Force18 T-Shirt Offer

Monday, 11 July 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Force18 have launched two new designs inspired by Doctor Who, Vworp Vworp and Exterminate, and have provided a special discount on ordering t-shirts for readers of Doctor Who News.

The offer provides a £2.00 discount on any order made on their website, valid until the 31st August 2011, and can be claimed by using this code during the checkout process:

DOCTORWHONEWS

Visit the Force18 website to see these and other t-shirt designs from the company.

Please visit our Competitions website for a chance to win one of the designs, courtesy of Force18.

FILTER: - Merchandise

Force18: T-Shirt competition

Monday, 11 July 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Force18 are offering readers of Doctor Who News a chance to win one of their new Doctor Who-inspired t-shirt designs.

In order to enter the competition, simply answer the following question:

Force18's new designs are inspired by two of Doctor Who's memorable icons ... but in which episode did we see a Dalek actually appear inside the TARDIS?

Closing date: Sunday 17 July. Open to residents of the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and all EU Member States.

Email your answer to this competition address with the subject line "Force18 Competition" - we will contact the winners with details on how to receive their prize from Force18 after the competition has closed. Please state which t-shirt design you'd prefer to receive if you win.

FILTER: - T-Shirts - Competitions - Doctor Who News

Doctor Who is an average person's favourite show

Monday, 11 July 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

An "alternative census" has been carried out in the UK to determine what constitutes the "average" person's life in the United Kingdom, and reports that Doctor Who is the programme they most like to watch!

The survey was undertaken in over 2000 households by energy management service AlertMe, with chief executive officer of the company Mary Turner explaining:

The government census tells us information that is quite run-of-the-mill. We wanted to find out the bare bones of people’s everyday behaviour.

Looking into daily lives, the report uncovered snippets such as favourites foods of the week (with fish and chips being the obvious Friday winner), families eating together three times a week (at 5:54pm!), and generally getting home from work at 5:15pm. Eight out of ten families consider themselves to be "happy" or "very happy", with 70% of adults considering their household as "completely normal". Half of families surveyed also indicated that television is their main form of entertainment, with a typical family tuning in for some nine hours a day and citing Doctor Who as their favoured show.

The survey also found that the average person gets up at 6:57am and goes to bed at 10:50pm - so there's no reason to miss Torchwood this coming Thursday!

FILTER: - Doctor Who - UK - Miscellaneous

Fan Productions roundup

Saturday, 9 July 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

This roundup features three fanzines, two of which are first issues, a new album from a Time Lord Rock band and the first completed work by the Doctor Who Fan Orchestra.

Doctor Who Fan Orchestra - I Am The Doctor

DWFO: "I Am The Doctor", "socksofbalhoon", via YouTube

Whotopia - Issue 21

In this issue:

Nicholas Courtney & Elisabeth Sladen Tributes - Michael S Collins, Gary Phillips, Bob Furnell, Thomas Willam Spychalski and Claire Chaplin pay tribute to two fo the series' most acclaimed actors.
Jean-Marc L'Officier Interview - Jez Strickley talks to the author and translator about the original Doctor Who program guide, French comics and a certain Docteur Omega...
Music for Ming Mongs - David MacGowan takes us on an innovative tour of Doctor Who by way of the indie rock band, the Gossip.
Wholife: Dressing Up - Grant Bull joins Whotopia's team of columnists with an ireverent look at dress sense in Doctor Who.
Dalek's Advocate: In Defence of Michael Grade - Jon Arnold don's the mantle of Skarosian lawyer to defend former BBC Controller Michael Grade.
The Fanzine Corner - With the world of fanzines at his fingertips, Bob Furnell spotlights one of fandoms enduring features in the all-new column.
They Think It's All Over - Michael S. Collins mind turns to a tournament of galactic proportions.
Audio Tomb - Matthew Kresal explores the audio version of The Tomb of The Cybermen with an eye on its TV counterpart.
Who's Catchphrase Craze - Emily Jones considers how certain catchphrases have come to define the new series.
Sarah Jane Adventures: Series Four Reviews - Jon Arnold, Grant Bull, Brendan Kennedy, Dan Rushton, Thomas Willam Spychalski and Ian Wheeler tell us about the latest offerings from the successful spin-off series.
K-9 Series One Review - How did the much-anticipated K-9 series fare? Gary Phillips tells all.
Target Trawl - Wirrn and Axons are on the menu in another lively instalment from our resident Target books reader, Nick Mellish.
Screwdrivers, Scaries and Scarves: The TARDIS - A look at the Doctor's longest-standing 'companion' by Jez Strickley.
Sacreligious Thoughts - Bob Furnell offers explanations why he's not in love with Doctor Who like he use to be.
A Christmas Carol Review - Just how special was Matt Smith's first Christmas outing? Gary Phillips gives us his view.
Fiction: The Thoughts of a Time Machine - New original fiction from British writer Martin Hearn.

All this and more in Whotopia issue 21. Available to download for free in PDF format.

Fanwnak - Issue 1

In this issue:

Interview - Toby Hadoke on moths, the BBC and running through corridors...
Doctor Who's Big Fat Gypsy Massacre!
Jeff's Internet History Lessons
Shada Reconstruction News
Philip Hinchcliffe's Production Notes
Fan Fiction - The Silent Space
William Shakespeare
My Heretical Error
Gumblejack
Mo' Hanky-Panky In The TARDIS
The Unloved
Six Years Of New Doctor Who
Doctor Ooh!
Comic Strip - At Home With The Who's
Trying Not To Get Lost
Doctor Who And The Victorians
Letterbox

And more...

Submissions needed for Issue 2:

In order to survive, every printed publication needs high quality contributors. (Hopefully, that's you!) In an age where online publication is the now the norm, it is instantly gratifying to get your work/thoughts out to the world for virtually free and getting a printed fanzine off the ground is hard. FANWNAK Issue 1 eventually launched with much acclaim after months of development. Now it's your chance to contribute to the upcoming Issue 2. Just email me at snhbuk@gmail.com if you'd like to help out. I am accepting comic strips (in full glorious colour) and articles for either the new or classic series of Doctor Who whether they be funny or serious, I'd appreciate your support. Thank you!

Theta Morbius Times - Issue 1

In this issue:

We pay tribute to the incredible lives of Elisabeth Sladen and Nicholas Courtney in Who's News
TMT exclusively interviews Baelcolour and Aquatics64, two highly regarded fan film creators about their life, their craft and their future
Memorial is a tragic and moving strip about grief and loss. Find out what makes it so succesful in the Archive
And in another comic strip feature, TMT investigates the incredible world of the Doctor's comic strip companions in the Fundamentals
We review the first two episodes of Series Six and find out what makes these episodes work in Who's Views
In an incredible exclusive we interview Rich Morris, the creator of the incredible comic strip The Ten Doctors in the first part of our Serialised Comic
Plus regular features such as Novelisational, the Escapists column and reviews of both new and old episodes and merchandise.

All this and more in the latest issue of Theta Morbius Times!

Chameleon Circuit - Still Got Legs

Release Date: July 12, 2011

You can listen to the whole album for free in the player below courtesy of Alex Day.

More products from Chameleon Circuit can be found here.

FILTER: - Fan Productions

UK Classic DVD update: The Sun Makers

Friday, 8 July 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

2|Entertain have now released details on next month's DVD release, The Sun Makers; this story marks the completion of Season 15 on DVD, the penultimate adventure under producership of Graham Williams, and brings the remaining list of Fourth Doctor adventures still to be released down to four (five if the incomplete Shada is included).

The Sun Makers
Release Date: 1st August 2011 (available for pre-order)

Starring Tom Baker as Doctor Who, with Louise Jameson as Leela
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by Pennant Roberts

Broadcast: 26th November 1977 - 17th December 1977

Far in the distant future, Earth has become uninhabitable, forcing mankind to colonise first Mars, and then Pluto...

No longer the coldest planet in the Solar System, Pluto is now warmed by a series of artificial suns. But access to the sunlight is limited to a select few... The majority of the citizens of the vast Megropolis cities are being overworked and overtaxed by the ruling elite, led by the Gatherer, and the sinister Collector.

When the Doctor, Leela and K9 arrive they discover that all is not well on Pluto. The human population is being totally exploited, while deep in the Undercity, a small band of rebels seeks to overthrow the mysterious 'Company' that controls all aspects of everyday life.

As the situation gets more desperate, the Doctor is forced to fight the oppression of the evil corporate rulers of Pluto. And their taxes...!

Special Features

Commentary with actors Tom Baker, Louise Jameson and Michael Keating, director Pennant Roberts.
Running from the Tax Man – a retrospective look at the making of the story and the science behind it. With actors Louise Jameson and Michael Keating, director Pennant Roberts, writer and historian Dominic Sandbrook and astronomer Marek Kukula.
Outtakes
Trailer – the original BBC1 trailer for the story.
The Doctor’s Composer – Part Two – the concluding part of the series looking at the career of prolific composer Dudley Simpson, covering his work on the show in the seventies.
Photo Gallery – production, design and publicity photos from the story.
Coming Soon – a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.
Programme subtitles
Subtitle Production Notes

Meanwhile, the Classic Doctor Who team have continued to keep readers appraised with the developments on future releases over Twitter (summary over the last month detailed below). Amongst the tidbits are the completion of Revisitations 3 - due to be released next year, and that while Elisabeth Sladen sadly hadn't recorded any further commentaries, Nicholas Courtney will feature on The Ambassadors of Death, and Barry Letts on The Mind of Evil.

05 Jun Mark Ayres: 4 seconds missing from VHS & US tx masters returned to @classicdw
Colony in Space for DVD. Restores 2 lines of dialogue.
06 Jun ClassicDW: Cracking doc on THE DAEMONS from Chris Chapman signed off.
Sue Hedden worth the price of DVD alone. What a great character!
06 Jun Mark Ayres: Colony in Space - restored soundtracks and mixed commentaries for
@classicdw DVD release done and delivered via ftp.
08 Jun ClassicDW: Enjoyable doc from James Goss signed off.
First in a series, and featuring Louise Jameson.
08 Jun Ed Stradling: Happiness Patrol making-of being heavily cut down today. Some of cut
material may be uploaded by @classicdw on youtube if you ask him nicely
08 Jun ClassicDW: Many have asked whether there are any unreleased commentaries featuring
N Courtney, L Sladen or B Letts.
08 Jun ClassicDW: Sadly there are none unreleased Elisabeth comms.
Nick appears on AMBASSADORS OF DEATH, and Barry on MIND OF EVIL.
08 Jun Ed Stradling: @classicdw worth RTing that Barry will also appear in vision discussing all
of his serials except 'Death to the Daleks', and other features
08 Jun ClassicDW: Final PARADISE TOWERS sleeves approved and off to the printers!
09 Jun Mark Ayres: Much of the week so far spent working on @classicdw @Thetamation @bigfinish
Reign of Terror. Now: a day-trip to Svartos.
12 Jun Ed Stradling: I am crap at deciding programme titles. I have "Studio Svartos" for the
Dragonfire making-of. Can any #doctorwho fans think of a better one?
13 Jun Ed Stradling: @Xander, @Babelcolour and @NicholasPegg "Fire and Ice" is now the title
of the Dragonfire doc.
14 Jun Ed Stradling: Shooting with Shaun Ley for a feature on the Happiness Patrol DVD
@classicdw http://t.co/4HWOQ0A
15 Jun ClassicDW: REVISITATIONS 3 completed! Sterling work from the team. Looking at release
first half 2012. VidFIRED TOMB looking great. :)
16 Jun Ed Stradling: Very very busy on graphics and title bumpers for DW Happiness Patrol.
17 Jun James Loosemore: Just finishing off the final mixes of my arrangement of the
Doctor Who Theme for @classicdw
18 Jun Chris Chapman: Seems like my next @classicdw shoot will be in late July - all
outdoors on location, always a bonus!
21 Jun Chris Chapman: Have a feeling that our Reign of Terror @classicdw doco could be
one of the best topics we've tackled - now just need a bit of good luck!
22 Jun Ed Stradling: krotons already commissioned for a making-of. Not sure about ice warrs.
23 Jun Ed Stradling: Dragonfire DVD doc finished and playing out to tape.
24 Jun Mark Ayres: Mastered audio for @classicdw Dragonfire and The Happiness Patrol DVDs
all complete and delivered.
25 Jun ClassicDW: Changes made to the VAM packages for KROTONS and PLANET OF GIANTS
following suggestions from @edstradling. Should be good! :)
26 Jun ClassicDW: Some lovely First Doctor character tests through from @thetamation
for REIGN OF TERROR.
27 Jun ClassicDW: Signed off menus for DAY OF THE DALEKS - Special Edition DVD.
27 Jun ClassicDW: Signed off cracking promo for ACE BOX featuring DRAGONFIRE and HAPPINESS PATROL.
New graphics in there, marvellously "Breakdance"!
28 Jun Chris Chapman: Opening animation for my @classicdw Death to the Daleks doco shaping up
nicely! Nice and moody...
28 Jun Mark Ayres: It's very hot in the studio today.
I put it down to unstable matter interfaces. Nightmare!
29 Jun Ed Stradling: Up bright and early for some GV shots! @classicdw http://t.co/BhbzhzV
01 Jul Chris Chapman: Our @classicdw Death to the Daleks doco is into the home stretch -
running at around 27mins at present. Feels like a good one!
01 Jul Chris Chapman: Quotes from @classicdw Death to the Daleks doco include:
"I think Terry Nation was taking the mickey!"
06 Jul Mark Ayres: Given that I have aleady restored this @classicdw title for audiobook,
DVD mastering should be easy...
07 Jul Chris Chapman: @0tralala I've done what you asked for! The Death to the Daleks Target book
is in the @classicdw DVD doco - ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?? :-)
07 Jul Chris Chapman: I'm taking requests (caveat: which I can totally ignore) for things YOU
want to see in the @classicdw GreatestShow and ReignOfTerror docos!
08 Jul Chris Chapman: Right! I've just sent @classicdw my nearly-final cut of our
Death to the Daleks doco - 'Beneath the City of the Exxilons'. Hope he likes it!

Some artwork has also been released for Italian versions of classic Doctor Who stories, which are distributed by DNC Entertainment; a number of titles have been mentioned including I Dalek Invadono La Terra, Gli Inizi, I Semi Della Morte, L'Invasione and Il Lardo Di Menti.

via Twitter	via Twitter	via Twitter	via Twitter
via Twitter	via Twitter	via Twitter	via Twitter

FILTER: - Italy - UK - Tom Baker - International Broadcasting - Classic Series - Latin America -

BBC responds to complaints over Torchwood scheduling

Friday, 8 July 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

The BBC has posted a response to complaints from UK fans over the scheduling of Torchwood: Miracle Day. BBC One will broadcast episodes six days after the US broadcast and five days after the Australian and Canadian broadcasts which has angered some fans. The Hollywood Reporter and The Guardian blogged about the delay.

Torchwood, Scheduling, BBC One
Publication date: 8 July 2011

Complaint

We received complaints from viewers unhappy that the new series of Torchwood will be broadcast in America before the UK.

The BBC's Response

We are pleased to announce that Torchwood will return to BBC One at 21.00 on Thursday 14 July.

Starz in the US have the contractual right to the World Premiere, that relates to the deal that was done and ultimately this has created better value for licence fee payers.

Contractually, the broadcasters in other territories can transmit from the next day onwards but being as close to the transmission in the US is not the only factor in the scheduling decision. We have identified what we think is the best slot for BBC One viewers and have also ensured that it's within a week of transmission in the US.

Eve Myles was interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter and gave her thoughts about the fan reaction to the delay of the UK broadcast.

THR: We’re sure you’ve heard the rancor out of the UK about BBC’s delayed premiere of the show. What would you like to say to those fans?

Myles: We never, ever, ever wanted to take this show away from the original fans. What we always wanted to do with the show was give them a gift every year, something wonderful, a big, big present. And if that present isn’t good enough, we aren’t going to give it to you. We’ve made you the best, best series yet. And it works out that it will be a week after the U.S. showing. And obviously we have nothing to do with that -- me nor John [Barrowman] or [showrunners Russel T. Davies and Julie Gardner]. But, just hold on tight. I’d just like to remind them that they’re our fans. We want them to sit back and enjoy it, be proud of it like we are, and to stick with us. If it was up to me and John, we’d have it to them straight away. But, it’s not.

THR: So, do you understand where they’re coming from?

Myles: Oh my God, of course I do. I was the biggest Six Feet Under fan in the world. And if that had happened, it went out there first and it didn’t come out here. That did happen with the first series. It went out there and we had to wait. And the reason why I was so frustrated and kind of pissed off about it is because I couldn’t wait to see it. I was so excited about seeing it. You just want to get to see it, don’t you? I mean fair play. These people have waited just over two years for this next season. You know, they’ve waited long enough. I wish I had the ten episodes here and I can invite them to my house and we could all watch them together. You know, tonight. Unfortunately, my house isn’t big enough and I only have one [episode] myself [she laughs]. Yeah, I’d like to say that if I had something to do with it that this wouldn’t be happening. But, sit tight, because it is a fantastic ride.

FILTER: - Torchwood - UK - Miracle Day (Series 4) - Broadcasting - BBC

Torchwood: Web of Lies - Episode 1

Thursday, 7 July 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

Starz have now released the first part of Torchwood: Web of Lies for iOS devices in the US, and have also made it available to watch worldwide online:

Torchwood: Web of Lies - Episode 1, Starz, via YouTube

There are also two introductory videos featuring the characters of Gwen and Holly:

Torchwood: Web of Lies - Holly, Starz, via YouTube

Torchwood: Web of Lies - Gwen, Starz, via YouTube

The secret of immortality revealed? Find out in "Torchwood: Web of Lies", a unique 10 part companion to the new Russell T Davies series "Torchwood: Miracle Day." This completely original episodic interactive experience fuses together incredible motion comic graphics and gameplay to tell a digital-exclusive Torchwood story.

Players participate in a parallel narrative to the "Torchwood: Miracle Day" that delves deeper into the dramatic events which unfold in the TV series. "Torchwood: Web of Lies" includes lead characters Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper – voiced by John Barrowman and Eve Myles – AND introduces Eliza Dushku as the voice of Holly, a young woman intent on finding out what has happened to her brother and the world.

Immerse yourself in the exciting world of Torchwood like never before as you crack codes, break locks and race across landscapes in search of the real truth behind Miracle Day.

What happened to Jack and Gwen on that "missing day" back in 2007 - the day that neither remembers? Is it possible that a young, paranoid conspiracy theorist actually stumbled into the chilling truth and what it means for Miracle Day? The ONLY place to find out is in "Torchwood: Web of Lies."

Torchwood: Web of Lies is written by HUGO award winner Jane Espenson and Ryan Scott and Executive Produced by Russell T Davies.

This first FREE download gives you Episode 1 of Torchwood: Web of Lies. Then watch Torchwood: Miracle Day every week and return to the app the DAY AFTER for an opportunity to get a new episode of Web of Lies. Every episode includes more original story told through motion graphics AND new gameplay, culminating in a thrilling interactive finale in Episode 10.

This application is made by BBC Worldwide. BBC Worldwide is a commercial company that is owned by the BBC. The profits BBC Worldwide make from it go back to BBC programme-makers to help fund great new BBC programmes.

Episode 1 of Torchwood: Miracle Day, The New World, premieres on Friday 8th July on Starz at 10pm ET/PT. You can find the full schedule, including repeats at This Week In Doctor Who.

FILTER: - Torchwood - Online - Miracle Day (Series 4)

Competition Roundup (7th July 2011)

Thursday, 7 July 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Here is a list of the currently known open competitions related to Doctor Who - if you come across any competitions not listed please feel free to let us know!


Doctor Who Adventures	10 Jul	Win a family ticket to The Crash of Elysium (on 17 Jul). UK residents only.
What's On Stage	12 Jul	Win a family ticket to The Crash of Elysium (on 17 Jul). UK residents only.
Doctor Who Adventures	13 Jul	Win six Doctor Who audio books. UK residents only.
Watch	13 Jul	Win tickets to the Doctor Who Experience. UK residents only.
Cinema Blend	15 Jul	Win the first three series of Torchwood on DVD (R1). US residents only.
Cultbox	15 Jul	Win a copy of the book The Man Who Invented The Daleks. UK residents only.
Chicago Tribune	15 Jul	Win Torchwood goodies. US residents only.
Doctor Who News	18 Jul	Win one of five copies of the book Torchwood: First Born. UK residents only
Eye of Horus	25 Jul	Win one of ten copies of Paradise Towers on DVD (R2). Open Worldwide.
DrWho Online	31 Jul	Win one of three copies of Paradise Towers on DVD (R2). Open Worldwide
DrWho Online	31 Jul	Win one of three copies of The Eye Of The Jungle on CD. Open Worldwide
Nova FM	unknown	Win $2500 to celebrate the return of Torchwood. AU residents only.
Blu-ray Disc Reporter	unknown	Win a copy of Doctor Who Series 6 Pt 1 on blu-ray.

FILTER: - Competitions

Coming Soon: Dead of Night

Thursday, 7 July 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC have now updated their programme information for Week 30 with details of Torchwood: Miracle Day's third episode, Dead of Night, which will premiere in the UK on BBC1/BBC1HD at 9:00pm, 28th July.

The following is the plot synopsis for Dead of Night which might be considered a spoiler

Torchwood goes on the run – and finds a new enemy. But as they launch a raid on PhiCorp headquarters, Jack must confront the mysterious Oswald Danes.

Episode three includes guest stars Wayne Knight (Jurassic Park, Seinfeld), Dillon Casey (The Vampire Diaries) and Richard Gilliland (Desperate Housewives).

FILTER: - Torchwood - UK - Press - Miracle Day (Series 4)