Trial DVD Delay, Doomsday Cover

Thursday, 7 August 2008 - Reported by Anthony Weight

The official BBC website has announced that the forthcoming DVD release of the 1986 Sixth Doctor epic The Trial of a Time Lord has been delayed from its intended August 25th release date. It will now be released on September 29th, though no reason has been given for the delay. In its place, the First Doctor serial The War Machines starring William Hartnell, Jackie Lane, Michael Craze and Anneke Wills, will now be released on August 25th.

Also released in the same article is a a better-quality scan of the cover illustration for the forthcoming UK DVD release of the Fifth Doctor serial Four to Doomsday starring Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Matthew Waterhouse and Sarah Sutton, which is out this autumn. The cover art was originally revealed yesterday on the Amazon.co.uk website. Click on the thumbnail image below for a larger version.

FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Canada: Torchwood Series Two Premiere this Friday

Tuesday, 5 August 2008 - Reported by Mike Doran

Torchwood Series Two will debut in Canada this Friday August 8th on SPACE: The Imagination Station at 9pm EDT. The premiere will be two hour sin length with the episodes "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang" and "Sleeper" both airing.

Series One of Torchwood was co-produced and aired by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation but they did not pick it up for the second series.

The SPACE blog features an interview with John Barrowman conducted during his recent extended stay in Toronto.

(with thanks to Luc Pomerleau)

FILTER: - Canada - Torchwood

Tennant's Hamlet opens to positive reviews

Tuesday, 5 August 2008 - Reported by Josiah Rowe

The Royal Shakespeare Company's new production of Hamlet starring David Tennant in the title role has officially opened with positive reviews from many British newspapers.

Benedict Nightingale, critic for The Times, says the production "gives Tennant the chance to show the world that he has the range to tackle the most demanding classical role of all - and, praise be, he seizes it. I've seen bolder Hamlets and more moving Hamlets, but few who kept me so riveted throughout." He also has high praise for Patrick Stewart in the dual role of Claudius and the ghost of Hamlet's father. Also in The Times, directorGregory Doran discusses the cuts he made to the play's text.

In The Daily Telegraph, Charles Spencer says that Tennant "isn't in the pantheon of the great Hamlets yet" but adds that he "discovers almost every ounce of sarky humour" and "is at his best though when he dares with his emotions and lets rip." The Telegraph has a photo gallery with images from the production. Also in the Telegraph, former National Theatre director Richard Eyre discusses the challenges of the play and the title role.

Paul Taylor, reviewer for The Independent, notes that "it's pure snobbery to suppose that Doctor Who fans and people who can appreciate Hamlet are mutually exclusive groups." He writes, "Tennant is adept at most aspects of the role but he excels when the prince becomes a prankish provocateur."

Writing for The Guardian, Michael Billington calls the RSC's production "one of the most richly textured, best-acted versions of the play we have seen in years" and says that Tennant "has no difficulty in making the transition from the BBC's Time Lord to a man who could be bounded in a nutshell and count himself a king of infinite space." The Guardian also has an interview with Doran and a gallery of photographs from the production.

BBC News calls Tennant's performance "undoubtedly mesmerising. What he lacks in emotional intensity, he makes up for with wit, humour and stirring energy." It also has a video interview with Doran, who discusses casting Tennant and how the company handles the unusual attention this production has drawn.

The prominent coverage of this production has included leading articles (editorials) in The Times and The Daily Telegraph (scroll past the bit about French holidays).

The international press has also noticed the Hamlet madness: the Associated Press discusses the two science fiction stars leading the RSC's production.

Thanks to the members of the Doctor Who Forum's "Media Watch" thread.

FILTER: - David Tennant

Australian ratings and news

Monday, 4 August 2008 - Reported by Adam Kirk

Doctor Who's excellent ratings in Australia continue despite tough competition from the commercial networks. It has now broken the one million mark for an unprecedented six weeks in a row. The Sontaran Strategem rated 1,039,000 viewers in the five major capital cities, while The Poison Sky rated slightly more with 1,064,000. The Confidential Cutdown versions of 'Send in the Clones' and 'Sontar-Ha!' also rated extremely well gaining 934,000 and 853,000 viewers respectively in the five major capital cities. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is also making the most recently broadcast episodes of 'Doctor Who' and 'Confidential Cutdown' available on the weekly 'CatchUp' section of its new ABCiView internet TV service.

Meanwhile, in the local media Tim Hunter of The Age praises Catherine Tate and Russell T. Davies for bringing back Donna Noble despite the misgivings of many fans. CitySearch also previews 'The Sontaran Strategem' while Tim Artlett of The Daily Telegraph writes 'if your car has a GPS, best to avoid [this] episode . . . [but] although the aliens . . . might look like recycle bins or spare R2D2 parts, the fast pace is addictive and the climax will leave fans aching to know what happens next.' Catherine Deveny of 'The Age' also gives 'The Poison Sky' the pick of the day: 'Drama, comedy, science fiction all rolled together with David Tennant on top' while Melinda Houston of The Sunday Agealso gives this episode three stars.

Meanwhile, the TV Tonight blog reports that Channel Ten still intends to broadcast series two of Torchwood, either on its main channel or its high definition channel. Last year, series one of 'Torchwood' was moved by Channel Ten mid-series from prime time to a midnight timeslot due to disappointing ratings.

Update: 5 August 2008: David Tennant's appearance on Top Gear, in the reasonably priced car segment, has also seen Australian public broadcasterSBS score excellent ratings. The broadcaster, which has the smallest audience share of the five major Australian TV networks, received 1,042,000 viewers in the five major capital cities for the 'Top Gear' series final.

Thanks to contributors to the Australian forums

FILTER: - Ratings - Australia

Two Who Picks on TV GUIDE Favorites

Monday, 4 August 2008 - Reported by DWNP Archive

Posted By Brigadier Bill

The TV Guide listings magazine in the United States has published a list of "hottest Sci-Fi stars".

John Barrowman was number 9 on the list with the judges saying "This man does not get enough attention in the States. He's gorgeous and possibly one of the funniest actors I've ever seen. He's so charismatic, not to mention he can kiss anyone and make it hot!"

David Tennant came in at number 7 because "It's the mussy hair, the expressive eyes, the adorable dimples when he smiles and the accent. Or maybe it's the talent. Whatever it is, he's got it."

FILTER: - Press

April Novel Information

Thursday, 31 July 2008 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

Covers and Blurbs have now been released for the three New Series novels set for release in April. The novels, each featuring a New Series villain, will feature the 10th Doctor travelling alone.

Judgement of the Judoon by Colin Brake

Elvis the King Spaceport has grown into the sprawling city-state of New Memphis - an urban jungle, where organized crime is rife. But the launch of the new Terminal 13 hasn't been as smooth as expected. And things are about to get worse... When the Doctor arrives, he finds the whole terminal locked down. The notorious Invisible Assassin is at work again, and the Judoon troopers sent to catch him will stop at nothing to complete their mission. With the assassin loose on the mean streets of New Memphis, the Doctor is forced into a strange alliance. Together with teenage private eye Nikki and a ruthless Judoon Commander, the Doctor soon discovers that things are even more complicated - and dangerous - than he first thought... Featuring the Doctor as played by David Tennant in the hit BBC Television series.

The Slitheen Excursion by Simon Guerrier

1500BC - King Actaeus and his subjects live in mortal fear of the awesome gods who have come to visit their kingdom in ancient Greece. Except the Doctor, visiting with university student June, knows they're not gods at all. They're aliens. For the aliens, it's the perfect holiday - they get to tour the sights of a primitive planet and even take part in local customs. Like gladiatorial games, or hunting down and killing humans who won't be missed. With June's enthusiastic help, the Doctor soon meets the travel agents behind this deadly package holiday company - his old enemies the Slitheen. But can he bring the Slitheen excursion to an end without endangering more lives? And how are events in ancient Greece linked to a modern-day alien plot to destroy what's left of the Parthenon? Featuring the Doctor as played by David Tennant in the hit BBC Television series.

Prisoner of the Daleks by Trevor Baxendale

The Daleks are advancing, their empire constantly expanding in to Earth's space. The Earth forces are resisting the Daleks in every way they can. But the battles rage on across countless solar systems. And now the future of our galaxy hangs in the balance... The Doctor finds himself stranded on board a starship near the frontline with a group of ruthless bounty hunters. Earth Command will pay them for every Dalek they kill, every eye stalk they bring back as proof. With the Doctor's help, the bounty hunters achieve the ultimate prize: a Dalek prisoner - intact, powerless, and ready for interrogation. But where the Daleks are involved, nothing is what it seems, and no one is safe. Before long the tables will be turned, and how will the Doctor survive when he becomes a prisoner of the Daleks? Featuring the Doctor as played by David Tennant in the hit BBC Television series.

FILTER: - Books

North American DVD Release Update

Thursday, 31 July 2008 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

BBC Worldwide Americas have announced a pair of releases for November. The Complete Fourth Series and The Infinite Quest will both be released in North America on November 18th, 2008.

The Complete Fourth Series box-set will include Voyage of the Damned, as well as Children in Need skit Time Crash, which was not shown in North America.

The Infinite Quest will be a single disc release of the animated adventure featuring the Tenth Doctor and Martha.

TVShowsOnDVD.com has provided some information about the special features for each release. According to the site, The Complete Fourth Serieswill include cut-down versions of Doctor Who Confidential and commentaries for all episodes. The Infinite Quest will include "over 30 minutes of terrific bonus material", which is presumably the same as the features on the Region 2 release (cast interviews, David Tennant's animation test, behind-the-scenes features on the animation and voiceover, animatics of episodes and deleted scenes, character profiles and a photo gallery).

In other DVD news, a box set of the first season of The Sarah Jane Adventures will be released in North America on October 7th, 2008, and in the UK on November 10th. The set will have four discs, and will include the pilot Invasion of the Bane and all ten episodes from the program's first season. The set will include the following special features:

Interviews with Cast and Crew
Synopses for All Stories
Investigating Tools: A Gadget Glossary
Quiz, with Special Outtakes as Prizes
A Sarah Jane Smith Video Timeline
Behind-the-Scenes Footage
Character and Alien Profiles
Photo Galleries
UK BBC TV spots
Trailers

Cover images below are courtesy of TVShowsOnDVD.com

FILTER: - USA - Blu-ray/DVD

Proms coverage

Monday, 28 July 2008 - Reported by Josiah Rowe

The Doctor Who concert at the BBC Proms has received substantial coverage in the British press. BBC News has a story which includes a brief video interview with Russell T Davies about the concert. In The Times, Caitlin Moran writes about "the hottest ticket in town this week". The concert is also covered by The Independent, The Guardian,The Daily Mail, The Evening Standard and The Sun.

The Doctor Who Prom is available on the BBC iPlayer for the next 6 days. Link to Part One and Part Two.

Thanks to "PolyG" of the Doctor Who Forum.

FILTER: - Special Events

Tate and Agyeman nominated for award

Monday, 28 July 2008 - Reported by Anthony Weight

BBC News reports that both Catherine Tate and Freema Agyemanhave been nominated in the "Favourite Female TV Star" category at this year's British version of the Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice awards.

The awards, run by digital children's television channel Nickelodeon, see children vote for their favourite personalities and programmes. Tate and Agyeman are nominated alongside Miley Cyrus and Miranda Cosgrove. In the "Favourite Male TV Star" category, David Tennant is nominated, facing competition from Dylan Sprouse, Josh Peck and Robin Hood star Jonas Armstrong.

Doctor Who itself is nominated as "Favourite Family TV Show", up against three ITV shows - The X-Factor, Britain's Got Talent and Harry Hill's TV Burp. The Daleks are nominated as "Favourite Baddie", alongside Simon Cowell, Plankton and Randy Orton.

The BBC News report claims that these four nominations are a record for one programme. Votes can be cast on the Nickelodeon website. The awards ceremony will be held in London on the 13th of September.

FILTER: - People - Catherine Tate - Awards/Nominations

BBC Proms

Saturday, 26 July 2008 - Reported by Marcus

The Doctor Who Prom takes place this Sunday, 27th July at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The BBC Proms, also known as The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, take place every summer in London and have been running since 1895, with the BBC taking charge in 1927. Most famous for the Last Night of the Proms, which features patriotic music, the series takes place over an eight week period and features over 70 concerts.

The Doctor Who Prom takes place at 11am UK time and runs for about two hours. It can be heard on BBC Radio Three via FM Radio in the UK or via theBBC Website.

The concert will be hosted by Freema Agyeman and features a specially written scene starring David Tennant.

Full details of the music will be on the proms website about 1 hour before broadcast and the concert will be available on the BBC iPlayer for 7 days after broadcast.

Programme to include:

Murray Gold Concert Prologue* (3 mins)
Copland Fanfare for the Common Man (3 mins)
Murray Gold All The Strange Strange Creatures* (4 mins)
Mark-Anthony Turnage The Torino Scale (UK premiere) (4 mins)
Holst The Planets - Jupiter (8 mins)
Murray Gold The Doctor Forever* (4.30 mins)
Murray Gold Rose* (1.30 mins)
Murray Gold Martha v The Master* (4.30 mins)
Murray Gold Music of the Spheres (including theme original)* (7.30 mins)
Wagner Die Walküre - The Ride of the Valkyries (5 mins)
Murray Gold The Daleks & Davros* (8 mins)
Murray Gold Donna, Girl in Fireplace, Astrid* (4 mins)
Prokofiev 'Montagues and Capulets' from Romeo and Juliet (5 mins)
Murray Gold This is Gallifrey* (3.30 mins)
Murray Gold Doctor's Theme / Song for Freedom * (5.30 mins)
Murray Gold Doomsday* (5 mins)
Murray Gold Song for Ten* (4 mins)
Murray Gold Doctor Who Theme* (1.30 mins)

FILTER: - Murray Gold - Special Events

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