Box Set CommentariesBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 16 August 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Commentaries have been recorded for the forthcoming Doctor Who Series One Box Set due out in November. DWM notes the following commentaries have been recorded for each of the 13 episodes (noting that one, "The Long Game" had not yet been recorded at press time):
  • Rose - Exec producers Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner, producer Phil Collinson
  • The End of the World - Collinson, Will Cohen (visual effects)
  • The Unquiet Dead - Mark Gatiss (writer), Euros Lyn (director), Simon Callow (Charles Dickens)
  • Aliens of London - Gardner, Cohen, David Verrey (Joseph Green)
  • World War Three - Collinson, Helen Raynor (script editor), Annette Badland (Margaret Blaine)
  • Dalek - Rob Shearman (writer), Dave Houghton (VFX supervisor), Nicholas Briggs (Dalek voices), Bruno Langley (Adam)
  • The Long Game - Langley, Brian Grant (director), Christine Adams (Cathica)
  • Father's Day - Paul Cornell (writer), Billie Piper (Rose), Shaun Dingwall (Pete), Collinson
  • The Empty Child and The Doctor Dances - Steven Moffat (writer), John Barrowman (Jack), Houghton
  • Boom Town - Collinson, Barrowman, Badland
  • Bad Wolf - Davies, Gardner, Collinson
  • The Parting of the Ways - Barrowman, Gardner, Piper




FILTER: - DWM - Series 1/27 - Blu-ray/DVD

Tennant Webchat WednesdayBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 16 August 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

David Tennant will participate in a web chat on the CBBC website from 5.30 to 6.30pm on Wednesday 17 August; the site is currently taking questions from readers of the BBC sites for him to answer. Tennant is expected to appear soon after he visits the "Blue Peter" set on Wednesday.




FILTER: - David Tennant

Dalek WatchBookmark and Share

Monday, 15 August 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Scificollector has sent us this image of a new Doctor Who "Dalek watch" due out later in the year; the site also contains details about some of the other products coming out soon, as well as a page for the Character Options range. "As an extra incentive for Outpost Gallifrey readers," says Scificollector, "we will add a free signed Doctor Who print of either Tom Baker, Peter Davison or Sylvester McCoy worth £15 on request only for all orders over £50 placed on these Autmun/Fall launches. Stock is expected after 12 September. The request must be stated at the time of purchase, and if ordering by internet this must be stated in the Additional Comments section." You can click on the image at right to see the artwork for the new Dalek watch.




FILTER: - Magazines

Davison in Nebulous 2Bookmark and Share

Monday, 15 August 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Nebulous, the sci-fi comedy series written by Graham Duff (who wrote the Big Finish audio "Faith Stealer") and produced by Baby Cow for BBC Radio 4 returns for a brand new series in Spring 2006... and special guest star Peter Davison plays Dr Diplodicus in the episode "The Deptford Wives". Says the press information from Radio 4 sent to Outpost Gallifrey: "The year is 2099 and eco scientist Professor Nebulous (Mark Gatiss) discovers that the recent spate of male deaths are all down to one thingà.Deptford Wives. Nebulous sets off to save the world's husbands by tracking down Dr Diplodicus at his bride-breeding sanctuary 'Wife-assic Park'àand comes face to face with a herd of wild Stephanies, and a two hundred and fifty foot Vanessa." More details on the exact broadcast date when we get them.




FILTER: - Audio - Peter Davison

BBC Kids CanadaBookmark and Share

Monday, 15 August 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

The BBC Kids advance online schedule shows a promotion for Doctor Who in the lineup effective Monday 29 August. On weeknights, Doctor Who will now air twice - Midnight and 5AM EDT, replacing the previous 2AM EDT only broadcast. 2 episodes per day as before. First story in the new time periods - Snakedance. On weekends, Doctor Who will continue being shown in complete stories one time at 2AM EDT. With this change, the weeknight showings will be easier for Canadian viewers to tune in and watch. Not easy, but the best it has been since at least 2003. For the various Canadian time zones: Newfoundland: Weeknights 1:30AM and 6:30AM (2 episodes), Weekends 3:30AM (complete stories). Atlantic (ADT or AST): Weeknights 1AM and 6AM (2 episodes), Weekends 3AM (complete stories). Eastern (EDT or EST): Weeknights Midnight and 5AM (2 episodes), Weekends 2AM (complete stories). Central (CDT or CST): Weeknights 11PM and 4AM (2 episodes), Weekends 1AM (complete stories). Mountain (MDT or MST): Weeknights 10PM and 3AM (2 episodes), Weekends Midnight (complete stories). Pacific (PDT or PST): Weeknights 9PM and 2AM (2 episodes), Weekends 11PM (complete stories). (Thanks to Benjamin Elliott / This Week in Doctor Who)




FILTER: - Canada - Classic Series - Broadcasting

Press UpdatesBookmark and Share

Monday, 15 August 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Saturday's edition of The Herald featured a profile of John Barrowman (Captain Jack), including an interview and his comments about his life and career, his partner and ideas on marriage and adoption. "Growing up in Illinois, I used to get bullied a lot for being Scottish. Other kids would shout things like, 'You wear a dress,' and they thought we lived in mud huts. Most of all, though, they made fun of the accent. And no-one likes to get picked on or bullied for being different, especially not at eight years old. So I thought, 'Screw you. I'm going to beat you at your own game.' I just wanted to blend in, and that's why I taught myself how to speak with an American accent." He says "I will be coming back... But no date has been set. That's the official answer." You can read the full article at the website.

Newsquest Media reports that Christopher Eccleston "has found something to keep him busy after leaving Dr Who - trying to save Manchester's historic Victoria Baths. The television star from Little Hulton visited the baths to pledge his support for the campaign to restore them. The Edwardian building was voted as the country's favourite on BBC2's Restoration programme in 2003, and was awarded ú3.5 million to do the necessary repair work. But campaigners Friends of Victoria Baths say an extra ú16.5 million is needed." The Manchester Evening News quotes him as saying, "I've dealt with bouts of unemployment for 20 years. My ambition now is simply to swim in Victoria Baths. Coming in here today, I can smell the chlorine and hear the voices. The worst thing that could happen would be for the baths to be converted for private use. I learned to swim at Walkden Baths, where my mum was the aerotone and sauna attendant for around 20 years. This reminds me, to some extent, of those years. My hope is that working class kids from the area will soon be able to swim here again." He added: "All my success has been down to my upbringing in Salford and Manchester. My background, the values I was taught and the formative experiences I had at places like this."

Reviews of Billie Piper's film Spirit Trap (mostly negative, unfortunately), appear at The TelegraphThe Mirror,Sky MoviesBarking and Dagenham Recorder, and in print in the Sun, Leicester Mercury, and the Express ("Amateurish and slow-moving, this is highly unlikely to give anyone sleepless nights") among other papers.

The official Doctor Who website appeals to school children: "Can your reading group review the new books? Does your school have a reading group? If so, we're looking for three groups across the country to give us their comments on the new Doctor Who books that are coming out early next month. Each group chosen will receive five advance copies of one of the three new adventures of the Doctor and Rose. The books are released on September 8, so we'd need comments from each school in by September 10 - we appreciate this is fairly near the start of term, so bear this in mind before applying. Please bear in mind that the stories are suitable for readers over eight."

Other press items: A review of the final episode, "The Parting of the Ways, in the Sydney Morning Herald; and anarticle about an Aussie radio parody of Doctor Who which was popular in the late 70s-early 80s.

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Steve Tribe, Paul Hayes, Elaine Shanks, Peter Weaver)




FILTER: - Press

Doctor Who Board GameBookmark and Share

Monday, 15 August 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Due out September 29, Doctor Who: The Interactive Electronic Board Game has been announced at the BBC Shop. "You are the Doctor, travelling through space collecting vital repair components to fix the Tardis, but beware your archenemy the Daleks are out to exterminate you!" says the limited information. The game requires 2 to 6 players (3 x AAA batteries required not included) and is designed for ages 7 and up. Click on the thumbnail for a larger graphic.




FILTER: - Merchandise

Doctor Who Magazine 360Bookmark and Share

Monday, 15 August 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Issue 360 of Doctor Who Magazine is not only due... in fact, it's out (at least to subscribers). Here's the release info about this edition (with thanks to Clay Hickman and Tom Spilsbury).

Find out more about the new-look Tenth Doctor - including some exclusive images not seen anywhere else - in the latest issue of the official Doctor Who Magazine!

In this month's edition, executive producer Russell T Davies chats about new Doctor Who, David Tennant, in the second part of our exclusive interview: "David worked very closely with our new costume designer, Louise Page, on the Tenth Doctor's look. We've been talking loose ties, scruffy jackets and sneakers for months now. It's good to see them at last! It's a little bit punk, a bit scruffy, a bit student-y, even a bit schoolboy-ish, and yet with the smartness of a suit thrown in. Oh, and I can't tell you the days and days and days of work that went into getting the right pinstripe!"

Meanwhile, Rose's mum - alias Camille Coduri - chats about Jackie's close encounters; production designer Ed Thomas talks about his designs for the Doctor's universe; and there's a quick chat with Elisabeth Sladen about her imminent return as Sarah Jane Smith!

On top of this, Gallifrey Guardian reports all the latest news from the Doctor Who set - including exclusive casting news, and more info on November's DVD box set - and an old favourite returns to DWM's pages after many years away!

Plus there's the second part of the new comic strip adventure The Cruel Sea written by Dalek author Robert Shearman; the results of the 2004 DWM survey; reviews of Boom Town, Bad Wolf and The Parting of the Ways - and all the usual features.

DWM 360 goes on sale on Thursday 18 August, priced ú3.99.




FILTER: - Magazines - DWM

Casting Plus Other News and RumorsBookmark and Share

Monday, 15 August 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

A few items of note making the rounds today: according to the latest issue of Doctor Who magazine, "The Sunshine Camp" is notthe title for the first episode (though of course, it doesn't say what that title actually is...) The rest of it what's transpired is mostly casting and other rumors making the rounds, so we've protected them in the spoiler tags below; click on it to read.
Shaun Dingwall, who played Rose's father Pete Tyler in the first series this spring, apparently told several people at a recent photo signing that he might be in negotiations to return to the show for the second series, at least in a cameo appearance. There is currently no word on whether this is happening or which episode it would be, although there are rumors that it could be the final episode of the season.

John Barrowman is confirmed by DWM 360 to not be returning for the second series at all.

According to several reports based on an original comment in the Daily Star, Chris Evans, the former husband of Billie Piper, may be in the next season. "Doctor Who producers are reportedly trying to convince Chris Evans to make a guest appearance in the next series of the hit BBC One sci-fi show. The radio DJ would star as the Devil in an episode called The Satan Pit, when the show returns for a second series next year, the Daily Star claims. Evans' estranged wife Billie Piper already stars as Doctor Who's sidekick Rose Tyler in the series but, as they remain on good terms, the paper claims that his appearance as the Devil wouldn't be a hellish experience for the pair. An unnamed source told the Daily Star: 'We've already got some great celebrities lined up for the next series, but having Chris Evans would be the icing on the cake. Having him as Satan would be a hoot and we're sure he'd relish the role. And we know Billie would find it a giggle.'" Also reported at DeHavillandITNDigital Spy.

Also, there are rumors that Anthony Stewart Head, who according to the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine is playing Mr. Finch in episode three, "School Reunion," may not only be the head master of the school... but the Master. So says the Daily Star: "The super-villain, who was first played by the late Roger Delgado in the 1970s, will return in the next series. And insiders predict he will be played by Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Anthony Head, who was once tipped to play Doctor Who himself. The handsome star, 49, a regular in comedy smash Little Britain as the Prime Minister, was recently recruited to the Who cast by executive producer Russell T Davies. But nobody at the BBC will talk in detail about who he will be playing. Last night a series insider said: 'We can't say anything, other than confirm that Anthony Head is going to feature in an episode called School Reunion, in which he'll play the Headmaster.'" We're reliably reassured these are only rumors, though, and not based on truth, especially since the Daily Star article quotes "internet fan forums" (and we all know which internet fan forums they pay attention to...)

Finally... yes, we know Torchwood, which we reported the other day as being the potential word Russell T Davies referred to in his DWM production notes as being season two's "Bad Wolf", is an anagram for Doctor Who. As reported, the BBC registered a torchwood web address, so we may be onto something here...




FILTER: - Magazines - DWM

City of Death DVDBookmark and Share

Monday, 15 August 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

At long last, the UK's City of Death DVD release has some official information attached to it. The release will be two discs, as mentioned in an article at the Restoration Team website which discusses the restoration of the footage, including audio repairs, and notes the large number of extras being included on it (hence the double disc set). Unfortunately neither Tom Baker or Lalla Ward were able to take part in the commentary or featurettes, it says, but the commentary is done by two of the story's main guest stars, Julian Glover (Count Scarlioni/Scaroth) and Tom Chadbon (Duggan), along with the story's director, Michael Hayes. The 45-minute featurette "Paris in the Springtime", written by Jonathan Morris and produced by Ed Stradling, and narrated by Toby Longworth, "goes behind the scenes on the production of the story, with a particular emphasis on the contribution of Douglas Adams" and features interview clips with Adams, Glover, Chadbon, Hayes, Catherine Schell, script editor Anthony Read, writer David Fisher, director Pennant Roberts, and writers Steven Moffat and Rob Shearman. The documentary also includes illustration by Jason Lythgoe-Hay to reproduce the original storyline, "A Gamble With Time." A 20-minute featurette, "Paris, W12" is also included, with extracts from the recording sessions; "Prehistoric Landscapes," a montage of landscape and effects for the story; "Eye on... Blatchford," a regional-interest program; plus the 1980 Doctor Who Annual in PDF format, photo gallery, floorplans, easter eggs and production notes. The story is due out on DVD in November in the UK.




FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD