When David Tennant announced his departure from his iconic role as The Doctor in the hugely successful science fiction show Doctor Who, many names were thrust forward as possible replacements.
We’ll mention none of them here; that’s just tabloid fodder. But it’s true to say that on that red-hot list to take over as the last Time Lord, there were veterans, newcomers, the old, the young, the hip, the square, and both men and women.
But at the top of the list, one man stood clear.
Here’s a glimpse of what might have been - Indigo Roth as The Doctor. Part dandy, part two-fisted adventurer, all hero.
The BBC rejected Roth's initial suggestions of a lion, a bear or a badger as The Doctor's new sidekicks. However, the actor went on to suggest Sasha Grey - fresh from her role in Steven Soderburgh’s The Girlfriend Experience - as his leading lady. The Beeb hastily agreed to this, relieved to be free of wildlife, and commenced filming on a pilot adventure with Roth and the energetic Miss Grey in the midst of the French Revolution.Sadly, despite sizzling chemistry between the principals, changes to the script to tailor the role for Roth did not fare well with test audiences. The replacement of The Doctor’s trusty Sonic Screwdriver with a Sonic Pizza Slice was dubbed unnecessary and confusing, and the installation of a Starbucks in the TARDIS control room courted controversy both on and off-screen.
Rumours that iDifficult was approached to play The Doctor’s nemesis The Master to prop up a flagging Second Act remain unconfirmed. Though for what it’s worth, he screen-tested better than John Simm and looked really good in the black Nehru jacket. Roger Delgado would have been proud.
In the end, the BBC pandered to the masses and settled on the younger, viewer-friendly Matt Smith.
Indigo thinks that Mr. Smith will be a winner, and consoles himself that he and Miss Grey will always have Paris.
But it was a very close-run thing.
Indigo
This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2009
You, sir, are my new hero for that picture. Well done, or, as Chridtopher Eccleston's doctor would say, "Fantastic."
ReplyDeleteI know not this Dr. Who but I think that pic is smashing.
ReplyDelete(smashing is a Brit word, right?)
that was great. I think a more mature Dr. would be great. Wonder if Harrison Ford or perhaps George Clooney are up to the job. And yes Indigo you too would have been great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link Joshua
Oh Indigo, you would have been perfect.
ReplyDeleteRoth (point taken re: your name), if it weren't for you I'd never read any science fiction.
ReplyDelete(My brother, Francis is a huge Dr. Who fan, though.)
Hey Joshua! I made it just for you, man! I was so annoyed that I couldn't find a decent, snippable Zygon anywhere! So anyway, I'm glad you like it.
ReplyDeleteHey Jen, thanks for pitching in even though this makes no sense to you at all. To us old Brits, it's our childhood Saturday nights; this show's been around since 1963. And yes, always a delight to be thought of as smashing. The word is sadly falling out of use, and it's one of my favourites.
Hi Laura, welcome to the blog! I must concede I am a tiny bit older than Mr. Tennant, but nowhere near as old as Mssrs. Clooney and Ford. Actually, Clooney was over at iDifficult's place earlier tonight begging for grooming tips. I hope I'll see you over here again.
Hola Ms. Unknown! Bless you, but it was not to be, cheri. I'll just have to stay here blogging til the next role comes up. But man, that was the big one!
Hey Rebecca! I'm happy to inspire, but I must confess I've not read any sci-fi since Alfred Bester's superb THE DEMOLISHED MAN four or five years ago. And I only managed to read one book of any kind last year. As I've often noted, I have bad reading habits.
Thanks one and all! Indigo
Well now, that's the handsome-est Dr. Who I have ever seen!
ReplyDeleteWhat a disappointment that the BBC was not into it. If things got sour at any time during an episode, I am sure Sasha would have found a way to fill the gaps. Pun intended.
I think that's the perviest thing I have written here.
Doctor every time I raise my arm above my head it hurts...
ReplyDeletewell damn. such a missed opportunity!
ReplyDeletewasted iconic one liners:
Roth. Doctor Roth.
Tossed, not pan.
Oh, the things i do for Pizza...
and i think a trademark blue and red dominos booth with would have been absolutely stunning!
Hey Kato! Handsome? You're deranged! Encore!
ReplyDeleteHey 'Difficult, I've had time to consider your condition, and can thoroughly recommend a large deep-bucket pizza with extra everything. Oh, and don't put your arm up.
Hey Eolist! Alas, I shall wander the fourth dimension no more. Well, not til I write about it again. Dammit, I coulda been a contender!
Thanks one and all! Indigo
From now on, you shall be my image of The Doctor. The BBC missed a wonderful opportunity to bring you on board via TARDIS. That said, good luck with Ms. Grey.
ReplyDeleteUm...I meant the idea of you as Dr. Who being science fiction...:)
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to see Sasha Grey in Doctor Who.
ReplyDelete