Monday, July 20, 2009
The Name's Pond. Amy Pond
Details are beginning to emerge about the next Doctor's companion, and the big news is she'll be called Amy Pond.
Back in May we revealed that the new companion will be played by 21 year old Karen Gillan, but until now her character's full name has been more carefully guarded than the Doctor's 'real' name! Amy will travel in the TARDIS alongside the new Doctor, played by Matt Smith, when the next series of Doctor Who begins in 2010.
Amy Pond is another memorable moniker from the new series Head Writer and Executive Producer, Steven Moffat, whose previous creations include Sally Sparrow and River Song. The latest photo which we revealed earlier today indicates Amy will have a laid back, contemporary look. So far we've had no suggestion as to whether we'll meet the new companion's family, or even if she has a family. But time will tell, and we'll be here to bring you Amy's story as it unfolds!
Back in May we revealed that the new companion will be played by 21 year old Karen Gillan, but until now her character's full name has been more carefully guarded than the Doctor's 'real' name! Amy will travel in the TARDIS alongside the new Doctor, played by Matt Smith, when the next series of Doctor Who begins in 2010.
Amy Pond is another memorable moniker from the new series Head Writer and Executive Producer, Steven Moffat, whose previous creations include Sally Sparrow and River Song. The latest photo which we revealed earlier today indicates Amy will have a laid back, contemporary look. So far we've had no suggestion as to whether we'll meet the new companion's family, or even if she has a family. But time will tell, and we'll be here to bring you Amy's story as it unfolds!
Tom Baker is to return as Doctor Who in five audio specials.
The 75-year-old actor - who played the Timelord on TV from 1974 to 1981, the longest so far of the 10 actors to take the role - will voice The Doctor for the BBC, following his adventures when he moves into a Sussex cottage in 2009 after leaving former companions Leela and metal dog K-9 on his home planet Gallifrey.
Writer Paul Magrs told The Sun: "I can picture the very moment he turned back into the Doctor - one minute it was introductions and actorly chat and then, all of a sudden, he was rehearsing lines.
He continued: "His first was, 'Hello, I'm the Doctor'. It was a very shivery moment."
The Doctor will be joined by companion UNIT's Captain Mike Yates, voiced by Richard Franklin, who played the role on the television show with Tom.
The episodes will also feature Mrs Wibbsey - voiced by Susan Jameson, of TV detective show New Tricks - as the Doctor's housekeeper.
The adventures, with series title Hornets' Nest, are due to air monthly from September 3 on BBC radio.
Writer Paul Magrs told The Sun: "I can picture the very moment he turned back into the Doctor - one minute it was introductions and actorly chat and then, all of a sudden, he was rehearsing lines.
He continued: "His first was, 'Hello, I'm the Doctor'. It was a very shivery moment."
The Doctor will be joined by companion UNIT's Captain Mike Yates, voiced by Richard Franklin, who played the role on the television show with Tom.
The episodes will also feature Mrs Wibbsey - voiced by Susan Jameson, of TV detective show New Tricks - as the Doctor's housekeeper.
The adventures, with series title Hornets' Nest, are due to air monthly from September 3 on BBC radio.
Matt Smith starts filming 'Doctor Who'
Filming on the new series of Doctor Who with Matt Smith has got underway in Cardiff.
The fifth series sees the newly-regenerated Doctor meet a new companion, Amy Pond, played by Scottish actress Karen Gillan.
"I feel very privileged and proud to be part of this iconic show," said Smith. "The scripts are brilliant and working alongside Karen, Steven and the rest of the crew is an inspiration because their work ethic and passion for the show is so admirable. I’m excited about the future and all the brilliant adventures I get to go on as the Doctor."
New showrunner Steven Moffat said: "And here it is, the big moment - the new Doctor, and his new best friend. And here's me, with the job I wanted since I was seven. 40 years to here! If I could go back in time and tell that little boy that one day all this would happen, he'd scream, call for his Mum and I'd be talking to you now from a prison cell in 1969. So probably best not then.
"Matt and Karen are going to be incredible, and Doctor Who is going to come alive on Saturday nights in a whole new way - and best of all, somewhere out there, a seven-year-old is going to see them, fall in love, and start making a forty year plan..."
Smith takes over from David Tennant in the iconic role at the end of three specials, the last of which airs early in 2010.
Filming on the 13-episode fifth series runs until March 2010 for broadcast next Spring.
source
Is River Song going to return in Smiths first run?
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Friday, July 17, 2009
Davies on atheism, American TV, and five decades of Doctor Who
Source
Consider the crushing dearth of fun in the Star Wars prequels, and you'll have an idea of the success rate in reviving beloved sci-fi franchises. But, when Queer as Folk creator Russell T Davies (he added the "T" to his name, no punctuation) resurrected Doctor Who for the BBC in 2005, his sharp, funny take on the iconic time-traveler (played now by David Tennant) met with great acclaim. It soon spun off Torchwood, a show about a modern team of alien-fighters captained by the enigmatic, possibly immortal, certainly bisexual Jack Harkness (John Barrowman). Torchwood's third season airs as a five-night miniseries starting July 20 at 9 pm, while the one-hour Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead premieres July 26 at 8, both on BBC America. Both shows come out as DVDs on July 28. Davies, on the phone from Los Angeles, talked with me about atheism, American TV, and five decades of Doctor Who.
Why hasTorchwood been such a hit, while earlier attempts to launch Doctor Who in the states failed?
I wish I knew. I think there's a little bit of resistance to Doctor Who in America, because there's such an ancient history of the show. They either think it's a repeat from the '70s or that they have to have watched it all the way from the '70s to follow what's going on, which isn't true of the modern show at all. You can pick it up from scratch. We were able to make Doctor Who work in Britain partly by trading off that nostalgia, but also by rejecting it and getting a brand new audience in.
From what I can gather — I haven't been to many conventions and I don't really go online and read fan stuff because that way lies madness — the sexuality of Torchwood seems to get quite a buzz. I certainly knew from Queer as Folk that gay male stories attract a lot of women viewers. There's a side of that in Torchwood, and Captain Jack having a relationship with the second-in-command. There's a bit of a buzz about that. I don't mean in a prurient way. There's just a fun lightness and enjoyment of it.
How much of what we see inTorchwood about the randomness of existence is your worldview?
A lot. The only way I can write — whether that's good or bad — is to put my worldview into everything. I have to challenge that worldview from time to time, but in terms of the atheism of the show, I find that very powerful. When you come to episode five of this year's Torchwood, you'll really see my worldview coming out very strongly and in a very dark way. It's about how thin life is, how we've got a nice, Western world of comforts, hot water, television, phones, and food, and we think we're much more civilized than the rest of the world but actually that could just snap tomorrow.
Why is it that secret agencies in American movies likeMen In Blackhave billion-dollar budgets, while Torchwood has five employees?
I think you've hit something there. Maybe that's why an American would find the show interesting. There's a fundamental difference between British and American television, it seems to me. This is a great generalization, but as a whole, American television is aspirational, where British television looks towards the working class. If you're on British television, you're more likely to have lead characters who are unemployed or shop workers. Maybe on American television, they're more likely to be running the shop. I admire American television for being aspirational. There's a slight guilt and complex and persecution culture in Britain about moving away from it. In British television, our evening soap operas are all entirely working class, and that's been the dominant voice for 40 years. We're stuck with it. We need to move on. It shouldn't be the only voice. There's a huge contingent of British writers who'll say you sold out and betrayed the whole profession of writing by not writing about the working class, which I find extraordinary and laughable. Nevertheless, perhaps that's where Torchwood's interest comes from. They're a strange little bunch of people living in a sewer.
Doctor Who has been around since 1963. Is there a giant board used to keep track of all the continuity?
The great thing is that there isn't and never has been. That's the most extraordinary part of the history of Doctor Who. Every three or four years, the production team would change. Every few years, the doctor would change. So we'd have this fantastically ramshackle, jammed-together continuity. As a long-term dyed-in-the-wool Doctor Who fan, I'm the historian; I know every single episode ever made. And I love all that, and I'm very respectful towards it, but I have to say, I'd throw all that out for the sake of a good idea
New companion to be scottish?
{From the Mirror so take it with a grain of ye olde salt lol}
The new Doctor Who's companion is going to be called Amy and (drumroll, please) she'll have a Scottish accent!
Played by the lovely Karen Gillan, Amy will be assisting David Tennant's successor Matt Smith - who I reckon is going to be fantastic as the new Time Lord.
Rumours abound that there'll be some hot chemistry between them, just as there was with Rose and David's Doctor.
Steven Moffat, who's taking over from Russell T Davies as the show's boss, is a huge fan of the 21-year-old. He says she's "funny and clever and gorgeous and sexy.
"Or Scottish, which is the quick way of saying it." (He is, too.)
My on-set spy whispers: "Karen's Scottish so it seems reasonable she keeps her accent, even though David didn't."
The first picture of the pair in time-travelling regalia will be revealed on Tuesday... because filming on the new series starts on Monday.
The new Doctor Who's companion is going to be called Amy and (drumroll, please) she'll have a Scottish accent!
Played by the lovely Karen Gillan, Amy will be assisting David Tennant's successor Matt Smith - who I reckon is going to be fantastic as the new Time Lord.
Rumours abound that there'll be some hot chemistry between them, just as there was with Rose and David's Doctor.
Steven Moffat, who's taking over from Russell T Davies as the show's boss, is a huge fan of the 21-year-old. He says she's "funny and clever and gorgeous and sexy.
"Or Scottish, which is the quick way of saying it." (He is, too.)
My on-set spy whispers: "Karen's Scottish so it seems reasonable she keeps her accent, even though David didn't."
The first picture of the pair in time-travelling regalia will be revealed on Tuesday... because filming on the new series starts on Monday.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Teagan to return in season 5 of Who?
I was sent an email that detailed that at the Bad Wolf convention in Birmingham Janet Fielding (Tegan Jovanka) announced that she'll be appearing in season 5. God that would so rock!!!
RTD is moving to America?
DOCTOR WHO writer Russell T Davies, regarded by many as the country’s best TV dramatist, has rocked BBC executives by announcing that he is leaving for the US.
The move is a major blow because, as well as revitalising Doctor Who, Davies created two popular spin-offs,Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.
Torchwood, starring Eve Myles, shifted to BBC1 from BBC2 last week, clocking up huge audiences.
But there is now uncertainty over its future with its creator relocating to Hollywood.
Davies said of his move: “I haven’t planned anything, all my furniture is now there and I’m just going to start writing.
“It will take years to get anything made out there. It’s going to be difficult, so new and so brilliant. I will learn from people and bring it back here one day. It’s a big adventure and a lot of fun.”
Asked about the future of Torchwood, a BBC spokeswoman said: “It’s his show but it’s too early to say whether it will return. We will look closely at all of the ratings.”
Budget cuts are forcing cancellations across the channels.
Family dramas have been worst hit, with ITV’s Primeval and Demons disappearing, along with BBC1’s Robin Hood.
BBC drama is also facing problems over its decision to cancel Judge John Deed. Martin Shaw, the star of the popular courtroom drama which has been officially axed by BBC bosses, is calling for a public campaign to bring it back.
He said: “The BBC have said that they’re not interested in making more Judge John Deed. They might change their minds but we don’t know where their minds are. I fail to understand their reasoning and why nobody’s questioning it. Maybe the public should ask or at least say, ‘Why not?’
The move is a major blow because, as well as revitalising Doctor Who, Davies created two popular spin-offs,Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.
Torchwood, starring Eve Myles, shifted to BBC1 from BBC2 last week, clocking up huge audiences.
But there is now uncertainty over its future with its creator relocating to Hollywood.
Davies said of his move: “I haven’t planned anything, all my furniture is now there and I’m just going to start writing.
“It will take years to get anything made out there. It’s going to be difficult, so new and so brilliant. I will learn from people and bring it back here one day. It’s a big adventure and a lot of fun.”
Asked about the future of Torchwood, a BBC spokeswoman said: “It’s his show but it’s too early to say whether it will return. We will look closely at all of the ratings.”
Budget cuts are forcing cancellations across the channels.
Family dramas have been worst hit, with ITV’s Primeval and Demons disappearing, along with BBC1’s Robin Hood.
BBC drama is also facing problems over its decision to cancel Judge John Deed. Martin Shaw, the star of the popular courtroom drama which has been officially axed by BBC bosses, is calling for a public campaign to bring it back.
He said: “The BBC have said that they’re not interested in making more Judge John Deed. They might change their minds but we don’t know where their minds are. I fail to understand their reasoning and why nobody’s questioning it. Maybe the public should ask or at least say, ‘Why not?’
DT in SJA - press release
The BBC press office have released info on the David Tennant's appearance as the Doctor in the Sarah Jane Adventures, and it looks exciting!
Doctor Who fans are in for a treat this Autumn as David Tennant makes a special appearance as The Doctor in CBBC's hit drama series The Sarah Jane Adventures with a starring role across two episodes.
Elisabeth Sladen, who plays Sarah Jane, says: "When I heard the news that David was going to be joining us I was absolutely over the moon. Not only has it made my day but it will also make the viewers' day.
"It's fantastic news that Sarah Jane is going to spend some time working with The Doctor again and is testament to just how successful this CBBC series is."
RTD, Executive Producer of The Sarah Jane Adventures, adds: "Viewers thought they may have to wait until November for the next full episode of Doctor Who, but this is an extra special treat.
"And it's not just a cameo from David – this is a full-on appearance for The Doctor as he and Sarah Jane face their biggest threat ever."
The series includes 12 weeks of brand new adventures featuring a new alien race, the reptilian Veil and their enemies the Judoon, alongside an extraterrestrial girl that can make people play games against their will.
There will also be a living painting, the inhabitants of a supposedly haunted house, monsters who want to infect Earth with a strangely aggressive weed and a chance for Sarah Jane to find personal happiness with someone who could be the perfect person to complete her family.
Doctor Who fans are in for a treat this Autumn as David Tennant makes a special appearance as The Doctor in CBBC's hit drama series The Sarah Jane Adventures with a starring role across two episodes.
Elisabeth Sladen, who plays Sarah Jane, says: "When I heard the news that David was going to be joining us I was absolutely over the moon. Not only has it made my day but it will also make the viewers' day.
"It's fantastic news that Sarah Jane is going to spend some time working with The Doctor again and is testament to just how successful this CBBC series is."
RTD, Executive Producer of The Sarah Jane Adventures, adds: "Viewers thought they may have to wait until November for the next full episode of Doctor Who, but this is an extra special treat.
"And it's not just a cameo from David – this is a full-on appearance for The Doctor as he and Sarah Jane face their biggest threat ever."
The series includes 12 weeks of brand new adventures featuring a new alien race, the reptilian Veil and their enemies the Judoon, alongside an extraterrestrial girl that can make people play games against their will.
There will also be a living painting, the inhabitants of a supposedly haunted house, monsters who want to infect Earth with a strangely aggressive weed and a chance for Sarah Jane to find personal happiness with someone who could be the perfect person to complete her family.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Is this Jack's daughter alice?
Whom ever emailed me this pic please send info of who and what it is I'm seeing. General spoiler news says Jack will find some of his family in this run and if so is this her?
Russell T Davies: Torchwood Touches a Nerve
We are coming.”
If you’ve been watching BBC America, you’ve seen the promos for Torchwood: Children of Earth. That chilling voice over — Jack, Gwen and Ianto in a panic state. All those dead eyes staring back at you! It’s Torchwood’s creepiest monsters ever — kids!
“They just touch a nerve,” says Torchwood creator Russell T. Davies. “A threat to our children gets a primal reaction out of all of us. But beyond that, I think we can be scared of our kids, too. That they can seem unknowable, unreachable - that’s why a gang of young hoodies can seem more unnerving than an adult gang of thugs.”
It’s a story Davies has been wanting to tell for ages and finally he was given the opportunity when the BBC agreed to a five-part Torchwood mini-series instead of the normal run.
“Underneath the sci-fi and the aliens, there’s something very relevant to the world, I hope. The way we sit in the west, and watch footage of atrocities in different countries, and imagine it’s all so far away, and so impossible here. Which is a nice, comfy lie we tell ourselves. That was the heart of it. I wanted to tell a story in which civilization snaps, in which we turn on ourselves, in which nothing is safe. Plenty of people live like that, on this planet. In this story, it’s Britain’s turn.”
But writing an epic five-part mini wasn’t an easy job, even for a pro like Davies.
“I loved it, because it was a huge challenge. Lots of thrillers are written by just one writer, but we had three, across five episodes. Which meant a lot of emailing and late-night phone calls. But we really worked as a team, all locked in one room to thrash out the storyline and create the characters, and that’s my favorite way of working. We also had the Producer and Director inside the Writer’s Room, right from the very start, which is a very unusual way of working in this country, but with huge results - it meant we were all focused, we all knew the tone and the ambition of the piece, and we all aimed in the same direction.
“The size of this story, and the scale of it - spread across more than 40 years of history - means that we needed something bigger, a threat with real intelligence, a race with different protocols and standards. Some of my favorite material comes from Episode Three, where we have to see the government engage in genuine diplomatic relations with an alien species. You watch those scenes thinking, ‘That’s what it would really be like.’”
Aliens, massive destruction of a city, 40 years of history — all well and good, but what about the characters we’ve come to know and love?
Says Davies, “This whole story tears Torchwood down, and then watches them rebuild, but always questioning them, asking what sort of heroes they are, how far will they go? And what’s the difference between a freedom fighter and a terrorist? At the same time, we get to know Jack, Gwen and Ianto more intimately than we ever have before - exploring their families, their history, their hopes and loves. And their failings, too. As the alien threat gets bigger, so Torchwood’s humanity is exposed, and threatened, and celebrated too. And their lives are on the line, none of them is safe!”
As for the relationship between Capt Jack and Ianto . . .?
“It just grew naturally out of the scripts and performances from John and Gareth. And it’s such a rich area - the sheer will-they-or-won’t-they tension of two men getting closer. But again, you can come to Torchwood as a new viewer and follow their relationship from the start, you won’t get lost. And it’s honestly a pleasure to write for two such fine actors, they make the whole process a delight.”
In addition to the usual suspects, Torchwood: Children of Earth has several scene-stealing guest stars.
“We’ve got great new talent, like Cush Jumbo as Lois - the innocent secretary who discovers state secrets on her computer - and wonderful stars such as Peter Capaldi, who makes his character of John Frobisher so detailed and so nuanced, and so heartbreaking in the end. Add to that, Susan Brown as Bridget Spears - keep an eye on her, she’s a slow burn - and Nicholas Farrell as the most clever and manipulative Prime Minister you could imagine. And then Liz May Brice as a truly ruthless assassin! We’ve also got Paul Copley as Clem, a character holding so many secrets from the past - Paul’s simply astonishing to work with. And then the greatest enigma of the whole series is Lucy Cohu, playing Alice, who’s no less than Captain Jack’s daughter… What a mix! Best cast I could have imagined!”
If you haven’t been a loyal Torchwood watcher before now, you can still plan to sit down and enjoy this special presentation. Says Davies, “There are fleeting references to the past, but from the moment it starts, we’re telling a brand new story. It’s been deliberately written so that no one will be lost - and at the same time, the faithful viewer will discover so much more about the members of the Torchwood team. There are plenty of rewards for the long-term fan.”
Torchwood: Children of Earth will air on BBC America beginning Monday, July 20 and running straight through to Friday, July 24, 9:00 - 10:15 p.m. ET/PT. The previous night’s episode will encore at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.
If you’ve been watching BBC America, you’ve seen the promos for Torchwood: Children of Earth. That chilling voice over — Jack, Gwen and Ianto in a panic state. All those dead eyes staring back at you! It’s Torchwood’s creepiest monsters ever — kids!
“They just touch a nerve,” says Torchwood creator Russell T. Davies. “A threat to our children gets a primal reaction out of all of us. But beyond that, I think we can be scared of our kids, too. That they can seem unknowable, unreachable - that’s why a gang of young hoodies can seem more unnerving than an adult gang of thugs.”
It’s a story Davies has been wanting to tell for ages and finally he was given the opportunity when the BBC agreed to a five-part Torchwood mini-series instead of the normal run.
“Underneath the sci-fi and the aliens, there’s something very relevant to the world, I hope. The way we sit in the west, and watch footage of atrocities in different countries, and imagine it’s all so far away, and so impossible here. Which is a nice, comfy lie we tell ourselves. That was the heart of it. I wanted to tell a story in which civilization snaps, in which we turn on ourselves, in which nothing is safe. Plenty of people live like that, on this planet. In this story, it’s Britain’s turn.”
But writing an epic five-part mini wasn’t an easy job, even for a pro like Davies.
“I loved it, because it was a huge challenge. Lots of thrillers are written by just one writer, but we had three, across five episodes. Which meant a lot of emailing and late-night phone calls. But we really worked as a team, all locked in one room to thrash out the storyline and create the characters, and that’s my favorite way of working. We also had the Producer and Director inside the Writer’s Room, right from the very start, which is a very unusual way of working in this country, but with huge results - it meant we were all focused, we all knew the tone and the ambition of the piece, and we all aimed in the same direction.
“The size of this story, and the scale of it - spread across more than 40 years of history - means that we needed something bigger, a threat with real intelligence, a race with different protocols and standards. Some of my favorite material comes from Episode Three, where we have to see the government engage in genuine diplomatic relations with an alien species. You watch those scenes thinking, ‘That’s what it would really be like.’”
Aliens, massive destruction of a city, 40 years of history — all well and good, but what about the characters we’ve come to know and love?
Says Davies, “This whole story tears Torchwood down, and then watches them rebuild, but always questioning them, asking what sort of heroes they are, how far will they go? And what’s the difference between a freedom fighter and a terrorist? At the same time, we get to know Jack, Gwen and Ianto more intimately than we ever have before - exploring their families, their history, their hopes and loves. And their failings, too. As the alien threat gets bigger, so Torchwood’s humanity is exposed, and threatened, and celebrated too. And their lives are on the line, none of them is safe!”
As for the relationship between Capt Jack and Ianto . . .?
“It just grew naturally out of the scripts and performances from John and Gareth. And it’s such a rich area - the sheer will-they-or-won’t-they tension of two men getting closer. But again, you can come to Torchwood as a new viewer and follow their relationship from the start, you won’t get lost. And it’s honestly a pleasure to write for two such fine actors, they make the whole process a delight.”
In addition to the usual suspects, Torchwood: Children of Earth has several scene-stealing guest stars.
“We’ve got great new talent, like Cush Jumbo as Lois - the innocent secretary who discovers state secrets on her computer - and wonderful stars such as Peter Capaldi, who makes his character of John Frobisher so detailed and so nuanced, and so heartbreaking in the end. Add to that, Susan Brown as Bridget Spears - keep an eye on her, she’s a slow burn - and Nicholas Farrell as the most clever and manipulative Prime Minister you could imagine. And then Liz May Brice as a truly ruthless assassin! We’ve also got Paul Copley as Clem, a character holding so many secrets from the past - Paul’s simply astonishing to work with. And then the greatest enigma of the whole series is Lucy Cohu, playing Alice, who’s no less than Captain Jack’s daughter… What a mix! Best cast I could have imagined!”
If you haven’t been a loyal Torchwood watcher before now, you can still plan to sit down and enjoy this special presentation. Says Davies, “There are fleeting references to the past, but from the moment it starts, we’re telling a brand new story. It’s been deliberately written so that no one will be lost - and at the same time, the faithful viewer will discover so much more about the members of the Torchwood team. There are plenty of rewards for the long-term fan.”
Torchwood: Children of Earth will air on BBC America beginning Monday, July 20 and running straight through to Friday, July 24, 9:00 - 10:15 p.m. ET/PT. The previous night’s episode will encore at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Who is the greatest ever Doctor Who?
UKTV has a list they posted of the best of the best HERE, and i don't agree with all their choices at all. So im posting my own lol.
MY FAVORITE DOCTORS WORST TO BEST BWO style
-----------------------------------------------------
Colin Baker 1984-86
The Sixth Doctor was stubborn, arrogant and an ass who had no problem dishing out violence. Colins doctor tried to harken back to the attitude of the First Doctor but he failed miserably and came off to me as more a bully who liked to yell and bluster than a man of the first Doctors character.
Jon Pertwee 1970-74
The Third Doctor was an every man's Doctor who wanted to be more James Bond than Time Lord. His one line of "Reverse the polarity of the neutron flow" that was reapeated to death alone made me really hate to watch any of his Doctor. The best thing to come from this Doctors run: The Brig my friends...
Peter Davison 1982-84
Milksop has long been associated with this Doctor and i somewhat agree. He was emo before there was an emo to emo, you know? I fully expected him to break down in tears in almost every episode and considering the death toll in most of his episodes it was kind of understandable.
Paul McGann 1996
The Eighth Doctor, a Byronesque figure who is arguably the most human and romantic of all of his incarnations, encouraged those around him to seize life instead of withdrawing from it. He also seemed to enjoy giving people hints of their own futures, probably to prod them into making the right decisions. Not to mention Goth clothes and first companion kiss for the win lol
Christopher Eccleston 2005
Okay before you email me and threaten to take my whovian membership card, hear me out. I love love love absolutley love the ninth Doctor. I do i adore him. I thought he was fresh and new and just what the series needed to cause new interest and fan glee. But, theres always a but, he did not stay long enough. He was barely a blip on the Who timeline and if he had just regenerated into nine when he came upon Rose, the shortest incarnation of the Doctor so far. One more year at least would put him in my top three i promise. But as it stands Nine just wasn't with us long enough.
William Hartnell 1963-66
The first and foremost Doctor. The man was devious, cunning, cantankerous, patronising, caring, brave, and able to be selfish and selfless at the same time. How can you not like the daddy of all who? His love for his grand daughter made it clear he was not all that he seemed to be. He was the first rebel of the bunch and left Gallifrey because he was BORED. That rocks.
Patrick Troughton 1966-69
The cosmic hobo with his recorder and impish smile endeared me to Who the first time i saw him. Mercurial, clever, and always a few steps ahead of his enemies, at times he could be a calculating schemer who would not only manipulate people for the greater good but act like a bumbling fool in order to have others underestimate his true abilities. But despite the bluster and tendency to panic when events got out of control, the Second Doctor always acted heroically and morally in his desire to help the oppressed. More than any other perhaps, this incarnation of the Time Lord was a wolf in sheep's clothing. My greatest regret is his is the bulk of the missing Doctor Who episodes that we may never ever see.
Sylvester McCoy 1987-89
The Seventh Doctor was an enigma wrapped in a question filled with secrets.The Seventh Doctor started out as a comical character, playing the spoons, and making pratfalls, but soon started to develop a darker nature and raised the profound question of who the Doctor actually is and what all he has done in his long life, good and bad. Loved every single minute of Sylvesters Doctor, even tolerated mel {shudder} for his sake. And Ace ohhh i love love love me some ace professor.
Dave Tennant 2005-2009
The Tenth Doctor generally displays a light-hearted, talkative, easy-going, witty and cheeky manner, but combines this with a somewhat egocentric sense of unstoppability when facing his enemies. He is the sheik of geek and so emo it sometimes hurts, but i love the man and have been a big old Ten/Rose shipper from the start.
Tom Baker 1974-1981
We all have "Our Doctor" and four is mine. A friend turned me on to this series brodcast on PBS every saturday and made me a life long who fan from episode one,for me, Revenge of the cybermen. I watched them all with a geeky fanboy glee, here was an iconoclast free thinker handing out jelly babies and almost never having to raise a hand to an enemy because he was just too smart for that kind of thing. And Sarah Jane my my my i loved me some Sarah jane. No one has beat his record of seven years yet, he defined Who for several generations.
Agree with me or not feel free to list your favs in comments i will publish them all.
MY FAVORITE DOCTORS WORST TO BEST BWO style
-----------------------------------------------------
Colin Baker 1984-86
The Sixth Doctor was stubborn, arrogant and an ass who had no problem dishing out violence. Colins doctor tried to harken back to the attitude of the First Doctor but he failed miserably and came off to me as more a bully who liked to yell and bluster than a man of the first Doctors character.
Jon Pertwee 1970-74
The Third Doctor was an every man's Doctor who wanted to be more James Bond than Time Lord. His one line of "Reverse the polarity of the neutron flow" that was reapeated to death alone made me really hate to watch any of his Doctor. The best thing to come from this Doctors run: The Brig my friends...
Peter Davison 1982-84
Milksop has long been associated with this Doctor and i somewhat agree. He was emo before there was an emo to emo, you know? I fully expected him to break down in tears in almost every episode and considering the death toll in most of his episodes it was kind of understandable.
Paul McGann 1996
The Eighth Doctor, a Byronesque figure who is arguably the most human and romantic of all of his incarnations, encouraged those around him to seize life instead of withdrawing from it. He also seemed to enjoy giving people hints of their own futures, probably to prod them into making the right decisions. Not to mention Goth clothes and first companion kiss for the win lol
Christopher Eccleston 2005
Okay before you email me and threaten to take my whovian membership card, hear me out. I love love love absolutley love the ninth Doctor. I do i adore him. I thought he was fresh and new and just what the series needed to cause new interest and fan glee. But, theres always a but, he did not stay long enough. He was barely a blip on the Who timeline and if he had just regenerated into nine when he came upon Rose, the shortest incarnation of the Doctor so far. One more year at least would put him in my top three i promise. But as it stands Nine just wasn't with us long enough.
William Hartnell 1963-66
The first and foremost Doctor. The man was devious, cunning, cantankerous, patronising, caring, brave, and able to be selfish and selfless at the same time. How can you not like the daddy of all who? His love for his grand daughter made it clear he was not all that he seemed to be. He was the first rebel of the bunch and left Gallifrey because he was BORED. That rocks.
Patrick Troughton 1966-69
The cosmic hobo with his recorder and impish smile endeared me to Who the first time i saw him. Mercurial, clever, and always a few steps ahead of his enemies, at times he could be a calculating schemer who would not only manipulate people for the greater good but act like a bumbling fool in order to have others underestimate his true abilities. But despite the bluster and tendency to panic when events got out of control, the Second Doctor always acted heroically and morally in his desire to help the oppressed. More than any other perhaps, this incarnation of the Time Lord was a wolf in sheep's clothing. My greatest regret is his is the bulk of the missing Doctor Who episodes that we may never ever see.
Sylvester McCoy 1987-89
The Seventh Doctor was an enigma wrapped in a question filled with secrets.The Seventh Doctor started out as a comical character, playing the spoons, and making pratfalls, but soon started to develop a darker nature and raised the profound question of who the Doctor actually is and what all he has done in his long life, good and bad. Loved every single minute of Sylvesters Doctor, even tolerated mel {shudder} for his sake. And Ace ohhh i love love love me some ace professor.
Dave Tennant 2005-2009
The Tenth Doctor generally displays a light-hearted, talkative, easy-going, witty and cheeky manner, but combines this with a somewhat egocentric sense of unstoppability when facing his enemies. He is the sheik of geek and so emo it sometimes hurts, but i love the man and have been a big old Ten/Rose shipper from the start.
Tom Baker 1974-1981
We all have "Our Doctor" and four is mine. A friend turned me on to this series brodcast on PBS every saturday and made me a life long who fan from episode one,for me, Revenge of the cybermen. I watched them all with a geeky fanboy glee, here was an iconoclast free thinker handing out jelly babies and almost never having to raise a hand to an enemy because he was just too smart for that kind of thing. And Sarah Jane my my my i loved me some Sarah jane. No one has beat his record of seven years yet, he defined Who for several generations.
Agree with me or not feel free to list your favs in comments i will publish them all.
FOLLOW THROUGH
Not a big jack/martha shipper but i like the song and whats not to like about ANY video with Jack in it lol
Michelle Ryan Is The Doctor? (sort of)
Michelle Ryan is Doctor Who… and a whole load of other characters on the latest Original BBC Doctor Who Audiobook, “The Rising Night”.
We last saw the ex-EastEnder and Bionic Woman star as Lady Christina de Souza, flying off in her enhanced double decker in the Easter Doctor Who romp "Planet Of The Dead”. It’s fair to say that she made quite an impression, and the question she inevitably now gets asked is, “When is Lady Christina coming back?" Sadly, she tells us, “I suppose it's a possibility but there's nothing planned as yet. I like to keep my options open. I loved playing Lady Christina, she's one of my favourite characters, but I like to do lots of different things so, it depends really.”
So the next best thing is having Ryan narrate “The Rising Night”. It’s the latest release (due out on 9 July) ns a range from BBC Audio that kicked off last year with Pest Control. They’re not audio dramas, but books, except they’re not books because they come on audio CD. Lost? Think of it this way, they’re written in a narrative form like books, but instead of getting published as books, then being turned into audiobooks afterwards, they skip the middle man and go straight onto CD. Only in the wild and wacky world of Doctor Who, eh?
BBC Audio has been picking some star names from the series (including David Tennant and Freema Agyeman) to narrate these tales, and Ryan was more than happy to lend her voice to the range.
“There are some really interesting characters, and it was really fun to play lots of different parts,” she enthuses. “I had to impersonate David – that was the hardest thing. You need to have that energy behind it. The way his pauses are in different places. But it was really great fun. And I thought it was a really good script. That's what's good about Doctor Who. I think the writing is so good. Even though it's about time travel, it's still relevant to the modern day. People can still relate to the relationships and emotions in it.”
"The Rising Night”, written by Scott Handcock, is a historical romp, set in an 18th Century rural Yorkshire village where the sun hasn’t risen for three weeks. The Doctor joins up with local lass, Charity, to solve the mystery. Ryan found playing so many different characters an interesting challenge.
“With Charity I kept her very much how I sound. But then they had another character, a temptress, witchlike character – and I got to go quite flamboyant with her; quite sort of breathy, slightly channelling Joanna Lumley. With all the other town folk I got to do all sort of different accents.
“You can't really prepare. You're the narrator but you're also playing these different characters. The challenge is constantly keeping the energy up; keeping the mood up. Sometimes you have top go from being quite energetic and frenetic and then slowing it right down for the next character. I remember listening to Roald Dahl audio books when I was a kid, and there's something special about the narrator and how they tell the story; if they capture it right, then it's so interesting to listen to. I hope I’ve captured it right. But I'm glad I've done it. It gets you thinking - having to switch between different characters, pretty much improvising it as you're going along.”
A SF and fantasy fan herself, Ryan especially loves "dark comics, like The Watchmen. The ones set in the ’30s and ’40s where the women are like Jessica Rabbit style femme fatales, and you've got guys in their cool hats. It's all dark and edgy and everyone seems to smoke.”
She also names the mind-bending anime Ghost In The Shell II: Innocence as one her favourite film experiences: “I have to say that's one of the most phenomenal films I've ever seen, with all the references to literature and all the quotes. Visually it's so stunning. I thought it was like a Japanese Blade Runner. The music was fantastic as well. There’s a song on the soundtrack, Follow Me, which is one of my favourite songs.”
Recently, of course, we also seen her in the BBC’s Merlin as Nimueh (another character which there are no immediate plans for bringing back, she reveals – "I died, didn’t I?” she muses, "but in fantasy I suppose there’s always the chance of a revival.”) But SFX wondered if they made the same joke on set about her name as we did in the office – did everyone start singing “Nim-a-way, Nim-a-way, Nim-a-way, Nim-a-way…”?
“Er…”
You know, to the tune of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight?
“Er…”
Oh well, just us then.
We last saw the ex-EastEnder and Bionic Woman star as Lady Christina de Souza, flying off in her enhanced double decker in the Easter Doctor Who romp "Planet Of The Dead”. It’s fair to say that she made quite an impression, and the question she inevitably now gets asked is, “When is Lady Christina coming back?" Sadly, she tells us, “I suppose it's a possibility but there's nothing planned as yet. I like to keep my options open. I loved playing Lady Christina, she's one of my favourite characters, but I like to do lots of different things so, it depends really.”
So the next best thing is having Ryan narrate “The Rising Night”. It’s the latest release (due out on 9 July) ns a range from BBC Audio that kicked off last year with Pest Control. They’re not audio dramas, but books, except they’re not books because they come on audio CD. Lost? Think of it this way, they’re written in a narrative form like books, but instead of getting published as books, then being turned into audiobooks afterwards, they skip the middle man and go straight onto CD. Only in the wild and wacky world of Doctor Who, eh?
BBC Audio has been picking some star names from the series (including David Tennant and Freema Agyeman) to narrate these tales, and Ryan was more than happy to lend her voice to the range.
“There are some really interesting characters, and it was really fun to play lots of different parts,” she enthuses. “I had to impersonate David – that was the hardest thing. You need to have that energy behind it. The way his pauses are in different places. But it was really great fun. And I thought it was a really good script. That's what's good about Doctor Who. I think the writing is so good. Even though it's about time travel, it's still relevant to the modern day. People can still relate to the relationships and emotions in it.”
"The Rising Night”, written by Scott Handcock, is a historical romp, set in an 18th Century rural Yorkshire village where the sun hasn’t risen for three weeks. The Doctor joins up with local lass, Charity, to solve the mystery. Ryan found playing so many different characters an interesting challenge.
“With Charity I kept her very much how I sound. But then they had another character, a temptress, witchlike character – and I got to go quite flamboyant with her; quite sort of breathy, slightly channelling Joanna Lumley. With all the other town folk I got to do all sort of different accents.
“You can't really prepare. You're the narrator but you're also playing these different characters. The challenge is constantly keeping the energy up; keeping the mood up. Sometimes you have top go from being quite energetic and frenetic and then slowing it right down for the next character. I remember listening to Roald Dahl audio books when I was a kid, and there's something special about the narrator and how they tell the story; if they capture it right, then it's so interesting to listen to. I hope I’ve captured it right. But I'm glad I've done it. It gets you thinking - having to switch between different characters, pretty much improvising it as you're going along.”
A SF and fantasy fan herself, Ryan especially loves "dark comics, like The Watchmen. The ones set in the ’30s and ’40s where the women are like Jessica Rabbit style femme fatales, and you've got guys in their cool hats. It's all dark and edgy and everyone seems to smoke.”
She also names the mind-bending anime Ghost In The Shell II: Innocence as one her favourite film experiences: “I have to say that's one of the most phenomenal films I've ever seen, with all the references to literature and all the quotes. Visually it's so stunning. I thought it was like a Japanese Blade Runner. The music was fantastic as well. There’s a song on the soundtrack, Follow Me, which is one of my favourite songs.”
Recently, of course, we also seen her in the BBC’s Merlin as Nimueh (another character which there are no immediate plans for bringing back, she reveals – "I died, didn’t I?” she muses, "but in fantasy I suppose there’s always the chance of a revival.”) But SFX wondered if they made the same joke on set about her name as we did in the office – did everyone start singing “Nim-a-way, Nim-a-way, Nim-a-way, Nim-a-way…”?
“Er…”
You know, to the tune of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight?
“Er…”
Oh well, just us then.
Torchwood cut 'like punishment'
Cutting the new series of Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood to five shows from 13 felt like "we were being punished", its star John Barrowman has said.
The third series of the sci-fi show - which began on BBC Three before moving to BBC Two - will now be shown on consecutive days on BBC One.
Barrowman said other shows moved to BBC One "and they don't get cut".
The BBC said it wanted to create "a powerful sense of event" with Children of Earth, which will start on Monday.
Barrowman told the Radio Times: "I'm going to get a little political and I'll probably get into trouble for it."
He said Torchwood's first series had been "the most successful show on BBC3 - ever" and, as a result, had been moved to BBC Two where "we were beating shows that had been on BBC Two for a long time".
"The decision was made to go to BBC One and then we were cut - from 13 episodes down to five."
'Very special'
Barrowman said the new episodes were "incredible, I have no doubt about that".
"But personally, I felt like we were being punished.
"Other shows move from BBC Three and Two to One and they don't get cut.
"So why are we? It felt like every time we moved we had to prove ourselves."
But the show's writer and creator Russell T Davies told the magazine: "Part of us thought, 'we could do another 13 episodes, we've learnt how to do that, and the second series was better than the first'.
"But why not change it?"
He said if the show was made in the US, "they'd try to keep it going for seven years, doing the same thing every week".
He added: "It's the British audience we make these for.
"And I don't think audiences are remotely lost by a change in format."
A BBC spokesman said: "We wanted to create a powerful sense of event when the show came to BBC One and so talked with the show makers about a story that could run over five consecutive days."
This was something "very special" that had only been done before with 2008's five-part thriller Criminal Justice and Iraq-based drama Occupation, shown earlier this month.
Torchwood: Children Of Earth follows the alien-chasing team as they battle for the future of the human race against the fiercest force they have encountered
The third series of the sci-fi show - which began on BBC Three before moving to BBC Two - will now be shown on consecutive days on BBC One.
Barrowman said other shows moved to BBC One "and they don't get cut".
The BBC said it wanted to create "a powerful sense of event" with Children of Earth, which will start on Monday.
Barrowman told the Radio Times: "I'm going to get a little political and I'll probably get into trouble for it."
He said Torchwood's first series had been "the most successful show on BBC3 - ever" and, as a result, had been moved to BBC Two where "we were beating shows that had been on BBC Two for a long time".
"The decision was made to go to BBC One and then we were cut - from 13 episodes down to five."
'Very special'
Barrowman said the new episodes were "incredible, I have no doubt about that".
"But personally, I felt like we were being punished.
"Other shows move from BBC Three and Two to One and they don't get cut.
"So why are we? It felt like every time we moved we had to prove ourselves."
But the show's writer and creator Russell T Davies told the magazine: "Part of us thought, 'we could do another 13 episodes, we've learnt how to do that, and the second series was better than the first'.
"But why not change it?"
He said if the show was made in the US, "they'd try to keep it going for seven years, doing the same thing every week".
He added: "It's the British audience we make these for.
"And I don't think audiences are remotely lost by a change in format."
A BBC spokesman said: "We wanted to create a powerful sense of event when the show came to BBC One and so talked with the show makers about a story that could run over five consecutive days."
This was something "very special" that had only been done before with 2008's five-part thriller Criminal Justice and Iraq-based drama Occupation, shown earlier this month.
Torchwood: Children Of Earth follows the alien-chasing team as they battle for the future of the human race against the fiercest force they have encountered
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