The Middle Men: UK overnight viewing figures

Friday, 19 August 2011 - Reported by Marcus
Episode six of Torchwood, The Middle Men, suffered at the hands of Big Brother, seeing its overnight ratings drop to 3.4 million, the lowest in the series so far.

The Celebrity edition of the reality show launched on Channel 5 with an average of 5.1 million watching the likes of House of Commons Speaker's wife Sally Bercow, David Hasselhoff's ex wife Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff and Jedwood, enter the infamous house, giving the Channel one of its biggest audiences ever.

Torchwood, had a share of 14% of the total television audience. It had 3.7 million viewers for the first quarter, dropping to 3.2 million for the last quarter. On ITV1, Single Handed had 3.2 million watching, roughly the same as last week.

The final ratings will be released in 10 days and will include those who record the programme and watch it within seven days.

Monday's late night repeat of episode five, The Categories of Life was watched by 0.4 million.




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

Elisabeth Sladen autobiography for November

Friday, 19 August 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Aurum Press have announced that the autobiography of Elisabeth Sladen will be published on 7th November 2011, following her life from her humble Liverpool beginnings through to a celebrated return as the popular sidekick to the Doctor, Sarah Jane Smith, in her own series for CBBC.

When Elisabeth Sladen first appeared as plucky journalist Sarah Jane Smith in 1973 Doctor Who story The Time Warrior, little did she know the character would become one of the most enduring and fondly remembered in the series' history. The coming years would see her traverse time and space alongside classic Doctors Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, whilst a generation of children crouched behind the sofa, terrified but transfixed as their tea time heroine found herself menaced by Daleks, dinosaurs, Cybermen, man-eating alien flora, Egyptian mummies, extras in Bubble Wrap and even the Loch Ness Monster.

By the time she quit the TARDIS in 1976, making front page news, Elisabeth had become one of the most familiar faces of a TV golden age. But that wasn't the end of Sarah Jane. Since then Elisabeth has reprised the role many times appearing in anniversary specials; a 1981 spin-off with robotic sidekick K-9; radio plays; and for the BBC's Children in Need. She's toured the weird, wide and wonderful world of Doctor Who fandom and regularly tops polls of fans' all time favourite companions. So when TV wunderkind Russell T. Davies approached her to come back again, this time to a Doctor Who backed by multi-million pound budgets and garlanded with critical plaudits, how could she possibly say no?

Now Elisabeth Sladen tells the story of her remarkable career: a unique, insider's view of the world's longest running science fiction series; and of British television yesterday and today. Funny, ridiculous, insightful and entertaining hers is the story of another girl, another planet. Elisabeth Sladen plays companion Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures. She has also appeared in Coronation Street, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and Z-Cars.

(available to pre-order from our Amazon Shop)

Originally slated for April, completion of the book was delayed through Sladen's illness and her untimely death earlier this year; it has now been completed with the support of her family. Her editor, Sam Harrison, reflected:
I remember my first meeting with Elisabeth – the hilarious and eye-opening stories she had to tell and my feeling of elation that she wanted to turn them into a book. Having grown up watching her as Sarah Jane Smith it was a personal dream come true. She was a fantastic person to work with – fun but utterly professional – and it’s incredibly sad that she’s no longer with us. I’m glad she had a chance to share some of her memories in this book. I hope it will make a fitting tribute to a great actress and a wonderful woman.

The final series of The Sarah Jane Adventures is expected to be broadcast in the Autumn.





FILTER: - Auto/Biography - Books - Sarah Jane - Elisabeth Sladen

Coming Soon: Night Terrors

Thursday, 18 August 2011 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC have released details for Week 36, which includes the synopsis of ninth episode of the current series of Doctor Who, Night Terrors; this is due to be broadcast on BBC One/BBC One HD on Saturday 3rd September, with the broadcast time yet to be confirmed. The episode is written by Mark Gatiss and directed by Richard Clark.

The Doctor receives a distress call from the scariest place in the Universe: a child's bedroom.

Every night George lies awake, terrorised by every fear you can possibly imagine – fears that live in his bedroom cupboard. His parents are getting desperate – George needs a doctor.

Fortunately for George, his desperate pleas for help break through the barriers of all time and space and the Doctor makes a house call. But allaying his fears won't be easy; because George's monsters are real.

Alongside Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill, it features Daniel Mays, Andrew Tiernan, Leila Hoffman, Emma Cunniffe, Jamie Oram and Sophie Cosson.




FILTER: - Doctor Who - Series 6/32 - Press

Coming Soon: Let's Kill Hitler

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
As previously reported, Let's Kill Hitler sees its premiere on BBC1/BBC1HD between 7:10-8:00pm on Saturday 27th August, as confirmed by both the BBC Press Office and Radio Times websites, with the behind-the-scenes programme Doctor Who Confidential to follow straight afterwards as usual on BBC3, 8:00-8:45pm.

The Hitler theme continues on BBC2 after Doctor Who with Adolf Hitler vs Hans Litten: To Stop a Tyrant (8:00-9:00pm), a documentary that explores the story of Hans Litten, a young Jewish lawyer who challenged Hitler – and paid for it with his life. This documentary accompanies a BBC film about Litten to be shown this coming Sunday (21st, 9:00-10:25pm) on BBC2, The Man Who Crossed Hitler.

Radio Times:

The Doctor's frantic search for the infant Melody Pond takes him to 1930s Berlin, where he comes face to face with the most notorious war criminal in the universe. With conflict brewing in the background, the Time Lord prepares to teach his enemies that time travel comes with its fair share of responsibility.

BBC Press Office:

In the desperate search for Melody Pond, the TARDIS crash lands in Thirties Berlin, as the time-travelling drama returns for the second half of the series shown earlier in the year.

The Doctor comes face to face with the greatest war criminal in the Universe. And Hitler.

Old friendships are tested to their limits as the Doctor suffers the ultimate betrayal and learns a harsh lesson in the cruellest warfare of all. As precious time ebbs away, the Doctor must teach his adversaries that time travel has responsibilities. And he must succeed before an almighty price is paid.

The BBC have now released a video featuring Karen Gillan discussing some of Amy and Rory's development during Let's Kill Hitler, plus two preview clips from the episode itself.


Karen Gillan discusses Let's Kill Hitler, BBC, via the BBC Doctor Who Site (may not be available outside the United Kingdom)

Let's Kill Hitler: Preview Clip 1, BBC, via the BBC Doctor Who Site (may not be available outside the United Kingdom)

Let's Kill Hitler: Preview 2, BBC, via the BBC Doctor Who Site (may not be available outside the United Kingdom)





FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Online - Karen Gillan

Walk for Lis: update

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
We have recently heard from Doctor Who's Brand Manager Edward Russell, who will be undertaking a walk to raise money on behalf of the hospice that looked after Elisabeth Sladen; he wishes to thank everybody who has donated so far, and has a message from the Meadow House Hospice itself to share:

We are extremely grateful to you and everyone who has contributed as it will make a significant contribution to our charitable fund and our plans to upgrade our in-patient unit.

As previously reported, the walk is scheduled to start at the BBC's Upper Boat Studios in Wales (where The Sarah Jane Adventures were produced) on the 3rd September; once under way, Edward aims to utilise the dedicated Facebook group for the walk to chart his progress.






FILTER: - Special Events - Charities - Elisabeth Sladen

Let's Kill Hitler - Start Time Confirmed

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Who will return to BBC One at 7.10pm on Saturday 27th August.

The start time is one of the latest for the programme since it returned in 2005, and brings the series into the heart of prime time Saturday night viewing.

On BBC One Doctor Who will follow All New Celebrity Total Wipeout, a star-studded edition of the obstacle-course game show, and will be followed by The National Lottery: Secret Fortune.

ITV 1 will be showing All Star family Fortunes during Doctor Who, featuring Former Birds of a Feather actress Pauline Quirke and broadcaster Jo Whiley. Their big hitter The X Factor begins a new series at 8pm, just as Doctor Who finishes, and BBC planners will be hoping that a substantial number of X Factor fans will turn to The Doctor as the build up to the talent show.

BBC Two will offer The Normans as an alternative to Doctor Who with Professor Robert Bartlett travelling from Britain to Jerusalem. Those inspired to find out more about Hitler following his encounter with The Doctor can watch Adolf Hitler v Hans Litten: To Stop a Tyrant, on the channel from 8pm.

Channel 4 offers Athletics in the form of day one of the IAAF World Championships while Five has Law & Order.

Doctor Who returns to North America the same evening, showing on BBC America at 9ET and on SPACE at 8ET. Australia sees the episode a week later on 3rd September at 7.30pm on ABC1.




FILTER: - Doctor Who - UK - Series 6/32 - Broadcasting

The Mazes of Time arrives on Android

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
After its original debut on Apple platforms last year, BBC Worldwide have now announced the release of Doctor Who: The Mazes of Time for the Android platform, their first gaming venture for the popular mobile operating system.

Robert Nashak, EVP at Digital Entertainment, BBC Worldwide said:
We’re delighted to be able to offer Android users the chance to play Doctor Who: The Mazes of Time. Android users make up an increasing percentage of the mobile market and we’re thrilled that they’ll now be able to find their way out of our mazes.
 
The basic game is free with an initial set of levels; further content packs are available to purchase, unlocking new levels, monsters and challenges.



The game is now officially available to download via the Android Marketplace.
An intrepid traveller through time and space and the last of the powerful Time Lords, the Doctor is armed only with his incredible intelligence and his sonic screwdriver. Join him and his human companion, Amy Pond, as they race to save an innocent family attacked by a rogue Dalek and hurtled into the depths of history. Your journey will take you from ancient Incan temples, to the frozen tombs of Telos and a stunning finale on a Dalek ship. Defeat your favourite enemies, solve devious puzzles, and restore peace throughout time!
(with thanks to BBC Worldwide)




FILTER: - Games - BBC

Let's Kill Hitler confirmed in UK for 27th August

Tuesday, 16 August 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Edward Russell, senior brand executive for Doctor Who, has finally confirmed what other media outlets have been speculating on for weeks, that the second half of the series returns in a couple of weeks time:
Finally, we can officially say Doctor Who airs on 27 August. Seems nuts that we can't announce it earlier but there are reasons for that!

The BBC have now issued their press pack for the series return, introduced by head writer Steven Moffat:
The wait is almost over. The second part of the thrilling new series of Doctor Who begins on 27 August 2011.

The rules have changed, and the game is deadlier than ever. Out in the universe, where the earthly rules of time and space do not apply, Amy and Rory know only too well that their baby daughter needs them. For Melody Pond is destined to become River Song, mysterious archaeologist and convicted murderer – the woman who killed the best man she ever knew...

The Doctor leads Amy and Rory across centuries and galaxies in a desperate search for baby Melody, but a terrible and inescapable date looms large. At 5.02pm on 22nd April 2011, the Doctor will die. These are his last days, and the quest for Melody his final mission.
The Press Pack includes interviews with Matt Smith and Karen Gillan, and also discusses plotlines for the forthcoming stories, which may be considered spoilers.

The BBC have also released a video featuring Karen Gillan discussing what to expect in the up-and-coming episodes:


Karen Gillan discusses the second half of the series, BBC, via the BBC Doctor Who Site (may not be available outside the United Kingdom)


Last night saw a preview for Let's Kill Hitler take place at the British Film Institute, followed by a Q&A with Steven Moffat, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill; the Radio Times have published a review of the evening on their blog.

You can also read a transcript of the Q&A session courtesy of Ian Wylie.




FILTER: - Series 6/32 - Online

Doctor Who Experience update

Monday, 15 August 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
As reported last week, the Doctor Who Experience is running a number of workshops over summer, including a Silurian prosthetics demonstration on the 24th August. The organisers have now announced that Doctor Who script editor Gary Russell will be appearing at the demonstration, where he will be transformed into a Silurian during a live makeover.
 :
The exhibition also now features four versions of the TARDIS, with the arrival of the "junk" console which featured in this year's The Doctor's Wife, as designed by Blue Peter winner Susannah Leah.





FILTER: - Exhibitions

Next Time: The Middle Men

Monday, 15 August 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Next Thursday (18th August) sees the sixth episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day premiering in the UK, with The Middle Men being broadcast at 9:00pm on BBC1/BBC1HD. The episode will also be repeated on BBC2/BBCHD the following Monday at 11:20pm, and available to watch online in the UK via the BBC iPlayer until 23rd September.


PLOT SYNOPSIS FOR THE MIDDLE MEN FOLLOWS - MAY BE CONSIDERED A SPOILER



With Gwen, Rex and Esther trapped on both sides of the Atlantic, it's a race against time as Jack goes straight to the heart of the conspiracy.


The BBC trailer for the episode is available online:

Torchwood episode 3 trailer, BBC, via iPlayer - may not play outside of the United Kingdom
Alternatively there is a YouTube version.

A preview clip from the episode is also available to watch:

Torchwood Dead of Night preview, BBC, via iPlayer - may not play outside of the United Kingdom
Alternatively there is a YouTube version.






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