Ah its not bad - in my book, Billie Piper is now classified an actress and a former pop singer. Perfectly acceptable - can anyone else name any actresses who used to be singers? And turned to be good actresses too?

Anyway, yes, as soon as I read this Peter Kay article on the BBC website, I immediately thought that this has to be a joke - and BBC never tell jokes and dont usually post rumours - so I'm pretty, well, let down about this. David Tennant is a good Doctor and I'd hate to see his Doctor wasted by constant celebs and comedians appearing on the show. Its like the Sylvester McCoy era - his Doctor wasn't bad but the situation worsened by all the comedians and celebs appearing.

Good point Stafs. Billie had her detractors when her casting was announced..me being one of them..but how she proved us all wrong!

As long as he doesn't ask the way to amarillo, i don't care.

Calm Down !!! He hasn't even filmed anything yet. He may be fantastic, he certainly has a huge fan following and this will attract viewers and if anyone wants New Who to go past series 3 then viewers is what we want !!

Like some other posters, I'm far less concerned about this, than I am about excessive pop-culture references. I think Kay could do a good job (and unlike lots of people here, I do think he's funny, so there! ).

VB

The problem as I see it is, getting in all these well known stars will somehow detract from the story itself

There are, I think, too many gimmicks and special guests - will they detract or attract from the series as a whole?

Also, as someone posted over on SFX...

Dalek Bread?!?



VB

Absolutely! This place is turning into OG where everybody slates something without even pausing to think! We know that he will be playing it straight and unless there's anything else of his to compare, why not wait until we've seen it before consigning it to TV hell!

FWIW, I think he's hiarious in Phoenix Nights and some of his stand up routines are also top notch. I also think he can pull this off but, unlike many here, I'm approaching this with an open mind and if he stinks, I'll no doubt say so once I've seen him in it!

Agreed! I know it was a novelty charity record but it got right on my t**s hearing it played so much!

If anyone is interested Billie won best new talent at the TRIC awards.

What like Ecclestone, tennent, callow, collins, head...

He's just another actor whos been given a part in DR who to play someone...

Gettin populare current acting stock into play parts does give the prog some popular appeal, and if the acting is good will not date it.
I mean does anyone expect Maureen Lipman to break into Beattie mode mid episode?

I welcome the inclusion of the people you mentioned above and anyone else who can bring something unique to the part they are cast in Who. We had the amazing Simon Pegg in series one and whilst his performance could not be faltered, there was something lacking in the story which didn't do him justice. Hope that makes sense?

I think a lot of people have been recently concerned by the cameos more than anything...

Imagine the horror in 1969 if they'd cast that comedian fella from The Navy Lark and the Carry Ons... as the Doctor. I mean, that'd never have worked. Ruined the entire show that would!

Slightly off topic Sidrat but interestingly DW was nearly cancelled in the early 70's.

I think it'd be more apt to compare this to Cleese appearing in "City of Death" - a comedian at his peak appearing in a show during its most popular periods. Popular guests wanting to appear on popular shows.

Whereas Ken Dodd appearing was really a case of a has-been comic on a dying sci-fi show.

I guess Hale and Pace were at their peak at the time they appeared on DW, but what a waste.

What you said was tasteless. To compare a casting decision in a bloody tv show with cancer is a twatty thing to do.

So what do you reckon ember..good or bad idea or do you err on the side of caution?

Off topic?

Casting a comedian in a lead role in Dr Who in 1969
Casting a comedian in a lead role in Dr Who in 2006

Oh yeah, see what you mean


And the point at which the show came close to cancellation was the last Troughton year. Pertwee's first year was what turned it around - that and the fact they had nothing else to put in its place

Oh for the love of god, when did DS become the moral high ground?* It was flippant comment, and one which I have no qualms making. Honestly, people, sort it out. I refuse to walk on eggshells in case someone, somewhere is offended. We've all had tragedies our lives, and offence could be taken from an awful lot of comments if one wants to.

And besides that it wasn't a comment about the casting decision, it was a comment about how funny he isn't.

(*really, as opposed to just thinks it is )

Anyway. I don't care much either way about his casting (although I fail to see the point). Simon Pegg played it straight perfectly well - I'm sure Kay will too. He's probably more suited to a straight role than comedy anyway.

Caution: if Kay is used to his full potential in a "serious" mode then great. Wait and see.

Good for her, I think she is great as Rose and I agree with other posts that say her talent came as a surprise.

Ditto! I just hope it isn't a wasted opportunity as what happened when Simon Pegg appeared. Great performance, lousy story and he wasn't featured as much as his talent deserved.

The more I hear about the new series, the more I worry for the show. Such moves will be popular with newspapers and casual viewers, but to me it seems to be making Doctor Who into a pantomine again (like the mid-late 80s episodes). This is the latest in a long line of gimmick casting, following the likes of Trinny and Suzanna, Peggy Mitchell, Derek Acorah and Tricia. Are these people being cast because of their acting ability or because they'll get column inchs in the Sun or Mirror? I suspect the latter. People will argue that it's the only way the series can survive and thrive and perhaps they are right but I want the series to do things because of the story, not for headlines.

You can mix these together and Richard Wilsons appearance last season was a genuinely successful attempt. And maybe I'm jumping the gun and all will be well, I certainly hope so. But everytime I hear something about the new series I cringe and that can't be good.

Again excellent piece of casting and a great performance but it felt as if he wasn't in it long enough. If you are going to get such great talent in then use them!

I thought he was married and had Kids which would make him much more suited to a straight role!



I love the Dalek Bread gag!

"It's the future I tell yer"