DW Magazine Roundup

Friday, 4 March 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Out on March 9 is SFX's Doctor Who Special,, reprinting most of SFX's Doctor Who interviews and articles throughout the years including interviews with
Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Elisabeth Sladen, Nicholas Courtney, Deborah Watling, Frazer Hines, Carole Ann Ford, Katy Manning, Michael Craze, Anneke Wills, Sarah Sutton, Terrance Dicks, plus Couch Potatos with Sylvester McCoy and Mark Strickson, aticles including "Doctor Who û The Inbetween Years," the making of the TV movie, a new Russell T Davies interview, "at a glance" guide to the new series with new photos, Paul Cornell writing about his episode, a rare photo archive, Doctor Who on vinyl, every DVD reviewed and rated and much, much more! Below is the cover illustration. (Thanks to Steve O'Brien, Ian Berriman)

Meanwhile, TV Zone issue 187 will also contain Doctor Who content. "We go behind-the-scenes on the BBC's revival of Doctor Who, talking to Russell T Davies and the key players behind the new series, including Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffatt and Julie Gardner! Plus! - All the latest developments on Doctor Who in our News section. And! - Who author Lance Parkin shares his Deep Thoughts on the end of Star Trek - and what lessons the franchise can learn from Who's return..." It's out on March 8.

Already on sale is Dreamwatch issue #127. "He's back -- and it really is about time! As the new series' debut rapidly approaches, dreamwatch takes an episode-by-episode look at the return of Doctor Who." The news and reviews columns are extra-long this month, too, covering the latest developments in the SF and fantasy genre. The cover illustration is below.

FILTER: - Magazines

A Second Series?

Friday, 4 March 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Interviewed in the latest issue of DWM, executive producer Julie Gardner says that both she and Russell T Davies want to do a second series of Doctor Who with Christopher Eccleston, should it be commissioned, and that they were having a meeting at the start of February to talk about what they'd do if they got the go-ahead. "We're already behind [because] to go again with the same number of episodes [...] we'd need to start filming at the same time as we did last year. On the first series, we were having those conversations in December [... but] I think there are lessons from the first series that we could implement to speed things up." Davies also mentions in his Production Notes that he and Gardner discussed his outline for 13 episodes for Series 2 during a train journey to London. "If Series Two ever exists, then these scripts will happen." Importantly, Russell prefaces this with "Of course, Series Two isn't commissioned yet - I suspect we won't know until a good few weeks into transmission of Series One - but we've got to plan ahead regardless." It's also noted that the BBC Four documentary on Davies shot footage of Russell and the production team watching "our very first viewing of The Long Game". So there is a chance that clips from that episode might be shown several weeks ahead of its actual broadcast (the documentary being scheduled for mid-March). For more on this, pick up Issue 354 of DWM, now on sale.

FILTER: - Production - Magazines - DWM

DWM 354

Tuesday, 1 March 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Issue #354 of Doctor Who Magazine is out this week. Attached is the press release and cover illustration; click on the image for a larger version.

Doctor Who Magazine are counting down the last days before the new series starts with a wealth of features.

This issue, they track down Doctor Who's extraordinarily busy executive producer Julie Gardner for an in-depth chat about what to expect over the coming months on BBC One.

"I genuinely believe that I'm working on something that has the best dramatic format in the world. To have a structure where you can go anywhere in time, and you've got an alien and a human girl discovering things about each other, facing death each week with humour and action and tragedy... it's the most glorious format that I could ever hope for and I absolutely love it!"

That's not all, though - the magazine also take a sneaky peek at the first episode, Rose, in the first of their new series previews.

Meanwhile, Gallifrey Guardian reveals exclusive casting updates for Episodes 11, 12 and 13 - and there's a huge competition where you can win the chance to see Episode One before its television broadcast!

And if all that still isn't enough to get you excited, Russell T Davies pops up to give some hints about series two in his unmissable Production Notes.

Fact of Fiction feature tackles Spearhead from Space, there's an Archive Extra on Daleks Invasion Earth: 2150AD, and a preview of BBC Audio's Doctor Who and the Daleks release.

Finally, the mag bids a fond farewell to Paul McGann's Eighth Doctor, Gareth Roberts takes a look at what's been going on in the world since Doctor Who was last regularly on TV and the Time Team continue their Doctor Who viewing with The Robots of Death and The Talons of Weng-Chiang.

Oh, and there's a lovely blue monster on the cover. Hooray!

DWM 354 goes on sale from Thursday 3 March.

FILTER: - Magazines - DWM

New Series Reviewed by Q Magazine

Monday, 28 February 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Q Magazine, a popular UK music magazine, has published a glowing review of the new series in its latest issue, calling it "must-see TV for everyone". From the comments and some of the details given in the review it would appear that the reviewer, Boyd Hilton, has seen a number of episodes from the series - all of which impressed. Amongst many plaudits Hilton states that "the much-hyped return of rickety sci-f? classic Doctor Who lives up to all expectations: it's every bit as good as its mid-'70s heyday. Furthermore, this time around you don't have to be a geek to enjoy it." He goes on to comment on Eccleston's performance; "The inestimable Christopher Eccleston plays the ninth Doctor... replete with trendy leather jacket and wry sense of humour." As for Billie Piper; "the biggest surprise of the show is Billie Piper's performance as the Doctor's "assistant" Rose Tyler. Not only does Piper prove she can hold her own in the company of esteemed actors, but her feisty cockney character shows real depth. Importantly, Rose's relationship with the Doctor is as an equal, rather than just being there to whimper when the aliens show up." The special effects also impress: "Gone are the cardboard sets and naff-looking monsters of old, this time you see... [edited geographical location] ...landmarks come under thrilling alien attack, as convincing and exciting as anything shown before in a British TV series." Boyd ends by praising series writer and executive producer Russell T Davies for the "triumphant regeneration" of Doctor Who (the series rather than the person) and for "the slick, sharp dialogue". He ends by saying that "Doctor Who is no longer the domain solely of sci-fi spods, this is must-see TV for everyone". (Thanks to Roger Anderson / The Cuttings Archive)

FILTER: - Magazines

Doctor Who Confidential Update

Thursday, 24 February 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

SFX Magazine revealed today on their official website the details of the forthcoming documentary series Doctor Who Confidential, which will air over thirteen weeks in half-hour installments on BBC3 immediately after transmission of each episode of the new series. Narrated by actor Simon Pegg (who appears in episode 7 of the new series), the show "will combine behind-the-scenes footage with interviews with the cast, the production team, and past Doctors." Seen above is the official logo of "Doctor Who Confidential," as revealed to SFX. To keep some details out of our readers' view, the information is spoiler protected; click on the spoiler tag for full details. (Thanks to Ian Berriman of SFX Magazine)

DOCTOR WHO CONFIDENTIAL

EPISODE 1: Back From The Future
To link with the first sighting of the Doctor and first sighting of the TARDIS and, of course, the Doctor saving the world again. This episode reminds us of all the elements of Who that make his return so mouth-wateringà

EPISODE 2: Aliens û The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Making convincing aliens - behind the scenes of the space station, "Platform One" - behind the scenes making the prosthetics - showing how they work - we visit The Mill to show the CGI for the new series and take a look back at aliens from the past.

EPISODE 3: TARDIS Tales
From behind the scenes of the Dickens set in Swansea we take a good long look at the TARDIS and its vital role in the DoctorÆs adventures. We look at all the different worlds that the present and past doctors visit and visited.

EPISODE 4: I Get A Side-kick Out Of You
Rose and her predecessors. What does it take to make the grade as the Doctor's companion? We look back at companions from the past: Why does the Doctor need Rose? What does she add to the mix?

EPISODE 5 : Life On Earth
The Doctor's links to Earth/relationships with humans/his humanity/ what makes him alien and why he appeals to us all.

EPISODE 6 : The Daleks
Following the return of the Doctor's most feared foe. We watch the tests, see how they work, and meet the men behind the metal.

EPISODE 7: The Dark Side
Evil genii and sudden death - the vital ingredients of Doctor Who.

EPISODE 8 : A Time And A Place
Looking at each Doctor as a product of his time, and looking at how the Doctor has evolved over the last forty years.

EPISODE 9: FX
Following the director in a meeting with The Mill (CGI), model makers and prosthetics people and looking at the first stages of talking through the FX through til they're finally finished. We follow the start to the finish of the making of episode nine - creating the look and sound of aliens and alien worlds. How do you light a spaceship? How do you make space?

EPISODE 10: The Weird Science of Doctor Who
Starting with the sonic screwdriver's appearance, we look into the weird science that is Doctor Who. From "a hole in the time vortex" to "I'll tell you later"; from flying a helicopter to arguing with a small metal dog.

EPISODE 11: Unsung Heroes And Violent Death
Coming off the back of an episode that deals mainly with death and justice, we look at the importance of death to Doctor Who and look at his moral code.

EPISODE 12: The Cult Of Who
The conventions, the reactions, the anticipation of the fans who have had a feast of sci-fi treats over the past 12 weeks. We will look at the fans on-set, the clamour for sci-fi facts, the problems with confidentiality, through to the success of merchandising.

EPISODE 13: Finale
Review of the past 13 weeks - the highs and lows of life with the Doctor and Rose.

FILTER: - Documentary - Magazines

Enlightenment 125

Monday, 14 February 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

The latest issue of Enlightenment, the fanzine of the Doctor Who Information Network -- North America's largest Doctor Who fan club -- says Goodbye To All That: Looking back fondly and saying farewell to the (mostly) TV-less Doctor Who universe of the past fourteen years. Looking back on the NAs and the books. Big Finish's contribution discussed. Scream of the Shalka and Death Comes To Time appraised. The final episode of The Key To A Time Lord. To order visit the website at www.dwin.org.

FILTER: - Magazines

Whotopia 5

Wednesday, 9 February 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Issue 5 of Whotopia, the Canadian Doctor Who fanzine, is now out. It includes "From Rutans To Sontarans: Season 15 Overview," an examination Into the search for lost Doctor Who, reviews and other columns, including fiction and a continuing comic series. For more details visit the website.

FILTER: - Magazines

On the Welsh Seaboard

Wednesday, 9 February 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Today's icWales asks "WHO could that be rushing around Cardiff Bay? Surely not a Time Lord with the ability to turn back the clock?" There are two photos there featuring Eccleston and Piper standing around the TARDIS with miscellaneous crew and Eccleston running quite urgently.

FILTER: - Magazines

SFX 128

Wednesday, 9 February 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Issue #128 of SFX Magazine is due out soon, with a new Doctor Who series cover. Says the blurb, "Who producer Russell T Davies is a fan of SFX, and a chum of the mag. So, naturally, with the series due to air in March, we went for a nice long chat. Find out what Russell means when he say he "doesn't care about the planet Zog" in the first part of our exclusive interview! Fanboys, prepare to self-combust: we've got Chris Achilleos (artist responsible for countless classic novelisation covers) to draw the new Doctor! Plus, we reveal the comeback starring Tom Baker that never came to fruition..." The issue is due out mid-month; cover illustration at right. Meanwhile, the SFX website currently features a brief report from a day's production including a selection of photos.

FILTER: - Magazines

Complete Seventh Doctor, DWM 354 Previews

Saturday, 5 February 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

The new DWM notes that The Complete Seventh Doctor, the final edition of their "Complete... Doctor" specials, will be released by Panini on February 17. It includes interviews with Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred and script editor Andrew Cartmel, plus (as in previous installments) a complete guide to each episode of the Seventh Doctor's era. Also noted in the liner notes from the recent issue of DWM, that issue 354 (on sale March 3) will include an interview with co-Executive Producer Julie Gardner, a preview of the first episode of the new series, "Rose"; Gareth Roberts on post-1989 Doctor Who; The Fact of Fiction examines "Spearhead from Space"; an Archive Extra on "Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150AD"; and an article on the era of the Eighth Doctor.

FILTER: - Magazines - DWM

Previous 10 Stories

DW Magazine Roundup

A Second Series?

DWM 354

New Series Reviewed by Q Magazine

Doctor Who Confidential Update

Enlightenment 125

Whotopia 5

On the Welsh Seaboard

SFX 128

Complete Seventh Doctor, DWM 354 Previews

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