The 12th Doctor arrives in town, and the sonic screwdriver is passed to Peter Capaldi. Following the exit of Matt Smith, the 55-year-old Scottish actor Capaldi was chosen to guide the T.A.R.D.I.S. on its journey through time and space. Capaldi will make his first appearance as the Doctor in the Doctor Who Christmas Special at the end of 2013, marking Smith’s swan song in the role. Fans will get to see him one more time, though, when he stars with Jenna Coleman, John Hurt and David Tennant in the 50th anniversary special plus An Adventure in Space and Time, a dramatic film depiction of Doctor Who‘s creation in the 1960s. The first episode aired on Nov. 23, 1963, the day after the assassination of JFK.
But some people are waiting for another type of actor: a woman! And who are those people? Well, Dame Helen Mirren, for one. “I do think it’s well over time to have a female Doctor Who,” she chimed, adding “I think a gay, black, female Doctor Who would be the best of all!” And there are other Doctor Who fans who have been encouraging its producers to consider a black leading man like Idris Elba, star of the BBC crime series Luther and the HBO drama The Wire, or David Harewood, of Showtime’s Homeland; or even Academy Award-winner Helen Mirren herself (see above), or Olivia Colman, who stars in the British murder mystery Broadchurch, which, coincidentally, also stars the 10th Doctor, David Tennant.
The TVJ is more concerned with who will be the new companion. If there is a prayer in Gallifrey, the powers-that-be should return The TVJ’s favorite side-kick, Catherine Tate, as Donna Noble.
Lindsay, Lindsay, Lindsay
No, this is not about Lindsay Lohan’s foray into chit-chat with the Big O, but her subbing for Chelsea Handler on Chelsea Lately. Last Monday, for the first time in a long time, she was in charge, bantering with a panel of comedians and chatting with Dylan Bruce, star of Orphan Black. At one point, she picked up a newspaper with the headline Lohan Needs Therapy, said “Yeah,” then tossed the paper behind her, calling her 90-day stay at a California rehab center “a lovely court-ordered vacation in Malibu.” She also cracked, “How come when Kanye acts like an idiot, he gets a gold record, but when I act like an idiot, I get a police record?” She took shots at herself and laughed along. She did a great job as the world watched. She’s a talented kid who can either end up on top of the world, or on top of a garbage heap. She looked good. She looked healthy. She looked sober. Let’s hope it lasts.
OH…NO!!!
Yeah, that’s right. The oh-nly reason the TVJ even watches Grey’s Anatomy is Sandra Oh (Cristina Yang), who will be leaving the series at the end of this, their 10th season. Well, maybe it’ll be their final season so the TVJ won’t have to suffer an Oh-less Grey’s.
A FEW LAST THOUGHTS…
Time-Warner and CBS: Seriously? You put out a great show like Under the Dome and then nobody who has TW can see it? Everyone needs to grow up and stop being so money-hungry. That’s why online TV is the wave of the future. The TVJ will not be amused if this isn’t resolved by the time Big Bang Theory returns!
Best TV Moment of the Week: A-Rod getting beaned in Beantown! He had it coming and we were all watching this creature who has shamed the memory of Yankee greats, starting with Lou Gehrig, get what he deserved. He is a disgrace to baseball and the powers that be should strip all these juiced players of their records and return 61* to Roger Maris.
And…don’t even get me started on Al Jazeera TV! Next time, the new TV season.
THIS JUST IN: On a sad note, the TVJ reports the passing of former Disney star Lee Thompson Young at the age of 29. Best known for playing Jett Jackson on the Disney Channel series, Young’s most recent role is as Detective Barry Frost in TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles. The following statement was released from TNT:
Everyone at Rizzoli & Isles is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young. We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man. He was truly a member of our family. Lee will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved him, both on and off-screen, for his positive energy, infectious smile and soulful grace. We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to his family, to his friends and, most especially, to his beloved mother.
The actor’s longtime manager Jonathan Baruch, confirmed that Young comitted suicide: “It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning. Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed. We ask that you please respect the privacy of his family and friends at this very difficult time.”
