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How would an actor of larger build fare as the Doctor?


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Old 09-11-2016, 08:55
Kill Jester
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"Amazing" as in "completely rubbish"? One of the most overrated actresses / "comedians" of our time.

I accept she was and is well loved but she would've made about as good a Doctor as Les Dawson.
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Old 09-11-2016, 09:07
johnnysaucepn
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Past actors to play the Doctor have said that the role is quite a physically taxing one - as long as the actor in question is capable of handling that, I don't see that there would be a problem.

And I don't think it's taxing just in the sense of running up and down corridors, although action sequences would still have to be part of the mix whatever unique quirks an incarnation has. I think there's long filming days, and night shoots, and lots of travel.
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Old 09-11-2016, 09:54
Mulett
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Richard Griffiths was considered for the role once.
I remember when I first heard about this, and I was actually a bit horrified.

I have nothing against Richard (who was a wonderful actor) but just thought it wrong that the Doctor might regenerate into a form where he was very obese.

I don't think it would have worked well in Classic Who and I certainly don't think it would work well today in New Who either.

Now, tall is another matter. I'm all for a very tall Doctor.
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Old 09-11-2016, 10:08
Granny McSmith
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I remember when I first heard about this, and I was actually a bit horrified.

I have nothing against Richard (who was a wonderful actor) but just thought it wrong that the Doctor might regenerate into a form where he was very obese.

I don't think it would have worked well in Classic Who and I certainly don't think it would work well today in New Who either.

Now, tall is another matter. I'm all for a very tall Doctor.
Isn't that a bit heightist?

I'd prefer a short one. And not fat. And definitely not female. But not Daniel Radcliffe.
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Old 09-11-2016, 10:55
Mulett
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Isn't that a bit heightist? I'd prefer a short one. And not fat. And definitely not female. But not Daniel Radcliffe.
Yes, short or tall. Just not regular height. So either Robert Carlyle (5'6") or Darren Boyd (6' 4).

What's wrong with Daniel?
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Old 09-11-2016, 11:00
Granny McSmith
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Yes, short or tall. Just not regular height. So either Robert Carlyle (5'6") or Darren Boyd (6' 4).

What's wrong with Daniel?
Nothing. I think he's a good actor, actually. He's just not on my "People I want as the Doctor" list. (Which includes Eddie Izzard and Ben Miller - neither of whom are exactly tall).
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Old 09-11-2016, 11:11
johnnysaucepn
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I have nothing against Richard (who was a wonderful actor) but just thought it wrong that the Doctor might regenerate into a form where he was very obese.
Interesting - why didn't you think it would work?
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Old 09-11-2016, 11:44
Mulett
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Interesting - why didn't you think it would work?
I have been obese and, indeed, very obese for long periods during my life. Although I have reduced my weight over the past few years, It remains something of a struggle for me.

But I know the challenges of being of 'larger build' and it really is basic things like not being able to run properly, struggling to get up out of a chair or getting out of breath just by walking and talking at the same time.

Ultimately if we were to talk about someone like (as an example) Richard Griffiths becoming the Doctor, I personally think the whole show would have had to be changed to accommodate his fitness level and I just don't think that would have worked.

As I recall, Richard was being considered as a replacement for Tom Baker in 1980 and then for Sylvester McCoy in 1989 - here's a picture of him from the second Naked Gun film in 1991 which is about the time he would have been playing the Doctor had the show continued.

Ultimately, the Doctor's life is pretty fast paced (even in Classic Who days) and I think you should always cast an actor who reflects that.

Sorry if I sound sizeist but, as I say, this is based on my own experience.
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Old 09-11-2016, 12:00
Nelson_De_Souza
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I have been obese and, indeed, very obese for long periods during my life. Although I have reduced my weight over the past few years, It remains something of a struggle for me.

But I know the challenges of being of 'larger build' and it really is basic things like not being able to run properly, struggling to get up out of a chair or getting out of breath just by walking and talking at the same time.

Ultimately if we were to talk about someone like (as an example) Richard Griffiths becoming the Doctor, I personally think the whole show would have had to be changed to accommodate his fitness level and I just don't think that would have worked.

As I recall, Richard was being considered as a replacement for Tom Baker in 1980 and then for Sylvester McCoy in 1989 - here's a picture of him from the second Naked Gun film in 1991 which is about the time he would have been playing the Doctor had the show continued.

Ultimately, the Doctor's life is pretty fast paced (even in Classic Who days) and I think you should always cast an actor who reflects that.

Sorry if I sound sizeist but, as I say, this is based on my own experience.
As someone who has also struggled with weight issues all my life, I'm not sure what to make of this. I'm not sure why they'd have to change the role to accommodate someone like Richard Griffiths at all.

At the very most, all I can see if they'd have to cut down the amount of chase scenes, of which there aren't many anyway, or just change them to quick walks for the Doctor and let the companion do the 'running' for the pair of them if you like.

They don't need to make a thing of it within the show. That's how I see it anyway.
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Old 09-11-2016, 13:01
GDK
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General fitness would have an impact on the purely practical production side of things too. PC, as an older actor, has remarked on the physical strain and long hours expected of him in the show. Unlike many other shows, the Doctor is a traditional lead and is in nearly all scenes in nearly all episodes.
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Old 09-11-2016, 13:25
Boz_Lowdownl
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General fitness would have an impact on the purely practical production side of things too. PC, as an older actor, has remarked on the physical strain and long hours expected of him in the show. Unlike many other shows, the Doctor is a traditional lead and is in nearly all scenes in nearly all episodes.
Is that actually the case? I watched Revelation of the Daleks the other day and there was a lot of that he wasn't in. Maybe it's changed over the years. Oh for the days of Mission to the Unknown!
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Old 09-11-2016, 13:34
Mulett
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Is that actually the case? I watched Revelation of the Daleks the other day and there was a lot of that he wasn't in. Maybe it's changed over the years. Oh for the days of Mission to the Unknown!
Revelation of the Daleks is an interesting one - a prime example of what was wrong with the writing of Colin Baker's first season.

The Doctor's presence in this story had virtually no impact on the outcome of events. And that happened a lot during Season 22.

So I think you are right about the Doctor's 'back seat' role in this story but I don't think that's the case over all during the 80s - certainly I think McCoy's Doctor was much more central to the stories and their outcomes. And it is the 7th Doctor Richard Griffiths would have replaced.
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Old 09-11-2016, 13:39
GDK
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Is that actually the case? I watched Revelation of the Daleks the other day and there was a lot of that he wasn't in. Maybe it's changed over the years. Oh for the days of Mission to the Unknown!
Of course there are exceptions. Some stories are "Doctor lite" in which he hardly appears at all. The Doctor (and companion) have much more screen time than individual characters do from ensemble shows, which many shows are today.

I've never actually sat down to count and time the appearances though.
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Old 09-11-2016, 14:01
Michael_Eve
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Revelation of the Daleks is an interesting one - a prime example of what was wrong with the writing of Colin Baker's first season.

The Doctor's presence in this story had virtually no impact on the outcome of events. And that happened a lot during Season 22.

So I think you are right about the Doctor's 'back seat' role in this story but I don't think that's the case over all during the 80s - certainly I think McCoy's Doctor was much more central to the stories and their outcomes. And it is the 7th Doctor Richard Griffiths would have replaced.
Yeah, agree about Season 22 (one of my least favourite of C20 Who) and with 'Revelation...' I suspect it might have had a bit to do with Eric Saward not really rating Colin. Unsurprisingly, there's no love lost there. I always find Mr Saward q annoying when he turns up on DVD extras. Any praise for his era; he'll take that. Any criticism; it's always someone else's fault...usually JNT. He had a right old whine to various publications after he quit the show and even at the time I thought, well, you should've maybe been a bit more assertive, mate?

Griffiths was sounded out to replace Tom, I believe. Not sure how detailed the discussions were or whether it was in case Peter D turned it down? He was a great actor and I think it would've been interesting. But as a fan from '82 I was happy with how things turned out. A big reason I watched was because I liked 'the funny vet bloke who had done 'Once Upon a Story'. Vaguely remember thinking he was called Jim Davidson for a bit.
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Old 09-11-2016, 14:14
Boz_Lowdownl
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Revelation of the Daleks is an interesting one - a prime example of what was wrong with the writing of Colin Baker's first season.

The Doctor's presence in this story had virtually no impact on the outcome of events. And that happened a lot during Season 22.

So I think you are right about the Doctor's 'back seat' role in this story but I don't think that's the case over all during the 80s - certainly I think McCoy's Doctor was much more central to the stories and their outcomes. And it is the 7th Doctor Richard Griffiths would have replaced.
I prefer the stories where the Doctor has more of a back seat to those, like some in the McCoy era, where he is pulling all the strings. In one of the greatest stories of all, Caves of Androzani, his presence is incidental to the main plot.
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Old 09-11-2016, 15:01
MR_Pitkin
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Richard Griffiths was considered for the role once.
I'd quite like Derek Griffiths.
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Old 10-11-2016, 07:03
Theophile
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I cannae believe anyone is still chatting about a female Doctor. No one wants that! He can be cosily chubby and have a few love handles with no problems at all (though dont forget the running. Needs to be doing lots of that unless someone gets him a scooter) but let's put this Lady Doctor nonsense to bed once and for all. When that happens then Doctor Who is the epitome of a sausage thats ready to eat...stick a fork in it! It's done folks! It's done!

Amen. Like I said, if they want a female Time Lord show, there are plenty of candidates already, but leave The Doctor Male.
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Old 10-11-2016, 07:24
Theophile
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Firstly, I simply disagree. So what if an actor is born in a country other than Britain? If they are suited to the part, it would be abhorrent to deny them the job based on their ethnicity. Furthermore... who on Earth is Andrew Dice Clay?
Andrew Dice Clay is an American comedian who had a heyday in the 1980's and starred in a couple of movies (they were bad!). Anyways, he has a Brooklyn accent. Here is a VERY Not Safe For Work video of him.
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Old 10-11-2016, 12:59
The Amazing
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I cannae believe anyone is still chatting about a female Doctor. No one wants that!
I do. But if it's not Katherine Parkinson I'll be very disappointed.
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Old 10-11-2016, 13:36
Mulett
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I do. But if it's not Katherine Parkinson I'll be very disappointed.
Yes, but only if she was playing the Doctor in the same way she played Jen in The IT Crowd.

"TAXI!!!""
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Old 10-11-2016, 17:17
Lord Smexy
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Yes, but only if she was playing the Doctor in the same way she played Jen in The IT Crowd.

"TAXI!!!""
Can we have Richmond as the Master?
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Old 10-11-2016, 19:04
Brandon_Smith
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Yes, but only if she was playing the Doctor in the same way she played Jen in The IT Crowd.

"TAXI!!!""
Surprisingly I only watched like two episodes of season 1 of that show, my favourite one so far is when she gets the new shows and her toes get mangled up , Off Topic but yeah.
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Old 10-11-2016, 22:19
Dennis C
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RTD said he'd never cast anyone over 45 as he didn't think they'd be fit enough. I hope he's eating his words now, Capaldi is a wonderful Doctor and pulls the girls in as much as Tennant ever did. And I've not noticed any mobility issues with his Doctor.

As for Richard Griffiths, well watch any episode of Pie In The Sky, he seems to be able to catch the villains as well as Gene Hunt or Theo Kojak ever could.

Tom Baker said the part was actor-proof. I think he's right.
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Old 10-11-2016, 22:58
Lord Smexy
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RTD said he'd never cast anyone over 45 as he didn't think they'd be fit enough. I hope he's eating his words now, Capaldi is a wonderful Doctor and pulls the girls in as much as Tennant ever did. And I've not noticed any mobility issues with his Doctor.

As for Richard Griffiths, well watch any episode of Pie In The Sky, he seems to be able to catch the villains as well as Gene Hunt or Theo Kojak ever could.

Tom Baker said the part was actor-proof. I think he's right.
When did he say this? I've never heard it before.
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Old 12-11-2016, 17:41
Dean Dare
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Just picture Andrew Dice Clay trying to play The Doctor. I am American and I think that The Doctor needs to remain British.

Yes, I am describing the character, not the actor.

And, yes, The Doctor needs to remain male.

If you want a show with a hyper-competent, hyper-intelligent, hyper-knowledgeable British female (heck, two of them), then do a spin-off with the immortal Clara and the immortal Me. Or do one with The Doctor's Daughter. Or do one with Romana. There are tons of options there. They have all been set up over the years. However, The Doctor needs to remain male.



Edit: P.S., Original Poster, did you have anybody in mind? And, if so, exactly how portly (or fat) are they?

Well said. I've been saying this for ages.
I don't care about size, colour, accent or age but the Doc stays male
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