Long time Doctor Who fan. I've seen most of the classic serials, and the entire revived series. I love the new series, and I'm glad that the Doctor has finally found a decent sized audience in the U.S. Christopher Eccleston as the 9th Doctor was a near perfect casting choice to revive Doctor Who. While I thought Eccleston's one-year stint was much too short, David Tennant seized the mantle and did a standout job as the 10th Doctor. The series was at its highest point since the Tom Baker years when Tennant bowed out, and Tennant even began outranking the great Baker on fan polls. It was an impossible task for anyone to replace him.

Right up front, I'll say I'm NOT a fan of Matt Smith. I gave him an honest chance, but he never grew on me. Since the first season, I've been impatiently waiting for the announcement that his time will soon run out, and we can see a regeneration and a new Doctor. That day has arrived.

BBC - Blogs - Doctor Who - Matt Smith announces he is to leave Doctor Who - UPDATED

Most of the comments on the fan sites are bellyaching about Smith leaving. I might be one of the few voices out there cheering his departure.

Now, the conversation has turned to who will the producers cast as the 12th Doctor? Betting odds have already opened, and the two frontrunners are Rupert Grint (from Harry Potter) and Russell Tovey.

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The oddsmakers have also placed 8-1 odds that the next doctor would be a woman. IMO, that would be a bold move. But, regardless, I think they should try to go with an older Doctor this time around. IMO, Tom Baker was THE quintessential Doctor -- he was glib, funny, menacing, flippant, unpredictable, but above all, he had a presence about him. The audience could really believe him when he was mulling matters about the fate of the universe. That's Matt Smith's downfall -- I just don't believe he has the presence to carry that kind of fate. Maybe he comes across as too young. I don't know. But, I think they need someone very different than Smith.

We'll find out soon enough, since Smith's final Doctor Who episode will be the Christmas special. At that point we should see who will play the 12th Doctor, since the regeneration/reveal usually occurs at the end of the episode.