Given what we know (and what we can infer) about what went on during the CB years of the show, I've always found it pretty heartening that he retains more or less the same view and opinion of it as he did when he got the part - it's interesting how the role has affected some actors subsequently and not others in terms of their careers or just their attachment. Now that got me thinking: is playing The Doctor, just another acting job? Or is it something quite different? I watched MS at the Prom with that young boy and he played The Doctor before returning as MS later onstage...TB always said he played The Doctor in public as well as on set...can a role like The Doctor ever be something you can turn off on the way home?
Colin Baker: "I'll never forget Doctor Who" DS News
Originally Posted by JohnFlawbod:
“Given what we know (and what we can infer) about what went on during the CB years of the show, I've always found it pretty heartening that he retains more or less the same view and opinion of it as he did when he got the part - it's interesting how the role has affected some actors subsequently and not others in terms of their careers or just their attachment. Now that got me thinking: is playing The Doctor, just another acting job? Or is it something quite different? I watched MS at the Prom with that young boy and he played The Doctor before returning as MS later onstage...TB always said he played The Doctor in public as well as on set...can a role like The Doctor ever be something you can turn off on the way home?”
“Given what we know (and what we can infer) about what went on during the CB years of the show, I've always found it pretty heartening that he retains more or less the same view and opinion of it as he did when he got the part - it's interesting how the role has affected some actors subsequently and not others in terms of their careers or just their attachment. Now that got me thinking: is playing The Doctor, just another acting job? Or is it something quite different? I watched MS at the Prom with that young boy and he played The Doctor before returning as MS later onstage...TB always said he played The Doctor in public as well as on set...can a role like The Doctor ever be something you can turn off on the way home?”
Take Matt Smith as an example. To a lot of the public he is Matt Smith aka The Doctor and to a degree he does have to play up to that. But to his friends and family he is just Matt Smith as they knew him before he "became" The Doctor
Originally Posted by Verence:
“Take Matt Smith as an example. To a lot of the public he is Matt Smith aka The Doctor and to a degree he does have to play up to that. But to his friends and family he is just Matt Smith as they knew him before he "became" The Doctor”
“Take Matt Smith as an example. To a lot of the public he is Matt Smith aka The Doctor and to a degree he does have to play up to that. But to his friends and family he is just Matt Smith as they knew him before he "became" The Doctor”
Which begs the question: if you were to meet him, would you prefer to meet him or The Doctor? It must be a difficult tightrope to walk.
Tom Baker once stayed in the hotel that I worked in. I was in awe of him! (I was only about 20 at the time). He seemed very much the aloof loner. But it was great to see that when little kids went up to him - he'd put that big cheesey grin on and suddenly act like the Doctor and talk away to them 
He'd just finished as the Doctor in those days, and was filming for ITV's Book Tower series....but the kiddies still knew him as DW! He still had his curly locks then.
Me, personally, would love to meet David Tennant and Matt Smith - as they are in real-life. They seem such fun to be with!
He'd just finished as the Doctor in those days, and was filming for ITV's Book Tower series....but the kiddies still knew him as DW! He still had his curly locks then.
Me, personally, would love to meet David Tennant and Matt Smith - as they are in real-life. They seem such fun to be with!
Originally Posted by JohnFlawbod:
“Which begs the question: if you were to meet him, would you prefer to meet him or The Doctor? It must be a difficult tightrope to walk.”
“Which begs the question: if you were to meet him, would you prefer to meet him or The Doctor? It must be a difficult tightrope to walk.”
Personally speaking I'd prefer to met him as him. If I was 30 years younger I'd probably want to meet him as The Doctor
I know I'm being really stupid and they are probably different from their characters, but I would love them to be their own characters. At the very least I would them to be likeable people (David Tennant was never my favourite Doctor, but I think he is lovely as David Tennant and I would love to have a pint with him in a pub). I'm pleased Matt Smith has become the Doctor and I am relishing the fact that he is the Doctor, but I don't know who Matt Smith is anyway, so I can only go by his Doctor. By all accounts Tom Baker is brilliant as the Doctor but not so great in real life, so I would want to meet his Doctor. Does this make sense?
It always amazes me that Colin Baker has remained so loyal to DW. I wonder if there was ever a time (late 80s / early 90s), when he ever thought he'd just give it up totally. The amount of hatred that was directed towards him, the personal criticisms he received, even jokes about the death of his baby in a fanzine at the time, were horrible. An element of that continues to this day (appearing on this forum sometimes), and it's very unjust. Being named "Worst Doctor" year on year must be very gruelling.
Of course, a lot of that has changed now. New fans are coming in and discovering the old stuff, free of all the baggage that went with it. Big Finish has given Colin a new lease of life. The sad thing is that he had to endure so much, just to get to where he is now.
It's a similar thing with Sylvester McCoy. His interview in the last DWM underlines all of that. I'll long remember Tom Baker appearing on Have I Got News For You?, making a joke about the Doctor changing and saying "if you're unlucky, you get Sylvester McCoy".
A role as promient as DW means you're everyone's target and can never switch off. But, then, I read that Sylvester was at some even or other, and a little kid was terrified of a Dalek. Sylvester became the Doctor and rushed to the kid's aid. Even though that kid had probably never seen the Seventh Doctor, poor old Sylvester knows when his job is called for.
Pat Troughton had it right: keep your head down low and stay quick on your feet ...
Of course, a lot of that has changed now. New fans are coming in and discovering the old stuff, free of all the baggage that went with it. Big Finish has given Colin a new lease of life. The sad thing is that he had to endure so much, just to get to where he is now.
It's a similar thing with Sylvester McCoy. His interview in the last DWM underlines all of that. I'll long remember Tom Baker appearing on Have I Got News For You?, making a joke about the Doctor changing and saying "if you're unlucky, you get Sylvester McCoy".
A role as promient as DW means you're everyone's target and can never switch off. But, then, I read that Sylvester was at some even or other, and a little kid was terrified of a Dalek. Sylvester became the Doctor and rushed to the kid's aid. Even though that kid had probably never seen the Seventh Doctor, poor old Sylvester knows when his job is called for.
Pat Troughton had it right: keep your head down low and stay quick on your feet ...
Originally Posted by JohnFlawbod:
“Which begs the question: if you were to meet him, would you prefer to meet him or The Doctor? It must be a difficult tightrope to walk.”
“Which begs the question: if you were to meet him, would you prefer to meet him or The Doctor? It must be a difficult tightrope to walk.”
Oh, him, definitely.It must be different when he's talking to kids at various events, but if I ever met Matt Smith socially (not at all likely) and he was being excessively Doctor-ish, I'd probably think he was a bit off his head.
Originally Posted by lach doch mal:
“I know I'm being really stupid and they are probably different from their characters, but I would love them to be their own characters. At the very least I would them to be likeable people (David Tennant was never my favourite Doctor, but I think he is lovely as David Tennant and I would love to have a pint with him in a pub). I'm pleased Matt Smith has become the Doctor and I am relishing the fact that he is the Doctor, but I don't know who Matt Smith is anyway, so I can only go by his Doctor. By all accounts Tom Baker is brilliant as the Doctor but not so great in real life, so I would want to meet his Doctor. Does this make sense?”
“I know I'm being really stupid and they are probably different from their characters, but I would love them to be their own characters. At the very least I would them to be likeable people (David Tennant was never my favourite Doctor, but I think he is lovely as David Tennant and I would love to have a pint with him in a pub). I'm pleased Matt Smith has become the Doctor and I am relishing the fact that he is the Doctor, but I don't know who Matt Smith is anyway, so I can only go by his Doctor. By all accounts Tom Baker is brilliant as the Doctor but not so great in real life, so I would want to meet his Doctor. Does this make sense?”
I think are very few actors (let alone Doctors) around at the moment who could walk out on stage at Glastonbury and then kneel down in character in the Royal Albert Hall to reassure a young kid from the audience...I'd def like to meet the (probably fruit-loop) personality behind all that...
...as far as the abuse that CB has suffered down the years, I'd imagine he is more than aware that it's severity doesn't reflect Who fans in general but also, from what he says, is also aware that the flaws in his era were hardly anything to do with him but circumstances/edicts beyond his control: I guess that's what buffers the vitriole (assuming he even bothers reading/listening to it) because it was an acting job he enjoyed and remembers fondly in spite of the many problems.
Actually, I was thinking whilst watching TEOT recently, who is it you're really saying goodbye to when a Doctor goes, the actor or that incarnation? It seems to fit in well with the theme of this thread.
But to answer the question, if the actor concerned dons the costume in a public place, he is The Doctor. If he doesn't, I think he has a right to be himself. That's what I liked about Matt Smith at the proms, he did both, we were allowed to distinguish the difference rather than just Matt Smith as The Doctor.
But to answer the question, if the actor concerned dons the costume in a public place, he is The Doctor. If he doesn't, I think he has a right to be himself. That's what I liked about Matt Smith at the proms, he did both, we were allowed to distinguish the difference rather than just Matt Smith as The Doctor.
I hope readers deserted that fanzine at the time. I presume the editor was lambasted.
Troughton was famously nervous of the detrimental effect a poor outing as the Doctor might have on his career. In his case the producers came to his aid before filmiing started by rejecting his own poor ideas for costume and enforcing something better. When even that was perceived as too clownish they reacted and toned it down. Something of the other way round for CB.
(and please - I am not trying to start an angry flame about the 80's producers - a recent thread had plenty of that and is available for quiet perusal. I'm just pointing out an irony.)
I expect most actors are quite able to leave it behind at the end of the working day (it's a job and it's what they do), but good on them for turning on the charm if a kid approaches. I'm not personally fussed if the Doctor actors are fans of the show themselves or give too much of a monkey's about it. Nice when they do though. CB's commitment is verging on the heroic!
I think I read something about MS saying he started to catch up on Who after getting the role and gives the impression of having enjoyed it (classic Who I suppose, maybe both). If he thought it was tosh but is keeping his opinons to himself - I don't blame him for telling a white lie. Although I doubt he would have been so clear about PT being his favourite if he was. I imagine he can afford to spend much of his leisure time in places where a reasonable degree of privacy and polite distance is the norm (but I have no idea - he might be falling out of nightclubs all the time, of course). If I were him I might be inclined to get a logon for one of those supermarket delivery services. Billie Piper and her husband came out of my local Waitrose with a trolley full of booze once and photos were everywhere (but this was before Rose.)
Troughton was famously nervous of the detrimental effect a poor outing as the Doctor might have on his career. In his case the producers came to his aid before filmiing started by rejecting his own poor ideas for costume and enforcing something better. When even that was perceived as too clownish they reacted and toned it down. Something of the other way round for CB.
(and please - I am not trying to start an angry flame about the 80's producers - a recent thread had plenty of that and is available for quiet perusal. I'm just pointing out an irony.
)I expect most actors are quite able to leave it behind at the end of the working day (it's a job and it's what they do), but good on them for turning on the charm if a kid approaches. I'm not personally fussed if the Doctor actors are fans of the show themselves or give too much of a monkey's about it. Nice when they do though. CB's commitment is verging on the heroic!
I think I read something about MS saying he started to catch up on Who after getting the role and gives the impression of having enjoyed it (classic Who I suppose, maybe both). If he thought it was tosh but is keeping his opinons to himself - I don't blame him for telling a white lie. Although I doubt he would have been so clear about PT being his favourite if he was. I imagine he can afford to spend much of his leisure time in places where a reasonable degree of privacy and polite distance is the norm (but I have no idea - he might be falling out of nightclubs all the time, of course). If I were him I might be inclined to get a logon for one of those supermarket delivery services. Billie Piper and her husband came out of my local Waitrose with a trolley full of booze once and photos were everywhere (but this was before Rose.)
Originally Posted by daveyboy7472:
“Actually, I was thinking whilst watching TEOT recently, who is it you're really saying goodbye to when a Doctor goes, the actor or that incarnation? It seems to fit in well with the theme of this thread.
But to answer the question, if the actor concerned dons the costume in a public place, he is The Doctor. If he doesn't, I think he has a right to be himself. That's what I liked about Matt Smith at the proms, he did both, we were allowed to distinguish the difference rather than just Matt Smith as The Doctor.”
“Actually, I was thinking whilst watching TEOT recently, who is it you're really saying goodbye to when a Doctor goes, the actor or that incarnation? It seems to fit in well with the theme of this thread.
But to answer the question, if the actor concerned dons the costume in a public place, he is The Doctor. If he doesn't, I think he has a right to be himself. That's what I liked about Matt Smith at the proms, he did both, we were allowed to distinguish the difference rather than just Matt Smith as The Doctor.
”
I think it has to be a bit of both, doesn't it? Depending on your age...I remember losing the 3rd Doctor to the 4th Doctor and being mortified but by the time TB was announced as leaving and PD was announced as his replacement, I thought: "Hmmm, not sure he's right to play The Doctor"...oddly, I really liked CB'S opening lines, they filled me with curiosity as to what was to come, sad it never quite reached it's potential.
Originally Posted by JohnFlawbod:
“I think it has to be a bit of both, doesn't it? Depending on your age...I remember losing the 3rd Doctor to the 4th Doctor and being mortified but by the time TB was announced as leaving and PD was announced as his replacement, I thought: "Hmmm, not sure he's right to play The Doctor"...oddly, I really liked CB'S opening lines, they filled me with curiosity as to what was to come, sad it never quite reached it's potential.”
“I think it has to be a bit of both, doesn't it? Depending on your age...I remember losing the 3rd Doctor to the 4th Doctor and being mortified but by the time TB was announced as leaving and PD was announced as his replacement, I thought: "Hmmm, not sure he's right to play The Doctor"...oddly, I really liked CB'S opening lines, they filled me with curiosity as to what was to come, sad it never quite reached it's potential.”
I think when Peter Davison left, I sought of felt the same, i was really saying goodbye to him, he seemed to have been The Doctor for only five minutes when I was young. he came, then he went just as quickly!!!!
Oddly enough though, with Tennant, it did seem to be a bit of both.
Originally Posted by JohnFlawbod:
“I think are very few actors (let alone Doctors) around at the moment who could walk out on stage at Glastonbury and then kneel down in character in the Royal Albert Hall to reassure a young kid from the audience...I'd def like to meet the (probably fruit-loop) personality behind all that...
...as far as the abuse that CB has suffered down the years, I'd imagine he is more than aware that it's severity doesn't reflect Who fans in general but also, from what he says, is also aware that the flaws in his era were hardly anything to do with him but circumstances/edicts beyond his control: I guess that's what buffers the vitriole (assuming he even bothers reading/listening to it) because it was an acting job he enjoyed and remembers fondly in spite of the many problems.”
“I think are very few actors (let alone Doctors) around at the moment who could walk out on stage at Glastonbury and then kneel down in character in the Royal Albert Hall to reassure a young kid from the audience...I'd def like to meet the (probably fruit-loop) personality behind all that...
...as far as the abuse that CB has suffered down the years, I'd imagine he is more than aware that it's severity doesn't reflect Who fans in general but also, from what he says, is also aware that the flaws in his era were hardly anything to do with him but circumstances/edicts beyond his control: I guess that's what buffers the vitriole (assuming he even bothers reading/listening to it) because it was an acting job he enjoyed and remembers fondly in spite of the many problems.”
I think my post might not have been very clear. When I say I would like the Doctors similar to their characters, I mean that I would like them to be as kind and approachable. For instance, it would be shame if Sylvester McCoy was a horrible person in real life, ordering people around and being a general a...hole. Of course it doesn't change their acting abilities and I shouldn't care. I don't read the tabloids so I'm not likely to find out anyway, and I wouldn't approach an actor in the street either. I don't know what Matt Smith is like as a private person (I'm not his friend), any evidence I have seen at the Proms and Glastonbury is promising, but I think he is acting there. There are certain actors I would like to have a beer and chat with, because they intrigue me (Christopher Eccleston is one of them - marathon runner, supporter of MIND(?), in my mind quite an interesting chap). Patrick Troughton I would also have liked to meet as himself, and probably Colin Baker.
Originally Posted by lach doch mal:
“I think my post might not have been very clear. When I say I would like the Doctors similar to their characters, I mean that I would like them to be as kind and approachable. For instance, it would be shame if Sylvester McCoy was a horrible person in real life, ordering people around and being a general a...hole. Of course it doesn't change their acting abilities and I shouldn't care. I don't read the tabloids so I'm not likely to find out anyway, and I wouldn't approach an actor in the street either. I don't know what Matt Smith is like as a private person (I'm not his friend), any evidence I have seen at the Proms and Glastonbury is promising, but I think he is acting there. There are certain actors I would like to have a beer and chat with, because they intrigue me (Christopher Eccleston is one of them - marathon runner, supporter of MIND(?), in my mind quite an interesting chap). [b]Patrick Troughton I would also have liked to meet as himself, and probably Colin Baker.”
“I think my post might not have been very clear. When I say I would like the Doctors similar to their characters, I mean that I would like them to be as kind and approachable. For instance, it would be shame if Sylvester McCoy was a horrible person in real life, ordering people around and being a general a...hole. Of course it doesn't change their acting abilities and I shouldn't care. I don't read the tabloids so I'm not likely to find out anyway, and I wouldn't approach an actor in the street either. I don't know what Matt Smith is like as a private person (I'm not his friend), any evidence I have seen at the Proms and Glastonbury is promising, but I think he is acting there. There are certain actors I would like to have a beer and chat with, because they intrigue me (Christopher Eccleston is one of them - marathon runner, supporter of MIND(?), in my mind quite an interesting chap). [b]Patrick Troughton I would also have liked to meet as himself, and probably Colin Baker.”
[/B
]I'd have loved to have met Troughton as well, think he would have been very nice. Not sure about Hartnell, though. As a kid, yes, but as an adult, not quite so sure. Have Met Colin baker briefly as you know, very nice chap, think you'd get on well Lach!!!!
I've worked with Colin who was fantastic! a great laugh who doesn't take himself so seriously. I did get a hand written letter from TB who was very polite and had very nice handwriting.
Interesting question about the Actor vs The Character. I think this was one of RTD arguments against Multi-doctor stories believing that the focus would be about the actors and not the Doctor. personally i think that's the point. Doctor who isn't like James bond, we all know that he changes and his personality changes which is exciting to watch. Its essentially part of the culture of Doctor who and what makes it unique. I think DT regeneration became more about the actor that the character, only because the fuss that was made was slightly out of step t how the doctor reacted to his impeding regeneration in the past. But hey maybe thats not a bad thing
Interesting question about the Actor vs The Character. I think this was one of RTD arguments against Multi-doctor stories believing that the focus would be about the actors and not the Doctor. personally i think that's the point. Doctor who isn't like James bond, we all know that he changes and his personality changes which is exciting to watch. Its essentially part of the culture of Doctor who and what makes it unique. I think DT regeneration became more about the actor that the character, only because the fuss that was made was slightly out of step t how the doctor reacted to his impeding regeneration in the past. But hey maybe thats not a bad thing
Originally Posted by dvirgo:
“I've worked with Colin who was fantastic! a great laugh who doesn't take himself so seriously. I did get a hand written letter from TB who was very polite and had very nice handwriting.
Interesting question about the Actor vs The Character. I think this was one of RTD arguments against Multi-doctor stories believing that the focus would be about the actors and not the Doctor. personally i think that's the point. Doctor who isn't like James bond, we all know that he changes and his personality changes which is exciting to watch. Its essentially part of the culture of Doctor who and what makes it unique. I think DT regeneration became more about the actor that the character, only because the fuss that was made was slightly out of step t how the doctor reacted to his impeding regeneration in the past. But hey maybe thats not a bad thing”
“I've worked with Colin who was fantastic! a great laugh who doesn't take himself so seriously. I did get a hand written letter from TB who was very polite and had very nice handwriting.
Interesting question about the Actor vs The Character. I think this was one of RTD arguments against Multi-doctor stories believing that the focus would be about the actors and not the Doctor. personally i think that's the point. Doctor who isn't like James bond, we all know that he changes and his personality changes which is exciting to watch. Its essentially part of the culture of Doctor who and what makes it unique. I think DT regeneration became more about the actor that the character, only because the fuss that was made was slightly out of step t how the doctor reacted to his impeding regeneration in the past. But hey maybe thats not a bad thing”
That's weird, because as I said previously, I thought Tennant was a bit of both, but considering he was everywhere last Xmas, I'm surprised I felt that way really! Weird thing was, with Ecclestone, I didn't think much about it being him going, think it was more about how they were going to do the regeneration for the modern age. And maybe as I'm not a great CE fan either, that sort of played a part.
And I can well believe what you say about Colin Baker.
Even though he was my least fave Doctor, I have a ton of respect for Colin, he was treated very badly by people connected to the show at the time, but he is still incredibly loyal to the show in spite of this.
Originally Posted by Muttley76:
“Even though he was my least fave Doctor, I have a ton of respect for Colin, he was treated very badly by people connected to the show at the time, but he is still incredibly loyal to the show in spite of this.”
“Even though he was my least fave Doctor, I have a ton of respect for Colin, he was treated very badly by people connected to the show at the time, but he is still incredibly loyal to the show in spite of this.”
That thread someone started on Colin Baker a couple of months back, that really proved how popular as a person he is amongst the fans even if his Doctor actually isn't, for that he is truly unique!!!!!
Originally Posted by daveyboy7472:
“That thread someone started on Colin Baker a couple of months back, that really proved how popular as a person he is amongst the fans even if his Doctor actually isn't, for that he is truly unique!!!!!”
“That thread someone started on Colin Baker a couple of months back, that really proved how popular as a person he is amongst the fans even if his Doctor actually isn't, for that he is truly unique!!!!!
”
CB'S appearance on the Weakest Link DW Special proved that not only can he laugh at himself, but also at the past which is a rare gift - so glad that TB finally put the ghosts to rest too, as the longest serving (so far) Doctor and fpossibly the most popular, it would have been so sad if he'd slipped away still ignoring the show no matter how good the reasons he had/has.
If Colin Baker's Doctor had been more naturalistic and less exaggerated, without such an awful costume, it might have worked. A lot of the stories in Colin Baker's first season had a lot of potential. Stories like Attack of the Cybermen, The Mark of the Rani and Revelation of the Daleks have plenty of drama and excitement and were generally well made. The others weren't quite as good in my opinion.
Originally Posted by chuffnobbler:
“It always amazes me that Colin Baker has remained so loyal to DW. I wonder if there was ever a time (late 80s / early 90s), when he ever thought he'd just give it up totally. The amount of hatred that was directed towards him, the personal criticisms he received, even jokes about the death of his baby in a fanzine at the time, were horrible.”
“It always amazes me that Colin Baker has remained so loyal to DW. I wonder if there was ever a time (late 80s / early 90s), when he ever thought he'd just give it up totally. The amount of hatred that was directed towards him, the personal criticisms he received, even jokes about the death of his baby in a fanzine at the time, were horrible.”
Sadly, anyone in the public eye has to put up with the occasional weirdo making ludicrous and hateful comments.
