Thursday Press and Schedule Notes
Thursday, 17 March 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
A lot of developments today on both the broadcasting and press coverage fronts, so I've combined everything into one column:
The BBC's Radio Times listings magazine website has been updated with details for Saturday 26th. It's now got some Doctor Who details up, but also details of another programme that may pull viewers over to BBC1. Doctor Who is to follow the new series 'Strictly Dance Fever'; it's the first major BBC vehicle for popular entertainer (and expensive BBC signing) Graham Norton, and the context is that last year's new big BBC hit was 'Strictly Come Dancing', to which this is the follow-up. Like Doctor Who, it's being very heavily trailed, i.e. is designed to be a big ratings-puller too; in its tone, it's a similar sort of programme to 'The Generation Game', which used to follow Doctor Who as part of the BBC's 1970s 'unbeatable' Saturday line-up.
Also, according to Radio Times, the new Doctor Who series will be repeated every Sunday (the day after the Saturday broadcast) on BBC3 at 7.00pm.
GMTV will be carrying a report from the recent Cardiff launch, featuring interviews with Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper, on their Entertainment Today strand on Friday 18th March 2005 at 8.35-9.30am. This was mentioned by GMTV last week after a similar feature.
Today's issue of The Stage features an interview with actress Penelope Wilton (who will be in the two-part "Aliens of London" story.) "In the revival she plays an MP called Harriet Jones," the article says, "but won't be drawn into giving too much else away. 'I really have been sworn to secrecy on that project,' she says, 'and the director would kill me if I gave away any of the plotlines. But let's just say that I will be using that famous black door at No 10 Downing Street. I've just finished some post-production work and I can tell you that the special effects are just brilliant.' It also says that she has a 'reoccuring role'."
Design Week, a UK design industry magazine covering all forms of 2D and 3D work, has a feature on the new series on the back page under their 'The Week Ahead' strand. Titled 'The Doctor goes space age', reporter Yolanda Zappaterra focuses on the 'look' of the series and features production designer Edward Thomas talking about the various design challenges on the new series, including the use of colour and shape. He also comments on the redesign of the TARDIS interior and the Daleks and also highlights his keeness to use digital effects to bolster, rather than dominate, the overall look of the series. Finally, The Mill effects house is also mentioned at the end of the article where Thomas comments: 'From an art and design point of view, I think we achieved a huge amount...and lots of scary animatronic monsters too!' The article is illustrated with the new logo, a still of the Moxx of Balhoon, a BBC publicity shot of Billie and Chris used on the billboards and a shot of the exterior of the TARDIS. However, only subscribers can access the website.
Today's The Journal calls Doctor Who its "Programme of the Week". "We need to cover this one because very shortly it will no longer be TV nostalgia but TV current affairs," it says. "It's no wonder the show was so popular. It was the science fiction equivalent of a soap opera, airing every week for 42 weeks in its first season and hovering around that number until season seven in 1970 when it dropped to 25 or more usually 26. ... The BBC, in a moment of madness, gave the show up for dead in 1989. After 16 years of hard campaigning from true fans, it"s about to get a new lease of life. Things may have moved on, but you can bet the Daleks will be there. But will they be able to go upstairs?"
The BBC Bradford and West Yorkshire site has posted a nice Doctor Who mini-site in celebration of the launch of the new series by returning to its past; check it out!
In Today's Metro, in "The Green Room" section: "Graham Norton hankered after a role in the new Doctor Who series. 'I did train as an actor so why don't you want me?' he flounced."
An article at Scarborough Today notes that a Sixth Form College student "will be comparing Dalek notes when the old TV favourite Dr Who returns to our screens next weekend." The Dalek she built was on show at the recent Doctor Who Experience at The Green Man Hotel in Malton.
The April 2005 edition of Starburst, on sale now, includes a five-page interview with Mark Cossey, the executive producer of Doctor Who Confidential. There's also a feature on the new Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie, a review of the DVD of The Mind Robber and the announcement of an imminent Starburst "Time Travel Special", with Hartnell and Eccleston on the cover.
The Daily Telegraph today features an interview with Mark Gatiss on his contribution to the new series, his views on Gothic Who and his forthcoming role in BBC3's Quatermass on Saturday 19th March (in the Art and Books supplement). There's also an A-Z of Doctor Who and feature on the links between Quatermass and Doctor Who.
"Doctor Who - In; American Sci-Fi - Out" will be the subject of a report on the Tommy Boyd show on BBC Southern Counties Radio on Saturday, March 26 from 10pm GMT. "In the wake of the predictable death of Star Trek, and the decline of original and compelling American science fiction, Mr Boyd will be celebrating the resurrection of mainstream British sci-fi series Doctor Who," says the report. "Mr. Boyd will argue that now American science fiction is as good as buried, the British have perfected the formula, and will definitely take over the mantel with the new Doctor Who show." You can listen live on the internet via BBC website here.
Today's Newsquest Digital Media feed says that "Little Hulton born actor Christopher Eccleston was always going to be a good Dr Who. The Time Lord's latest reincarnation has former pop songstress Billie Piper as his pretty companion, Rose. And, as a preview of the first episode apparently reveals, has managed to maintain that fun blend of imagination-stretching science fiction perfectly. There are even some genuinely scary villainous types - no mean feat in today's climate of computer-generated horror. Eccleston's acting consistently impresses, but he has one other vital attribute to play the good Doctor: wild eyes and a slightly dangerous air."
Today's Carmarthen Journal discusses a local TARDIS prop in Wales. "Fans of Dr Who are flocking to Carmarthen to have their picture taken with the time lord's Tardis. The world-famous time machine has found its way into the garden of a home in Idole. Some motorists driving through Upland Arms have been so struck by the site of the Tardis they have stopped by Stephen Edwards' home to have their picture taken with it. Mr Edwards, aged 47, has already had more than a dozen visitors, from as far afield as America. ... It is one of only two time machines in Wales; the other is believed to be based in Welshpool. He said: 'I found the Tardis on the internet. There is a site that can make them for you. ... There is a big fan base in America. It takes their breath away. Quite a few people have asked to take photos of it.' The security guard said he decided to buy the Tardis because of his interest in street furniture. 'Our neighbour down the road at the petrol station could not believe his eyes. He thought Dr Who had landed here.'"
The new series is featured on the 'welcome' page of AOL (in the UK), which features the billboard shot of the Doctor and Rose, and the caption "Doctor Who. Time Lord Returns: Meet the baddies!". Clicking on the link takes you to a short photo gallery - the 'blue' publicity photo of the Doctor and Rose released some time ago, the second is a great close-up shot of enemies in action during 'Rose', and the other four are the familiar publicity photos of creatures from the second episode, 'The End of The World'. The article seems to be aimed very much at the young audience.
The Express today notes that several MP's have already had a sneak preview of the new series. "Some were granted a private screening of the new show, starring Christopher Eccleston, in Westminster this week. 'It's another good example of the perks on offer,' says one parliamentary colleague. 'The Doctor has quite a few fans here.' Well, at least he knows he'll get a warm welcome if he ever chooses to park his Tardis on the House of Commons terrace."
(Thanks to John Ryan, Mark Campbell, Stuart Flanagan, Frank Collins, Paul Engelberg, Steve Tribe, Alex Wilcock, Chuck Foster, Matthew Carr, and Roger and Jason at the Tommy Boyd Shrine site)
The BBC's Radio Times listings magazine website has been updated with details for Saturday 26th. It's now got some Doctor Who details up, but also details of another programme that may pull viewers over to BBC1. Doctor Who is to follow the new series 'Strictly Dance Fever'; it's the first major BBC vehicle for popular entertainer (and expensive BBC signing) Graham Norton, and the context is that last year's new big BBC hit was 'Strictly Come Dancing', to which this is the follow-up. Like Doctor Who, it's being very heavily trailed, i.e. is designed to be a big ratings-puller too; in its tone, it's a similar sort of programme to 'The Generation Game', which used to follow Doctor Who as part of the BBC's 1970s 'unbeatable' Saturday line-up.
Also, according to Radio Times, the new Doctor Who series will be repeated every Sunday (the day after the Saturday broadcast) on BBC3 at 7.00pm.
GMTV will be carrying a report from the recent Cardiff launch, featuring interviews with Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper, on their Entertainment Today strand on Friday 18th March 2005 at 8.35-9.30am. This was mentioned by GMTV last week after a similar feature.
Today's issue of The Stage features an interview with actress Penelope Wilton (who will be in the two-part "Aliens of London" story.) "In the revival she plays an MP called Harriet Jones," the article says, "but won't be drawn into giving too much else away. 'I really have been sworn to secrecy on that project,' she says, 'and the director would kill me if I gave away any of the plotlines. But let's just say that I will be using that famous black door at No 10 Downing Street. I've just finished some post-production work and I can tell you that the special effects are just brilliant.' It also says that she has a 'reoccuring role'."
Design Week, a UK design industry magazine covering all forms of 2D and 3D work, has a feature on the new series on the back page under their 'The Week Ahead' strand. Titled 'The Doctor goes space age', reporter Yolanda Zappaterra focuses on the 'look' of the series and features production designer Edward Thomas talking about the various design challenges on the new series, including the use of colour and shape. He also comments on the redesign of the TARDIS interior and the Daleks and also highlights his keeness to use digital effects to bolster, rather than dominate, the overall look of the series. Finally, The Mill effects house is also mentioned at the end of the article where Thomas comments: 'From an art and design point of view, I think we achieved a huge amount...and lots of scary animatronic monsters too!' The article is illustrated with the new logo, a still of the Moxx of Balhoon, a BBC publicity shot of Billie and Chris used on the billboards and a shot of the exterior of the TARDIS. However, only subscribers can access the website.
Today's The Journal calls Doctor Who its "Programme of the Week". "We need to cover this one because very shortly it will no longer be TV nostalgia but TV current affairs," it says. "It's no wonder the show was so popular. It was the science fiction equivalent of a soap opera, airing every week for 42 weeks in its first season and hovering around that number until season seven in 1970 when it dropped to 25 or more usually 26. ... The BBC, in a moment of madness, gave the show up for dead in 1989. After 16 years of hard campaigning from true fans, it"s about to get a new lease of life. Things may have moved on, but you can bet the Daleks will be there. But will they be able to go upstairs?"
The BBC Bradford and West Yorkshire site has posted a nice Doctor Who mini-site in celebration of the launch of the new series by returning to its past; check it out!
In Today's Metro, in "The Green Room" section: "Graham Norton hankered after a role in the new Doctor Who series. 'I did train as an actor so why don't you want me?' he flounced."
An article at Scarborough Today notes that a Sixth Form College student "will be comparing Dalek notes when the old TV favourite Dr Who returns to our screens next weekend." The Dalek she built was on show at the recent Doctor Who Experience at The Green Man Hotel in Malton.
The April 2005 edition of Starburst, on sale now, includes a five-page interview with Mark Cossey, the executive producer of Doctor Who Confidential. There's also a feature on the new Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie, a review of the DVD of The Mind Robber and the announcement of an imminent Starburst "Time Travel Special", with Hartnell and Eccleston on the cover.
The Daily Telegraph today features an interview with Mark Gatiss on his contribution to the new series, his views on Gothic Who and his forthcoming role in BBC3's Quatermass on Saturday 19th March (in the Art and Books supplement). There's also an A-Z of Doctor Who and feature on the links between Quatermass and Doctor Who.
"Doctor Who - In; American Sci-Fi - Out" will be the subject of a report on the Tommy Boyd show on BBC Southern Counties Radio on Saturday, March 26 from 10pm GMT. "In the wake of the predictable death of Star Trek, and the decline of original and compelling American science fiction, Mr Boyd will be celebrating the resurrection of mainstream British sci-fi series Doctor Who," says the report. "Mr. Boyd will argue that now American science fiction is as good as buried, the British have perfected the formula, and will definitely take over the mantel with the new Doctor Who show." You can listen live on the internet via BBC website here.
Today's Newsquest Digital Media feed says that "Little Hulton born actor Christopher Eccleston was always going to be a good Dr Who. The Time Lord's latest reincarnation has former pop songstress Billie Piper as his pretty companion, Rose. And, as a preview of the first episode apparently reveals, has managed to maintain that fun blend of imagination-stretching science fiction perfectly. There are even some genuinely scary villainous types - no mean feat in today's climate of computer-generated horror. Eccleston's acting consistently impresses, but he has one other vital attribute to play the good Doctor: wild eyes and a slightly dangerous air."
Today's Carmarthen Journal discusses a local TARDIS prop in Wales. "Fans of Dr Who are flocking to Carmarthen to have their picture taken with the time lord's Tardis. The world-famous time machine has found its way into the garden of a home in Idole. Some motorists driving through Upland Arms have been so struck by the site of the Tardis they have stopped by Stephen Edwards' home to have their picture taken with it. Mr Edwards, aged 47, has already had more than a dozen visitors, from as far afield as America. ... It is one of only two time machines in Wales; the other is believed to be based in Welshpool. He said: 'I found the Tardis on the internet. There is a site that can make them for you. ... There is a big fan base in America. It takes their breath away. Quite a few people have asked to take photos of it.' The security guard said he decided to buy the Tardis because of his interest in street furniture. 'Our neighbour down the road at the petrol station could not believe his eyes. He thought Dr Who had landed here.'"
The new series is featured on the 'welcome' page of AOL (in the UK), which features the billboard shot of the Doctor and Rose, and the caption "Doctor Who. Time Lord Returns: Meet the baddies!". Clicking on the link takes you to a short photo gallery - the 'blue' publicity photo of the Doctor and Rose released some time ago, the second is a great close-up shot of enemies in action during 'Rose', and the other four are the familiar publicity photos of creatures from the second episode, 'The End of The World'. The article seems to be aimed very much at the young audience.
The Express today notes that several MP's have already had a sneak preview of the new series. "Some were granted a private screening of the new show, starring Christopher Eccleston, in Westminster this week. 'It's another good example of the perks on offer,' says one parliamentary colleague. 'The Doctor has quite a few fans here.' Well, at least he knows he'll get a warm welcome if he ever chooses to park his Tardis on the House of Commons terrace."
(Thanks to John Ryan, Mark Campbell, Stuart Flanagan, Frank Collins, Paul Engelberg, Steve Tribe, Alex Wilcock, Chuck Foster, Matthew Carr, and Roger and Jason at the Tommy Boyd Shrine site)
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