Doctors.jpg

...Houdini.

Or at least, that's the codename the BBC is using. Or at least, that's what I think is what's going on, but I can't confirm it from official sources yet, because fucking bullshit, that's why:

1) An announcement is planned sometime today.
2) That announcement will explain that there is an event happening on Sunday that will unveil the next Doctor.
3) There is an embargo for the announcement of the announcement regarding the event.
4) The embargo is up at midnight tonight, U.K. time

What the fuck is going on here? Why are there embargoes being placed on press releases about announcements for events to announce an actor in a role? Not to actually announce the actor. Just to announce there is an actor. BBC realizes that press releases are for releasing, yes? Is this another example of misplaced focus on the part of production companies, who treat the advertisements for their product with more care, importance, and passion than they do the product itself? "Don't you dare share our trailer! Don't you take pictures of our theater standees! Don't tell people we're going to tell people what person we've cast to play a person!"

If only you gave 1/3rd of a turd about the product itself as opposed to whether people on the internet are sharing your commercials without permission.

Thanks to the internet being the internet, someone at Metro.co.uk accidentally posted the announcement of the announcement before the embargo to announce the announcement of the announcement was up. Fearing vicious British retribution, they yanked the page, and proceeded to the nearest corner, teeth chattering, breath hitching, as their chilled soul curled into the fetal and waited for a right proper flogging.

Thanks to the internet being the internet, Metro's fuckup was screencapped, and the text was copy+pasted. After the jump if you still care.

Doctor_Who.png
  • Twitter user @Boffy93

The wait is almost over for Doctor Who fans, as the identity of the next actor to play the Doctor is to be revealed in a special one-off Doctor Who Live broadcast on BBC One this Sunday August 4 at 7pm.

In front of a live studio audience, host Zoe Ball will unveil and interview the 12th person to play the Time Lord, one of the most coveted roles in British television.

The half hour programme will feature Doctors old and new, companions, special guests and celebrity fans, all taking place against the backdrop of a swirling vortex with Daleks and the TARDIS stationed in the studio.

Earlier in the week the BBC disguised the show in the TV listings, scheduling a fake ‘Celebrity Mastermind’ in the 7.30pm-8pm slot.

Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor will end months of speculation over who will be taking over from Matt Smith, with Peter Capaldi, Ben Daniels, Ben Whishaw and David Harewood having all been linked with the role, though an unknown actor is perhaps far more likely.

Executive producer Steven Moffat said : ‘The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who’s taking over the TARDIS. For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking twelve.’

Moffat and Smith will both give interviews during the show, commenting on the role and what they believe it takes to play the Doctor.

Fans in America will be able to watch the unveiling live via simulcast on BBC America.

Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One said : ‘BBC One is the home of big live events and this special live show is the perfect way to reveal the identity of the next Doctor and share it with the nation. The Doctor is a truly iconic role and I’m more than excited about the booking.’

Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning meanwhile, revealed how they have been using the codename Houdini for the actor.

He said: ‘We can’t wait to unveil the next Doctor with everyone live on BBC1 on Sunday night. Amongst all the speculation and betting, there has been lots of fun and intrigue at work as we’ve been using the codename Houdini as a decoy! It’s the biggest secret in showbiz, even those working with the new Doctor on other projects at the moment have no idea they are in the presence of the 12th incarnation.’

Rory Kinnear had also been tipped as a possible Doctor, but after insisting that he won’t be joining the show his denial was compounded by his signing up to ITV drama Lucan, which films at the same time.

Currently, bettors in the U.K. (and yes, there is money changing hands over who will be announced) have placed 2:1 odds on actor Peter Capaldi, who is best known as Malcolm Tucker from In the Loop, but played a Roman in a previous episode of Doctor Who, and a government flunky in the Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood: Children of Earth.

Capaldi.jpg

I'm still pulling for one of the choices from my previous article, for the only reason anyone wants to be right on the internet: To rub it in everyone else's face.

Plus, I still think Richard Ayoade is the best bet. But I'm obviously not suited for the business of making television, because I'm the kind of idiot who thinks commercials are for watching, not hiding from people.