New 'Doctor Who' star to be named on BBC America Sunday

[bananas]

Source: USA Today

Just to prove that Doctor Who isn't just a British cult hit anymore, the naming of the Doctor this Sunday is going to be a global spectacle.

The 12th actor to wield the sonic screwdriver and drive the time-traveling police box known as the TARDIS will be announced live Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on BBC America. Hosted by British TV personality Zoe Ball, the half-hour Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor special will include an interview with the new star replacing the departing 11th Doctor, Matt Smith, and also will feature past actors plus executive producer Steven Moffat.

"The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who's taking over the TARDIS. For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking 12," Moffat said in a statement.

Matt Smith will make his penultimate appearance in the 50th anniversary special on Nov. 23 and his 11th Doctor will regenerate in the Christmas Special. Doctor Who is produced by BBC Cymru Wales.

<snip>

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2013/08/01/new-doctor-who-actor-coming-soon/2610629/

[bananas]

1. That's 11 am Pacific Time.

Channel 853 on San Diego Time-Warner.
Looks like they're having some kind of marathon before and after.

[onehandle]

2. Abe Vigoda. (Fingers crossed) nt

[dipsydoodle]

56. I had to look him up

and that's despite the fact I watched the Godfather again this week.

[Paulie]

63. I check his site monthly

http://www.abevigoda.com/

Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abe_Vigoda#Mistaken_reports_of_his_death

[Rain Mcloud]

65. I second the "Fish" nomination!

We might need to get a plumber to remodel the Loo.
The plumbing must be in Bristol shape since Abe's doesn't work.
Could this be why they call him the fish?

[Archae]

3. John Hurt?

Maybe...

[AsahinaKimi]

4. Doctor?

[Hissyspit]

5. So they're replacing them every year now?

[nxylas]

10. Matt Smith has been in the role for 3 or 4 seasons now

It's hardly "every year".

[Hissyspit]

11. I was being a bit facetious.

It just seems that way as you get older.

[Stonepounder]

6. I think it would be terrific if the next Doctor was a woman! n/t

[TDale313]

8. I agree, it would be great. n/t

[Behind the Aegis]

13. That, or a gay one.

[dipsydoodle]

15. How would we know whether or not the new one was gay ?

People are people. I'm assuming you don't mean an overt character like Matt for example.

[Behind the Aegis]

16. The same way we often know....

...their attraction to people of the same sex.

ETA: Is that how you see gay people?

[dipsydoodle]

18. No of course that not how I see gay people.

I did say people are people and I meant it. Matt was the only extreme overt example who came to mind being as I'm UK.

I suppose they could have a DR and sidekick of the same sex and then make the attraction between them obvious. That would be water off a ducks back here but not sure what the perception would be over your side - probably be protests from the loonies.

We'll know at 7pm my time and 2pm yours.

[Behind the Aegis]

19. Don't be so sure it would be water off duck's back on your side of the pond.

It would be a "threat" to a number of people.

[dipsydoodle]

20. I've no concept whatsoever of who it could be regarded as a "threat" to here

although as is the case with any country I guess there may be some nutjobs lurking about. If there were then the likely absense of media coverage would keep them in isolation.

[Behind the Aegis]

21. Who indeed.

UK: Anti-gay Christian B&B owner loses latest appeal

[dipsydoodle]

22. In context with our population

those are pretty much isolated cases. I know no such people personally and wouldn't want to either.

[Behind the Aegis]

23. And yet, they exist. So much for water of a duck's back.

Homophobia is not limited to my nation, nor blocked by the mighty Atlantic.

[loli phabay]

74. yeah but the levels are a gulf apart when it comes to the uk and the us

In the uk you are pretty much seen as an asshole but in the us you are seen as a leader and standing up gir traditional values. So dipsydoodle is correct in the summation that its no big thing. Though personally i would prefer to keep the sexual stuff out of doctoe who and stick to daleks and cybermen.

[Behind the Aegis]

77. Not really. Then again as gay person, what would I know.

Sexual stuff? Then you must not enjoy the series at all.

[loli phabay]

83. prefer the older stuff, but to make it about sexuality would be a mistake

[Behind the Aegis]

86. Just like making it a woman...as I said, never fear, no woman, and still likely hetero.

All is safe in the Who universe.

[loli phabay]

85. obviously not a lot if you think that the uk and the us are comparable when it comes to homophobia

[Behind the Aegis]

88. And a straight person, you know more than I do about homophobia. How shocking.

Of course, I should have expected this given your strawman.

[loli phabay]

90. and how do you know what my sexuality is, seems the assumptions are from you

And i think i am in a much better position of the differences between the uk ans the us as well,

[Behind the Aegis]

91. Unles it has changed, I have read your posts before.

[loli phabay]

93. and yet you still know nothing about where i am coming from

[Behind the Aegis]

95. And yet you imply to know more about homophobia than I do. Curious.

I know where you are coming from...it has been in the subject line numerous times.

[loli phabay]

97. and yet you are the one who holds themselves as the be all and end all expert

[Behind the Aegis]

100. More straw....careful, it is flammable, that could be fear inspiring.

[loli phabay]

106. lol. awa and boil yir heid

[earthside]

45. Not everything is about gender identity.

The Doctor is The Doctor.

In 'Who' world that is all it is about.

[Behind the Aegis]

60. Therefore a gay, female, and/or black Doctor won't matter.

[loli phabay]

70. if its a female i dont think i would feel the same way about the doctor as i have

[Behind the Aegis]

73. It isn't, but why?

[loli phabay]

75. simply its doctor who, hes always been a he so that drastic a change would probuably lose me.

[Behind the Aegis]

78. "He" is a fictional character.

Either the storyline is strong enough or it isn't. But never fear, you won't have to watch a female.

[loli phabay]

82. good, as the doctor should be. imagine if they changedbthe sex of another character in a long runni

Series its just would not work.

[Behind the Aegis]

84. Given this series is based on changing the primary character, I think it could work.

Then again, some, as seen, are so stuck in traditional roles that any change is a potential threat.

[loli phabay]

87. lol. yeah its a threat, are you for real. its a long running tv show that has a main.character

That has always been male, and if they changed to a female then i would not have the same feelings aboutnthe main.character. not everything is some plot

[Behind the Aegis]

89. You are right, not everything is some plot, despite the fear speculation inspires in some.

[loli phabay]

92. lol there you go with fear again, seems that is whatbthis comes down to

Simply put i dont want a drastic change in the character as its a character that i grew up with. If they make a drastic change so be it i just wont be as invested as i am but unlike some people it seems it wont be the end of the world.

[Behind the Aegis]

94. It isn't my fear that is the issue, as you have demonstrated.

[TM99]

96. Apparently it is all about Gender Identity Politics

and nothing else.

Doctor Who has been running for 50 years with a well established mythology.

Gallifreyans - the Time Lords - are not human. Their sexuality is not defined as human sexuality is by bi, gay, and straight terms. Hell this was covered quite well with Capt. Jack and the Torchwood spin offs.

To purposefully make the next Doctor gay so that we all know he is gay completely destroys that mythology for the sake of gender politics.

The same is true to make the next Doctor a female. Time Lords regenerate but never as the opposite sex from whence they started. You want to bring in a story-line with a female Time Lord? Hell yes, that would be spectacular. There has not been one since Romanadvoratrelundar.

As far as ethnicity, that wouldn't matter a whit. He could regenerate as an Asian or as another Caucasian or any other 'human race' for that matter - as long as he is he and is not made to be known sexually as 'gay'.

I am certain you will call me a bigot and sexist. So be it. I am not either. You do not know my history, my experiences, my sexuality, or really anything much about me. It doesn't always help civil and equal rights to constantly make every damned thing about gender and sexual orientation politics. That's my beef with this suggestion.

[Behind the Aegis]

99. This is facinating.

A fictional character and the fear established with it is absolutely absurd and really speaks to certain issues, and the defensive nature that comes with it. If mere speculation cased this, I can only imagine the wackiness that would have ensued had the Doctor been female or gay.

[TM99]

101. Hardly fear.

If the Doctor started out as female, that would have been no big deal to any long term fans like myself. I have watched the Doctor since the early 1970's. After all, there have been female Time Lords, and that didn't cause any scandals.

The same would have been true if he was gay, but you see, he wouldn't have been anything. He's not human. That's the beauty of it. He as were the audience loved Capt Jack, Mr. Omni Sexual.

Do you seriously believe I or anyone had any issues with Jack? I fucking loved that character and all of the Torchwood spin offs. I wish to hell they would bring it and him back - well minus the shitty American actors from Starz! lol

As I said, you no nothing about my sexuality. I simply don't like the constant pushing of gender politic agenda's. This is hardly fear - just annoyance at the narcissism of everything having to be about a particular person, their issues, their psychology, and their politics.

[Behind the Aegis]

104. I see the gender politics in play and it is very sad.

Your sexuality is irrelevant. Furthermore, speculation is not pushing the 'gay/feminist agenda' (at least have the courtesy to honestly state it). But fear not, the Doctor is neither female nor likely to be gay. Disaster averted.

[TM99]

107. If my sexuality is irrelevant,

why is your's so relevant?

I don't really need an answer. We have butted heads before about this. We aren't going to agree this time either.

But it is all a moot point now that he has been announced:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelfth_Doctor

It is good to see a seasoned actor and older man back in the role of an ancient Time Lord. After Smith, a good dose of non-wacky humor and gravitas will be appreciated.

Enjoy the show if you are a fan.

[Behind the Aegis]

108. It isn't. I never said it was.

As I said, the great tragedy has been averted. I don't remember you or our previous conversation, so I guess I should look it up and avoid another tragedy in the future.

ETA: Oh, yes, the threat of a possibly gay Spiderman. I should have remembered, and recalled William's conclusion; it was the correct one.

[24601]

29. Captain Jack Harkess (Omni-sexual from the 51st centuy) was played by UK actor John Barrowman who

is one of Britain's best known gay actors. He starred in the spinoff, Torchwood.

[dipsydoodle]

37. The only reason I can think they wouldn't have chosen John

is that having played Captain Jack it would create an absurdity. Other than that he'd be a good choice.

[loli phabay]

109. yeah he would have been a good choice as hes a good actor

Loved captain jack as a character.

[Bluenorthwest]

33. Are you really going there when Captain Jack's shining example exists in the

Whoniverse?

[loli phabay]

110. lol matt is a fantastic character from an amazing show

[csziggy]

47. When David Tennant was the Doctor, Capt. Jack Harkness had a thing for him

It was never overt but there were hints that Capt. Jack and the Doctor might have had a fling. Jack certainly had an attachment to the Doctor's severed hand.

At some point after Torchwood One destroyed the Sycorax ship in 2006 under orders from Prime Minister Harriet Jones, (TV: The Christmas Invasion) Jack obtained a severed hand that had fallen from the Sycorax craft and which was identified as having belonged to the Tenth Doctor. He kept the hand in a portable container in Torchwood Three's nerve centre, the Hub, and treated it as a prized possession, much to the occasional consternation of his colleagues.
http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Jack_Harkness

http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/The_Doctor%27s_hand

[dipsydoodle]

14. Billy Piper was rumoured to be under consideration.

[uppityperson]

58. First thought is she is a human, but having been whatevered by the Tardis, still, not sure it'd work

[dipsydoodle]

61. Is she human ?

Check out another uk series sometime - Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

Billie's human alright.

[muriel_volestrangler]

64. That wouldn't matter - it's the Doctor, taking on a new form

They have a precedent for a Time Lord taking on the form of an existing person - they had Romana regenerate to look like a character from the previous series.

[24601]

28. Jennie (Dr's Daughter who came back to life) is still out there running. She has Time Lord genes.

[Sgent]

32. River Song

isn't quite as dead (at least according to the last episode) as previously thought either. Although Jenny has the Doctor's DNA, river just has time lords...

It also brings up another interesting point -- apparently new time lords can be born if conceived and carried to term on the tardis....

That being said, neither of them are the doctor (well Jenny is a clone) but are just time lords.

[TDale313]

7. Love Doctor Who.

Really curious to see who the Twelfth Doctor will be. Sad to see Matt Smith going.

[Bosonic]

9. Peter Capaldi

[nxylas]

12. William Hill says Capaldi is "almost certain" to be the 12th Doctor

But then, they also said that Paterson Joseph was almost certain to be the 11th Doctor, so I'm not going to set too much store by that.

[CBHagman]

40. Oh, I love Peter Capaldi!

And I didn't even realize he was in the running (I"m not really a follower of Dr. Who, just a fan of British TV in general.

[nxylas]

111. Looks like the bookies were right

Somebody's head is going to roll at the BBC, since there must have been a leak for the odds to have been so short.

[BadgerKid]

27. Interesting...that'd be so Colin Baker of them. n/t

[uppityperson]

59. That'd be a nice break from the pretty boys they've had recently.

He is nice looking but someone with more age, more face wrinkles.

[Hayabusa]

67. It's him!

[Dr. Strange]

80. He played a WHO doctor in World War Z.

Hey, wait a minute...

[dipsydoodle]

17. Jonny Lee Miller would've been good with Lucy Liu as his sidekick

if they hadn't already done that in Elementary.

They could however have reversed the roles and given Lucy the role of the Doctor with Jonny as her sidekick.

[loli phabay]

24. vic reeves would get my vote.

[dipsydoodle]

25. I hadn't thought of Vic

Yes you're right.

And Bob too

[loli phabay]

57. would be an awesome combo, loved them as randall and hopkirk

[Divernan]

26. Outside the box choices:Bill Nighy, Nick Frost or Simon Pegg

Seriously! Iconic actors for an iconic role. The character of Dr. Who is a classic like King Lear or Macbeth - you'd like to see a lot of great actors take on the role because they each bring their own interpretation to it. In the case of Dr. Who, I think good comedic acting, especially in the droll Brit manner, is an essential. I'd also like to see Robbie Coltrane play the part, but sadly he is just too damn huge to fit through the door of the Tardis!

[dipsydoodle]

30. Nighy is a great actor

and would visibly suit the archetype Dr too.



Not like this though.

[Divernan]

34. I was privileged to see him on Broadway - back in 2006.

How the years fly by! He starred with Julianne Moore in their Broadway debuts in the world premiere of David Hare's The Vertical Hour at the Music Box Theatre.

I live in western Pennsylvania, but over the years have made trips into NYC to see some great talents perform "live". Antonio Banderas in Nine at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre; Maggie Smith in Lettice and Lovage (written specifically for her by Peter Shaffer, author of Equus and Amadeus) in 1990 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre; Diana Rigg as Medea, 1994; Raul Julia, WAY BACK in 1971, as the lovestruck Proteus in Two Gentlemen of Verona and, years later in Kiss of the Spiderwoman; Sting in a brief Broadway run as Mac the Knife in Threepenny Opera; Brian Dennehy in Death of a Salesman(1999); Sunday in the Park with George with Bernadette Peters/Mandy Patinkin; Chicago with Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Renking, Joel Grey and James Naughton; and others I've forgotten (as I advance in age). The best ensemble I ever saw was at New York's Public Theatre - Conversations at Tusculum, with Aidan Quinn, David Strathairn, & brian Dennehy. Some of the performances won Tonys; other productions got panned - but such a joy to see such talented performers giving their all.

And forgive the name dropping, but once in Manhattan, at the dimly lit Cafe des Artistes, my daughter and I enjoyed dinner sitting diagonally across from Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson. I was careful not to overtly stare, as per the strict instructions of my Manhattanite daughter! Anyway, for me at least, when I've seen a great actor/actress "live", it brings an extra degree of pleasure to see them on film - the same as seeing films shot at locations which you've personally visited.

On edit: How could I have forgotten seeing Christopher Plummer in the Scottish play?

[dipsydoodle]

36. At the theatre here in London I'm strictly musicals

and that includes amateur productions at our old local theater too.

Funniest time I was only a few feet away from someone famous was in pub back in the '70s. It was John Cleese and his face was saying "if you dare recognise me I will beat you up" !

Having spent some years working back stage on amateur productions I do find that when I'm at one of the main London theaters I become occupied with the technical aspects. When the interior of the gothic Hollywood mansion including a very large staircase was made to "disappear" in Sunset Boulevard I may even have said out loud "how the fuck did they do that" ?

[Divernan]

38. Funny! I can imagine the look on Cleese's face!

I saw Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon on the same memorable trip to London. The helicopter scene in Miss Saigon was amazing to me! You are a fortunate, fortunate person to live close to or in London. I flew into and out of Heathrow on a trip from Edinburgh back to the states 2 years ago, and our plane went right over Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, the London Eye, etc. I tried desperately to spot 30 St. Mary Axe ("The Gherkin&quot but must have been on the wrong side of the plane. I haven't been to London since the early 90's and hope to get back someday to see much more of it, and particularly ride on The Eye and see The Gherkin.

[dipsydoodle]

43. Takes me about 40 minutes to drive in and park.

The art is knowing where to park.

Looking out of plane window..................9/11 I was mid Atlantic on my way to a dance camp in the redwoods outside of SF. The pilot told us what had happened and we were returning to Glasgow because Heathrow was full up - as was Frankfurt fortunately. A friend had caught an earlier flight 4 hours behind mine. The passengers on his plane were not told what had happened and his plane returned unannounced to Heathrow. All of the passengers thought they landing at SF. How I ask myself can anyone not notice either they are flying in over central London or over Windsor Castle from the other direction ? That's quite aside from not flying down the path of the Rockies.

Miss Saigon will be on again in London next year They are currently audiitioning. I wasn't at all impressed with the film of Les Mis. Best version of that is the 1995 10th Anniversary Dream Cast at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a rather large choir. I saw it at the theatre in London c.1991 when it still had the main cast apart from Michael Ball.

You didn't miss much not seeing the Gerkin. I prefer the Ark in Hammersmith which you'd have flown over too.

[Divernan]

49. thanks for the tip re The Ark

I just looked up some photos of it - very innovative and definitely a building I'd like to visit.

So far, the piece of "modern" architecture which has most blown me away is the Scottish Parliament building/Holyrood in Edinburgh. As one critic observed, the architects didn't play safe with this one. It stands in such stark contrast to Holyrood Palace, which is directly across the road from it, and many rooms of which are unchanged from Mary, Queen of Scot's days.

The mixed public reaction contrasts sharply with the response from architectural critics. Its rampant complexity, iconography and layering of meaning and metaphor are widely regarded as producing a building which is "quite a meal". This prompted Catherine Slessor, writing in the Architectural Review, to describe it as "A Celtic-Catalan cocktail to blow both minds and budgets, it doesn't play safe, energetically mining a new seam of National Romanticism refined and reinterpreted for the twenty-first century."

It is nice in retirement to have the luxury of the internet to explore from a distance, if one can't do it in person.

[suffragette]

42. I'd love to see Tilda Swinton rock the role

[OnionPatch]

31. I just wish he would be ginger this time.

[Paulie]

35. I'm with ya for sure!!!

Garfield would be perfect.

[dipsydoodle]

81. That could be construed as being racist.

[csziggy]

113. I was thinking that Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) would be a good choice

I think the actor deserves a really good starring role and he could be a fun Doctor.

Another thought for a ginger Doctor would be James and Oliver Phelps who played the Weasley twins. Having twins play the Doctor would allow all kinds of interesting plot twists.

[Divernan]

39. 3 Cheers for BBC America for a simultaneous announcement!

Now if the powers that be who broadcast Downton Abbey would just start simulcasting. It's been absolutely CRUSHING to be reading The Guardian, or some news source about entertainment and see some throwaway mention of who just got killed off in the latest season to air in the UK, months in advance of US airing - with no SPOILER ALERT.

Example: &quot hidden name), whose character (hidden name), was killed off in last week's Downton Abbey episode, is under consideration for a role in the upcoming film ......blah, blah, blah!" Really, this was a bucket of cold water thrown in my face!

[suffragette]

41. Damn, your spoiler alert was too close to the spoiler

So, ironically, you just did what you were criticizing.
Could you edit it out and note the spoiler is in the edits?
Won't help me now, but might might others.

[Divernan]

46. Really sorry! I thought that season had been shown everywhere by now.

It was shown in the states early last year. But I will delete the name of the deceased character.

[dipsydoodle]

50. That works both ways.

We get your stuff after you. Having said that I guess we'd get it in the middle of the night here. Neither of us can win.

My daughter watches your stuff current but I'm not sure how - she avoids spoiling stuff for me anyway.

[Igel]

44. My picks.

Most likely: A woman. (Unless they decide to go for a 13th regeneration and more).

I think the guy who played the original werewolf on Being Human would do a good job. He was on the Titanic episode and came back for a brief appearance on Tennant's farewell episode, but that wouldn't stop them. Colin Baker was Time Lord security before he became the Doctor.

After that ... No idea. But under 35. Ish.

[dipsydoodle]

48. If its a woman

it will be Billie.

[Riftaxe]

51. I would be fine with a woman as Doctor

just less sitcom, more sci-fi. Heck bring back Catherine Tate before she chose to forego looks and got all scrawny.

[dipsydoodle]

52. Regardless of who it is

the new series isn't expected to air until August 2014 earliest. That's apart from the 50th anniversary Xmas special.

I have yet to recover from Billie disappearing off into a parallel universe - so sad.

Off topic - I'm half watching a1979 epic? called 1941. I recognise most of the cast and they all look soooooo young.

[krawhitham]

53. That is the 50th anniversary AND a Xmas special

Nov 23rd & Dec 25th

[dipsydoodle]

55. I wasn't sure about that.

Thanks for the correction.

[SnakeEyes]

54. The show just won't be the same...

if they change the lead actor

[Paulie]

66. I've felt the same way since

The early 80's.

[dipsydoodle]

62. Hold yourselves in readiness

only 5 minutes to go.

Edit - now saying within the next half hour.

[dipsydoodle]

68. Got it yet ?

Wouldn 't be fair for me to spoil.

[loli phabay]

69. please be vic reeves or james may

[dipsydoodle]

71. dream on

[loli phabay]

72. or in a stroke of genius. jeremy clarkson, can you imagine him driving the tardis, more power

[dipsydoodle]

76. Michael Cane would've been a hoot

[loli phabay]

79. oi you stop throwing those bloody spears at me, yeah he would have been awesome

Connery also would have been awesome. Chris barrie is another actor who would have been good.

[loli phabay]

98. capaldi will ne good, would love him to speak broad glaswegian though

Oi you dalek ya plamph, am gonna smack yur coupin. Would be funny as hell tjough it would need subtitles.

[dipsydoodle]

103. Capaldi with sub titles here NB. DO NOT WATCH IF EASILY OFFENDED

and as Dr Who :

[loli phabay]

105. lol typical glaswegian, axe murderers to a man

[TDale313]

102. Nice choice, I think.

Be excited to see what he does with the roll. I think he could be really good.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

112. Done deal...

[tclambert]

114. Darn! I was hoping for Peter Dinklage.

I know he's got another job. A really good job. But there's a high probability of getting killed off on that one, too.

Hugh Laurie would have been an interesting choice. He has experience playing a doctor.

Kenneth Branagh as The Doctor: he would only speak in dramatic monologues.