Saturday, April 9, 2011

Kopic's Doctor Who & Torchwood News

Kopic's Doctor Who & Torchwood News


Neil Gaiman on 'Doctor Who' - Crave Online

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 07:54 PM PDT


Neil Gaiman on 'Doctor Who'
Crave Online
Gaiman also spoke glowingly about Matt Smith's performance as the Doctor and the way that Smith demonstrated his range while filming his episode. "In my episode I got to be really proud because I got to write scenes where Matt got to be vulnerable and ...

More Fright Night Photos Online - Mania

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 07:36 PM PDT


Mania

More Fright Night Photos Online
Mania
The studio is showing off most of the main characters in the new pics down below but two noticeable absentees are David Tennant ("Doctor Who") as the new Vincent Price and Toni Collette as the mother of Charlie. The 3D remake stars Anton Yelchin, ...

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First Look Photos of new FRIGHT NIGHT remake starring Colin Farrell - Assignment X

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 05:37 PM PDT


First Look Photos of new FRIGHT NIGHT remake starring Colin Farrell
Assignment X
To help him, Charley calls on Vegas showman Peter Vincent (David Tennant) to help him put a stake in Dandrige's evil plans. The remake is directed by Craig Gillespie from a script by Marti Noxon and story by Tom Holland.

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Three More Hi-Res Photos from Fright Night 2011 - ShockTillYouDrop.com

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 12:43 PM PDT


ShockTillYouDrop.com

Three More Hi-Res Photos from Fright Night 2011
ShockTillYouDrop.com
Three more images have dropped - and it's interesting how, once again, they've left David Tennant as Peter Vincent out of the batch. You can see them in hi-res right here. Below, you get Colin Farrell, in one stage of his vampire form, Imogen Poots and ...

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Friday Evening Rushes – From Kubrick's Chicago To Penelope Cruz's Inflated Head - Bleeding Cool News

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 12:36 PM PDT


Friday Evening Rushes – From Kubrick's Chicago To Penelope Cruz's Inflated Head
Bleeding Cool News
Here are six pictures from Fright Night, with nary a look at David Tennant as Peter Vincent among them. Luckily, we had pics of him before. Somewhere in this new Fright Night is Dave Franco, brother of James (less facial hair, less spinning plates, ...

Anthony Horowitz Hired to Write Tintin Sequel Prisoners of the Sun - Fused Film

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 12:33 PM PDT


Anthony Horowitz Hired to Write Tintin Sequel Prisoners of the Sun
Fused Film
The Secret of the Unicorn is being directed by Steven Spielberg and was written originally by Steven Moffat, of course the writer of Doctor Who in this country. He did a couple of drafts then it was taken over by Edgar Wright… they've got [that] coming ...

and more »

Dr. Who Fans Turn Out in Midtown - DNAinfo

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 12:23 PM PDT


Dr. Who Fans Turn Out in Midtown
DNAinfo
Columbia University freshman Caroline Thirkill and Shelby Maniccia, both 18, turned up at 6:30 am for a chance to meet Matt Smith, who plays the current doctor. "Matt Smith is my favorite doctor, I'm totally in love with him," said Maniccia. ...

'Fright Night:' New High-Res Images - /FILM (blog)

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 12:07 PM PDT


'Fright Night:' New High-Res Images
/FILM (blog)
Yesterday we saw the first three official stills from Craig Gillespie's 3D Fright Night remake, which stars Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Toni Collette, and David Tennant. The shots were pretty low-quality, ...

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Colin Farrell as a vampire in photos from Fright Night - Flix 66

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 12:06 PM PDT


Flix 66

Colin Farrell as a vampire in photos from Fright Night
Flix 66
The film stars Colin Farrell, David Tennant, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Dave Franco and Toni Collette. The story revolves around a teenager who discovers that his next door neighbor (Farrell) is really a vampire. ...

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FRIGHT NIGHT - JoBlo.com

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 11:58 AM PDT


FRIGHT NIGHT
JoBlo.com
September 2, 2010: David Tennant gets Criss Angel a makeover for Fright Night: When thinking about WTF casts, the recent De Niro, Trejo, Lohan, Alba, Seagal combo in MACHETE comes to mind, but I hadn't really realized how strange the FRIGHT NIGHT ...

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More FRIGHT NIGHT Images Featuring Colin Farrell & Anton Yelchin - The Daily BLAM

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 11:58 AM PDT


More FRIGHT NIGHT Images Featuring Colin Farrell & Anton Yelchin
The Daily BLAM
Fright Night, directed by Craig Gillespie, comes to theaters August 19th, 2011 and stars Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Colin Farrell, Toni Collette, David Tennant, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Sandra Vergara. It is also rumored that the actor who played ...

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New 'Fright Night' Photos - StarsEntertainment.com

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 11:48 AM PDT


StarsEntertainment.com

New 'Fright Night' Photos
StarsEntertainment.com
Starring Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, David Tennant, Imogen Poots and Toni Collette, Fright Night hits 3D and 2D theaters on August 19. In the film, senior Charlie Brewster (Yelchin) finally has it all going on: he's running ...

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Doctor Whooligan: Season Six Titles Revealed, Torchwood Lights Up Cannes and ... - Anglotopia.net

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 11:24 AM PDT


Doctor Whooligan: Season Six Titles Revealed, Torchwood Lights Up Cannes and ...
Anglotopia.net
Maybe Craig Ferguson will get to the bottom of it when he hosts Karen Gillan on the Late Late show on April 13th. Lucky fans in NYC get to to attend a screening of the first two episodes of the new series this weekend. In terms of production, ...

Anthony Horowitz will write Tintin sequel, Prisoners of the Sun - Filmonic

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 11:04 AM PDT


Anthony Horowitz will write Tintin sequel, Prisoners of the Sun
Filmonic
The first film, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, is of course due out later this year, having been directed by Steven Spielberg. The script for it was written by Joe Cornish, Steven Moffat (Doctor Who) and Edgar Wright (Shaun of the ...

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'Tintin' Sequel 'Prisoners of the Sun' Being Written - The Film Stage

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 10:54 AM PDT


The Film Stage

'Tintin' Sequel 'Prisoners of the Sun' Being Written
The Film Stage
The Secret of the Unicorn is being directed by Steven Spielberg and was written originally by Steven Moffat, of course the writer of Doctor Who in this country. He did a couple of drafts then it was taken over by Edgar Wright… they've got [that] coming ...

and more »

TARDIS Trio in NYC - Doctor Who TV (blog)

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 10:40 AM PDT


TARDIS Trio in NYC
Doctor Who TV (blog)
BBC America have uploaded a new video interview with Matt Smith, Arthur Darvill, and Karen Gillan at the Doctor Who signing at Barnes & Noble in New York City. There is no Series 6 talk, but it's a fun chat with the trio sharing their impressions of ...

Event Review: MIPTV - World Screen

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 10:28 AM PDT


Event Review: MIPTV
World Screen
BBC Worldwide had John Barrowman and Bill Pullman in town to talk about the new series Torchwood: Miracle Day. Eva Green, Joseph Fiennes and Jamie Campbell Bower were showcasing the hot new Starz co-pro Camelot from GK-tv. Arnold Schwarzenegger arrived ...

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Anthony Horowitz Writing Tintin Sequel 'Prisoners of the Sun' - /FILM (blog)

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 10:15 AM PDT


Anthony Horowitz Writing Tintin Sequel 'Prisoners of the Sun'
/FILM (blog)
The Secret of the Unicorn is being directed by Steven Spielberg and was written originally by Steven Moffat, of course the writer of Doctor Who in this country. He did a couple of drafts then it was taken over by Edgar Wright… they've got [that] coming ...

and more »

Gaiman says Matt “breaks your heart” in his episode…

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 10:14 AM PDT

Neil Gaiman has revealed that Matt Smith will break all of our hearts in his Series 6 episode. The writer has penned Episode 4 of the new series, The Doctor's Wife, in which the Doctor will experience things he "doesn't normally get to experience". "In my episode I got to be really proud because I got to write scenes where [...]

'Tintin: Secret Of The Unicorn' Sequel In The Works From Writer Anthony Horowitz - MTV.com

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 10:08 AM PDT


'Tintin: Secret Of The Unicorn' Sequel In The Works From Writer Anthony Horowitz
MTV.com
No doubt the character and his expansive comic book adventures are equally beloved by Edgar Wright and Steven Moffat, handlers of cult-revered properties "Scott Pilgrim" and "Doctor Who," and Tintin's inaugural screenwriters. ...

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BBC America publicity update

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 09:54 AM PDT

As part of publicity for the new series of Doctor Who in the United Kingdom, BBC America have released an interview with the three stars, Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill, which was conducted by their Anglophenia blog at the Doctor Who signing at Barnes & Noble in New York City:


Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill, BBC America, via YouTube


The broadcaster has also released the second of their Insider series of videos; for this edition, "Get an inside look at The Doctor, featuring exclusive interviews with stars Matt Smith and Karen Gillan plus Executive Producer/Lead Writer Steven Moffat."


Doctor Who Insider #2, BBC America, via YouTube
(the first edition may be found in a previous article earlier this week)
 

Apply to be our Fan of the Month for April 2011 today!

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 09:25 AM PDT

Calling all humans, aliens and variations thereupon! You can now apply to be our Fan of the Month for April 2011! If you've got what it takes to take pride of place on the site, head over to the application form and fill in the questions provided. The closing date for entries is Friday 29th April. Our [...]

From Temp to Manager?

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 09:12 AM PDT

With the impending departure of Steve Carrell on the American version of The Office this month, someone's going to need to step in as the Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and who better to do it than former Doctor Who companion Catherine Tate?

According to BBC America's Anglophenia, Tate is set to be one of an army of guest stars in the show's season finale on May 19th, many of whom are in the running to be Steve Carrell's replacement!

Up against the ex-Donna will be Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond) and James Spader (Pretty in Pink).  Also set to appear in the finale, but not in the running to be the new Office boss are Will Ferrell, who will conclude a 4-part story arc in the episode, and original UK star Ricky Gervais, reprising his role as David Brent.

Here's hoping American network NBC has the confidence in Catherine Tate that they couldn't seem to find with David Tennant, as no doubt she would make a superb addition to the cast!

Who Writers in Radio Times

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 08:46 AM PDT

Doctor Who Series 6 writers Toby Whithouse and Mark Gatiss appear in the new edition of the Radio Times this week, discussing TV's love of horror.

More and more new TV series feature a horror element, with the popular ITV series Marchlands recently doing a fine job of capturing the spirit of many older movies and series.

Spearking to the Radio Times, Being Human creator and Doctor Who scriptwriter Toby Whithouse recalls how much the industry has changed since he became a writer.

"When I started out as a writer, sci-fi, fantasy and horror were dirty words," says Whithouse. "There were very few successful shows and none of the broadcasters thought they had mainstream appeal. The new Doctor Who proved that there was an audience willing to watch 'genre' shows, and Being Human wouldn't have happened if Doctor Who hadn't been a success."

Meanwhile Gatiss recalls his childhood, when there were scares aplenty on TV and in cinemas.

"When I was growing up, people weren't so averse to scaring children. Things like Children of the Stones and the film of Quatermass and the Pit were major influences. They'd show horror films on TV on Friday nights and they really educated a generation in terror. It's a shame horror movies aren't still on with that kind of regularity.

"They provided a banquet of scares that had a profound effect on a whole raft of people now working in TV. That's been cut off at source and now there's not the same strong, overripe meat to feast upon."

On sale now, this is the edition labelled 9-15 April 2011, featuring nature presenter Chris Packham on the cover.

It's a boy! Sopranos star Drea de Matteo welcomes baby Waylon Albert ... - Daily Mail

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 07:42 AM PDT


Daily Mail

It's a boy! Sopranos star Drea de Matteo welcomes baby Waylon Albert ...
Daily Mail
She's offered to be a surrogate for Desperate Housewives co-star John Barrowman, 44 , and his partner Scott Gill. The Torchwood leading man - who played her ex-husband on Wisteria Lane - said: 'Drea said we're like brother and sister, separated at ...

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Doctor Who in Comics: 1962 – 2011

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 06:41 AM PDT

Here's a rare treat for Aficionados of the comic strip adventures of the Doctor – London's Cartoon Museum has announced an exhibition of artwork from the Time Lord's comics starting with the first appearances in TV Comic back in 1964 right through to 2011.

While many of you might be more familiar with the comic strips in Doctor Who Magazine (and earlier Doctor Who Weekly/Monthly) and Doctor Who Adventures – not to mention IDW's superb series – the Doctor had a fascinating run of occasionally uncharacteristic adventures in TV Comic, Countdown and TV Action during the 1960s and 1970s.

Titled Doctor Who in Comics: 1962 – 2011, the event is planned to spread across three galleries, with images likely to feature the work of names such as Dave Gibbons, John Ridgway, Richard Piers Rayner, Lee Sullivan and Adrian Salmon among many others.

More information on event which runs from 27th July – 31st October 2011 can be found at www.cartoonmuseum.org

(Via DownTheTubes | Thanks to Matt)

TARDIS Trio in NYC

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 06:24 AM PDT

BBC America have uploaded a new video interview with Matt Smith, Arthur Darvill, and Karen Gillan at the Doctor Who signing at Barnes & Noble in New York City. There is no Series 6 talk, but it's a fun chat with the trio sharing their impressions of the U.S.

Read more ...


Cold front: Sadie Frost is the face of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer - Daily Mail

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 06:00 AM PDT


Daily Mail

Cold front: Sadie Frost is the face of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer
Daily Mail
The designer and actress is joined by Cat Deeley and Doctor Who's Karen Gillan who are also modelling this year's range of clothes. Previous efforts have been promoted by Sienna Miller, Anna Friel, Elle McPherson and Kylie Minogue - who famously fought ...

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'Torchwood' star: 'New series not toned down' - Digital Spy

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 05:58 AM PDT


'Torchwood' star: 'New series not toned down'
Digital Spy
Torchwood star John Barrowman has insisted that the show's fourth series will not be toned down for US audiences. The new ten-part run, subtitled Miracle Day, will air on BBC One in the UK and on cable channel Starz in ...

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BBC America Interviews Doctor Who Cast in NY [VIDEO]

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 05:31 AM PDT

BBC America interviews Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, and Arthur Darvill while currently in NYC.

Time and Prejudice

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 05:24 AM PDT

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen's dry, witty tale of manners turned into a hot, wet Colin Firth love in (which if you're a lazy GCSE student definitely happens in the novel and you should write EXTENSIVELY on in your exam) thanks to the BBC, is not just a timeless classic but the origin for the Sixth Doctor.

Colin Baker caught Mr Darcy's eye from across the dining hall and was smitten. For his intrepretation of the much maligned Sixth Doctor Colin turned to Austen and Andrew Davies'  TV classic:

"The most interesting character in Pride and Prejudice is Darcy, who, for nine-tenths of the book you think is all things unpleasant, and then turns out to be the best person in it. He doesn't think that being liked is as important as doing the right thing."

Sound familiar?

Speaking to The Dominion Post on the eve of his appearance at the brilliantly named Armageddon Expo Baker has been reliving his time as the universes defender, including his feelings on Michael Grade's eventual 'postponement' and his firing from the long running series:

"I am inclined to think whichever Doctor had been in situ at the time would have experienced the anti-Doctor Who feelings of Michael Grade. It was my bad luck."

(via Stuff)

Interview with Matt, Karen and Arthur in New York!

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 05:24 AM PDT

BBC America have released an exclusive interview with Matt Smith, Karen Arthur and Arthur Darvill which was recorded at today's Series 5 boxset signing in New York. In the video, the trio discuss their plans to launch a new band, share their excitement for Monday's screening of the Series 6 opening two-parter, and also reveal what else they plan to get up [...]

Doctor Who Series 6, Part 1 Episode Names - Inside Pulse

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 05:04 AM PDT


Doctor Who Series 6, Part 1 Episode Names
Inside Pulse
by Michael "Skitch" Maillaro - April 8, 2011 | Email the author By Steven Moffat Doctor Who fights aliens in the United States, Nixon shows up. What more can you ask for! Oh yeah, and a major cast member dies. By Steve Thompson I assume this is the ...

Neil Gaiman discusses his episode, the writing process

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 05:03 AM PDT

Newsarama have released a new interview with Neil Gaiman, in which the writer offers a few teasers about his forthcoming Doctor Who episode, The Doctor's Wife. "It stars Suranne Jones playing a character named Idris who may turn out to be an old acquaintance of the Doctor's with a new face," he explained. "It co-stars Michael Sheen as a mysterious baddie called [...]

Toby Haynes describes US shoot as “exciting and big”

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 04:42 AM PDT

Toby Haynes, the director of Series 6's opening two-parter, has revealed that getting the opportunity to film scenes in the US is an "exciting and big" prospect for the series. "For a UK director and a UK team to do something like this is so exciting," he said in a recent interview with Newsarama. "Going to America, it's [...]

It's Action Figure Friday! - USA Today

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 04:29 AM PDT


USA Today

It's Action Figure Friday!
USA Today
Meredyth B. is a big fan of Doctor Who's fourth incarnation, Tom Baker. "I used this action figure to supplement the 40th birthday cake (TARDIS) for my boyfriend who adored this show as a child (and as an adult). Note the scarf -- what a stylish Doctor ...

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Author Anthony Horowitz Writing Tintin Sequel 'Prisoners of the Sun' For Peter ... - Indie Wire (blog)

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 04:22 AM PDT


Indie Wire (blog)

Author Anthony Horowitz Writing Tintin Sequel 'Prisoners of the Sun' For Peter ...
Indie Wire (blog)
... made up of "Doctor Who" genius Steven Moffatt, "Hot Fuzz" director Edgar Wright and "Attack The Block" helmer Joe Cornish, but even Horowitz acknowledges he's unlikely to be the last person to put pen to paper on the project. ...

and more »

Screening of new US two-parter confirmed for Chicago

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 03:55 AM PDT

Later this month, BBC America and RedEye will be hosting a screening of Series 6's opening US two-parter at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema in Chicago! The screening of the two episodes will take place at 9:30pm on April 20th. In order to attend, fans were invited to RSVP, and the first 200 to do so were added to the [...]

New 'Doctor Who' insider part 2 behind the scenes video - Examiner.com

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 03:45 AM PDT


New 'Doctor Who' insider part 2 behind the scenes video
Examiner.com
In fact, with Matt Smith in the role, he has definitely brought a child-like wonder as well as age-old wisdom to character, which makes it fun for the audience to engage with. In the video, Matt Smith, (Doctor Who), Karen Gillan (Amy Pond), ...

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Exclusive Chicago 'Doctor Who' preview screening! - Going Public (blog)

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 02:54 AM PDT


Exclusive Chicago 'Doctor Who' preview screening!
Going Public (blog)
I'll have some surprises for you. The two-part premiere, "The Impossible Astronaut" and "Day of the Moon," are set and were partly filmed in the US—a first for the 47-year-old series. The Doctor (Matt Smith), Amy (Karen Gillan), Rory (Arthur Darvill) ...

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Wondercon Doctor Who Panel (Video)

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 02:33 AM PDT

If you weren't lucky enough to make it to Wondercon last weekend, perhaps you've got 40 minutes to spare to watch the Doctor Who panel, which featured writer Neil Gaiman, director Toby Haynes and actor Mark Sheppard?

It was at this event that we discovered how Gaiman felt about having to see his episode – The Doctor's Wife – dropped from the 2010 run in favour of production this time around.

"At the time it made me incredibly sad and now makes me incredibly happy because I have Rory in it, as he didn't exist in episode 11 of the last season."

"So getting to write for Arthur Darvill who is wonderful. And getting to write dialogue between him and Amy and the Doctor is just so much fun."

As you may know, the episode features Suranne Jones (Coronation Street, Vincent, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Single Father) as Idris, a character that Gaiman describes as being:

"…an old acquaintance of the Doctor's but with a new face."

What's also interesting, before you go an hit play, is that Gaiman describes it as "almost a River free episode".

We don't know what it means either.

Tweet this Digg this Send to friend More options - Digital Spy

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 02:26 AM PDT


Tweet this Digg this Send to friend More options
Digital Spy
When we spoke to him back in February, Matt Smith told us that the latest threat to The Doctor and co. is "amazing" and "definitely one of the scariest monsters" of his tenure! We got our first brief glimpse at The Silence in the short prequel to the ...

Anthony Horowitz Confirms His Involvement In Tintin - Bleeding Cool News

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 01:58 AM PDT


Anthony Horowitz Confirms His Involvement In Tintin
Bleeding Cool News
The Secret of the Unicorn is being directed by Steven Spielberg and was written originally by Steven Moffat, of course the writer of Doctor Who in this country. He did a couple of drafts then it was taken over by Edgar Wright… they've got [that] coming ...

and more »

Preview screening of Episodes 1&2 in Chicago, IL

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 01:20 AM PDT

A preview screening of The Impossible Astronaut and Day of the Moon will be held in Chicago, Illinois on April 20.

BBC America and RedEye, a daily newspaper publication in Chicago will be hosting a preview screening of the first two episodes of Series 6 at 9:30pm on April 20 at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema.

UPDATE 10:30 a.m. CDT FRIDAY: Sorry folks, we are booked. That didn't take long at all. Chicago fans love the Doctor, obviously. I wish we could take a larger group, but thank you for reading and watching and getting in touch.

RedEye will take the names of the first 200 people to RSVP. That will get you on the guest list but an RSVP does not guarantee admission. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. They advise people on the guest list to show up early. More details are on their website.

How to RSVP:
  • Send your RSVP to showpatroltv@gmail.com with DOCTOR WHO in the subject line. Provide your name and neighborhood or city.
  • Each RSVP email is good for only one admission, meaning you cannot RSVP and tell me it's for you and a friend. The friend should RSVP as well. If you are a parent and want to take your two kids, I should receive three separate RSVPs with three different names.
  • And please, if you RSVP show up. I'll have some surprises for you.

C21's complete MipTV news wrap - C21Media

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 01:15 AM PDT


C21's complete MipTV news wrap
C21Media
Camelot star Joseph Fiennes, Jamie Bower Campbell and Bond girl Eva Green were also in town, as were The Wire's John Doman and Torchwood's John Barrowman and Bill Pullman. Also spotted walking the Croisette were the Canadian comics from InSecurity, ...

Doctor Who – The BBC Radio Episodes

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 12:50 AM PDT

Assembled all together, this is Doctor Who – radio style. OK there's nothing new here for fans to enjoy but it's nice to have them all in one tidy set. A bare bones release it may be but contained is some real Doctor Who magic that's not bound or restricted by budget and special effects.

The Paradise Of Death

When a horrific death occurs at Space World theme park, the Brigadier and U.N.I.T. are called in – accompanied by the Third Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith.

Placed between the TV adventures The Time Warrior and Invasion Of The Dinosaurs, The Paradise Of Death is a heady mix of old meets new with the some of the classic U.N.I.T family battling a corrupt intergalactic megalomaniac. I recall hearing this for the first time during the 30th anniversary year and loving the adventure. It's a traditional feeling story with Barry Letts composing a fan friendly tale without alienating the casual listener. The direction from Phil Clark is solid, though he relies too heavily on the enthusiastic score a bit too much.

Doctor Who - The BBC Radio EpisodesThe main negative point here is the introduction of new companion Jeremy Fitzoliver, a wimpish wet blanket created only for comic relief. He provides none and adds nothing to the story except wind the listener up with his grating voice. Sorry Richard Pierce but this isn't your finest role. But let's get back to the positives and one only has to listen to Harold Innocent (Freeth), Peter Miles (Tragan) and Maurice Denham (President) to know that this is a quality production. This trio breathe a life into the script that may have died in the vocals of others.

Pertwee, Sladen and Courtney slide easily into their respective roles and are obviously having a shed-load of fun. On a negative note, Episode 3 is split in half, shame really. This adventure was followed up in 1996 with….

The Ghosts Of N-Space

The Brigadier's great uncle Marion seems unsurprised by the specters that haunt his ancient Sicilian castle. But when the Third Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith come to investigate, they find themselves in great danger.

Broadcast only a few months before Pertwee's death and with the anticipation of the TV Movie in the air, I had everything crossed that this 6-parter would be of the same quality as the previous Doctor Who radio adventure. Shame then as it's a bit of a mish-mash of ideas and concepts that just don't gel at all. For starters Jeremy Fitzoliver returns and although the character has been toned down slightly he still is incredibly irritating. It is a more mature story with a darker edge than TPOD and the three main actors are just as reliable as ever. It's just that it all seems a bit forced, story wise with some bizarre over acting from the supporting cast which includes Sandra Dickinson and Harry Towb.

But if you overlook these niggles then you can sit back and enjoy Pertwee in his element and reflect that this was the last time he would officially play the Doctor. By the way, from a TV continuity point of view it can be placed between Death To The Daleks and The Monster Of Peladon.

Doctor Who And The Pescatons

The TARDIS's arrival on a lonely beach at night marks the beginning of a terrifying adventure on present-day Earth for the Fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane.

According to the sleeve notes this, in all intents and purposes, is an official Doctor Who story. Written by Victor Pemberton, the man behind Fury From The Deep, he does an excellent job capturing the essence of the Fourth Doctor as well as Sarah Jane Smith. The banter and humour they both shared onscreen is evident here helping you feel comfortable and give it a positive feeling. Placed between The Seeds Of Doom and The Masque Of Mandragora it was originally released in 1976 and I recall seeing it in my local Woolworths though I didn't buy it for some reason.

This is a shame as this is a cracking adventure with Baker as the Doctor as we all wanted him to be, before he became a bombastic caricature of himself. He describes the action with urgency and drama, the tentacle sequence in particular is gripping, if you pardon the pun. The atmospheric, electronic score gives the feeling of the era and the subtle effects don't drown out the dialogue. A great adventure.

Exploration Earth

The Fourth Doctor takes Sarah Jane Smith back in time to witness the Earth's development: only to find that the existence of Mankind itself is in danger.

"Radio 4 VHF for Schools". I'm old enough to remember sitting in assembly listening to Radio school broadcasts, shame ours never included this one though. Forming part of a BBC schools radio series, this was a great piece of cross curricular TV/radio programming. Transmitted just days after The Hand Of Fear this is a great way of introducing children to the complexities of Earth's construction.

Though the Doctor and Sarah Jane seemed to be squeezed into the idea it's a fun idea subtly educating the listener, the best way in my experience. Edutainment if you like! Maybe if I'd been exposed to this in 1976 I wouldn't have failed my Science C.S.E. a few years later, maybe not.

Whatever Happened to…Susan?

A tongue in cheek look at how Susan's life might have turned out after her adventures with the Doctor.

Forming part of a series that looked at the lives of fictional characters this checks out Sarah's life after she left the Doctor. This is a bit of a curio as Jane Asher and not Carole Ann Ford plays Susan, likewise other characters are played by different actors. Yes in the instance of Barbara but others such as Ian Chesterton (James Grout) and Jo Grant (Eva Haddon billed as Jo Jones) seems a tad wrong. Andrew Mourby's light-hearted script is OK but it takes too many liberties with the source which I'll leave for up to you to discover and see if you agree. Listen out for some canon errors as well such as when Ian and Barbara were returned to Earth. A nice idea but to me it doesn't quite deliver.

Slipback

The TARDIS materializes in the service ducting of the Vipod Mor, a huge craft floating in deep space. The Sixth Doctor and Peri find something nasty lurking there, and the past and future history of the entire universe is at risk.

When the show went into hiatus for 18 months this little adventure appeared on Pirate Radio 4, a magazine programme that was sent out during the school holidays. This six-part romp is a bit of a guilty pleasure. It really shouldn't work and the plot isn't exactly original but thanks to some solid acting from Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant proving their TV incarnations were ruined by a bad choice in attire and not just lame scripts. Valentine Dyall lends his voice to what would turn out to be his final performance though Jane Carr's incarnation as a computer with character does push the listener's stamina at times. Episode length is below ten minutes each but Eric Saward makes sure his story moves at a smart pace. Effects don't over power the dialogue and really add to the enjoyment of the story.

So then this set highlights what a great medium radio is for the series and shows just how a great Doctor Colin Baker was/is when given the right material.

The set has an RRP of £60.00 and can be ordered via the AudioGO website, or you can get it at an almost 50% discount from Amazon for just £31.79!

Low-ambition comedy for a low-ambition Olympics - Spiked

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 12:36 AM PDT


Low-ambition comedy for a low-ambition Olympics
Spiked
So nothing should have allowed me to synergise like a HR guru better than to write about new Doctor Matt Smith's sexy romp through the gay Nazis of Thirties Berlin in Christopher Isherwood's Christopher and His Kind: it could have been the definitive ...

Torchwood: John Barrowman and Bill Pullman Interview [VIDEO]

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 11:21 PM PDT

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Posted: 07 Apr 2011 11:09 PM PDT

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UK DVD Release Update

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 10:56 PM PDT

2|Entertain have announced release dates for DVDs coming up in the next few months. As well as other recently listed stories, the schedule indicates Earthstory - the boxed set featuring The Awakening and The Gunfighters - for 20th June, followed by Paradise Towers on 18th July, The Sun Makers on 1st August, and Day of the Daleks on 12th September.



The company has also released details on the DVD features for Earthstory (detailed below). The box itself has an air of finality about it: The Awakening brings an end the adventures of the Fifth Doctor, being the final story of this era to be released on DVD; The Gunfighters is the last complete story before William Hartnell departed the role (The Tenth Planet has yet to appear on DVD, but is missing its final episode).


Earthstory
Release Date: 20th June 2011 (available for pre-order)

The Gunfighters

Starring William Hartnell as Doctor Who, with Jackie Lane as Dodo and Peter Purves as Stephen.
Written by Donald Cotton
Directed by Rex Tucker

Broadcast: 30th April - 21st May 1966


Take a trip to the Wild West in The Gunfighters, when the TARDIS arrives in Tombstone, Arizona in 1881. The Doctor, suffering from toothache, seeks out the local dentist - the notorious Doc Holliday. Tensions are running high between the feuding Clanton family and Doc Holliday, whilst the local lawman, Wyatt Earp, struggles to keep the peace. When legendary gunman Johnny Ringo comes to town, events start to escalate. Can the Doctor, Steven and Dodo do anything to stop the situation getting any worse? Or will there be a gunfight at the OK Corral?
 

Special Features
  • Commentary - with actors Peter Purves, Shane Rimmer, David Graham and Richard Beale, production assistant Tristan de Vere Cole and moderator Toby Hadoke.
  • The End of the Line – after two years on the screen, Doctor Who had become a television phenomenon, regularly reaching an audience of ten million viewers. But with a change of producer and script editor and the looming prospect of losing the lead actor, the programme's third year was the one that would make or break it… With actors Maureen O'Brien, Anneke Wills and Peter Purves, script editor Donald Tosh, new series writer Gareth Roberts and long time Doctor Who viewer Ian Levine.
  • Tomorrow's Times – The First Doctor – looking at the newspaper coverage of Doctor Who during the programme's opening years. Presented by Mary Tamm.
  • Photo Gallery - production, design and publicity photos from the story, set to the entirety of The Ballad of the Last Chance Saloon.
  • Coming Soon - a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
  • Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.
  • Programme subtitles.
  • Subtitle Production Notes.
The Awakening

Starring Peter Davison as The Doctor, with Janet Fielding as Tegan Jovanka and Mark Strickson as Turlough
Written by Eric Pringle
Directed by Michael Owen Morris

Broadcast: 19th-20th January 1984


The TARDIS has brought the Doctor, Tegan and Turlough to the picture postcard English village of Little Hodcome. Tegan has come to visit her grandfather - well known local historian Andrew Verny - but he seems to be missing. The residents of Little Hodcombe, led by the obsessive Sir George Hutchinson, are playing a vicious war game - an exact recreation of a battle of the English Civil War fought there in 1643.

As each of the TARDIS crew witnesses a terrifying apparition from the past, the Doctor realises that he faces a far greater menace than the unstable Hutchinson. An ancient and alien force for evil is at work - one which will glory in the slaughter of them all...
 

Special Features
  • Commentary - with actor Michael Owen Morris and script editor Eric Saward, moderated by Toby Hadoke.
  • Return to Little Hodcombe – director Michael Owen, actors Janet Fielding and Keith Jayne and script editor Eric Saward return to the three villages that played host to the locations for The Awakening, and along with locals they reminisce about a memorable shoot…
  • Making the Malus – visual effects designer Tony Harding and modelmaker Richard Gregory are reunited with the Malus prop they built for the story. Current owner Paul Burrows is on hand to describe the reality of living with a giant stone monster on the lounge wall…
  • Now & Then – the latest in the ongoing series visits the villages of Martin, Shapwick and Tarrant Monkton to compare the locations used in the story with how they appear today.
  • From the Cutting Room Floor – extended and deleted scenes from a timecoded VHS of the original edit and unedited film sequences, plus location action from the film rushes.
  • The Golden Egg Awards – the inadvertent destruction of a prop lychgate by a horse was the winner of The Late Late Breakfast Show's Golden Egg Award. Peter Davison is on hand to collect the trophy from host Noel Edmonds.
  • Photo Gallery - production, design and publicity photos from the story.
  • Isolated Music – option to view the story with the isolated music score.
  • Coming Soon - a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
  • Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.
  • Programme subtitles.
  • Subtitle Production Notes.

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