BFI: The Fifth Doctor Panel

Wednesday, 15 May 2013 - Reported by John Bowman
A video of the guest panel at this month's BFI celebration of the Fifth Doctor's era is now available to watch.

As part of its Doctor Who At 50 season, the BFI screened The Caves of Androzani, which was followed by a question-and-answer session featuring actors Peter Davison, Sarah Sutton, Janet Fielding, and Matthew Waterhouse, as well as the story director Graeme Harper.


The event, held on Saturday 4th May, saw the discussion led by season co-curator Justin Johnson.

As reported last month, the next celebratory screening - marking the Sixth Doctor's era - will be The Two Doctors, taking place on Saturday 15th June at 2pm. Because demand for all the events has been so high, tickets are now being allocated via ballot.





FILTER: - Special Events - Online - BFI - WHO50 - Fifth Doctor - Peter Davison

Next Time: The Name of The Doctor

Tuesday, 14 May 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster
This weekend's adventure for the Doctor and Clara is the series finale, The Name of the Doctor, written by Steven Moffat and directed by Saul Metzstein. The episode will premiere on BBC One in the United Kingdom on Saturday at 7:00pm.

The Name of the Doctor - Publicity Poster (Credit: BBC/Ray Burmiston/Adrian Rogers)The Doctor has a secret he will take to his grave. And it is discovered...


The Doctor - Matt Smith
Clara - Jenna-Louise Coleman
River Song - Alex Kingston
Dr Simeon - Richard E Grant
Vastra - Neve McIntosh
Jenny - Catrin Stewart
Strax - Dan Starkey
Angie - Eve de Leon Allen
Artie - Kassius Carey Johnson
Andro - Nasi Voutsas
Fabian - David Avery
Clarence - Michael Jenn
Archie - Rab Affleck
Messenger Boy - Samuel Irvine
Young Clara - Sophie Downham
Whisper Man - Paul Kasey

Writer - Steven Moffat
Director - Saul Metzstein
Producer - Marcus Wilson

This week's episode sets up the evening before the annual Eurovision Song Contest, which kicks off from 8:00pm on BBC1 (bridged by The National Lottery Draw at 7:45pm). After last week's focus on football, ITV returns to its usual programming of You've Been Framed from 6:30pm, followed by the continuing search of Britain's Got Talent from 7:30pm. BBC2 will be showing Flog It! from 7:00pm, and in a change from the previous week pattern this time Channel 4 is showing a film, Rise of the Silver Surfer, from 7:15pm, whilst Channel 5 offers Cricket (England vs New Zealand).


Internationally, The Name of The Doctor will be broadcast in the United States and Canada on BBC America and SPACE respectively at 8:00pm ET the same evening, and then on Sunday it can be watched in Australia via ABC at 7:30pm, Poland via BBC Entertainment at 6:00pm, and South Africa via BBC Entertainment at 7:00pm. Meanwhile, New Zealand viewers will see The Crimson Horror this Thursday on PRIME at 8:30pm.

See This Week in Doctor Who for more details on scheduling and repeats.

The Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBCThe Name of the Doctor. Images: BBC





FILTER: - Series 7/33

Big Screen Celebrations in Australia and New Zealand

Tuesday, 14 May 2013 - Reported by Paul Scoones
Doctor Who Projections Vivid Sydney June 2013 (Credit: BBC Worldwide)Saturday 1st June sees a big screen, one-night only, celebration of Doctor Who's 50th anniversary across Australia and New Zealand.

Doctor Who Projections Vivid Sydney June 2013 (Credit: BBC Worldwide)A double bill of episodes from Series 7, Asylum of the Daleks and The Angels Take Manhattan will screen at 48 cinemas across Australia and New Zealand, including EventDendy and Village cinemas in Australia, and Event Cinemas in New Zealand.

This will be the second one-off simultaneous cinema screening in both countries this year. The first was for The Impossible Astronaut / Day of the Moon on 14th March.

Doctor Who Projections Vivid Sydney June 2013 (Credit: BBC Worldwide)On the same night as the cinema screenings, a light show featuring Doctor Who projections will be staged in Sydney.

A series of specially-created 3D-mapped images will be projected on to the façade of Sydney’s Customs House at Circular Quay.

The Doctor Who projections are part of the 18-day Vivid Sydney festival, taking place from 24 May to 10 June. The festival is organised by the New South Wales Government Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
“This is a one-night only celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who, and sees Australian creative innovators, The Spinifex Group, working with the Doctor Who team to create projections that will deliver a show-stopping, unique anniversary celebration for Doctor Who’s legion of fans.” - Andrew Stoner, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment.
“We are delighted to partner with Destination NSW and Vivid Sydney to bring this unique night of Doctor Who entertainment to life in Sydney. Vivid Sydney is the perfect platform for this Anniversary celebration, which will see the Doctor projected 7m high onto one of the city’s most historic buildings. The Spinifex Group has done a tremendous job of creating a display which makes the most of Customs House’s amazing façade.” - Sharon Wilson, Head of Marketing, Global Brands, BBC Worldwide Australia and New Zealand. 




FILTER: - Special Events - BBC Worldwide - WHO50 - New Zealand - Australia

Radio Times Cover for The Name of The Doctor

Tuesday, 14 May 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Radio Times (18 - 14 May 2013) (Credit: Radio Times)Next week's edition of the Radio Times (18-24 May 2013) sees Jenna-Louise Coleman grace the front cover. with the actress being featured as part of the publicity for the series finale, The Name of the Doctor.

Talking about being the public spotlight, she said:
Matt warned me that there’s nothing that can prepare you for it. All I can do is enjoy it. I’ve noticed some changes – nothing huge. I have a really cool job and get to do these crazy things and you do have so many ‘pinch me’ moments. I’ve just been sent emails with pics of the Clara doll, which is kind of...

That isn’t completely normal, is it? People do come up to me, but so far they’ve really engaged with the show and the character and just want to chat. Yesterday a little boy walked past and said, “You all right, Soufflé Girl?” Which put a smile on my face. So it’s not obtrusive.
Commenting on advice from her co-star, Matt Smith:
His first advice was never Google yourself and, now that I’ve got a three-month break, he said take your time and choose your next role carefully. I’ve read loads of scripts but nothing I’m really in love with.


In the beginning we see a Clara in the 60s, 70s and the 80s so there are a lot of costume changes, which I love. Always one for a bit of dressing up, me. Love a red carpet. Richard E Grant is back with his evil Great Intelligence, the Doctor’s greatest secret is revealed, all of his friends rally round to protect him and we finally understand why the Doctor has met Clara so many different times.

The full interview can be read in the new edition, out today.

Clara receives a letter summoning her to a mysterious meeting, where she is given a message for the Doctor. The meaning is uncertain, but when an enemy strikes the Time Lord is left with no choice but to travel to the one place in time and space he should never go - into a deadly trap that threatens to unravel his past, present and future.

Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman star in what promises to be a thrilling climax, with Alex Kingston returning as River Song. Sadly, fans will have to wait a full six months for their next Who fix, until the much talked-about 50th anniversary special which is due to be shown in November. Last in the series.




FILTER: - Jenna-Louise Coleman - Radio Times - Series 7/33

Nightmare in Silver AI: 84

Monday, 13 May 2013 - Reported by Marcus

Nightmare in Silver had an Appreciation Index, or AI score, of 84.

The Appreciation Index or AI is a measure of how much the audience enjoyed the programme. The score, out of a hundred, is compiled by a specially selected panel of around 5,000 people who go online and rate and comment on programmes.

Doctor Who again scored higher than most of Saturday's output. The highest scoring programmes of the day were Casualty with 87, Dad's Army with 89 and Avatar with 86.




FILTER: - Doctor Who - Ratings - UK - Series 7/33

Australian overnight ratings for Nightmare in Silver

Monday, 13 May 2013 - Reported by Adam Kirk

Nightmare in Silver has debuted in Australia, averaging 696,000 viewers in the five major capital cities. It was the ABC's second highest rating drama of the day and the fourteenth highest rating program of the day overall. These ratings do not include regional or time-shifted viewers.
Media Links: TV Tonight




FILTER: - Ratings - Broadcasting - Series 7/33 - Australia

Fans asked not to spoil the season finale

Sunday, 12 May 2013 - Reported by Marcus
Some fans in America have been enjoying the Doctor Who series finale early due to a mistake in the American distribution of the Series 7 Blu-rays and DVDs.

The Name of the Doctor, which concludes the current series of the show, is due for transmission next weekend in the UK, North America and Australia. The episode is included in the Series Seven - Part Two Blu-ray and DVD sets, which were due to be released on 28 May.

However a distribution error has meant some copies of the discs have already been sent out in North America giving some fans a sneak preview of the final episode.

Doctor Who's brand manager, Edward Russell, has appealed to fans who have seen the episode to keep the show's secrets until it is broadcast at the weekend. On twitter he said
Production error in US means DW bluray shipped early. Let's hope no one spoils it for those who want to enjoy it together on Saturday. This is like a Doctor Who version of the Dunkirk spirit! I know some folk want to boast, but it's so much better if we all watch together.

Update Monday. The BBC have now added on Twitter: "Steven Moffat has promised if fans help keep the finale’s secrets, we’ll release a special video featuring Matt and David right after the ep!". This was also detailed via their Facebook page:
We understand that a small number of US fans have received in error their DVD edition of Series 7 Part 2 early. We respectfully ask those fans not to divulge information or post content publicly so that fellow fans who have yet to see the episodes do not have their viewing pleasure ruined.

If everyone keeps the secrets safe until next Saturday we will release a special new clip featuring material of the Tenth AND Eleventh Doctor!

Update Tuesday. An email has been sent to recipients of the boxed set, as follows:
Dear Valued Customer,

I'm sending this e-mail on behalf of BBC America Shop and understand you've received, or will be receiving, the DVD of Doctor Who Series 7 Part 2 early.

We respectfully ask you not to give away information or post content publicly online so that you don't ruin it for fellow fans who won't see the finale until it airs on Saturday. Lead Writer and Executive Producer Steven Moffat has promised if fans help keep the finale's secrets until after it airs on Saturday, we'll release a special video featuring Matt Smith and David Tennant.

We really appreciate your help in keeping the finale a secret for the rest of your fellow Whovians!

Thank you so much,
Gina Lee
Customer Care




FILTER: - Doctor Who - Leading News - Blu-ray/DVD - Series 7/33

Nightmare in Silver: Overnight Viewing Figures

Sunday, 12 May 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Nightmare in Silver: Publicity Image (Credit: BBC/Adrian Rogers)Nightmare in Silver achieved an overnight audience average of 4.7 million viewers (with a peak of 5.6m), a share of 21.4% of the total TV audience during its broadcast.

Britain's Got Talent remains the nation's favourite programme to watch on Saturday evenings with an average of 10.9 million (47% share. 12.3m peak). The late afternoon FA Cup Final on ITV1 (the match finish overlapping Doctor Who) saw a peak viewing of 9.4 million (42% share), though its overall average was 4.96 million viewers (31.3% share). Meanwhile, The Voice remained BBC One's top show of the evening with 7.4 million viewers.

Final ratings will be released next week, which normally sees a substantial increase in Doctor Who's audience once those who timeshift the programme are factored in.





FILTER: - Doctor Who - Ratings - Series 7/33

Next Week: The Name of the Doctor

Saturday, 11 May 2013 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The BBC have now released She Said, He Said, the mini episode to set the scene for next week's The Name of the Doctor, which is available to watch on television in the UK via the Red Button service.

The times scheduled are as follow:

Saturday7:40pm-midnight
Sunday6:15pm-8:00pm
Monday5:10pm-5:45pm
Tuesday6:30pm-Midnight
WednesdayMidnight-6:00am
Thursday4:00am-5:10pm
Thursday7:15pm-7:55pm
Thursday9:30pm-10:25pm
Friday4:00am-12:00pm

The service is available on Freeview, Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media, and is available online via the BBC iPlayer and YouTube.

The trailer for The Name of the Doctor is also available to watch via the BBC iPlayer and YouTube.






FILTER: - Online - Series 7/33

BFI: The Fourth Doctor Panel

Saturday, 11 May 2013 - Reported by John Bowman
A video of the guest panel at last month's BFI celebratory screening of The Robots of Death can now be watched online.

The event, which was held on Saturday 20th April as part of the BFI's Doctor Who At 50 season, marked the Fourth Doctor's era.

The BFI has uploaded a four-minute excerpt featuring Tom Baker, which can be seen below and on its YouTube channel.


The fuller, 32-minute presentation, which also features former companion actress Louise Jameson and ex-producer Philip Hinchcliffe, can be seen here. The discussion was led by season co-curator Justin Johnson.

The BFI says it will be uploading the panel video from last Saturday's Fifth Doctor event next week.

As reported earlier, the next celebratory screening will be The Two Doctors on Saturday 15th June at 2pm. Because demand for all the events so far has been so high, tickets are now being allocated on a ballot basis.





FILTER: - Special Events - Tom Baker - Online - BFI - WHO50 - Fourth Doctor