The Snowmen: Don't Talk To Them ...Bookmark and Share

Saturday, 22 December 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC have released a new teaser clip for The Snowmen as today's festive treat from the Adventure Calendar:





FILTER: - Online - Series Specials - Series 7/33

The Snowmen: publicity roundupBookmark and Share

Saturday, 22 December 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
A roundup of coverage for The Snowmen that has taken place in the past week or so - please note that what follows below includes some plot details that might be considered spoilers.

Interviews

Steven Moffat was a guest on the Simon Mayo Drivetime show on BBC Radio Two on Monday. Talking about Doctor Who's appeal on Christmas Day, he felt the show's accessibility as a "shared live viewing experience" was a great benefit:
... much more so with the Christmas one than with the others, yes, there's a big live audience for it - because, yeah, you watch it as a family. Sometimes people actually watch it later, because their family aren't there - people tend to watch it in groups, that's very true of Doctor Who.

I think Doctor Who is always a bit Christmassy, it's that kind of show, it always feels substantially madder than every other show, and we're always striving to make it an event - so you have to make Doctor Who even more so when it's Christmas Day. One thing I'd say I think it needs to be more accessible to new viewers, because more people are dragged in to watch Doctor Who on that day than on any other occasion it's on.
Talking about an initially melancholy Doctor in the episode, he explained:
What you need to remember is that the last time we saw the Doctor he had lost the Ponds - he lost Amy and Rory - he lost them to the Weeping Angels, and when you begin this story he's in a terrible place, he's in a right old grump, he's retired from saving the universe, he's having nothing to do with anyone, and although there's a building threat to humanity he's having none of it, he's just storming away being a sort of Scrooge.
The full interview is currently available to listen to via a BBC podcast (from 12:50) until Monday.

Ahead of the press screening on Tuesday evening, Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman popped into the BBC Radio One Breakfast Show hosted by Nick Grimshaw. The duo chatted about their recent trip to New York and Jenna's arrival in the show (1:36:45), and later answered listeners' questions (1:52:55, and a clip is available to watch via the BBC iPlayer and YouTube).

Matt later appeared on ITV1's This Morning (after the first ad break), hosted by Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby - the first time he'd appeared on the show. He chatted about his inspirations for the character of the Doctor, the enthusiasm of fans, things he kept from the old TARDIS, and of course not really saying what to expect on Christmas Day! Enthusing about guest star Richard E Grant, he said:
He was born to be a Who villain, he pitches it on that perfect level and tone.

The end of the week was rounded off by an appearance by Matt on The Graham Norton Show, but although this was to promote the Christmas Special, as Matt pointed out:
As always, I can't tell you anything, this is the tragedy of the show I'm in is that you come on and you can't actually promote it!
Recorded last month, the show was still able to treat viewers to a brand new clip featuring the Doctor, Clara and Strax.

Norton mentioned that fellow guests Billy Connolly and Jennifer Saunders had once been suggested as potential Doctors, though the former said it wasn't true and the latter said she started the rumours herself!

Matt was also 'required' to kiss a member of the audience by other guest Dustin Hoffman, which the actor only reluctantly agreed to as his mum was watching! A clip of this exchange is available on YouTube and BBC iPlayer.

Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman on The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw, 18 Dec 2012 Matt Smith on This Morning, 18 Dec 2012 Matt Smith on The Graham Norton Show, 21 Dec 2012

UK Press Screening

The press screening for the episode took place in the evening of 18th December, followed by a Q&A session with Steven Moffat, Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman, during which the adventure and the further adventures next year were discussed.

As seen in the trailer, the Doctor once again gets a firm kiss from his co-star, and speaking at the Q&A of their on-screen "relationship", Matt said:
I think always with this show and always with this relationship in this show, it will constantly evolve. And it should. And hopefully over the course of the next eight or nine episodes that we see subsequently to this it will evolve even further. We're excited about next year now and getting into that and actually going, "Well, now we know what we know about each other and the way we work and who we are and all the rest of it..." I kind of likened it, Steven, earlier, in an interview, to an arranged marriage. Not that I know what an arranged marriage is like. But it's like, "You're married, have chemistry." Do you know what I mean?
On the other hand, Jenna responded:
I likened it to a blind date. I felt like I was on a blind date... It's like putting two people together. Like, "Oh I know someone you'll really get on with." And then go in to save the world!

The Doctor (Matt Smith) with the new TARDIS interior. Photo: BBCThe new TARDIS interior was also discussed, with Steven explaining how it came about:
It was mainly saying to Michael Pickwoad (production designer), "What would you do with the TARDIS?" But we had a notion because I thought we'd been getting progressively whimsical with the interior of the TARDIS. And I started to think, "Well, why is that? It's not a magical place, it's actually a machine." So we did say 'machine' and actually, potentially, as you'll see more spectacularly later, quite a scary place sometimes. We make a lot of use of that. And it's also a lot easier to shoot, I have to say.”
 
Inevitably, the question of where the team would travel to in the TARDIS came up:
Matt: I'd do a few things. I’d go and pick up Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe. I'd try and marry one of them. Get them to sing to me. And maybe one of them could do both. And then I'd go and see England win the World Cup in '66. And I'd go and visit some sort of Jurassic age, I think.

Jenna: I'd go back to ancient Egypt. I was watching a TV programme – where did the pyramids come from? I'd go find out where they came from. I'd go find out how they were built. And then other than that, maybe New York in the Twenties.

Steven: I'm a perfectly happy man. I'd go right here. I don't want to go anywhere. I'm having too much fun to leave. I'd be terrified. Wouldn't you?

With thanks to Ian Wylie for Q&A coverage - you can read his full report here.

"The Kiss"

The BBC have released a couple of publicity shots to "cherish" the moment(!):

The Doctor (Matt Smith) and Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman). Photo: BBC The Doctor (Matt Smith) and Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman). Photo: BBC

Media Coverage (United Kingdom)

Reporting on the preview, Catherine Gee of The Telegraph said:
For all its new features, this is an episode filled with knowing nods to please Who fans, including a reference drawn from elsewhere in the Moffat catalogue, and the return of some of the Doctor’s old friends in the shape of Strax, Vastra and Jenny. Dr Simeon's ominous warning that "winter is coming" also suggests that Moffat may be a Game of Thrones fan. . . . It's not quite as action-packed as previous specials but compared with the other sedate period Christmas Day offerings of Call the Midwife and Downton Abbey, or the impending apocalypse-free episodes of The Royle Family and Strictly Come Dancing, this festive instalment of the sci-fi series will give the post-dinner snoozers a much-needed boost.
Vicky Frost of The Guardian said:
New music, new titles, a fetching new costume, sleek new Tardis interior and, most of all, a new companion, make this year's festive Doctor Who special filled with surprises. . . . It is not as if the 60-minute Christmas special – which perhaps controversially comes sprinkled with a seasonal splash of romance – is unambitious: among the co-stars is Richard E Grant as the deliciously wicked Dr Simeon, a man dreaming of a white Christmas.
Jenna explained a little of her character to Neela Debnath from The Independent:
I think it's one of these things where she meets this guy that she's incredibly interested in and by and wants to know more but there's also something - he has answers that she wants. She wants answers. She's on her own mission. (Clara) is the kind of girl who lives by her own means, she doesn't need other people as much to get by, so she's a bit more of an equal. As soon as she meets him - and he's not the kind of guy that you meet every day - she's interested and wants to know who he is and where he's come from and she doesn't give up and follows that track.
Further coverage of the press screening can be found from the Daily Mail, Evening Standard and Western Mail.

Reviewing the episode, Jonathan Carley of What Culture said:
Put simply, The Snowmen makes the Christmas Special feel fresh again, so much so it may as well be vacuum packed and wrapped with foil. So the firm underpinning of a good script is there, and I can tell you this will reward repeat viewing afterwards to reassess the intricacies of the plot. I myself am looking forward to re-watching on Christmas day if my family can tolerate my smugness. But there is also plenty going on to keep you entertained if you're feeling quite relaxed about it.
Simon Brew of Den of Geek concluded:
The Snowmen certainly bodes very well for the year ahead. It’s a lower key story on the surface, perhaps, albeit an episode that proves once again Moffat's skill for introducing major new characters. It's also an excellent Christmas special, and quite a serious one. And whereas seasonal outings for Doctor Who have proven quite divisive in recent years, we suspect this one is going to have a lot more people on its side. It's very much worth your time.

The Telegraph interviewed Jenna-Louise Coleman while on set last month and chatted about her career leading up to becoming the latest Doctor Who sidekick. In addition, Digital Spy have conducted video interviews with Steven Moffat about writing his third Christmas Special and and how to entice a new audience to the show, and with Matt and Jenna chatting about the Special.

Other general media coverage of The Snowmen include: Daily Mail; Daily Mail(2); The Sun; Independent; Metro; Mirror; Daily Star, and Radio Times.

Media Coverage (United States)

The United States press had their own screening in New York earlier in the month. Alex Zalvin of MTV reported:
This is probably the second best Christmas episode ever after 2010’s superlative A Christmas Carol. Since the latter episode is probably my favourite episode of Who ever, that's certainly putting it in high company. The episode is laugh out loud funny, emotional, and more importantly, captures the spirit of the holidays.

There's a beautiful sequence about halfway through that might be one of the most magical, storybook creations the show has ever done, more on par with a stage play than a TV show, but by golly, it works.

Jenna-Louise Coleman is a brilliant, perfect addition to the cast. Her patter, delivery, and whole demeanor make her a female Matt Smith, and it's brilliant. She matches him line for line, move for move, and if you’re not in love with her by the end of the episode...well...you’ll be in love with her.
Other coverage of the press screening appeared in: Wall Street Journal; io9; Forbes; and Huffington Post.

At an interview held at the BBC America offices (reported by CNN), Jenna was quizzed about her experiences of entering the very public world of Doctor Who:
You see "it" everywhere and you're used to it, like I was used to seeing Matt's face all over the place. But, when I was auditioning, being sat on the Tube and you see the posters, and it was always like he was pointing at me. There's not very much time to analyze as you go. It is only now that I feel like I've just been playing with all my mates for the last couple of months, and then suddenly, I'm like, "but people are going to see this," you know?

"This" life is so exciting on a daily basis. Everything's so dramatic every day, and it's the end of the world every week. You're either running or there's a snow machine or rain machine, or you're in a harness and you're on wires. ... On an off day, I find that I get bored quickly, like, "Where's the Cybermen?"
Jenna also revealed that she had auditioned for the show before, and what her grandmother thought!
I auditioned for Amy's best mate in it, and was pretty close to getting the part, and my grandma was absolutely devastated I didn't. So, we came back around, and I don't think she can believe it, actually. It is quite surreal for her, and she's quite looking forward to meeting Matt.
As previously reported, Matt and Jenna also undertook a Q&A for BBC America's Doctor Who Tumblr, fielding questions from the social networking community.

With Doctor Who having made the cover of TV Guide this December, the magazine also spoke to the two stars about their first jobs, what they do in their free time, their favourite current and childhood television shows, awkward moments, and what stands out for them in the Christmas Special.

Entertainment Weekly discuss Doctor Who and The Snowmen in their latest InsideTV podcast. Other US-based coverage included: Miami Herald; Tulsa World; San-Antonio Express; and Winston-Salem Journal; Seattle Times.




FILTER: - Steven Moffat - Matt Smith - Series Specials - Press - Jenna-Louise Coleman - Series

Songtaran CarolsBookmark and Share

Friday, 21 December 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Today's festive treat from the BBC Adventure Calendar is a selection of carols given a Sontaran makeover by Commander Strax...





FILTER: - Online - BBC

Worlds In Time Extends Its ReachBookmark and Share

Friday, 21 December 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
The Doctor Who multi-player online social game Worlds In Time has now been made available on the Kongregate, Newgrounds.com, and Armor Games platforms.

Published by BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment And Games and developed by Three Rings, it was launched earlier this year, with the game seeing players guided by the Doctor and working alone or uniting in missions against villains and iconic monsters such as the Weeping Angels, Cybermen, Daleks, Autons, Ood, and Zygons.

Robert Nashak, the executive vice-president for BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment And Games, said:
We are excited to extend the game's reach to a wider audience and bring the beloved Doctor Who brand to more players. Distribution deals with companies like Newgrounds.com, Kongregate, and Armor Games are mutually beneficial for both parties, and provide players with an avenue to expand their gaming options.
More distribution deals are said to be in development.

Kongregate co-founder and chief executive officer Jim Greer said:
We are excited to showcase the first Doctor Who online game to the Kongregate gaming platform. Doctor Who: Worlds in Time combines elements of puzzle and strategy gaming with a deep story and diverse character base under the renowned Doctor Who brand. We are always looking to bring the best new and engaging free-to-play games to Kongregate, and Doctor Who: Worlds in Time definitely fits the bill.
Tom Fulp, the founder of Newgrounds.com, added:
Newgrounds.com serves as a creative outlet for games, movies, and art. It gives individuals a platform to showcase and share their content with the world. We are happy to expand our offerings and are excited to be able to offer Doctor Who: Worlds in Time to our community.

Ron Johnson
, the director of product development at Armor Games, commented:
Many of us at Armor Games are huge fans of the Doctor Who brand, and we're excited to be able to share our love of the Doctor by presenting Doctor Who: Worlds in Time to our players.
The game is updated continually and throughout the adventure players explore and interact with various characters and complete puzzles to move the game forward. There are a variety of puzzle types that players can choose from, and completing the puzzles also serves to charge various devices, such as the sonic screwdriver. Based on a player's puzzle-play preference and skills, they can be a guardian, technician, diplomat, or adventurer in the game.

It should be noted that Worlds In Time is an online game that takes place in a live, open social environment and allows for live chat between players. As such, it is restricted to people aged at least 13. In addition, it uses "micro-transactions" for players to buy "an enhanced experience".





FILTER: - Online - Games - BBC Worldwide

People RoundupBookmark and Share

Friday, 21 December 2012 - (roundup compiled by John Bowman and Chuck Foster)
Toby Jones stars as Alfred Hitchock in a BBC Two drama about his relationship with the model and actress Tippi Hedren. The Girl, which airs on Wednesday 26th December at 9pm, also features Imelda Staunton as Hitchcock's wife, Alma, and Penelope Wilton as Peggy Robertson, who was his production assistant.

Peter Capaldi triumphed at the British Comedy Awards, winning the Best TV Comedy Actor gong for the role of Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It. Among the other nominees he beat to the title was Hugh Bonneville. [BBC News, 13 Dec 2012]

Steven Moffat's first TV work, the teen drama Press Gang, will be one of the shows feted when ITV celebrates 30 years of children's television on the commercial channel. A one-hour documentary marking the 30th anniversary of Children's ITV - which was launched on 3rd January 1983 - will be shown on ITV1 on Saturday 29th December at 6.30pm, and between 9.25am and 6pm on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th January CITV (which started on 11th March 2006) will be showing a selection of its iconic shows, including the first and last episodes of Press Gang. Two episodes of Children's Ward - which was produced by Russell T Davies, who also wrote for it - are to be shown as well, as is an episode of Button Moon, whose theme music was co-composed by Peter Davison. [Radio Times, 18 Dec 2012]

Yasmin Paige returns as Beth Mitchell when the second series of BBC Three comedy Pramface begins its run of six episodes on Tuesday 8th January at 10pm.

The two-part BBC Four drama Spies of Warsaw - starring David Tennant - starts on Wednesday 9th January at 9pm. Set in 1937, it features Tennant as Colonel Jean-Francois Mercier, the French military attaché in Warsaw. With Hitler's shadow looming over mainland Europe, Mercier is grossly suspicious of the German military's intentions, but must juggle his formal duties at stifling diplomatic functions with the often death-defying realities of espionage. The drama also stars Burn Gorman as French bureaucrat Jourdain.

The Symphonic Spectacular in Sydney, Australia was hosted by Alex Kingston and Mark Williams, who were interviewed beforehand by local Breakfast show Today; the Sydney Opera House itself has provided a behind-the-scenes video featuring the presenters and composer Murray Gold. Meanwhile, Dudley Simpson was a special guest at the show on Wednesday - the classic series composer met up with his modern series counterpart Gold and conductor Ben Foster, and was also presented with a print of all eleven Doctors, celebrating his contribution to over 250 episodes of the series. [Dallas Jones/Doctor Who Club of Australia, 21 Dec 2012]

A variety of Who names have been nominated in the 2013 WhatsOnStage Awards: Billie Piper is up for The DIGITAL THEATRE Best Actress in a Play for The Effect; her husband Laurence Fox, alongside Arthur Darvill, Cian Barry, Jolyon Coy, Matthew Lewis and Lewis Reeves, are nominated for both the Best Play Revival and The IMAIL Best Ensemble Performance awards for Our Boys; Best Supporting Actress in a Play - Fenella Woolgar (Hedda Gabler) and Helen McCrory (The Last of the Haussmans); Best Supporting Actor in a Play - Adrian Scarborough (Hedda Gabler), Mark Gatiss (The Recruiting Officer) and Tim McInnerny (Scenes from an Execution); The STAR Best Actress in a Musical - Imelda Staunton (Sweeney Todd); The JO HUTCHISON INTERNATIONAL Best Solo Performance - Simon Callow (A Christmas Carol). Voting remains open until Thursday 31st January 2013.

While on the subject of award nominations, the writer Robert Shearman is in the running for the Short Story Collection Of The Year title in the This Is Horror Awards 2012 for his anthology Remember Why You Fear Me. Voting is open until 12.01am GMT on Friday 4th January 2013.

In Memoriam:

The newsreader Kenneth Kendall has died at the age of 88. In 1955, he achieved the distinction of becoming the BBC's first in-vision newsreader, and 11 years later he made a cameo appearance in Doctor Who, playing himself as a newsreader in episode 4 of the story The War Machines. He also had a cameo as a newsreader in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. After leaving the world of news, Kendall moved to the Isle of Wight, where he ran an art gallery. [The Independent, 14 Dec 2012]

(roundup compiled by John Bowman and Chuck Foster)




FILTER: - Steven Moffat - Obituary - Russell T Davies - Billie Piper - David Tennant - Awards/Nominations

Daleks: 49 Years of Terror!Bookmark and Share

Friday, 21 December 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Today marks the 49th anniversary of the first Dalek serial, with The Dead Planet airing at 5:15pm on Saturday 21st December 1963. Though the full design by Raymond Cusick would not be revealed until after Christmas, this episode ended with an iconic moment of Barbara's scream as she is menaced by an unknown 'something' . . .

Talking about this very first appearance, Steven Moffat - writer of their most recent adventure on screen, Asylum of the Daleks - said:
The whole nation convulsed when you saw a little bit of that sucker come onto the screen - brilliant, brilliant work all those years ago!
Doctor Who's lead writer reflects on the Daleks in a series of videos celebrating their iconic moments, presented on the BBC's Adventure Calendar throughout December: their first appearance in The Daleks, their size and settings in Evil of the Daleks, and their exciting return after a number of years in Day of the Daleks.


Daleks - Invasion Earth: 2012 AD!

Not just content with confronting us with a host of old and new variations during Asylum of the Daleks, the Doctor's most persistent adversary has also been 'terrorising' children and adults alike throughout the year at various local events - here is a selection of their many appearances:

23 May: Hackers in Boulder, Colorado, altered a road sign to warn of Daleks ahead! <a target="_blank" href="http://www.coloradodaily.com/ci_20689381/warning-daleks-ahead-boulder-road-sign">Colorado Daily</a>8 June: Davros is superseded by Lowestoft's Nathan Ward as Dalek creator ...  <a target="_blank" href="http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/bernard_matthews_youth_awards_winner_from_lowestoft_creates_fundraising_dalek_1_1404510">EDP24</a>21 July: Encouraging pupils to read over the summer <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/9821593.Children_s_summer_reading_challenge_launched/">Dudley News</a>23 July: Appearing at Heroes and Legends at Margam Castle <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Daleks-Doctor-Heroes-Legends-park-event/story-16581680-detail/story.html">South Wales Evening Post</a>6 August: Helping to raise money for Great Western Air Ambulance at the Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/dr_who_s_nemeses_invade_grand_pier_for_fundraiser_1_1473166">Weston Mercury</a>6 August: Julian Vince's wish to immortalise them as a statue <a target="_blank" href="http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/wimbledonnews/9855725.Dalek_model_maker_calls_for_permanent_invasion_of_iconic_villains/">Wimbledon Guardian</a>12 August: Helping to raise money for charities in Norwich <a target="_blank" href="http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/dalek_doctor_who_and_predator_take_part_in_charity_mission_in_norwich_1_1479129">Norwich Evening News</a>31 August: A Dalek is found lurking in Cleeve Hill woodland <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Mystery-Dr-Daleks-Cleeve-Hill/story-16797642-detail/story.html">Gloucestershire Echo</a>3 September: Friend reunited? Original Dalek director Christopher Barry at the Power: Re-Imagined event, Fareham <a target="_blank" href="http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/daleks-come-to-fareham-but-it-s-all-for-good-causes-1-4219109">Portsmouth News</a>24 September: Invading Cheltenham to collect money for the NSPCC <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Exterminate-Daleks-invade-Cheltenham/story-16973044-detail/story.html">Gloucestershire Echo</a>25 September: On the loose at Alford's Grampian Transport Museum <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2946812">Aberdeen Press and Journal</a>28 September: Collecting for Ovarian Cancer UK and KiDs in Westhoughton, Bolton <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/districtnews/districtatog/9955318.Dalek_drops_in_for_charity_collection/">Bolton News</a>28 September: A Dalek from the second movie came up for auction at Dickins Auctioneers’ Antiques and Collectables, Buckinghamshire <a target="_blank" href="http://www.buckinghamtoday.co.uk/news/local/dalek-invasion-at-auctioneers-1-4303582">Bicester Advertiser and Review</a>24 October: On the front line to keep Aldbourne tidy! <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/10004662.Extermination_to_keep_Aldbourne_village_tidy/">This is Wiltshire</a>29 October: Getting reacquainted with Steven Taylor, aka Peter Purves, at a Bury St Edmunds Exhibition <a target="_blank" href="http://www.eadt.co.uk/entertainment/gallery_doctor_who_s_tardis_lands_in_bury_st_edmunds_1_1673184">EADT</a>12 November: Supporting the Movie Buffs' Collectors' Fair  at Hull University <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Invasion-movie-buffs/story-17299745-detail/story.html">This is Hull and East Striding</a>28 November: 'Celebrating' Rowde village shop’s third anniversary. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/10074698.Daleks_set_to_invide_Rowde_shop_celebrations/">This is Wiltshire</a>18 December: Raising funds for Marie Curie at Sainsbury's in Swindon. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/10114207.Customers____tears_of_laughter_as_Daleks_invade_supermarket_in_Swindon/">Swindon Advertiser</a>




FILTER: - Steven Moffat - Miscellaneous

Vastra Investigates on the BBC Red ButtonBookmark and Share

Thursday, 20 December 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Vastra Investigates. Image: BBCThe BBC have made the Doctor Who pre-Snowmen minisode Vastra Investigates available on television via the Red Button service.

Times currently announced are:

Thursday7:30pm-8:55pm
Thursday10:30pm-Midnight
FridayMidnight-6:00am
Friday9:00pm-Midnight
SaturdayMidnight-6:00am
Saturday6:00pm-6:30pm
Saturday7:55pm-8:50pm
Saturday10:05pm-Midnight
SundayMidnight-1:25am
Monday7:00pm-Midnight
TuesdayMidnight-6:00am
Tuesday3:00pm-5:15pm

The service is available on Freeview, Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media.





FILTER: - Series Specials - Series 7/33 - BBC

Movie UpdateBookmark and Share

Thursday, 20 December 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Steven Moffat has spoken a little more about how he feels about a big-screen version of Doctor Who:
The thing that I would find intolerable is that you get a film instead of the TV series because the TV series is more important. And I don't think any showrunner or future showrunner of Doctor Who would tolerate the idea that David Yates was talking about, of rebooting it and having a second continuity. That's just nonsense. Absolutely insane and a straightforward insult to the audience. We'd never, ever do that. The question would be how could we do it without delaying or harming the TV show?

I think it could be incredibly exciting to see that TARDIS fly on the big screen. It would just be how do we arrange it? And how do we make sure we have … no offense, but you suddenly take American money and they expect to tell you what to do and all that. I wouldn't be happy with that. But it will happen someday, I'm reasonably confident.
The full interview can be read at Vulture.





FILTER: - Steven Moffat - Movies

DVD UpdateBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 19 December 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
An update on recent DVD announcements and developments.

The Legacy Collection

The Region Two covers for January's DVD release of The Legacy Collection have been released:

The Legacy Collection: Slipcase Cover The Legacy Collection: Shada The Legacy Collection: More Than 30 Years In The TARDIS The Legacy Collection

The Ark in Space (Special Edition)

Additional extras have now been classified by the BBFC for the release of The Ark in Space:
00:27:34:20 DR. FOREVER! - NOT AS SEEN ON BBC TV - LOVE AND WAR
00:07:33:05 (SCENE AROUND SIX)
00:00:34:14 (EASTER EGG)
00:01:08:23 (ROBOT 8MM LOCATION FILM)
Scene Around Six is a presentation of the Northern Ireland film footage of Tom Baker visiting a school which was recently found and broadcast last year as part of Those Were The Days. Doctor Forever is the first of a five-part series by James Goss, taking a look at Doctor Who in different media.

The Region One details also report the inclusion of The Doctor Who Technical Manual as a PDF, plus tie-in promotional materials for Crosse & Blackwell, and Nestlé.

The Green Death (Special Edition)

During a DVD range discussion at last weekend's Midnight convention it was revealed that the fifth Special Edition DVD release for 2013 will be the Third Doctor story The Green Death. Originally released on a single disc, the revisited two-disc edition will enable the story to be presented in higher quality than before, and will include a full-length documentary by Chris Chapman. Revised production notes will be provided by Richard Bignell.

As a bonus, the DVD will also include the reunion of Josephine Jones née Grant with the Doctor in The Sarah Jane Adventures story Death of the Doctor, which includes a commentary with the writer Russell T Davies and Jo herself, Katy Manning.


Terror of the Zygons

The latest edition of Doctor Who Magazine confirms that Terror of the Zygons will have a production-oriented commentary, featuring Robert Banks Stewart (writer), Philip Hinchcliffe (producer), George Gallacio (production unit manager), Sylvia James (make-up), and Dick Mills (special sound), presided over by audio restoration producer Mark Ayres.


The Tenth Planet / The Ice Warriors

Talking to Radio Free Skaro earlier in the year about The Tenth Planet and The Ice Warriors, Steve Roberts said: "I don't think that either of those are actually into animation production at the moment, but certainly we have transferred the existing episodes of both of those stories and will be restoring them fully, with the expectation that there will be animations, presumably, to intertwine."

The classification of the trailer for The Ice Warriors earlier this month certainly indicates that this story looks likely to be released next year. Whether this will feature animated versions of the missing episodes two and three has yet to be announced, but both it and The Tenth Planet are expected to have their original VHS telesnap reconstructions included in the releases.

It is also hoped that the original Michael Craze introductions recorded for The Tenth Planet will also be included (Steve Roberts noted that the introductions by Carole Ann Ford for The Reign of Terror were excluded from that release due to space limitations on the disc).




FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Doctor Who Night At The Institut FrancaisBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 19 December 2012 - Reported by John Bowman
The Institut Francais in London is to hold a Doctor Who Night next month.

Featuring big-screen showings of Blink, Midnight, and The God Complex plus a masterclass from writer Toby Whithouse, the event on Saturday 19th January is part of the cross-cultural organisation's second Totally Serialized season.

The aim of the TV festival, which runs from 16th to 20th January, is to showcase the best of new productions from both sides of the Channel as well as European TV shows. It will have screenwriters, directors, and actors attending, including Hugh Bonneville (albeit for his role as the Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey).

The Doctor Who Night - which will also have a quiz, music, mystery guests, and a costume contest - starts at 7pm.




FILTER: - Special Events - UK