I think that the fact Doctor Who has become a big deal - and you can attribute that to RTD's genius or the prime time slot and big budget, depending on how much you love the former executive producer/head writer means that it's a role that isn't going to be held for any length of time... I personally feel that they should be pinning down the actors that take the part for some reasonable period of time... 4-5 years, seems sensible.
But then, you always get the cast moaning on about the gruelling shooting schedule. I suppose if you had to spend the better parts of 6 months a year in Wales, you might think it was gruelling too.
Unlike most people, I'm familiar with Smith from his time on Party Animals, somewhat hard to judge him from that as the show was itself - quite non-descript but he was a decent actor.
I'm hoping that Moffat is going to take us in a different direction with him because I'm sick of the Doctor being a big ol' Mary Sue pussy. Can't bring himself to wipe out the Daleks - after they destroyed his ENTIRE CIVILISATION FOREVER - but sure, some people chasing him through time are all suitable for a fate worse than death? And his "I have to give them a chance" in The Poisoned Sky was a lot more idiotic than suicidal.
But then, having grown up watching the re-runs of Pertwee and Baker and watching the twilight of the old show with McCoy... I suppose I'm still expecting something that is portioned out in little packages with abundant cliffhangers and not just handed out in 40 minute slices, that are generally self-contained.
And I hate the fact the companions can just go home/ call home every five minutes... or the fact the TARDIS can just materialise in Rose's flat just like that... Whether Moffat will choose to continue these trends or distance himself, remains to be seen and I think, it probably a more important issue for the future of the show than the choosing of Smith.