.

But we're not talking about actual ages - we're talking about how old they appear in human terms.

It seems reasonable to assume that their physical state would match their apparent human age, so one who appeared 26 would be at their physical prime while one who looked 50 (but was actually hundreds of years older) would be on the downward slope.

(Not that I'm writing off over-50s: heaven forbid, but don't tell me that, given the choice, you wouldn't trade your body in for one with a few less miles on the clock)

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Tuesday, January 6, 2009 2:33 PM

CORNCOBB

Quote:
Originally posted by ImNotHere:
don't tell me that, given the choice, you wouldn't trade your body in for one with a few less miles on the clock)

Most of the time they're not given a choice. They're stuck with whatever they get. And, although generally I'd like my body to be fit, I wouldnt want to be too young either. Plus, I'd prefer to look like David Tennant, or even Christopher Eccleston, rather than Matt Smith

.
I suppose I'm overreacting a wee bit. If he turns out to be ok then thats great, Im just extremely sceptical. And i don't think I'll watch unless I hear good things, because I don't want to see the part messed up. Put me in the wait and see camp as well, just because I want things to turn out ok, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

"Gorramit Mal... I've forgotten my line."

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Tuesday, January 6, 2009 3:17 PM

SHINYFLY

Instant reaction to publicity shot was , "Do you like Flock of Seagulls?" I dunno, but I'm biased because I absolutely adore David Tennant. To me he IS the Doctor, but then every one who likes this show has THEIR Doctor. It's a show that thrives on change, has for decades. I guess it's only fair to give him a chance. At least RTD gave us Rose/TenII in the parallel world.

"So what? You're in charge then?!" "TARDIS, Timelord, yeah." "Donna, human, no."

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Wednesday, January 7, 2009 3:53 PM

WHOOPS

Unless there going in a completely new direction there about to ruin The Dr more than Catherine Tate ever could and she made a good job of it IMO. But will have to wait Tennant is awsome, just wish hed carry on.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Love. You can do all the math in the 'Verse, but you take a boat in the air you
don't love, she'll shake you off sure as a turnin' of worlds." Mal

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Monday, January 12, 2009 10:07 PM

FIREFLY151

I'm positive about this Doctor, even though I've seen bad reactions all over the net.

I don't care that he's young. Doctor Who needs to reach out to the younger/teen audiences if it'll continue on for years and years. And I think he looks like he could fit into Moffat's darker themes.

I judged Catherine Tate before she became the 2008 companion on just what I'd seen in The Runaway Bride, and I was totally wrong. So this time I'm not going to judge at all, and there isn't much to judge anyway, except for stuff that doesn't mean he'll be a bad actor.

But I really miss Tennant already, he became my favourite.

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Keep Writing, Keep Flying

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