Today show to visit Doctor Who; Meredith Vieira to cameo

[Guy Gardener]

So we're thinking about some sort of video diary of her day(s?) on the set shown as a segment, palling it up with monsters, followed by a few cast members on the set of the Today Show forwarding the brand?

In the extra features on one of the earlier dvds they had a blue peter segment, they were showing off Pertwee's new "hover car" and the girl presenter was taking the piss of coshost boy presenter: Peter Purvis wo had played a companion against Hartnel some years earlier.

She went on and on about how bad his hair had been in the 60s.

Everything is relative.

 

[DimesDan]

More Americans have heard of Meredith Viera than Doctor Who. That's why this makes sense PR-wise. Obviously, they're making a big push to get Doctor Who beyond obscure-cult status or at the very least, push the ratings up and make more money. They'll always be handicapped by being on BBC America, which isn't a standard basic-cable station so people should moderate their expectations accordingly.

All this hooplah is interesting from an entertainment business perspective. They're doing all the right things, so why should anyone complain?

is there? then happily prove me wrong. Unless you're thinking of review threads from the press which really isn't the same thing now is it.

It's cute that you're getting all defensive over such a trivial matter.

Mr Awe

Of all the things someone's ego can be threatened by, the Today show wasn't on the top of my list!

As always, your insight into the entertainment business is very "insightful".

As for my ego being brused, it may seem other wise, but yeah, because Doctor Who will appear on an obscure programme with an obscure presenter is far from it.

No one else cares about the Royal Wedding angle? Okay. Noted.

Personally I think it is massive waste of time and money. I find it both amusing and disturbing in equal measures that we here in Blighty and it seems the wider World have such a boner over a wedding.

I do hope though that the weekends news is dominated by the wedding. Having the whole of the Royal Family plus dozens of other dignatories, plus the normally busy streets of London being even more manic does make a mighty big target.

is there? then happily prove me wrong. Unless you're thinking of review threads from the press which really isn't the same thing now is it.

It's cute that you're getting all defensive over such a trivial matter.

Mr Awe

Yeah, this thread is strange. There have been plenty threads for cameos from British personalities. Richard Dawkins, that newscaster from AoL, all of those folks who appeared in Army of Ghosts...

I suspect that I've fallen prey to a wind-up.

Yes it is and I'm somewhat sorry. Looking back it seems I upset a few people from saying that Today and this Meredith Viera woman were each obscure. And to be honest, they are to me and that's the direction I was coming from.

I still don't recall similar threads like this, but then again, the episodes you mentioned were before I joined.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I'm baffled as to why this is such a big deal for people. It's not like it's Oprah Meredith is somewhat popular I'm sure and familiar to North American audiences but it probably isn't such a big deal over there.

 

[DimesDan]

I'm baffled as to why this is such a big deal for people. It's not like it's Oprah Meredith is somewhat popular I'm sure and familiar to North American audiences but it probably isn't such a big deal over there.

Are you on about the royal wedding or her apperance on Who. If the former, then what you said doesn't really make much sence.

If the latter, that's why I've called her obscure and the programme she presents obscure because I have no idea who she is, nor the programme she presents.

Oh and if it is the latter, I wouldn't call less than 6 people discussing this here as a big deal.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

If his Location is accurate Mirrorball Man is in Switzerland. Not sure if he would be watching an American game show. He mightr have watched Wer wird Millionär?, which was not hosted by Meredith Vieira.

It is accurate and no, I would not watch an American game show, a German game show, or any game show, really.

 

[Cyke101]

I'm baffled as to why this is such a big deal for people. It's not like it's Oprah Meredith is somewhat popular I'm sure and familiar to North American audiences but it probably isn't such a big deal over there.

As if it must be Oprah or nothing? There are scales of popularity, y'know. No one's expecting someone like Oprah in Doctor Who, but then again, no one was expecting someone like Meredith Vieira either, and that's why people are talking.

Now, if it was Jon Stewart, this whole board would get supercharged all over the place.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I wasn't comparing the two people's popularity...Oprah just a name off the top of my head. My real point is that this isn't such a big deal as everyone in this thread is making it out to be. I like Meredith and it will be interesting to see her cameo on the show but it's truly not a big deal. I'd feel the same way about Jon Stewart and I'm a huge Stewart fan.

 

[RoJoHen]

Meredith Viera is a really random person to choose for a cameo. My only thought is, "Why?"

Because she's one of the two main anchors of the Today Show, a program that's almost always beaten its morning competitors for the past sixteen years in the US and counting. If it wasn't her, it probably would've been Matt Lauer. It's also an exchange: Vieira will cameo, and the Today Show will run some sort of piece on the show, requiring a visit to the set. The Today Show tends to try to be more international (at least in terms of content) than its competitors.

I feel like you're getting awfully defensive of Meredith Viera.

I honestly couldn't care one way or another if she's in the episode. It just seems like an odd choice. Of all the American "celebrities" to choose from, we get her?

Plus, I have a feeling her normal audience is not the same as the Doctor Who audience, so nobody is really going to care about her cameo.

 

[Guy Gardener]

It's called synergy.

You have to hook the new fish somehow.

 

[Cyke101]

I wasn't comparing the two people's popularity...Oprah just a name off the top of my head. My real point is that this isn't such a big deal as everyone in this thread is making it out to be. I like Meredith and it will be interesting to see her cameo on the show but it's truly not a big deal. I'd feel the same way about Jon Stewart and I'm a huge Stewart fan.

You're right, it's not a big deal at all, by virtue of it being a cameo. But on the same token, because it's not a big deal, I really don't see why people feel the need to go to lengths to complain about it either.

Meredith Viera is a really random person to choose for a cameo. My only thought is, "Why?"

Because she's one of the two main anchors of the Today Show, a program that's almost always beaten its morning competitors for the past sixteen years in the US and counting. If it wasn't her, it probably would've been Matt Lauer. It's also an exchange: Vieira will cameo, and the Today Show will run some sort of piece on the show, requiring a visit to the set. The Today Show tends to try to be more international (at least in terms of content) than its competitors.

I feel like you're getting awfully defensive of Meredith Viera.

I'd prefer her to Lauer. Ten years ago I would have preferred Ann Curry, but she just got... I don't know, more vapid.

But above all, Brian Williams. He's great in everything.

I honestly couldn't care one way or another if she's in the episode. It just seems like an odd choice. Of all the American "celebrities" to choose from, we get her?

But because the cameo coincides with the show's visit to the UK, she was chosen out of convenience then. It's by coincidence that it's someone like Vieira.

Plus, I have a feeling her normal audience is not the same as the Doctor Who audience, so nobody is really going to care about her cameo.

But that's sort of the point of the interview -- to get more people to watch the show to begin with. And one of the reasons for a worthy cameo is to give weight to a program (in this case, at least weight to an American audience).

On a personal note, my high school US history class would always open by watching the first 10 minutes of the Today Show. Now, this was well before Vieira joined, during the days of Katie Couric, but it was a fun way to start class. If I was in high school today and I had the same teacher, I'd go absolutely bonkers about the cameo. Is that nerdy? Why yes, thank you for noticing

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

On a personal note, my high school US history class would always open by watching the first 10 minutes of the Today Show.

Really? You watched a morning television show in your history class? That sounds completely insane. What was the point of that? Shouldn't have you been spending that time, you know, learning history?

 

[Cyke101]

On a personal note, my high school US history class would always open by watching the first 10 minutes of the Today Show.

Really? You watched a morning television show in your history class? That sounds completely insane. What was the point of that? Shouldn't have you been spending that time, you know, learning history?

Our teacher would link how discussion of that day's events would mimic discourses in the past. And frankly, it wasn't difficult for her to connect modern day events and politics to the day's lessons, either. For example, the Clinton impeachment trials were in full swing, so obviously that dominated the news, but the trials were dependent on both houses of Congress, so we'd have to look into voting procedures, the histories of political parties, and the nature of checks and balances. If a war somewhere broke out and the US became involved, we'd look into the powers of war as outlined by law and previous instances of US intervention.

In an age before Youtube and streaming video, it was a great way to keep the course materials relevant, keeping students interested. After all, history is really just one big, ever-growing tapestry Thanks, Miss Dawson!

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Anyone see this? According to the TV listings it was today (no pun intended) but I didn't see it in time to catch the segment. EDIT: Referring to the Today show coverage not the actual cameo obviously...

 

[23skidoo]

It didn't air today but they did run a teaser showing Meredith discussing a scene with Matt Smith in the TARDIS and acting out a scene (presumably her cameo) with Alex Kingston. The segments are scheduled to start airing on Monday and will also feature them appearing on a Japanese show by the looks of it.

And incidentally, for those poo-poohing it, this is a HUGE deal. The Today Show is the No. 1 morning show and reaches an audience about 10 times that of Craig Ferguson.

Alex

 

[DimesDan]

And incidentally, for those poo-poohing it, this is a HUGE deal. The Today Show is the No. 1 morning show and reaches an audience about 10 times that of Craig Ferguson.

Alex

As has already been established, it's a big deal State side, in no way shape or form can it be called a big, let alone HUGE deal this side of the pond.

TVAM at one point used to be highest viewed morning programme here and that was shite, so saying it's the No.1 morning show really doesn't mean much.

 

[23skidoo]

As has already been established, it's a big deal State side, in no way shape or form can it be called a big, let alone HUGE deal this side of the pond.

Except among the many who want to see Doctor Who become more established in America with the mainstream, as has been repeated time and time again in magazines, blogs, interview shows, etc.

Much as I like Craig Ferguson, he's not mainstream. The Today Show is as mainstream as you can get. Pretty much the only thing that would top it would be in fact for Smith to appear on Oprah or something.

Alex

 

[Sci]

And incidentally, for those poo-poohing it, this is a HUGE deal. The Today Show is the No. 1 morning show and reaches an audience about 10 times that of Craig Ferguson.

Alex

As has already been established, it's a big deal State side, in no way shape or form can it be called a big, let alone HUGE deal this side of the pond.

Depends on your goal. If your goal is to see the show continue to grow its audience, it's a huge deal. If you don't care about growing the show's audience, then it's not a big deal.

 

[GabeHimself]

This was clearly a lost opportunity.

The cameo should have been Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, Alex Kingston and a box of wine.

 

[Turbo]

This was clearly a lost opportunity.

The cameo should have been Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, Alex Kingston and a box of wine.

No.

Just...no.

 

[Guy Gardener]

A blue box of wine?

And they're stumbling about after they finished it looking for a wholesalers for a replacement but instead they find the biggest blue box of wine in the world (obviously not the biggest, but hush.) and they try to tap it.