Doctor Who Encyclopedia available for iPad

Wednesday, 2 November 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

BBC Books have released an Apple iPad application for the Doctor Who Encyclopedia to tie in with the revised hardback edition that was published on 15th October:

Written by former Doctor Who script editor Gary Russell, the app is the ultimate guide to seven years of thrilling Doctor Who adventures, which includes up to date information on every episode since the show’s return to our screens in 2005.

It allows you to scroll your way through a complete A-Z of the show and explore and search thousands of entries by series or episode. You will discover the Doctor’s fiercest enemies, closest allies and key places and objects and have the opportunity to preview and buy those must-have episodes.

The app contains over 3000 entries and each entry includes links to episodes, people, places and objects that relate to it. Additionally, each entry has an episode reference, allowing you to search the Encyclopedia by episode or series – so you can find out all you ever need to know about the Doctor, his allies, enemies and everywhere he’s ever visited. You can also preview episodes and buy your favourites directly from iTunes.

The app also contains 11 unique portals - special interactive entries, for the Doctor, Amy, Rory, River and other major characters in the show. The Doctors’ portal uses parallax technology which allows users to move their iPad to scroll through a 3D environment, featuring the Doctor’s closest companions and deadliest enemies.

The application was developed by Brandwidth in partnership with BBC Books and is available as a number of downloads, with the initial purchase covering the Eleventh Doctor. Additional downloads can then be purchased to cover the Ninth and Tenth Doctor era.

Albert DePetrillo, Senior Editorial Director at BBC Books, commented:

The Doctor Who Encyclopedia offers a completely immersive digital reading experience, offering fans a stunning variety of navigational possibilities as they explore the world of the Doctor. In its simple and intuitive design, as well as its intelligent and elegant execution, the digital Encyclopedia is pure Doctor Who and I am very proud to be publishing it on the BBC Books list.

Further details on the Doctor Who Encyclopedia can be found on its website, and BBC Books can also be followed on Twitter with the Encyclopedia being discussed via the #WhoiPad tag.

Doctor Who Encyclopedia iPad video trailer, via YouTube

There are no immediate plans for the application to be released for other media devices such as Android or Windows-based tablets.

FILTER: - Doctor Who - Books - BBC

BBC Television is 75

Wednesday, 2 November 2011 - Reported by Marcus

BBC Television celebrates its seventy-fifth birthday today.

The world's first regular television service began broadcasting from Alexandra Palace in north London on the 2nd November 1936. Dispute a six year interruption to broadcasts due to World War II, the Palace was the main home to BBC Television for the next 20 years, where the output included such pioneering science fiction shows as The Quatermass Experiment, a drama which was transmitted live on Saturday nights in 1953.

By the time Doctor Who was conceived in 1963 the BBC had relocated most of its operations to West London using facilities, such as the studios at Lime Grove, originally owned by the Gaumont Film Company, and where the first episode of Doctor Who was recorded, and the purpose built Television Centre.

The Palace featured heavily in the 2006 story, The Idiot's Lantern which included the Doctor climbing the famous TV mast in an attempt to thwart the plans of The Wire.

To mark the anniversary Alexander Palace is holding two open days this weekend. Visitors will be able to tour the original studios and experience 30's food in the canteen. The event runs from 11am – 4.30pm on both 5 and 6 November. Entry is free, but anyone wishing to take a tour of the BBC studios needs to call 0208 365 4321 to secure a timed ticket.

BBC Report

FILTER: - BBC

Wrap Party Videos

Tuesday, 1 November 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Two videos have recently surfaced on YouTube marking the end of Tenth Doctor's era on Doctor Who.

The videos were made by members of the production team and played at the wrap party as production of The End of Time came to an end. The first features David Tennant and members of the cast and crew performing to the Proclaimers hit I'm Gonna Be. Tennant is known to be a big fan of the group.

The second is a tribute to executive producers Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner, both of who left with Tennant at the end of production on The End of Time. It features David Tennant, Catherine Tate and John Barrowman performing a homage to their bosses based on the Victoria Wood song Let's Do it.

Cast and Crew Special, via YouTube

The Ballad of Russell and Julie, via YouTube

FILTER: - Russell T Davies - Catherine Tate - David Tennant

People Roundup

Tuesday, 1 November 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Karen Gillan commented on how she'd like to see her character Amy leave the series: "Death would be an option. I don’t want Amy to pop up again every so often, because for me it would take away from the big, emotional goodbye. Once she’s gone, she’s gone - I want people to remember the Amy Pond era as a good one." [Mirror, Daily Record, 31 Oct 2011]

Singer song-writer Mark Eitzel commented on hiring Arthur Darvill last year in his Brighton stage show: "Not many people know this, but aside from being a great actor, Arthur’s a fantastic musician. He gave my little production 120% all the time, and we even ended up playing in a band together when I performed at the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in Minehead. It’s weird though seeing him running round fighting Daleks or whatever – I’m like, 'That’s the guy who sang in my play?'" [Western Mail, 31 Oct 2011]

John Barrowman revealed that he is often asked out to the jungle: "They ask me on I'm a Celeb every year and each year I politely say, 'No'. But I kinda want to do it. I think it'd be fun and some of the trials are pretty out there. But my partner, Scott, reminded me that there would be no way I could cope in the jungle. If I don't eat, I get grumpy. Happy John you see on the telly would soon turn into Grumpy John and I'd probably start snapping at the other contestants." [Western Mail, 1 Nov 2011]

The actor will also be performing at the Macmillan Centenary Gala, taking place at the London Palladium on the 28th November. The show, hosted by Graham Norton, will feature a variety of performers, including Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Jimmy Carr, and Jimmy Osmond. [Theater Mania, 31 Oct 2011]

Peter Davison rates A Very Peculiar Practive amongst his best performances: "I think from my point of view it's right up there near the top I think in terms of personal enjoyment of it. I mean I loved doing it - I enjoy doing every show I do actually - but I think it just held a special place because the writing was so good. And it's one of those scripts you get where you just don't want to change a word . It really is terrific, the really well written scripts are easy to learn, they just flow and it makes the whole process so much easier. This show had it." [Bang Showbiz via The List, 31 Oct 2011]

Sylvester McCoy will be a guest at this year's Auckland Armageddon Expo, and appeared on New Zealand's NZTV's Good Morning to chat about the expo, rugby, his career, and NOT The Hobbit! (Other Doctor Who guests at the Expo include Louise Jameson, Mark Sheppard, and Morgan Sheppard) [TVNZ (video), 27 Oct 2011]

Sara Lloyd-Gregory (Carys, Torchwood: Day One) reflects on the highlight of her career: "Torchwood was amazing. It was brilliant to be working with creator Russell T Davies and the cast were incredible. I had a lot of fun playing Carys who seemed to spend a lot of time snogging people! In fact, I do spend a lot of time playing dark characters but I like that. It gives you the chance to challenge yourself, to let loose and push yourself." [South Wales Guardian, 1 Nov 2011]

Shane Rimmer (Seth Harper, The Gunfighters) has recorded an audio version of his autobiography, From Thunderbirds to Pterodactyls; the character actor reflects on his career that covers Doctor Who, James Bond, Coronation Street, Star Wars, Batman Begins, and of course the voice of Scott Tracy in Thunderbirds as well as many more. The 3CD set is due to be released on 31st November. [available from Big Finish]

FILTER: - People - Arthur Darvill - Karen Gillan - Peter Davison - John Barrowman - Sylvester McCoy

Doctor Who Encyclopedia available for iPad

BBC Television is 75

Wrap Party Videos

People Roundup

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