BBC Books Update

Sunday, 9 November 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
BBC Books' distributor has unveiled the cover blurbs (at least draft versions, we're not sure if they're the final ones) for the first four regular Doctor Who novels of 2004 (minus the "Scream of the Shalka" adaptation), as follows. (Thanks to Diana Dougherty)

SOMETIME NEVER by Justin Richards
This Week: A hideous misshapen creature released a butterfly. Next Week: The consequences of this simple action ensure that history follows its predicted path... Sometime: In the swirling maelstrom of the Time Vortex, The Council of Eight maps out every movement in history and take drastic measures to ensure it follows their predictions. But there is one elemental force that defies prediction, that fails to adhere to the laws of time and space... A rogue element that could destroy their plans merely by existing.

EMPIRE OF DEATH by David Bishop
In 1855, a boy discovers he can speak with the voice of the dead. He grows up to become one of England's most celebrated spiritualists. In 1863, the British Empire is effectively without a leader. Queen Victoria is inconsolable with grief following the death of her beloved husband, Prince Albert. The monarch's last hope is a secret seance. The Doctor and Nyssa are also coming to terms with loss following the death of Adric and Tegan's sudden departure. Trying to visit the Great Exhibition of 1851, the time travelers are shocked when Adric's ghost appears in the TARDIS, beckoning them to the Other Side. What is hidden in a drowned village guarded by the British Army? Is there life after death and can it be reached by those still alive? And why is the Doctor so terrified of facing his own ghosts? This adventure features the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa.

HALF-LIFE by Mark Michalowski
To lose your memory once may regarded as a misfortune; to lose it twice looks like carelessness. The Doctor's forgotten why he came to the colony world of Espero in the first place, but he's sure it was something important. Before long, he's engaged in the search for a time-bomb that could have consequences not only for Espero, but also for the Doctor himself- and his missing past.

THE ELEVENTH TIGER by David A. McIntee
In interesting times, love can be a weakness, hatred an illusion, order chaos, and ten tigers not enough. The TARDIS crew have seen many times. When they arrive in China in 1865, they find banditry, rebellion, and foreign oppression rife. Trying to maintain order are the British Empire and the Ten Tigers of Canton, the most respected martial arts masters in the world. There is more to the chaos than mere human violence and ambition. Can legends of ancient vengeance be coming true. Why does everyone Ian meets already know who he is? The Doctor has his suspicions, but he is occupied by challenges of his own. Sometimes the greatest danger is not from the enemy, but from the heart... This adventure features the First Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki.




FILTER: - Books

Wheel in Space CD

Sunday, 9 November 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
According to the Galaxy 4 shop website, the BBC Radio Collection release of The Wheel in Space starring Patrick Troughton has been set for May 2004. This would be their second release of 2004; nothing, however has yet been confirmed. (Thanks to Galaxy 4, Richard Mawson)




FILTER: - Audio - Classic Series

BBC7 Radio Update

Sunday, 9 November 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Martin Montague, Presentation Producer at BBC7 Radio, contacted us regarding our story the other day to clarify some of their plans to celebrate the 40th anniversary. "From Wednesday 19th November," said Montague, "we'll be re-airing the Jon Pertwee stories on weeknights at 6pm and midnight, starting with THE PARADISE OF DEATH and running through to the end of THE GHOSTS OF N-SPACE. Meanwhile, SLIPBACK will be repeated on Saturday nights at 1840 - straight after the THE TWILIGHT ZONE - and again at 0040 Saturday night / Sunday morning. We're airing this serial as 3x 20'00" episodes (it was originally aired as 6x 10'00" episodes). Non-UK listeners can find us at www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7. Incidentallt, we're also carrying 'cross-trails' for the BBCi webcast, so anyone wanting to hear REG [Richard E. Grant] as the Doctor can hear the first 'sneak preview' this Sunday night, just before midnight. (There are other previews leading up to the 'transmission' of the first episode)." Thanks to Martin for letting us know!




FILTER: - Radio

Sunday Herald Articles

Sunday, 9 November 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
The Scottish Sunday Herald newspaper featured four articles on Doctor Who in the November 9 edition, just in time for the anniversary. You can read them online as well... Included were "Forty Years of Time Travel" by BBC Books range editor Justin Richards (here), an article on fandom & the recent Panopticon called "A Strange Meeting with the Fans" by Katy McAulay (here), a feature interview with Sylvester McCoy called "How a Scot Breathed Life Back Into the Doctor" by Louise Bell (here), and "Animated Personality" by Edd McCracken, on BBCi's upcoming webcast (here). (Thanks to Scott Wortley, Neil Smith)




FILTER: - Press

Rowan Atkinson?

Thursday, 6 November 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Another rumour surrounding the choice of the new Doctor for the next television series appeared in the "Daily Mirror" (Page 14 in The Scurra column, to be precise) on Monday November 3. The article stated the following: "Television executives flying back from New York the other day were, I am told, discussing who they would most like to appear in their new Dr Who series. Rowan Atkinson, expect the call any day now." (Thanks to Terry Francis)




FILTER: - People

BBC7 Anniversary Tribute

Thursday, 6 November 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Digital radio station BBC7 has been running a trailer stating that Doctor Who's 40th anniversary will be celebrated as part of their 7th Dimension sci-fi slot. Nothing on what precisely will be broadcast, though we expect the Pertwee radio serials (at least "The Paradise of Death") would be a reasonable bet. BBC7 has run "Paradise," the sequel radio drama "The Ghosts of N-Space" and the Colin Baker serial "Slipback" before. (Thanks to Andrew Foxley)




FILTER: - Radio

McGann's Comments

Wednesday, 5 November 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
At this past weekend's Panopticon convention, Paul McGann was asked if, should he be approached, he would indeed reprise the role of the Doctor in the new series. However, he later emphasized that he hasn't been asked, and despite reports on other websites to the contrary, there are no plans to do so; indeed, we've been told specifically that it will be a new actor, to take the show in 'new directions'.




FILTER: - People

Colin's Comments

Wednesday, 5 November 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
Colin Baker appeared on Midlands Today on local BBC Television in the UK on October 29 to promote his role in this autumn's HMS Pinafore. "Fantastic - the backs of sofas, which haven't been visited by children much in the last 15 years, are going to be busy," Colin said. "We're moving ours away from the wall in readiness. A whole new generation have their own Doctor about to happen." When questioned on who should be the new Doctor, Colin said that, although all the previous Doctors had been men, he thought it feasible that part of the Doctor would be in touch with his feminine side -- and he suggested comedy actress Dawn French (of "The Vicar of Dibley", "French and Saunders") would be a good choice. "She'd be a fab Doctor. Her endearing naughtiness would fill those shoes rather well.... I've got a horrible feeling they'll play safe, and get one of the names that you've mentioned." Baker also pointed out that his character had been "promoted beyond his own incompetence" and had a quick dig at the BBC by saying he believed that some people there were very similar! (Thanks to Scott Hughes, Nick Headley)




FILTER: - Colin Baker

SFX Interview

Wednesday, 5 November 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
The new issue of SFX Magazine features an interview with Russell T. Davies, the man behind the rebirth of Doctor Who. "Well, I canÆt say too much and itÆs television, so anything can go wrong, but at the end of August they approached me!" says Davies, who notes that he will begin writing the series starting in January, and only after that will there be any decision on who plays the Doctor. He says he's "ruling nothing out: if, when he comes to write it, a complete reboot seems the only way around to make a new series work, that's what he'll do, but he has yet to start so that's a 'not ruled out' rather than a statement of intent." Davies also notes that the BBC may be pushing for an earlier launch than 2005; he mentions Autumn 2004 as a time that's been mentioned although he clearly believes this would be too early. He also notes that series executive producer Julie Gardner is currently viewing several Doctor Who stories to show her the best moments of the past, and what they may face in future. "IÆll bring back the Nimon and the Garm!" Davies jokes. Pick up the latest issue of SFX for the full feature. (Thanks to SFX, Steve O'Brien, Guy Clapperton)




FILTER: - Russell T Davies - Magazines

Twelve Episodes?

Wednesday, 5 November 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
New rumors abound over the past few days but Outpost Gallifrey has learned that the current plan is to feature twelve 45-minute episodes for the new series, specifically six two-parters. Russell T. Davies will produce and contribute several stories but will likely not write all six tales. Meanwhile, other sources have confirmed what we've suspected for some time: there were no plans to announce the show until at least the anniversary later in November, or even early in 2004, but the announcement was brought forward when BBC-1 controller Lorraine Heggessey (we love 'er!) made it public in the interview she conducted with the British press.




FILTER: - Production - Series 1/27