Warning: contains spoilers for Doctor Who episode “73 Yards”.
Doctor-Lite stories have so far been very good, which raises the possibility that the thing that′s really holding back Doctor Who is Doctor Who.
As you may know, Ncuti Gatwa was finishing filming his last series of Sex Education for Netflix while “73 Yards” was being filmed, and so the episode was pushed onto the array of ′Doctor-Lite′ stories (put simply: ones in which the Doctor doesn′t appear very much). The idea of doubling up the filming of episodes and balancing the cast accordingly has been in place since the show returned in 2005, with it formally being named as a budget-saving strategy in 2007 with “Blink”. They may also be referred to as “double-banking” episodes where two episodes are filmed simultaneously and so the regular cast can’t substantially appear in both.
Doctor Who often gave its leads a holiday in the 1960s,...
Doctor-Lite stories have so far been very good, which raises the possibility that the thing that′s really holding back Doctor Who is Doctor Who.
As you may know, Ncuti Gatwa was finishing filming his last series of Sex Education for Netflix while “73 Yards” was being filmed, and so the episode was pushed onto the array of ′Doctor-Lite′ stories (put simply: ones in which the Doctor doesn′t appear very much). The idea of doubling up the filming of episodes and balancing the cast accordingly has been in place since the show returned in 2005, with it formally being named as a budget-saving strategy in 2007 with “Blink”. They may also be referred to as “double-banking” episodes where two episodes are filmed simultaneously and so the regular cast can’t substantially appear in both.
Doctor Who often gave its leads a holiday in the 1960s,...
- 5/29/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
The BBC will release partially lost Doctor Who story The Celestial Toymaker on DVD and Blu-ray, complete with animated episodes, in June.
The animation of 1966 William Hartnell Doctor Who story The Celestial Toymaker was confirmed in December last year, just before David Tennant’s 14th Doctor went up against Neil Patrick Harris’ version of the character.
The BBC has now released the artwork for the DVD and Blu Ray, which you can see here.
Thanks to Amazon, we also know that it will be released on the 10th of June.
The story, written by Brian Hayles with rewrites by script editor Donald Tosh, saw First Doctor William Hartnell and his companions Steven Taylor (Blue Peter icon Peter Purves) and Dodo Chaplet (Jackie Lane) battle the titular Toymaker, plsyed by Michael Gough, as he forces The Doctor to play the impossible Trilogic Game. Meanwhile, Steven and Dodo must work their way...
The animation of 1966 William Hartnell Doctor Who story The Celestial Toymaker was confirmed in December last year, just before David Tennant’s 14th Doctor went up against Neil Patrick Harris’ version of the character.
The BBC has now released the artwork for the DVD and Blu Ray, which you can see here.
Thanks to Amazon, we also know that it will be released on the 10th of June.
The story, written by Brian Hayles with rewrites by script editor Donald Tosh, saw First Doctor William Hartnell and his companions Steven Taylor (Blue Peter icon Peter Purves) and Dodo Chaplet (Jackie Lane) battle the titular Toymaker, plsyed by Michael Gough, as he forces The Doctor to play the impossible Trilogic Game. Meanwhile, Steven and Dodo must work their way...
- 4/12/2024
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
As you may have seen, Steven Moffat is writing for Doctor Who again (and I bet Tumblr are glad Cloud servers exist now). According to showrunner Russell T. Davies’ Instagram, he contacted both his successors/predecessors in the role and Chris Chibnall turned the offer down in favour of writing a novel, whereas Moffat agreed and, Davies teases, wrote a series 14 episode in which “a perfectly ordinary word [is] turned into something Terrifying and it’s all in outer space and there’s a woman and Oh My God”.
As we saw during lockdown, Davies and Moffat never really stopped having ideas for Doctor Who stories. While it may seem unprecedented to have a former showrunner return to write an episode, it was fairly common during Doctor Who’s original run. If we take the Script Editor role of the original run as comparable to that of the contemporary showrunner (it...
As we saw during lockdown, Davies and Moffat never really stopped having ideas for Doctor Who stories. While it may seem unprecedented to have a former showrunner return to write an episode, it was fairly common during Doctor Who’s original run. If we take the Script Editor role of the original run as comparable to that of the contemporary showrunner (it...
- 3/21/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
The BBC will release partially lost Doctor Who story The Celestial Toymaker on DVD and Blu-ray, complete with animated episodes.
This Saturday will see David Tennant’s 14th Doctor come face to face with The Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris, in final 60th anniversary special The Giggle.
The character hasn’t been seen onscreen since his debut appearence in 1966 story The Celestial Toymaker, where he was played by Michael Gough.
The story saw First Doctor William Hartnell and his companions Steven Taylor (Blue Peter icon Peter Purves) and Dodo Chaplet (Jackie Lane) battle the titular Toymaker, as he forces The Doctor to play the impossible Trilogic Game. Meanwhile, Steven and Dodo must work their way through a series of childish games which turn out to be deadly.
Currently, only the fourth episode The Final Test exists in the BBC archives. You can watch it on iPlayer.
BBC Studios have...
This Saturday will see David Tennant’s 14th Doctor come face to face with The Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris, in final 60th anniversary special The Giggle.
The character hasn’t been seen onscreen since his debut appearence in 1966 story The Celestial Toymaker, where he was played by Michael Gough.
The story saw First Doctor William Hartnell and his companions Steven Taylor (Blue Peter icon Peter Purves) and Dodo Chaplet (Jackie Lane) battle the titular Toymaker, as he forces The Doctor to play the impossible Trilogic Game. Meanwhile, Steven and Dodo must work their way through a series of childish games which turn out to be deadly.
Currently, only the fourth episode The Final Test exists in the BBC archives. You can watch it on iPlayer.
BBC Studios have...
- 12/7/2023
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
If Doctor Who fans ever felt hard done by during any of the show’s previous big anniversaries then the 60th is here to soothe spirits, hand out cherished gifts, and generally make a bloody big hair-ruffling fuss of the lot of us.
First came news of David Tennant and Catherine Tate’s return in three anniversary specials, then came the ‘roughly 8 million episodes of Doctor Who are coming to BBC iPlayer on November 1’ announcement, then they brought back Doctor Who Confidential under a different name, and now…
…three Classic era Doctors are returning alongside eight former Doctor Who Companions (plus The Sarah Jane Adventures’ Clyde Langer) for new series Tales of the Tardis.
New Scenes, Classic Who Cast
Not a behind-the-scenes documentary, and not standalone adventures, the six-part series will pair up the stars of classic Who acting in new scenes together, in character, wrapped around episodes from six existing serials.
First came news of David Tennant and Catherine Tate’s return in three anniversary specials, then came the ‘roughly 8 million episodes of Doctor Who are coming to BBC iPlayer on November 1’ announcement, then they brought back Doctor Who Confidential under a different name, and now…
…three Classic era Doctors are returning alongside eight former Doctor Who Companions (plus The Sarah Jane Adventures’ Clyde Langer) for new series Tales of the Tardis.
New Scenes, Classic Who Cast
Not a behind-the-scenes documentary, and not standalone adventures, the six-part series will pair up the stars of classic Who acting in new scenes together, in character, wrapped around episodes from six existing serials.
- 10/31/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
It’s a good time to be a Doctor Who fan. Over 800 episodes of the iconic sci-fi series will soon be available to watch on BBC iPlayer, and they’ll be joined by a brand-new Doctor Who spinoff series which will reunite classic Doctor Who duos, including classic Doctors and their companions.
Tales of the Tardis will span six-episodes, with each featuring a different duo, with brand new scenes woven together with classic episodes to create feature-length omnibus episodes. Reprising their roles for the Doctor Who spinoff series are; Maureen O’Brien as Vicki and Peter Purves as Steven, Frazer Hines as Jamie and Wendy Padbury as Zoe, Katy Manning as Jo and Daniel Anthony as Clyde, Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor and Janet Fielding as Tegan, Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor and Nicola Bryant as Peri, and Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor and Sophie Aldred as Ace.
Tales of the Tardis will span six-episodes, with each featuring a different duo, with brand new scenes woven together with classic episodes to create feature-length omnibus episodes. Reprising their roles for the Doctor Who spinoff series are; Maureen O’Brien as Vicki and Peter Purves as Steven, Frazer Hines as Jamie and Wendy Padbury as Zoe, Katy Manning as Jo and Daniel Anthony as Clyde, Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor and Janet Fielding as Tegan, Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor and Nicola Bryant as Peri, and Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor and Sophie Aldred as Ace.
- 10/30/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
The new trailer for the Doctor Who anniversary specials has dropped, and with it the reveal that Neil Patrick Harris is going to be playing the specials’ Big Bad – The Toymaker. Many fans had already guessed this was coming, because Doctor Who fans have a sixth sense for determining precisely which camp villain in an elaborate outfit has trapped the Doctor in an elaborate mind game of his own devising.
But for those of us who can’t take one look at Neil Patrick Harris in a top hat and tails and immediately determine that he isn’t the Mind Robber or the Dream Lord or the War Lord or the Meddling Monk or a gender-flipped incarnation of the Rani or whoever Jinkx Monsoon is playing next season, a bit of explanation might be in order.
A bit of explanation and a lot of saying ‘Obviously, Doctor Who is 60 years...
But for those of us who can’t take one look at Neil Patrick Harris in a top hat and tails and immediately determine that he isn’t the Mind Robber or the Dream Lord or the War Lord or the Meddling Monk or a gender-flipped incarnation of the Rani or whoever Jinkx Monsoon is playing next season, a bit of explanation might be in order.
A bit of explanation and a lot of saying ‘Obviously, Doctor Who is 60 years...
- 9/25/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
This week, the BBC announced the latest Blue Peter presenter – wheelchair racer Abby Cook – making her the 42nd presenter in the 65-year history of this wholesome children’s entertainment show.
Blue Peter is famous for being the longest-running children’s TV programme in the world, as well as for its iconic badge, and its notoriously disastrous time capsules.
But in amongst the strange craft projects, ‘fun’ facts and sometimes controversial competitions, Blue Peter had some real geek gems:
Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill Met a Tortoise and Ate Star Wars Stew (1980)
Through a 2023 lens, this seems like a fever dream, but against the odds it all actually happened. To celebrate the release of The Empire Strikes Back, the Blue Peter team treated us to an appearance from R2D2, a strangely silent C3P0, ‘hairy old Chewbacca’ and Darth Vader.
Then the real fun happens: Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill...
Blue Peter is famous for being the longest-running children’s TV programme in the world, as well as for its iconic badge, and its notoriously disastrous time capsules.
But in amongst the strange craft projects, ‘fun’ facts and sometimes controversial competitions, Blue Peter had some real geek gems:
Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill Met a Tortoise and Ate Star Wars Stew (1980)
Through a 2023 lens, this seems like a fever dream, but against the odds it all actually happened. To celebrate the release of The Empire Strikes Back, the Blue Peter team treated us to an appearance from R2D2, a strangely silent C3P0, ‘hairy old Chewbacca’ and Darth Vader.
Then the real fun happens: Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill...
- 3/8/2023
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
Vicki, who never even got a surname on screen despite appearing in 38 episodes of Doctor Who, is an underrated companion. Indeed, Maureen O’Brien’s character is significant as the template for the young female lead in the show going forward. She has a strong bond with William Hartnell’s Doctor, who provides a father-figure for her, and is smart, confident and funny in her own right.
Appearing in only nine stories, Vicki’s final story has no surviving footage (though the audio exists) and two more of her stories are only partially complete. Only one of her stories was in the top half of the Doctor Who Magazine 50th anniversary poll, and a few of them are in the lower reaches of the rankings. Her only Dalek story is ‘The Chase’, which is one of the less well thought of. So perhaps there are reasons she’s not often cited...
Appearing in only nine stories, Vicki’s final story has no surviving footage (though the audio exists) and two more of her stories are only partially complete. Only one of her stories was in the top half of the Doctor Who Magazine 50th anniversary poll, and a few of them are in the lower reaches of the rankings. Her only Dalek story is ‘The Chase’, which is one of the less well thought of. So perhaps there are reasons she’s not often cited...
- 1/13/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Hanks plays the cherished Us children’s TV star Fred Rogers in this surprisingly moving drama about his transformative encounter with a hardbitten reporter
Has anyone in Britain ever heard of Fred Rogers? He was an American children’s TV presenter whose folksy show for toddlers, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, ran from 1968 to 2001 and made him a national treasure in the Us, much admired for the way he encouraged children (and adults) to talk and think about their feelings. But unlike Sesame Street, it was not shown in the UK and so Rogers, played here with extraordinary Zen self-possession and force by Tom Hanks, may be unfamiliar. The equivalent would be showing Americans a biopic of Blue Peter’s John Noakes. (To cast this imaginary Bafta-winner, I suggest Jamie Bell as Noakes, Erin Doherty as Valerie Singleton, Daniel Radcliffe as Peter Purves and Meryl Streep as Biddy Baxter.
Has anyone in Britain ever heard of Fred Rogers? He was an American children’s TV presenter whose folksy show for toddlers, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, ran from 1968 to 2001 and made him a national treasure in the Us, much admired for the way he encouraged children (and adults) to talk and think about their feelings. But unlike Sesame Street, it was not shown in the UK and so Rogers, played here with extraordinary Zen self-possession and force by Tom Hanks, may be unfamiliar. The equivalent would be showing Americans a biopic of Blue Peter’s John Noakes. (To cast this imaginary Bafta-winner, I suggest Jamie Bell as Noakes, Erin Doherty as Valerie Singleton, Daniel Radcliffe as Peter Purves and Meryl Streep as Biddy Baxter.
- 1/30/2020
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
While fans are waiting patiently for the new season of Doctor Who, the BBC is providing us with some new old Doctor Who. A painstaking live-action recreation of a lost episode of the classic series will be released for the first time on the show’s official YouTube channel next week.
1965’s “Mission of the Unknown” is a unique entry in Who canon. As a prelude to the 12-part epic “The Daleks’ Master Plan,” it doesn’t feature the Doctor or his companions. Instead, it follows Space Security Agent Marc Cory as he attempts to warn Earth of the Daleks’ secret plans for universal conquest. Though an audio recording survives, no footage has been available for decades.
Earlier this year, however, a hard-working team of students, graduates and staff at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK restaged the entire episode, with the involvement of original stars Edward de Souza...
1965’s “Mission of the Unknown” is a unique entry in Who canon. As a prelude to the 12-part epic “The Daleks’ Master Plan,” it doesn’t feature the Doctor or his companions. Instead, it follows Space Security Agent Marc Cory as he attempts to warn Earth of the Daleks’ secret plans for universal conquest. Though an audio recording survives, no footage has been available for decades.
Earlier this year, however, a hard-working team of students, graduates and staff at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK restaged the entire episode, with the involvement of original stars Edward de Souza...
- 10/2/2019
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
Here’s the latest episode of the 365Flick podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. If you haven’t heard the show yet, you can check out previous episodes on Podomatic and Libsyn, whilst we’ll be featuring each and every new episode as it premieres.
365Flicks Podcast – Episode 72: Sci Fi Weekender 8 Pt.2
So we said we had more for all you lovely listeners and here it is. We got a bumper interview episode for everyone so strap in. We kick off with a chat with the Pop Up Puppet Cinema guys who let us know a bit more about what it is they do and how they create there magic. We effortlessly move onto 2 cracking interviews with Fraser Hines of Dr Who fame and Sam Stone author extradoniare and all round awesome lady. We finish up our interviews with two more Dr Who guests in...
365Flicks Podcast – Episode 72: Sci Fi Weekender 8 Pt.2
So we said we had more for all you lovely listeners and here it is. We got a bumper interview episode for everyone so strap in. We kick off with a chat with the Pop Up Puppet Cinema guys who let us know a bit more about what it is they do and how they create there magic. We effortlessly move onto 2 cracking interviews with Fraser Hines of Dr Who fame and Sam Stone author extradoniare and all round awesome lady. We finish up our interviews with two more Dr Who guests in...
- 4/25/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Den Of Geek Apr 6, 2017
We've been asked to give a quick plug for this weekend's Doctor Who convention in Bedford. Happy to do so...
A quick word from the organisers of a Doctor Who convention in Bedford this coming weekend...
Bedford’s third Doctor Who charity convention is coming up on Saturday 8th April. Bedford Who Charity Cons are fairly new on the convention scene, but it’s worth saying that they’ve established a fine reputation as fun, relaxed, friendly and informal events, with audiences and guests equally strong in their praise.
This year, Maureen O’Brien will be coming; Maureen’s very seldom able to make Doctor Who conventions and this is a rare opportunity to meet her. Organiser Simon Danes wants to stress, though, that there’s no sense in which any guest is more important than any other; they’re all equally welcome! Joining Maureen will be her contemporary,...
We've been asked to give a quick plug for this weekend's Doctor Who convention in Bedford. Happy to do so...
A quick word from the organisers of a Doctor Who convention in Bedford this coming weekend...
Bedford’s third Doctor Who charity convention is coming up on Saturday 8th April. Bedford Who Charity Cons are fairly new on the convention scene, but it’s worth saying that they’ve established a fine reputation as fun, relaxed, friendly and informal events, with audiences and guests equally strong in their praise.
This year, Maureen O’Brien will be coming; Maureen’s very seldom able to make Doctor Who conventions and this is a rare opportunity to meet her. Organiser Simon Danes wants to stress, though, that there’s no sense in which any guest is more important than any other; they’re all equally welcome! Joining Maureen will be her contemporary,...
- 4/5/2017
- Den of Geek
Mark Harrison Oct 14, 2016
With the question of who's playing James Bond in James Bond 25 unresolved, we look back at the casting conundrums 007 has faced before.
Since 1962, fewer men have played James Bond than have walked on the moon. Despite the relatively long turnaround of the role, the subject of who might follow in the footsteps of Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig in the future has fuelled many column inches and tabloid splashes.
It feels as if speculation about the seventh 007 in Eon Productions' long-lived spy franchise has been at fever pitch since this time last year, when Craig was doing the promotional rounds for Spectre and commented that he would rather “slash [his] wrists” than play Bond again. It's only after a year of constant reports on the subject that his far more optimistic comments at last weekend's New Yorker Festival...
With the question of who's playing James Bond in James Bond 25 unresolved, we look back at the casting conundrums 007 has faced before.
Since 1962, fewer men have played James Bond than have walked on the moon. Despite the relatively long turnaround of the role, the subject of who might follow in the footsteps of Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig in the future has fuelled many column inches and tabloid splashes.
It feels as if speculation about the seventh 007 in Eon Productions' long-lived spy franchise has been at fever pitch since this time last year, when Craig was doing the promotional rounds for Spectre and commented that he would rather “slash [his] wrists” than play Bond again. It's only after a year of constant reports on the subject that his far more optimistic comments at last weekend's New Yorker Festival...
- 10/12/2016
- Den of Geek
Josh Maxton is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
Time Eddy, the convention run by fans for the fans, is returning in 2016 after a successful event at the Best Western North Wichita this October. Over 1,100 fans packed in to meet a host of stars from the shows’ past and present including Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Peter Purves, and Ellis George. The venue will remain...
The post Time Eddy Convention Returns in 2016 appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
Time Eddy, the convention run by fans for the fans, is returning in 2016 after a successful event at the Best Western North Wichita this October. Over 1,100 fans packed in to meet a host of stars from the shows’ past and present including Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Peter Purves, and Ellis George. The venue will remain...
The post Time Eddy Convention Returns in 2016 appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
- 12/20/2015
- by Josh Maxton
- Kasterborous.com
America’s newest Doctor Who convention will return in 2016 by popular demand. Over 1,100 fans packed into the Best Western North Wichita this October to meet a host of stars from the shows’ past and present including Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Peter Purves, and Ellis George. The venue will remain the same for next year’s convention but the vendor’s area will be expanded, the events line-up enhanced, and beer and wine will be available for the over 21 crowd.
Other exciting additions include a Doctor Who musical extravaganza, a sci-fi mystery dinner, and more participatory events involving guests and attendees. You can save $25 on three day passes and vendor tables by entering the discount code K9 on the registration page. This huge discount is only available until Thanksgiving 2015. We are assembling an amazing array of guests and events so don’t delay, buy your Time Eddy II tickets today.
Between...
Other exciting additions include a Doctor Who musical extravaganza, a sci-fi mystery dinner, and more participatory events involving guests and attendees. You can save $25 on three day passes and vendor tables by entering the discount code K9 on the registration page. This huge discount is only available until Thanksgiving 2015. We are assembling an amazing array of guests and events so don’t delay, buy your Time Eddy II tickets today.
Between...
- 11/11/2015
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
Taking place in Wichita, Kansas from 2nd – 4th October 2015, the Time Eddy event has a great collection of stars attached to it! Sixth Doctor and Peri pairing Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant are the headliners, with classic series companions Peter Purves, Katy Manning and Deborah Watling joining them. From modern Doctor Who, Ellis George (The Caretaker, Kill...
The post More Guests Announced for Time Eddy Doctor Who Convention! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
Taking place in Wichita, Kansas from 2nd – 4th October 2015, the Time Eddy event has a great collection of stars attached to it! Sixth Doctor and Peri pairing Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant are the headliners, with classic series companions Peter Purves, Katy Manning and Deborah Watling joining them. From modern Doctor Who, Ellis George (The Caretaker, Kill...
The post More Guests Announced for Time Eddy Doctor Who Convention! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
- 8/24/2015
- by Christian Cawley
- Kasterborous.com
Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
50 years ago this weekend, Doctor Who changed forever when the very characters who we followed into the Tardis, Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright, finally made their way home, back to London in 1965. Leaving the Doctor with Vicki (Maureen O’Brien) and a stowaway Steven Taylor (Peter Purves), the final episode of The Chase sent...
The post Doctor Who Changes Forever: Ian and Barbara Leave in The Chase appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
50 years ago this weekend, Doctor Who changed forever when the very characters who we followed into the Tardis, Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright, finally made their way home, back to London in 1965. Leaving the Doctor with Vicki (Maureen O’Brien) and a stowaway Steven Taylor (Peter Purves), the final episode of The Chase sent...
The post Doctor Who Changes Forever: Ian and Barbara Leave in The Chase appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
- 6/27/2015
- by Christian Cawley
- Kasterborous.com
From the Queen Vic to the Tardis. As Eastenders prepares to mark its 30th anniversary, we look back at its encounters with Doctor Who...
Back in the mid-eighties an actor who played "Third Assistant" in a Doctor Who story called The Savages (1966) and the director of another Doctor Who adventure, The Underwater Menace (1967), came together to create one of the BBC’s most successful television shows.
And when they got together, it was murder. Well, not quite. (Though the first episode did feature a victim who would later die, fact fans.) But what they did create was Eastenders.
Broadcast on February the 19th 1985 (in between episodes one and two of The Two Doctors), this creation of Who alumni would go on to share numerous links with the long-running science-fiction for years to come. Even its time-slot owes much to the adventures of everyone’s favourite Gallifreyan.
In an interview in...
Back in the mid-eighties an actor who played "Third Assistant" in a Doctor Who story called The Savages (1966) and the director of another Doctor Who adventure, The Underwater Menace (1967), came together to create one of the BBC’s most successful television shows.
And when they got together, it was murder. Well, not quite. (Though the first episode did feature a victim who would later die, fact fans.) But what they did create was Eastenders.
Broadcast on February the 19th 1985 (in between episodes one and two of The Two Doctors), this creation of Who alumni would go on to share numerous links with the long-running science-fiction for years to come. Even its time-slot owes much to the adventures of everyone’s favourite Gallifreyan.
In an interview in...
- 2/12/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
The new Doctor Who Magazine is out on Thursday, and along with all of the stuff you’re about to read concerning Paul Wilmshurst, Steven Moffat’s monthly Q&A with the readers, a chat with Waris Hussein about Marco Polo, Toby Hadoke’s tribute to Bernard Kay and the second part of the Peter Purves interview, look out...
The post Exclusive Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart Short Story in Dwm 483! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
The new Doctor Who Magazine is out on Thursday, and along with all of the stuff you’re about to read concerning Paul Wilmshurst, Steven Moffat’s monthly Q&A with the readers, a chat with Waris Hussein about Marco Polo, Toby Hadoke’s tribute to Bernard Kay and the second part of the Peter Purves interview, look out...
The post Exclusive Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart Short Story in Dwm 483! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
- 2/3/2015
- by Christian Cawley
- Kasterborous.com
Fans of the popular television show Doctor Who — as seen on PBS, BBCAmerica and Sci-fi Network — will descend on Wichita, Ks for a celebrity convention on 2 – 4 October 2014. Stars from the series will be signing autographs and participating in Q & A sessions. Guests include Peter Purves, Deborah Watling, Andrew Cartmel and Daphne Ashbrook. Advance tickets with huge discounts are already on sale at www.kansasdoctorwho.com.
Fans will also participate in costume contests, games and memorabilia sales. Additionally, Wichita native Mc Peter Pixie will serve as host while a special guest from the University of Wichita will deliver a lecture on the realities of time travel. Tickets are on sale. The event website is www.KansasDoctorWho.com. It is being organized by the non profit Kansas Doctor Who Corporation and is the first major Doctor Who fan event to attract foreign-based guest stars since 1988. The event is expected to attract over...
Fans will also participate in costume contests, games and memorabilia sales. Additionally, Wichita native Mc Peter Pixie will serve as host while a special guest from the University of Wichita will deliver a lecture on the realities of time travel. Tickets are on sale. The event website is www.KansasDoctorWho.com. It is being organized by the non profit Kansas Doctor Who Corporation and is the first major Doctor Who fan event to attract foreign-based guest stars since 1988. The event is expected to attract over...
- 11/16/2014
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Nick Kitchen is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
Big Finish has announced this week that former Doctor Who star Peter Purves, who played First Doctor companion Steven Taylor, is back in the studio recording two brand new installments of the Doctor Who: Short Trips range! The stories, Flywheel Revolution and Etheria, are set during the First Doctor era and are read by Purves. For those
The post Peter Purves Set For Big Finish’s Short Trips! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
Big Finish has announced this week that former Doctor Who star Peter Purves, who played First Doctor companion Steven Taylor, is back in the studio recording two brand new installments of the Doctor Who: Short Trips range! The stories, Flywheel Revolution and Etheria, are set during the First Doctor era and are read by Purves. For those
The post Peter Purves Set For Big Finish’s Short Trips! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
- 9/25/2014
- by Nick Kitchen
- Kasterborous.com
Whether you’re into Doctor Who and Star Wars or The Wire and Sherlock, there’s a great line-up of special guests coming to the NEC on 22-23 March for McM Birmingham Comic Con and Memorabilia. Here are just a few of them!
British actor, writer and director Phil Davis has appeared in a host of top TV shows including Whitechapel; Sherlock, Being Human, Merlin and Doctor Who, while his movie credits include Alien 3, Quadrophenia, Notes On A Scandal, Secrets & Lies and Vera Drake, for which he was BAFTA-nominated. Paul McGann – Famous for playing the Eighth Doctor in the 1996 Doctor Who television film – a role he reprised in 72 audio dramas and the 2013 mini-episode ‘The Night of the Doctor’ – and for starring alongside Richard E. Grant in much-loved 1987 black comedy Withnail And I. Clarke Peters – Best known as detective Lester Freamon in acclaimed crime drama The Wire, as well as...
British actor, writer and director Phil Davis has appeared in a host of top TV shows including Whitechapel; Sherlock, Being Human, Merlin and Doctor Who, while his movie credits include Alien 3, Quadrophenia, Notes On A Scandal, Secrets & Lies and Vera Drake, for which he was BAFTA-nominated. Paul McGann – Famous for playing the Eighth Doctor in the 1996 Doctor Who television film – a role he reprised in 72 audio dramas and the 2013 mini-episode ‘The Night of the Doctor’ – and for starring alongside Richard E. Grant in much-loved 1987 black comedy Withnail And I. Clarke Peters – Best known as detective Lester Freamon in acclaimed crime drama The Wire, as well as...
- 3/11/2014
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Feature Cliff Chapman 11 Feb 2014 - 07:00
Cliff takes us through ten Doctor Who stories still lost, from Marco Polo to Fury From The Deep...
Doctor Who was for the first twenty six years a series of serials, so episodes make up stories or serials, e.g. Power of the Daleks is a story or serial made up of six episodes, rather than ‘an episode’. Around 250 weekly instalments of Doctor Who were shown between 1963 and 1969. As of January 2014, 97 of these are not held by the BBC, or known to survive, and cannot be viewed - although they can be experienced in a number of ways. Although recent returns have massively helped in evening up the scores, you’ll note that there’s a slight bias towards Hartnell against Troughton for completely missing stories. Troughton still fares worse, however as he has fewer fully existing stories, seven complete stories versus Hartnell’s fifteen.
Cliff takes us through ten Doctor Who stories still lost, from Marco Polo to Fury From The Deep...
Doctor Who was for the first twenty six years a series of serials, so episodes make up stories or serials, e.g. Power of the Daleks is a story or serial made up of six episodes, rather than ‘an episode’. Around 250 weekly instalments of Doctor Who were shown between 1963 and 1969. As of January 2014, 97 of these are not held by the BBC, or known to survive, and cannot be viewed - although they can be experienced in a number of ways. Although recent returns have massively helped in evening up the scores, you’ll note that there’s a slight bias towards Hartnell against Troughton for completely missing stories. Troughton still fares worse, however as he has fewer fully existing stories, seven complete stories versus Hartnell’s fifteen.
- 2/10/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
When watching An Adventure In Space And Time, I noticed one feeling dominated all others. It wasn’t excitement at seeing early Doctor Who recreated in high definition colour. It wasn’t admiration in the playing of the lead actors (all wonderful), nor even some fannish desire for accuracy (I let several anachronisms of speech and behaviour slip by, suspending my disbelief in the spirit of the piece).
The overwhelming feeling I had was one of protectiveness. I felt protective towards Verity Lambert, Waris Hussein, even Sydney Newman, the old so-and-so. But I felt especially protective towards William Hartnell. As an actor his reputation is pretty much intact, despite a few swipes at his memory from those too ignorant to know better. But as a man I felt that he had been much maligned, and An Adventure In Space And Time could either support the myths, or set the record straight.
The overwhelming feeling I had was one of protectiveness. I felt protective towards Verity Lambert, Waris Hussein, even Sydney Newman, the old so-and-so. But I felt especially protective towards William Hartnell. As an actor his reputation is pretty much intact, despite a few swipes at his memory from those too ignorant to know better. But as a man I felt that he had been much maligned, and An Adventure In Space And Time could either support the myths, or set the record straight.
- 11/24/2013
- by David Martin Farmbrough
- Obsessed with Film
BBC Two is to air a mini-documentary tonight (November 21) about the life of Doctor Who star William Hartnell.
Five-minute film William Hartnell: The Original will explore what happened to the actor after he left his role as the first Doctor in 1966.
The documentary - not previously included in tonight's TV listings - will air at approximately 10.25pm, immediately following the Mark Gatiss-penned drama An Adventure in Space and Time.
Charting Doctor Who's origins and early days, An Adventure in Space and Time stars Game of Thrones actor David Bradley as Hartnell.
William Hartnell: The Original will feature rare archive footage and brand new interviews with Hartnell's Doctor Who co-stars, including Carole Ann Ford (Susan) and Peter Purves (Steven).
Matt Smith, Peter Davison, Hartnell's granddaughter Jessica Carney and Doctor Who's original director Waris Hussein will also feature.
> Mark Gatiss on An Adventure in Space and Time...
Five-minute film William Hartnell: The Original will explore what happened to the actor after he left his role as the first Doctor in 1966.
The documentary - not previously included in tonight's TV listings - will air at approximately 10.25pm, immediately following the Mark Gatiss-penned drama An Adventure in Space and Time.
Charting Doctor Who's origins and early days, An Adventure in Space and Time stars Game of Thrones actor David Bradley as Hartnell.
William Hartnell: The Original will feature rare archive footage and brand new interviews with Hartnell's Doctor Who co-stars, including Carole Ann Ford (Susan) and Peter Purves (Steven).
Matt Smith, Peter Davison, Hartnell's granddaughter Jessica Carney and Doctor Who's original director Waris Hussein will also feature.
> Mark Gatiss on An Adventure in Space and Time...
- 11/21/2013
- Digital Spy
Steven Taylor
Portrayed by: Peter Purves
Doctor(s): First Doctor
Tenure: 10 stories (45 episodes), The Chase (June, 1965) to The Savages (June, 1966)
Background: Steven is a human from the 23rd century who has been stranded on the planet Mechanus for two years when the Doctor, Ian, Barbara, and Vicki stumble across him while fleeing the Daleks and the Mechanoids. Rather than being invited aboard the Tardis, Steven stows away, but he quickly becomes part of the Tardis team, picking up the slack for the just-departed Ian in the Male Action Hero role.
Family/Friends: We know almost nothing about Steven’s family and friends before his time in the Tardis.
Personality: We do know, however, that Steven is a brave, action-oriented man quick to make friends with his compatriots in battle. A pilot and veteran of a lengthy war, Steven is decisive and quick to act and has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor.
Portrayed by: Peter Purves
Doctor(s): First Doctor
Tenure: 10 stories (45 episodes), The Chase (June, 1965) to The Savages (June, 1966)
Background: Steven is a human from the 23rd century who has been stranded on the planet Mechanus for two years when the Doctor, Ian, Barbara, and Vicki stumble across him while fleeing the Daleks and the Mechanoids. Rather than being invited aboard the Tardis, Steven stows away, but he quickly becomes part of the Tardis team, picking up the slack for the just-departed Ian in the Male Action Hero role.
Family/Friends: We know almost nothing about Steven’s family and friends before his time in the Tardis.
Personality: We do know, however, that Steven is a brave, action-oriented man quick to make friends with his compatriots in battle. A pilot and veteran of a lengthy war, Steven is decisive and quick to act and has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor.
- 11/16/2013
- by Kate Kulzick
- SoundOnSight
Do you fear getting into a situation where your TV-loving partner/friend/relative asks, 'When's show X coming back?' and you're forced to admit you don't know, and as a result they disown you, leaving you a hollow shell of a person?
Well don't you worry, precious flower, because we at Tube Talk are here to bestow you with knowledge and help you avoid tragic telly faux-pas. This week we've got scoop on True Detective, Revenge and more...
I don't think I have ever been more excited for a TV show than True Detective - please tell me it has been picked up by a UK network?
It has! As part of its five-year deal securing all new HBO programming, Sky Atlantic will air True Detective in February 2014... mere weeks after its Us premiere on January 12.
We're chuffed, because Tony Barret is right to be excited - the eight-part series,...
Well don't you worry, precious flower, because we at Tube Talk are here to bestow you with knowledge and help you avoid tragic telly faux-pas. This week we've got scoop on True Detective, Revenge and more...
I don't think I have ever been more excited for a TV show than True Detective - please tell me it has been picked up by a UK network?
It has! As part of its five-year deal securing all new HBO programming, Sky Atlantic will air True Detective in February 2014... mere weeks after its Us premiere on January 12.
We're chuffed, because Tony Barret is right to be excited - the eight-part series,...
- 11/14/2013
- Digital Spy
New details of BBC Worldwide's Doctor Who 50th Celebration have been announced.
Peter Davison is the latest star to be added to the guest-list for the three-day event, which takes place at ExCeL London from Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24.
The fifth Doctor actor joins Matt Smith and former Doctors Tom Baker, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy in attending the celebration.
It has also been confirmed that 50th anniversary special 'The Day of the Doctor' will be screened, in 2D and free of charge, on the evening of Saturday, November 23.
The screening will have limited availability and tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis, with Saturday attendees due to be e-mailed shortly with details about how they can reserve a seat.
The full guest list for all three days is as follow:
Friday, November, 22:
Waris Hussein, Anneke Wills, Kate O'Mara, Richard Franklin, Matthew Waterhouse,...
Peter Davison is the latest star to be added to the guest-list for the three-day event, which takes place at ExCeL London from Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24.
The fifth Doctor actor joins Matt Smith and former Doctors Tom Baker, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy in attending the celebration.
It has also been confirmed that 50th anniversary special 'The Day of the Doctor' will be screened, in 2D and free of charge, on the evening of Saturday, November 23.
The screening will have limited availability and tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis, with Saturday attendees due to be e-mailed shortly with details about how they can reserve a seat.
The full guest list for all three days is as follow:
Friday, November, 22:
Waris Hussein, Anneke Wills, Kate O'Mara, Richard Franklin, Matthew Waterhouse,...
- 11/1/2013
- Digital Spy
Some of the latest releases from the BBC in their classic Doctor Who episodes are well timed, as they feature characters which made a reappearance this season. The Ice Warriors is a Troughton episode which feature the classic monster that made its return in Mark Gatiss‘ Cold War.
The Ice Warriors is one of the early adventures with missing episodes, specifically episodes two and three. In addition to the usual stellar job of restoring the existing episodes, the missing parts are here recreated with animated footage, tied to existing soundtracks. The restoration team provides alternative style commentary tracks for the animated episodes, presenting archival interviews with Bernard Bresslaw and writer Brian Hayles, and readings of transcribed interviews with other cast and crewmembers.
Extras include new two new mini-documentaries on both the making of the original adventure, and the new animated adventures. Commentary tracks are featured on the full episodes with with the cast and crew.
The Ice Warriors is one of the early adventures with missing episodes, specifically episodes two and three. In addition to the usual stellar job of restoring the existing episodes, the missing parts are here recreated with animated footage, tied to existing soundtracks. The restoration team provides alternative style commentary tracks for the animated episodes, presenting archival interviews with Bernard Bresslaw and writer Brian Hayles, and readings of transcribed interviews with other cast and crewmembers.
Extras include new two new mini-documentaries on both the making of the original adventure, and the new animated adventures. Commentary tracks are featured on the full episodes with with the cast and crew.
- 10/18/2013
- by Vinnie Bartilucci
- Comicmix.com
Review Andrew Blair 14 Oct 2013 - 10:26
Andrew checks William Hartnell's final story, newly released and restored, The Tenth Planet...
This review contains spoilers.
The Tenth Planet, Mondas, is a vampire. So are its inhabitants. This vaguely supernatural aspect of the Cybermen is promptly never mentioned again. Author Dr. Kit Pedler – co-creator of Doomwatch – had begun Doctor Who's glorious tradition of turning scientific theories into fantasy yarns, the pseudo-science in the background just as motivated by narrative necessity as before.
Compared with the titular entity, there's a lot that's grounded about the final First Doctor story. Set on an Antarctic Base in the distant future of 1986, the space programme is in full swing, and it's a multi-national organisation (courtesy of the script and good casting decisions by director Derek Martinus). Sexually frustrated men of all creeds and colours gather to supervise routine probe flights. It's like a British version...
Andrew checks William Hartnell's final story, newly released and restored, The Tenth Planet...
This review contains spoilers.
The Tenth Planet, Mondas, is a vampire. So are its inhabitants. This vaguely supernatural aspect of the Cybermen is promptly never mentioned again. Author Dr. Kit Pedler – co-creator of Doomwatch – had begun Doctor Who's glorious tradition of turning scientific theories into fantasy yarns, the pseudo-science in the background just as motivated by narrative necessity as before.
Compared with the titular entity, there's a lot that's grounded about the final First Doctor story. Set on an Antarctic Base in the distant future of 1986, the space programme is in full swing, and it's a multi-national organisation (courtesy of the script and good casting decisions by director Derek Martinus). Sexually frustrated men of all creeds and colours gather to supervise routine probe flights. It's like a British version...
- 10/14/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Well, here we are. A few days into October and we’re finally getting my review of the September releases for Big Finish. Sorry about the delay! I’ll try to be more timely next month. Anyhow, on with the show!
The Companion Chronicles 8.03 – “Upstairs”
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
When the Tardis lands in a dilapidated attic, the Doctor, Vicki and Steven discover they are on Earth, in London… in Number 10 Downing Street.
However alien forces are at play here, affecting the very fabric of the building… and adjusting the very essence of history itself.
This is an odd little tale. It’s hard not to get a little creeped out when your primary antagonist is a fungus, and the setting, the attics in Number 10, is quite an interesting one. The way it’s used as a setting is quite fascinating, too. I honestly can’t say that...
The Companion Chronicles 8.03 – “Upstairs”
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
When the Tardis lands in a dilapidated attic, the Doctor, Vicki and Steven discover they are on Earth, in London… in Number 10 Downing Street.
However alien forces are at play here, affecting the very fabric of the building… and adjusting the very essence of history itself.
This is an odd little tale. It’s hard not to get a little creeped out when your primary antagonist is a fungus, and the setting, the attics in Number 10, is quite an interesting one. The way it’s used as a setting is quite fascinating, too. I honestly can’t say that...
- 10/12/2013
- by Chris Swanson
- Obsessed with Film
Doctor Who fans got a special 50th birthday treat last night, when it was revealed that nine episodes of the BBC sci-fi drama originating from the late '60s, and once thought lost forever, have been returned to the BBC archives.
1967/68's 'The Enemy of the World' - which sees Patrick Troughton play both the second Doctor and his villainous double, the ruthless dictator Salamander - is now available to watch in full, while 1968's classic 'Yeti-on-the-underground' adventure 'The Web of Fear' is also all but complete, with only the third episode still missing - and you can download both stories right now via iTunes.
And while we're thrilling that these two Troughton tales are now available to watch for the first time since original transmission, we now can't stop our Whovian brain from wondering... what else might still be out there?
> Doctor Who missing episodes: Which classics do you want to see?...
1967/68's 'The Enemy of the World' - which sees Patrick Troughton play both the second Doctor and his villainous double, the ruthless dictator Salamander - is now available to watch in full, while 1968's classic 'Yeti-on-the-underground' adventure 'The Web of Fear' is also all but complete, with only the third episode still missing - and you can download both stories right now via iTunes.
And while we're thrilling that these two Troughton tales are now available to watch for the first time since original transmission, we now can't stop our Whovian brain from wondering... what else might still be out there?
> Doctor Who missing episodes: Which classics do you want to see?...
- 10/11/2013
- Digital Spy
Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
Colin Baker and Peter Purves are to appear in Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. The actors, who played the Sixth Doctor and companion, Steven Taylor, respectively, were paired with antiques ‘experts,’...
The post Are Baker and Purves Antiques Experts? appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
Colin Baker and Peter Purves are to appear in Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. The actors, who played the Sixth Doctor and companion, Steven Taylor, respectively, were paired with antiques ‘experts,’...
The post Are Baker and Purves Antiques Experts? appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
- 7/5/2013
- by Philip Bates
- Kasterborous.com
Waris Hussien, who directed 10 Doctor Who episodes back in the William Hartnell days tells Telegraph the series has lost its focus in the new age. When compared to the classical series he says that The Doctor has become "too sexy" and the storyline is "too complicated." His comments were in reference to the ongoing sexual tensions between The Doctor and his companions in general, but more specifically a recent episode. Be warned the following statement could be somewhat seen as spoilerish, but not so much in terms of plot or if you haven't been watching the current season. "The intriguing thing about the original person was that you never quite knew about him and there was a mystery and an unavailability about him. Now we've just had a recent rebirth and another girl has joined us, a companion, she actually snogged him." Hussien went on further to say that the Doctor should be that platonic,...
- 4/8/2013
- by Mick Joest
- GeekTyrant
Original Doctor Who director Waris Hussein has criticised the new series for being 'too sexy'.
Hussein directed the original episodes of the long-running BBC series starring original actor William Hartnell. He spoke about the Steven Moffat-led series in an interview on BBC Radio 4 (via Entertainmentwise).
The 'Unearthly Child' director pointed out that there had been a "sea change" in recent years, focusing his attention on the current pairing of Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman.
"There is an element now, and I know we're living in a different era, of sexuality that has crept in," he said.
"The intriguing thing about the original person was that you never quite knew about him and there was a mystery and an unavailability about him."
The 74-year-old pointed out that Smith and Coleman shared an on-screen kiss in last year's Christmas special 'The Snowmen'.
"Now we've just had a recent rebirth and another girl has joined us,...
Hussein directed the original episodes of the long-running BBC series starring original actor William Hartnell. He spoke about the Steven Moffat-led series in an interview on BBC Radio 4 (via Entertainmentwise).
The 'Unearthly Child' director pointed out that there had been a "sea change" in recent years, focusing his attention on the current pairing of Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman.
"There is an element now, and I know we're living in a different era, of sexuality that has crept in," he said.
"The intriguing thing about the original person was that you never quite knew about him and there was a mystery and an unavailability about him."
The 74-year-old pointed out that Smith and Coleman shared an on-screen kiss in last year's Christmas special 'The Snowmen'.
"Now we've just had a recent rebirth and another girl has joined us,...
- 4/6/2013
- Digital Spy
In the mid-1960s, Peter Purves was cast to play space pilot Steven Taylor (no relation to Steven Tyler, who these days looks and dresses like Eddie Monsoon), on the TV series Doctor Who. Steven was a fairly heroic character who was quite popular. Sadly, these days most of his stories are missing, with only four of his adventures intact.
Nevertheless, the character remains popular with fans of the series, and Purves, who later went on to host Blue Peter, has returned to the role in recent years through the Big Finish Companion Chronicles series, and even appeared alongside the Fifth Doctor in “The Five Companions”. I caught up with Purves at the recent Gallifrey One convention where he was kind enough to put up with an interview.
Me: We all know you from the original Doctor Who, Blue Peter and, of course, your appearance in The Office. Lately you...
Nevertheless, the character remains popular with fans of the series, and Purves, who later went on to host Blue Peter, has returned to the role in recent years through the Big Finish Companion Chronicles series, and even appeared alongside the Fifth Doctor in “The Five Companions”. I caught up with Purves at the recent Gallifrey One convention where he was kind enough to put up with an interview.
Me: We all know you from the original Doctor Who, Blue Peter and, of course, your appearance in The Office. Lately you...
- 2/28/2013
- by Chris Swanson
- Obsessed with Film
By Gary Young
With the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who rapidly approaching BBC DVD are offering the chance to go right back to the beginning with the release of Doctor Who: The Aztecs.
This double disc set gives us one of the earliest Doctor Who adventures - the sixth - newly remastered and cleaned up, along with the highly anticipated release of an episode of Galaxy Four, a story long feared lost from the BBC archives.
The Aztecs from early 1964 is a universe away from modern Doctor Who stories, with creaky sets, low production values and a stately pace - but it has an undeniable charm and quite a touching and rather dark story.
Created in the era when part of Doctor Who's remit was to educate as well as entertain its young audience, there's no aliens and no gadgets, just good old-fashioned baddies and a story full of twists and turns.
With the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who rapidly approaching BBC DVD are offering the chance to go right back to the beginning with the release of Doctor Who: The Aztecs.
This double disc set gives us one of the earliest Doctor Who adventures - the sixth - newly remastered and cleaned up, along with the highly anticipated release of an episode of Galaxy Four, a story long feared lost from the BBC archives.
The Aztecs from early 1964 is a universe away from modern Doctor Who stories, with creaky sets, low production values and a stately pace - but it has an undeniable charm and quite a touching and rather dark story.
Created in the era when part of Doctor Who's remit was to educate as well as entertain its young audience, there's no aliens and no gadgets, just good old-fashioned baddies and a story full of twists and turns.
- 2/11/2013
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
[rating 4.5]
Warning: Significant spoilers follow
Here we have, unsurprisingly, a direct sequel to “The Rocket Men,” a First Doctor Companion Chronicle that featured Ian, Susan, Barbara and the Doctor meeting a group of air pirates known only as the Rocket Men. Now the Rocket Men have returned, and it’s up to the Doctor and Steven (Peter Purves) to defeat them.
The story itself is told in, essentially, two parts. We first see Steven remembering meeting the Rocket Men back a few years before, when he was a young space pilot. He was nearly killed by them, but was saved at the last minute by a mysterious figure in a Rocket Man outfit. Now, years later and traveling with the Doctor, Steven encounters them again, and finally learns who it was that saved him all those years ago.
I’ve always rather liked Steven, and thought it a pity that so...
Warning: Significant spoilers follow
Here we have, unsurprisingly, a direct sequel to “The Rocket Men,” a First Doctor Companion Chronicle that featured Ian, Susan, Barbara and the Doctor meeting a group of air pirates known only as the Rocket Men. Now the Rocket Men have returned, and it’s up to the Doctor and Steven (Peter Purves) to defeat them.
The story itself is told in, essentially, two parts. We first see Steven remembering meeting the Rocket Men back a few years before, when he was a young space pilot. He was nearly killed by them, but was saved at the last minute by a mysterious figure in a Rocket Man outfit. Now, years later and traveling with the Doctor, Steven encounters them again, and finally learns who it was that saved him all those years ago.
I’ve always rather liked Steven, and thought it a pity that so...
- 12/21/2012
- by Chris Swanson
- Obsessed with Film
One of the things I like about the new Doctor Who is that the Doctor has stubble sometimes. Sometimes even shadow. Just like a real man! This was never the case on the old show. I’m not the only person who has paid attention to such matters. Check out Den of Geek’s “Doctor Who’s ten best uses of facial hair”: 10. The Doctor In Day of the Moon, Matt Smith makes a Doctor Who first when, having been imprisoned in Area 51 for some ungodly span, sprouts a beard that would do any hippie proud. This raises a huge existential question of how much time previous Doctors spent grooming themselves. For nearly fifty years, the Doctor never so much as sported even two o’clock shadow, save for Tom Baker’s impressive sideburns. It’s possible the effects of the Tardis do much to keep its crew looking...
- 11/26/2012
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
We all know it’s coming. We just don’t want to talk about it. The – gulp – Doctor Who Fall Season Finale, when we say goodbye to, well, you know, airs this Saturday, September 29 at 9/8c, preceded by a cheery new Doctor Who special, Doctor Who in the U.S. There, doesn’t that make you feel better? Of course it doesn’t, but more Doctor Who is never a bad thing.
TV Spot: Doctor Who In The U.S. New Special Sept 29 BBC America
Click here to view the embedded video.
He’s the British icon Americans have fallen in love with.
Now, don’t miss an All New World Premiere Special Doctor Who In The U.S. *** Saturday Sept 29 at 8/7c *** immediately followed by the Doctor Who Fall Season Finale “The Angels Take Manhattan” at 9/8c, only on BBC America.
Explore Doctor Who’s many forays across the pond (no,...
TV Spot: Doctor Who In The U.S. New Special Sept 29 BBC America
Click here to view the embedded video.
He’s the British icon Americans have fallen in love with.
Now, don’t miss an All New World Premiere Special Doctor Who In The U.S. *** Saturday Sept 29 at 8/7c *** immediately followed by the Doctor Who Fall Season Finale “The Angels Take Manhattan” at 9/8c, only on BBC America.
Explore Doctor Who’s many forays across the pond (no,...
- 9/26/2012
- by Erin Willard
- ScifiMafia
Huzzah! After much media brooding and betting about the identity of the new Doctor Who companion, actress Jenna-Louise Coleman was announced at a press call last Wednesday.
The speculation had been gathering at pace of late, with a few whispers of Sophia Myles somehow coming back to Who after playing Madame du Pompadour six-odd years ago. Possibly this was some sneaky red herring paper trail left by Steven Moffat who urged his Twitter followers to follow La Myles, while a forthcoming interview in Doctor Who Magazine could have also been a clue. But no – quite how Sophia will be involved in the next series (at the time of writing this) is a mystery, so apologies if early next week she's announced as the next incarnation of The Rani.
What else? Waterloo Road, a programme that I dip into about once in a blue moon. It's an odd one in that...
The speculation had been gathering at pace of late, with a few whispers of Sophia Myles somehow coming back to Who after playing Madame du Pompadour six-odd years ago. Possibly this was some sneaky red herring paper trail left by Steven Moffat who urged his Twitter followers to follow La Myles, while a forthcoming interview in Doctor Who Magazine could have also been a clue. But no – quite how Sophia will be involved in the next series (at the time of writing this) is a mystery, so apologies if early next week she's announced as the next incarnation of The Rani.
What else? Waterloo Road, a programme that I dip into about once in a blue moon. It's an odd one in that...
- 3/28/2012
- Shadowlocked
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
So here we are, part three of an unofficial trilogy featuring Stephen Taylor (Peter Purves), and Oliver Harper (Tom Allen). It is, sadly, the last story with Oliver, at least so far. Time will tell if the powers that be find a way to bring him back; and believe me, I hope they do.
Our story opens with the Tardis arriving at Grace Alone, a small asteroid. They didn’t particularly want to go there, but in the previous story, the Doctor learned that they were accused of some sort of crime on the asteroid, so he takes everyone there with the plan of creating false records to leave in the computer memory banks.
Things don’t go as planned, of course. When they arrive, they find the crew dead, and learn that a telepathic alien race known as the Vardans (previously scene in the Fourth Doctor story,...
So here we are, part three of an unofficial trilogy featuring Stephen Taylor (Peter Purves), and Oliver Harper (Tom Allen). It is, sadly, the last story with Oliver, at least so far. Time will tell if the powers that be find a way to bring him back; and believe me, I hope they do.
Our story opens with the Tardis arriving at Grace Alone, a small asteroid. They didn’t particularly want to go there, but in the previous story, the Doctor learned that they were accused of some sort of crime on the asteroid, so he takes everyone there with the plan of creating false records to leave in the computer memory banks.
Things don’t go as planned, of course. When they arrive, they find the crew dead, and learn that a telepathic alien race known as the Vardans (previously scene in the Fourth Doctor story,...
- 12/13/2011
- by Chris Swanson
- Obsessed with Film
Two missing black-and-white episodes of Doctor Who have been found in the private collection of a TV engineer who bought them at a school fete in the 1980s.
The BBC had erased the original copies at a time when videotape was expensive and archiving was not a routine procedure.
One episode, broadcast in 1965, is called Airlock and is the third in a four-part story called Galaxy 4.
It features William Hartnell as the first Doctor, with companions Steven Taylor (played by Peter Purves, later a Blue Peter presenter) and Vicki (Maureen O'Brien), and marks the only appearance of a race of robots called the Chumblies, as can be seen in the image above.
The other episode is the second part of The Underwater Menace, from 1967. It starred Patrick Troughton as the second incarnation of the Doctor, who was trying to stop a mad scientist draining the ocean to raise Atlantis. His...
The BBC had erased the original copies at a time when videotape was expensive and archiving was not a routine procedure.
One episode, broadcast in 1965, is called Airlock and is the third in a four-part story called Galaxy 4.
It features William Hartnell as the first Doctor, with companions Steven Taylor (played by Peter Purves, later a Blue Peter presenter) and Vicki (Maureen O'Brien), and marks the only appearance of a race of robots called the Chumblies, as can be seen in the image above.
The other episode is the second part of The Underwater Menace, from 1967. It starred Patrick Troughton as the second incarnation of the Doctor, who was trying to stop a mad scientist draining the ocean to raise Atlantis. His...
- 12/12/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
“Ground control to Major Steve…”
Imagine being stuck out in space in a small, cramped corridor. The air is running low, and you know you have only minutes to live. What goes through your mind during those times? There’s no chance for rescue, and your logic fights your hope, warring against the cold equations of your situation.
This is the situation that Steven (Peter Purves), and Oliver (Tom Allen), find themselves in at the start of “The Cold Equations,” the second part of Big Finish’s Oliver Trilogy. They’ve got only a few minutes left to live, the Tardis is drifting in space, and the two men face what may be their last minutes together.
They got into this situation by arriving in orbit of a future Earth, on board a space station. Earth itself is something of a wasteland and the orbital area...
“Ground control to Major Steve…”
Imagine being stuck out in space in a small, cramped corridor. The air is running low, and you know you have only minutes to live. What goes through your mind during those times? There’s no chance for rescue, and your logic fights your hope, warring against the cold equations of your situation.
This is the situation that Steven (Peter Purves), and Oliver (Tom Allen), find themselves in at the start of “The Cold Equations,” the second part of Big Finish’s Oliver Trilogy. They’ve got only a few minutes left to live, the Tardis is drifting in space, and the two men face what may be their last minutes together.
They got into this situation by arriving in orbit of a future Earth, on board a space station. Earth itself is something of a wasteland and the orbital area...
- 12/3/2011
- by Chris Swanson
- Obsessed with Film
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Big Finish’s “Companion Chronicles” line is an interesting beast. It was originally designed to give the actors who played Companions with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Doctors (all played by Doctors who are, sadly, deceased), a way of being involved in the series. They started out as basically audio books being read by one, maybe two, actors. I had little interest in them at that stage. Since then, however, they’ve expanded out, and while they still include only one or two actors, they’re staged a bit more like the standard range of Doctor Who audios.
In this case the companion being chronicled is Stephen Taylor (Peter Purves), an astronaut from some point in the Earth’s future. He’s a companion to the First Doctor, originally played by William Hartnell (1908 – 1975). He’s joined in this particular audio by Oliver Harper (Tom Allen), a young bond trader (and no,...
Big Finish’s “Companion Chronicles” line is an interesting beast. It was originally designed to give the actors who played Companions with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Doctors (all played by Doctors who are, sadly, deceased), a way of being involved in the series. They started out as basically audio books being read by one, maybe two, actors. I had little interest in them at that stage. Since then, however, they’ve expanded out, and while they still include only one or two actors, they’re staged a bit more like the standard range of Doctor Who audios.
In this case the companion being chronicled is Stephen Taylor (Peter Purves), an astronaut from some point in the Earth’s future. He’s a companion to the First Doctor, originally played by William Hartnell (1908 – 1975). He’s joined in this particular audio by Oliver Harper (Tom Allen), a young bond trader (and no,...
- 12/2/2011
- by Chris Swanson
- Obsessed with Film
Ride in Dalek
Kieran Kinsella
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Christmas comes but once a year and nobody wants to be the British TV fan that Santa Clause forgot. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of stocking stuffers that you can add to your Christmas wish list.
1. The Ride in Dalek. This one is ideally suited for small kids and people who have no issue with spending $200 on inflatables. It is battery operated with a maximum speed of 3 Km (2 miles) per hour. So you couldn’t make a living as a professional driver racing in one of these. Also, so far it is only available in the UK so you may have to pay a premium to a hawk on E-Bay if you want one shipped to the States but isn’t it worth it?
2. Downton Abbey Season Two DVD or Blu-Ray.
Kieran Kinsella
Click here to friend Best British TV on Facebook or here to follow us on Twitter.
Christmas comes but once a year and nobody wants to be the British TV fan that Santa Clause forgot. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of stocking stuffers that you can add to your Christmas wish list.
1. The Ride in Dalek. This one is ideally suited for small kids and people who have no issue with spending $200 on inflatables. It is battery operated with a maximum speed of 3 Km (2 miles) per hour. So you couldn’t make a living as a professional driver racing in one of these. Also, so far it is only available in the UK so you may have to pay a premium to a hawk on E-Bay if you want one shipped to the States but isn’t it worth it?
2. Downton Abbey Season Two DVD or Blu-Ray.
- 11/9/2011
- by admin
The serial called Doctor Who.s worst turns out to not be exactly terrible, but does have some annoying bits. One thing is for certain . William Hartnell is having a helluva time. It may be the fun before the fall as behind-the-scenes much was going on with the show. The Tardis deposits the Doctor (William Hartnell), Steven (Peter Purves), and Dodo (Jackie Lane) arrive in the town of Tombstone in the old West. The Doctor has a toothache so he goes in search of a dentist who turns out to be Doc Holliday (Anthony Jacobs). Holliday is feuding with the Clanton clan and when they go gunning for the dentist they mistake the Doctor for him. This case...
- 7/22/2011
- by Jeff Swindoll
- Monsters and Critics
The Doctor (William Hartnell), Steven (Peter Purves), and new companion Dodo (Jackie Lane), who is suffering from a cold, arrive in the Tardis some ten million years in the future on a giant spaceship carrying all the Earth's surviving plant, animal and human life (much of it miniaturized and in suspended animation) on a 700 year voyage to a new home on the planet Refusis II. The time travelers meet the stewards of the vessel, the mute one-eyed Monoids and their human minders. Dodo.s cold causes havoc since the Monoids and humans have no resistance and the trio is put on trial until the Doctor devises a treatment for the plague. The trio then re-boards the Tardis and takes...
- 4/6/2011
- by Jeff Swindoll
- Monsters and Critics
The Telegraph has released more details of its Audio Adventures give-away starting this weekend, first reported here.
On Saturday the paper will include a brand new adventure for the Eleventh Doctor, The Runaway Train read by Matt Smith, followed on Sunday by part one of Pest Control, read by David Tennant.
Over the following week the paper will print vouchers which can be exchanged in Wh Smith for a range of Doctor Who Audio Adventures.
Saturday 24th April
Free with paper
The Runaway Train - An original story, read by Matt Smith.
Arriving on Earth in the midst of the American Civil War, the Doctor and Amy must get a posse together to help them retrieve an alien artefact. The duo are chased across the Wild West by the alien race, their only hope of escape catching the 3.25 to Arizona.
Sunday, April 25th
Free with paper
Pest Control – Part One.
On Saturday the paper will include a brand new adventure for the Eleventh Doctor, The Runaway Train read by Matt Smith, followed on Sunday by part one of Pest Control, read by David Tennant.
Over the following week the paper will print vouchers which can be exchanged in Wh Smith for a range of Doctor Who Audio Adventures.
Saturday 24th April
Free with paper
The Runaway Train - An original story, read by Matt Smith.
Arriving on Earth in the midst of the American Civil War, the Doctor and Amy must get a posse together to help them retrieve an alien artefact. The duo are chased across the Wild West by the alien race, their only hope of escape catching the 3.25 to Arizona.
Sunday, April 25th
Free with paper
Pest Control – Part One.
- 4/22/2010
- by Marcus
- The Doctor Who News Page
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