Eleventh Doctor to be announced tomorrow (all aboard the hype train, choo choo!)

[Regulus Tera]

Eleventh Doctor confirmed!

http://i44.tinypic.com/qqwoxf.jpg

Matt Who? (http://www.gallifreyone.com/news.php)

Official: Matt Smith is the Eleventh Doctor
General TV Series NewsJanuary 3, 2009 • Posted By Paul Hayes
26-year-old actor Matt Smith has been cast as the Eleventh Doctor, as revealed in today's special broadcast of Doctor Who Confidential on BBC One. Smith will succeed David Tennant in the role for the fifth series, which begins filming this summer and will air in 2010.

Smith has appeared in various television productions, including alongside Billie Piper in the BBC's adaptations of the Philip Pullman novels The Ruby in the Smoke and The Shadow in the North. He co-starred in the drama series Party Animals, and on stage was in Alan Bennett's acclaimed play The History Boys.

Smith was born and bred in Northampton, England, and later attended the University of East Anglia in Norwich. He is the youngest actor ever to have been cast as the Doctor in the TV series.

BBC News quotes Smith as saying: "I've got this wonderful journey in front of me where I've got this six months to build this Time Lord - and that's such an exciting prospect." Executive producer Piers Wenger has said that: "It was abundantly clear that he had that 'Doctor-ness' about him. You are either the Doctor or you are not." The BBC News site has also published a profile of Smith, while the official website as a video interview with the actor available to UK users.

The BBC Press Office, meanwhile, has a full release with quotes from new chief writer Steven Moffat, who was one of those behind Smith's casting. "The Doctor is a very special part, and it takes a very special actor to play him. You need to be old and young at the same time, a boffin and an action hero, a cheeky schoolboy and the wise old man of the universe. As soon as Matt walked through the door, and blew us away with a bold and brand new take on the Time Lord, we knew we had our man."

***

Apparently the BBC is announcing the new Doctor on Doctor Who Confidential on BBC1 this Saturday at 5:35pm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7807742.stm):

New Doctor Who to be announced


Who will be next to take on the keys to the Tardis?
The name of the actor who will replace David Tennant in Doctor Who will be announced on Saturday.
Tennant said in October that he would stand down from the show after filming four special episodes in 2009.
His replacement - the eleventh Doctor of the TV series - will be revealed in a Doctor Who Confidential programme on BBC One at 1735 on 3 January.
The casting was confirmed over Christmas and filming for the 2010 series begins in the summer.
Tennant is due to begin shooting the first of his four specials this month, just weeks after surgery on his back.

David Tennant says he is envious of his replacement, whose 'life will change'

The last of these episodes is expected to run in early 2010.
'Nail-biting Christmas'
The casting decision has been a priority for the show's new creative team, led by executive producers Steven Moffat and Piers Wenger.
The BBC said that in Saturday's Doctor Who special "the actor playing the new Doctor will be giving his or her initial reaction" to becoming TV's most famous time traveller.
Wenger, head of drama at BBC Wales, said: "We believe the actor is going to bring something very special to the role and will make it absolutely their own.

THE 10 DOCTORS

1. William Hartnell
2. Patrick Troughton
3. Jon Pertwee
4. Tom Baker (pictured)
5. Peter Davison
6. Colin Baker
7. Sylvester McCoy
8. Paul McGann
9. Christopher Eccleston
10. David Tennant
11. ???
"I just can't wait to tell everyone who it is - it has been a nail-biting Christmas trying to keep this under wraps!"

Shortly after Tennant's announcement, bookmakers were tipping several well-known names as the next actor (or actress) to step into the Tardis.
Murphy's Law and Cold Feet star James Nesbitt emerged as one of the favourites, along with Paterson Joseph, John Simm and David Morrissey - who appeared in the 2008 Christmas special.
Paterson Joseph, who recently starred in Survivors and appeared in two Doctor Who episodes in 2005, has said "any actor would love the challenge" of playing the Time Lord.
Bookmakers made him an early favourite - offering odds of 3-1 on him becoming the first black Doctor.
Comedian Jennifer Saunders, former Doctor Who assistant Billie Piper and film star Catherine Zeta Jones have also been mentioned in connection with the role.

The show's outgoing executive producer Russell T Davies said last month: "Whoever becomes the Doctor has got to take on a whole life. It's not just becoming a part of a TV show."
In October, when Tennant was asked who he thought should replace him, he joked: "Well, I've always been a big supporter of Wee Jimmy Krankie!"
Doctor Who began in 1963, and seven actors played the Doctor before the show was dropped in 1989.
After a TV movie in 1996 - starring Paul McGann - the TV series returned in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston in the lead role. Tennant took over the role the same year.

Pretty amazing that it hasn't leaked yet as that's a taped show and they apparently have an interview with him/her.

EDIT: Commercial for The Eleventh Doctor: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kl6lMClFu8c&fmt=18

[MFD]

So... Matt Smith.

Discuss.

[grthwllms]

Keanu Reeves.

[Regulus Tera]

So... Matt Smith.

Discuss.

Oh God.

http://i44.tinypic.com/dcu1cx.jpg

He looks like a twat. Actually, he looks like the douchiest douchy douche of douchedonia. Cut off that bang and give him some eyebrows, please.

[Kaneda]

He looks kinda like if someone drew an unflattering caricature of Robert Pattinson.

[Mirai Gen]

Whuh?!

Okay seriously what the hell.

I'm not even that well versed in Dr. Who but just looking at the previous Doctors I got the distinct feeling they had to look a certain way, and this guy might be young and smooth but he lacks a zaniness of Baker or an elegance of Paul McGann.

[Regulus Tera]

Doctor Who Confidential interview with Matt Smith, for those who didn't watch it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zog-6SrGxE0&fmt=18).

Give me Sally Sparrow as the assistant and all is forgiven, Moffat!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3e/Blink_%28Doctor_Who%29.jpg

I'm not even that well versed in Dr. Who but just looking at the previous Doctors I got the distinct feeling they had to look a certain way, and this guy might be young and smooth but he lacks a zaniness of Baker or an elegance of Paul McGann.

My main issue with Smith is his age. The Doctors have always had a paternalistic streak in them, which shows in their relationships with their companions. It's also hard to be intimidating if you just look like a petulant teenager.

My second gripe is his voice. Eccleston and Tennant both had good, distinctive voices. Smith just sounds like an average TV "young one" from any number of shows like Hollyoaks, the Inbetweeners, The Thick of It, etc.

Admittedly, he seems to have the enthusiasm Tennant had for the role, even if a bit more subdued. I think I can give him a chance.

But seriously, grow some eyebrows and cut your hair, Mr. Smith. :/

[Sky Warrior Bob]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zog-6SrGxE0&annotation_id=annotation_94790&feature=iv

SWB

[Mirai Gen]

His excitement seems to be half holy-crap and also half hell-yes!

It's good to know he's so overwhelmed by the role that he wants to do it justice.

[grthwllms]

Cut off that bang and give him some eyebrows, please.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m107/grthwllms/amarao035.jpg

Eyebrows, huh?


http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m107/grthwllms/dcu1cx.jpg

How's that?

[BitVyper]

I'm not even that well versed in Dr. Who but just looking at the previous Doctors I got the distinct feeling they had to look a certain way, and this guy might be young and smooth but he lacks a zaniness of Baker or an elegance of Paul McGann.

Hard to say. Every Doctor has been pretty distinct, and honestly, the only one I know of that's widely disliked is the sixth. I don't think any of the Doctors have seemed appropriate for the role after the first one, but they've all kind of remade it themselves. I mean, Christ look at Eccleston. He didn't look the slightest bit Doctorish, but even with just one season, he wound up being pretty damn memorable.

[Token]

...I have no reason really, but I cant help hating him for not being Tennant. IRC, wasn't that the same response everyone had after Eccelston left though? And look how fantastic that turned out.

[Cati]

I approve. There's a total uproar on Doctor Who forums about his age and looks, but his age doesn't bother me (26 is right on the border of being too young, I'd say, but not crossing it), and I think he's rather cute. Haha.

I do agree with Token though about the "not being Tennant" thing. Tennant was the first doctor I watched without knowing how long he'd stay, who the new guy was going to be (didn't actually start watching new Who until the second series was being broadcast, so even though I did watch Eccleston first, I knew he was going to leave so I didn't get attached. Same with classic Who). So technically this is the first time I deal with the "trauma" of a regeneration. Cry.

Totally giving Smith a chance though. I'd much rather be happy with a new Doctor then spend all my time pouting that he's not Tennant. Besides, I have a year to get used to the idea. Cheers to Matt Smith!

Wish they'd announce the next companion. Hmm.

[Ryanderman]

I think it was said before,but she needs to be Sally Sparrow.

[Odjn]

Eyebrows, huh?


I like you.

Also I've no idea why but for some reason that guy screams PONCE to me.

[Mike McC]

...I have no reason really, but I cant help hating him for not being Tennant. IRC, wasn't that the same response everyone had after Eccelston left though? And look how fantastic that turned out.To be fair, Tenth Doctor + Rose turned out to be a horrible combination and ended up driving a number of people away.

[Token]

I was never a big Rose fan to begin with, but I thought that Ten himself more than made up for it.

[Mirai Gen]

Apparently the show agreed.

[Satan's Onion]

Well, he does look like the physical embodiment of Smug Douchiness, but if his first few stories turn out to be good I might possibly even look into downloading legitimately obtaining them for viewing.

...As long as Rose stays gone. She is gone for good now, right? Please tell me she's gone. Please.

[BitVyper]

Well, he does look like the physical embodiment of Smug Douchiness, but if his first few stories turn out to be good I might possibly even look into downloading legitimately obtaining them for viewing.

...As long as Rose stays gone. She is gone for good now, right? Please tell me she's gone. Please.

But I love it when the Doctor is a bit of a douche. My favourite bit in The Five Doctors was the way the first kept delivering verbal smackdowns to that one companion.... Teagan I think. "Surely you know some basic mathematics, child!"

As far as Rose goes.... yeah, I hope she stays gone, but then, Doctor Who has always been pretty hit or miss with female companions; missing more often than not. My favourite thing about Donna was that they completely ditched the whole romantic tension thing that they had going on with Rose and Martha (even if it was one-sided in her case).

[Mirai Gen]

So. I'm going to start watching Dr. Who regularly.

What season should I start with? Just jump into Tenant or does it matter?

[Kaneda]

I've actually been wondering the same thing. I've been meaning to start watching, but don't know a good point to jump in at.

[Satan's Onion]

But I love it when the Doctor is a bit of a douche. My favourite bit in The Five Doctors was the way the first kept delivering verbal smackdowns to that one companion.... Teagan I think. "Surely you know some basic mathematics, child!"

Good point. Some of Jon Pertwee's finest moments as the Doctor were when he was telling other people how wrong they were. (And Tom Baker's, come to that.)

As far as Rose goes.... yeah, I hope she stays gone, but then, Doctor Who has always been pretty hit or miss with female companions; missing more often than not. My favourite thing about Donna was that they completely ditched the whole romantic tension thing that they had going on with Rose and Martha (even if it was one-sided in her case).

It's just that if Rose comes back, I'm gonna feel like throwing something at the computer monitor television screen, and it's not like I could afford a new one.

edit:
So. I'm going to start watching Dr. Who regularly.

What season should I start with? Just jump into Tenant or does it matter?

Dude, Jon Pertwee. Tom Baker's stuff is great, but so's Jon Pertwee's. (I've heard good things about Sylvester McCoy, too, and Paul McGann is supposed to have done some great radio stories as the Eighth Doctor. But, of course, I might be biased =P .)

[Sky Warrior Bob]

So. I'm going to start watching Dr. Who regularly.

What season should I start with? Just jump into Tenant or does it matter?

I say you start with the Ninth Doctor/Christopher Eccleston (2005 episodes), if you can. I never cared for any Who before the restart, and that's where the restart uhm.. starts.

I've checked out some older Who stuff, but I can never get past how cheesy the effects were, and the story was never enough to pull me it. (And Tom Baker scares me.)

However, if you can't, you might try for the Series 3 (2007) episodes. Martha Jones makes a more interesting companion to the Doctor & if you get BBC America, I think this is the season they're currently playing.

SWB

[Satan's Onion]

...
(And Tom Baker scares me.)
...
SWB

Boo!

[Token]

I've checked out some older Who stuff, but I can never get past how cheesy the effects were

I was always under the impression that it was intentionally cheesy.

[Regulus Tera]

So. I'm going to start watching Dr. Who regularly.

What season should I start with? Just jump into Tenant or does it matter?

If you're gonna watch Classic Doctor Who, go for the Jon Pertwee or Tom Baker episodes.

If it is Modern Doctor Who, go for Series One, aka the one with Christopher "Ears & Nose" Eccleston.

[MFD]

If you want a sampling, though, I'd go for the 2008 episode "The Fires of Pompeii." It's a good standalone episode.

THEN go back and watch Eccleston's Doctor if you like it.

[Regulus Tera]

Midnight > Every other episode from Series Four

Yes, even the Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead two-parter.

[bluestarultor]

Am I alone in that I actually liked Rose? I mean, having just come into the series when it restarted and having no previous experience with other companions, she seemed at least marginally useful, ballsy, and intelligent. At first, at least. After a while she just started shouting "OMG! DOCTOR! HELP!" which really turned me off, but that was after the transition the Tennant in the first place. Rose really shined when she had the capacity to do something, or figure something out, or otherwise not be a damsel in distress because there were squid zombies controlled by the devil or whatnot.

[Mirai Gen]

Unless I'm mistaken, Mary-Sue is 10,000% the problem with Rose Tyler-Sue.

[Regulus Tera]

Rose Tyle-Sue is only apparent in the second season of the series. Rose in the first series is fucking awesome in that she actually does stuff and brings a whole new dynamic of the Doctor to light.

[Mike McC]

Rose was very much a Wesley Crusher of the series. Yeah, they both were smart and clever, but they were also annoying and you just wanted to smack them and tell them to stop being such goddamned twits.Rose Tyle-Sue is only apparent in the second season of the series. Rose in the first series is fucking awesome in that she actually does stuff and brings a whole new dynamic of the Doctor to light.No, she's still very much annoying in the first series, it's just she's made tolerable because she's so very well balanced by Eccleston's preformance as The Doctor. When Tennant came in, his Doctor seemed to magnify her, where as Eccleston subdued her arghness.

[Regulus Tera]

Being annoying does not imply being a Mary Sue, to begin with. :/


What I liked about Rose in the first series is that she allowed for a very slow exploration of the romantic and adolescent facet of the Doctor. She's not exactly the most intelligent or brave woman in the universe, but almost every characteristic of her is so discording with the Ninth Doctor she definitely puts his world upside down. She also has the balls to stand up against the Doctor when she genuinely disagrees about a topic (The End of the World, Father's Day), which is something I cannot say about previous companions. Rose, regardless of whether she annoyed you or not, was the first one to evolve from a cypher for the audience to a relevant character on equal grounds to the Doctor.

She works best as a complementation for the Ninth Doctor, who's been struck by the anguish and despair of the Time War and whatever decisions he had to take there. He's bleak and gloomy, she is hopeful and innocent. He's hurt and dreary, she's bored yet adventurous. Beside the Tenth Doctor, on the other hand, it all devolves into a teenager melodrama. It's not exactly unreal so much as it makes for very lousy conflict. Tenth had a much more poignant chemistry with Madame de Pompadour (The Girl in the Fireplace), which probably worked because it was supposed to be a fairy-tale love with the right amounts of saccharine.

[Mike McC]

Okay, yeah, that's a pretty good assessment.

[Kerensky287]

Alright, I've never seen an episode of Dr Who, but I know the basic premise, and thus my first thought after seeing the picture of Dr Eleven...

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb22/Kerensky287/not%20LP/doctor11.jpg

...was "Damn, you know who would make a great companion?"

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb22/Kerensky287/not%20LP/347070-menardi_large.gif

Menardi from Golden Sun.

[Regulus Tera]

Hag's too ugly for modern Doctor Who.

[Mirai Gen]

That reminds me, the art in Golden Sun was awesome.

[MFD]

Midnight > Every other episode from Series Four

Yes, even the Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead two-parter.

Yeah, but "Midnight" is good because it subverts what you expect from a Doctor Who episode, in that the Doctor's usual tactics get him nearly killed.

"Fires of Pompeii" is much better as an introduction to the show. It's got light-hearted fun, time travel, then a quick trip to the darker and more serious aspects of the show. It also is the most clear-cut example of why the Doctor needs a Companion.

It may possibly be my favorite episode of Doctor Who.

[Regulus Tera]

Yeah, but "Midnight" is good because it subverts what you expect from a Doctor Who episode, in that the Doctor's usual tactics get him nearly killed.

"Fires of Pompeii" is much better as an introduction to the show. It's got light-hearted fun, time travel, then a quick trip to the darker and more serious aspects of the show. It also is the most clear-cut example of why the Doctor needs a Companion.

It may possibly be my favorite episode of Doctor Who.

I'd say Smith and Jones is better than this because it works as an introduction for the series, the companion, and takes the perspective of the Doctor as a completely alien and mysterious entity. But oranges and apples, yeah.

I didn't like Fires that much -too much ham from both main actors. The aliens were pretty cool looking, although I felt that their inclusion was a bit intrusive.

[Sky Warrior Bob]

Am I alone in that I actually liked Rose?

I liked her in the 1st season, when she was just friends with the Doctor. Maybe a passing occasional fancy, but she tended to notice the other male roles a lot more. (That nerdy research guy/Captain Jack.)

Then starting in the 2nd season, she had a full blown crush on the new Doctor. To the extent that it just went overboard & I was actually glad to be rid of her by the next season. I just think she was written into a corner, and there was really no place to go.

Yeah, with Martha Jones, they kinda rehashed the infatuation angle. However, the actor who played Martha made it work.

SWB