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

Sorry, Just Bob. It's amazing what can get started with a few humble examples.

Oh, it's an interesting subject, don't get me wrong. It's more than big enough for its own thread, if you want.

You guys must have missed the memo. The new doctor and his assistant have already been announced:

https://twitter.com/fords42/status/341326264185012227/photo/1

If I have correctly identified them, I think they have both been in Doctor Who before.

I don't think Paul Higgins has, but Peter Capaldi has been in it. He was in Torchwood too I think.

Yes, that's it, he was in Children of Earth, and in the Pompeii episode early in the Tennant/Tate run.

My prediction - I won't have heard of the next actor to play the Doctor.

Or if I have, I'll be slightly disappointed.

I'm frankly a bit annoyed I know for certain a regeneration is on the cards, but in today's spoiler-hungry media environment I suppose it was inevitable.

Rory Kinnear anyone?

To be honest, I can't quite see it myself.


Geggs

I saw a tweet over the weekend from an account that mostly posts sillyness and jokery that Chris Addison is 4-1 to be the new Doctor. I've only ever seen him on Have I Got News For You, and from that small section of his oeuvre I hope that really is a joke.

Well, he does act. Haven't seen him do it, so I can't judge. He is rather cute, in a way, too. They're certainly getting younger and younger.

I do think a key talent required of an actor (or actress) who is going to play The Doctor is that they are capable of being distinctly unsettling/alien at times. Too cuddly or ordinary and they just, well, there is certainly a call for that kind of performance, absolutely, but it's not the Doctor.
Having said that, good writers and directors can create that sense by other means, if necessary, And I like what I have seen/heard of Addison as a comedian.

Gosho, look up Episode 5 (A 7-Nighter) of the delightfully silly 'Lab Rats'. That's how comedy is done properly.

B

Chris Addison is in his 40s. I fell over in shock when I found that out.

I'd hate to see the state of the portrait in his attic.

Is this the Chris Addison wot used to be in the Direct Line adverts and looks as though he's up past his bedtime whenever he's on HIGNFY?

Mol

The very same!

Chris Addison is as ludicrous and unsuitable a suggestion for a Doctor as, well, Peter Davison. Or Jon Pertwee for that matter. Jon Pertwee was a *comedian*, or rather an actor mostly known for comedy roles, remember. Remember also that he was second choice for third Doctor - the producers wanted Ron Moody.

I think Chris Addison could be good... but it won't be him. I think his public profile is too high, and that the producers will select (or rather, let's be honest, HAVE ALREADY SELECTED) someone less well-known.

Ron Moody would have been brilliant. Waaaay better than Jon Pertwee.

PP.

He would at least have spent some time reviewing the situation...

B

I'm always thought that Chris Addison's earlier work was much better - he's got two radio series called "The Ape that Got Lucky" and "Civilisation" which are well worth a listen if they're ever repeated.

I think he's great in The Thick of It/In the Loop, and I quite liked Lab Rats - though I thought it was an outstanding sitcom trapped inside an adequate one, needing probably another re-write at least. But some wonderful moments - though I often found myself admiring the cleverness of the setup, rather than laughing it it.

These days I find him increasingly irritating - especially on panel shows.

Dr Who? Not unless he's a significantly better actor that we've seen so far. No doubt he can do eccentric and hyper and a bit alien, but can he do "lonely God" and those occasional flashes of darkness and righteous anger....