Schedule Change Pits Doctor Who against Britain's Got Talent Final

Wednesday, 31 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus

The Lie Od The Land: Bill (Pearl Mackie), Monk (Credit: BBC/BBC Worldwide (Simon Ridgway/Stuart Manning))

Doctor Who will go head to head with the final of the ITV Talent show Britain's Got Talent this Saturday in a change to published schedules.

The final of the talent show has been moved from Sunday to prevent it clashing with One Love Manchester, a tribute concert to benefit those affected by the recent Manchester bomb attack, which will be shown on BBC One from 6.55pm on Sunday evening.

A statement from ITV says

Ariana Grande’s ‘One Love Manchester’ benefit concert is bringing artists and the public together and will raise funds for the Red Cross’s Manchester Emergency Fund. “ITV and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ have no desire to distract from this important cause, so we have taken the decision to move the Britain’s Got Talent Final from Sunday night.”

The change means that Doctor Who - The Lie Of The Land, starting at 7.35pm on BBC One will be directly against the final of the talent show, currently set to begin at 7.30pm, rather than the dating show Take Me Out.

FILTER: - Broadcasting - Series 10/36

The Lethbridge-Stewart Quiz Book

Wednesday, 31 May 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Lethbridge-Stewart Quizbook (Credit: Candy Jar Books)

Candy Jar Books have announce a new Quiz Book to tie in with fifty years of the character of Lethbridge-Stewart.

Compiled by Mark Jones, author of the recent free story United in Blood, the book collects together trivia from throughout the Brigadier’s on-screen life, plus questions relate to the Target novels, Big Finish and BBC audio stories, comic strips and of course Candy Jar's own Lethbridge-Stewart novels.

Mark said:

When Candy Jar asked me to compile The Lethbridge-Stewart Quiz Book I couldn’t wait to get started. The Brigadier is a character that meant a great deal to me and it gave me the chance to watch the UNIT stories over again.

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar, expressed his excitement about the book:

I remember a trip to Lyme Regis as a boy where I found a copy of the first Doctor Who Quiz Book. For some reason my local WHSmith did not have this book, which made the discovery even more exciting. I don’t think my sister appreciated it though. Asking me questions on the beach about Doctor Who was not her idea of fun.

Revisiting the classic formula of those quiz books, this new version has some 750+ questions split over twelve sections dedicated to the adventures of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and UNIT. Examples include:

In the television story The Time Monster what was TOMTIT?
Who is attempting to penetrate the Earth’s crust in Inferno?
What relation is James Lethbridge-Stewart to the Brigadier?
What does UNIT stand for?

Mark added:

There’s something for everyone and it’s a book that will provide hours of entertainment and a challenge to the old grey matter. It’s a book for dipping into whenever you feel like challenging yourself or your friends – hopefully without too many arguments.

Full details and how to order can be found via the Candy Jar Books website.

FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart

Who Talk: The Green Death

Wednesday, 31 May 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Fantom Audio have released the latest in their line of alternative Doctor Who commentaries, Who Talk, which this month focuses on the third Doctor tale The Green Death.

Producer Paul W.T. Ballard said:

This was an important story for us to revisit as we were able to bring a variety of new voices and combinations of guests to a much loved classic.

This is the first time Katy Manning and Stewart Bevan have been brought together to record a commentary for The Green Death, and the experience of hearing the life long friends discuss the series was magical.

Who Talk: The Green Death (Richard Franklin, Mitzi MciKenzie, John Levene and Toby Hadoke) (Credit: Fantom Audio)

Katy and Stewart are joined for the commentary by UNIT regulars Richard Franklin and John Levene, plus Mitzi McKenzie (who played Nancy in the story) and director Michael E. Briant. The commentary is hosted by the stalwart Toby Hadoke.

In addition to the regular release, a special signed edition is also available, which as well as the commentary also includes a signature from a member of the cast, plus a free pack of four postcards featuring artwork from the Who Talk series.

Full details and how to order can be found at the Who Talk website.

Please note: these commentaries contain no BBC copyrighted elements and do not feature audio from the episodes themselves - these are designed to be played alongside the official DVD releases.

FILTER: - Audio - Fantom - Third Doctor

Extremis - Official Ratings

Tuesday, 30 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus

Official figures released by the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board or BARB, give Doctor Who - Extremis an official rating of 5.53 million viewers.

The rating includes all those who recorded the programme and watched it within 7 days.

Doctor Who is the 20th most watched programme for the week, and 8th most watched on BBC One

Top for the week was Britain's Got Talent on ITV with 11.22 million watching. The three part BBC Drama, based on the true stories of victims of grooming and sexual abuse in Rochdale, Three Girls, took the next three places with around 8 million watching each episode

Full list of Doctor Who Ratings

FILTER: - Ratings - Series 10/36 - UK

The Pyramid At The end Of The World - AI:82

Tuesday, 30 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus

The Pyramid At The end Of The World: The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) (Credit: BBC/BBC Worldwide (Simon Ridgway))

Doctor Who - The Pyramid At The End Of The World had an Audience Appreciation or AI figure of 82

The Appreciation Index in an indication of how much viewers enjoyed the episode. It is based to the reactions of a selected panel of viewers, who rate the episode shortly after transmission.

82 is considered a good score, roughly similar to the scores achieved by the last series of the show,

The highest score for the evening on the two main channels was for Mrs Brown's Boys, which scored 85.

FILTER: - Ratings - Series 10/36 - UK

Daddy's Girl: 50th Anniversary edition of Deborah Watling's autobiography

Tuesday, 30 May 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Fantom Publishing have announced the re-release of actress Deborah Watling's autobiography, Daddy's Girl, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of her appearance in Doctor Who as Victoria.

Daddy's Girl (50th Anniversary edition) (Credit: Fantom Publishing)

Daddy's Girl (50th Anniversary edition)
Written by Deborah Watling, with Paul W.T. Ballard
Published by Fantom Publishing

Daughter of renowned star of stage and screen Jack Watling, Deborah has entertained millions in a career which spans over fifty years.

From her early successes in series such as The Invisible Man, The Power Game and Out of the Unknown, through to her iconic role as the scream queen Victoria Waterfield in Doctor Who, film roles opposite Cliff Richard and David Essex, and as the notorious ‘Naughty’ Norma in Danger UXB, Deborah has endeared herself to a broad spectrum of fans.

For the first time, in her own words, Deborah recalls the highs and lows of working on stage and in front of the camera along with the behind-the-scenes personal struggles, and reminisces about working with a whole variety of famous acting names including the late and much-missed Patrick Troughton.

This edition, published to celebrate Deborah's fiftieth anniversary in Doctor Who has a special cover taken from the private collection of Alexandra Tynan (Sandra Reid) on location for The Evil of the Daleks.

Daddy's Girl (50th Anniversary edition) alretnative cover (Credit: Fantom Publishing)

Daddy's Girl: In Pictures (Credit: Fantom Publishing)

The fiftieth anniversary edition is also available to purchase with an alternative cover in a bundle alongside sister book Daddy's Girl: In Pictures, and a set of five The Abominable Snowmen Location postcards - full details on the Fantom website.

FILTER: - Auto/Biography - Books - Fantom

The Lie Of The Land - Publicity Images

Tuesday, 30 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus

The BBC have released a number of new publicity images to promote this week's episode of Doctor Who, The Lie Of The Land

The Lie Of The Land

Writer: Toby Whithouse
Director: Wayne Che Yip

The world is gripped by a mass delusion and only Bill Potts can see the truth. When even the Doctor is fighting on the wrong side, it’s up to Bill to convince the Time Lord that humanity is in deadly danger. And if she can’t do that, she may just have to kill her best friend…

Bill's In Trouble - The Lie Of The Land Preview

This week BBC One will show Doctor Who at 7.35pm.

Main Broadcast Details
United Kingdom	BBC One	Sat 3 Jun 2017	7:35pm BST
Middle East	BBC First	Sat 3 Jun 2017	10.20pm AST	(Sat 7:45pm BST)
United States of America	BBC America	Sat 3 Jun 2017	9:00pm EDT	(Sun 2:00am BST)
Canada	SPACE	Sat 3 Jun 2017	9:00pm EDT	(Sun 2:00am BST)
New Zealand	PRIME	Sun 4 Jun 2017	7:30pm NZST	(Sun 8:30am BST)
Finland	YLE2	Sun 4 Jun 2017	12:25am EEST	(Sun 10:25am BST)
Australia	ABC	Sun 4 Jun 2017	7:40pm AEST	(Sun 10:40am BST, also on ABC ME)
Brazil	SyFy	Sun 4 Jun 2017	8:00pm BRT	(Mon 12:00qm BST)
Latin America	SyFy	Sun 4 Jun 2017	10:00pm CDT	(Mon 4:00am BST)

Full listings here

FILTER: - Publicity - Series 10/36

Australian overnight ratings for Pyramid and final ratings for Oxygen

Monday, 29 May 2017 - Reported by Adam Kirk

The Pyramid At The End Of The World has debuted in Australia, averaging 420,000 viewers in the five major capital cities. The story was the second highest rating ABC drama of the day and the twelfth highest rating program of the day overall. These ratings do not include iview, regional or time-shifted viewers.

Meanwhile, including time-shifted viewers, Oxygen averaged 529,000 consolidated viewers in the five major capital cities. With 92,000 extra viewers it was the fourth highest time-shifted program of the day (the two equal highest time-shifted programs both had 107,000 extra viewers) and the eleventh highest rating program of the day overall. These ratings do not include iview or regional viewers.

Media Links: TV Tonight (Pyramid ratings); TV Tonight (Oxygen ratings)

FILTER: - Australia - Broadcasting - Ratings - Series 10/36

Rachel Talalay Directing Christmas Episode

Sunday, 28 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has confirmed that Rachel Talalay will be directing the 2017 Doctor Who Christmas episode, the last one before new showrunner Chris Chibnall takes over the series

Talaley has directed the final two episodes of both series 8 and 9 of Doctor Who, including the highly acclaimed Heaven Sent, as well as directing the upcoming finale to the current series.

Moffat confirmed her involvement while speaking at the first ever US Sherlock convention.

Making big-budget spectaculars on no money at all is what we need, and Rachel’s got such a deep background, and such great ability at that! We’re just finishing up on the finale episodes, and planning the Christmas one, which she’s also directing — which is my very last one.

The Christmas episode will also be the last one featuring current Doctor Peter Capaldi.

On Twitter Talalay said how pleased she was to be working on the series again.

Yes, thrilled to be doing #DoctorWho Xmas episode (and what a script!). Very sad it's our last.

FILTER: - Production - Series Specials

The Pyramid at the End of the World - Reaction

Sunday, 28 May 2017 - Reported by Marcus

The Pyramid At The end Of The World: Xiaolian (Daphne Cheung), Secretary General (Togo Igawa) (Credit: BBC/BBC Worldwide (Simon Ridgway))

Press Reaction to this week's Doctor Who The Pyramid at the End of the World is generally positive with most reviewers enjoying the episode

The Mirror called the episode a cracking exploration of cause, effect and hubris. "Capaldi’s opening monologue is another to add to his catalogue of great speeches, both reflecting The Doctor’s woe at his current state and foreshadow the series of events that are set in motion by the scientists."

Digital Spy felt the episode was a step up from last week's. "What a relief this week to see Doctor Who returning to its strengths, kicking things off with a lovely, big, ridiculous visual gimmick. That's always a good starting point for a Who episode, with 'The Pyramid at the End of the World' throwing up – you guessed it – a 5000-year-old pyramid that suddenly appears out of thin air."

Radio Times called the episode a peculiar blend of the deadly serious and hilariously hokum. "The most effective strand follows two English scientists at Agrofuel Research Operations in Yorkshire and their slow-burn bio-disaster. It reminds me of Terry Nation’s 1970s serial Survivors: one slip from a scientist and deadly bacteria will escape and wipe out all life on the planet."

The Telegraph praised the writing "As we’ve come to expect, this script was full of snappy exchanges and well-turned one-liners. We enjoyed the Doctor’s mild flirtation with lab queen Erica, referring to her as his “glamorous assistant”. See also Capaldi talking to himself as he tried to hatch a plan: “Think, think. Stupid Doctor. Aha! Handsome, adorable, hugely intelligent but still approachable Doctor.”

Den of Geek felt the episode was a good example of the TARDIS team working together. "What this series has been excellent at so far is having a mixture of the Doctor, Nardole and Bill – sometimes all three – puzzling things out, and using their intelligence to resolve situations. The stories have been careful to show some of the working too, and I find stuff like that really satisfying."

Screen Rant felt the episode was following previous patterns, noting the similarities with Series 9. "Harness is an obvious choice to help with impending threat of extraterrestrials bent on world domination, as he scripted season 9’s two-part ‘The Zygon Invasion‘ and ‘The Zygon Inversion‘, the first part of which pretty much speaks for the tone of ‘Pyramid’."

IGN also noted the similarities to previous episodes and found the quality mixed. "Overall It’s another enjoyable outing for Peter Capaldi and Steven Moffat’s final season, and one that looks to have set up a pretty cool premise for next week’s finale."

Finally AV Club felt a mediocre episode was rescued by a fantastic climax. "What an ending. That’s probably what I’m going to remember from “The Pyramid At The End Of The World,” especially when thinking of it as the middle entry between the brilliant “Extremis” and the seriously intriguing-looking “The Lie Of The Land.” The rest of the episode is mostly just unobjectionably decent, which isn’t the worst thing to sit through for five minutes of utter brilliance."

Link to Doctor Who News Review

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Previous 10 Stories

Schedule Change Pits Doctor Who against Britain's Got Talent Final

The Lethbridge-Stewart Quiz Book

Who Talk: The Green Death

Extremis - Official Ratings

The Pyramid At The end Of The World - AI:82

Daddy's Girl: 50th Anniversary edition of Deborah Watling's autobiography

The Lie Of The Land - Publicity Images

Australian overnight ratings for Pyramid and final ratings for Oxygen

Rachel Talalay Directing Christmas Episode

The Pyramid at the End of the World - Reaction

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