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Television Media Sci-Fi Entertainment

Eddie Izzard As ... Doctor Who? 354

Posted by timothy from the charming-gentleman dept.
cmdr_forge writes "The BBC is reporting that Former Doctor Who Tom Baker says that Eddie Izzard is to be the next doctor for the TV show that starts 2005. How awesome is that!"
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Eddie Izzard As ... Doctor Who? More

Eddie Izzard As ... Doctor Who?

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  • meh (Score:5, Funny)

    by DNS-and-BIND ( 461968 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @02:18AM (#7141713) Homepage
    Who cares? He'll be replaced with no explanation anyway.

  • Actually (Score:4, Informative)

    by gdav ( 2540 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @02:21AM (#7141722)
    Bill Nighy is the front runner. Tom Baker was just voicing his opinion. See the Times [timesonline.co.uk].

    • Re:Actually (Score:5, Insightful)

      by jweatherley ( 457715 ) <james@nosPam.weatherley.net> on Monday October 06, 2003 @02:56AM (#7141842) Homepage
      Yes, Tom Baker is great but he is as mad as a crate full of squirrels. Ananova [ananova.com] reports that he reckons Melinda Messenger [scutty.co.uk] would make a good assisstant because:

      'Melinda would be good as she can scream and has bosoms. It doesn't really matter if she can act.'

      • Re:Actually (Score:3, Insightful)

        by arb ( 452787 )
        Yes, Tom Baker is great but he is as mad as a crate full of squirrels. Ananova reports that he reckons Melinda Messenger would make a good assisstant because:

        'Melinda would be good as she can scream and has bosoms. It doesn't really matter if she can act.'

        I think his assessment is not too far off the mark. Very few of the past assistants could act, and Melinda does have bosoms - quite nice ones in fact! ;-)
      • Don't laugh. I would swear that the Buffy TV series had a "designated screamer" position. Willow initially, then Cordelia up until she was replaced by Dawn.

        Great screams, and although I've never actually tested this out empirically, I'd wager the designated screamer, in its various incarnations, did at least 85% of the screaming in the series.

    • Re:Actually (Score:4, Insightful)

      by TomV ( 138637 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @03:12AM (#7141884)
      Tom's been on a bit of a media blitz recently. Note that Tom, back when he was the incumbent, suggested that the Doctor should have a talking cabbage as a companion.

      At this ridiculously early stage in proceedings, I'm rather in favour of Bill Nighy for the part, and there seem to have been a few leaks suggesting this is Russell Davies' feeling too. He seems t ohave let it slip in conversation with Doctor Who Magazine editor Clayton Hickman, and has mentined it elsewhere as well.

      But let it not be forgotten that Eddie Izzard has been branching out into very serious drama recently and has turned out to be a very capable and powerful actor, so if he gets the part, no worries.

      But seriously, Tom's not into facts, Tom's into stimulating interesting conversation. and here we are, interested, and conversing :-)

      tV
      • > But seriously, Tom's not into facts, Tom's into stimulating interesting conversation. and here we are, interested, and conversing :-)

        --Mod parent +1 Insightful

        --Agreed, until we hear an official public announcement everything is up in the air. Personally I won't put stock in anything I hear (as far as articles like this go) until the 1st episode is in the can and on its way to distributors. Until they finish the 1st part of the final product, ANYTHING can change.
    • Well, the ever-groovy The Sun thinks it will be that chap who played Egg on This Life according to this story [thesun.co.uk].

      I think we can excuse any non-Brits for not knowing who he is.
    • Bill Nighy is the front runner.

      The only logical choice for the new Dr Who is that quintessential English gentleman, Chris Eubank.
    • Bill Nighy is the front runner.

      Excellent! I always thought the Science Guy [billnye.com] would make a great Doctor.

  • eddie izzard? (Score:2, Informative)

    by timelady ( 566419 )
    tom's always been noted for leg pulling. richard e grant has the best qualifications, imho!

  • Nope. (Score:4, Informative)

    by sakusha ( 441986 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @02:24AM (#7141736)
    Not going to happen. Tom Baker is pulling your leg. And you fell for it.

  • but wait, there's more (Score:5, Informative)

    by mentaiko ( 692343 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @02:25AM (#7141742)
    Ok, let's get this straight. The BBC news division is reporting that Tom Baker made this claim, which has been denied, in turn, by somebody back at the BBC entertainment division.

    So I think this can still be filed under "rumors", same as 4 days ago when this appeared on the bbc.co.uk website. Way to stay on top of late-breaking news, /.

    • It's even better than that - the story was originally run in The Sun! http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-%202003452301 ,00.html

      I remember someone mentioning that Tom Baker once hinted that the next Doctor might be a woman (that would've been for the 5th Doctor). He did it purely to screw with everyone.

      And it worked. Again.

  • Tom Baker Selling Crappy Products (Score:3, Informative)

    by Effugas ( 2378 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @02:34AM (#7141775) Homepage
    http://www.boomspeed.com/kajardine/Tom_Baker-Comme rcial_Voiceover_Outtakes.mp3

    As Warren Ellis wrote on his blog [diepunyhumans.com] (which of course is where I found this, right next to the mind-boggling sci-fi snippets), This Is Essential.

    For the curious, take the most regal sounding brit you've ever heard. Now make him sell something utterly absurd -- and give him the cojones to say so.

    Repeatedly.

    A new classic.

    --Dan

    --Dan
  • I think Paul McGann would been cool in the series.

  • Dr Who - The Next Generation (Score:5, Insightful)

    by quinkin ( 601839 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @02:45AM (#7141810)
    OK so it's not a cross post from a trek fan... :)

    They have just started playing the original Dr Who in Australia again and I am getting a massive kick out of watching my son react the exact same way I did 25 years ago.

    If you have never watched Dr Who from behind your dad's back (cowering in fear everytime the cellophane alien or plastic dinosaur lurches into view) the you just haven't watched it right. :)

    Q.

    • Am I the only one around here who has never seen Doctor Who on TV but have read all the books? My favorite was Terrance Dicks books, usally large size fonts, clear and funny narration and the best stories. !!!
      Hope to see it this time. BTW. Any idea if BBC will put it on the International channel instead of all the local ones?
    • yeah it's kinda fun to watch the 2yo & 5yo run around the house shouting *EXTERMINATE* and asking questions about the Tardis travelling through worm holes.

      blast the ABC for voicing over the end credits though - bloody ads :(
    • OK so it's not a cross post from a trek fan


      No, it's cross dressing from a trek fan.


      While I'm on the subject, has anybody else seen Izzard's hilarious Trek send-up routine? And more importantly, which of his videos is it on? I've bought two so far, and still no luck :o\

  • Doctor Candidate Links (Score:4, Interesting)

    by __aanonl8035 ( 54911 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @02:51AM (#7141826)
    Bill Nighy Movie List [imdb.com]
    Bill Nighy Interview [bbc.co.uk]
    Eddie Izzard Home Page [eddieizzard.com]
    Eddie Izzard Interview [ugo.com]

  • Dr Who? (Score:5, Funny)

    by CGP314 ( 672613 ) <CGP@ColinGregor y P a lmer.net> on Monday October 06, 2003 @03:11AM (#7141883) Homepage
    Dr Heimlich!

  • and my big question is: (Score:3, Funny)

    by Stephen Samuel ( 106962 ) <samuel@NOsPaM.bcgreen.com> on Monday October 06, 2003 @03:13AM (#7141889) Homepage Journal
    Who the frell is Eddie Izzard???! (excuse the cross-series reference).
    • A cross-series reference is appropriate, as Eddie Izzard is a cross-dresser :)
    • He's a British comedian, noteable for:

      a) being very funny (YMMV of course)

      b) wearing dresses (inspite of a long tradition of straight and gay British comedians dressing in drag he actually is a transvestite- and no apparently he's not gay, he's just a tranny).

      c) telling the least offensive jokes you've ever heard (you've heard the saying- 'comedy is always cruel'?- wrong!)

  • Bah, lies... (Score:4, Funny)

    by Peterus7 ( 607982 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @03:13AM (#7141890) Homepage Journal
    Tom Baker is just saying that because he's bitter that they told him the only part he'd be getting was that of Davros...

  • Doctor... who?! (Score:3, Interesting)

    by NanoGator ( 522640 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @03:15AM (#7141895) Homepage Journal
    "How awesome is that!"

    Doctor who? Doctor WHO?! No, serious, I'm really asking, who's Eddie Izzard?

    • Re:Doctor... who?! (Score:5, Informative)

      by MosesJones ( 55544 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @04:59AM (#7142129) Homepage

      Eddie Izzard is a commando Transvestite commedian Extremely funny, bizarre use of imagery, his act in French is funnier than his English act as his vocab is limited so it just sounds even more brilliant.

      Has done gigs in the US, been in a few films and is generally a bit of an all rounder. As a comic he'd be a sort of cross between Bill Hicks and Robin Williams, some politics, loads of insanity.

      Describes himself as a "militant liberal"... this means you storm the parliment building and start with the words

      "Its okay, we'll pay for all the damages"

  • For my less enlightened countrymen... (Score:5, Funny)

    by Trolling4Dollars ( 627073 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @03:35AM (#7141945) Journal
    Eddie Izzard is this hip comedian from England. If you had an ounce of good taste you would know this.
    • hip or flippant? I remember watching Izzard [tvtome.com] on a parky interview [tvtome.com] with Nigella Lawson [tvtome.com]. Izzard [bbc.co.uk] came across as an ill educated tosser [urbandictionary.com]. He strikes me as being the *least intelligent* of the *doctors*. I don't know but I just can't get my head around a *dress wearing* doctor ... he's not even scottish.

      I guess the best thing to do is wait for his performance. If he is any good I'll eat my words. Interesting that Tom Baker has a positive spin [drwho.org] on Izzard as a choice.
      • I'm still hoping that Alan Davies will get the part. He'd be perfect based on his stint on Jonathan Creek. However, I don't think he will get it simply because of the similarities between Jonathan Creek and Dr. Who. The major one being that Creek is a "hero" of sorts who doesn't use brawn but uses his brain.
  • I've heard three names as possibles for the next Doctor Who. Eddie, Richard E. Grant and Alan "Jonathan Creek" Davies. Fortunately I think they'd all rock in their own special way.

  • i can just see the first episode (Score:3, Funny)

    by boogy nightmare ( 207669 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @04:32AM (#7142073) Homepage
    'oh no the TARDIS is covered in bee's, run charlie run.....'

    ok people, get your quotes out..

  • at least.. (Score:2, Funny)

    by Joff_NZ ( 309034 )
    All of the rumored guys would be good as the next Doctor..

    At least you know it won't be Ben Affleck.....
  • Eddie is an excellent suggestion, particularly when Lenny Henrys name has also been mentioned (I ask you!). Another possibility would be Bill Bailey. He's mad enough but might lack the physical presence.

  • My old "Eddie Izzard" joke gains new relevance... (Score:3, Funny)

    by ayjay29 ( 144994 ) on Monday October 06, 2003 @06:36AM (#7142349)
    When creating the first series:

    Director: We want to do a space-sci-fi-time-traveling show. We need a big spaceship, with lots of flashing lights, and fins and things.

    Props man: This is the BBC, scale it down a bit.

    Director: OK, we need a cheep plastic model spaceship that hangs on wires that we can do cheesy fly-by shots with.

    Props man: This is the BBC, scale it down a bit.

    Director: Well, we need something. What have you got?

    Props man: Well, we have this old police phone box from "Dixon of Dock Green.", it needs a lick of paint but...

  • This story is based solely on some personal thoughts and speculation by legendary eccentric ex-Doctor Tom Baker. Someone has taken certain comments out of context and run with them. Read http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/drwho/2003/10/01/7 1 26.shtml carefully.

    To the best of my knowledge, Tom has no influence on the casting etc. of the new Doctor Who but he often has interesting insights to share (his autobiography is wonderful).

    Personally, I know Paul McGann will be excellent if he has the opportunity to co
  • Does that mean we can have the Gay Daleks [ndirect.co.uk] back, too?
  • The new Dr Who should be Will Smith!

    Unless he's tied up being the next James Bond
  • Now there's a Doctor I could respect, follow, nay, even spit upon.
  • It's good to see an Executive Transvestite really getting somewhere in life!

  • This is JUST SPECULATION (Score:4, Informative)

    by shadowlight1 ( 77239 ) <chris,feyrer&gmail,com> on Monday October 06, 2003 @09:15AM (#7142955) Homepage
    Tom Baker was a great Dr. Who, but lately it seems he is a loon with moments of lucidity. Have any of you read his interview at the BBC?? It's hard for him to remember SEASONS of Dr Who at this point. Or, he was just pretending. Either way, he was a loon in the interview.

    It's much too early methinks (2 years out) for an actor to be chosen for Dr. Who.

    When Big Finnish, who does the Dr Who audio adventures, solicits scripts, they say "write it for any Doctor" and then it is customized to a new Doctor's persona after the actor is chosen. What this means, is any time between now and late 2004 a Doctor could be chosen, even with the script fleshed out. Naturally, to generate the most hype, people will be speculating on the actor (or actress!) to play the Doctor. Paul McGann, the 8th doctor who was in the Fox TV movie, has been quoted as saying he wants a FEMALE doctor this time around, or an African American one -- this doesn't mean it's going to happen -- it's just actors voicing their opinions.

    For the latest Dr Who news the best place to go, IMHO, is www.gallifreyone.com. It's a well-maintained fansite that seems to be tearing through the flurry of speculation and sticking to official BBC press releases.

    I can't wait for the Doctor to be back on TV.

  • For me, the Doctor was and always will be as portrayed by Tom Baker. I guess it's just the age I was and the time that it made it to TV in the US, but Tom Baker is the first Doctor that I saw and the best.

    BTW, he also plays a very interesting Sherlock Holmes.

    Thing I like about Tom Baker is his wonderful sense of humor and style. He'll take a role that everyone expects to be played one way, and take it in some totally new direction. Very interesting actor to watch.

    As for who gets to play the Doctor next,
  • Daleks are called things like Kev or Steve. And you know that they make excellent plumbers because they've got that plunger-arm. Death or plumbing!
  • He seems a bit of a flake.
  • I love Eddy Izzard - but lets face it Its the Dr's assistant that we all care about. She must be hot and able to screem. If she wore short skirts like Teela it would be a real advantage

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