Saturday, January 3, 2009
New Doctor Who: Matt Smith
I'm not really a fan of Doctor Who but I'm sort of coming round to the series, mostly because my husband and sons love the show. Tonight the name of the actor to play the new Doctor Who was revealed on a BBC special. I can't believe I actually watched it. Matt Smith is to be the 11th Doctor. So now we know. The funny thing is though that he won't take over the role until October 2010.
I do think all the hype surrounding this news is quite funny. Apparently, while the special, Doctor Who Confidential – The Eleventh Doctor, was broadcast on BBC1, the programme was also being simultaneously cast on giant screens in city centres all over Britain. Unbelievable! I can't decide if it's funny or sad that this is what makes the news in Britain. I suppose I would be a bit more understanding about all the fuss if I was a die-hard fan like so many people are.
Matt Smith interview (video via BBC)
Are you a fan of Doctor Who? Are you pleased with the actor chosen to play the 11th Doctor?
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My kids watch it on BBC America and love it but get really annoyed when they keep changing the Dr. When I was growing up we seemed to have the same few for decades - John Pertwee being the most convincing one. It's probably akin to changing Mr. Rogers every few years?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your kids. I was just starting to watch the show and get into it and I liked Christopher Eccleston and then David Tennant replaced him. Very annoying.
ReplyDeleteI think it's odd how the doctor keeps changing but in a way, it's good because about the time the audience might be getting bored with the show or the actor or indeed, both, a new actor comes along to liven things up. I think the actors that were in it at the beginning - like John Pertwee - must have signed longer contracts than the actors do now!
I love it but I grew up with it. Changing actors is quite an important part of the storyline and is completely built into the plot - i.e. every so often the Doctor is 'regenerated' into a new form. In retrospect it's a great device for having allowed the series to have so much life in it!
ReplyDeleteAs for the attention, well, it might be disproprotionate, but it's these little things that make people happy so who are we to begrudge a little bit of screen time and attention to it.
It is a clever device for replacing the lead actor as you say. And that may be one reason why the show has lasted so long.
ReplyDeleteYes, I know sometimes it's the little things that can make people happy but I still think the attention this show garners is way over the top. The announcement of the new Doctor Who was on the front page of the BBC news website for goodness sake! British shows like Doctor Who and Coronation Street and Eastenders are in the news here almost as much as the "real" news.
I am just giving it a go on BBC America and have enjoyed it. But simul' broadcasts on huge screens in cities to announce the decision. Yep I think that tells us about the way the UK is changing for the worse!
ReplyDeleteBrit Gal Sarah, I think the obsession with TV shows and celebrities in Britain is getting ridiculous. I know it's a popular show but when I read that the new Doctor Who would also be revealed on big screens across the UK, I thought this has got to be the tipping point. What next?
ReplyDeleteAnd I just read this:
ReplyDeleteAfter 7 million people tuned in to the BBC to see Smith crowned the new Doctor, so many fans piled into the biggest Doctor Who website, drwhoforum.com, that it crashed the server.
Apparently this is what really gets the British people stirred up. Never mind the economy, our loss of civil liberties (ID cards/database, anyone?), the increasing inequalities in the NHS (Scotland and Wales now offer free parking at hospitals but but there are no plans to scrap fees in England), etc.