Wednesday, 5 November 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Telos Publishing's forthcoming second edition of the popular guide to Doctor Who collectible merchandise, Howe's Transcendental Toybox will celebrate the release with an exclusive collectible which will only be available to individual customers who order the book direct from Telos Publishing. 600 numbered, especially commissioned, chromed Gunner Dalek Rolykins were produced by Product Enterprises to give away with orders of the book. "The Rolykin range was a massive hit for Product Enterprises," says the press release, "but has now been superseded by the 'roll-a-matic' Daleks, so this is probably your last chance to get one of the Rolykin Daleks, and in a unique edition created especially for Telos Publishing." Orders from customers who already subscribe to the Deluxe editions of the Doctor Who Novellas will automatically receive the Dalek toy with the same number as their Deluxe edition books. (Thanks to David Howe)
Wednesday, 5 November 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
A terrible blow to all fans: Doctor Who licensees Product Enterprises suffered a horrible fire at their warehousing company over the weekend. Says the note from Product Enterprises to distributors: "We unfortunately have to inform you of a devastating blow we have suffered at Product Enterprise Ltd. We were informed at 6.30pm yesterday evening that our import and warehousing company (Import Services) has burned to the ground. Import Services house and distribute our products around the UK. Details are still sketchy, however, we have been told that the fire completely destroyed the complex and all stock is lost. Several major companies utilize Import Services and will also be reeling from this news as Christmas stock will just be arriving in ready for distribution. The only good news is that as our new products are running behind schedule, they had yet to arrive into the warehouse. We have stocks of Talking Daleks arriving into the UK at the end of November and our new products - Eagle Transporter / Talking Dr Who & Clockwork Dalek, will be arriving early Jan. Re-stocking of the products lost will take a little while longer. Obviously, we are sorry for the problems this will cause to all of our customers, however I am sure you understand this is something completely out of our control and a devastating blow for us. Please bear with us while we re-organise our shipping, importation and warehouse facilities and we will update you as soon as we know more." Of course, Outpost Gallifrey sends our sympathies and good wishes to our friends at Product Enterprises, and we hope that they can get back up and running soon with their terrific collectible Doctor Who merchandise.
Monday, 29 September 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Scificollector.co.uk has commissioned two exclusive Corgi die cast toys due out in November, including a Cyberleader model and an exclusive TARDIS giftset, in addition to variations of the Gold, Black, Red and Grey Daleks being produced. Meanwhile, Colin Baker will be joining Scificollector at the Stamp Centre on November 20 to launch both the range of toys as well as the Mark Campbell book (see yesterday's news item), while Tom Baker will be present at the NEC Birmingham Memorabilia Fair on November 29-30 to give the Corgi range and the book a Midlands launch. Tom will also be signing a 40th anniversary limited edition (1000 pressings only) Wedgewood Plate, featuring the Fourth Doctor and the Daleks. There will also be a Talking Fourth Doctor and K-9 available! For full details visit their website. (Thanks to Steven Scott of Scificollector)
Wednesday, 20 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
August 21, 2003 • Posted By Shaun Lyon
A second, more complete edition of the
Pocket Essentials Guide: Doctor Who by Mark Campbell is soon to be released; the new edition of the Guide, which follows up the earlier edition released in 2001, will add quick reviews of the various Doctor Who spinoffs, radio plays and audio adventures from Big Finish. The new edition will be out on October 3. (Thanks to DWM)
August 20, 2003 •
Posted By Shaun Lyon Diamond Distribution continues to release both current and prior releases of BBC Books in North America in an attempt to catch up following a year of no distributor. Their November listings include Kate Orman's Blue Box, Lloyd Rose'sCamera Obscura, Mick Lewis' Combat Rock and the anniversary book Deadly Reunion by Terrance Dicks and Barry Letts. (Thanks to Greg McElhatton)
August 20, 2003 •
Posted By Shaun LyonThe new issue of Doctor Who Magazine notes that UK retailer W.H. Smith will probably be releasing an exclusive DVD boxed set this winter... but featuring Resurrection of the Daleks, Remembrance of the Daleks and The Dalek Invasion of Earth, the three Dalek stories previously released on DVD. No word as to any pricing or packaging differences. (Thanks to DWM)
August 20, 2003 •
Posted By Shaun Lyon BBC America/Warner Home Video has sold its last remaining stock of three Doctor Who VHS titles -- The Monster of Peladon, The Mark of the Rani and Timelash -- and will not be reissuing them in the future. As we have previously reported, while some Doctor Who videos currently still stocked will be lowered in price this October, much of the VHS backlog is being cleared out as VHS becomes relegated to memory; additionally, Planet of Fire and Battlefield aren't quite out of stock yet, but are getting close and won't be rereleased either. If you're looking to complete that Doctor Who VHS collection, it's recommended that you do it soon... or else it won't be possible until they start making their way onto DVD. (Thanks to Steve Manfred and BBC America)
August 20, 2003 •
Posted By Shaun Lyon Issue #334 of Doctor Who Magazine reports that the BBC will be producing a special anniversary documentary on Doctor Who to mark the forty-year milestone. It is expected to air on BBC-1 around the anniversary itself (though hopefully will not be pushed to early 2004, a slight possibility.) (Thanks to DWM)
August 20, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonThe Doctor Who 1996 TV movie starring Paul McGann airs this Friday, August 22, on the Sci-Fi Channel in North America; check your local listings for exact time (which varies dependent upon the Western or Eastern feed).
August 20, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonBBV Productions has announced two new audio stories based on the Faction Paradox mythos, the time-travelling voodoo cult originally introduced in the BBC Books' Doctor Who novels.
Movers (Volume 5) and
A Labyrinth of Histories (Volume 6) are written by Faction creator Lawrence Miles; both were recently recorded by BBV and again feature Suzanne Procter as Cousin Justine. Says the information sent to Outpost Gallifrey, "These two plays take the Faction story in an interestingly different direction; as well as discovering what it means to be a prisoner on the remote prison world of the Houses, we take a trip back into the late nineteenth century, where a bizarre hunt is taking place..." The audios also star Ellis Pike (Godfather Morlock), Emma Kilbey (Cousin Eliza), Keith Drinkel (Godfather Sabbath), Kate Dyson (Demetra Kine), Matt Kelly (First Ordinary Selvynkesh), Lena Rae (Emma), Scott Craig (Mr. Smith), Chris Manville (Second Ordinary Keeble), Linda Bartram (Shuncucker) and Nigel Fairs (the Reverend). They will be released this fall, date unspecified. (Thanks to David Elms and BBV)
August 20, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonOutpost Gallifrey has received the final cover illustration for the forthcoming UK DVD release of
The Two Doctors; click on the thumbnail at right for a larger version, including the full wraparound. Details about the contents of this DVD can be found elsewhere on this News Page. (Thanks to
Tenth Planet)
The third issue of the occasional audio CD
Big Finish Magazine is due out soon, to be sent out with subscriptions in tandem with the next story, the Fifth Doctor tale "Omega". Among the items included on this third audio CD include interviews with Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy (detailing their work together on "Project: Lazarus"), as well as interviews with the first three "Doctor Who Unbound" actors, Geoffrey Bayldon, David Warner and David Collings; plus stories about the anthology "Short Trips" volumes and Big Finish's other ranges ("The Tomorrow People" and "Bernice Summerfield" among them). Click on the cover at right for a larger version. Also, in anticipation for "Omega,"
BBCihas an interview with author Nev Fountain now online. (Thanks to
Tenth Planet for the cover)
Galaxy 4 is reporting two audio releases from the BBC Radio Collection in early 2004.
Fury from the Deep is said to have a February tentative release date; this is the audio soundtrack release of the Patrick Troughton story also starring Frazer Hines and, in her final story, Deborah Watling. Also noted on the site is
Tales from the TARDIS, Volumes 1 & 2, which are noted as MP3 CD's (i.e. in computer MP3 format, not playable on regular CD players); while details of this haven't been confirmed, it's said to probably be stories previously released on cassette by the BBC including the Paul McGann readings of "Earth and Beyond," the first "Short Trips" audio read by Nicholas Courtney and Sophie Aldred, and "Out of the Darkness" read by Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant. Details of these will be forthcoming when we have them. (Thanks to Galaxy 4)
August 19, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonAt right is the final cover illustration for the forthcoming UK video release of
Invasion of the Dinosaurs by BBC Worldwide. This replaces an earlier draft cover which showed only Jon Pertwee with a green background. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version. (Thanks to
Galaxy 4)
As we announced in July, the forthcoming Reeltime Pictures video release Daemos Rising by David Howe will be out in October; it's a direct-to-video sequel to both the Doctor Who story "The Daemons" and the original video drama "Downtime" (which starred Nick Courtney, Elisabeth Sladen and Deborah Watling). At right is a draft version of the cover illustration for the forthcoming release; click on it for a larger version. (Thanks to David Howe)
August 19, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonAt right is a thumbnail image (click on it for a larger version) of the box cover for
The Web of Fear/The Faceless Ones, the second tape included in the UK release of
The Reign of Terror Boxed Set that includes the extant episodes of these two Patrick Troughton serials, courtesy of
Blackstar. The cover for "Reign" itself has not yet been released (the version circulated around the Internet is the US/Canada version, part of the "End of the Universe" collection). (Thanks to Liam Copsey)
BBCi has released the August issue of their monthly Telepress column, focusing on the world of Doctor Who in print. Among the items in this month's installment: a look at Justin Richards' forthcoming hardcover
Doctor Who: The Legend (including a final version of the cover; click at right for a larger version), an interview with author Jacqueline Rayner ("Wolfsbane") and excerpts from both November's BBC Books release
Deadly Reunion by Terrance Dicks and Barry Letts and Telos Publishing's forthcoming novella
Fallen Gods by Kate Orman and Jonathan Blum. (Thanks to BBCi)
August 19, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonRadio Times, the long running guide to UK television, is planning a special edition in November 2003 to mark the 40th anniversary of Doctor Who, and has kicked off the festivities with a special poll. Click
here to take part in the poll; the deadline is September 5, and entrants have the chance to receive DVDs, videos or books. (The poll is
only open to UK residents, however.) (Thanks to Faiz Rehman)
August 19, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonWhile it's not the cover illustration, the forthcoming Derek Jacobi appearance in
Deadline from Big Finish is memorialized in the now-familiar "title sequence" still included on the inside front cover. Here it is at right; a larger version can be found on the
Big Finish site. "Deadline" by Rob Shearman, starring Jacobi as Martin, is out in October. (Thanks to Big Finish, and Duncan Rose for letting us know!)
The Stamp Centre has two new pieces of Doctor Who memorabilia available, as seen below. At left is a crystal Tom Baker visage, limited to 1500 pieces, supplied in a gift box and created through laser etching. At right, another First Day Cover stamp, featuring the sixth Doctor, Colin Baker; this is part of their continuing "Time After Time" series which shows the stars of Doctor Who and other TV series. (Thanks to Gallifrey 5 and the Stamp Centre)
August 19, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonBBC Worldwide has released Earthshock on DVD in the UK... or rather, re-released. As we previously noted in this column, the DVDs were originally due out August 4; several stores received their stocks and started sending them out early before Worldwide recalled them due to a lack of the interior booklet. We have been told that the BBC will not send out booklets for those missing them, as the copies distributed prior to August 4 were intended for this recall. You can find "Earthshock" at most major stockists in the UK.
August 19, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonAmong the murmurs of special events for the upcoming 40th anniversary was an article in the "Sunday Stirrer" section of the UK's Daily Star late last week, which mentioned the following: "STIRRER has stumbled across evidence that the Conservative Party is willing to boldly go where no party has gone before in its desperate bid for voters. Shadow Transport Secretary and Star Trek nut Tim Collins has agreed to appear in a DVD tribute to Dr Who. Perhaps the next party manifesto will promise a police box on each street to further woo the geek vote." While some speculated early on that this was a special DVD coming out for the anniversary, it appears as though this is incorrect; in fact, it looks like this is one of the documentaries featured on the new DVD release of Earthshock. (Thanks to James Hadwen)
August 15, 2003 • Posted By Shaun LyonA new article has surfaced on the UK's website for the Guardian periodical, focusing on the audios and Richard E. Grant's forthcoming appearance as the Ninth Doctor. "Dr Who and others are appearing on the net, which is becoming a new medium for original productions," says the article, written by Guy Clapperton. To read the full article, click
here. (Thanks to Stuart Ian Burns)
The next (sixth) installment of the Doctor Who Magazine Specials, which up to now have focused on the individual eras of each Doctor, is a special on the show's 40th anniversary. Says the advert, "Celebrating 40 years of Doctor in true style with this glossy, fact-packed special edition that looks at the history of the world's longest-running science fiction series from some astonishing new perspectives. Packed with rare photographs and features from some of the finest writers in fandom..." The 84-page issue will be out in November; the cover illustration at right is from Previews magazine and isn't the final cover. (Thanks to Galaxy 4)
Tuesday, 25 March 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
The Stamp Centre in Britain has issued a new collection of First Day covers, featuring scenes from the two 1960's Doctor Who films starring Peter Cushing under the heading "Movie Moments". First up, one based on 'Dr Who & The Daleks', personally signed by Jennie Linden; the other, based on 'Daleks Invasion Earth 2150AD', personally signed by Bernard Cribbins. Click on each for a larger version. (Thanks to Nigel Potter)
Sunday, 9 March 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
British toy trade magazine "Toy News" reports in its newest (March 19) issue, in a news item headlined "BBC calls the Doctor," that "Doctor Who is a focus for BBC Worldwide this year..." Says the article, "Doctor Who celebrates his 40th anniversary in 2003 and the BBC is searching for new licensees to commemorate the milestone. The brand's first new style guide has been put together, with a core target of ages 18 - 34 with an interest in retro style. 'We have streamlined the existing licensee base to ensure a unity of design and the highest standards of quality and accessibility, and we're now looking for new licensees to get involved,' explained Siobhan Williamson, head of global adult licensing at BBC Worldwide." (Thanks to Mark Murphy, David Harold)
Wednesday, 30 May 2001 - Reported by Marcus
Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon
The TARDIS Asteroid: According to the lastest list of officially recognized Minor Planet names, Asteroid 3325 has received the designation of "TARDIS". Its listing can be found at cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/lists/NumberedMPs03001.html. The object was discovered in 1984, but the name seems to be recent. Other interesting names include Asteroid 18610 Arthurdent, 21811 Burroughs, 5020 Asimov, 9777 Enterprise, 6371 Heinlein, and 8379 Straczynski. The entire cast of Monty Python have also been so honored. Traditionally for minor planets, the discoverer gets first pick to name it, although this does not necessarily mean that they will choose to excercise that right, or that the name will be accepted by the IAU Nominclature Committee. Which in turn means that we could yet see some other DW related asteroid names in the future. (Thanks to Douglas B. Killings)
Doctor Who Wants to Be A Millionaire: The May 20 edition of the US version of "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" on ABC-TV featured a Doctor Who question. The question, for a total amount of $32,000, was "On the long-running BBC TV series Doctor Who, what does Dr. Who's spaceship look like from the outside?" The answers were A) Mailbox; B) Taxi cab; C) Phone booth (the correct answer); and D) Potted Plant. The contestant was not able to answer the question and had to walk away. (Thanks to Justin Horne for the info & screen capture; click on the graphic for a larger version)
Dapol: "We Have NOT Lost Our License": After online rumors concerning new Who film developments mentioned a possible shutdown by Dapol UK, Outpost Gallifrey was contacted by George Smith, Dapol's Director of Corporate Affairs, with a statement: "At the moment there is a rumour circulating throughout the various Doctor Who web sites that we at Dapol have 'Lost our License'. Can I therefore quash this rumour once and for all: Dapol have NOT lost or relinquished their license. Dapol is still committed to developing the brand and indeed will have the first of a whole new range of high detailed solid pvc figurines in the market by about late June 2001. Subject to permission from both the BBC and agents of the actors, Dapol also intend to commence manufacture of 'DOCTORS' and 'COMPANIONS'." The communication further states that Dapol will release further information through various sites, including providing info to the Outpost. (Thanks to George Smith of Dapol)
A Police Box Appears...: Artist Mark Wallinger recently installed two police boxes in England, according to the UK's Channel Four news, on the front lawn and inside the Oxford Natural History/Pitt Rivers museum. Wallinger, the man who created the first sculpture to grace the fourth plinth in London's Trafalgar Square, is said to be taking a TARDIS to this year's Venice Biennale (literally, not in terms of travel within, we assume!) where he will be Britain's representative. There is a nice photo of one TARDIS in the museum grounds at
www.oum.ox.ac.uk/tardis.htm plus a piece on the artist himself briefly explaining the TARDIS project at
www.oum.ox.ac.uk/artist.htm. (Thanks to Andrew Davis and Chris Burnside for the news, and Steve Woolfall for the links!)
The Missing Episodes Campaign: The BBC website features some information about a new campaign to recover missing episodes of BBC TV shows, in tandem with a recent BBC TV news report which featured several Doctor Who luminaries and fans discussing the loss of the historical archives of Hartnell and Troughton shows. A clip (in RealMedia format) available by clicking
here features a very short clip of the title sequence from "Vampire From Space" (the original title of "The Claws of Axos") in color, as well as brief comments from Sue Malden, director of the BBC film & TV archives. (Thanks to Peter Anghelides and Matthew Adams)
Doctor Who: Sixth Greatest TV Character of All Time: The UK's Channel 4 conducted an online survey to determine who the "greatest TV character" of all time was. On May 6, it was announced on a live four-hour broadcast: the good Doctor came in at a very high 6th place. (And who came in first? Homer Simpson, followed by Basil Fawlty and Blackadder.) For complete results, visit
www.channel4.com/100_tvs. (Thanks to everyone who let us know!)
Sladen Portraits: Artist Duncan Gutteridge -- well known for his many celebrity portraits including stars of Star Trek, Buffy and other SF shows -- has created a new art print featuring Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith). Sanctioned by Sladen, the print is limited to 100 copies signed by both the actress and the artist. More information is available at
www.duncangutteridge.com. (Thanks to Roger Clark for sending us the artwork thumbnail with Sladen & Gutteridge's permission)
Even More Dead Ringers: Says Nev Fountain of BBC Radio on the popular radio comedy series: "There's going to be an election special in early june, and the next series starts in August. A call with Colin Baker was recorded, but didn't turn out as good as we hoped - no-one's fault, it just happens like that sometimes. He's probably going to be the last, as we've heard Peter D is a bit 'grouchy' and McGann's a bit shy, but the possibility doing a few of the better-known companions has been a subject of 'pub talk' after the last recording. If you haven't caught many shows, then there's four episodes available on cassette (the first series) and four more available in june/july (the first half of the second series). Not a huge fan of series one myself- it took a few episodes to find a style - but series 2 is very good." Fountain recently announced on a Doctor Who message board that "Jon Culshaw recorded two spoof calls today that might interest you... He rang up both Colin and Tom Baker, and one or both of them will be included on this week's show..." The results of that were heard in late April. (Thanks to Mustafa Hirji and Nev Fountain)
Host Yourself in the Eye of Harmony: Eye of Harmony Hosting Solutions, a non-profit web provider operated by Indelible Promotions (the group behind the "Day of the Daleks" conventions), is offering special hosting deals for Doctor Who websites. Visit
www.eyeofharmony.co.uk for more information.
Classic Moments and Talking Daleks!: Product Enterprises are releasing "the greatest Doctor Who toy ever!," talking Daleks, as well as their "Classic Moments" Collection, a series of detailed statues featuring "An Unearthly Child" (a TARDIS, First Doctor and Susan statue) and statues of a Sensorite, Lynx the Sontaran, a Draconian, a Quark and a Zygon. The talking Daleks, meanwhile, will be available in three colours with flashing lights. Below are links to the two graphics we have (smaller to conserve space). Product Enterprises are the makers of the popular Dalek Rolykins statues. (Thanks to Steve Walker at Product Enterprises for contacting us directly!)
Strictly Ink Card Release: The first in a series of trading cards from the Strictly Ink company was released on March 31. Retailing for £49.99 per box, it contained 36 packs of 8 cards (guaranteeing a full 120 card set), two signed cards and twelve foil cards in each box. The Series One Definitive Collectors Edition 1 contains: 6,000 numbered boxes worldwide (300 cases); 2 hand signed actors autograph cards in every box; 120 card basic super premium card set; 18 Radio Times Gold Foil Subset; Subset images & story cards, covering all of Patrick Troughton and William Hartnell's story Episodes; Unpublished BBC Archive Black & Whites; 15 Actors Autograph; trading cards including all the living TV doctors and many companions; 2 giant scarce Doctor and companion cards in each case of 20 boxes limited to 300; free Rare Uncut test Sheet with each case (Redemption form enclosed- worth up to £60); and Jumbo Doctor Who Collectors Postcard in every box, 9 to collect in series one. For more information, visit
www.strictlyink.com. (Thanks to Gallifrey 5)
Orbital To Do Second Who Theme: Orbital will be releasing a new version of the Doctor Who theme tune on their new forthcoming album.
The Altogether is expected to be released on 16th April. The "jungled-up" version of the theme (a live favourite) will be the subject of an interview between Orbital and the magazine 'Q' (May edition) acompanied by various photos of them posing with a Special Weapons Dalek and a 60s Cyberman. Click
here for a preview. Meanwhile, according to the British music magazine "Q" (click
here) the song also includes a sample from the show (of Tom Baker). A recent issue of the magazine also included some interesting pictures of the band with the Special Weapons Dalek as well as a Troughton era Cyberman. (Thanks to Shawn Channell)
 This Month in Doctor Who Magazine
Now in release, Doctor Who Magazine #305 includes:
- New Stand-Alone Comic Strip entitled The Last Word, continuing the celebration of the 10th Anniversary
- Part One of The Fiction Fantasy - David J. Howe goes behind the scenes and reveals what's what in the range
- Book editors, Stephen Cole, Peter Darvill-Evans and Justin Richards, together with authors Jonathan Morris and Lance Parkin give good advice to budding Dr Who novelists in The New Adventure Game - Books of Doom
- Part One of a two part interview with Marc Platt, in which secrets from the Doctor's family circle are revealed
- Inferno, is the story featured in this months Archive
- The Time Team look at The Ice Warriors, The Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear
- Reviews of Eater of Wasps and Asylum (Books), The Caves of Androzani (DVD), Minuet In Hell (Big Finish Audio) and The Doctor's Effects (FX Magazine)
Thanks to Gallifrey 5. Updated June 2 |
|
Friday, 6 April 2001 - Reported by Marcus
Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon
Sladen Portraits: Artist Duncan Gutteridge -- well known for his many celebrity portraits including stars of Star Trek, Buffy and other SF shows -- has created a new art print featuring Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith). Sanctioned by Sladen, the print is limited to 100 copies signed by both the actress and the artist. More information is available at www.duncangutteridge.com.Win A Dalek!: The online store BOL has launched a new science fiction section on their site, and as part of this they are running a competition to win a full size Dalek, supplied by This Planet Earth. The competition runs until 29 April.
Strictly Ink Card Release: The first in a series of trading cards from the Strictly Ink company was released on March 31. Retailing for Ј49.99 per box, it contained 36 packs of 8 cards (guaranteeing a full 120 card set), two signed cards and twelve foil cards in each box. The Series One Definitive Collectors Edition 1 contains: 6,000 numbered boxes worldwide (300 cases); 2 hand signed actors autograph cards in every box; 120 card basic super premium card set; 18 Radio Times Gold Foil Subset; Subset images & story cards, covering all of Patrick Troughton and William Hartnell's story Episodes; Unpublished BBC Archive Black & Whites; 15 Actors Autograph; trading cards including all the living TV doctors and many companions; 2 giant scarce Doctor and companion cards in each case of 20 boxes limited to 300; free Rare Uncut test Sheet with each case (Redemption form enclosed- worth up to Ј60); and Jumbo Doctor Who Collectors Postcard in every box, 9 to collect in series one. For more information, visit www.strictlyink.com. (Thanks to Gallifrey 5)
SF:UK Special: SF:UK, a Channel Four documentary series in Britain that features behind-the-scenes information on various science fiction and genre programs, will feature an entire episode devoted to Doctor Who on April 14. Some parts of the broadcast were filmed on location at the Llangollen Dr Who Exhibition in Wales. More details as available.
Vote For The Greatest TV Character: The UK's Channel 4 is conducting an online survey to determine who the "greatest TV character" of all time is. You can cast your vote (and we'd hope it would be for The Doctor, #94 on the list), at
www.channel4.com/100_tvs/vote.cfm. (Thanks to a bunch of people for letting us know!)
Museum Curators Looking for Items: The Letchworth Museum & Art Gallery, a local authority museum in North Hertfordshire, is looking for Doctor Who display items. "Every summer we put on a popular exhibition for all the family, and this summer we intend to organize one on Dr Who. We are hoping to borrow all kinds of Dr Who items from collectors. Everything we borrow will be insured, and displayed in locked showcases, in a large gallery which is also covered by CCTV. The exhibition will run from mid-July through August. We also hope to have a really big opening day, with one of the Doctors, and lots of merchandise on sale. If you know anyone who might like to lend from their collection, I'd be really grateful if they could e-mail me at the museum." For information, email
letchworth.museum@nhdc.gov.uk. (Thanks to Mark Campbell)
Doctor Who Magazine 303: Now in release, DWM 303 includes interviews with Sylvester McCoy (concerning his new BBV video "Do YOu Have a License To Save This Planet"?), authors Pip & Jane Baker ("Time and the Rani") and actor Prentis Hancock (various roles including "Planet of Evil" and "The Ribos Operation"; part four of "Ophidius," the current comic strip; reviews of "Rags," "Earthworld," "The Moonbase," "Sword of Orion" and "K-9 Unleashed"; the regular Time Team report; burning questions such as 'Is Benton a Murderer' and 'How Might a Sonic Screwdriver Work?' are investigated; and "The Ice Warriors" is featured in the Archive. (Thanks to Gallifrey 5 for the cover & details)
Doctor Who in the Dome?: BBC Worldwide, is in discussions with partners (thought to include the Tussauds group) to enter the race for the Millenium Dome, with plans to re-open the site as a visitor attraction based on the BBC's most popular television characters. Any financial input into the project would come from the corporations commercial arm, rather than out of license payers money. (Thanks to Doctor Who Shop)
Orbital To Do Second Who Theme: Orbital will be releasing a new version of the Doctor Who theme tune on their new forthcoming album. The Altogether is expected to be released on 16th April. (Thanks to Doctor Who Shop)
Own Your Own K-9: This Planet Earth, responsible for full scale Dalek and TARDIS products, have added K9 to their range, licensed by BBC Worldwide. Priced at a rather expensive Ј795 plus postage, the offer is currently only available in the UK. Says the press release: "As in the original, K9 is constructed mainly in fibreglass. In order to accommodate the remote control unit (planned for the second quarter of 2001) K9 is fitted with an MDF base and four small castors. This base is removable. K9's purchased now will be compatible with the add-on remote control kit which will be a base board with the motors and wheels etc fitted to the board. The lights etc on K9 are non-operational. The FUTURE REMOTE CONTROL ADD-ON will feature forwards, backwards, left and right motion only. This is for reliability reasons. We are selling large volumes of K9 and therefore wish to eliminate any potential problems with failure of additional features. The original BBC K9 was renowned for needing repairs very regularly on the set. However there is scope within the design of the K9 that we produce to enable the customer to fit their own additional features. A dog tag is supplied with K9. K9's head is in a fixed position." For more information, visit
www.thisplanetearth.co.uk/. (Thanks to Doctor Who Shop)
Dalek Rolykins: Product Enterprises have announced some new Rolykins toys for 2001. Included will be a movie Dalek released this summer, and a seven-inch talking Dalek which will make use of new chip technology; both will come available in three different colours, with classic voice commands and flashing lights. The company will also feature a new website in the coming months to advertise their products. (Thanks to Doctor Who Shop)
Dead Ringers Update: The BBC's official Doctor Who site has put up a new page dedicated to the parodies from this radio series at
www.bbc.co.uk/cult/doctorwho/deadringers/index.shtml. The popular radio comedy series returns this week in the UK, and, as before, features a wickedly accurate impression of Tom Baker making strange phone calls to unsuspecting members of the public and celebrities. The series airs on Fridays at 6.30pm on Radio 4, and is repeated on Saturdays at 12.30pm. (Thanks to the official BBC website, and to James Goss at BBC Cult for the link information)
First Day Covers: More new stamps were released recently. Two new ones, "UNIT ReUnited" features images of Benton, Yates, the Brigadier and the Fourth Doctor, with their original signatures; the other features Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor with his signature. Both are limited to 1500 copies and are seen below. Others have included: Tom Baker and artist Chris Achilleos, featuring Achilleos' his first new montage design since 1983; "The Assistants United" featuring signatures from seven former companions; one with all seven Doctors; one featuring Sylvester McCoy; and one focusing on Tom Baker. A launch for the UNIT cover is planned for 12th April when Tom Baker, John Levene and Richard Franklin will be present at the Stamp Centre. Information is available at
http://stamp-centre.co.uk. The following is the artwork for two recent stamps, followed by five previous issues below that; click anywhere to enlarge them. (Special thanks to Nigel Potter at Gallifrey 5)
Porcelain Figures: Classic Sheercast have issued the first in a BBC licensed series of limited edition porcelain figures - William Hartnell as the Doctor. All seven BBC Doctors will eventually join the range. There's a website for more information at
http://www.doctorwhofigures.co.uk. They've also got a limited edition set of busts out as well, go to
http://www.doctorwhofigures.co.uk/busts.html for those.
Wednesday, 18 October 2000 - Reported by Marcus
Compiled by:
Shaun Lyon with Mark Phippen
The Canterbury Tales - The Journey Back: The stop-motion animated series concludes on October 18 on BBC TWO at 7.30pm. Among those giving voice to the characters are Tom Baker (as Simkin) and Louise Jameson (as the Horsewoman and Falcon). Other cast members with 'Doctor Who' connections are Bernard Cribbin (as John the Carpenter), Ken Dodd (as Canon) and David Troughton (as the Friar). (Thanks to the official BBC website)
Missing Episodes Won't Cost You: A note to any prospective buyer for "missing episodes" of Doctor Who... don't do it. Recently, several online auctions have turned up so-called 'missing stories' being sold. These are almost certainly hoaxes; anyone with access to the Internet and knowledge of Doctor Who would be aware that such episodes could be considered valuable commodities. If you have come across such auctions of missing material, we suggest you visit the Restoration Team who have legitimate ties to the BBC to investigate. It is very, very unlikely that anything else exists that could be easily sold on any of the auction sites.
Doctor Who 2001 Radio Times Calendar: The new 2001 calendar from Slowdazzle Worldwide is now in release. Featuring some terrific photos, including some never seen except in the pages of Radio Times, it is available online or in specialty stores. More information is available at
www.slowdazzle.com. (Cover art courtesy Paul Gordon.)
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