The Two Doctors

Wednesday, 6 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

BBC Worldwide has issued a press release for the forthcoming release of The Two Doctors, starring Colin Baker, Patrick Troughton, Nicola Bryant, Frazer Hines and Jacqueline Pearce. The press release is as follows:

Doctor Who: The Two Doctors DVD

Colin Baker's incarnation of the Doctor faces old enemies the Sontarans in this September 8th release. An alien scientist allied with the warlike Sontarans kidnaps the second Doctor (played by Patrick Troughton) in order to obtain the secret of time travel, which is found in a Time Lord's genes. This two disc set was originally transmitted in February 1985.

Special Features include:

Disc 1: 3 x 45 minute episodes

Commentary by stars Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Frazer Hines, Jacqueline Pearce and director Peter Moffatt

Isolated music soundtrack

Production Notes
"A Fix with Sontarans" - a short mini-episode from 'Jim'll Fix It'. (approx 10 mins)
Easter Egg

Disc 2 includes:

Behind the Sofa - Robert Holmes & Doctor Who - a featurette about the work of the acclaimed Doctor Who writer and script editor. (approx 45 mins)

Beneath the Lights - in studio during recording of part of episode one. (approx 25 mins)

Beneath the Sun - VHS-sourced raw takes from the location filming in Spain. (Approx 35 mins.)

Adventures in Time and Spain - Production Manager Gary Downie talks about the trials and tribulations of working in a foreign location. (Approx 30 mins)

Wavelength - a radio production from 1984 following the cast and crew as they record the story. (Approx 29 mins).

Photo Gallery (approx 8 mins)

Catalogue number: BBCDVD1213. RRP : ú12.99. Running time : 150 mins approx. Cert: PG

FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Big Finish Update

Wednesday, 6 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Big Finish has issued some new details on upcoming releases. First, the cover illustration and cast list for the forthcoming story Master by Joseph Lidster has been announced; in addition to Sylvester McCoy as the seventh Doctor, the news report confirms the participation of Geoffrey Beevers as the Master (reprising his role from the televised story "The Keeper of Traken" as the decaying Master). Also making a guest appearance in the story (as Victor Schaeffer) is Philip Madoc, among whose many Doctor Who roles over the years was as the War Chief in "The War Games" and as Dr. Mehendri Solon in "The Brain of Morbius". The story also features Anne Ridler (as Jacqueline Schaeffer), Charlie Hayes (as Jade) and Daniel Barzotti (as the Man). Click on the cover illustration at right for a larger version of this cover. Meanwhile, full details about the long-awaited The Inside Story, the hardcover book on the making of the Doctor Who audio adventures, have been announced; the 224-page book, by Benjamin Cook, will be released in November. The press release is below. Also below is the press release for Doctor Who: The Scripts Volume 3 due out later in 2003, featuring the scripts for Marc Platt's "Spare Parts," Nicholas Pegg's "The Spectre of Lanyon Moor," Joseph Lidster's "The Rapture" and Rob Shearman's "The Chimes of Midnight". Finally, now available are both the audio story Flip-Flop by Jonathan Morris (starring Sylvester McCoy, Bonnie Langford and Trevor Martin) and the hardcover Doctor Who: The Scripts Volume 2 featuring the full scripts for "The Eye of the Scorpion" by Iain McLaughlin, "The One Doctor" by Clayton Hickman and Gareth Roberts, "Dust Breeding" by Mike Tucker, and "Seasons of Fear" by Paul Cornell & Caroline Symcox. (Thanks to Big Finish)

THE INSIDE STORY by Benjamin Cook

A no-holds-barred account of the making of every Big Finish Doctor Who story from 1999's The Sirens of Time to 2003's anniversary special Zagreus, taking in special releases, the Doctor Who Unbound series, Dalek Empire and Sarah Jane Smith along the way.

With interviews with over 100 actors, writers, directors, producers and contributors, plus scores of previously unseen photographs, The New Audio Adventures The Inside Story takes you behind the scenes on the production of every Big Finish Doctor Who audio adventure.

New facts, figures and trivia tell the story of the range, alongside never-before-published missing scenes, candid reminiscences from all the major players and exclusive excerpts from original archive documents.

Featuring a foreword from Queer as Folk creator Russell T. Davies.

DOCTOR WHO: THE AUDIO SCRIPTS - VOLUME 3

Since 1999, Big Finish Productions have produced regular, fully-licensed ongoing audio adventures for the Doctor and his companions on CD. Each four-part story stars members of the original Doctor Who cast in brand-new adventures through time and space.

Presented in this book are the original scripts for four of Big Finish's most popular stories.

Representing the Fifth Doctor adventures, starring Peter Davison, comes Spare Parts, written by Marc Platt and focussing on the eary days of the Doctor's old foes, the Cybermen.

Colin Baker featured in Nicholas Pegg's The Spectre of Lanyon Moor, featuring the long-awaited first meeting between the Sixth Doctor and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart as played by Nicholas Courtney.

From the Seventh Doctor run, with Sylvester McCoy, is The Rapture by Joseph Lidster, set around the hedonistic clublands of Ibizia.

Rounding this collection off is The Chimes of Midnight, an eeries thriller featuring the Eighth Doctor and Charley penned by Robert Shearman.

This collection also features a number of deleted scenes, observations by the writers and directors, script annotations, alternative episode scripts, original outlines and other features!

FILTER: - Big Finish

Doctor Who in Australia

Wednesday, 6 August 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Word from the Doctor Who Club of Australia: Doctor Who returns to the airwaves this September! ABC-TV (Channel 2) will be screening the series in Australia four nights a week (Monday through Thursday) starting September 15, 2003 at 6:00pm. Says the press release: "The most famous time traveller of all time Dr Who returns to ABC TV in September. ABC TV will screen the entire Dr Who series from episode one every Monday to Thursday at 6pm from September 15th. The first episode æAn Unearthly ChildÆ stars the original Gallifreyan Time Lord William Hartnell. Head of ABC TV Programming, Ms Marena Manzoufas, said re-screening the original Dr Who episodes coincided with the programÆs 40th Anniversary. 'Dr Who made its debut in November 1963 and ABC TV last screened it in March 1994,' she said. 'Since then we have received an endless number of requests from Dr Who fans. Dr Who was the longest running science fiction series ever made and everyone has a favourite episode, Doctor or evil foe such as the Daleks and Cybermen. There are many fans addicted to the program who want to re-live the whole Dr Who experience from the start.' And ABC TV also decided to re-screen the entire series from episode one for those who missed them or where too young to see how the adventure began." (Thanks to Jason Fraser and the DWCA)

FILTER: - Classic Series - Australia

Big Finish Update

Thursday, 31 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Big Finish has issued the cover illustration for the forthcoming fourth "Doctor Who Unbound" storyHe Jests at Scars starring Michael Jayston and Bonnie Langford; click on the thumbnail at right for a larger version. Big Finish also announced today an additional slight delay on the third "Unbound" story Full Fathom Five, which will now be released on August 7. Trailers for both stories can be downloaded from the site. Finally, a new interview with Nicholas Briggs on the BF site confirms a thirdDalek Empire serial, which will be six chapters instead of four and will begin in May 2004. "I know where it starts and where it's going to end... exactly," says Briggs. "And I know more or less what happens in the middle. But it'll be bad luck to spill the beans just now, since it could all changeà I suppose. That's the anarchist creeping in again." (Thanks to Big Finish)

FILTER: - Big Finish

Microsoft Who

Wednesday, 30 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Researchers in the Speech Technology group at software giant Microsoft have developed a technology they have code-named Dr. Who, which "will allow the computer to travel through our living spaces as a handy electronic Hal pal that answers questions, arranges our calendars, and sends messages to our friends and family." Using speech recognition technology, the prototype uses a handheld device that doubles as a web browser, email device and cellphone. "Let's say we are talking on Instant Messenger, and we're talking about where I should take you for lunch. You realize there is a web service out there that is a restaurant guide, and we can probably ask it to join our conversation. Now this web service is not human, still, with Dr. Who we can type text or use speech to talk to this service. So we can ask it to find a restaurant that's a French restaurant, and not too far away from Microsoft. With a spoken or typed text dialog system we extend the horizon of the project." Read the full article by clicking here.

FILTER: - Press

Earthshock DVD: To Delay Or Not...

Wednesday, 30 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

This story has been updated all day long... the following is correct as of 0500 GMT July 31

On July 30 we were contacted by several sources -- notably the Galaxy 4 shop and readers of the ChoicesDirect website -- that the UK DVD release of Earthshock had been pushed back two weeks, to August 18 (instead of August 4). Almost immediately, the BBC websiteBBCi posted a news item stating that BBC Worldwide was denying the report, and that it would be out on schedule, as planned. That was followed in sequence by a note that at least one retailer had received the DVD stock but had been given a note that the DVDs were being recalled; and then information direct from the BBC's own sales website BBC Shop which changed their release date to the delay date of August 18!

Outpost Gallifrey has learned that the situation is, in fact, the initial shipment is missing the enclosed DVD booklet - at least some, possibly all. Retailers that have already received it have been asked to send them back (no obligation but service to customers), and meanwhile BBC Worldwide is now apparently informing retailers that a new batch which includes the booklets will be ready for August 18. We'll keep you updated on further developments. (Thanks to Ben Keywood of Galaxy 4, Tenth Planet UK, Tim Harrison, John Batty, Nathan Baron and everyone else who's written in on this all day!)

Earthshock Update

July 31, 2003 • Posted By Shaun Lyon

BBC Worldwide, contrary to their report which was published yesterday on the BBCi site, is now confirming the delay of the DVD release of Earthshock that Outpost Gallifrey reported yesterday. Worldwide confirms our report yesterday that the discs were missing the interior booklet and that they have been recalled, and that August 18 is the new release date.

FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Fury From the Deep Footage Found!

Wednesday, 30 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Steve Roberts of the Doctor Who Restoration Team this morning posted details of a brand-new Doctor Who footage find from the missing Patrick Troughton serial Fury From the Deep, episode six. Says Roberts:

Andrew Martin down at Windmill Road was recently checking through some reels of old waste film which had been stored away to use as filler and leader material, when he came across 3 mins 32 secs of 16mm negative from the weed creature attack scenes in episode 6, shot at Ealing Studios. The film consists of several near-complete scenes, although they are trims (ie unused takes of the shots that were finally used in the programe) and they are mute. Expect to see them on the next Troughton DVD!

Needless to say, this is terrific news for Doctor Who fans today... another glimpse at a story which is completely lost (except for the audio and some photos)! (Thanks to Steve Roberts, and Steve Manfred for giving us the heads up!)

FILTER: - Classic Series

The Legend, Again

Saturday, 26 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

BBC Worldwide has issued a press release for the forthcoming book Doctor Who: The Legend by Justin Richards, due out November 13. We've covered this book's release in the past, but this provides some interesting details about the book and its contents. Of note is the comment "special celebration planned on air during the anniversary weekend" on UK Gold. We'll keep you posted. (Thanks to Stuart Ian Burns and BBC Worldwide)

DOCTOR WHO: THE LEGEND

Doctor Who epic explores four decades of TV history

What is uniquely British, has its origins in the white heat of the technological revolution of the 1960s, features the most intriguing small screen characters ever to travel through space and time, and celebrates its 40th birthday on November 23, 2003?

It can only be Doctor Who. Last seen on terrestrial television in its original series format in 1989, Doctor Who is still shown twice weekly on UK Gold* and is known and celebrated around the world. To mark the Doctor's forty fantastical years of tea-time travel, on November 13th 2003, BBC Books is publishing Doctor Who: The Legend, a large format lavishly illustrated book that stretches to an amazing 400 beautifully designed pages.

At ú40.00, this epic publication chronicles every one of the 158 television stories, which ran to nearly 700 individual episodes. Each story entry includes a summary of events, new facts about the characters and fascinating behind-the-scenes information. Stunningly illustrated with 500 full colour and black and white photographs, including previously unseen pictures from archives and private collections, this book is a must-have - not only for die-hard Doctor Who fans but for anyone who has a fondness for the show. As well as providing a unique overview of the series, Doctor Who: The Legend includes features on the make-up, special effects, Radiophonic Workshop, and many other behind-the-scenes secrets that have contributed to the massive success of Doctor Who.

The author
Justin Richards met the second Doctor Who, Patrick Troughton, on a visit to the set in 1968 when he was only eight years old. Since then he has built up an encyclopaedic knowledge of the series and is now the BBC Books Doctor Who range consultant. He has written numerous Who-related novels, articles and audio plays, and this summer publishes the first of a new series of children's books, The Invisible Detective (Simon & Schuster).

Publication date: 13th November 2003
Price: ú40.00
ISBN: 0563 486023

* Special celebration planned on air during the anniversary weekend.

FILTER: - Books

He Jests at Scars

Saturday, 26 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Big Finish has announced full details of the forthcoming He Jests at Scars... by Gary Russell, the fourth "Doctor Who Unbound" serial that DWM reported (and we posted) earlier this week. The story explores "what might have happened if the Valeyard had not been defeated at the end of the Sixth Doctor's trial." "Gary had been itching to write a Valeyard story for a long time," says producer John Ainsworth, "and it seemed to be a good fit with the Doctor Who Unbound series." The story was contingent upon Jayston being able to return, which he did with open arms. Also returning is Bonnie Langford as Melanie, but a slightly different version: "Mel is a little bit more gritty a little tougher. ... It's nice to have a Mel who's a little bit more realistic and a little less goody-two-shoes." Also returning are Anthony Keetch (who played Vansell in several Big Finish audios) and Juliet Warner as Ellie Martin (from the Sarah Jane Smith series), who becomes the Valeyard's companion here. The story is due out in August; at right is the current publicity shot and below is the story blurb. The trailer for the story is available on Big Finish's website. Big Finish has also announced that the sixth story, Deadline by Rob Shearman, starring Derek Jacobi, has been moved up to fifth in release order, while Exile by Nicholas Briggs -- the story that will feature a female Doctor -- will now be released last, in October. (Thanks to Big Finish)

He Jests at Scars, by Gary Russell

What if... the Valeyard had won?

The thing about meddling with time is that one moment something is real, the next, it's been erased. Probability become just a possibility. Established truth becomes a theoretical falsehood. Like dominoes, as one timeline falls, the others come cascading down around it. You can engineer new timelines, new possibilities but before long, the distinction between what is, what was, what might be and what never can be becomes blurred.

Out of this grow myths, lies and legends. The Doctor was one such legend, but no one knows whether he truly ever existed. Well, not now they don't. The Mighty One, ruling the multiverses from the eternal city of Chronopolis has made sure of that.

Starring Michael Jayston (the Valeyard) and Bonnie Langford (Mel), with Anthony Keetch (Coordinator Vansell), Tim Preece (the President), Juliet Warner (Ellie Martin), Jane McFarlane (Nula) and Mark Donovan (Gerrof). Directed by Gary Russell.

FILTER: - Big Finish

Big Finish Update

Thursday, 24 July 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

As we reported yesterday, the newest issue of Doctor Who Magazine notes that, in addition to Michael Jayston and Bonnie Langford as the Valeyard and Melanie (as noted two days ago), the fourth "Doctor Who Unbound" CD He Jests at Scars... from Big Finish, written by Gary Russell, features the return of Juliet Warner as Ellie Martin, a character from the Sarah Jane Smith series of audios (and now, apparently a companion to the Valeyard), and Anthony Keetch as Coordinator Vansell from several BF audios including "The Sirens of Time" and "The Apocalypse Element". The story posits "what if... the Doctor didn't defeat the Valeyard?" DWM also reveals that Rob Shearman's Deadline, starring Derek Jacobi, is about a writer whose idea for a new television series was rejected... but is later haunted by visions of himself as the Doctor. The new DWM issue also mentions that Big Finish has commissioned a third Dalek Empire serial, likely from Nicholas Briggs. More details as we get them. (Thanks to DWM and Gallifrey 5)

FILTER: - Big Finish

Previous 10 Stories

The Two Doctors

Big Finish Update

Doctor Who in Australia

Big Finish Update

Microsoft Who

Earthshock DVD: To Delay Or Not...

Fury From the Deep Footage Found!

The Legend, Again

He Jests at Scars

Big Finish Update

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