A note from The Inspector

[sivartis]

Hey, guys! First of all, as a fan of both "Community" and "Dr. Who," I am absolutely thrilled to be able to play a role that connects the two. The fervor with which fans have embraced Inspector Spacetime amazes me, and the absolute flood of creativity is positively astounding. Really brilliant.

When I was shooting the bit for the Season Premiere, I said on set (to no one in particular, but anyone who would listen) "You guys should do a whole episode of Inspector Spacetime for the DVD! Or Webisodes!" People were polite but really just focused on getting the green screen lit properly. I knew there was something to it, though, so when I went home, I contacted Eric Loya, my writing partner and the head writer for "Robot, Ninja & Gay Guy", and told him that we should write an episode, so that if I get back on set (I knew it was Abed's favorite show after all, so maybe they'd do more, like "Kickpuncher") I could have the same conversation with one of the producers and follow it up with, "and by the way, here's a script!". Well, we wrote the episode, and it's good, and I have no idea if it'll ever get made by NBC.

All that just leading up to this: I LOVE that this forum exists, and that you guys are creating all this history for the series. Also, it's in my best interest that Inspector Spacetime have some longevity! Maybe a bonafide spinoff or something? But as a fan, I wanted to say a quick note on the subject of writing a good spoof. (Because Eric and I put a lot of thought into these very issues before the rest of the world ever heard of Inspector Spacetime...)

It all comes down to this: The best spoofs poke fun at the concepts and tropes, not necessarily the specific details. Think about Disaster Movies, and how "Airplane" was so much better than "Epic Movie".

In IS terms, it means having a reason for things. Like at first I wasn't fond of the fact that the Inspector had no heart, just because it was the opposite of the Doctor having 2 hearts. But, when there was a reason for it; that his having Associates is a way to fill that emptiness, it becomes a character trait! Brilliant!

On the flip side, tools like sonic wrench or sonic Philips Head sound like gags, you know? We want to poke fun at his do-everything tool, so why not something more like a Swiss Army Knife? I always want to ask, "why?". Why DARSIT? Just because it has the same letters? Lets think bigger! Have a reason...

Also on the list of things I love:
The phone booth size thing. Again, if it was just smaller on the inside because the TARDIS is bigger on the inside, that'd be a gag. But, the Inspector's phone booth changes it's internal dimensions to always be slightly too cozy for it's occupants! Why? Because "friendships formed in the DARSIT are the closest one ever makes." BRILLIANT!!

I really don't want this all to sound preachy. I'm blown away by the love and care that have gone into all this by the fans. I just want it to be as amazing as it can be, and possibly even stand on it's own.

All my very best,
~Trav

[iaminspectorspacetime]

I'm glad you're having fun Trav! We are too.

I agree with you in your post here. I think the trend while we're throwing ideas into this whirlpool of stuff has been that we think of a Doctor Who referenced gag (smaller on the inside, no hearts, etc) as sort of joking about a bit, but then we try to come up with serious reasons as to why this would be canon for IS.

I've noticed a pattern that the more we actually write about him, the less parallel to DW he becomes. Of course we wouldn't want to divert too far from a parody but you're right in that gags < poking fun at the concepts.

We'll be sure to keep this all in mind while we're writing. If you notice one of our ideas starts to sound like an overdone DW joke, poke us around a bit. We'll change it because we want this to be great, not just good and we (or at least I know I do) trust you and your partner's opinions since you guys have a lot more experience with script writing than most of us.

[sivartis]

So, good news is that I shot some more IS tonight for next week's episode of "Community!" This is a big deal. They are VERY aware of the fan's response to IS and were obviously eager to make more. The writers are also aware of the cannon forming and want to embrace it, but are concerned about DW Intellectual Property.

So, I mentioned this in another thread, but they specifically mentioned that the phone booth can't be called the DARSIT (at least, not on network TV). If we want to decide on the name, we need to come up with something a little bit more original. I like what you guys did for SIVARTIS, but even that might not be far enough to appease them. Maybe a poll is in order?

One other specific thing that got a mention is Lily Taylor as an associate. I'm not sure why. Is it just a play on Rose Tyler? It might be the fact that Lily Taylor is an actual actress, and that spooked them. So, we should be careful of that.

Last thing for now (I have to get to bed!). THe Constable's name is Reggie. I'm not sure why he's credited as Reggie, but only referred to as "Constable", but there it is. Derwin Jordan plays him.

In a general way, it's good that IS is becoming it's own universe, apart from DW. I think that serves it best, and will offer more longevity. So let's keep thinking along those lines.

ttys!
~T

[kenjindomini]

OMG that's fantastic!
Lily taylor is supposed to just be a play on Rose. Personally, I like the name lily but could care less if her last named changed.

I'll make a post to the DARSIT topics looking for suggestions. Then we can make a poll.

I will correct the wiki in a bit with the constable's first name, and add a picture.

[iaminspectorspacetime]

I can see why they'd want to keep it from DARSIT...we can come up with something for TV.

Lol I didn't realize Lily Taylor was an actual person! No, her name is just a play on "Rose Tyler". We could make it something else, though personally I really like the first name of Lily. It's pretty and while it makes a nod to Rose's name, it's not similar sounding or rhyming so it can stand by itself. Plus I think Lily > Daisy.

[sivartis]

I like Lilly, too. I think it's rather clever. And I like playing off of "Tyler", but maybe we're a bit more vague about it. Something that would be a very improbably real name, like Lily Terrier or something.

Lily Skylar. Lily Tyler Moore (if we want to be cheeky). Lily Lively. Lily Tasker.

More?
~T

[L Lawliet]

I was gonna say Lily Sylar, but then she'd be obligated to cut open people's brains and poke them.

Lily Mylar?

[iaminspectorspacetime]

I like Lily Skylar, or Lily [some last name that starts with 'T' but doesn't sound like Tyler].

[kenjindomini]

I think, of the examples listed, Lily Terrier was my favorite. Terrier as a word is very beautiful and very french/majestic. At the same time Terriers are extremely British, no?
When addressing her parents with honorifics, Mr. Terrier, Mrs. Terrier., I think it flows better than Mrs/Mr. Skylar.
Obviously these are the only possible last names ever. Having found one I like I'm too lazy to think of other suggestions

[grindlebone]

And Lilly Terrier is odd enough to be memorable, but no so strange as to keep people from suspending belief.

Also, terriers are known to be, forgive me, dogged in pursuit of things. That could be a signifier of her character...

[leitzankatan]

like Vimes is "Vetinari's Terrier"

[grindlebone]

Now that Wuffles has died, yeah...

[onetruekester]

That's one of the primary drives that brought me here, however late. TMNT started as a Daredevil parody, and became so much more. I'd love to see Inspector Spacetime attain a life of its own also. Excited to do whatever I can to help.