The triumph of intellect and romance over brute force and cynicism

December 1, 2010 3:38 PM

The "lost" footage of the Craig Ferguson "Doctor Who" intro SLYT
posted by fearfulsymmetry (64 comments total)

craigyferg is OUTRAGED, OUTRAGED HE SAYS
posted by Rhaomi at 3:42 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

I can't believe this is real. I was getting more and more convinced as the episode went on that there wasn't actually a big opening, and he was just fucking with us by describing all the amazing work that went into it.

I'm so glad I was wrong, because this is awesome!
posted by quin at 3:43 PM on December 1, 2010 [4 favorites]

Well, that happened.






It still had better special effects than most episodes before the eighties.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 3:46 PM on December 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

I kiss you, fearfulsymmetry. I kiss you hard.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:47 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Hell yes! That waiting... It paid off!
posted by painquale at 3:50 PM on December 1, 2010

I can't believe this is real. I was getting more and more convinced as the episode went on that there wasn't actually a big opening, and he was just fucking with us by describing all the amazing work that went into it.

Ditto. I totally thought it was just a joke.
posted by juv3nal at 3:51 PM on December 1, 2010

You know, that simple shtick continues to amuse me beyond all measure. I know it's just goofy dancing and half-assed puppetry, but there's something so gleefully silly about it that it makes me smile.

Thank you, Craig Ferguson and company!
posted by Sidhedevil at 3:54 PM on December 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

Meanwhile, this Monday night's ending bit (and entire zany episode) rocked. Only Craig would invite the Plagiarizing Frenchman to do a large guest spot.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:54 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Awesome.
posted by brundlefly at 3:55 PM on December 1, 2010

Remember. I zig when you zag bee- atches.

Between this and Arthur showing up on the show... thank you late night gods.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 3:55 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

For those of us who don't know the back story...

...um, what is the back story? Was this intro suppressed because the Beeb didn't want the Who theme music used or something? And how long ago was it shot?
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:56 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

That.
Was.
Awesome!
posted by jazon at 3:57 PM on December 1, 2010

I really do love Dr. Who.
posted by nola at 3:57 PM on December 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

Craig Ferguson will always be my late-night television host of choice. His mix of sloppy production values and ingenious improvisation hits my sweet spot to a ridiculous extent.
posted by JimBennett at 3:58 PM on December 1, 2010 [13 favorites]

what is the back story?

They were supposed to have the cold open start with said above clip. The producers didn't procure the rights to the Doctor's theme music, so they had to trash the cold open. The episode instead started with all characters standing around and Craigy cussing up a storm about his producers in a beautiful, kind-hearted imma kill you sort of way. And then some hoping about how it would get leaked onto youtube.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 3:59 PM on December 1, 2010 [5 favorites]

The opening of the show that aired 11/16/2010, the Doctor Who show. (SLYT)
posted by Mister Fabulous at 4:02 PM on December 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

It was shot on Nov. 16 -- the show that night had a Dr. Who tribute theme, with Matt Smith and uber-fanboy Chris Hardwick as guests.
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:04 PM on December 1, 2010

Somehow it was EXACTLY what I expected in form and content, yet its message and enthusiam exceeded anything I thought possible. The short one sentence summation of what Doctor Who is about from the song (see the title of the post) . . . it's just so perfect . . .something in my eye . . .
posted by KingEdRa at 4:10 PM on December 1, 2010

If I ever stayed up past 11 PM, I would totally watch Craig Ferguson. Best Dr Who theme interpretive dance ever.
posted by GuyZero at 4:10 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

That was awesome! The interview itself was pretty cute, too.
posted by jnaps at 4:23 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

I suspect that if we somehow made a post that included Craig Ferguson, The Doctor, The Muppets, and Lady GaGa being patted down by the TSA, while protesting Don't Ask Don't Tell, The MetaFilter would implode...
posted by schmod at 4:27 PM on December 1, 2010 [7 favorites]

Oh yay, that was wonderful. And not just because it featured Matt Smith looking floppy-haired and adorable.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:28 PM on December 1, 2010

One question:

What's with the gigantic shuttlecock in the background?
posted by The Confessor at 4:33 PM on December 1, 2010 [4 favorites]

Ferguson is such a mixed bag. I just don't get the love for the openings, most of which just seem like a bunch of students arseing around in a manner that's hilarious to them and leaves everyone else utterly cold, which the clip in question exemplifies this for me. I find his US-love/Scotland hate grating and reminiscent of a religious convert basking in the glow of already-granted salvation.
And yet...many of his monologues and interviews are insightful, amusing and touching, sometimes all at the same time. He can be candid to the point of tear-jerking, spontaneously hilarious and compassionate, and all without the contrivance so obvious on much of TV. So much so that I still like watching him, because at this best he's as good as anyone on TV, and someone like that should be indulged every now and then.
posted by Jakey at 4:41 PM on December 1, 2010 [3 favorites]

That music isn't the Doctor Who theme, it's the Orbital cover of the Doctor Who theme (from the album The Altogether)... which I suspect is a bunch easier to clear than any of the BBC versions.
posted by Hogshead at 4:48 PM on December 1, 2010

I find his US-love/Scotland hate grating and reminiscent of a religious convert basking in the glow of already-granted salvation.

I agree. The man's got the stank of the Wee Free about him. I'm sure I'd like him better if he was still the Rab C. Nesbitt style boozer he claims he once was, as opposed to the born-again presbyterian Hollywood media celeb he now represents.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 4:50 PM on December 1, 2010

I teared up watching this. Thank you so much.
posted by lumpenprole at 4:56 PM on December 1, 2010

Jakey: "I just don't get the love for the openings"

He raffled a leather boy.
posted by boo_radley at 4:59 PM on December 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

His lyrics to the theme are better than mine, which are just:

"doc-tor/doct-tor/doc-tor/doctor who-oo/doc-tor/doct-tor/doc-tor/doctor who-oo
doc-tor-who/doc-tor-who/doc-tor-who/DOC-tor-who/doc-tor-who/doc-tor-who/DOC-tor-who

Doc-TOR WHOOOOOOO DOC-tor whoooooooo/DOCTOR whoooDoctor Who/To-o-or Whooooooo
Doc-TOR WHOOOOOOO DOOOOC-TOR WHOOOOO/He is the Doctor/ The Doctor who is/doctorwho/DOCTOR WHOooooooooooooo!

Doc-TOR WHOOOOOOO DOC-tor whoooooooo/To-o-or WhoooooooDoc-TOR WHOOOOOOO DOC-tor whoooooooo

Doc-TOR WHOOOOOOO DOC-tor whoooooooo/To-o-or Whooooooo

Doc-TOR WHOOOOOOO DOC-tor whoooooooo/DOCTOR whoooDoctor Who/To-o-or Whooooooo
Doc-TOR WHOOOOOOO DOOOOC-TOR WHOOOOO/He is the Doctor/ The Doctor who is/doctorwho/DOCTOR WHOooooooooooooo?"
posted by piratebowling at 5:06 PM on December 1, 2010 [31 favorites]

It took longer than I thought it would for this to pop up. Late Late Show is the only late night show I watch with any regularity. I love the cold opens that feature music or Sid the Bunny.

He had a pretty good interview with Dwayne Johnson last week where they were wrapping up but then they both started talking about Willie Nelson. Late Late Show is looser than the other shows - especially with the interviews. Yes, things get plugged. However, there aren't as many boring repeat stories as you get on the other shows.

I love Craig Ferguson.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 5:09 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Craig Ferguson will always be my late-night television host of choice.

Mine too.

My favorite moment is from one of the emails and twitter segments. He pushed a paper off the desk, as he usually does after reading an email, but the paper curved in mid air and came back to rest in the middle of the desk. The look on Craig Ferguson's face was priceless. I must have hit the replay button on my dvr remote close to 30 times.

I've tried to find a clip of that on youtube without any success.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 5:15 PM on December 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

That was true television goodness. Thank god there are unscrupulous people in the organization who might have leaked it to the internet.

If only I could stay up late enough, I'd watch Ferguson more often. He's easily the best of the network talkies.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:20 PM on December 1, 2010

That is quite the V-neck you've got going there, Matt Smith.

All I can think on seeing that sailor is "Allons-y, Alonzo!" and the goodbye scene for Jack Harkness...
posted by maryr at 5:20 PM on December 1, 2010

Doo-wee-ooo!
It's DOC-tor Who!
He's got a TARDIS, and I want one too!

He is whooooo
The Daleks hate!
That's why they want to
Ex-term-in-ate!

(c) Sidhedevil and her brother, circa 1974. All rights reserved.

There's more, but I am sparing you. Also the Star Trek song.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:35 PM on December 1, 2010 [15 favorites]

His lyrics to the theme are better than mine

You wrote "Doctorin' the TARDiS"?
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 5:43 PM on December 1, 2010 [5 favorites]

You know what? This is downright ridiculous.

AND SO AWESOME
posted by meese at 5:50 PM on December 1, 2010 [4 favorites]

Those of you who keep saying "I don't stay up late enough, but if I did--" the show has an official YouTube channel that has each episode chopped into about 10 minute segments and then uploaded (currently 1,153 segments so far). You really can have your cake and eat it too.

Or something.

Wait...

*ding-dong*

Someone's at the door!

IT'S SECRETARIAT!

*dances*
posted by tzikeh at 6:34 PM on December 1, 2010 [9 favorites]

Wow, you know, that...actually does sum up why that show is great. Intellect and romance vs. brute force and cynicism. Craig Ferguson just figured out why something's been popular for fifty years, in like...a goofy song. Which is all part and parcel of why Craig Ferguson is awesome.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 6:52 PM on December 1, 2010 [5 favorites]

OK, this is brilliant.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:11 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

a bunch of students arseing around in a manner that's hilarious to them and leaves everyone else utterly cold

If that left you cold, you are dead inside.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:29 PM on December 1, 2010 [5 favorites]

Man. That last bit about how Doctor Who is really ultimately about the triumph of intellect and romance over brute force and cynicism actually almost brought a tear to my eye. I'd never heard the show's basic conceit expressed so elegantly before. Thanks for this!
posted by saulgoodman at 7:38 PM on December 1, 2010 [8 favorites]

I was trying to put my finger on what it is that I like about this guy. Whatever it is, there seems to be a shortage of it in our society these days.

Jakey said it: "compassion."
posted by klanawa at 8:30 PM on December 1, 2010

Speaking of Doctorin' The Tardis, I was at the Chicago Tardis (Midwest Doctor Who convention) this weekend and picked up a mint condition copy of that album on vinyl for $8. It was the best deal ever, I would have dropped 10x that.
Also I loved this when I saw it all over Twitter this afternoon I couldn't wait to get off work and watch it. It did not disappoint.
posted by MrBobaFett at 8:31 PM on December 1, 2010

I was trying to put my finger on what it is that I like about this guy. Whatever it is, there seems to be a shortage of it in our society these days.

Jakey said it: "compassion."

If you haven't seen it (or even if you have), here's his "Why I will not make fun of Britney Spears" speech.
posted by Lexica at 8:58 PM on December 1, 2010 [11 favorites]

I've been considering getting a Doctor Who tattoo for a while lately. Though I haven't found the right one, "The triumph of intellect and romance over brute force and cynicism" is the closest I've found, though it's a tad wordy.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:33 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

MrBobaFett -- though my visit to ChicagoTARDIS did not mean I walked away with any vinyl, I did spend Saturday night drinking beer with -- or more accurately giving beers to -- Terrance Dicks. And for that, I am... still speechless.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:35 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

That last bit about how Doctor Who is really ultimately about the triumph of intellect and romance over brute force and cynicism actually almost brought a tear to my eye. I'd never heard the show's basic conceit expressed so elegantly before.

My thoughts exactly! I actually pointed at my computer and yelled "THAT!"
posted by brundlefly at 10:46 PM on December 1, 2010

"The triumph of intellect and romance over brute force and cynicism" is kind of the vibe that attracted me to the Blue and Green. Some days it holds true; others, not so much. But days with exuberant Craig Ferguson clips are among those good days.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 11:32 PM on December 1, 2010 [3 favorites]

Watching the Matt Smith ep got me going on a Craig Ferguson binge on Youtube. I generally like his interviews way more than his other bits, so that's what I was concentrating on. I was thinking about doing an FPP on some of my favorites (focusing on Kristen Bell, who is clearly Craig's favorite guest), but I'll just dump the links here:

Kristen Bell has been on probably more than any other guest. They have a great chemistry and it's clear they both really enjoy doing the show together. Things start off a bit tentative in 2005, but their rapport quickly develops: 2006, 2007 interview, 2007 segment with Wolfgang Puck loaded with double entendres.

She appears 4 times in 2008: February parts 1 2, April parts 1 2 (includes Kristen demonstrating her wonky eyes), September, December (with Wolfgang Puck again) parts 1 2.

2009 starts with February, parts 1 2 (which includes Kristen getting sawn in half and an intro by Neil Patrick Harris). Then October. December brings an appearance in a sketch with Paul Shaffer and an "interview" in the 1000th episode spectacular.

So far in 2010, Kristen appeared in April, parts 1 2, and starts a "rivalry" with Geoff, Craig's new robotic sidekick. Then in September she was part of pretty much the entire show: interview, tweetEmail, introducing Sarah McLachlan, and show ending. A few days later Kristen confronts Geoff on the red carpet.

Craig always has lots of fun with fellow Scots on his show. Gerard Butler has been on in 2005, 2007, and 2009. (Also a brief sketch in 2009.)

The goofiest though are probably when Ewan McGregor is on. 2008 parts 1 2 (an unbelievably hilarious "broken" sketch). 2009 parts 1 2. And another show from 2009, but I can only find parts 2 and 3 online.

And finally Craig's sister has made a couple of very funny appearances, both in 2008. First. Second parts 1 2.
posted by kmz at 11:43 PM on December 1, 2010 [33 favorites]

I love the cold-open musical numbers and refuse to apologize for it. There's something I find irresistible about seeing a middle-aged Scotsman do a lip-sync version of "Oops! ...I Did It Again", throwing everything he's got into it and not giving a damn how top-to-bottom ridiculous the whole enterprise is. (He uses it to close his current live act, accompanied by Chris and Jeff from the TV show, and at this point their choreography is fucking tight.)

I'm going to miss the show when he eventually gets bored with it and moves on to something else, but that's part of the appeal -- that he likely will, in fact, get bored with it and move on to something else. Unlike, say, Leno or Letterman's interminable declines into comfort and irrelevance.
posted by Lazlo at 12:24 AM on December 2, 2010 [3 favorites]

Craig always has lots of fun with fellow Scots on his show.

Billy Connolly
posted by Philofacts at 1:24 AM on December 2, 2010 [1 favorite]

If that left you cold, you are dead inside.

Can we not get into judgement calls about whether someone is "dead inside" because something just plain isn't their taste? I didn't dig the Doctor Who thing either, and I don't dig a lot of his other scripted bits because I always feel he's kind of...trying too hard. (I loved the Istanbul/Constantinople one, though.) But I wouldn't go so far as to say that the people who do appreciate that are "too easily amused", because...well, it'd be mean.

What's wrong with just, "well, feh, I like it, so more for me then"?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:46 AM on December 2, 2010

What's with the gigantic shuttlecock in the background?

That's a Dalek. (well, the outer shell of one at least.)
posted by samsara at 5:12 AM on December 2, 2010 [1 favorite]

fine...
posted by sercan37 at 5:18 AM on December 2, 2010

Wow - I didn't realize he did goofy intros like this. As a parent, my first immediate thought is that I can NEVER let me children see these....

Why?

... they would never go to sleep again - they already acuse us of being able to stay up late to see cool stuff, if they see this, then they will automatically think ALL late night TV is as good ... (and they are just not that ready for such vast dissapointment...)
posted by jkaczor at 6:20 AM on December 2, 2010 [3 favorites]

What's with the gigantic shuttlecock in the background?

Craig Ferguson introduces the Dalek to the American public
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 7:26 AM on December 2, 2010 [2 favorites]

MCMikeNamara that's pretty awesome, I ran into Terrance wandering around the convention way more than any of the other guests, except maybe the Big Finish people. I always said hi, but then had no idea what to say after that. I always miss out on these, later on in the bar stories since I don't stay at the hotel I drive in from Chicago everyday. Maybe I should try staying out there one year.
posted by MrBobaFett at 10:54 AM on December 2, 2010

in the 1000th episode spectacular

That was the best. I watch Craig fairly often, depending on the guests, but I would watch every episode if he did nothing but puppets all the time.
posted by juv3nal at 11:25 AM on December 2, 2010

I've been considering getting a Doctor Who tattoo for a while lately.

A friend of mine has the Seal of Rassilon on her ankle. The main thing that's keeping me from getting one is a phobia of needles.

I don't know diddly about Ferguson, but "The triumph of intellect and romance over brute force and cynicism" is fantastic.
posted by immlass at 12:04 PM on December 2, 2010

Can we thank WikiLeaks for this? And if not, remind me what of value they've delivered?
posted by bicyclefish at 10:17 PM on December 2, 2010

Craig's show is the first time I've see a talk show host interview one of his ex-girlfriends.
posted by Tenuki at 11:03 PM on December 2, 2010 [2 favorites]

The interview with Matt Smith reminds me of the initial fan reaction to the BBC announcing he had the role -- the early press photos were really weird -- he looked like they were trying to turn the Doctor in to Edward Cullen, and all the fans were asking "what the hell?"

But then a week or so later, after the first interview came out and people got a glimpse of his character and mannerisms, the fans started saying, "Ohhhhhhh. Okay, now we get it."
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:08 AM on December 4, 2010

Just in case anybody's still checking the thread: Kristen was on again last Friday! Three different segments: parts 1 2 3.

And I've just found out Donald Glover's been on quite a few times recently: interview in May, tweetEmail a few weeks later, tweetEmail again in September, and another interview in October.
posted by kmz at 3:29 AM on December 6, 2010

I'm still checking the thread! I really really really enjoyed all those Craig/Kristen clips, made me lol a few times, specially when Wolfgang puck was also on.

I came back to the thread sort of hoping for some sort of update from you (kmz) and here it is!
posted by CrazyLemonade at 10:43 AM on December 9, 2010