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Nervous Anticipation
Well, this afternoon really is fandom as pop music. The whole of Britain is waiting to be told, via giant screens in major cities, who the new Doctor Who is. So many status updates counting down the hours. And that familiar tension and fear, that fandoms always feel, before each episode, each new season, now gifted to the general British population. It was not always like this. I learnt about Peter Davison from BBC Radio 2, standing in my parents' kitchen. I learnt about Colin from a fanzine editor over the phone. I learnt about Sylvester from a phone call in the little box at the end of my corridor at college. 'No Mum,' I said, 'there's already been a new one.' I learnt about Paul McGann through nefarious means. I learnt about Chris via Russell calling from the back of a London taxi. And I can't actually remember how I learned about David, which is a bit of a shock. So this is a tremendous thing for the production team to do, a superb bit of theatre, the brand continuing to rule the world. It feels to me like the little hometown band dear to my heart is now playing stadiums. I can only applaud. I do wonder, though, if this is why we've seen an upswing in anti-geekery lately, in nerd name-calling. This show has made everyone a Doctor Who fan. Who will display fannish traits. It's made everyone into a geek who knows the names of fictional planets. And the thing people hate most in other people is what they're uncomfortable with in themselves. But still, it's like someone had three wishes on our behalf. (And if Russell did, I hope he saved one for himself and one for the Pope.) Can you feel it in the pit of your stomach? That tension, that fear, that anticipation? That's fandom, that is. And today that crowd in the football stadium... they're all feeling it too.
I should add in passing, and I'm getting a little sheepish now about doing this so many times, but the guys at Comic Book Resources were kind enough to name Captain Britain and MI-13 as one of their top ten comics of the year, in a list of one hundred:
I'm flattered to be in such company. And thanks to everyone who took part in the Kate Bush poll. I'm glad to see the current album rallied towards the end. Maybe I should have listed the two discs together. A big win for Hounds, with love for The Dreaming and The Red Shoes also.
Until after the big announcement, then, Cheerio!
Labels:
Captain Britain,
Doctor Who,
Kate Bush
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It's not just in the UK -- the news that the announcement is pending made the Hollywood Reporter and various other American outlets yesterday. No, it's not as big news as in the UK, but it's not going completely unnoticed which is so weird. Over here, it used to be we'd hear about new Doctors after their episodes started to air and it was a big deal when I came home from my last trip to England able to tell friends that I'd actually seen Sylvester McCoys' first episode the day it aired. Strange to find myself getting ready to return to London just after Eleven's been announced. (I have Hamlet tickets for the 10th. Fingers are crossed.)
And congrats on the plaudits for Captain Britain and MI-13. Sadly, I'm departing for home the morning that you're doing the signing at Forbidden Planet, but hopefully I can get you to sign next month at Gally.
Seeing some of the candidates rumored, I wonder how it feel if we have a "very young" Doctor, defined as "younger than me by a decade."
I finally started watching the Silurians/Sea Devils box set last night and it was a pleasant surprise to see Paul turn up in the documentary about the episode. Paul, how many of those have you done so far?
Dammit, it isn't me again. I don't know why I keep buying these tickets.
Oh good Lord. Fandom is exploding. I'm going to go bury myself in World of Warcraft until it dies down. Wake me if something important happens? I'll be over on Misha...
I couldn't sleep last night until I'd played Doctor Who trivia on Facebook for four hours, scoured the latest speculations lists, blogged about the impending news and finally watched Einstein and Eddington. It's a pleasure to see David Tennant do other stuff, because he almost never reminds me of the Doctor in his performance. I've had three hours of sleep, and can;t go back to bed now - at least until I've seen Confidential. Thanks for giving a better perspective on the size of the event in comparison with the past than I ever could. And may Matt Smith be as good a Doctor as we all hope he'll be!
P.S. And congrats on all the honors you're getting for Captain Britain. (Mutters to self that she really needs to read those one of these days.)
Good lord, there's plenty of people stating that "he's too young", "looks like a muppet", "i'll never watch again" "I'm boycotting Doctor Who from now on"...
But, I loved the bloke in "Party Animals", and the casting in Stephen Moffat's tv stuff is normally spot on, so I'm not too worried. Plus my two favourite doctors are Peter Davison, and David Tennant, and they were both young. Plus, plenty of fans declared that they were never watching Who again when Catherine Tate got announced as the full time companion, and she was brilliant.
Congrats on the Captain Britain and MI:13 recognition- It's been one of my favourites this year, without a doubt, so it's all good.
I figured I wouldn't have a problem with whoever was named, and I don't. I wish they hadn't gone even YOUNGER, but then I was one of the few who didn't think Peter was too young when cast (OK, mostly because I already loved him). I sure hope Capt. Jack returns because I'd love to see his reaction...
Emma
heh. It is rather funny, that the casting of the lead of a show is considered headline news. With updates.
I liked Matt Smith in Ruby in the Smoke, so it'll be down to scripts, like most shows end up being.
I'm hopeful that the new guy will be actually quite good - given his stage acting pedigree I'm expecting someone of a Pertwee/BakerT calibre (well, I can hope can't I? *G*)
Paul-
Think I'll stay away from most of the fanboards for the next week as it's annoying that people are slagging the new guy off wthout justification.
My first reaction was horror that I'm now a full decade older than the Doctor.(Feeling old). But after seeing his interview, I can see a little of the Doctor's quirkiness.
I was devastated to see CE leave and it took awhile to warm up to Tennant. But I'm intrigued about the changes to DW in the Moffat era.
Hope you and yours had a fantastic holiday season and 2009.
It has been an incredible 24 hour wait. My teeth were actually chattering through the pop music montages in 'Confidential'. I haven't been so worked up in anticipation since 'Rose'. And it was a pleasant surprise, in that Matt Smith is someone I've seen be good in things, but whom was nowhere on my mental list of potentials. I'm looking forward to him.
I'm old enough to have seen every regeneration and, not surprisingly, none of them has been as big a shock as the first one since at the time we didn't know what the hell was happening. I wasn't happy about it at all, but by the end of his first episode dear old Patrick Troughton had won me over. So it is with most regenerations: initial dubiousness about the choice, followed by being quickly won over. I'm not a fan of most 80s Doctor Who, but that more down to the scripts and production than to the actors who portrayed the character.
So, Matt Smith... I've seen him in other stuff so I know he's a good actor, but Doctor Who? I'm dubious, but I have total faith in Steven Moffat. If he thinks he's the right choice, I expect to be won over.
- Rob Hansen
Heh. I was (and am) actually a lot more excited about my copy of Timewyrm: Revelation finally arriving right before it was announced.
It's in pretty damn good condition too. But we'll see how the new guy fares, I guess.
It takes me back to when Eccleston departed. I was very sad to see him go, he was brilliant. And Tennant? I'd not really heard of him when he first appeared, and I was won over very early on.
Matt Smith is a very interesting choice, and I have great faith in the Grand Moff and his writing. Looking forward to seeing how it goes - I'll certainly be watching, though again, I'll be sad to see Tennant leave.
So, Paul, you been asked to write anything for Series 5 yet?
Resurfacing from heroic dungeon crawls...I think what those who're ranting that Smith is too young are forgetting is that the next regular season doesn't air until 2010. Smith could easily be 2-2.5 years older than he is now, depending upon when his birthday is. That's not much younger than the youngest actors who've played the Doctor.
Okay, back to the dungeons with me.
I'm sad that David is going, just as I was sad when Tom Baker my Doctor left, and was sort of shocked when Eccelston turned out to only signed up for the one year.
As to the new guy. People say he is young at 26. That's only 3 years younger than Davison was when he played the role, and I think Davison being known for All Creatures Great and Small had it pretty tough back then because he was already well known.
I remember Smith from Ruby In The Smoke, but can't imagine what he will be like as the new Doctor Who, but am not going to dis him before he has chance to show us what he can do.
I think Smith has a tough act to follow, but I also think that him not being that well known could prove to be a blessing for him in so many ways. I seem to recall that Tom Baker wasn't that well known when the BBC cast him back in the 70's.
So I'm in the wait and see camp. Many folks kicked off about C.E when he got the role. I think folks were expecting Richard E. Grant or Bill Nighy back then. Both excellent choices. But I think Russell T. Davies made the right call on his choice. And if the Moff thinks Matt can do it, then I say go for it.
-IMC
Thanks, all. Caro: of course, find me at Galley. Mark: one more, a Terrance Dicks tribute. Rob: you were there for the shock of the Troughton! That must have been the biggest one! Aegis: it's far too early to say.
"It feels to me like the little hometown band dear to my heart is now playing stadiums."
Exactly what I thought watching it!
Matt Smith. Will. Be. Great.
As will the scripts.