Doctor Who Mania Hits New York!

Doctor Who Mania Hits New York!

15th Apr 2010

The line started as early as 6.30am, with Jody Harkaby from Queens first in the queue clutching her sonic screwdriver and raggedy Doctor action figure. She was soon joined by another eager fan, Dan Ennis. He'd travelled some 400 miles from upstate in Buffalo in order to make the premiere.

The new series launches with The Eleventh Hour and an exclusive screening for a limited number of New Yorkers was held in an 'old' time movie theater - the East Village. Now a historic landmark, the cinema started life in 1921 as a "Yiddish" live performance venue explained manager Edward Joyner. Rather fittingly today the actors who play the Doctor (Matt Smith) and Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) showed up to meet everyone in person and watch the episode with them. And the fans didn't disappoint either as there was a standing ovation as the stars of the show - Matt and Karen along with Head Writer and Executive Producer, Steven Moffat entered the auditorium.

Tonight's host was Whitney Matheson aka Pop Candy, the pop culture columnist for USA Today. Whitney chaired a most eclectic post screening celebration. The tone was set earlier during the screening as fans cheered when the Doctor exclaimed "I'm definitely a mad man with a box". Karen was delighted with audience reaction. "It's incredible,' she told the audience. 'We didn't know what to expect, it's really overwhelming."

"Big yourself up New York!" said Matt as he wrapped himself in a scarf reminiscent of the Tom Baker era. Steven brought the discussion bang up to date urging surfers to go online to see that "there are people uploading videos of themselves eating fish fingers and custard".

There was some debate about the Eleventh Doctor's regeneration scene. As Matt explained that dust and rubble had tumbled down and his need to spit was real, Steven recalled that the casting vote to keep the 'spit' in the final cut was made by Russell T Davies.

The most controversial discussion centred on a questioner's suggestion to fix the chameleon circuit. Matt explained to newcomers to Doctor Who that this broken feature kept the TARDIS exterior design fixed, as a police box. Matt championed the view of the vocal majority in the theater rejecting any change - "No boo no!" Steven added that of course the Doctor could repair it if he wanted, he just likes the blue - "It is always going to be a police telephone box."

A host of media outlets were in attendance including some 'Brits' - gmtv's New York correspondent Carla Eberhard met many of the fans - some dressed as Doctors and one in Amy Pond's policewoman / kissagram outfit. Doctor Who Confidential will feature highlights of the tour in a future edition.

BBC America channel premieres The Eleventh Hour on April 17 at 9pm Eastern Time Zone. As a special bonus it is preceded by The Ultimate Guide - an introduction to the whole world of Doctor Who for new viewers.

With their time over on the East Coast, Matt, Karen and Steven departed to pack their bags for their next destination - Hollywood.

We'll have more images and updates on the action in the US soon!