Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Sarah Jane down under
The Sydney Sun-Herald reports that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation will screen The Sarah Jane Adventures sometime next year. The ABC, which also broadcasts Doctor Who, is yet to confirm that it will be screening the spinoff programme.
Sad news at the Barrowans
Sad news from John Barrowman's Official website. John Barrowman and his partner, Scott Gill, were forced to give permission to have their Dog Trust rescue dog Tiger (originally named Tegan) put to sleep. For more details CLICK HERE.
Further Update on Torchwood Region 1 DVD Box Set
BBCAmerica is now taking fan votes to pick the cover for the Torchwood Region 1 DVD Box Set of Season One. The channel has issued the following statement:
On January 22, 2008, BBC Video unleashes Torchwood: The Complete First Season starring John Barrowman (Doctor Who) as Captain Jack Harkness. The biggest hit and highest rated drama in BBC AMERICA's history, this action-packed, adrenalin-fuelled new sci-fi series, from Russell T Davies (writer of Doctor Who, Queer as Folk), follows the adventures of a team of investigators who use alien technology to solve crime.And the fans have spoken - 1.6 million people alone watched the first episode. Now the fans can be a part of the show and get creatively involved with the DVD release by voting for their favorite cover artwork.From October 15 through October 26, fans can go to a special voting page on BBCAmerica.com and vote for their favorite cover. When the voting closes, the artwork that receives the most votes will be used for this highly-anticipated 7-disc box set, which contains over 6 hours of bonus features. In addition, 20 voters will be chosen at random to receive a copy of the DVD once available at retail.
On January 22, 2008, BBC Video unleashes Torchwood: The Complete First Season starring John Barrowman (Doctor Who) as Captain Jack Harkness. The biggest hit and highest rated drama in BBC AMERICA's history, this action-packed, adrenalin-fuelled new sci-fi series, from Russell T Davies (writer of Doctor Who, Queer as Folk), follows the adventures of a team of investigators who use alien technology to solve crime.And the fans have spoken - 1.6 million people alone watched the first episode. Now the fans can be a part of the show and get creatively involved with the DVD release by voting for their favorite cover artwork.From October 15 through October 26, fans can go to a special voting page on BBCAmerica.com and vote for their favorite cover. When the voting closes, the artwork that receives the most votes will be used for this highly-anticipated 7-disc box set, which contains over 6 hours of bonus features. In addition, 20 voters will be chosen at random to receive a copy of the DVD once available at retail.
Sun gives "Voyage" details?
The Sun has reported alleged details from the upcoming Christmas Special "Voyage of the Damned", starring David Tennant and Kylie Minogue. In the past, the Sun has reported some accurate plot details about Doctor Who scripts (such as a 2005 report that the Daleks and Cybermen would face off, as they did in the episode "Doomsday") and has also printed some stories which proved to be false (such as a 2006 report that Zoe Lucker would be playing the Rani).
The Sun reports that Minogue's character, named Astrid Peth, will share a kiss with the Doctor, and that at the end of the special the character "spins off into space in a strange 'half-form' of herself." The article also states:
The episode is set on board the Titanic, "which has become a spaceship run by arch-baddie Max Capricorn."
Astrid and the Doctor team up to save the earth from Max's scheme.
"Astrid tells the Doctor: 'You need someone to look after you -- can I come with you?' He agrees."
"The special ends with a stunning scene in which the Titanic falls from the sky and looks like crashing on Buckingham Palace."
The Sun reports that Minogue's character, named Astrid Peth, will share a kiss with the Doctor, and that at the end of the special the character "spins off into space in a strange 'half-form' of herself." The article also states:
The episode is set on board the Titanic, "which has become a spaceship run by arch-baddie Max Capricorn."
Astrid and the Doctor team up to save the earth from Max's scheme.
"Astrid tells the Doctor: 'You need someone to look after you -- can I come with you?' He agrees."
"The special ends with a stunning scene in which the Titanic falls from the sky and looks like crashing on Buckingham Palace."
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Peter is Doctor grew
FORMER Doctor Who Peter Davison had to wear Sylvester McCoy’s TV outfit to film a spoof show – as he’s too tubby to fit into his original costume.
Peter, 56 – a slim 30-something when he played the Time Lord from 1981 to 1984 – is reprising his role for a Children In Need special.
An insider said: “Peter’s not exactly a fatty, but he’s filled out a bit after 20 years.”
Fortunately the outfit worn by Sylvester fitted. Peter and current Doctor David Tennant join forces on the show on November 19.
Peter, 56 – a slim 30-something when he played the Time Lord from 1981 to 1984 – is reprising his role for a Children In Need special.
An insider said: “Peter’s not exactly a fatty, but he’s filled out a bit after 20 years.”
Fortunately the outfit worn by Sylvester fitted. Peter and current Doctor David Tennant join forces on the show on November 19.
Dr Who gets TV licence blame
DOCTOR Who, windy weather and baby sick have been given as excuses for dodging the TV licence fee in Manchester.But despite the desperate pleas, more than 5,700 evaders in the city were caught watching TV without a licence - an average of 27 a day - between January and July.According to TV Licensing, which has just revealed the worst excuses of 2007, one of the most creative explanations was: "I only watch Doctor Who, so I will only pay when the series is on."The top excuses given in Manchester include:`A gust of wind blew the payment cheque out of my hand. I'm not going to buy a licence as someone might find the cheque and post it for me.' `I don't actually watch TV. I just keep it for the company.' `I haven't been paying for my TV licence because I've broken my arm.' `I couldn't make my last payment as my baby was sick on my shoulder and I didn't want to go to the shop smelling of sick, because the guy I fancy works there.' Charlotte Hancock, from TV Licensing said: "These excuses may be inventive, but they don't fool our enquiry officers. Any household that watches or records programmes as they are being shown requires a licence, regardless of the programmes they watch. We can identify at the touch of a button which addresses are unlicensed."Handheld detectors TV Licensing officers monitor a database of 29 million addresses and use new handheld detectors, no bigger than a torch, to target offenders. Ms Hancock added: "Putting the blame on someone else isn't a way to avoid paying the licence fee, which could mean a trip to court and a fine of up to £1,000 - and you will still need to buy a TV licence."National top excuses include: 'My wife has her hair done twice a week and so we find it difficult to pay.''You'll have to excuse me, but I can't think straight, my girlfriend has hit me on the head with a hammer, but I thoroughly deserved it.''I haven't renewed my licence because my wife flushed it down the toilet, along with my wallet.''My husband has just spent £3,000 on this massive panoramic flat digital TV, so we can't possibly afford a licence, sorry.'A colour TV licence costs £135.50 and a black and white £45.50. Payments can be made at PayPoint outlets, direct debit, online, by phone or by post. For information call 0870 241 5590.
Beeb unveils plans for interactive internet archive for every BBC show
DOCTOR WHO and The One Show are set to be at the forefront of a new project to archive every episode of every BBC programme with an interactive web page.
This could see Doctor Who fans unlocking extra storylines not shown on television from character blogs, MySpace pages and secret websites.
Speaking at a creative breakfast organised by producer-training group TRC last week, Simon Nelson, multiplatform controller for BBC Vision, explained that Doctor Who would be one of a few programmes given a full internet dimension beyond the television series.
These would sit above a wider archive of all BBC programme episodes that will be gathered together under a new part of the main BBC website. Nelson said that with only 20% of BBC programming currently supported by web pages, it seemed an "open goal" to tackle all the rest.
With the internet and television becoming ever more converged - the BBC iPlayer makes it possible to watch all BBC programmes from the past seven days online - Nelson said: "This is going to be a prime way in which people discover what they are going to watch. If you don't do this stuff, ultimately your programmes could become invisible."
He explained that programmes would be divided into three categories dubbed basic, enhanced and 360. The basic category, which is the general archive, will see every programme episode allotted a page with interactive information such as when it was transmitted and production credits.
There would also be a programme clip and possibly functions such as rating and tagging, although Nelson said these were "scary" to an organisation such as the BBC.
Asked by Andrew Chitty, managing director of new media producer Illumina and a board member of TRC, why it was scary when it was the kind of thing the BBC had to do, Nelson replied: "I totally agree, but at a traditional television business, the idea of letting audiences rate programmes to be seen by other members of the audience - that's pretty scary."
The enhanced and 360 pages would then provide extra layers of interactivity for certain selected programme brands.
Programmes earmarked for enhanced treatment include Andrew Marr's History Of Modern Britain, Question Time and Later With Jools Holland.
The new web pages may allow people to embed a clip of the programme in sites such as YouTube and Facebook and then attach their own clips and photos under different headings. For instance, History Of Modern Britain might include a section where people could reminisce about 1970s haircuts. On top of that there would be interactive gismos, with a wiki-style "Memories" option mooted for the History page that would allow people to post entries on a giant timeline, saying why certain dates mattered to them.
Nelson said that the 360 category, which is expected to include Doctor Who and The One Show, would make the largest amount of interactive content available. These will be paid for from the budget currently being used to develop the BBC's interactive platforms.
He namechecked the site for US show Heroes (www.nbc.com/heroes), with its character blogs and online puzzles, as the sort of thing he had in mind.
He said: "A really big ambitious 360 doesn't just have to be a really exciting flash website. It's something that uses the whole canvas of the internet to create new stories, new services and games around it."
This could see Doctor Who fans unlocking extra storylines not shown on television from character blogs, MySpace pages and secret websites.
Speaking at a creative breakfast organised by producer-training group TRC last week, Simon Nelson, multiplatform controller for BBC Vision, explained that Doctor Who would be one of a few programmes given a full internet dimension beyond the television series.
These would sit above a wider archive of all BBC programme episodes that will be gathered together under a new part of the main BBC website. Nelson said that with only 20% of BBC programming currently supported by web pages, it seemed an "open goal" to tackle all the rest.
With the internet and television becoming ever more converged - the BBC iPlayer makes it possible to watch all BBC programmes from the past seven days online - Nelson said: "This is going to be a prime way in which people discover what they are going to watch. If you don't do this stuff, ultimately your programmes could become invisible."
He explained that programmes would be divided into three categories dubbed basic, enhanced and 360. The basic category, which is the general archive, will see every programme episode allotted a page with interactive information such as when it was transmitted and production credits.
There would also be a programme clip and possibly functions such as rating and tagging, although Nelson said these were "scary" to an organisation such as the BBC.
Asked by Andrew Chitty, managing director of new media producer Illumina and a board member of TRC, why it was scary when it was the kind of thing the BBC had to do, Nelson replied: "I totally agree, but at a traditional television business, the idea of letting audiences rate programmes to be seen by other members of the audience - that's pretty scary."
The enhanced and 360 pages would then provide extra layers of interactivity for certain selected programme brands.
Programmes earmarked for enhanced treatment include Andrew Marr's History Of Modern Britain, Question Time and Later With Jools Holland.
The new web pages may allow people to embed a clip of the programme in sites such as YouTube and Facebook and then attach their own clips and photos under different headings. For instance, History Of Modern Britain might include a section where people could reminisce about 1970s haircuts. On top of that there would be interactive gismos, with a wiki-style "Memories" option mooted for the History page that would allow people to post entries on a giant timeline, saying why certain dates mattered to them.
Nelson said that the 360 category, which is expected to include Doctor Who and The One Show, would make the largest amount of interactive content available. These will be paid for from the budget currently being used to develop the BBC's interactive platforms.
He namechecked the site for US show Heroes (www.nbc.com/heroes), with its character blogs and online puzzles, as the sort of thing he had in mind.
He said: "A really big ambitious 360 doesn't just have to be a really exciting flash website. It's something that uses the whole canvas of the internet to create new stories, new services and games around it."
Comic Pegg set for Star Trek film
Hot Fuzz star Simon Pegg is poised to play Scotty in the new Star Trek movie.
The British comic has been offered the role of the chief engineer, played by James Doohan in the classic TV series, his manager has told BBC News. He played the editor in the Dr Who episode "The long Game".
The film, directed by Lost creator JJ Abrams, focuses on the early lives of Captain James T Kirk and Mr Spock.
Star Trek's 11th big screen outing also stars Eric Bana, Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy, and filming is due to start next month.
The British comic has been offered the role of the chief engineer, played by James Doohan in the classic TV series, his manager has told BBC News. He played the editor in the Dr Who episode "The long Game".
The film, directed by Lost creator JJ Abrams, focuses on the early lives of Captain James T Kirk and Mr Spock.
Star Trek's 11th big screen outing also stars Eric Bana, Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy, and filming is due to start next month.
David Tennant and Freema Agyeman @ HMV Oxford Street
David Tennant (The Doctor) and Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones) will be signing copies of 'Doctor Who Complete Series 3 DVD boxset' at:
Monday 5th November - 1:30pm - HMV 150 Oxford Street, London
*Event will be a signing only. Fans can pick up free wristbands at HMV which allow entry to the signing. Wristbands will be available only from HMV 150 Oxford street from 9.00am on Monday 5th November onwards. One wristbands per customer maximum, no reservations, while stocks last, subject to availability, at participating store only.
Monday 5th November - 1:30pm - HMV 150 Oxford Street, London
*Event will be a signing only. Fans can pick up free wristbands at HMV which allow entry to the signing. Wristbands will be available only from HMV 150 Oxford street from 9.00am on Monday 5th November onwards. One wristbands per customer maximum, no reservations, while stocks last, subject to availability, at participating store only.
Christopher Eccleston On Life After Doctor Who
Former Doctor Who Talks About Life After The Tardis And Working In The Us
FORMER Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston turned heroic tea drinker while working on cult sci-fi series Heroes.
The Brit actor joined the BBC Two series as Claude, the Invisible Man when he left Doctor Who after only one series.
And he admitted he loved his time on the American show.
He said: "I was made welcome by that crew and that cast.
"Being a Brit on that show, I've never been offered so many cups of tea in my life.
"But you do, it's like you get lots of attention because you're different."
"I think what interestedme was, having made British television for, what, nearly 20 years now, I wanted to experience American television.
"The process is different. Scripts are less tied down than the UK.
"I thought Claude was a really interesting addition to that cast of characters, dropping a Brit in with a Japanese and the Haitian."
While his time as the ninth Doctor was short and he's not saying whether he'll be back for series two of Heroes, the actor is a big draw in sci-fi.
After a career playing gritty roles in Shallow Grave and Jude as well as in television shows Cracker and Our Friends in the North the actor has become something of a kids' favourite.
Next week he stars in new fantasy film The Dark is Rising.
The former Time Lord plays another time traveller but this time he is a horseman who spreads terror.
He said: "99 percent of the dramas I've made have been for adults, and this was a real opportunity to try something new. I've had experience of making drama for children with Doctor Who. I think it's important if we can provide complexity and grey areas rather than just a funfair ride. That's what appeals tome.
"I think a younger audience is much more exacting than adults actually... they're much fiercer in their attachment once they've taken you to your heart, but they have better detectors than us."
Christopher brought Doctor Who back to the BBC and to millions of fans old and new who were gutted when he quit after one series.
While Scot David Tennant has become an even bigger Doctor there have always been questions about why Christopher took on the role just to quit so quickly.
All he will say is that he "was very proud to play the Doctor".
Of course, since leaving the show in 2005 Christopher has become an equally arresting character in Heroes - about a group of modern-day superheroes finding their powers - and will break further into films with The Dark is Rising, a grittier fantasy film than The Chronicles of Narnia.
While the Doctor was a good guy, his role as The Rider in The Dark Is Rising is a real "dyed-in-the-wool bad guy".
The 43-year-old from Salford, Lancashire, added: "I'd never heard of the books, but as a child I was one of those who was hugely passionate about The Lord of the Rings.
"I understand the passion people feel for these books, but I think they should be left for childhood. People say The Lord of the Rings were the greatest novels ever written, but no, they're not; they're childhood.
"But I read the book for this and enjoyed it very much, and obviously it's close tome because it's couched in Celtic mysticism and it's a very, very intensely British book."
His role as an evil horseman also allowed Christopher to become a bit of an action hero, although obviously a baddie action hero.
He joked: "The stunt men did easy stuff and I did the dangerous stuff."
Christopher's main scenes are with Alexander Ludwig, who plays Will Stanton, a young man who learns he is the last of a group of warriors dedicated to fighting against the forces of the Dark.
Like StarWars, Christopher's character tries to bringWill over to the dark side.
Given that it was Alexander's first ever film, Christopher is full of admiration for the American.
He said: "He's an amazing young man to carry a film like this.
"I carried a film when I was 27 and couldn't really speak or think for the two months afterwards, but he seems like it's water off a duck's back.
"He doesn't seem tainted by all the Hollywood that we all know and hear so much about."
Next up for Christopher is the play Macbeth in the West End.
He admitted: "It is something I've wanted to do since I was 17. But we have to pull a deal together."
As David Tennant is taking time out to play Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company next year we could see two Doctors in the house, at least in the theatres they will be performing in.
The Dark is Rising was written by Susan Cooper and is adapted by former Scots doctor John Hodge who was nominated for an Oscar for his adapted screenplay of Trainspotting.
It is filled with Harry Potter-style scares - particularly one scene in whichWill is chased by a giant albino cobra and 1000 live snakes, some 13 ft long, were used to fill half of a massive church.
One person who liked the snakes was veteran actor IanMcShane, the star of Lovejoy and Deadwood, who playsMerriman Lyon, the oldest of the Old Ones who guidesWill through time and also include Scots actor James Cosmo, Frances Conroy and JimPiddock.
Talking of the snake scene Ian said: "I grew fond of the snakes. I've never worked with them before. They were nice, you know? I was especially fond of this big python.
"He was this 30 footer. But they are very heavy. And I had these two that just kept looking atme..."
He also joked that he took the role in the film because it would mean his grandchildren could watch it.
He laughed: "They can't watch Deadwood, or something like that. This will be good, I thought."
James Cosmo is becoming something of a period costume actor starring in Braveheart, Troy and as Santa Claus in The Chronicles of Narnia.
The Scots bear of an actor laughed: "You do tend to get typecast in things, because people see you as your most famous roles.
"Which is fine, having a niche I work in most. But it is nice to jump out of that and do something ordinary.
"But I'mnot knocking it. To tell you the truth I amhappy sitting on a horse somewhere nice, not that there are any horses in this one.
"Doing action stuff is great fun, and then going back and doing something different."
The Dark is Rising is out next Friday, October 19.
FORMER Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston turned heroic tea drinker while working on cult sci-fi series Heroes.
The Brit actor joined the BBC Two series as Claude, the Invisible Man when he left Doctor Who after only one series.
And he admitted he loved his time on the American show.
He said: "I was made welcome by that crew and that cast.
"Being a Brit on that show, I've never been offered so many cups of tea in my life.
"But you do, it's like you get lots of attention because you're different."
"I think what interestedme was, having made British television for, what, nearly 20 years now, I wanted to experience American television.
"The process is different. Scripts are less tied down than the UK.
"I thought Claude was a really interesting addition to that cast of characters, dropping a Brit in with a Japanese and the Haitian."
While his time as the ninth Doctor was short and he's not saying whether he'll be back for series two of Heroes, the actor is a big draw in sci-fi.
After a career playing gritty roles in Shallow Grave and Jude as well as in television shows Cracker and Our Friends in the North the actor has become something of a kids' favourite.
Next week he stars in new fantasy film The Dark is Rising.
The former Time Lord plays another time traveller but this time he is a horseman who spreads terror.
He said: "99 percent of the dramas I've made have been for adults, and this was a real opportunity to try something new. I've had experience of making drama for children with Doctor Who. I think it's important if we can provide complexity and grey areas rather than just a funfair ride. That's what appeals tome.
"I think a younger audience is much more exacting than adults actually... they're much fiercer in their attachment once they've taken you to your heart, but they have better detectors than us."
Christopher brought Doctor Who back to the BBC and to millions of fans old and new who were gutted when he quit after one series.
While Scot David Tennant has become an even bigger Doctor there have always been questions about why Christopher took on the role just to quit so quickly.
All he will say is that he "was very proud to play the Doctor".
Of course, since leaving the show in 2005 Christopher has become an equally arresting character in Heroes - about a group of modern-day superheroes finding their powers - and will break further into films with The Dark is Rising, a grittier fantasy film than The Chronicles of Narnia.
While the Doctor was a good guy, his role as The Rider in The Dark Is Rising is a real "dyed-in-the-wool bad guy".
The 43-year-old from Salford, Lancashire, added: "I'd never heard of the books, but as a child I was one of those who was hugely passionate about The Lord of the Rings.
"I understand the passion people feel for these books, but I think they should be left for childhood. People say The Lord of the Rings were the greatest novels ever written, but no, they're not; they're childhood.
"But I read the book for this and enjoyed it very much, and obviously it's close tome because it's couched in Celtic mysticism and it's a very, very intensely British book."
His role as an evil horseman also allowed Christopher to become a bit of an action hero, although obviously a baddie action hero.
He joked: "The stunt men did easy stuff and I did the dangerous stuff."
Christopher's main scenes are with Alexander Ludwig, who plays Will Stanton, a young man who learns he is the last of a group of warriors dedicated to fighting against the forces of the Dark.
Like StarWars, Christopher's character tries to bringWill over to the dark side.
Given that it was Alexander's first ever film, Christopher is full of admiration for the American.
He said: "He's an amazing young man to carry a film like this.
"I carried a film when I was 27 and couldn't really speak or think for the two months afterwards, but he seems like it's water off a duck's back.
"He doesn't seem tainted by all the Hollywood that we all know and hear so much about."
Next up for Christopher is the play Macbeth in the West End.
He admitted: "It is something I've wanted to do since I was 17. But we have to pull a deal together."
As David Tennant is taking time out to play Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company next year we could see two Doctors in the house, at least in the theatres they will be performing in.
The Dark is Rising was written by Susan Cooper and is adapted by former Scots doctor John Hodge who was nominated for an Oscar for his adapted screenplay of Trainspotting.
It is filled with Harry Potter-style scares - particularly one scene in whichWill is chased by a giant albino cobra and 1000 live snakes, some 13 ft long, were used to fill half of a massive church.
One person who liked the snakes was veteran actor IanMcShane, the star of Lovejoy and Deadwood, who playsMerriman Lyon, the oldest of the Old Ones who guidesWill through time and also include Scots actor James Cosmo, Frances Conroy and JimPiddock.
Talking of the snake scene Ian said: "I grew fond of the snakes. I've never worked with them before. They were nice, you know? I was especially fond of this big python.
"He was this 30 footer. But they are very heavy. And I had these two that just kept looking atme..."
He also joked that he took the role in the film because it would mean his grandchildren could watch it.
He laughed: "They can't watch Deadwood, or something like that. This will be good, I thought."
James Cosmo is becoming something of a period costume actor starring in Braveheart, Troy and as Santa Claus in The Chronicles of Narnia.
The Scots bear of an actor laughed: "You do tend to get typecast in things, because people see you as your most famous roles.
"Which is fine, having a niche I work in most. But it is nice to jump out of that and do something ordinary.
"But I'mnot knocking it. To tell you the truth I amhappy sitting on a horse somewhere nice, not that there are any horses in this one.
"Doing action stuff is great fun, and then going back and doing something different."
The Dark is Rising is out next Friday, October 19.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Who Pumpkins!
Just in time for halloween an artistic fan comes up with Who pumpkin patterns.
http://community.livejournal.com/yeah_that_way/4185.html
http://community.livejournal.com/yeah_that_way/4185.html
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
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