-- Dr. Who Goes Toon

The long-running and once-respected British sci fi series Dr. Who has become a cartoon, with acting out of 60s comic action TV and music out of 50s drama.

The time-travelling Doctor, now played by David Tennant, would be better played by Jackie Chan. Tennant's Doctor is always terrified and in a panic. The villains are comic and the plots are preposterous.

Nearly all the nine previous actors to play the Doctor played him with a certain British savoir-faire, not quite James Bond but always with a certain cocky elegance. The previous Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, was second only to the classic Doctor, played by Tom Baker in the late 60s. Baker's Doctor was a kind of Edwardian fop, but he instilled confidence.

With him you sensed that the good guys would survive the episode. With Tennant the feeling is that only a visit from Jackie Chan, in a jokey furor as he busted up a hotel lobby, would save the day.

Rumor is that Tennant will quit soon to make his way to Hollywood. This is good. Chris Tucker could use a like spirit to play off. Time for an 11th Doctor. I suggest the producers hire Kim Possible.