Big Finish Update

Thursday, 31 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Big Finish has issued the cover illustration for the forthcoming fourth "Doctor Who Unbound" storyHe Jests at Scars starring Michael Jayston and Bonnie Langford; click on the thumbnail at right for a larger version. Big Finish also announced today an additional slight delay on the third "Unbound" story Full Fathom Five, which will now be released on August 7. Trailers for both stories can be downloaded from the site. Finally, a new interview with Nicholas Briggs on the BF site confirms a thirdDalek Empire serial, which will be six chapters instead of four and will begin in May 2004. "I know where it starts and where it's going to end... exactly," says Briggs. "And I know more or less what happens in the middle. But it'll be bad luck to spill the beans just now, since it could all changeà I suppose. That's the anarchist creeping in again." (Thanks to Big Finish)

FILTER: - Big Finish

Microsoft Who

Wednesday, 30 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Researchers in the Speech Technology group at software giant Microsoft have developed a technology they have code-named Dr. Who, which "will allow the computer to travel through our living spaces as a handy electronic Hal pal that answers questions, arranges our calendars, and sends messages to our friends and family." Using speech recognition technology, the prototype uses a handheld device that doubles as a web browser, email device and cellphone. "Let's say we are talking on Instant Messenger, and we're talking about where I should take you for lunch. You realize there is a web service out there that is a restaurant guide, and we can probably ask it to join our conversation. Now this web service is not human, still, with Dr. Who we can type text or use speech to talk to this service. So we can ask it to find a restaurant that's a French restaurant, and not too far away from Microsoft. With a spoken or typed text dialog system we extend the horizon of the project." Read the full article by clicking here.

FILTER: - Press

Earthshock DVD: To Delay Or Not...

Wednesday, 30 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

This story has been updated all day long... the following is correct as of 0500 GMT July 31

On July 30 we were contacted by several sources -- notably the Galaxy 4 shop and readers of the ChoicesDirect website -- that the UK DVD release of Earthshock had been pushed back two weeks, to August 18 (instead of August 4). Almost immediately, the BBC websiteBBCi posted a news item stating that BBC Worldwide was denying the report, and that it would be out on schedule, as planned. That was followed in sequence by a note that at least one retailer had received the DVD stock but had been given a note that the DVDs were being recalled; and then information direct from the BBC's own sales website BBC Shop which changed their release date to the delay date of August 18!

Outpost Gallifrey has learned that the situation is, in fact, the initial shipment is missing the enclosed DVD booklet - at least some, possibly all. Retailers that have already received it have been asked to send them back (no obligation but service to customers), and meanwhile BBC Worldwide is now apparently informing retailers that a new batch which includes the booklets will be ready for August 18. We'll keep you updated on further developments. (Thanks to Ben Keywood of Galaxy 4, Tenth Planet UK, Tim Harrison, John Batty, Nathan Baron and everyone else who's written in on this all day!)

Earthshock Update

July 31, 2003 • Posted By Shaun Lyon

BBC Worldwide, contrary to their report which was published yesterday on the BBCi site, is now confirming the delay of the DVD release of Earthshock that Outpost Gallifrey reported yesterday. Worldwide confirms our report yesterday that the discs were missing the interior booklet and that they have been recalled, and that August 18 is the new release date.

FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Fury From the Deep Footage Found!

Wednesday, 30 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Steve Roberts of the Doctor Who Restoration Team this morning posted details of a brand-new Doctor Who footage find from the missing Patrick Troughton serial Fury From the Deep, episode six. Says Roberts:

Andrew Martin down at Windmill Road was recently checking through some reels of old waste film which had been stored away to use as filler and leader material, when he came across 3 mins 32 secs of 16mm negative from the weed creature attack scenes in episode 6, shot at Ealing Studios. The film consists of several near-complete scenes, although they are trims (ie unused takes of the shots that were finally used in the programe) and they are mute. Expect to see them on the next Troughton DVD!

Needless to say, this is terrific news for Doctor Who fans today... another glimpse at a story which is completely lost (except for the audio and some photos)! (Thanks to Steve Roberts, and Steve Manfred for giving us the heads up!)

FILTER: - Classic Series

The Legend, Again

Saturday, 26 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

BBC Worldwide has issued a press release for the forthcoming book Doctor Who: The Legend by Justin Richards, due out November 13. We've covered this book's release in the past, but this provides some interesting details about the book and its contents. Of note is the comment "special celebration planned on air during the anniversary weekend" on UK Gold. We'll keep you posted. (Thanks to Stuart Ian Burns and BBC Worldwide)

DOCTOR WHO: THE LEGEND

Doctor Who epic explores four decades of TV history

What is uniquely British, has its origins in the white heat of the technological revolution of the 1960s, features the most intriguing small screen characters ever to travel through space and time, and celebrates its 40th birthday on November 23, 2003?

It can only be Doctor Who. Last seen on terrestrial television in its original series format in 1989, Doctor Who is still shown twice weekly on UK Gold* and is known and celebrated around the world. To mark the Doctor's forty fantastical years of tea-time travel, on November 13th 2003, BBC Books is publishing Doctor Who: The Legend, a large format lavishly illustrated book that stretches to an amazing 400 beautifully designed pages.

At ú40.00, this epic publication chronicles every one of the 158 television stories, which ran to nearly 700 individual episodes. Each story entry includes a summary of events, new facts about the characters and fascinating behind-the-scenes information. Stunningly illustrated with 500 full colour and black and white photographs, including previously unseen pictures from archives and private collections, this book is a must-have - not only for die-hard Doctor Who fans but for anyone who has a fondness for the show. As well as providing a unique overview of the series, Doctor Who: The Legend includes features on the make-up, special effects, Radiophonic Workshop, and many other behind-the-scenes secrets that have contributed to the massive success of Doctor Who.

The author
Justin Richards met the second Doctor Who, Patrick Troughton, on a visit to the set in 1968 when he was only eight years old. Since then he has built up an encyclopaedic knowledge of the series and is now the BBC Books Doctor Who range consultant. He has written numerous Who-related novels, articles and audio plays, and this summer publishes the first of a new series of children's books, The Invisible Detective (Simon & Schuster).

Publication date: 13th November 2003
Price: ú40.00
ISBN: 0563 486023

* Special celebration planned on air during the anniversary weekend.

FILTER: - Books

He Jests at Scars

Saturday, 26 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Big Finish has announced full details of the forthcoming He Jests at Scars... by Gary Russell, the fourth "Doctor Who Unbound" serial that DWM reported (and we posted) earlier this week. The story explores "what might have happened if the Valeyard had not been defeated at the end of the Sixth Doctor's trial." "Gary had been itching to write a Valeyard story for a long time," says producer John Ainsworth, "and it seemed to be a good fit with the Doctor Who Unbound series." The story was contingent upon Jayston being able to return, which he did with open arms. Also returning is Bonnie Langford as Melanie, but a slightly different version: "Mel is a little bit more gritty a little tougher. ... It's nice to have a Mel who's a little bit more realistic and a little less goody-two-shoes." Also returning are Anthony Keetch (who played Vansell in several Big Finish audios) and Juliet Warner as Ellie Martin (from the Sarah Jane Smith series), who becomes the Valeyard's companion here. The story is due out in August; at right is the current publicity shot and below is the story blurb. The trailer for the story is available on Big Finish's website. Big Finish has also announced that the sixth story, Deadline by Rob Shearman, starring Derek Jacobi, has been moved up to fifth in release order, while Exile by Nicholas Briggs -- the story that will feature a female Doctor -- will now be released last, in October. (Thanks to Big Finish)

He Jests at Scars, by Gary Russell

What if... the Valeyard had won?

The thing about meddling with time is that one moment something is real, the next, it's been erased. Probability become just a possibility. Established truth becomes a theoretical falsehood. Like dominoes, as one timeline falls, the others come cascading down around it. You can engineer new timelines, new possibilities but before long, the distinction between what is, what was, what might be and what never can be becomes blurred.

Out of this grow myths, lies and legends. The Doctor was one such legend, but no one knows whether he truly ever existed. Well, not now they don't. The Mighty One, ruling the multiverses from the eternal city of Chronopolis has made sure of that.

Starring Michael Jayston (the Valeyard) and Bonnie Langford (Mel), with Anthony Keetch (Coordinator Vansell), Tim Preece (the President), Juliet Warner (Ellie Martin), Jane McFarlane (Nula) and Mark Donovan (Gerrof). Directed by Gary Russell.

FILTER: - Big Finish

Big Finish Update

Thursday, 24 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

As we reported yesterday, the newest issue of Doctor Who Magazine notes that, in addition to Michael Jayston and Bonnie Langford as the Valeyard and Melanie (as noted two days ago), the fourth "Doctor Who Unbound" CD He Jests at Scars... from Big Finish, written by Gary Russell, features the return of Juliet Warner as Ellie Martin, a character from the Sarah Jane Smith series of audios (and now, apparently a companion to the Valeyard), and Anthony Keetch as Coordinator Vansell from several BF audios including "The Sirens of Time" and "The Apocalypse Element". The story posits "what if... the Doctor didn't defeat the Valeyard?" DWM also reveals that Rob Shearman's Deadline, starring Derek Jacobi, is about a writer whose idea for a new television series was rejected... but is later haunted by visions of himself as the Doctor. The new DWM issue also mentions that Big Finish has commissioned a third Dalek Empire serial, likely from Nicholas Briggs. More details as we get them. (Thanks to DWM and Gallifrey 5)

FILTER: - Big Finish

Emotional Chemistry

Thursday, 24 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Updated July 25: BBCi has revealed more details about another forthcoming Doctor Who novel,Emotional Chemistry by Simon A. Forward, due out in October. At right is the cover illustration; click for a larger version. Also, the recent interview on BBCi with author Stephen Cole reveals some important details about his forthcoming novel "Timeless," expected to be a lynchpin in the ongoing Eighth Doctor series. Highlight the following spoiler information to read it: Says Cole, "An awful lot happens in Timeless - the TARDIS comes back to Real Earth, Trix is revealed, Sabbath's plan is discovered at last, Anji departs - it was good fun to be moving things along into the last, definite stages of the arc." Apparently, therefore, this marks the onset of actual companion status for Beatrix "Trix" MacMillan, and the departure from the series of Anji Kapoor. The cover blurb for "Emotional Chemistry" is as follows. (Thanks, as always, to BBCi... and by the way, readers: this information isn't in the new Telepress, but it is in the BBCi book release schedule in the "Eighth Doctor" section. Enjoy!)

Emotional Chemistry, by Simon A. Forward

"Love! Surely one of the most destructive forces in the universe. There’s nothing a man – or woman – won’t do for true love."

1812 The Vishenkov household, along with the rest of Moscow, faces the advance of Napoleon Bonaparte. At their heart is the radiant Dusha, a source of inspiration – and more besides - for them all. But family friend, Captain Padorin, is acting like a man possessed – by the Devil.

2024 Fitz is under interrogation regarding a burglary and fire at the Kremlin. The Doctor has disappeared in the flames. Colonel Bugayev is investigating a spate of antique thefts on top of which he now has a time-travel mystery to unravel.

5000 Lord General Razum Kinzhal is ready to set in motion the final stages of a world war. More than the enemy, his fellow generals of the Icelandic Alliance fear what such a man might do in peacetime.

What can bridge these disparate events in time? Love will find a way. But the Doctor must find a better alternative. Before love sets the world on fire.

This is another in the series of original adventures for the Eighth Doctor.

FILTER: - Books

The Two Doctors

Thursday, 24 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Updated July 25: Full details of the forthcoming DVD release of The Two Doctors have been revealed by the newest issue of Doctor Who Magazine. The audio commentary has been recorded with Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Frazer Hines, director Peter Moffatt and guest star Jacqueline Pearce. The "Jim'll Fix It" segment with Colin, Janet Fielding and the Sontarans (and, of course, legendary Gareth Jenkins), is included on the disc, as well as "Behind the Sofa," a 45-minute documentary about the writing of Robert Holmes; "Beneath the Lights," a 25-minute featurette of studio recording footage; "Beneath the Sun," a 35-minute featurette with some of the raw footage shot on location in Seville, Spain; and "Adventures in Time and Spain," an interview with Gary Downie about the trials and tribulations of being a location manager, with particular reference to this story. Also included is a segment from the radio series "Wavelength" on the making of the story, an isolated music soundtrack, production notes, photo gallery and easter eggs. The disc is due out in the UK on September 8. (Thanks to DWM and Gallifrey5, and the Restoration Team for pointing out the error in the original report!)

FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Time Lord Branagh?

Wednesday, 23 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Despite the big picture of Richard E. Grant even in this week's issue of Radio Times, there's still speculation about other Doctors, it seems. From 'The Green Room', Neil Sean's showbiz gossip column in the Tuesday, July 22 edition of 'Metro', the big-circulation UK free paper from the same group as the Daily Mail: "Dr Who fans will be thrilled to hear the BBC is considering turning the classic sci-fi series into a film. And they are thinking of Kenneth Branagh in the role of the Doctor." Of course, this is all part of the usual speculation... (Thanks to Alex Wilcock)

FILTER: - People

Previous 10 Stories

Big Finish Update

Microsoft Who

Earthshock DVD: To Delay Or Not...

Fury From the Deep Footage Found!

The Legend, Again

He Jests at Scars

Big Finish Update

Emotional Chemistry

The Two Doctors

Time Lord Branagh?

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