Thursday, 28 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Radio Times recently released a list of the "top 40 television shows" and Doctor Who failed to make the cut. TV editor Alison Graham comments: "Everyone has their own list of favourites, and I'm certain there will be lots of people saying: 'Where's Doctor Who or Star Trek?'" Considering this is the 40th anniversary year of what is considered one of the UK's most successful television exports of all time... we can only speculate that the folks at Radio Times need a vacation, desperately!
Wednesday, 27 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Big Finish has released three new cover illustrations, for the forthcoming
Doctor Who Unbound serial
Deadline by Rob Shearman, starring Derek Jacobi; and for the two Benny Summerfield audios
The Draconian Rage (now available) and
The Poison Seas (coming soon). Click on each thumbnail below for a larger version. Meanwhile, Big Finish has announced that the fourth Unbound serial
He Jests at Scars will be available in mid-September, delayed for a few weeks due to CD duplications problems; they've also issued a second trailer for
Zagreus, their 40th anniversary Doctor Who audio serial starring Paul McGann, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy. Finally, Big Finish confirms the news from earlier this week that the extended, audio only release of
Shada will be available on CD in December; it is not part of the regular subscriber package and will only be available as an individual order. (Thanks to Big Finish)
Tuesday, 26 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
The UK's Channel 5 will be airing a documentary entitled Celebrity Naked Ambition on Monday, September 1 at 10pm, looking at "celebrities who have appeared nude on stage or screen to enhance their public profile and boost their flagging career." Among such notable personalities whose career choices are being featured are Madonna, Richard Gere, Russell Crowe and our own Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, likely due to his appearance on the 1980's television series "The Lives and Loves of a She-Devil". Not the sort of thing we usually mention here at Outpost Gallifrey but as it does touch on a prominent Doctor Who celebrity we thought we'd mention it! (Thanks to Steve Stratford)
Tuesday, 26 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Lorraine Heggessey, controller of BBC-1, has again expressed her wish to bring back Doctor Who on Saturday evenings, but still insists that there are rights issues preventing such, despite word from the BBC Rights Office (which was noted in a story on BBCi that we mentioned a few days ago). In an article that primarily discussed other BBC programming including the talent show "Fame Academy," Heggessey mentions that the "complex situation surrounding the rights to the small screen character could scupper his return." Says Heggessey, "I would like to resurrect Dr Who but the rights situation is too complicated to do that at the moment. Maybe that will happen one day... Saturday night is still a very special night whether you stay in or go out." The "Doctor Who Initiative," the article says, "is part of Ms Heggessey's plan to overhaul BBC1's Saturday night schedule with more drama, comedy and location-based shows: 'You want to feel like you are having a good time, and if you don't you blame the telly,' she added." The article appeared in the Guardian newspaper and has been widely reprinted.
Sunday, 24 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine has further details about the forthcoming The Scream of the Shalka by Paul Cornell, the animated Doctor Who story debuting on the web in November. According to DWM, the full cast includes Richard E. Grant (the Doctor), Sophie Okonedo (Alison), Jim Norton (Major Thomas Kennett), Diana Quick (Prime), Craig Kelly (Joe), Anna Calder Marshall (Mathilda), Andrew Dunn (Max), Connor Moloney (Sgt. Graves), David Tennant and Ben Morrison (the Caretakers), and Derek Jacobi (the Master). Cornell mentions that his novelisation will add "loads of detail, including lines and scenes, and have huge depth"; the book will also feature an article on the making of the story and some interviews. (Thanks to DWM)
Sunday, 24 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
BBC Director General Greg Dyke announced today that the BBC will be opening up its archives of radio and television programs to be downloaded from the Internet. The new service, called the BBC Creative Archive, will be free and available to anyone not seeking to use the material for commercial purposes. "The BBC probably has the best television library in the world," said Dyke. "Up until now this huge resource has remained locked up, inaccessible to the public because there hasn't been an effective mechanism for distribution. But the digital revolution and broadband are changing all that. For the first time there is an easy and affordable way of making this treasure trove of BBC content available to all." There is no word about exactly what will be included in this Creative Archive, nor whether or not Doctor Who (which is a viable commercial property for the BBC) would be made available in any form on it, but it is certainly a change in philosophy for the originators of the show we celebrate here. (Thanks to Michael Zecca and Jonathan Baldwin for letting us know!)
Thursday, 21 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
The BBC Rights Group has commented to BBCi about the current state of affairs regarding the rights to produce a new series of Doctor Who. Speculation has existed over the past two years that the show's rights were signed away (at least partially) during the making of the 1996 movie; now Worldwide insists they hold full rights to the trademark internationally, though of course individual writers from the show retain rights to various characters they created. "Nothing is standing in the way of the BBC making a new TV series, but, as far as we know, there is currently no movement to do so," says the statement... which leads Outpost Gallifrey to once again challenge the BBC on its indecision to do so during the programme's 40th anniversary year! "The BBC is developing a film," it goes on, "but it should be stressed the project is still in its very early stages" (which of course, it has been doing since 1989). (Thanks to BBCi)
Wednesday, 20 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
August 21, 2003 • Posted By Shaun Lyon
A second, more complete edition of the
Pocket Essentials Guide: Doctor Who by Mark Campbell is soon to be released; the new edition of the Guide, which follows up the earlier edition released in 2001, will add quick reviews of the various Doctor Who spinoffs, radio plays and audio adventures from Big Finish. The new edition will be out on October 3. (Thanks to DWM)
August 20, 2003 •
Posted By Shaun Lyon Diamond Distribution continues to release both current and prior releases of BBC Books in North America in an attempt to catch up following a year of no distributor. Their November listings include Kate Orman's Blue Box, Lloyd Rose'sCamera Obscura, Mick Lewis' Combat Rock and the anniversary book Deadly Reunion by Terrance Dicks and Barry Letts. (Thanks to Greg McElhatton)
August 20, 2003 •
Posted By Shaun LyonThe new issue of Doctor Who Magazine notes that UK retailer W.H. Smith will probably be releasing an exclusive DVD boxed set this winter... but featuring Resurrection of the Daleks, Remembrance of the Daleks and The Dalek Invasion of Earth, the three Dalek stories previously released on DVD. No word as to any pricing or packaging differences. (Thanks to DWM)
August 20, 2003 •
Posted By Shaun Lyon BBC America/Warner Home Video has sold its last remaining stock of three Doctor Who VHS titles -- The Monster of Peladon, The Mark of the Rani and Timelash -- and will not be reissuing them in the future. As we have previously reported, while some Doctor Who videos currently still stocked will be lowered in price this October, much of the VHS backlog is being cleared out as VHS becomes relegated to memory; additionally, Planet of Fire and Battlefield aren't quite out of stock yet, but are getting close and won't be rereleased either. If you're looking to complete that Doctor Who VHS collection, it's recommended that you do it soon... or else it won't be possible until they start making their way onto DVD. (Thanks to Steve Manfred and BBC America)
August 20, 2003 •
Posted By Shaun Lyon Issue #334 of Doctor Who Magazine reports that the BBC will be producing a special anniversary documentary on Doctor Who to mark the forty-year milestone. It is expected to air on BBC-1 around the anniversary itself (though hopefully will not be pushed to early 2004, a slight possibility.) (Thanks to DWM)
August 20, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonThe Doctor Who 1996 TV movie starring Paul McGann airs this Friday, August 22, on the Sci-Fi Channel in North America; check your local listings for exact time (which varies dependent upon the Western or Eastern feed).
August 20, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonBBV Productions has announced two new audio stories based on the Faction Paradox mythos, the time-travelling voodoo cult originally introduced in the BBC Books' Doctor Who novels.
Movers (Volume 5) and
A Labyrinth of Histories (Volume 6) are written by Faction creator Lawrence Miles; both were recently recorded by BBV and again feature Suzanne Procter as Cousin Justine. Says the information sent to Outpost Gallifrey, "These two plays take the Faction story in an interestingly different direction; as well as discovering what it means to be a prisoner on the remote prison world of the Houses, we take a trip back into the late nineteenth century, where a bizarre hunt is taking place..." The audios also star Ellis Pike (Godfather Morlock), Emma Kilbey (Cousin Eliza), Keith Drinkel (Godfather Sabbath), Kate Dyson (Demetra Kine), Matt Kelly (First Ordinary Selvynkesh), Lena Rae (Emma), Scott Craig (Mr. Smith), Chris Manville (Second Ordinary Keeble), Linda Bartram (Shuncucker) and Nigel Fairs (the Reverend). They will be released this fall, date unspecified. (Thanks to David Elms and BBV)
August 20, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonOutpost Gallifrey has received the final cover illustration for the forthcoming UK DVD release of
The Two Doctors; click on the thumbnail at right for a larger version, including the full wraparound. Details about the contents of this DVD can be found elsewhere on this News Page. (Thanks to
Tenth Planet)
The third issue of the occasional audio CD
Big Finish Magazine is due out soon, to be sent out with subscriptions in tandem with the next story, the Fifth Doctor tale "Omega". Among the items included on this third audio CD include interviews with Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy (detailing their work together on "Project: Lazarus"), as well as interviews with the first three "Doctor Who Unbound" actors, Geoffrey Bayldon, David Warner and David Collings; plus stories about the anthology "Short Trips" volumes and Big Finish's other ranges ("The Tomorrow People" and "Bernice Summerfield" among them). Click on the cover at right for a larger version. Also, in anticipation for "Omega,"
BBCihas an interview with author Nev Fountain now online. (Thanks to
Tenth Planet for the cover)
Galaxy 4 is reporting two audio releases from the BBC Radio Collection in early 2004.
Fury from the Deep is said to have a February tentative release date; this is the audio soundtrack release of the Patrick Troughton story also starring Frazer Hines and, in her final story, Deborah Watling. Also noted on the site is
Tales from the TARDIS, Volumes 1 & 2, which are noted as MP3 CD's (i.e. in computer MP3 format, not playable on regular CD players); while details of this haven't been confirmed, it's said to probably be stories previously released on cassette by the BBC including the Paul McGann readings of "Earth and Beyond," the first "Short Trips" audio read by Nicholas Courtney and Sophie Aldred, and "Out of the Darkness" read by Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant. Details of these will be forthcoming when we have them. (Thanks to Galaxy 4)
August 19, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonAt right is the final cover illustration for the forthcoming UK video release of
Invasion of the Dinosaurs by BBC Worldwide. This replaces an earlier draft cover which showed only Jon Pertwee with a green background. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version. (Thanks to
Galaxy 4)
As we announced in July, the forthcoming Reeltime Pictures video release Daemos Rising by David Howe will be out in October; it's a direct-to-video sequel to both the Doctor Who story "The Daemons" and the original video drama "Downtime" (which starred Nick Courtney, Elisabeth Sladen and Deborah Watling). At right is a draft version of the cover illustration for the forthcoming release; click on it for a larger version. (Thanks to David Howe)
August 19, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonAt right is a thumbnail image (click on it for a larger version) of the box cover for
The Web of Fear/The Faceless Ones, the second tape included in the UK release of
The Reign of Terror Boxed Set that includes the extant episodes of these two Patrick Troughton serials, courtesy of
Blackstar. The cover for "Reign" itself has not yet been released (the version circulated around the Internet is the US/Canada version, part of the "End of the Universe" collection). (Thanks to Liam Copsey)
BBCi has released the August issue of their monthly Telepress column, focusing on the world of Doctor Who in print. Among the items in this month's installment: a look at Justin Richards' forthcoming hardcover
Doctor Who: The Legend (including a final version of the cover; click at right for a larger version), an interview with author Jacqueline Rayner ("Wolfsbane") and excerpts from both November's BBC Books release
Deadly Reunion by Terrance Dicks and Barry Letts and Telos Publishing's forthcoming novella
Fallen Gods by Kate Orman and Jonathan Blum. (Thanks to BBCi)
August 19, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonRadio Times, the long running guide to UK television, is planning a special edition in November 2003 to mark the 40th anniversary of Doctor Who, and has kicked off the festivities with a special poll. Click
here to take part in the poll; the deadline is September 5, and entrants have the chance to receive DVDs, videos or books. (The poll is
only open to UK residents, however.) (Thanks to Faiz Rehman)
August 19, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonWhile it's not the cover illustration, the forthcoming Derek Jacobi appearance in
Deadline from Big Finish is memorialized in the now-familiar "title sequence" still included on the inside front cover. Here it is at right; a larger version can be found on the
Big Finish site. "Deadline" by Rob Shearman, starring Jacobi as Martin, is out in October. (Thanks to Big Finish, and Duncan Rose for letting us know!)
The Stamp Centre has two new pieces of Doctor Who memorabilia available, as seen below. At left is a crystal Tom Baker visage, limited to 1500 pieces, supplied in a gift box and created through laser etching. At right, another First Day Cover stamp, featuring the sixth Doctor, Colin Baker; this is part of their continuing "Time After Time" series which shows the stars of Doctor Who and other TV series. (Thanks to Gallifrey 5 and the Stamp Centre)
August 19, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonBBC Worldwide has released Earthshock on DVD in the UK... or rather, re-released. As we previously noted in this column, the DVDs were originally due out August 4; several stores received their stocks and started sending them out early before Worldwide recalled them due to a lack of the interior booklet. We have been told that the BBC will not send out booklets for those missing them, as the copies distributed prior to August 4 were intended for this recall. You can find "Earthshock" at most major stockists in the UK.
August 19, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonAmong the murmurs of special events for the upcoming 40th anniversary was an article in the "Sunday Stirrer" section of the UK's Daily Star late last week, which mentioned the following: "STIRRER has stumbled across evidence that the Conservative Party is willing to boldly go where no party has gone before in its desperate bid for voters. Shadow Transport Secretary and Star Trek nut Tim Collins has agreed to appear in a DVD tribute to Dr Who. Perhaps the next party manifesto will promise a police box on each street to further woo the geek vote." While some speculated early on that this was a special DVD coming out for the anniversary, it appears as though this is incorrect; in fact, it looks like this is one of the documentaries featured on the new DVD release of Earthshock. (Thanks to James Hadwen)
August 15, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonA new article has surfaced on the UK's website for the Guardian periodical, focusing on the audios and Richard E. Grant's forthcoming appearance as the Ninth Doctor. "Dr Who and others are appearing on the net, which is becoming a new medium for original productions," says the article, written by Guy Clapperton. To read the full article, click
here. (Thanks to Stuart Ian Burns)
The next (sixth) installment of the Doctor Who Magazine Specials, which up to now have focused on the individual eras of each Doctor, is a special on the show's 40th anniversary. Says the advert, "Celebrating 40 years of Doctor in true style with this glossy, fact-packed special edition that looks at the history of the world's longest-running science fiction series from some astonishing new perspectives. Packed with rare photographs and features from some of the finest writers in fandom..." The 84-page issue will be out in November; the cover illustration at right is from Previews magazine and isn't the final cover. (Thanks to Galaxy 4)
Tuesday, 12 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Big Finish announced today that after several delays, the third Unbound installment
Full Fathom Five with David Collings is now in release. Also on their site: trailers for forthcoming Doctor Who audios
Omega, Master and
Zagreus and several Benny Summerfield audios. They also mention that the first edition of
Short Trips: Zodiac (the fiction anthology) has sold out buy a second edition will be available at the end of August. Big Finish has also issued the cover illustration for the forthcoming anthology book
Life During Wartime edited by Paul Cornell. The cover for the anthology, based on the further exploits of the former Doctor Who novel companion, is at right; click for a larger version. A revised list of stories: "The Fall" by Paul Cornell, "Careless Talk" by Justin Richards, "The Birthday Party" by Simon Guerrier, "Five Dimensional Thinking" by Nick Wallace, "Meanwhile" by Robert Shearman, "The Price of Everything" by Gregg Smith, "Hit" by John Binns, "The Garden of Whispers" by Martin Day, "The Crystal Flower" by Cavan Scott & Mark Wright, "Midrash" by Ian Mond, "Fear of Corners" by Mark Stevens, "The Traitors" by Jonathan Morris, "Paths Not Taken" by Rupert Booth & Barr Williams , "Every Picture Tells a Story" by Jim Sangster, "Fluid Prejudice" by Paul Ebbs, "Suffer the Children" by Dave Stone, "Drinking with the Enemy" by Jonathan Blum, "Passing Storms" by Peter Anghelides, "Speaking Out" by Simon Guerrier, "The Peter Principle" by Kate Orman, and "A Bell Ringing in an Empty Sky" by Jim Mortimore. Also noted: a slight delay in the next Benny audio,
The Poison Seas by David Bailey; it will now be out in September.
Tuesday, 12 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
BBCi has revealed details for the next issue of
Doctor Who Magazine. Included in issue #334, due out August 21, is "Who Peter," a look at Blue Peter's coverage of Doctor Who over the past four decades, including many photos; interviews given by Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy when they appeared on Blue Peter; interviews with Blue Peter presenters Janet Ellis and Sarah Greene to quiz them over their dealings with the Nimon and the Cybermen; plus the first chapter of the new comic strip "The Curious Tale of Spring-Heeled Jack," previews of Omega, Wolfsbane and The Two Doctors DVD, and lots more. At right is a thumbnail of the cover. (Thanks to BBCi)
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