h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Nah, I think it's because they keep aiming it more and more at the younger generations. Although it's always been aimed at them. So maybe I'm just talking rubbish.

Although, given the target audience it's very possible that has affected the age of the "respected" authority figure.

That's an interesting sociological point, Pastey. To my generation (my first sighting of the Doctor was The Keys of Marinus in 1964) the idea of a young Doctor would have been unthinkable. Even Tom Baker took a bit of getting used to, and although the main reason I stopped watching Who after about 1975 was a Saturday job, and then going to places like the Dagenham Roundhouse on a Saturday evening, I couldn't accept Davison as The Doctor because he was just too young.

I think I'd like to see someone a bit older, and a bit more serious.

Older and a bit more serious - that would be Robbie Coltrane.

Not too bad a suggestion actually. He's very good at doing serious, and also able to do mad/comic.

>> Although, given the target audience it's very possible that has affected the age of the "respected" authority figure <<
It's called the cult of youth: energy and style over intelligence and substance.

I think what I've realised from these discussions is that there are a million actors/actresses able to play the part, as long as they are written well. That's the key, not getting the exact right face.

Has anyone suggested Johnny Depp? Nobody is more at home playing Extremely Strange, and he's got that androgynous appearance going for him as well.

Don't think they can afford Depp at the Beeb..Though I agree he'd be good.

I'd love to see Natalia Tena in the role. It'd fit too - she's relatively unknown, but has done some well-regarded bits and pieces, she's mostly a dramatic actor who can handle the lighter stuff and she's got the eyes of a much older person. She's still pretty young though (only a few weeks older than me in fact).

I've just had to look up who she is, and yes! She'd make an excellent Doctor!

Is there any chance you saw certain scenes of her in Game of Thrones?

In the Hitch-hiker's film, Simon Dent (the original Arthur from both radio and TV series) played Magrathea's security system; and the original Marvin (from the TV series) was an extra in a queue at the Vogon offices.

Mol

Was thinking more her role in About A Boy.

[Thanks, Mol. Moviemakers like to do that sort of thing. In the 1978 Superman movie, one of the early Lois Lanes was featured as a passenger on a train. This gives fans something to talk about. They *also* talk about errors like charioteers in "Ben Hur" wearing wristwatches ]

It's not just the film makers, but the telly advert makers too. At the moment there's a new Carling advert out, with a cameo by the two blokes from the early adverts who used to say "I bet he drinks..."

I can't believe no-one has suggested Ant & Dec* yet. They could take turn about as some weird flickering regeneration where he can't settle in one body. The viewing figures would go through the roof.

Just to make things clear, this suggestion is 100%

Deb

* British actoring turned presenting duo much loved by the Saturday teatime crowd http://www.officialantanddec.com/home

"actoring"?

I'm well aware that perview is my fiend, I just hit the wrong button.

Don't get started on that kind of cameo stuff: Lou Ferrigno (star of the old 'Incredible Hulk' TV series) appearing in both Ang Lee's Hulk and in The Incredible Hulk (where he was coming out of a building, chatting with Stan Lee), Peter Jackson putting a box labelled 'Sumatran Rat Monkey' on the ship in King Kong, the list is endless.