Billie Piper's new boyfriend may have been attracted by her fame, suggests a friend.Laurence Fox left his ex-partner, whom he had been with for six years, to be with the actress just before Christmas. She had just split up with lawyer Amadu Sowe after a two-year relationship.The pair are said to be getting along well and have been spotted out together, but a friend of Fox has said he was shocked by his snap decision to leave his ex, Martha Swann. "It was so completely out of the blue," one told the Mail on Sunday. "One minute he was sharing a flat with Martha, seemingly happily, and the next minute he announced he wanted to split and promptly moved out."It is quite shocking that someone would leave a partner who they have spent years with for someone they have only known for a few months. It is fair to wander if his decision is clouded somewhat by Billie's fame."Another source also suggested Piper's fame may have been an added incentive for Fox. "Fox is a lovely, very talented and fun-loving bloke," he commented. "But there has always been a very steely determination to achieve success lying beneath the surface."
{ok i am tired of playing hard to get Billie. I submit to your love come n get it!!!!! lol}
Monday, January 15, 2007
Time meddlers celebrate 20 years
http://www.timemeddlers.org/
http://www.myspace.com/104079086
The Time Meddlers of Los Angeles is one of America's largest and most visible Doctor Who fan organizations who gather every month to socialize and celebrate all that is Doctor Who. Doctor Who is a British Science Fiction show, which ran from 1963 til 1989, holding the record for the longest Sci-Fi show ever, and in 2005 was revived and restarted in the UK. This page is mainly geared toward news and info about the Time Meddlers of Los Angeles, for more information on Doctor Who itself, including the new series please visit Outpost Gallifrey, edited by Shaun Lyon. Also, the new series is currently running over here on the Sci-Fi Channel, for information and schedule please visit their website. While we are based out of Los Angeles, our membership group spans the country and even overseas. We meet every third Sunday of the month, except in February when we're all at the Gallifrey One Convention. The majority of our meetings take place at the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society's Clubhouse at 11513 Burbank Blvd, in North Hollywood. Any meetings taking place offsite, are announced ahead of time, in our meeting schedule above. We also publish a monthly newsletter, the Interglactic Enquirer, featuring news and reveiws of not only Doctor Who but other Science Fiction and Fantasy media.
http://www.myspace.com/104079086
The Time Meddlers of Los Angeles is one of America's largest and most visible Doctor Who fan organizations who gather every month to socialize and celebrate all that is Doctor Who. Doctor Who is a British Science Fiction show, which ran from 1963 til 1989, holding the record for the longest Sci-Fi show ever, and in 2005 was revived and restarted in the UK. This page is mainly geared toward news and info about the Time Meddlers of Los Angeles, for more information on Doctor Who itself, including the new series please visit Outpost Gallifrey, edited by Shaun Lyon. Also, the new series is currently running over here on the Sci-Fi Channel, for information and schedule please visit their website. While we are based out of Los Angeles, our membership group spans the country and even overseas. We meet every third Sunday of the month, except in February when we're all at the Gallifrey One Convention. The majority of our meetings take place at the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society's Clubhouse at 11513 Burbank Blvd, in North Hollywood. Any meetings taking place offsite, are announced ahead of time, in our meeting schedule above. We also publish a monthly newsletter, the Interglactic Enquirer, featuring news and reveiws of not only Doctor Who but other Science Fiction and Fantasy media.
Season three episode info
1: Smith and Jones
Writer: Russell T Davies
Director: Charles Palmer
Cast: Adjoa Andoh (Francine Jones), Trevor Laird (Clive Jones), Anne Reid (Florence), Roy Marsden (Mr. Stoker), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Tish Jones), Reggie Yates (Leo Jones)
The Doctor faces the dreaded Judoon, intergalactic alien stormtroopers who have transported a hospital to the moon... including the young Martha Jones.
2: The Shakespeare Code
Writer: Gareth Roberts
Director: Charles Palmer
Cast: Dean Lennox Kelley (William Shakespeare)
Shakespeare gives the performance of his life to save the Earth from destruction at the hands of fearsome flying witches.
Episode 3
Writer: Russell T Davies
Director: Richard Clarke
Cast: Ardal O'Hanlon (Brannigan), Jennifer Hennesy (Valerie)
The Doctor returns to New Earth, and encounters the Face of Boe again.
4: Daleks in ManhattanEpisode 5
Writer: Helen Raynor
Director: James Hawes
Cast: Hugh Quarshie (Solomon), Miranda Raison (Showgirl), Ryan Carnes, Andrew Garfield, Eric Loren, Flik Swann, Alexis Caley, Earl Perkins, Peter Brookem, Ian Porter
Two-part story
The Doctor and Martha visit New York in the 1930s... and run into an experiment by the Daleks to disrupt the fabric of time!
6: The Lazarus Experiment
Writer: Stephen Greenhorn
Director: Richard Clarke
Cast: Thelma Barlow (Lady Thaw), Mark Gatiss (Dr. Lazarus)
The famed scientist Dr. Lazarus may have developed the fountain of youth
Episodes 9: Family of Blood
Writer: Paul Cornell
Director: Charles Palmer
Cast: Jessica Stevenson (Joan), Harry Lloyd (Jeremy Baines), Thomas Sangster (Tim Latimer), Tom Palmer (Hutchinson), Pip Torrens (Rocastle), Rebekah Staten (Jenny), Gerard Horan (Clark), Lauren Wilson (Lucy Cartwright), Matthew White (Phillips)
Two-part story
The Doctor settles down to lead a normal life in a boarding school, in an adaptation of Cornell's novel "Human Nature".
Writer: Russell T Davies
Director: Charles Palmer
Cast: Adjoa Andoh (Francine Jones), Trevor Laird (Clive Jones), Anne Reid (Florence), Roy Marsden (Mr. Stoker), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Tish Jones), Reggie Yates (Leo Jones)
The Doctor faces the dreaded Judoon, intergalactic alien stormtroopers who have transported a hospital to the moon... including the young Martha Jones.
2: The Shakespeare Code
Writer: Gareth Roberts
Director: Charles Palmer
Cast: Dean Lennox Kelley (William Shakespeare)
Shakespeare gives the performance of his life to save the Earth from destruction at the hands of fearsome flying witches.
Episode 3
Writer: Russell T Davies
Director: Richard Clarke
Cast: Ardal O'Hanlon (Brannigan), Jennifer Hennesy (Valerie)
The Doctor returns to New Earth, and encounters the Face of Boe again.
4: Daleks in ManhattanEpisode 5
Writer: Helen Raynor
Director: James Hawes
Cast: Hugh Quarshie (Solomon), Miranda Raison (Showgirl), Ryan Carnes, Andrew Garfield, Eric Loren, Flik Swann, Alexis Caley, Earl Perkins, Peter Brookem, Ian Porter
Two-part story
The Doctor and Martha visit New York in the 1930s... and run into an experiment by the Daleks to disrupt the fabric of time!
6: The Lazarus Experiment
Writer: Stephen Greenhorn
Director: Richard Clarke
Cast: Thelma Barlow (Lady Thaw), Mark Gatiss (Dr. Lazarus)
The famed scientist Dr. Lazarus may have developed the fountain of youth
Episodes 9: Family of Blood
Writer: Paul Cornell
Director: Charles Palmer
Cast: Jessica Stevenson (Joan), Harry Lloyd (Jeremy Baines), Thomas Sangster (Tim Latimer), Tom Palmer (Hutchinson), Pip Torrens (Rocastle), Rebekah Staten (Jenny), Gerard Horan (Clark), Lauren Wilson (Lucy Cartwright), Matthew White (Phillips)
Two-part story
The Doctor settles down to lead a normal life in a boarding school, in an adaptation of Cornell's novel "Human Nature".
New releases due in feb for dr who
February 2007
NocturneBF Audio: 7thBy Dan AbnettRelease Date: February 2007
On the human colony planet Nocturne, there is suffering and blight, tragic symptoms of an ages-old war. Never the less, Nocturne is also one of the Doctor's favourite places in all of time and space, because it is here that a late, great flowering of human art - the High Renaissance - is taking place.
He has been back here, many times. It is a place of music and art which he finds inspirational and uplifting. It is a place he wants to share with Ace and Hex. It's always been a safe haven for him, a world of friends and laughter.
But with strict Martial Law imposed on the front-line city, and the brutal scourge of interstellar warfare vicing the system, how safe can anyone really be?
There is a note of death in the wild, midnight wind...
This story takes place after "Survival".
Starring Sylvester McCoy (the Doctor), Sophie Aldred (Ace), Philip Olivier (Hex), Trevor Bannister (Korbin Thessinger), Paul David-Gough (Will Alloran), Eric Potts (Lothar Ragpole), Ann Rye (Lilian Dillane) and Helen Kay (Cate Reeney). Directed by John Ainsworth.
Blood of the Daleks, Part TwoBF Audio: 8thBy Steve LyonsRelease Date: February 2007BBC Radio 7 and Big Finish Productions present eight monthly serials first broadcast on radio and then released on audio CD, starring Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith.
"The crashed ship. The one Tom Cardwell saw all those years ago. And you borrowed its technology, didn't you? Maybe even found a Dalek or two in the wreckage. Dead, but intact. And you began to turn human beings into creatures like them. You did that? I'm right, arent I?"
Starring Paul McGann (the Doctor), Sheridan Smith (Lucie Miller), Katarina Olsson (Headhunter), Anita Dobson (Eileen Klint), Kenneth Cranham (Tom Cardwell), Hayley Atwell (Asha), Gerry O'Toole (Lowell), Nicholas Briggs (The Daleks).
Doctor Who: The GunfightersBBC AudioStarring William Hartnell, Peter Purves, Jackie LaneRelease Date: February 5, 2007William Hartnell is the original Doctor in this soundtrack recording of a classic 1960s adventure. The TARDIS brings the Doctor, Steven and Dodo to the Wild West town of Tombstone, in the year 1881. In need of a dentist, the Doctor visits one Doc Holliday, who is engaged in a feud with the Clanton family. As tensions rise in the town, the TARDIS crew get caught up in a complex chain of events which culminates in the now-legendary gunfight at the OK Corral. A member of the original cast provides the linking narration for this CD, which also features a bonus interview recalling the making of the original production.
Doctor Who: The Soundtrack - North America ReleaseBBC AudioStarring Composed by Murray GoldRelease Date: February 13, 2007US/Canada release of the soundtrack album.
Second Flight: Back to the Vortex IITelos Reference - N America ReleaseEdited by J Shaun LyonRelease Date: February 2007Picking up where Back to the Vortex left off, Second Flight continues the story of the development of Doctor Who as David Tennant takes over the TARDIS from Christopher Eccleston and embarks on a 2005 Christmas special ('The Christmas Invasion') as well as a second series of adventures in time and space with Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), and featuring Noel Clarke as Mickey and Camille Coduri as Jackie Tyler.
Second Flight reveals the background to the series, from the announcements, to the press releases, casting calls, the highs and lows, and the return of the dreaded Cybermen.
The book also features detailed analysis of the new adventures, facts and figures, and exclusive review commentary from an international panel of writers and critics.
Torchwood: Series One, Volume Two DVDBBC DVD: UKStarring John Barrowman, Eve MylesRelease Date: February 26, 2007Volume 2 of the exciting and leftfield DOCTOR WHO spin-off finds philanderer of the future, Jack Harness arriving in contemporary Cardiff and being inducted into Torchwood – a covert extra terrestrial and paranormal investigation agency.
NocturneBF Audio: 7thBy Dan AbnettRelease Date: February 2007
On the human colony planet Nocturne, there is suffering and blight, tragic symptoms of an ages-old war. Never the less, Nocturne is also one of the Doctor's favourite places in all of time and space, because it is here that a late, great flowering of human art - the High Renaissance - is taking place.
He has been back here, many times. It is a place of music and art which he finds inspirational and uplifting. It is a place he wants to share with Ace and Hex. It's always been a safe haven for him, a world of friends and laughter.
But with strict Martial Law imposed on the front-line city, and the brutal scourge of interstellar warfare vicing the system, how safe can anyone really be?
There is a note of death in the wild, midnight wind...
This story takes place after "Survival".
Starring Sylvester McCoy (the Doctor), Sophie Aldred (Ace), Philip Olivier (Hex), Trevor Bannister (Korbin Thessinger), Paul David-Gough (Will Alloran), Eric Potts (Lothar Ragpole), Ann Rye (Lilian Dillane) and Helen Kay (Cate Reeney). Directed by John Ainsworth.
Blood of the Daleks, Part TwoBF Audio: 8thBy Steve LyonsRelease Date: February 2007BBC Radio 7 and Big Finish Productions present eight monthly serials first broadcast on radio and then released on audio CD, starring Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith.
"The crashed ship. The one Tom Cardwell saw all those years ago. And you borrowed its technology, didn't you? Maybe even found a Dalek or two in the wreckage. Dead, but intact. And you began to turn human beings into creatures like them. You did that? I'm right, arent I?"
Starring Paul McGann (the Doctor), Sheridan Smith (Lucie Miller), Katarina Olsson (Headhunter), Anita Dobson (Eileen Klint), Kenneth Cranham (Tom Cardwell), Hayley Atwell (Asha), Gerry O'Toole (Lowell), Nicholas Briggs (The Daleks).
Doctor Who: The GunfightersBBC AudioStarring William Hartnell, Peter Purves, Jackie LaneRelease Date: February 5, 2007William Hartnell is the original Doctor in this soundtrack recording of a classic 1960s adventure. The TARDIS brings the Doctor, Steven and Dodo to the Wild West town of Tombstone, in the year 1881. In need of a dentist, the Doctor visits one Doc Holliday, who is engaged in a feud with the Clanton family. As tensions rise in the town, the TARDIS crew get caught up in a complex chain of events which culminates in the now-legendary gunfight at the OK Corral. A member of the original cast provides the linking narration for this CD, which also features a bonus interview recalling the making of the original production.
Doctor Who: The Soundtrack - North America ReleaseBBC AudioStarring Composed by Murray GoldRelease Date: February 13, 2007US/Canada release of the soundtrack album.
Second Flight: Back to the Vortex IITelos Reference - N America ReleaseEdited by J Shaun LyonRelease Date: February 2007Picking up where Back to the Vortex left off, Second Flight continues the story of the development of Doctor Who as David Tennant takes over the TARDIS from Christopher Eccleston and embarks on a 2005 Christmas special ('The Christmas Invasion') as well as a second series of adventures in time and space with Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), and featuring Noel Clarke as Mickey and Camille Coduri as Jackie Tyler.
Second Flight reveals the background to the series, from the announcements, to the press releases, casting calls, the highs and lows, and the return of the dreaded Cybermen.
The book also features detailed analysis of the new adventures, facts and figures, and exclusive review commentary from an international panel of writers and critics.
Torchwood: Series One, Volume Two DVDBBC DVD: UKStarring John Barrowman, Eve MylesRelease Date: February 26, 2007Volume 2 of the exciting and leftfield DOCTOR WHO spin-off finds philanderer of the future, Jack Harness arriving in contemporary Cardiff and being inducted into Torchwood – a covert extra terrestrial and paranormal investigation agency.
The Dreamwatch is over
Subscribers of the UK magazine Dreamwatch are currently receiving a letter from its publishers Titan informing them that they have ceased publication of the title.The publication began life in the early 1980s as an amateur fanzine under the title Doctor Who Bulletin. In this form, it took a generally critical tone towards the then current era of the show, and at times its producer, John Nathan-Turner, personally. However, it became popular with some fans due to its frequent reporting of breaking news, offering an alternative to the officially sanctioned Doctor Who Magazine. When in 1989 Doctor Who was rested, the fanzine expanded to cover other genre films and TV series, and the title was changed to DreamWatch Bulletin so that the popular abbreviation DWB would remain intact. In 1994, it was turned into a professional news stand magazine: the title was shortened to simply Dreamwatch and the numbering of the magazine was restarted from issue 1. The final issue will be number 150, or 280 if you count from the original DWB, and is due to be published on 25th January.UPDATE: Brian J Robb, Editor of Dreamwatch, has announced in our forum that the title will be relaunched as a new website, functioning as both magazine and archive. It will be available from the address www.DWSciFi.com from 25th January.
BBC Online Drama Awards - clean sweep for Dr Who
The results have been published for the BBC website's Best Drama Awards for 2006. The awards have been comprehensively won by Doctor Who, where it won each category with a clear majority of votes cast. The site features quotes from voters and video clips. The votes are revealed over a number of pages, but are summarised below.
Best Drama:1: Doctor Who (31.33%)2: Robin Hood (19.38%)3: Jane Eyre (12.08%)4: Life on Mars (6.37%)5: Holby City (5.29%)
Best Actor:1: David Tennant (39.96%)2: Jonas Armstrong (13.25%)3: Toby Stephens (10.49%)4: Richard Armitage (4.97%)5: John Simm (3.09%)
Best Actress:1: Billie Piper (42.74%)2: Ruth Wilson (16.01%)3: Lucy Griffiths (11.03%)4: Amanda Mealing (5.65%)5: Lacey Turner (2.69%)
Favourite Moment:1: Rose's exit [Doctor Who] (27.25%)2: Jane and Rochester's Reunion [Jane Eyre] (4.11%)3: Daleks v Cybermen [Doctor Who] (4.08%)4: Ruth's exit [Spooks] (2.49%)5: Robin hears Marian accepting Guy's proposal [Robin Hood] (2.05%)
Best Drama Website:1: Doctor Who (36.90%)2: Robin Hood (18.17%)3: Spooks (6.79%)4: EastEnders (6.70%)5: Torchwood (6.45%)
Best Drama:1: Doctor Who (31.33%)2: Robin Hood (19.38%)3: Jane Eyre (12.08%)4: Life on Mars (6.37%)5: Holby City (5.29%)
Best Actor:1: David Tennant (39.96%)2: Jonas Armstrong (13.25%)3: Toby Stephens (10.49%)4: Richard Armitage (4.97%)5: John Simm (3.09%)
Best Actress:1: Billie Piper (42.74%)2: Ruth Wilson (16.01%)3: Lucy Griffiths (11.03%)4: Amanda Mealing (5.65%)5: Lacey Turner (2.69%)
Favourite Moment:1: Rose's exit [Doctor Who] (27.25%)2: Jane and Rochester's Reunion [Jane Eyre] (4.11%)3: Daleks v Cybermen [Doctor Who] (4.08%)4: Ruth's exit [Spooks] (2.49%)5: Robin hears Marian accepting Guy's proposal [Robin Hood] (2.05%)
Best Drama Website:1: Doctor Who (36.90%)2: Robin Hood (18.17%)3: Spooks (6.79%)4: EastEnders (6.70%)5: Torchwood (6.45%)
Billie Piper's Treats
Actress Billie Piper appeared on Breakfast on BBC1 this morning to promote her west-end debut in the Christopher Hampton play Treats. Also featuring Kris Marshall (My Family, Murder City) and Laurence Fox (Lewis), the play opens at London's Garrick Theatre on 28th February (previews from the 20th) and runs until 26th May.The play is also on tour beforehand, appearing at the Theatre Royal in Windsor (16-27 Jan), Malvern Theatre (29 Jan - 3 Feb), Bath's Theatre Royal (5-10 Feb), and London's Richmond Theatre (12-17 Feb).More details on the play may be found at theatre.com and the London Theatre Guide.
Friday, January 12, 2007
New beginning boxset details
"New Beginnings Box-set"
4th & 5th Doctor's
RRP: £29.99 - DWO Price: £22.49
Released: 29th January
The Keeper of Traken
Commentary from actors Anthony Ainley, Matthew Waterhouse and Sarah Sutton, plus writer Johnny Byrne.
Being Nice to Each Other (dur. 30' 04") - a new documentary looking at the making of this story through the eyes of the cast and crew. Featuring actors Sarah Sutton, Sheila Ruskin, Geoffrey Beevers, director John Black, writer Johnny Byrne and script editor Christopher H. Bidmead. Narrated by George Williams.
The Return of the Master (dur. 08' 40") - Geoffrey Beevers, Christopher H. Bidmead and John Black talk about how they realised the return of the Doctor's arch-adversary.
Sarah Sutton on Swap Shop (dur. 11' 14") - Noel Edmonds interviews Sarah Sutton, with questions phoned in from young viewers.
Logopolis
Commentary from actors Tom Baker and Janet Fielding, plus writer Christopher H. Bidmead.
A New Body at Last (dur. 50' 20") - a new documentary covering the transition from Tom Baker to Peter Davison. Featuring actors Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Matthew Waterhouse, Sarah Sutton and Adrian Gibbs, script editor Christopher H. Bidmead, directors Peter Moffatt and John Black. Narrated by Denis Lawson.
Nationwide - Tom Baker (dur. 4' 30") - an interview with Tom Baker from the BBC news magazine show.
Nationwide - Peter Davison (dur. 3' 40") - an interview with Peter Davison on his forthcoming role as the Doctor.
Pebble Mill at One - Peter Davison (dur. 12' 00") - Peter Davison interviewed on the long-running BBC lunchtime show.
News Items (dur. 1' 55") - a selection of BBC News items, including reports on Tom Baker and Lalla Ward's wedding, the announcement of Tom Baker's departure and Peter Davison's arrival.
Castrovalva
Commentary from actors Peter Davison and Janet Fielding, plus director Fiona Cumming and writer Christopher H. Bidmead.
Being Doctor Who (dur. 13' 29") - Peter Davison discusses his casting and time as the Fifth Doctor.
Directing Castrovalva (dur. 11' 19") - Fiona Cumming talks about directing Peter Davison's debut story.
The Crowded TARDIS (dur. 11' 25") - by the end of Tom Baker's tenure, the TARDIS crew had grown from the usual one companion to three. This featurette examines the reasons behind this change of direction. Featuring actors Tom Baker, Peter Davison and Sarah Sutton, director John Black and script editor Christopher H. Bidmead. Narrated by George Williams.
Blue Peter - Peter Davison (dur. 9' 15") - Peter Davison interviewed on the popular children's magazine show.
Swap Shop - Peter Davison (dur. 20' 40" ) - Noel Edmonds interviews Peter Davison, with questions phoned in from young viewers.
Deleted Scenes (dur. 1' 34") - two deleted scenes from the story.
Theme Music Video (dur. 3' 34") - a brand new remix of Peter Howell's version of the theme music for the series, exclusively remixed from the original multitrack master. Option to listen to the music in either stereo (default) or Dolby Digital 5.1 surround versions.
Each story will also feature Programme Subtitles, Subtitle Production Notes, TV trails and continuity announcements, Photo Galleries, isolated synchronous music, PDF Material - the 1980 Doctor Who Annual, Radio Times listings and the BBC Enterprises Season 18/19 sales literature as Adobe pdf files for viewing on PC or Mac.
4th & 5th Doctor's
RRP: £29.99 - DWO Price: £22.49
Released: 29th January
The Keeper of Traken
Commentary from actors Anthony Ainley, Matthew Waterhouse and Sarah Sutton, plus writer Johnny Byrne.
Being Nice to Each Other (dur. 30' 04") - a new documentary looking at the making of this story through the eyes of the cast and crew. Featuring actors Sarah Sutton, Sheila Ruskin, Geoffrey Beevers, director John Black, writer Johnny Byrne and script editor Christopher H. Bidmead. Narrated by George Williams.
The Return of the Master (dur. 08' 40") - Geoffrey Beevers, Christopher H. Bidmead and John Black talk about how they realised the return of the Doctor's arch-adversary.
Sarah Sutton on Swap Shop (dur. 11' 14") - Noel Edmonds interviews Sarah Sutton, with questions phoned in from young viewers.
Logopolis
Commentary from actors Tom Baker and Janet Fielding, plus writer Christopher H. Bidmead.
A New Body at Last (dur. 50' 20") - a new documentary covering the transition from Tom Baker to Peter Davison. Featuring actors Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Matthew Waterhouse, Sarah Sutton and Adrian Gibbs, script editor Christopher H. Bidmead, directors Peter Moffatt and John Black. Narrated by Denis Lawson.
Nationwide - Tom Baker (dur. 4' 30") - an interview with Tom Baker from the BBC news magazine show.
Nationwide - Peter Davison (dur. 3' 40") - an interview with Peter Davison on his forthcoming role as the Doctor.
Pebble Mill at One - Peter Davison (dur. 12' 00") - Peter Davison interviewed on the long-running BBC lunchtime show.
News Items (dur. 1' 55") - a selection of BBC News items, including reports on Tom Baker and Lalla Ward's wedding, the announcement of Tom Baker's departure and Peter Davison's arrival.
Castrovalva
Commentary from actors Peter Davison and Janet Fielding, plus director Fiona Cumming and writer Christopher H. Bidmead.
Being Doctor Who (dur. 13' 29") - Peter Davison discusses his casting and time as the Fifth Doctor.
Directing Castrovalva (dur. 11' 19") - Fiona Cumming talks about directing Peter Davison's debut story.
The Crowded TARDIS (dur. 11' 25") - by the end of Tom Baker's tenure, the TARDIS crew had grown from the usual one companion to three. This featurette examines the reasons behind this change of direction. Featuring actors Tom Baker, Peter Davison and Sarah Sutton, director John Black and script editor Christopher H. Bidmead. Narrated by George Williams.
Blue Peter - Peter Davison (dur. 9' 15") - Peter Davison interviewed on the popular children's magazine show.
Swap Shop - Peter Davison (dur. 20' 40" ) - Noel Edmonds interviews Peter Davison, with questions phoned in from young viewers.
Deleted Scenes (dur. 1' 34") - two deleted scenes from the story.
Theme Music Video (dur. 3' 34") - a brand new remix of Peter Howell's version of the theme music for the series, exclusively remixed from the original multitrack master. Option to listen to the music in either stereo (default) or Dolby Digital 5.1 surround versions.
Each story will also feature Programme Subtitles, Subtitle Production Notes, TV trails and continuity announcements, Photo Galleries, isolated synchronous music, PDF Material - the 1980 Doctor Who Annual, Radio Times listings and the BBC Enterprises Season 18/19 sales literature as Adobe pdf files for viewing on PC or Mac.
Torchwood Books summarized
"Another Life"
By Peter Anghelides
RRP: £7.99 - DWO Price: £5.59
Released: 11th January
A storm is brewing - the water levels of the Bristol Channel are inexplicably rising, and Cardiff Bay is under threat from the worst flooding in years. In the midst of the climate chaos, Torchwood is called to investigate a series of gruesome murders - vagrants found dead around Cardiff with their heads partially eaten.
When Owen goes missing following a session on a virtual reality game, Jack, Gwen and the team must discover what's really going on before the water claims them all. And they must face the terror that lies at the bottom of the bay - waiting, feeding, controlling ...
"Slow Decay"
By Andrew Lane
RRP: £7.99 - DWO Price: £5.59
Released: 11th January
A friend of Gwen's has recently done an impressive bit of slimming, thanks to a new Cardiff weight-loss clinic with a incredibly simple system, and now Rhys wants to give it a try. Elsewhere in the city, an ordinary woman with superhuman strength and a rapacious appetite attacks a group of teenagers.
Eight women have disappeared over the past few days, and the police fear they may have a serial killer on their hands, but as the body count rises and the hungers grow, the Torchwood team realise there may be something much more dangerous than a serial killer at work...
"Border Princes"
By Dan Abnett
RRP: £7.99 - DWO Price: £5.59
Released: 11th January
Something is here that shouldn't be here. Something is watching. In Cardiff's secret heart, the members of the Torchwood team struggle to define and locate the intruder, and contain it before anyone gets hurt. But this time, they are out of their depth.
How do you unlock a secret that can't be broken? How do you assess the facts when the facts change to cover all traces? How do you cope if people are already hurt and no one realises it? What do you do if you're one of them? The Border Princes are watching, and they play for keeps ...
By Peter Anghelides
RRP: £7.99 - DWO Price: £5.59
Released: 11th January
A storm is brewing - the water levels of the Bristol Channel are inexplicably rising, and Cardiff Bay is under threat from the worst flooding in years. In the midst of the climate chaos, Torchwood is called to investigate a series of gruesome murders - vagrants found dead around Cardiff with their heads partially eaten.
When Owen goes missing following a session on a virtual reality game, Jack, Gwen and the team must discover what's really going on before the water claims them all. And they must face the terror that lies at the bottom of the bay - waiting, feeding, controlling ...
"Slow Decay"
By Andrew Lane
RRP: £7.99 - DWO Price: £5.59
Released: 11th January
A friend of Gwen's has recently done an impressive bit of slimming, thanks to a new Cardiff weight-loss clinic with a incredibly simple system, and now Rhys wants to give it a try. Elsewhere in the city, an ordinary woman with superhuman strength and a rapacious appetite attacks a group of teenagers.
Eight women have disappeared over the past few days, and the police fear they may have a serial killer on their hands, but as the body count rises and the hungers grow, the Torchwood team realise there may be something much more dangerous than a serial killer at work...
"Border Princes"
By Dan Abnett
RRP: £7.99 - DWO Price: £5.59
Released: 11th January
Something is here that shouldn't be here. Something is watching. In Cardiff's secret heart, the members of the Torchwood team struggle to define and locate the intruder, and contain it before anyone gets hurt. But this time, they are out of their depth.
How do you unlock a secret that can't be broken? How do you assess the facts when the facts change to cover all traces? How do you cope if people are already hurt and no one realises it? What do you do if you're one of them? The Border Princes are watching, and they play for keeps ...
Episode nine of season 3
Episode Nine is titled "The Family of Blood" , which is written by Paul Cornell and expected to be based on Cornells novel; Human Nature. No title has been given for the first part of this 2-part adventure. The novel Human Nature is an original novel written by Paul Cornell and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The novel was also serialised in e-book form on the BBC Doctor Who website. A prelude to the novel, also penned by Cornell, appeared in Doctor Who Magazine #226, and is also available on the BBC website. The plot of the book revoles around The Doctor becoming human to experience it for himself, and falling in love. Meanwhile, Bernice summerfield has to face the invading aliens without the assistance of a Time Lord.
Summerfield was 26th century archeologist, and became a hugely popular character amongst fans of the books, and was present right up until their end in 1997.
You can read the story online here. Rumours have long suggested that this story may be adapted for a two-part story in the 2007 series of Doctor Who, the second part of which is titled The Family of Blood.
The inclusion of several characters of the same names as those in Human Nature in Cornell's new story (namely Joan, Tim, Hutchinson, Rocastle and Lucy), and the setting of the story in 1913 as revealed to Jo Whiley on Radio 1 suggest these rumours may be correct.
In a poll run by Doctor Who Magazine to mark the 35th anniversary of Doctor Who (#265, June 1998), Human Nature was voted the readership's favourite novel of the New Adventures series.
It also stated that the episode will feature monsters known as "Jack Straws
Summerfield was 26th century archeologist, and became a hugely popular character amongst fans of the books, and was present right up until their end in 1997.
You can read the story online here. Rumours have long suggested that this story may be adapted for a two-part story in the 2007 series of Doctor Who, the second part of which is titled The Family of Blood.
The inclusion of several characters of the same names as those in Human Nature in Cornell's new story (namely Joan, Tim, Hutchinson, Rocastle and Lucy), and the setting of the story in 1913 as revealed to Jo Whiley on Radio 1 suggest these rumours may be correct.
In a poll run by Doctor Who Magazine to mark the 35th anniversary of Doctor Who (#265, June 1998), Human Nature was voted the readership's favourite novel of the New Adventures series.
It also stated that the episode will feature monsters known as "Jack Straws
Buy Doctor Who replicas
I found an awesome site that sells replicas like and ood, cyberman , cybercontroller, or clockwork droid heads. These look awesome in quality and now i will be saving every penny lol. Click the link here to see the site.
The Guardian, Outpost Gallifrey, and the Top 40
The MediaGuardian's Media Monkey diary column has featured Doctor Who for the second time this week (requires free registration to view). This time the reference is to Outpost Gallifrey, and specifically a plan apparently being put together by fans on this website's forum to use the new download rules of the UK pop music singles chart to propel Murray Gold's song "Love Don't Roam" into the Top 40. The song, which was sung by Neil Hannon of the band The Divine Comedy, featured in the recent Christmas special episode "The Runaway Bride", and as well as being included on Gold's Doctor Who soundtrack CD is also available to buy online from music downloading sites such as Apple's iTunes service."The world of Doctor Who fans is awash with plots and rumours at the moment," claims the report. "The Outpost Gallifrey fan site is cautioning that Monkey's suggestion on Wednesday that Jason Statham will be the next Doctor is mere speculation. Anyway, now a new conspiracy has been hatched: now that the singles chart takes account of downloads, Whovians have spied an opportunity to send a ditty of their choice into the charts."The report further quotes Outpost Gallifrey forum users "Christopher M Wadley" and "Perfecto" on plans to organise mass downloads of the song, before concluding that: "Given the power of these campaigns - remember the 390,000 people who classed themselves as Jedi in the 2001 census - expect Love Don't Roam to materialise into the top 40, or the hit parade as they called it in William Hartnell's day."
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Photo novels
Doctor who photo novels from lost and missing episodes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/photonovels/index.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/photonovels/index.shtml
Doctor Who Ebooks
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/ebooks/
Full-text electronic versions of selected Dr. Who novels, including new artwork and notes from the original authors.
Full-text electronic versions of selected Dr. Who novels, including new artwork and notes from the original authors.
The Doctor on exhibit
http://www.drwhoexhibitions.co.uk/
Based in Blackpool, England. Includes the TARDIS console, Daleks, Cybermen, and a wide variety of characters and costumes from the program.
Based in Blackpool, England. Includes the TARDIS console, Daleks, Cybermen, and a wide variety of characters and costumes from the program.
The fourth Doctors scarves
A great site that offers info on the fourth Doctors scarves......
http://www.doctorwhoscarf.com/
A knitting Doctor Who fan explains the history of the famous scarf and offers instructions to make your own.
http://www.doctorwhoscarf.com/
A knitting Doctor Who fan explains the history of the famous scarf and offers instructions to make your own.
Eighth Doctor on BBC7
New season of radio adventures.
BBC7 have begun their season of new Eighth Doctor audio adventures starring Paul McGann.
Produced by Big Finish, the eight fifty-minute episodes see McGann joined by Two Pints of Lager actress Sheridan Smith, who plays unwilling companion Lucie Miller.
Lucie's been dumped onboard the TARDIS as part of a Time Lord witness protection programme. Neither she or the Doctor are happy with the situation and sparks fly immediately.
The Doctor and Lucie have already faced the dreaded Daleks in episodes one and two, and have these adventures to look forward to in the coming weeks:
Horror Of Glam Rock by Paul Magrs
Immortal Beloved by Jonathan Clements
Phobos by Eddie Robson
No More Lies by Paul Sutton
Human Resources by Eddie Robson (two-parter)
Future guest stars include Timothy West, Nerys Hughes, Ian McNeice, Elspet Gray, Ben Silverstone, Stephen Gately, Bernard Cribbins, Julia McKenzie, Nigel Havers, Roy Marsden and Nickolas Grace.
You can listen to these new Doctor Who episodes at 6pm each Sunday on BBC 7. Each episode is followed by a short 'making of' and can be heard for a further seven days online thanks to the BBC's Player's Listen Again option.
CD versions of the stories are also being released to tie in with the broadcasts.
BBC7 have begun their season of new Eighth Doctor audio adventures starring Paul McGann.
Produced by Big Finish, the eight fifty-minute episodes see McGann joined by Two Pints of Lager actress Sheridan Smith, who plays unwilling companion Lucie Miller.
Lucie's been dumped onboard the TARDIS as part of a Time Lord witness protection programme. Neither she or the Doctor are happy with the situation and sparks fly immediately.
The Doctor and Lucie have already faced the dreaded Daleks in episodes one and two, and have these adventures to look forward to in the coming weeks:
Horror Of Glam Rock by Paul Magrs
Immortal Beloved by Jonathan Clements
Phobos by Eddie Robson
No More Lies by Paul Sutton
Human Resources by Eddie Robson (two-parter)
Future guest stars include Timothy West, Nerys Hughes, Ian McNeice, Elspet Gray, Ben Silverstone, Stephen Gately, Bernard Cribbins, Julia McKenzie, Nigel Havers, Roy Marsden and Nickolas Grace.
You can listen to these new Doctor Who episodes at 6pm each Sunday on BBC 7. Each episode is followed by a short 'making of' and can be heard for a further seven days online thanks to the BBC's Player's Listen Again option.
CD versions of the stories are also being released to tie in with the broadcasts.
Doctor Who conventions
Signing: Fielding
January 26Barking, UK
Gallifrey 2007
February 16-18, 2007Los Angeles, USA
A Day with Elisabeth Sladen
March 3Glasgow, Scotland
Invasion 2007
March 17Barking, UK
The Oncoming Storm
June 9Gloucester, UK
Sci Fi Sea Cruise 2006
July 14-21UK to Scandinavia
Bad Wolf 2007
July 21-22Birmingham, UK
Regenerations 2007
September 29-30Swansea, UK
January 26Barking, UK
Gallifrey 2007
February 16-18, 2007Los Angeles, USA
A Day with Elisabeth Sladen
March 3Glasgow, Scotland
Invasion 2007
March 17Barking, UK
The Oncoming Storm
June 9Gloucester, UK
Sci Fi Sea Cruise 2006
July 14-21UK to Scandinavia
Bad Wolf 2007
July 21-22Birmingham, UK
Regenerations 2007
September 29-30Swansea, UK
MediaGuardian picks up Statham rumour
The MediaGuardian website's "Media Monkey" diary column (requires free registration to view) has picked up on the recent tabloid rumours about actor Jason Statham being a possible contender for the role of the Eleventh Doctor as and when David Tennant decides to leave the series."The BBC may still be denying speculation that David Tennant will leave his role as Doctor Who during the fourth series of the new generation Doctor - he is currently filming the third - but names have started to filter though as to who his replacement might be," reports the column. "Monkey has been told that a name under serious consideration within the BBC is that of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels actor Jason Statham. Apparently BBC controller of fiction Jane Tranter wants to "sex up" the sci-fi series once Tennant departs and thinks Statham - the former squeeze of model Kelly Brook - is the man for the job. Watch this space..."As with the previous reports regarding Statham, this appears to be nothing more than rumour, with no solid evidence available of when - and indeed, if - David Tennant currently plans to leave the series.
Return of the Master Box Set Delayed
2Entertain have advised that they're running a bit late with their New Beginnings set.
Originally due for release on 22 January 2007, the trilogy of tales will now materialise in the shops on 29 January.
As previously announced, the set comprise The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis and Castrovalva - adventures that saw both the return of the Doctor's arch-enemy the Master, plus the transition from Tom Baker's Doctor to Peter Davison's.
Originally due for release on 22 January 2007, the trilogy of tales will now materialise in the shops on 29 January.
As previously announced, the set comprise The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis and Castrovalva - adventures that saw both the return of the Doctor's arch-enemy the Master, plus the transition from Tom Baker's Doctor to Peter Davison's.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Doctor Who nominated for Nebula Award
Steven Moffat's Doctor Who script "The Girl in the Fireplace" has been included in the Preliminary Ballot for the Nebula Awards for 2006. The awards, which have been run since 1965 by The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), are due to be handed out in May. The SFWA has 1,400 members including some of the biggest names in science-fiction and fantasy.The season two Doctor Who script is up against the scripts for "Batman Begins", by Christopher Nolan and Steven S Goyer, and "Howl's Moving Castle", by Hayao Miyazaki, Cindy Davis Hewitt and Donald H. Hewitt.These nominations along with a dozen others are part of the preliminary ballot going to members of the SFWA who will help chop it down to a final ballot in March.
Billie scolded over school stories
Sylvia Young has attacked former pupil Billie Piper over "poisonous" stories about her famous stage school that appeared in the star's autobiography.
Young, 67, took the unusual decision to criticise one of her proteges following the publication of the book, Growing Pains, for which the actress signed a six-figure contract.
In the book, the former Doctor Who star writes that teachers ignored the fact that many of the pupils had serious weight problems and that she was constantly told she "should be lighter, smaller (and) thinner".
Piper, 24, whose success mirrors that of former Sylvia Young graduates Denise Van Outen, Emma Bunton and Nicole and Natalie Appleton, writes of the other students: "They had perfect fringes and perfect brows and talked about iambic pentameters with their perfect vowels."
She adds: "My nonchalance for my own appearance soon changed. I noticed after about a week of being there that the girls just didn't eat.
"In fact they'd go to the toilet to escape the smell of food wafting out of the canteen. There were kids walking around with ankle weights strapped to their legs and no-one would say anything."
The former singer said she was stifled by the school, where parents told their children to eat carrot sticks at lunch and where many pupils had super-rich parents who were living vicariously through their children.
Piper is one of Young's most successful pupils - becoming at the age of 15 the youngest artist ever to debut at number one in the UK singles chart.
Following her success as Rose in Doctor Who, the star, now split from husband Chris Evans, has been snapped up by broadcasters for lead roles in the likes of Mansfield Park and The Ruby in the Smoke.
But Young told Heat magazine: "I am very worried about Billie. I really wonder if there's something wrong, because to me, my staff and even Billie's former classmates, this sounds nothing like the girl we knew, nor the experiences we know she had here."
Young, 67, took the unusual decision to criticise one of her proteges following the publication of the book, Growing Pains, for which the actress signed a six-figure contract.
In the book, the former Doctor Who star writes that teachers ignored the fact that many of the pupils had serious weight problems and that she was constantly told she "should be lighter, smaller (and) thinner".
Piper, 24, whose success mirrors that of former Sylvia Young graduates Denise Van Outen, Emma Bunton and Nicole and Natalie Appleton, writes of the other students: "They had perfect fringes and perfect brows and talked about iambic pentameters with their perfect vowels."
She adds: "My nonchalance for my own appearance soon changed. I noticed after about a week of being there that the girls just didn't eat.
"In fact they'd go to the toilet to escape the smell of food wafting out of the canteen. There were kids walking around with ankle weights strapped to their legs and no-one would say anything."
The former singer said she was stifled by the school, where parents told their children to eat carrot sticks at lunch and where many pupils had super-rich parents who were living vicariously through their children.
Piper is one of Young's most successful pupils - becoming at the age of 15 the youngest artist ever to debut at number one in the UK singles chart.
Following her success as Rose in Doctor Who, the star, now split from husband Chris Evans, has been snapped up by broadcasters for lead roles in the likes of Mansfield Park and The Ruby in the Smoke.
But Young told Heat magazine: "I am very worried about Billie. I really wonder if there's something wrong, because to me, my staff and even Billie's former classmates, this sounds nothing like the girl we knew, nor the experiences we know she had here."
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
'Doctor Who' movie on the way?
Producers are planning to bring back Billie Piper for a Doctor Who movie, according to a report.The decision was prompted by the realisation that the show's budget was constraining it in terms of sets and effects, according to the Daily Star.A source told the paper that the proposed movie would also see assistant Rose Tyler, played by Piper, reunited with David Tennant."There’s been so much interest in Doctor Who since the show was sold to America that a film is the natural progression," said the source."Top of our list is to get Billie on board – not only was she amazingly popular, it would be really exciting to get her back with the Doc."
'Blue Peter' offers 'Doctor Who' role
Blue Peter viewers will be offered the chance to win a speaking part in the third season of the revived Doctor Who.The competition will be launched on Monday, according to The Sun, with aspiring young actors being encouraged to make an audition tape and send it in. These will then be judged by Tardis-dweller David Tennant and executive producer Russell T Davies. Only under-14's will be able to enter. Blue Peter has a long history of ties with Doctor Who. Former presenters Peter Purves, Sarah Greene, Janet Ellis and Christopher Wenner all had roles in the original run of the sci-fi drama, while many Doctors and monsters have appeared on Blue Peter.Last year, nine-year-old viewer William Grantham won a competition to design a monster for the revived series. This materialised in the episode 'Love and Monsters', where his Absorbaloff creation was portrayed by comedian Peter Kay. There were a total of 43,920 entries - the most for a Blue Peter competition since 1993.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Things in season 3 trailer
Irish comedian and actor Ardal O’Hanlon, known for his role as Father Dougal McGuire in the TV comedy “Father Ted” plays a male version of the cat people previously seen in “New Earth”:
There is more than one Dalek in Series 3 !Last but certainly not least - rather the most exciting for many fans - in episodes 4 & 5, the Doctor and Martha Jones will visit New York in the 1930’s, with the episode title unmistakenly named “Daleks in Manhattan”.
It’s impossible to miss Dalek Sec at the very end of the trailer. However what most people missed is the shadow in the bottom two corners of an eyestalk and plunger! So does the “Cult of Skaro” survive? Did Dalek Thay, Dalek Caan and Dalek Jast somehow survive as well? Or are they entirely different Daleks that Sec built? see it here: http://freemaagyeman.com/news/2007/01/01/ten-things-you-missed-doctor-who-trailer/10/
Two characters from the painting “American Gothic” are in the trailer!
This has to be the strangest thing ever spotted in a Doctor Who trailer. Two characters from the famous 1930 painting by Grant Wood, titled “American Gothic” appear in the ship that has an explosion and rolls over. The only tiny bit of logic to this is that the characters are also used in parodies by fans of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
If you blink you’ll miss it, but for a single moment you can see Christina Cole who played Cassie Hughes in Hex, in the Doctor Who trailer!
There is more than one Dalek in Series 3 !Last but certainly not least - rather the most exciting for many fans - in episodes 4 & 5, the Doctor and Martha Jones will visit New York in the 1930’s, with the episode title unmistakenly named “Daleks in Manhattan”.
It’s impossible to miss Dalek Sec at the very end of the trailer. However what most people missed is the shadow in the bottom two corners of an eyestalk and plunger! So does the “Cult of Skaro” survive? Did Dalek Thay, Dalek Caan and Dalek Jast somehow survive as well? Or are they entirely different Daleks that Sec built? see it here: http://freemaagyeman.com/news/2007/01/01/ten-things-you-missed-doctor-who-trailer/10/
Two characters from the painting “American Gothic” are in the trailer!
This has to be the strangest thing ever spotted in a Doctor Who trailer. Two characters from the famous 1930 painting by Grant Wood, titled “American Gothic” appear in the ship that has an explosion and rolls over. The only tiny bit of logic to this is that the characters are also used in parodies by fans of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
If you blink you’ll miss it, but for a single moment you can see Christina Cole who played Cassie Hughes in Hex, in the Doctor Who trailer!
Mr Saxon i presume????
Speculation on the closed-shop that is Doctor Who Series 3 continues, with focus shifting to the mysterious Mr Saxon.
The BBC themselves have encouraged this, with the Newsround website alerting younger fans to the Series 2 references to this "Saxon".
In the episode Love & Monsters in series two, a newspaper headline said 'Saxon leads poll with 64%'.
And last year, talking about the episode, Head Writer Russell T. Davies told fans to watch out for a headline.
In The Runaway Bride, just before the tank fired at the star shaped spaceship the driver said "Orders from Mr Saxon. Fire at will".
And posters saying 'Vote Saxon' have been spotted in other Dr Who related filming.
Theories range from a return by the Axons - originally seen in the Jon Pertwee-era The Claws of Axos - to a return of the series' original Time Lord rival to the Doctor. Not the Master, I should add. The Monk appeared in the 1966 serial The Time Meddler, and was played by Carry On actor Peter Butterworth. The link? The Time Meddler was set in Saxon England.
The BBC themselves have encouraged this, with the Newsround website alerting younger fans to the Series 2 references to this "Saxon".
In the episode Love & Monsters in series two, a newspaper headline said 'Saxon leads poll with 64%'.
And last year, talking about the episode, Head Writer Russell T. Davies told fans to watch out for a headline.
In The Runaway Bride, just before the tank fired at the star shaped spaceship the driver said "Orders from Mr Saxon. Fire at will".
And posters saying 'Vote Saxon' have been spotted in other Dr Who related filming.
Theories range from a return by the Axons - originally seen in the Jon Pertwee-era The Claws of Axos - to a return of the series' original Time Lord rival to the Doctor. Not the Master, I should add. The Monk appeared in the 1966 serial The Time Meddler, and was played by Carry On actor Peter Butterworth. The link? The Time Meddler was set in Saxon England.
'Spaced' star Stevenson joins 'Doctor Who'
Former Spaced star Jessica Stevenson will appear in the third season of the revived Doctor Who.33-year-old Stevenson will play a character called Joan in two episodes directed by Charles Palmer - the son of renowned actor Geoffrey Palmer, who himself starred opposite Jon Pertwee in the 1970 Doctor Who story 'The Silurians'.An insider told The Sun: "The role will play to her comedy strengths."Simon Pegg, who starred alongside Stevenson in the cult Channel 4 comedy Spaced, played the malevolent role of The Editor in a first season episode of Doctor Who entitled 'The Long Game'.
Comapaanion Chronicles series coming soon
Big Finish has released full cover images and plot information for their upcoming Companion Chronicles series. This series sees Classic companions Vicki, Zoe, Liz, and Romana in brand new stories told from their point of view.
FrostfireRead by: Maureen O'Brien as Vicki, with Keith Drinkel as The Cinder. Vicki has a tale to tell. But where does it start and when does it end?Ancient Carthage. 1164 BC. Lady Cressida has a secret. She keeps it deep in the cisterns below the Temple of Astarte with only one flame for warmth. And it must never get out.Regency London, 1814 AD. The first Doctor, Steven and Vicki go to the fair and meet the fiery Dragon, the novelist Miss Austen and the deadliest weather you ever did see.But which comes first? The Future or the Past?The Phoenix or the Egg? The Fire or the Frost?Or will Time freeze over forever?Fear of the DaleksRead by: Wendy Padbury as Zoe, with Nicholas Briggs as the DaleksWhy has Zoe Heriot been having nightmares about the Daleks? Who is the Doctor, a mysterious man from her past? When an evil scientist hijacks her mind to control a galaxy-conquering weapon, Zoe must stop him. First, she and the Doctor will face an enemy they had thought destroyed forever.The Blue ToothRead by: Caroline John as Liz, with Nicholas Briggs as the Cybermen"I suppose that was one of the Doctor's most endearing qualities: the ability to make the bizarre and the terrifying seem utterly normal." When Liz Shaw's friend Jean goes missing, the Doctor and U.N.I.T. are drawn to the scene to investigate. Soon Liz discovers a potential alien invasion that will have far-reaching affects on her life… and the Doctor is unexpectedly re-united with an old enemy…The Beautiful PeopleRead by: Lalla Ward as Romana, with Marcia Ashton as KarnaPut all your worries behind you.Situated in fifty acres of relaxing sculpted gardens, the Vita Novus Health Spa offers a sanctuary from the stresses and strains of 32nd century life. Our exclusive programme of weight loss therapy is celebrated throughout the galaxy for its ease, simplicity and one-hundred-per-cent success rate. No matter how full-figured you may be, we can make you slimmer, healthier - and happier.In fact, you will leave Vita Novus feeling like an entirely new person. And that's guaranteed. We cater for all endoskeletal carbon-based life-forms. All major credit cards accepted. Parties welcome.
FrostfireRead by: Maureen O'Brien as Vicki, with Keith Drinkel as The Cinder. Vicki has a tale to tell. But where does it start and when does it end?Ancient Carthage. 1164 BC. Lady Cressida has a secret. She keeps it deep in the cisterns below the Temple of Astarte with only one flame for warmth. And it must never get out.Regency London, 1814 AD. The first Doctor, Steven and Vicki go to the fair and meet the fiery Dragon, the novelist Miss Austen and the deadliest weather you ever did see.But which comes first? The Future or the Past?The Phoenix or the Egg? The Fire or the Frost?Or will Time freeze over forever?Fear of the DaleksRead by: Wendy Padbury as Zoe, with Nicholas Briggs as the DaleksWhy has Zoe Heriot been having nightmares about the Daleks? Who is the Doctor, a mysterious man from her past? When an evil scientist hijacks her mind to control a galaxy-conquering weapon, Zoe must stop him. First, she and the Doctor will face an enemy they had thought destroyed forever.The Blue ToothRead by: Caroline John as Liz, with Nicholas Briggs as the Cybermen"I suppose that was one of the Doctor's most endearing qualities: the ability to make the bizarre and the terrifying seem utterly normal." When Liz Shaw's friend Jean goes missing, the Doctor and U.N.I.T. are drawn to the scene to investigate. Soon Liz discovers a potential alien invasion that will have far-reaching affects on her life… and the Doctor is unexpectedly re-united with an old enemy…The Beautiful PeopleRead by: Lalla Ward as Romana, with Marcia Ashton as KarnaPut all your worries behind you.Situated in fifty acres of relaxing sculpted gardens, the Vita Novus Health Spa offers a sanctuary from the stresses and strains of 32nd century life. Our exclusive programme of weight loss therapy is celebrated throughout the galaxy for its ease, simplicity and one-hundred-per-cent success rate. No matter how full-figured you may be, we can make you slimmer, healthier - and happier.In fact, you will leave Vita Novus feeling like an entirely new person. And that's guaranteed. We cater for all endoskeletal carbon-based life-forms. All major credit cards accepted. Parties welcome.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Naoko Mori Interview
Interview with Torchwood star Naoko Mori
"One minute I'm running around chasing aliens, the next minute I'm singing to puppets!" Here's a New Year Quiz: What's the link between Miss Saigon, Absolutely Fabulous and new science fiction hit Torchwood? The answer - talented actor and singer Naoko Mori, who has appeared in all three shows. Before heading off to the Noël Coward Theatre in London's West End where she is appearing as Christmas Eve in Avenue Q, she chats to Carole Gordon about her life on the stage and screen, filming Torchwood, and her enduring love for Kermit . . .
Japanese-born Naoko Mori is something of a nomad, having moved to the USA when she was a toddler, before returning to Japan at the age of 10 and then going to the UK two years later. With a family who were always going to the movies, plays and concerts, she started taking classical singing lessons at the age of 12 before her school drama teacher persuaded her to take dance and drama classes as well. She then joined the National Youth Music Theatre, whose former stars include a young Jude Law, before an audition for Miss Saigon led to her winning the leading role of Kim, following Lea Salonga. This role Mori cites as one of the highlights of her career, although she is reluctant to choose a favourite.
"Every job is really different and special," she says. "If I had to choose, the highlights were obviously Miss Saigon because it was my first job and I loved the character. AbFab was really special too. Topsy Turvy - it's been one of my biggest dreams to work with Mike Leigh and that was just an amazing experience. And of course Torchwood for me has been a brilliant experience! Torchwood was very special. I mean we had such a ball. It's just ridiculous!"
Mori laughs when she talks about the fun of filming Torchwood. "You know, I think a lot of people say that - you hear time and time again, 'Oh we had such a great time!' but I would put it in capital letters if I could - really it was ridiculous how well we got on. We are all quite different people, but we just really gelled as a team and I hope that comes across on-screen."
And here's another link - Mori played Kim in Miss Saigon opposite Torchwood star, John Barrowman - though she's not entirely sure when!
"We were trying to work this out. I was in it when John came in the first time, because I left and came back and so did John. I went into [British hospital drama series] Casualty and Absolutely Fabulous so I was in and out, but there was a time we were together. I think we said the first time we ever met was when he first came into the show. I've known John a long time - I just adore him. I actually said to him when we were filming, 'Oh my god, I really fancy you today!' and we had a laugh about it!"
Mori's character in Torchwood, Toshiko Sato, first appeared in the Doctor Who season 1 episode, 'Aliens of London'. Having moved to Torchwood, Tosh has her emotions laid bare in the episode 'Greeks Bearing Gifts', in which she develops a relationship with an alien, Mary. The storyline takes the vulnerable Tosh into dangerous territory when she is given a necklace that enables her to hear people's thoughts.
"I think Tosh, out of the rest of the team, is the most guarded and private person and she's not particularly good at expressing herself at the best of times. She can be frank and honest, but she's quite shy because she's a private person. So for her that episode probably turned her world upside down. It was a big learning curve for her - I think she's learnt that it's okay to feel these things and show emotions."
Mori is often asked about the sexual content of the episode. She feels that Mary was a friend first - and the sexual relationship developed from that.
"Mary was like a really good friend, an ally, someone she can talk to," she insists, "and if anything the sexual thing came as an afterthought. She didn't even realise it was happening."
In filming these scenes, Mori and Daniela Denby-Ashe, who played Mary, worked with the experienced director Colin Teague, who Mori says is "amazing".
"We were made to feel very safe, he's a real actor's director, and very open and communicative. We had a good couple of days of rehearsal beforehand because we wanted to make sure we pitched it right. That it didn't just become, oh a girl's kissing a girl. Because I think a lot of it is a deeper thing."
While some of the characters have been forming sexual relationships both within and outside the team, Mori agrees that there is some irony that Jack Harkness, who first appeared in the final five episodes of Doctor Who's first season as an omnisexual conman, seemed to be the only member of the crew who was celibate! But she has an explanation.
"I think everyone fancies Jack really, but Jack is probably being quite sensible, keeping it very professional. I think everyone's fond of him and he's fond of everyone. He has a very different relationship with every single character. For example with Tosh, I feel we have a very silent bond, full of respect. She's probably the most frank member of them all, she's quite honest with Jack; they are both mutually respecting each other."
Tosh's feisty side was brought out in the episode 'Countrycide', when the team were stalked by crazed Welsh cannibals - and Mori had to spend a lot of time running around the Brecon Beacons.
"She's a very practical person, she loves problem-solving. With 'Countrycide' I think it really shook her because it was so horrific. What can you do? Run?! I think I'm fairly fit but it was freezing, it was so cold. I'd sprained my ankle really badly about a month before that when we were filming Ianto's big episode. I tore a ligament, my tendon in my right ankle. So I was like 'Oh my god I have to run!' But it was all right."
While filming the episode, the cast and crew stayed in a hotel - which of course turned out to be haunted! Mori says that she doesn't tend to see ghosts; rather she feels them, especially when she is back in Japan. But she still had some eerie moments at the Welsh hotel, involving late nights, a rush of cold air and doors opening and closing. In fact, Mori says, the entire cast were somewhat spooked that night - to such an extent that Eve Myles spent the night in John Barrowman's room!
With Torchwood recently renewed for a second season, Mori will continue to be busy - not that she's stopped working since the show wrapped in early November. She can currently be seen in the huge Broadway and West End, Avenue Q, a show described as "Sesame Street for adults". Or, as Mori puts it "Sesame Street meets South Park meets Friends" - a musical comedy with puppets.
What's the attraction of doing a show like this after angsty science fiction?
"It's great to be doing something so different," says Mori. "We finished filming Torchwood on the 4th of November and I came back to London on 5th and on the Monday I was singing to puppets! One minute I'm running around chasing aliens, the next minute I'm singing to puppets. It's one of things when you stop and go 'What am I doing?'!"
Mori would like to do more theatre in the future, which she describes as her first love, but she hasn't found it easy as a non-Caucasian actor. Though, she says, she is careful not only to play parts written specifically for Japanese characters.
"There's not a lot of parts written for Japanese/oriental people but my biggest thing has always been not to just play parts that were written for Japanese people. Tosh was not written specifically for a Japanese person. Nor was AbFab."
So, is the theatre and TV becoming more diverse? Mori thinks it is, but is wary of tokenism.
"It shouldn't matter at the end of the day whether someone is black, white, yellow or brown or blue," she says, "so I think it is changing a lot in theatre and in TV and film which is great. It's been a long time coming. You don't want people to do United Colours of Benetton just for the sake of it - it's more about who we are."
One role in which Mori did play a Japanese character was in the BBC docudrama Hiroshima, which was recently awarded an International Emmy. This project, she says, was the one that affected her the most.
"It was such a challenge mentally and physically and psychologically," she says earnestly. "I was playing a real-life character who had a horrific life after being bombed and it really kind of changed my views on life and humanity. It just made me stop and realise how horrific things could be. Out of respect to Shige Hiratsuka, who is the person I portrayed, I wanted to do a really good job to tell her story. On a personal note, I think it really hit me hard and it kind of exhausted me mentally - it just really made me think about life."
As a Japanese Buddhist, Mori says she tries not to let things bother her, including the egos and personality clashes that occur in the acting profession.
"I've never had a really bad experience. Maybe I'm too philosophical about it. People have reasons for why they do things and why they say things and I live in the hope that people are essentially good. There's a saying in Japanese - everyone's the same but different, everyone's together but separate. Everyone has a different story to tell, everyone has a different history, everyone has different thoughts and that's why I love acting. I love people - people should be different."
Mori clearly loves what she does, and the people she works with, and has particularly warm things to say about Torchwood star, John Barrowman.
"The lovely thing about John is 'what you see is what you get!' she says with a laugh. He's so down to earth and I can truly, truly say he is one of the funniest and the most caring people I've known. He's just him - very warm and caring and very generous and funny. When you see him on TV, that's really who he is. Which is the great thing about John, because there's no airs and graces."
The other star Mori adores is the green-skinned one - Kermit the Frog. Mori giggles as she explains that she grew up watching Sesame Street, but has moved around so much she has never had a permanent base. While filming Torchwood, she splits her time between Cardiff, LA and Japan, living out of a suitcase. The one permanent feature of her life is her Kermit. Why, though, she is not quite sure.
"I don't know why," she says with a laugh. "To me he's real - he's not a frog, he's not a puppet. There's something about this particular Kermit; I've had him for nearly 12 years, I think. I had exactly the same one before. Then I left him, I think, on a train platform in Japan. I was devastated. I'd been looking around for the same one all over and I found the same one about 12 years ago. I was in Chicago in an airport lounge. In a shop, there he was, and I'm like 'Oh my god!' He's kind of a symbol - not only is he funny, he's intelligent and witty. And he just sits - he's sitting on top of my TV right now!"
And, of course, like Mori, Kermit sings. Would she like to do Torchwood the Musical? Apparently, between filming scenes, the cast have been coming up with some ideas.
"He'd probably do it!" she says of Russell T Davies, Torchwood writer and producer. "We were composing songs and talking about 'Shall we do Torchwood the album? Write songs about the Weevil?!' That would be hilarious!"
"One minute I'm running around chasing aliens, the next minute I'm singing to puppets!" Here's a New Year Quiz: What's the link between Miss Saigon, Absolutely Fabulous and new science fiction hit Torchwood? The answer - talented actor and singer Naoko Mori, who has appeared in all three shows. Before heading off to the Noël Coward Theatre in London's West End where she is appearing as Christmas Eve in Avenue Q, she chats to Carole Gordon about her life on the stage and screen, filming Torchwood, and her enduring love for Kermit . . .
Japanese-born Naoko Mori is something of a nomad, having moved to the USA when she was a toddler, before returning to Japan at the age of 10 and then going to the UK two years later. With a family who were always going to the movies, plays and concerts, she started taking classical singing lessons at the age of 12 before her school drama teacher persuaded her to take dance and drama classes as well. She then joined the National Youth Music Theatre, whose former stars include a young Jude Law, before an audition for Miss Saigon led to her winning the leading role of Kim, following Lea Salonga. This role Mori cites as one of the highlights of her career, although she is reluctant to choose a favourite.
"Every job is really different and special," she says. "If I had to choose, the highlights were obviously Miss Saigon because it was my first job and I loved the character. AbFab was really special too. Topsy Turvy - it's been one of my biggest dreams to work with Mike Leigh and that was just an amazing experience. And of course Torchwood for me has been a brilliant experience! Torchwood was very special. I mean we had such a ball. It's just ridiculous!"
Mori laughs when she talks about the fun of filming Torchwood. "You know, I think a lot of people say that - you hear time and time again, 'Oh we had such a great time!' but I would put it in capital letters if I could - really it was ridiculous how well we got on. We are all quite different people, but we just really gelled as a team and I hope that comes across on-screen."
And here's another link - Mori played Kim in Miss Saigon opposite Torchwood star, John Barrowman - though she's not entirely sure when!
"We were trying to work this out. I was in it when John came in the first time, because I left and came back and so did John. I went into [British hospital drama series] Casualty and Absolutely Fabulous so I was in and out, but there was a time we were together. I think we said the first time we ever met was when he first came into the show. I've known John a long time - I just adore him. I actually said to him when we were filming, 'Oh my god, I really fancy you today!' and we had a laugh about it!"
Mori's character in Torchwood, Toshiko Sato, first appeared in the Doctor Who season 1 episode, 'Aliens of London'. Having moved to Torchwood, Tosh has her emotions laid bare in the episode 'Greeks Bearing Gifts', in which she develops a relationship with an alien, Mary. The storyline takes the vulnerable Tosh into dangerous territory when she is given a necklace that enables her to hear people's thoughts.
"I think Tosh, out of the rest of the team, is the most guarded and private person and she's not particularly good at expressing herself at the best of times. She can be frank and honest, but she's quite shy because she's a private person. So for her that episode probably turned her world upside down. It was a big learning curve for her - I think she's learnt that it's okay to feel these things and show emotions."
Mori is often asked about the sexual content of the episode. She feels that Mary was a friend first - and the sexual relationship developed from that.
"Mary was like a really good friend, an ally, someone she can talk to," she insists, "and if anything the sexual thing came as an afterthought. She didn't even realise it was happening."
In filming these scenes, Mori and Daniela Denby-Ashe, who played Mary, worked with the experienced director Colin Teague, who Mori says is "amazing".
"We were made to feel very safe, he's a real actor's director, and very open and communicative. We had a good couple of days of rehearsal beforehand because we wanted to make sure we pitched it right. That it didn't just become, oh a girl's kissing a girl. Because I think a lot of it is a deeper thing."
While some of the characters have been forming sexual relationships both within and outside the team, Mori agrees that there is some irony that Jack Harkness, who first appeared in the final five episodes of Doctor Who's first season as an omnisexual conman, seemed to be the only member of the crew who was celibate! But she has an explanation.
"I think everyone fancies Jack really, but Jack is probably being quite sensible, keeping it very professional. I think everyone's fond of him and he's fond of everyone. He has a very different relationship with every single character. For example with Tosh, I feel we have a very silent bond, full of respect. She's probably the most frank member of them all, she's quite honest with Jack; they are both mutually respecting each other."
Tosh's feisty side was brought out in the episode 'Countrycide', when the team were stalked by crazed Welsh cannibals - and Mori had to spend a lot of time running around the Brecon Beacons.
"She's a very practical person, she loves problem-solving. With 'Countrycide' I think it really shook her because it was so horrific. What can you do? Run?! I think I'm fairly fit but it was freezing, it was so cold. I'd sprained my ankle really badly about a month before that when we were filming Ianto's big episode. I tore a ligament, my tendon in my right ankle. So I was like 'Oh my god I have to run!' But it was all right."
While filming the episode, the cast and crew stayed in a hotel - which of course turned out to be haunted! Mori says that she doesn't tend to see ghosts; rather she feels them, especially when she is back in Japan. But she still had some eerie moments at the Welsh hotel, involving late nights, a rush of cold air and doors opening and closing. In fact, Mori says, the entire cast were somewhat spooked that night - to such an extent that Eve Myles spent the night in John Barrowman's room!
With Torchwood recently renewed for a second season, Mori will continue to be busy - not that she's stopped working since the show wrapped in early November. She can currently be seen in the huge Broadway and West End, Avenue Q, a show described as "Sesame Street for adults". Or, as Mori puts it "Sesame Street meets South Park meets Friends" - a musical comedy with puppets.
What's the attraction of doing a show like this after angsty science fiction?
"It's great to be doing something so different," says Mori. "We finished filming Torchwood on the 4th of November and I came back to London on 5th and on the Monday I was singing to puppets! One minute I'm running around chasing aliens, the next minute I'm singing to puppets. It's one of things when you stop and go 'What am I doing?'!"
Mori would like to do more theatre in the future, which she describes as her first love, but she hasn't found it easy as a non-Caucasian actor. Though, she says, she is careful not only to play parts written specifically for Japanese characters.
"There's not a lot of parts written for Japanese/oriental people but my biggest thing has always been not to just play parts that were written for Japanese people. Tosh was not written specifically for a Japanese person. Nor was AbFab."
So, is the theatre and TV becoming more diverse? Mori thinks it is, but is wary of tokenism.
"It shouldn't matter at the end of the day whether someone is black, white, yellow or brown or blue," she says, "so I think it is changing a lot in theatre and in TV and film which is great. It's been a long time coming. You don't want people to do United Colours of Benetton just for the sake of it - it's more about who we are."
One role in which Mori did play a Japanese character was in the BBC docudrama Hiroshima, which was recently awarded an International Emmy. This project, she says, was the one that affected her the most.
"It was such a challenge mentally and physically and psychologically," she says earnestly. "I was playing a real-life character who had a horrific life after being bombed and it really kind of changed my views on life and humanity. It just made me stop and realise how horrific things could be. Out of respect to Shige Hiratsuka, who is the person I portrayed, I wanted to do a really good job to tell her story. On a personal note, I think it really hit me hard and it kind of exhausted me mentally - it just really made me think about life."
As a Japanese Buddhist, Mori says she tries not to let things bother her, including the egos and personality clashes that occur in the acting profession.
"I've never had a really bad experience. Maybe I'm too philosophical about it. People have reasons for why they do things and why they say things and I live in the hope that people are essentially good. There's a saying in Japanese - everyone's the same but different, everyone's together but separate. Everyone has a different story to tell, everyone has a different history, everyone has different thoughts and that's why I love acting. I love people - people should be different."
Mori clearly loves what she does, and the people she works with, and has particularly warm things to say about Torchwood star, John Barrowman.
"The lovely thing about John is 'what you see is what you get!' she says with a laugh. He's so down to earth and I can truly, truly say he is one of the funniest and the most caring people I've known. He's just him - very warm and caring and very generous and funny. When you see him on TV, that's really who he is. Which is the great thing about John, because there's no airs and graces."
The other star Mori adores is the green-skinned one - Kermit the Frog. Mori giggles as she explains that she grew up watching Sesame Street, but has moved around so much she has never had a permanent base. While filming Torchwood, she splits her time between Cardiff, LA and Japan, living out of a suitcase. The one permanent feature of her life is her Kermit. Why, though, she is not quite sure.
"I don't know why," she says with a laugh. "To me he's real - he's not a frog, he's not a puppet. There's something about this particular Kermit; I've had him for nearly 12 years, I think. I had exactly the same one before. Then I left him, I think, on a train platform in Japan. I was devastated. I'd been looking around for the same one all over and I found the same one about 12 years ago. I was in Chicago in an airport lounge. In a shop, there he was, and I'm like 'Oh my god!' He's kind of a symbol - not only is he funny, he's intelligent and witty. And he just sits - he's sitting on top of my TV right now!"
And, of course, like Mori, Kermit sings. Would she like to do Torchwood the Musical? Apparently, between filming scenes, the cast have been coming up with some ideas.
"He'd probably do it!" she says of Russell T Davies, Torchwood writer and producer. "We were composing songs and talking about 'Shall we do Torchwood the album? Write songs about the Weevil?!' That would be hilarious!"
Big Finish Announces New US Subscriber Service
In a recent statement by John Ainsworth, Big Finish has announced Alien Entertainment as the new Offical Subscription service for Big Finish:
Big Finish are very pleased to announce that they have been able to agree terms on a new US subscription service. From 1st January 2007, Alien Entertainment will be offering subscribers the same, exclusive incentives currently enjoyed by customers who subscribe direct with Big Finish. Alien Entertainment subscribers will receive the Big Finish Magazine CD and the free subscriber special adventure scheduled for December 2007. Unfortunately, we are unable to backdate this service, and all free subscriber discs prior to January 2007 will not be available, except direct from Big Finish at www.bigfinish.com. In addition there will be a new magazine disc - Big Finish Update #1 - which will be available to all dealers due to be released in the Spring.Unfortunately, due to circumstances that cannot be discussed at this time, Big Finish are presently unable to supply Ministry of Sound and Vision. Existing MOSV subscribers and customers who are owed merchandise from MOSV should contact Big Finish direct at mailorderenquiries@bigfinish.com. Alien Entertainment can be found at www.alienentertainment.comToll Free Telephone number: 1-888-734-7386Customer Service Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 12noon – 7pm central time
Big Finish are very pleased to announce that they have been able to agree terms on a new US subscription service. From 1st January 2007, Alien Entertainment will be offering subscribers the same, exclusive incentives currently enjoyed by customers who subscribe direct with Big Finish. Alien Entertainment subscribers will receive the Big Finish Magazine CD and the free subscriber special adventure scheduled for December 2007. Unfortunately, we are unable to backdate this service, and all free subscriber discs prior to January 2007 will not be available, except direct from Big Finish at www.bigfinish.com. In addition there will be a new magazine disc - Big Finish Update #1 - which will be available to all dealers due to be released in the Spring.Unfortunately, due to circumstances that cannot be discussed at this time, Big Finish are presently unable to supply Ministry of Sound and Vision. Existing MOSV subscribers and customers who are owed merchandise from MOSV should contact Big Finish direct at mailorderenquiries@bigfinish.com. Alien Entertainment can be found at www.alienentertainment.comToll Free Telephone number: 1-888-734-7386Customer Service Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 12noon – 7pm central time
Torchwood- Appreciation Index
The BBC2 showing of the final episodes of "Torchwood" Season one, achieved an Appreciation Index of 84. The Appreciation Index, or AI, is a measure of how much the audience liked the programme. It is a score out of 100, based on responses from a carefully selected panel. The average score for drama on BBC1 and ITV1 is 77The score of 84 is the highest the series has scored on BBC2. It was one of the most enjoyed programmes of the day, only "Desperate Housewives" on Channel 4 scored higher with 85. On BBC3 the Thursday night showing of "Captain Jack Harkness" had an audience of 233,100 viewers at 2100 which was a 1.2% share. At 0100 66,900 people watched, a 2.9% share.Meanwhile the Friday night 2100 showing at of "End of Days" was watched by 277,500 viewers, which was 1.4% of the total audience. At 0030 the show had 140,700 viewers a 3.3% share.
BILLIE LOSES POPULARITY POLL
Billie Piper has had a bad start to 2007.The Doctor Who star, fresh from a series of acting successes in 2006 culminating in her appearance on BBC1's The Ruby In The Smoke, has failed to win the hearts of her home town.She won just 14 per cent of Swindon's award for person of the year, losing out to the leader of the local council, Councillor Roderick Bluh.The victorious Cllr Bluh was magnanimous in victory but said that he thought his stirling work improving the Wiltshire town probably had something to do with it."It isn't usually middle-aged politicians who win these type of polls. To be honest I'm a little bit stunned, but I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for me," he told the Swindon Advertiser newspaper, which carried out the poll.In contrast to his hard work, Billie failed to turn up to a book signing in the town recently, incurring the wrath of Swindoners who have shown their anger in the survey.It is not clear how Billie has responded to the news of her terrible defeat.
Doctor Who can help save science, says minister
Schools should use episodes from Doctor Who to teach children about science rather than technical and "boring" textbooks, according to the new science minister.
Malcolm Wicks, who was appointed in November following the resignation of Lord Sainsbury, believes that too many pupils are put off science during school.
He claims that popular television shows such as the hit BBC science fiction series and the Star Wars films provide children with an insight into real science that teachers can use to kick-start lessons. Science education campaign groups have warned, however, that shows such as Doctor Who often involve ideas that have little basis in science.
Mr Wicks said: "If you start a lesson with the chemical formulae you will lose 90 per cent of the class. If you start with something interesting or important, like something they read in the paper or saw on television, they will remain interested.
"It can be part of an entree to some of the more technical, important but slightly more boring parts of the subject. If I was a teacher I would start with a chunk from Doctor Who and Billie Piper and say, 'Actually, what was that all about and how is our textbook relevant to that?'
"Take R2D2 from the Star Wars films, for example. We are already doing that kind of stuff in robotics. I would show that, talk about how you would build a thing like that and its uses in the future in the home, in caring for people and for space exploration."
Mr Wicks believes that it is essential to produce a generation of children who are science-literate so that they can go on to help in making the decisions Britain is likely to face on issues such as climate change and medical research.
However, Derek Bell, the chief executive of the Association of Science Education, said: "We all enjoy programmes such as Doctor Who, but teachers would need to be careful to make it clear which bits are science and which fantasy."
Malcolm Wicks, who was appointed in November following the resignation of Lord Sainsbury, believes that too many pupils are put off science during school.
He claims that popular television shows such as the hit BBC science fiction series and the Star Wars films provide children with an insight into real science that teachers can use to kick-start lessons. Science education campaign groups have warned, however, that shows such as Doctor Who often involve ideas that have little basis in science.
Mr Wicks said: "If you start a lesson with the chemical formulae you will lose 90 per cent of the class. If you start with something interesting or important, like something they read in the paper or saw on television, they will remain interested.
"It can be part of an entree to some of the more technical, important but slightly more boring parts of the subject. If I was a teacher I would start with a chunk from Doctor Who and Billie Piper and say, 'Actually, what was that all about and how is our textbook relevant to that?'
"Take R2D2 from the Star Wars films, for example. We are already doing that kind of stuff in robotics. I would show that, talk about how you would build a thing like that and its uses in the future in the home, in caring for people and for space exploration."
Mr Wicks believes that it is essential to produce a generation of children who are science-literate so that they can go on to help in making the decisions Britain is likely to face on issues such as climate change and medical research.
However, Derek Bell, the chief executive of the Association of Science Education, said: "We all enjoy programmes such as Doctor Who, but teachers would need to be careful to make it clear which bits are science and which fantasy."
Attack of the Graske
Attack of the Graske can now be played by those outside the UK(depending on the speed of your internet connection), and can be found in the games section at the official site:http://www.bbc. co.uk/doctorwho/ games/
Saturday, January 06, 2007
More Series Three Dalek News
The BBC press office have issued a press release confirming the previously announced involvement of the Daleks in series three and the episodes they will appear in.The untitled story will span episodes four and five and is written by Helen Raynor and directed by James Strong, who also directed episodes eight and nine of series two.The press release (reproduced in full below) also contains previously announced casting for Martha's family which includes Trevor Laird as dad Clive and Adjoa Andoh as Francine, Martha's mum. The full release reads:"The most famous Doctor Who nemeses, the Daleks, are to battle The Doctor in a special two-part story set in Thirties New York...They are to feature in episodes four and five of the forthcoming third series of the Bafta award-winning BBC One drama.David Tennant as The Doctor and new companion Freema Agyeman, who plays medical student Martha Jones, will be joined in this story by Desperate Housewives actor Ryan Carnes, Miranda Raison, star of BBC One spy drama Spooks, and Holby City favourite Hugh Quarshie.The story is written by Helen Raynor and directed by James Strong, who also directed episodes eight and nine of series two.The production team has recently confirmed further casting details for series three, including Dean Lennox Kelly, Mark Gatiss and Anne Reid.Martha's family will include Trevor Laird, who will be playing her dad Clive, and Adjoa Andoh as Francine, Martha's mum. Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays her sister Tish and DJ Reggie Yates appears as her brother.Russell T Davies, lead writer and Executive Producer, says: "Every time the Daleks return we make them bigger and better than ever before and this time their plan is the most audacious Dalek scheme yet!"Even The Doctor finds himself out of his depth..."The new series of Doctor Who is scheduled to air in spring 2007.Writers for Doctor Who series three include Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat, Gareth Roberts, Paul Cornell, Helen Raynor, Chris Chibnall and Stephen Greenhorn.The directors include Charles Palmer, Euros Lyn, Graeme Harper and Richard Clarke. The producer is Phil Collinson; Executive producers are Head of Drama, BBC Wales, Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies."
Torchwood Audio Books
John Barrowman and co-star Eve Myles are to record audio versions of the recent Torchwood tie-in novels Another Life, Slow Decay and Border Princes.John's involvement was previously announced by his official site which lists the titles he's recording as Border Princes and Another Life. We understand that recording of the stories has yet to take place.The three titles are due for release on CD in April 2007 by BBC Audiobooks.
Spoilers for season 3
At least two new alien worlds should appear in series 3 - one called Malcassairo, the other as yet unnamed.
Episode 1 brings in both Martha and the Judoon with a bang, is called 'Smith And Jones' and involves a hospital being transported to the moon.
Episode 2 is called 'The Shakespeare Code'. Not too surprising really.Episode 3 is set on New Earth and is the one featuring Ardal O'Hanlon as the cat-faced pilot seen in the 'Runaway Bride' teaser (presumably from the same race as the cat nuns). This is also the one where the Face of Boe returns... so we may get to hear that four-word message sooner than expected.
Helen Raynor is writing the two-part Dalek story (episodes 4 & 5) which appears to involve a plot to "disrupt the fabric of time" (perhaps a Time War tie-in?).
Episode 4 is called 'Daleks In Manhattan'. If it's anything as good as her Torchwood episode it ought to be a good deal more than another yelling Dalek tale.
Episode 6, by Stephen Greenhorn, is called 'The Lazarus Experiment' and is the one with Mark Gatiss in it as the rejuvenated man.
Paul Cornell's two-parter (episodes 8 & 9) is set in a boarding school, and is also apparently based on his previous book 'Human Nature' (a Virgin New Adventure featuring the 7th Doctor and Bernice Summerfield - does the Doctor ever get deja vu, I wonder?). One of the two episodes is called 'The Family of Blood'. The monsters are apparently called "Jack Straws".
Steven Moffat's episode (number 10) features the line "life is short, and you are hot" and RTD thinks it has the "scariest concept yet." It also features the word (or name) "Banto". Did I see the ears of a few "One Doctor' fans perk up there?
This is also the relatively "Doctorless" episode of Series 3 (as 'Love & Monsters' was for Series 2)..
Captain Jack returns in episode 11, which is called 'Utopia' andapparently takes place immediately after the end of the first series of 'Torchwood', when the TARDIS has picked Jack up from Cardiff.
Episode 1 brings in both Martha and the Judoon with a bang, is called 'Smith And Jones' and involves a hospital being transported to the moon.
Episode 2 is called 'The Shakespeare Code'. Not too surprising really.Episode 3 is set on New Earth and is the one featuring Ardal O'Hanlon as the cat-faced pilot seen in the 'Runaway Bride' teaser (presumably from the same race as the cat nuns). This is also the one where the Face of Boe returns... so we may get to hear that four-word message sooner than expected.
Helen Raynor is writing the two-part Dalek story (episodes 4 & 5) which appears to involve a plot to "disrupt the fabric of time" (perhaps a Time War tie-in?).
Episode 4 is called 'Daleks In Manhattan'. If it's anything as good as her Torchwood episode it ought to be a good deal more than another yelling Dalek tale.
Episode 6, by Stephen Greenhorn, is called 'The Lazarus Experiment' and is the one with Mark Gatiss in it as the rejuvenated man.
Paul Cornell's two-parter (episodes 8 & 9) is set in a boarding school, and is also apparently based on his previous book 'Human Nature' (a Virgin New Adventure featuring the 7th Doctor and Bernice Summerfield - does the Doctor ever get deja vu, I wonder?). One of the two episodes is called 'The Family of Blood'. The monsters are apparently called "Jack Straws".
Steven Moffat's episode (number 10) features the line "life is short, and you are hot" and RTD thinks it has the "scariest concept yet." It also features the word (or name) "Banto". Did I see the ears of a few "One Doctor' fans perk up there?
This is also the relatively "Doctorless" episode of Series 3 (as 'Love & Monsters' was for Series 2)..
Captain Jack returns in episode 11, which is called 'Utopia' and
End of an era for historic open air market
ONE of Wales' most historic open air markets, which dates back to mediaeval times and was immortalised by Doctor Who, closed yesterday.
While farmers' markets across Wales are coming back into vogue, St David's Market in the heart of Cardiff has fallen victim to the opposing trend for consumers to shop under one roof in supermarkets.
And yesterday the market's only remaining stallholder, Keith "the fish" Twamley, prepared to relocate his fish stocks, including Penclawdd cockles that have been eaten in the capital since Roman times.
The market, that has moved around the capital for hundreds of years, has now gone to make way for the St David's 2 development under a compulsory purchase order.
He said, "The market used to have around 15 stalls and I was stallholder number six.
"I'm the last person trading here and now I have to go too after 11 years.
"It's going to be a big shame to see it all go, the market has been here a long time."
Keith has been a popular figure at St David's Market and he featured in the very first episode of the new incarnation of Doctor Who.
In the episode, as the Tardis materialised among the stalls, the Doctor asked Rose the crunch question, 'Do you want to come along with me?'
Keith added, "I was paid to appear in that episode and was filmed holding a salmon.
"Billie Piper who played Rose, stood at the end of my fish stand and was talking on her mobile phone."
Keith and the market also hit the headlines last summer over Buster the hungry seagull who dive-bombed his stall and stole his fish.
Buster learned where the best pieces of cod and salmon were on display and quickly became a local attraction at the open air market.
Keith added, "I'm going to set up a new trailer in Cathedral Walk at the back of M&S.
"I hope my old friend Buster will find me there when he returns from his annual holiday to Tenerife in March.
"He is a television celebrity and was featured on the news swooping down to the sound of the Dambusters soundtrack."
The open-air market behind the Hayes has been open from 7.30am until 4pm six days a week since it was opened in 1987.
It attracted a wide variety of loyal shoppers from around the city who enjoyed the banter, the good quality local "old Cardiff charm".
Keith Chadwick, who formerly ran a fruit and veg stall at the market, paid one last visit yesterday. He said, "The open air market can be traced back to mediaeval times.
"In recent decades it has moved around the city.
"But its popularity has gradually declined because of the supermarkets and a change in people's buying habits.
"Its closure marks the end of a long tradition.
"But we are hoping it will come full circle and people will soon have had enough of processed and packed food off supermarket shelves and go back to locally produced goods here too.
"These are better for you because they arrive fresh daily and involve few food miles."
As part of the St David's 2 development a new open-air market is to be built on the same site by 2010.
While farmers' markets across Wales are coming back into vogue, St David's Market in the heart of Cardiff has fallen victim to the opposing trend for consumers to shop under one roof in supermarkets.
And yesterday the market's only remaining stallholder, Keith "the fish" Twamley, prepared to relocate his fish stocks, including Penclawdd cockles that have been eaten in the capital since Roman times.
The market, that has moved around the capital for hundreds of years, has now gone to make way for the St David's 2 development under a compulsory purchase order.
He said, "The market used to have around 15 stalls and I was stallholder number six.
"I'm the last person trading here and now I have to go too after 11 years.
"It's going to be a big shame to see it all go, the market has been here a long time."
Keith has been a popular figure at St David's Market and he featured in the very first episode of the new incarnation of Doctor Who.
In the episode, as the Tardis materialised among the stalls, the Doctor asked Rose the crunch question, 'Do you want to come along with me?'
Keith added, "I was paid to appear in that episode and was filmed holding a salmon.
"Billie Piper who played Rose, stood at the end of my fish stand and was talking on her mobile phone."
Keith and the market also hit the headlines last summer over Buster the hungry seagull who dive-bombed his stall and stole his fish.
Buster learned where the best pieces of cod and salmon were on display and quickly became a local attraction at the open air market.
Keith added, "I'm going to set up a new trailer in Cathedral Walk at the back of M&S.
"I hope my old friend Buster will find me there when he returns from his annual holiday to Tenerife in March.
"He is a television celebrity and was featured on the news swooping down to the sound of the Dambusters soundtrack."
The open-air market behind the Hayes has been open from 7.30am until 4pm six days a week since it was opened in 1987.
It attracted a wide variety of loyal shoppers from around the city who enjoyed the banter, the good quality local "old Cardiff charm".
Keith Chadwick, who formerly ran a fruit and veg stall at the market, paid one last visit yesterday. He said, "The open air market can be traced back to mediaeval times.
"In recent decades it has moved around the city.
"But its popularity has gradually declined because of the supermarkets and a change in people's buying habits.
"Its closure marks the end of a long tradition.
"But we are hoping it will come full circle and people will soon have had enough of processed and packed food off supermarket shelves and go back to locally produced goods here too.
"These are better for you because they arrive fresh daily and involve few food miles."
As part of the St David's 2 development a new open-air market is to be built on the same site by 2010.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Mark Gatiss to play Doctor
Doctor lazuras i mean hehehe. The Lazarus Experiment will be an upcoming episode for the third season of Doctor Who. The episode will focus on a 76-year-old scientist (Mark Gatiss) who has developed a device that makes him look younger, A sonic device at that hmmmmm. Gatiss is famously a long-time fan of the British television science-fiction series Doctor Who, preferring its style from the 1970s. Much of his writing has been devoted to the series, including the BBV video spin-off series P.R.O.B.E., four novels, two audio plays for Big Finish Productions and, fulfilling a lifelong dream, two episodes for the 2005-revived BBC television series. His first, The Unquiet Dead, aired on April 9, 2005; the second is The Idiot's Lantern, aired on May 27, 2006 as part of the second season. In addition, Gatiss is the narrator for the 2006 season of documentary series Doctor Who Confidential, replacing Simon Pegg. He also commentated on the Doctor Who Complete First Series Boxset on the episode The Unquiet Dead. He is missing out from writing in the upcoming third season, Instead he is appearing in an episode.
Tennant reveals weirdest fan encounter
David Tennant has spoken about some of the weird and wonderful fan encounters he has enjoyed.During a recording of the Friday Night Project, Tennant was asked by a fan about the strangest encounter he'd ever had, due to the "obsessive" nature of Doctor Who fans.Adeptly brushing off the reference to the fans by saying most of them were "lovely," Tennant did note that the oddest, and most disturbing encounters were when he was at the gym.He added: "When you're stark bollock naked in the shower and they ask you to sign an autograph...that's weird...I don't know if it's weirder when they're naked or you are!"The actor also revealed that he finds it useful to break wind before going on stage to relieve tension, calling the experience an "exorcism".
Radio 1 Podcast on dr who
Catherine tate and David Tennant can be heard at the link here. The website describes it as :
In a TV special, David Tennant reveals some juicy titbits about the new series of Doctor Who: "He's got quite a Arnold Schwarzenegger chest - which obviously they took from a cast from my own body."Catherine Tate talks about motherhood, her new ITV1 show and egos: "I'm the wrong person to ask if I take myself too seriously. You'd need to ask my butler."Eva Longoria tells us about Series 3 of Desperate Housewives. Plus we've got our tips on the big TV shows for 2007.
In a TV special, David Tennant reveals some juicy titbits about the new series of Doctor Who: "He's got quite a Arnold Schwarzenegger chest - which obviously they took from a cast from my own body."Catherine Tate talks about motherhood, her new ITV1 show and egos: "I'm the wrong person to ask if I take myself too seriously. You'd need to ask my butler."Eva Longoria tells us about Series 3 of Desperate Housewives. Plus we've got our tips on the big TV shows for 2007.
TORCHWOOD - SERIES ONE, PART ONE DVD
An article describes the release below:
SWINGING wildly from awful to sublime, Torchwood is classic British television.
The Doctor Who spin-off sees Scots actor John Barrowman play Captain Jack Harkness, leader of a team of extra-terrestrial investigators, based in Cardiff.
The first episode sees policewoman Gwen Cooper, played by Eve Myles, joining the team, which includes medic Owen (Burn Gorman) and computer whizz Toshiko Sato (Naoko Mori).
The group soon discover Torchwood, an underground HQ which boasts, among other things, its very own pterodactyl.
Episodes feature an alien which is addicted to sex and a Cyberwoman. While derived from Doctor Who (Torchwood being an anagram of the mother programme), it is much darker and is peppered with sex.
DVD Extras: Deleted scenes, out-takes, short "Making Of" featurette for each episode. DVD £24.99.
SWINGING wildly from awful to sublime, Torchwood is classic British television.
The Doctor Who spin-off sees Scots actor John Barrowman play Captain Jack Harkness, leader of a team of extra-terrestrial investigators, based in Cardiff.
The first episode sees policewoman Gwen Cooper, played by Eve Myles, joining the team, which includes medic Owen (Burn Gorman) and computer whizz Toshiko Sato (Naoko Mori).
The group soon discover Torchwood, an underground HQ which boasts, among other things, its very own pterodactyl.
Episodes feature an alien which is addicted to sex and a Cyberwoman. While derived from Doctor Who (Torchwood being an anagram of the mother programme), it is much darker and is peppered with sex.
DVD Extras: Deleted scenes, out-takes, short "Making Of" featurette for each episode. DVD £24.99.
'DR WHO' STAR DAVID TENNANT SWAPS ROLES FOR TV SPOOF
Doctor Who fans could be forgiven for thinking the Timelord had given up his day job following the release of photos of actor David Tennant in an altogether sexier little outfit than his usual 'geek chic' wardrobe.
The blonde curly wig, slinky black top and skirt, skyscraper heels and red lipstick were all just a temporary transformation, however. David was hamming up it as Dr Who's assistant for an appearance on sketch show The Friday Night Project. Justin Lee Collins, the host of the Channel 4 programme, took on the mantle of The Doctor in the spoof scheduled to air on January 5. Doctor Who fans will no doubt be relieved to know that Scotsman David returns to his usual persona in the third series of the popular sci-fi programme - leaving the job of assistant to gorgeous newcomer Freema Agyeman. Freema, who replaces David's former Tardis companion Billie Piper, will join the legendary time traveller in crossing paths with Shakespeare and battling rhino-headed invaders in the course of the 2007 series.
The blonde curly wig, slinky black top and skirt, skyscraper heels and red lipstick were all just a temporary transformation, however. David was hamming up it as Dr Who's assistant for an appearance on sketch show The Friday Night Project. Justin Lee Collins, the host of the Channel 4 programme, took on the mantle of The Doctor in the spoof scheduled to air on January 5. Doctor Who fans will no doubt be relieved to know that Scotsman David returns to his usual persona in the third series of the popular sci-fi programme - leaving the job of assistant to gorgeous newcomer Freema Agyeman. Freema, who replaces David's former Tardis companion Billie Piper, will join the legendary time traveller in crossing paths with Shakespeare and battling rhino-headed invaders in the course of the 2007 series.
John Barrowman Pics
Here are some great pics from John's wedding over the holiday. Enjoy!!!!!
http://photo.wenn.com/index.php?ref=johnbarrowman%202%20271206&version=int&session_id=3841849ef0aa19dfb5c19b35ba843f3c
http://photo.wenn.com/index.php?ref=johnbarrowman%202%20271206&version=int&session_id=3841849ef0aa19dfb5c19b35ba843f3c
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Torchwood episode guide :::spoilers:::::
Listed below are the episodes of season one of Torchwood with my rating of 1 thru 5, 1 being poor - 5 being excellent.
01 Rated: 5 awesome episode
"Everything Changes"
Russell T. Davies
22 October 2006
Police Constable Gwen Cooper comes across the mysterious organization known as Torchwood; investigating their world, she finds technology and methods she never could have imagined.
02 rated: 4 sloooow decline
"Day One"
Chris Chibnall
22 October 2006
Gwen joins the team; Cardiff's nightlife is at the mercy of a sexually driven alien; Torchwood must discover its host and deal with the ideas it represents.
03
"Ghost Machine" rated: 4 holding steady
Helen Raynor
29 October 2006
Owen investigates an unsolved crime using a device that can tap into the hidden energy left behind by strong emotions.
{at first i kinda hated Owen but kinda liked him better with this episode. One of many where Gwen cries lol}
04 rated: 1 omg the cyberwoman suckkkked, ianto doesnt look good when he cries
"Cyberwoman"
Chris Chibnall
5 November 2006
Ianto has a dark secret, tied to the basement of the Hub — a secret he will protect at any cost.
{This episode was by far the worst piece of sci fi i think i have ever seen. The cyber woman looked idiotic. Every time Ianto started crying and made that face , omg i wanted to slap him and say stoooooop it !!! lol this to me was a bad bad baaaaad episode. I really doubted the series at this point. The writing of Chris Chibnall will continue to haunt the series. Nothing personal but he doesn't write very well.}
05 rated: 4 slightly better
"Small Worlds"
Peter J. Hammond
12 November 2006
A withdrawn but intelligent child has her suppressed anger taken advantage of; Jack must encounter his past to defeat those responsible: fairies at the bottom of her garden.
{ It is disappointing that jack lets the fairies just take this little girl away without a fight or at least trying to find a way to save her.}
06 rated: 3 slightly sucky
"Countrycide"
Chris Chibnall
19 November 2006
The separated Torchwood team is at the mercy of hunters, playing a game of cat and mouse in an old village in the Brecon Beacons.
{it played like a rip off of the x files. This was the " lets save money on cgi for a much better episode" episode, and it shows. I keep keep forgetting this is in the UK where gun use seems to be quite less than in the USA. Gwen needs to learn to pop a few caps in some ass. Gwen supposedly affected by the job she now does jumps into bed with owen of all people. I mean OWEN? come on he is a louse that used a alien sex spray to get laid....ewwww creppy much?
In the Torchwood Declassified accompaniment, Russell T. Davies described his desire to "do The Hills Have Eyes". Russ leave the remakes alone do something original not a take on a take of a take.}
07 rated: 4 toshiko i like
"Greeks Bearing Gifts"
Toby Whithouse
26 November 2006
Faced with sudden telepathic abilities, Toshiko finds it a mixed blessing when the dark secrets of others are revealed to her.
{very good episode, but the sudden bisexuality of toshiko makes you go "huhhhh?" more on that at the end}
08 rated: 5 awesome eppy
"They Keep Killing Suzie"
Paul Tomalin & Dan McCulloch
3 December 2006
Gwen uses alien technology to investigate a serial killer; but both the killer and the device hold dangers.
{Suzie came back!!!! ooops she dead!!!! i liked this episode but there arnet many twists so far that cant be seen coming from miles away}
09 Rated: 5 aweeeesome episode i almost cried
"Random Shoes"
Jacquetta May
10 December 2006
A hit-and-run victim, obsessed with aliens in life, realises that there is only one person who can solve the mystery of his death: Gwen Cooper.
{people kept saying this was torchwoods "Love and monsters" nooooooo love and monsters sucked. how pathetic that some guy keeps his girlfriends face on a slab of concrete and carries it around everywhere??? This was a great episode and touched upon what the show should be more like}
10 Rated: 5 another awesome eppy
"Out of Time"
Cath Tregenna
17 December 2006
A plane from the 1950s lands in modern Cardiff, courtesy of the Rift; the passengers are reoriented by the Torchwood team, who become drawn closely to their lives.
{Jack holding a dying mans hands, owen losing his love, a girl heading to the big city; touching bittersweet and a great direction for the series.}
11 Rated: 3 started out good then flopped weevils are cool though
"Combat"
Noel Clarke
24 December 2006
Weevils are being abducted by humans. As Owen goes undercover to find out who is committing these crimes, he meets Mark Lynch. Battling his own demons, he finds himself being drawn into the subculture he is investigating.
{This was a fight club rip off, but had potential. How was owen "feeling alive" in the cage while being munched on by a weevil? I can see fighting one and say losing himself in the fight but the way it was shown it made no sense. This episode has elements in common with the novel and the movie Fight Club, particularly in the dissatisfaction Mark feels about modern, success-driven society and the creation of an underground group where comparatively affluent young men can work off aggression, the main difference being that in this episode the men pit themselves against Weevils more than each other. This episode was written by Mickey from Doctor who which kinda explains why it sucked. }
12 Rated 3 this was hard to rate
"Captain Jack Harkness"
Cath Tregenna
1 January 2007
Jack and Toshiko are transported back to the Blitz as Jack faces an unexpected secret from his past as they meet a handsome young American squad leader named… Captain Jack Harkness.
{Nice to see more of Jacks past, but the whole jack kiss then white light thing kinda was over the top. Again potential but feel short}
13 Rated 4 nice cliffhanger
"End of Days"
Chris Chibnall
1 January 2007
The Rift fractures violently, setting the stage for an epic battle with Torchwood in the middle as they see echoes of the past and visions of the future.
{Everyone betrays jack, almost destroy the world, and a sudden manufactured kinda threat of a big demon. It felt forced and like "OK we need an apocalypse!!" kinda thing}
The biggest gripe besides some hack writing is the bisexual thing. I am by no means a homophobe , but does everyone one the show have to be bi? There is no one for me to identify with. This is a important thing for me when watching a show. Being a hetero male i don't really have anyone here to see as me i guess.
Whether by intention or not the writers imply that everyone in the right situation is bi sexual. I have heard this from many of my bi and gay friends before. To say everyone has a gay fantasy or urging hidden away is a bit of a stretch. Not saying anything wrong with the life style just the message they are sending is interfering with my sci fi man lol.
01 Rated: 5 awesome episode
"Everything Changes"
Russell T. Davies
22 October 2006
Police Constable Gwen Cooper comes across the mysterious organization known as Torchwood; investigating their world, she finds technology and methods she never could have imagined.
02 rated: 4 sloooow decline
"Day One"
Chris Chibnall
22 October 2006
Gwen joins the team; Cardiff's nightlife is at the mercy of a sexually driven alien; Torchwood must discover its host and deal with the ideas it represents.
03
"Ghost Machine" rated: 4 holding steady
Helen Raynor
29 October 2006
Owen investigates an unsolved crime using a device that can tap into the hidden energy left behind by strong emotions.
{at first i kinda hated Owen but kinda liked him better with this episode. One of many where Gwen cries lol}
04 rated: 1 omg the cyberwoman suckkkked, ianto doesnt look good when he cries
"Cyberwoman"
Chris Chibnall
5 November 2006
Ianto has a dark secret, tied to the basement of the Hub — a secret he will protect at any cost.
{This episode was by far the worst piece of sci fi i think i have ever seen. The cyber woman looked idiotic. Every time Ianto started crying and made that face , omg i wanted to slap him and say stoooooop it !!! lol this to me was a bad bad baaaaad episode. I really doubted the series at this point. The writing of Chris Chibnall will continue to haunt the series. Nothing personal but he doesn't write very well.}
05 rated: 4 slightly better
"Small Worlds"
Peter J. Hammond
12 November 2006
A withdrawn but intelligent child has her suppressed anger taken advantage of; Jack must encounter his past to defeat those responsible: fairies at the bottom of her garden.
{ It is disappointing that jack lets the fairies just take this little girl away without a fight or at least trying to find a way to save her.}
06 rated: 3 slightly sucky
"Countrycide"
Chris Chibnall
19 November 2006
The separated Torchwood team is at the mercy of hunters, playing a game of cat and mouse in an old village in the Brecon Beacons.
{it played like a rip off of the x files. This was the " lets save money on cgi for a much better episode" episode, and it shows. I keep keep forgetting this is in the UK where gun use seems to be quite less than in the USA. Gwen needs to learn to pop a few caps in some ass. Gwen supposedly affected by the job she now does jumps into bed with owen of all people. I mean OWEN? come on he is a louse that used a alien sex spray to get laid....ewwww creppy much?
In the Torchwood Declassified accompaniment, Russell T. Davies described his desire to "do The Hills Have Eyes". Russ leave the remakes alone do something original not a take on a take of a take.}
07 rated: 4 toshiko i like
"Greeks Bearing Gifts"
Toby Whithouse
26 November 2006
Faced with sudden telepathic abilities, Toshiko finds it a mixed blessing when the dark secrets of others are revealed to her.
{very good episode, but the sudden bisexuality of toshiko makes you go "huhhhh?" more on that at the end}
08 rated: 5 awesome eppy
"They Keep Killing Suzie"
Paul Tomalin & Dan McCulloch
3 December 2006
Gwen uses alien technology to investigate a serial killer; but both the killer and the device hold dangers.
{Suzie came back!!!! ooops she dead!!!! i liked this episode but there arnet many twists so far that cant be seen coming from miles away}
09 Rated: 5 aweeeesome episode i almost cried
"Random Shoes"
Jacquetta May
10 December 2006
A hit-and-run victim, obsessed with aliens in life, realises that there is only one person who can solve the mystery of his death: Gwen Cooper.
{people kept saying this was torchwoods "Love and monsters" nooooooo love and monsters sucked. how pathetic that some guy keeps his girlfriends face on a slab of concrete and carries it around everywhere??? This was a great episode and touched upon what the show should be more like}
10 Rated: 5 another awesome eppy
"Out of Time"
Cath Tregenna
17 December 2006
A plane from the 1950s lands in modern Cardiff, courtesy of the Rift; the passengers are reoriented by the Torchwood team, who become drawn closely to their lives.
{Jack holding a dying mans hands, owen losing his love, a girl heading to the big city; touching bittersweet and a great direction for the series.}
11 Rated: 3 started out good then flopped weevils are cool though
"Combat"
Noel Clarke
24 December 2006
Weevils are being abducted by humans. As Owen goes undercover to find out who is committing these crimes, he meets Mark Lynch. Battling his own demons, he finds himself being drawn into the subculture he is investigating.
{This was a fight club rip off, but had potential. How was owen "feeling alive" in the cage while being munched on by a weevil? I can see fighting one and say losing himself in the fight but the way it was shown it made no sense. This episode has elements in common with the novel and the movie Fight Club, particularly in the dissatisfaction Mark feels about modern, success-driven society and the creation of an underground group where comparatively affluent young men can work off aggression, the main difference being that in this episode the men pit themselves against Weevils more than each other. This episode was written by Mickey from Doctor who which kinda explains why it sucked. }
12 Rated 3 this was hard to rate
"Captain Jack Harkness"
Cath Tregenna
1 January 2007
Jack and Toshiko are transported back to the Blitz as Jack faces an unexpected secret from his past as they meet a handsome young American squad leader named… Captain Jack Harkness.
{Nice to see more of Jacks past, but the whole jack kiss then white light thing kinda was over the top. Again potential but feel short}
13 Rated 4 nice cliffhanger
"End of Days"
Chris Chibnall
1 January 2007
The Rift fractures violently, setting the stage for an epic battle with Torchwood in the middle as they see echoes of the past and visions of the future.
{Everyone betrays jack, almost destroy the world, and a sudden manufactured kinda threat of a big demon. It felt forced and like "OK we need an apocalypse!!" kinda thing}
The biggest gripe besides some hack writing is the bisexual thing. I am by no means a homophobe , but does everyone one the show have to be bi? There is no one for me to identify with. This is a important thing for me when watching a show. Being a hetero male i don't really have anyone here to see as me i guess.
Whether by intention or not the writers imply that everyone in the right situation is bi sexual. I have heard this from many of my bi and gay friends before. To say everyone has a gay fantasy or urging hidden away is a bit of a stretch. Not saying anything wrong with the life style just the message they are sending is interfering with my sci fi man lol.
First three episode titles
01 - SMITH AND JONES - dr n martha meet up in a hospital in space
02 - THE SHAKESPEARE CODE - martha and the doc visit shakespeare and battle plasmavores{vampires}?
03 - FLESH AND BONE or DINOSAURS IN LONDON - hmmmm time rift anyone?
02 - THE SHAKESPEARE CODE - martha and the doc visit shakespeare and battle plasmavores{vampires}?
03 - FLESH AND BONE or DINOSAURS IN LONDON - hmmmm time rift anyone?
OMG DOCTOR? IS THAT YOU?
Looks like the Doctor is still reeling from the loss of dear dear Rose. Poor poor chap.....this explains why he is in the hospital in the premiere episode entitled Smith and jones....rehab.
its said but yes very true. The face of boe will appear and the four words we have been waiting for are" PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER MAN!!!!"
..........this is in no way David Tennant nor anyone connected to him i just saw the pic n had to have a laugh
Statham to be new Doctor Who? yea right!!!
Another major rumor is floating that Jason Statham has reportedly been offered the title role in the next series of Doctor Who.
The Crank star is allegedly being lined up as the 11th Doctor in the hit BBC show amid rumours current Time Lord David Tennant is quitting the role.
A TV source tells The People, "It will be Doctor Who meets gangland. He will do a lot more thinking with his fists and will be a sure-fire winner with the ladies.
"Doctor Who is still seen as a bit geeky but Jason will add sex appeal and give the character a more dangerous edge."
If this turns out to be true what will happen to the doctor? Will he start bashing peoples heads and doing karate???
The Crank star is allegedly being lined up as the 11th Doctor in the hit BBC show amid rumours current Time Lord David Tennant is quitting the role.
A TV source tells The People, "It will be Doctor Who meets gangland. He will do a lot more thinking with his fists and will be a sure-fire winner with the ladies.
"Doctor Who is still seen as a bit geeky but Jason will add sex appeal and give the character a more dangerous edge."
If this turns out to be true what will happen to the doctor? Will he start bashing peoples heads and doing karate???
What is the Doctor Who Saxon mystery?
The third series of Dr Who is still a few months away, but have we already been given a few clues about what one of the main storylines could be? Lizo has a few ideas:
In the episode Love & Monsters in series two, a newspaper headline said 'Saxon leads poll with 64%'.
And last year, talking about the episode, Head Writer Russell T. Davies told fans to watch out for a headline.
Who is Mr Saxon?
In The Runaway Bride, just before the tank fired at the star shaped spaceship the driver said "Orders from Mr Saxon. Fire at will".
And posters saying 'Vote Saxon' have been spotted in other Dr Who related filming.
So what, if anything, can it all mean? Well Russell T. Davies is probably the only person who knows.
Just before Christmas he was busy writing episode 12 of series three. And the last few episodes could explain what it's all about.
Is he a politician?
But fans have already been coming up with theories. Many think that Mr Saxon is a mysterious politician who comes up against The Doctor.
Or that it's a clue that old Dr Who monsters from the original series called Axons might be returning. If you rearrange the letters of Saxon, you get Axons.
Part of the success of the last two series of Doctor Who have been secret themes that have only been revealed at the end of the series.
Bad Wolf and Torchwood
In series one the words Bad Wolf kept appearing throughout the series. And in series two there were lots of references to Torchwood.
The third series of Dr Who is filming at the moment, and should hit our screens in a few months time.
In the episode Love & Monsters in series two, a newspaper headline said 'Saxon leads poll with 64%'.
And last year, talking about the episode, Head Writer Russell T. Davies told fans to watch out for a headline.
Who is Mr Saxon?
In The Runaway Bride, just before the tank fired at the star shaped spaceship the driver said "Orders from Mr Saxon. Fire at will".
And posters saying 'Vote Saxon' have been spotted in other Dr Who related filming.
So what, if anything, can it all mean? Well Russell T. Davies is probably the only person who knows.
Just before Christmas he was busy writing episode 12 of series three. And the last few episodes could explain what it's all about.
Is he a politician?
But fans have already been coming up with theories. Many think that Mr Saxon is a mysterious politician who comes up against The Doctor.
Or that it's a clue that old Dr Who monsters from the original series called Axons might be returning. If you rearrange the letters of Saxon, you get Axons.
Part of the success of the last two series of Doctor Who have been secret themes that have only been revealed at the end of the series.
Bad Wolf and Torchwood
In series one the words Bad Wolf kept appearing throughout the series. And in series two there were lots of references to Torchwood.
The third series of Dr Who is filming at the moment, and should hit our screens in a few months time.
Barrowman adopts... a dog
Old pals need new year hope
MANY older dogs are abandoned at this time of year to make way for puppies bought as presents Pictures: Marc Turner
EVERYONE is looking forward to the prospect of a happy new year. But spare a thought for the dozens of elderly dogs found unwanted and abandoned over the festive season.
It's a harsh fact of life that, despite what is supposed to be the season of goodwill, this sometimes does not appear to include older family pets who find themselves cast on the scrapheap for a new young pup.
So acute has the problem become, a West of Scotland animal charity recently opened a temporary home for abandoned animals in October.
Now the Dogs Trust, who created the slogan "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas", is asking dog lovers to think about re-homing one of the 16 elderly pooches in their care at the state-of-the-art rehoming centre in Uddingston, which opened in October.
Glasgow-born actor John Barrowman has already done just that.
The Dr Who and Torchwood star, below, recently adopted 12-year-old spaniel Teagan from the charity's London centre and is hoping others will follow the example.
He said: "It is absolutely shocking anyone could abandon a dog at any time of year but particularly older dogs being thrown out on to the streets in winter - it really breaks your heart.
"I recently rehomed Teagan from Dogs Trust and am enjoying spending quality time with him and my other two dogs."
The Uddingston centre, in Hamilton Road, provides 66 modern, glass fronted kennels complete with underfloor heating, while vets are on hand to attend to the injured or sick animals brought in.
Each dog is vaccinated and chipped before leaving, while new owners, who pay a £75 fee to adopt, are given behaviour advice about each individual pooch.
Staff say the 22 re-homing kennels, eight special puppy kennels and 38 holding kennels are ideal for the dogs on a temporary basis - but no substitute for a permanent loving family.
Clarissa Baldwin, Chief Executive of the charity, said: "In our society it is often the old who are the most vulnerable over the festive season. It is the same with dogs.
"Sadly, in the new year, the proportion of old dogs we take in to our care significantly rises compared to other times of the year."
One pooch hoping to find a home is Buddy, who was abandoned by his owners earlier this month.
Staff at the centre are now seeking a new family - preferably with older children - for the fun-loving 10-year-old Jack Russell, as well as homes for others such as Sonny, Tilly and Rosie.
Sandra Downie, manager of the centre, said: "It is so sad that lovely elderly dogs like Buddy can find themselves homeless.
"He is such a great character and it's a shame he has been cast aside.
"We really urge people to think through the responsibility involved in getting a dog and please don't abandon them in winter."
Scotland's oldest and largest animal charity, the Scottish SPCA, say they are also rescuing large numbers of homeless older dogs at their welfare centres in Cardonald, Bothwell and Milton.
A spokeswoman said: "Our welfare centres are extremely full, and fast approaching crisis point.
"Many of the abandoned dogs are elderly and have clearly been someone's pet, which is particularly depressing.
"To think that someone could just throw them out on to the street is appalling."
Dr Who fan Jack gets his very own time machine
One youngster has received a Christmas present that is out of this world - a SIX FOOT model of Dr Who's Tardis in his back garden.
Dr Who fan Jack Halsey, eight, was thrilled when his family surprised him with a life-size version of the timelord's travel machine, complete with police signs and flashing lights on the roof.
It took Jack's grandfather Robert four weeks to build the Tardis, which was painstakingly modelled on a money box just six inches high.
Jack, of Herrick Place, Graig y Rhacca, Caerphilly, said: 'It's really exciting. I don't know how it got there!'
Mum Amanda, 46, said Jack, who suffers from autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), had never asked for anything for Christmas before declaring he was keen to get his own Tardis last month.
'He's just gone Dr Who mad,' said Amanda, who also has two teenage sons Andrew and Jordan and a daughter Heidi, 26.
'He watches it all the time and he's got all the DVDs.
'He just said to me one day 'I would really like Doctor Who stuff for Christmas and I would like a Tardis'.'
Amanda's husband Andy, 48, happened to mention Jack's Christmas list to his father Robert, a professional furniture maker from Gloucester - and the talented 70-year-old took less than a month to build the Tardis.
Robert's wife Shirley, 72, covered the inside of the phone box with all things Dr Who - from stickers to posters and pictures.
Once it was built, Robert took the Tardis apart so it could be transported in a van to Jack's back garden just in time for Christmas Eve.
'I thought it would just be a flimsy thing but when I saw it and saw the amount of people it took to lift it up, I just thought it was out of this world. I couldn't believe it,' said Amanda, 46, who added that the Tardis had given her son, who cannot play outside his home, a place to play with his pals.
'It was a magic moment when we opened the curtains and Jack saw it. His grandad was so pleased he said it was worth all the hard work.'
Dr Who fan Jack Halsey, eight, was thrilled when his family surprised him with a life-size version of the timelord's travel machine, complete with police signs and flashing lights on the roof.
It took Jack's grandfather Robert four weeks to build the Tardis, which was painstakingly modelled on a money box just six inches high.
Jack, of Herrick Place, Graig y Rhacca, Caerphilly, said: 'It's really exciting. I don't know how it got there!'
Mum Amanda, 46, said Jack, who suffers from autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), had never asked for anything for Christmas before declaring he was keen to get his own Tardis last month.
'He's just gone Dr Who mad,' said Amanda, who also has two teenage sons Andrew and Jordan and a daughter Heidi, 26.
'He watches it all the time and he's got all the DVDs.
'He just said to me one day 'I would really like Doctor Who stuff for Christmas and I would like a Tardis'.'
Amanda's husband Andy, 48, happened to mention Jack's Christmas list to his father Robert, a professional furniture maker from Gloucester - and the talented 70-year-old took less than a month to build the Tardis.
Robert's wife Shirley, 72, covered the inside of the phone box with all things Dr Who - from stickers to posters and pictures.
Once it was built, Robert took the Tardis apart so it could be transported in a van to Jack's back garden just in time for Christmas Eve.
'I thought it would just be a flimsy thing but when I saw it and saw the amount of people it took to lift it up, I just thought it was out of this world. I couldn't believe it,' said Amanda, 46, who added that the Tardis had given her son, who cannot play outside his home, a place to play with his pals.
'It was a magic moment when we opened the curtains and Jack saw it. His grandad was so pleased he said it was worth all the hard work.'
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