Doctor Who Tweet Up Australia

Thursday, 4 August 2011 - Reported by Marcus

The Sci-Fi channel in Australia is celebrating the return of the Fourth Doctor to the nation's TV screens with a series of free (catered) Doctor Who TweetUp events around the country.

The free events are taking place in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide on August 17th. Space is limited and entry is on a first come basis.

More details can be found at twtvite.com/DoctorWhoTweetUpAU

To tie in with with the launch of Doctor Who on the channel, Sci-Fi is also launching Clustr, the nationʼs first branded TV check-in, social networking-enabled smart phone application. Clustr is a forum for viewers to chat in real-time by checking-in to SCI FI programs such as Doctor Who, Lost Girl and many more series, nation-wide. Clustrʼs functionality allows users to keep track of their favourite series and/or episodes, connect, share and compete with their friends for VIP status, discover badges, and read episode reviews.

Peter Hudson, CEO of SCI FI Channel says

SCI FI wants to reach our viewers with something that is one-of-a-kind, innovative and useful. The Clustr app is a lot of fun but it's also a wonderful way for us to bring our passionate community of viewers together on one platform.

Clustr will be available for free download on Android and iPhones in August.

The SCI FI Channel can be found on n FOXTEL and AUSTAR.

FILTER: - Tom Baker - Broadcasting - Australia

The Tom Baker Years on Sci Fi in Australia

Sunday, 17 July 2011 - Reported by Harry Ward

The Australian Sci Fi Channel is to air Doctor Who episodes from the Tom Baker era, starting with his first story, Robot on 17 August.

In 1974 an unknown actor called Tom Baker was cast in the lead role of Doctor Who, and turned an already popular show into a phenomenon. For a generation, the Fourth Doctor is the definite article– warm, witty, clever and sometimes very strange indeed. Clad in his trademark overlong scarf and with a bag of jelly babies to hand, he strode confidently through some of the show’s most memorable adventures. Over seven exciting years this Doctor met old adversaries - like the Daleks, Cybermen and Sontarans –with some help from much-loved friends like Sarah Jane Smith, Leela, Romana and the faithful K-9.

If you’re a fan of the incredible new series of Doctor Who, then this is a great chance to check out where the legend began. If you saw it back in the day then you won’t need reminding what awesome fun it was to go travelling with the Fourth Doctor every weeknight. Get on board the TARDIS and have yourself some all-time classic adventures in time and space with Doctor Who: The Tom Baker Years – only on SCI FI!

Schedule for Robot
Wednesday, August 17
06:30-06:55 - Episode 1
06:55-07:20 - Episode 2

Thursday, August 18
06:30-06:55 - Episode 3
06:55-07:20 - Episode 4
(times are shown in AEST)

A full schedule for the rest of Season 12, including repeats can be found here.
(with thanks to Matthew See)

FILTER: - Tom Baker - Classic Series - Broadcasting - Australia

UK Classic DVD update: The Sun Makers

Friday, 8 July 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

2|Entertain have now released details on next month's DVD release, The Sun Makers; this story marks the completion of Season 15 on DVD, the penultimate adventure under producership of Graham Williams, and brings the remaining list of Fourth Doctor adventures still to be released down to four (five if the incomplete Shada is included).

The Sun Makers
Release Date: 1st August 2011 (available for pre-order)

Starring Tom Baker as Doctor Who, with Louise Jameson as Leela
Written by Robert Holmes
Directed by Pennant Roberts

Broadcast: 26th November 1977 - 17th December 1977

Far in the distant future, Earth has become uninhabitable, forcing mankind to colonise first Mars, and then Pluto...

No longer the coldest planet in the Solar System, Pluto is now warmed by a series of artificial suns. But access to the sunlight is limited to a select few... The majority of the citizens of the vast Megropolis cities are being overworked and overtaxed by the ruling elite, led by the Gatherer, and the sinister Collector.

When the Doctor, Leela and K9 arrive they discover that all is not well on Pluto. The human population is being totally exploited, while deep in the Undercity, a small band of rebels seeks to overthrow the mysterious 'Company' that controls all aspects of everyday life.

As the situation gets more desperate, the Doctor is forced to fight the oppression of the evil corporate rulers of Pluto. And their taxes...!

Special Features

Commentary with actors Tom Baker, Louise Jameson and Michael Keating, director Pennant Roberts.
Running from the Tax Man – a retrospective look at the making of the story and the science behind it. With actors Louise Jameson and Michael Keating, director Pennant Roberts, writer and historian Dominic Sandbrook and astronomer Marek Kukula.
Outtakes
Trailer – the original BBC1 trailer for the story.
The Doctor’s Composer – Part Two – the concluding part of the series looking at the career of prolific composer Dudley Simpson, covering his work on the show in the seventies.
Photo Gallery – production, design and publicity photos from the story.
Coming Soon – a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.
Programme subtitles
Subtitle Production Notes

Meanwhile, the Classic Doctor Who team have continued to keep readers appraised with the developments on future releases over Twitter (summary over the last month detailed below). Amongst the tidbits are the completion of Revisitations 3 - due to be released next year, and that while Elisabeth Sladen sadly hadn't recorded any further commentaries, Nicholas Courtney will feature on The Ambassadors of Death, and Barry Letts on The Mind of Evil.

05 Jun Mark Ayres: 4 seconds missing from VHS & US tx masters returned to @classicdw
Colony in Space for DVD. Restores 2 lines of dialogue.
06 Jun ClassicDW: Cracking doc on THE DAEMONS from Chris Chapman signed off.
Sue Hedden worth the price of DVD alone. What a great character!
06 Jun Mark Ayres: Colony in Space - restored soundtracks and mixed commentaries for
@classicdw DVD release done and delivered via ftp.
08 Jun ClassicDW: Enjoyable doc from James Goss signed off.
First in a series, and featuring Louise Jameson.
08 Jun Ed Stradling: Happiness Patrol making-of being heavily cut down today. Some of cut
material may be uploaded by @classicdw on youtube if you ask him nicely
08 Jun ClassicDW: Many have asked whether there are any unreleased commentaries featuring
N Courtney, L Sladen or B Letts.
08 Jun ClassicDW: Sadly there are none unreleased Elisabeth comms.
Nick appears on AMBASSADORS OF DEATH, and Barry on MIND OF EVIL.
08 Jun Ed Stradling: @classicdw worth RTing that Barry will also appear in vision discussing all
of his serials except 'Death to the Daleks', and other features
08 Jun ClassicDW: Final PARADISE TOWERS sleeves approved and off to the printers!
09 Jun Mark Ayres: Much of the week so far spent working on @classicdw @Thetamation @bigfinish
Reign of Terror. Now: a day-trip to Svartos.
12 Jun Ed Stradling: I am crap at deciding programme titles. I have "Studio Svartos" for the
Dragonfire making-of. Can any #doctorwho fans think of a better one?
13 Jun Ed Stradling: @Xander, @Babelcolour and @NicholasPegg "Fire and Ice" is now the title
of the Dragonfire doc.
14 Jun Ed Stradling: Shooting with Shaun Ley for a feature on the Happiness Patrol DVD
@classicdw http://t.co/4HWOQ0A
15 Jun ClassicDW: REVISITATIONS 3 completed! Sterling work from the team. Looking at release
first half 2012. VidFIRED TOMB looking great. :)
16 Jun Ed Stradling: Very very busy on graphics and title bumpers for DW Happiness Patrol.
17 Jun James Loosemore: Just finishing off the final mixes of my arrangement of the
Doctor Who Theme for @classicdw
18 Jun Chris Chapman: Seems like my next @classicdw shoot will be in late July - all
outdoors on location, always a bonus!
21 Jun Chris Chapman: Have a feeling that our Reign of Terror @classicdw doco could be
one of the best topics we've tackled - now just need a bit of good luck!
22 Jun Ed Stradling: krotons already commissioned for a making-of. Not sure about ice warrs.
23 Jun Ed Stradling: Dragonfire DVD doc finished and playing out to tape.
24 Jun Mark Ayres: Mastered audio for @classicdw Dragonfire and The Happiness Patrol DVDs
all complete and delivered.
25 Jun ClassicDW: Changes made to the VAM packages for KROTONS and PLANET OF GIANTS
following suggestions from @edstradling. Should be good! :)
26 Jun ClassicDW: Some lovely First Doctor character tests through from @thetamation
for REIGN OF TERROR.
27 Jun ClassicDW: Signed off menus for DAY OF THE DALEKS - Special Edition DVD.
27 Jun ClassicDW: Signed off cracking promo for ACE BOX featuring DRAGONFIRE and HAPPINESS PATROL.
New graphics in there, marvellously "Breakdance"!
28 Jun Chris Chapman: Opening animation for my @classicdw Death to the Daleks doco shaping up
nicely! Nice and moody...
28 Jun Mark Ayres: It's very hot in the studio today.
I put it down to unstable matter interfaces. Nightmare!
29 Jun Ed Stradling: Up bright and early for some GV shots! @classicdw http://t.co/BhbzhzV
01 Jul Chris Chapman: Our @classicdw Death to the Daleks doco is into the home stretch -
running at around 27mins at present. Feels like a good one!
01 Jul Chris Chapman: Quotes from @classicdw Death to the Daleks doco include:
"I think Terry Nation was taking the mickey!"
06 Jul Mark Ayres: Given that I have aleady restored this @classicdw title for audiobook,
DVD mastering should be easy...
07 Jul Chris Chapman: @0tralala I've done what you asked for! The Death to the Daleks Target book
is in the @classicdw DVD doco - ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?? :-)
07 Jul Chris Chapman: I'm taking requests (caveat: which I can totally ignore) for things YOU
want to see in the @classicdw GreatestShow and ReignOfTerror docos!
08 Jul Chris Chapman: Right! I've just sent @classicdw my nearly-final cut of our
Death to the Daleks doco - 'Beneath the City of the Exxilons'. Hope he likes it!

Some artwork has also been released for Italian versions of classic Doctor Who stories, which are distributed by DNC Entertainment; a number of titles have been mentioned including I Dalek Invadono La Terra, Gli Inizi, I Semi Della Morte, L'Invasione and Il Lardo Di Menti.

via Twitter	via Twitter	via Twitter	via Twitter
via Twitter	via Twitter	via Twitter	via Twitter

FILTER: - Italy - UK - Tom Baker - International Broadcasting - Classic Series - Latin America -

Big Finish goes "Fourth"!

Friday, 22 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Big Finish have revealed that Tom Baker's debut adventure with them as the Fourth Doctor got underway today, with the actor performing alongside Louise Jameson, who reprises her role as Leela. Recording commenced at 10:00am this morning, with the photo depicting the duo enjoying the sunny Good Friday morning beforehand.

The first series of six episodes will be available to buy on CD and via download from January 2012, and may be pre-ordered from Big Finish.

The news was first announced last month, with Big Finish clarifying that these adventures are independent to and will not clash with the successful BBC Audio adventures (with Tom Baker teamed with Richard Franklin as Mike Yates).

The actor commented:

In my twilight years, I am looking forward to a tremendous Big Finish and the sooner the better.

Louise Jameson added:

I'm delighted at the possibility of working with Tom again. I've always rated him as a brilliant and unique actor with the most marvellous voice, Big Finish must be over the moon that he has agreed to re-visiting the sci-fi world.

Producer David Richardson has also revealed that the adventures will utilise the 'gothic' wooden console room from Season 14!

FILTER: - Tom Baker - Big Finish

Tom Baker signs for Big Finish

Tuesday, 15 March 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Tom Baker has officially signed to record a series of Audio Plays for Big Finish, where he will be reunited with former companions, Louise Jameson playing Leela and Mary Tamm playing Romana.

The link up has been expected for some time after Baker posted on his forum that he was in talks with the company, but noting was officially confirmed until a press statement from the company earlier today.

Baker has previously recorded a set of stories for BBC Audio, but has never worked for the independent company before.

The new adventures will be recorded this summer and are expected to be released early in 2012. A first season of six single-disc releases will released, with a second season of seven single-disc releases to follow at a date to be confirmed. There will also be a five-disc box set entitled Doctor Who: The Lost Stories – The Fourth Doctor Box Set.

The producers across the Fourth Doctor adventures will be David Richardson and Nicholas Briggs who said

As many of you will know, we've been talking to Tom for a long time, David Richardson and I went to visit Tom at his home not long ago to chat about it all. We had a really great time. At that point, I sincerely felt that had we taken a microphone with us, Tom would have started there and then - but, of course, there are always finer details to sort out. Now that our plans are in place, and Tom has enthusiastically told the world that we're going ahead, we thought it best to follow-up with our own announcement. Rest assured that in the coming months we will be releasing news on this as soon as we are able.

Executive producer Jason Haigh-Ellery said:

I am delighted that Tom will be joining the Big Finish audio adventures of Doctor Who. As a small child, I remember how charismatic and engaging his performance was each Saturday tea time - and we are all looking forward to recreating that era again.

FILTER: - Tom Baker - Big Finish

Sun Makers goes Solo

Friday, 28 January 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Following the announcement of the delay to the DVD release of Ambassadors of Death, 2|Entertain have confirmed that the original idea of a Solar System Box Set has been abandoned.

The release of the 1977 Fourth Doctor story, The Sun Makers will go ahead as planned with the story being released in the same slot, but as a stand-alone story.

For full details of the global DVD release schedule see our product page.

FILTER: - Tom Baker - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Doctor Roundup

Sunday, 23 January 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Items of clothing worn by Tenth Doctor David Tennant when he worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company, are among more than 10,000 costumes and accessories that go on sale next month at the company's rehearsal rooms in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The sale, on 12th February, includes over 1,000 pairs of shoes, 500 shirts, 300 hats, Egyptian head-dresses, a variety of military uniforms, cloaks and clerical outfits. It includes numerous items worn by Tennant, including his understudy costume from the 2008 production of Love's Labour's Lost, a green brocade doublet with bronze ornate buttons, breeches, leather boots and socks and his backstage slippers. Tennant himself was a guest at the 2011 British Comedy Awards which took place at London's O2 Centre on Saturday evening, where he presented the People's Choice Award to comedienne Miranda Hart.

Sixth Doctor Colin Baker, has revealed on his blog that he is currently filming an episode of the BBC daytime drama Doctors. Baker has appeared in the series three times before, in 2001, 2006 and 2009. His theatre tour playing Inspector Morse in House of Ghosts has now finished, although Baker notes there are plans to try to get a tour list together either in the Autumn of 2011 or Spring of 2012.

Fourth Doctor Tom Baker, who celebrated his 77th birthday last week, has said on his Forum that he has decided on two projects for Big Finish Productions. Baker indicated in the past that he is keen to work with Big Finish. He has completed two stories for BBC Audio, Hornets' Nest and Demon Quest.

FILTER: - Tom Baker - David Tennant - Colin Baker

SFX talks to Russell T Davies

Tuesday, 26 October 2010 - Reported by Marcus

Russell T Davies has been talking to SFX Magazine about the infamous line in the latest episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures which has provoked much debate on the internet.

In the episode the Doctor tells Clyde that he can have 507 different faces contradicting the 12 regeneration limit that was set in The Deadly Assassin in 1976.

Davies told the magazine

I could not resist! I was hooting. It’ll never stick, though. That 13 lives is stuck in people’s heads

The Magazine is also appealing for questions for fourth Doctor Tom Baker who will be the subject of their regular “Fannish Inquisition” pieces.

FILTER: - Russell T Davies - Tom Baker - Sarah Jane

Doctor Who Magazine 427

Wednesday, 20 October 2010 - Reported by Marcus

The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine looks in detail at next weeks story in The Sarah Jane Adventures which not only features Matt Smith as The Doctor, but also sees the return of Katy Manning to the role of Jo Jones (nee Grant) some 36 years since she left the series.

Death of the Doctor is written by Russell T Davies who talks to the magazine about the story, along with Katy Manning, Elisabeth Sladen and Matt Smith, who says on working with his two co-stars.

It’s incredible. You realise what a wonderful legacy you are part of, and how much it affects people. Just the very notion of the Doctor and the companion. It makes me feel quite warm that I get to work with two companions who have worked with two really great Doctors.

Also this issue:

The Fourth Doctor himself, Tom Baker is out to lunch with costume designer June Hudson in the streets of Soho, London. DWM tags along and discovers a wealth of stories about Seagulls, Ice Queens and crumbly pastries, not to mention Baker’s return as the Doctor in Demon Quest.
They’re everyone’s favourite race of militaristic clones. Yes, the secrets of those squat, troll-like monstrosities, The Sontarans, are finally revealed, as The Watcher's Guide presents the definitive low-down on one of the Doctor’s most enduring foes.
DWM meets Fin Jones, who plays Santiago in Death of the Doctor, to talk monsters, Matt Smith, and the possibility of his character’s return to the series.
What have rain gods, Daleks and Karen Gillan’s legs got in common? Find out, as Neil Gaiman writes exclusively in DWM about his much-anticipated Doctor Who episode in Production Notes.
It’s the show of the century. DWM goes behind the scenes of the brand new touring production, Doctor Who Live, and talks to stars Matt Smith, Nigel Planer and Nicholas Briggs, and writer Gareth Roberts about the new stage show.
Things look grim for the Doctor and Amy as the Axons invade Tokyo. It’s action all the way as the new comic strip, The Golden Ones by Jonathan Morris and Martin Geraghty continues.
The Fact of Fiction journeys back to 1983 and 1977, to look at the time-bending, Bliovitch-limiting, UNIT-dating-controversy-causing Fifth Doctor adventure Mawdryn Undead and reveals all you need to know to make sense of the temporal paradoxes presented.

Also Doctor Who’s executive producer and head writer Steven Moffat tells DWM all the latest official news; the latest DVDs and CDs are previewed; merchandise reviews; prize-winning competitions; and much more.

FILTER: - Steven Moffat - Tom Baker - DWM - Sarah Jane

Doctor Who: Demon Quest Preview

Wednesday, 18 August 2010 - Reported by Marcus

BBC Audiobooks have posted a preview of the forthcoming release of Demon Quest to their Facebook Page.

The audio adventure follows on from the hugely successful Doctor Who: Hornets’ Nest adventures. Tom Baker reprises his role as the Fourth Doctor, alongside a cast including Susan Jameson as Mrs Wibbsey and Richard Franklin as Mike Yates.

The first part is released in the UK on 2nd September and in the US on November 16.

FILTER: - Audio - Tom Baker

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