I have to admit, I wasn’t on board with Eleven. I still wasn’t over Ten – David Tennant’s version of The Doctor was an extremely tough act to follow – and when I attempted to watch any of the Matt Smith episodes, I’d just end up disappointed and frustrated. I was torn, because I really liked Matt Smith and Karen Gillan in all of the interviews I saw with them, but their characters annoyed me to no end!

Fast forward to present day and the DVD release of Doctor Who: Series 6, Part 1. I watched the episodes, and have to admit I enjoyed them. My main issue with the start of Smith’s run as The Doctor was the stories were a bit too childish for me. I preferred the darker, intense episodes with both Nine and Ten, so the 2-part Series 6 opener was right up my alley with its elements of mystery and suspense, and I was pleased to see the characters have become more endearing rather than annoying. The Silence, the alien threat that The Doctor was up against in “The Impossible Astronaut” and “Day of the Moon” were Ood-level creepy. I’d even be as bold to say they’re almost as creepy as The Gentlemen in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Incorporating Area 51, the Nixon administration and the US space program were really neat touches to the story as well.

There are two “Monster Files”, one on each disc, which feature The Silence and The Gangers. You get a really good behind the scenes look on what went into creating each creature, and learn more about what they are, and the threat that they pose. The Silence are basically parasites that have always been around that can use humans to their will, planting thoughts in people’s minds. It’s an interesting take on the idea of deja vu because when you see them, they immediately wipe your mind so you don’t remember them. I don’t want to give too much away, but you get to see what work of art inspired The Silence, and what went into creating the prosthetics and SFX makeup to bring these aliens to life. The Gangers, short for Doppelgangers, appear in “The Rebel Flesh”, and are they ever a unique looking creature. Several sets of prosthetics had to be created for each actor playing one of The Gangers, and this Monster File gives you a real appreciation of the level of work that’s required for the effects makeup intensive episodes.

I may go back to Series 5 at some point, but for now, these DVDs have actually convinced me to watch the second half of this series, which starts at the end of August. I’d say if you weren’t impressed with Series 5, at least give the Series 6 opener a chance. You might be surprised. This DVD set is a good refresher for those who have already seen the episodes, or the perfect way to catch up in time for the new episodes.

Photo Courtesy of BBC

Here’s a little video of Matt Smith and Karen Gillan – aka The Doctor and Amy Pond – getting down at San Diego Comic-Con last weekend:

New episodes of Doctor Who begin August 27th at 9/8c on BBC America.

Video Courtesy of BBC America

Doctor Who has been renewed. With more Matt Smith.

MTV has canceled Skins.

NBC is finally going to air Friends with Benefits. It will premiere on August 5.

Laurence Fishburne is leaving CSI.

HBO is making a new version of I, Claudius. It’s not clear whether this will be a regular series or miniseries, but I’m excited regardless.

Jennifer Love Hewitt will not be on SVU after all. But Ice-T signed on for more.

I’m sure it shocks you to hear that the new musical show Smash will have soundtrack albums for sale.

The Rob Schneider pilot: still not dead.

TNT has acquired off-network rerun rights to Castle.

Chloe Sevigny will star in a new British series called Hit or Miss; she’ll be playing a transgendered hitman.

More casting news:

90210: Trevor Donovan is leaving (but may return as a guest star).

The Closer adds Curtis Armstrong for a multi-episode arc. And Mark Pellegrino will recur.

Covert Affairs: Jaimie Alexander will recur.

Dexter adds Molly Parker as the sister of Colin Hanks’s character.

Drop Dead Diva adds Brandy for a few episodes.

The Firm makes it official with Josh Lucas.

Harry’s Law: Brittany Snow and Aml Ameen are out.

House of Cards is talking to Robin Wright about a starring role.

Magic City adds Kelly Lynch, Seymour Cassel, and Danny Huston.

Touch adds Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Mazouz, and Danny Glover in starring roles.

Warehouse 13 casts Kate Mulgrew for an arc.

Guest stars!

Covert Affairs: Peter Stormare.

Happily Divorced: Ian Ziering.

Haven: Cristian de la Fuente.

Psych: William Shatner.

Royal Pains: Julie Benz.

Warehouse 13: Jeri Ryan, Sasha Roiz, Alessandra Torresani, Rene Auberjonois, Lindsay Wagner.

White Collar: Madchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook, Robert John Burke.

Doctor Who Photo Courtesy of BBC America

Details of Matt Smith’s Doctor Who contract have been revealed.

According to Wired blog
The Underwire, this past Wednesday, Smith signed on for 3 years with an option for 2 more – all at a cool £1 million (just over $1.4 million US).

This may not seem like much money, and it is less than David Tennant is earning for the same role, but Smith will most likely make up for it in assignments he picks up during hiatus from Doctor Who.

Matt Smith hasn’t even shot a scene yet as the Eleventh Doctor, but the fan mail’s already started, according to
BBC News, and he’s hoping to respond to all of them!

While it hasn’t yet reached the point of fans approaching Smith on the street, he has jumped head first into the deep end when it comes to preparing for this iconic role. He’s put some thought into Eleven’s attire, and if he has a say in his costume, he’s looking to Tom Baker’s incarnation of The Doctor for inspiration. Smith commented:

“I’m a big fan of long coats and rather dashing scarves in everyday life, so who knows?”

I have to say yes, I’ll miss David Tennant, but I am looking forward to seeing Smith take on this role, knowing how intensely he’s preparing for it. I think he recognizes the challenge that lies ahead for him.

I’d like to know what everyone’s thoughts are, a month after Matt Smith was named as the Eleventh Doctor. Is the excitement starting to build for fans now that the initial surprise is over?

BBC announced today that Ryan will star opposite David Tennant in “Planet of the Dead”, one of this year’s four Doctor Who specials, slated to air in April. Exec Producer/Writer Russell T. Davies had the following to say about casting Ryan, and shared a bit about her role:

“Michelle is one of the most sought after young actors in the country and we are delighted to announce that she will be joining the team … As always the script is being kept strictly under wraps – however we can reveal that Lady Christina is a woman with a mysterious past who’s going to have a huge impact on the Doctor!”

I admit, I only know Ryan from her work on Bionic Woman. Even though I wasn’t impressed with the show, I did recognize her talent, and saw her potential. And I’ve heard she was quite good in Jekyll (which I plan to watch in the near future).

What are your thoughts on Ryan potentially becoming the Doctor’s next companion? Personally, I can see her as a great addition, and a fine match for Matt Smith’s incarnation of the Doctor.

Annie Wu at CliqueClack seems to agree with me to a certain point, although she is “worried” they didn’t go with someone “older and rougher looking”, citing Bill Nighy as an example. Ducky at Ducky Does TV wasn’t expecting the new Doctor to be so young, and says it “might take some getting use to”. Jace at Televisionary was surprised as well, but remarked that “it’s perhaps a blessing to cast a relative unknown in the iconic role.”

From what I’ve seen of fan reaction so far, some think he’s too young, others think his brief resume will be a detriment. Some think Smith is cute, while others are still mourning the loss of their beloved David Tennant. I’ve noticed the common thread that there are a significant number of people who are going to wait until they’ve seen Smith in action. An observation made by Televixen reader Sheryl (and mirrored in several other blogs I’ve read) is the whole “Benjamin Button” effect – The Doctor gets younger with each regeneration.

Honestly, I am going to reserve my opinion until I see his debut. With Steven Moffat at the helm, I have no doubt that Smith is in good hands. And keep in mind, hair can always be cut.

In case you missed Matt Smith’s reaction, you can watch the clip HERE.

Matt Smith will be the youngest Doctor ever – at just 26 years old. David Tennant’s successor will make his debut in 2010 for Series Five.

Check out this announcement from the BBC.

More info, and reactions to this news, in a blog post later today! Are you happy with this choice? Comment below and be heard!

Learn more about Matt Smith HERE.