July 05, 2006
The Doctor embraces diversity
Doctor Who's new assistant announced.
Sure, it may be an obvious nod to "diversity", but hey, she's kinda cute, and that's all that matters.
Freema Agyeman, a little-known actress, has secured one of television’s most coveted roles, after being named as Doctor Who’s new time-travelling sidekick.
Agyeman, 27, from North London, will join David Tennant next year, after the Doctor is forced to sacrifice Rose, played by Billie Piper, to save the Earth.
Nice way to slip major spoilers into an innocuous casting announcement, guys!
The BBC, criticised by Greg Dyke for being “hideously white”, has made a commitment to increase opportunities for ethnic minorities through its drama. BBC bosses say that a “diversity deficit” is driving away younger audiences.
Ahahaha.....kids don't give a fuck, mate.....seriously, is this the sort of things old fogeys think young people care about?
Agyeman, who has an Iranian mother and Ghanaian father, will be the first ethnic minority companion in the 43-year television history of Doctor Who — although Sophie Okonedo featured in a 2003 BBC animated spin-off on the internet.
What about that talking penguin? You know, the one that toted heavy machine guns?
....I'm not fucking kidding, either. This companion actually existed.
Posted by Quentin George at July 5, 2006 09:17 PM
You been to London mate? Judging from ny brief visit, she's not representing minorities, she's representing the general London population, which is diverse. And that's fine by me.
Oh. I'd hit it, but hey, it's me.
Posted by: Engels at July 6, 2006 05:31 PMAnd I never realised the "singer" Billie was in the show, though I never watch it.
You read Doctor who comcis?
Posted by: Engels at July 6, 2006 05:33 PM"Judging from ny brief visit, she's not representing minorities, she's representing the general London population, which is diverse."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_Kingdom
Of the entire UK, 2% is of African descent (ie, "black"), London would be much higher, but its still a minority. ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_London
11% of London.
I was actually thinking those of Indian and Pakistan descent as well ie anyone non-Anglo-celtic.
Posted by: Engels at July 6, 2006 06:39 PMThat still leaves 75% as being white.
Posted by: Aidan at July 6, 2006 07:31 PMSo every one out of four assistants should be from an ethnic minority.
When I first arrived in Melbourne, it dawned on me how the show Neighbours (which I do not watch) does not represent Melbourne at all (though maybe it respresents some suburbs though i doubt it). I think the show occasionally has a token Asian.
Posted by: Engels at July 7, 2006 03:00 PMSo every one out of four assistants should be from an ethnic minority.
Of the new series, two of the assistants have been white (Rose and Adam) and two black (Mickey and this new chick).
So they're batting above average.
Posted by: Aidan at July 7, 2006 05:27 PMEDIT:
Actually, Captain Jack was white too. So that makes 3/5 white = 60%.
Still above the stats... ;)
Posted by: Aidan at July 7, 2006 05:28 PMUgh...
Next, The Doctor will regenerate as a woman, and before long it'll look like fucking Sesame Street.
Posted by: Dan Lew at July 9, 2006 11:54 AM