Doctor Who
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Tennant delights as 'Doctor Who' By Maureen Ryan Tribune television critic July 6, 2007 http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0706watcherjul06,1,5021190.story?ctrack=1&cset=true You can certainly say this about the latest incarnation of "Doctor Who": It's not slow-paced. The cheeky English series, which returns 7 p.m. Friday on Sci Fi, fairly buzzes with energy, and its characters are often on the run from some nasty alien or other. That's not necessarily a byproduct of this version of "Who" being a post-Millennium creation. In the long life of the series, which has had many doctors over the course of its 40-plus years, one of the primary guidelines seems to have been, "When in doubt, run about." Still, no matter how frenetic the pace gets or how preposterous the tentacle-waving monsters, David Tennant is simply delightful as the most recent incarnation of the Doctor. His eyes dance with irreverence, and he delivers his insouciant, knowing dialogue perfectly. Yet there's something magnetic about him too, as if he were holding something -- possibly something dangerous -- in reserve. That gives his version of the Doctor an air of mystery, which is even more necessary to the character than his trusty sonic screwdriver. (If you're interested in Tennant but not necessarily in "Who," check out the DVDs of the recent British series "Viva Blackpool," which Tennant was also excellent in and which is being adapted as a fall series by CBS). In Friday's first "Who" adventure, which was a Christmas special in England, the doctor assists a runaway bride who didn't so much flee as get zapped by alien particles. Don't you hate it when that happens? Never mind that this time around, the madcap plot doesn't have too much emotional resonance, as the best "Who" episodes of the last few years have had. There's still a subtle undercurrent of grief, given that the Doctor is mourning the departure of his last companion, Rose (Billie Piper). And the fast pace and the irreverent one-liners keep things hopping, even if, as is often the case, the muddled plot gets a muddled and overlong resolution. In Friday's second "Who" episode at 8:30 p.m., the trusty Doctor has to fight alien rhino guys on the moon (geez, that plot again?), and he also meets his next companion, the feisty medical student Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman). It's just a plain old sci-fi romp, but a well-done one. For those who have no time for traditional alien adventures done with a self-aware sense of humor, this series won't be of much interest. But for those who like this larky Doctor, the new season of "Who" is starting off promisingly. All I can do is cross my fingers (and tentacles) and hope that the work of Russell T. Davies, the head writer of the post-Millennial "Who" series, doesn't falter this season. Previous seasons of the show have had their share of abysmally boring and derivative episodes -- dross that even Tennant can't rescue. But Tennant and Agyeman are, so far, a promising duo. If only the Doctor would lose his unfortunate Season 3 fauxhawk, I could fully get on board. I can handle a screaming bride, a giant evil spider from space and alien rhinos on the moon, but a hairstyle that is two years past its sell-by date? That's pushing it.
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Glad to see the US is getting this show officially now. Is Sci Fi channel universally available, or is this an exclusive "first" to satellite before slipping to terrestrial TV at a later date? Martin
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I'm happy to read positives from those press releases and report. We have a 2007 Christmas special, a full 2008 series, three specials in 2009 and another full series in 2010. As far as I'm concerned that's an incredible commitment to the series and concept in this fickle ratings led era. As to whom plays what, that's neither here nor there, the Dr Who concept conceived the ultimate way of coping with personnel changes. We fall in love with them all, Doctors and Assistants, but the story goes on regardless when their careers take them elsewhere. Martin
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i was watching a couple of episodes on the pbs network this past weekend interesting stuff
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i like this one. i remember the old one from the 70's. it's much better nowadays than the old one...
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BBC have announced the third spin off series The Sarah Jane Adventures will commence Monday 24th September 2007 on BBC 1 at 5.00 PM Here's the programme web-site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sja/ Starring Sarah Jane Smith one of Dr Who's former assistants she appeared in the recent main series story School Reunion reuniting herself with The Doctor, Rose and his mechanical dog K-9 to fight an group of evil aliens The Krillitanes using school children and computers to break an universal code threatening the world - as usual! She then appeared in a one-off pilot in her own right for this new series, The Bubbleshock Case. The twist is that she has teenage children as assistants, one of whom was "created" by the baddies in the Bubbleshock episode - so has to learn about life as the series progresses. Sarah adopts him as her child, the other assistant is the girl next door. The episodes are shorter and less complex than the main series being directly targetted at the childrens market, but will still be of interest to the Dr Who connoisseur. Sarah Jane lives in a suburban house with all her secrets in the attic - these include "Mr Smith" her intelligent computer, the vortex safe where K-9 is busy neutralising a dangerous black hole. Oh, and of course she has a sonic screwdriver as well! Sorry, make that a sonic lipstick My children are looking forward to it, and of course a bit of family bonding is in order so I'll reluctantly watch along too Martin
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i love this show. the original from the 70's never caught my fancy but this one is good....
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For those in the UK with digital TV - Sky or Freeview or any varient that carries the free to view BBC digital channels. The Sarah Jane Adventures appears to have it's first outing at 5.10 pm - 6.10 pm Sunday 23rd September on the CBBC Channel. This appears to be a complete story (2 episodes) It then has a 5.00 - 5.25 slot on BBC1 on Monday 24th Sept and a 5.30 - 600 pm slot on CBBC the same day. Reading between the lines this is part 1 on BBC1 and Part 2 immediately after on CBBC. That suggests a regular Monday slot at 5.00 pm with the following weeks episode immediately after on CBBC. This channel change trick fror next weeks episode is a regular BBC thing to increase uptake of the digital service prior to the big switchoff of analogue channels. I will try to catch the Sunday screening as it's much more family friendly than during the post work/school madness on a weekday. Martin
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martinput:
For those in the UK with digital TV - Sky or Freeview or any varient that carries the free to view BBC digital channels. The Sarah Jane Adventures appears to have it's first outing at 5.10 pm - 6.10 pm Sunday 23rd September on the CBBC Channel. This appears to be a complete story (2 episodes) It then has a 5.00 - 5.25 slot on BBC1 on Monday 24th Sept and a 5.30 - 600 pm slot on CBBC the same day. Reading between the lines this is part 1 on BBC1 and Part 2 immediately after on CBBC. That suggests a regular Monday slot at 5.00 pm with the following weeks episode immediately after on CBBC. This channel change trick fror next weeks episode is a regular BBC thing to increase uptake of the digital service prior to the big switchoff of analogue channels. I will try to catch the Sunday screening as it's much more family friendly than during the post work/school madness on a weekday. Martin
Thanks for the info! Although I live in the Netherlands, I do have digital television and can therefor recieve CBBC So I'll definitely be watching; I liked the pilot, hopefully the rest of the series will be satisfactory as well
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Well Sarah Jane is up and running. The Sunday CBBC programme turned out to be the pilot programme again - the Bubbleshock/Bane story - still welcome though. The first and second episodes of the new series still has character development running through it, hopefully we have all the principals in place now and can get on with the usual Sci-Fi storylines. I won't discuss episode two as not all UK viewers can get CBBC for the preview screening of next weeks episode. As expected not quite the level of intensity or threat associated with Dr Who but some lovely script writing and humour woven through. It'll keep me going until Dr Who and Torchwood return. Martin
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Doctor Who reference in "Family Guy" In the "Family Guy" adaptation of Star Wars, they show Peter as Han Solo and he is piloting the Millenium Falcon, and he says how freaky travelling in hyperspace is, and they show the DW intro of Tom Baker through the Falcon's cockpit windows:
You'll see it around 1:45 into the segment. -
Ya I saw a two hour Dr. Who last night and it was great sci-fi fly
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The next series of Doctor Who will feature a storyline set in ancient Rome......and the series will be the last for a year or so while David takes on a major Shakespearian role.
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awwww
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david mitchelson:
The next series of Doctor Who will feature a storyline set in ancient Rome......
There are a series of books published in association with the TV series containing competely original storylines. One of these was a tale called "The Stone Rose" set in Ancient Rome - albeit written around Billy Piper's character - I wonder if that might be rewritten? As to David Tennants "time out" we posted about this earlier: http://macca.paulmccartney.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1930998#1930998 onwards. There will still be a series of specials to keep the show ticking over. Martin
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I really enjoy it when disparate elements of my various interests unexpectedly combine. Previously I was amazed and fascinated to learn of Douglas Adams (Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy) love of the Beatles and friendship with David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) - that was real double whammy. Today I have just watched the second episode of a two parter story in the Sarah Jane Adventures - called "Whatever Happened To Sarah Jane?" And the lead character for the story-line Andrea Yates was played by Jane Asher! No need to say the tale was excellent coming out of the BBC Dr Who/ Torchwood/Sarah-Jane Adventures stable. Life really surprises me at times Martin
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I like the Sarah Jane adventures! The last one I saw was the Kudlak one. I am a bit behind. I was fortunate, last week when I was in England I got to see a Dr Who play down in Portsmouth. It was great! They even let you go up on stage after the show and have a photo with the Daleks, and I got to meet Nick Briggs (the voice of the Daleks). It was great! It was just unbelievable timing that the play was so close to Paul's Roundhouse gig! Podgie (Ex-ter-min-aaaatttteee!) Monkey
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Peter Moffatt - 1923 -2007 Veteran Doctor Who director passes away 02 November 2007 http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2007/11/02/50416.shtml It's with great sadness that we have to announce that Classic Series director Peter Moffatt died on 21 October 2007. Peter directed six stories in total for the series, from 1980's State of Decay to 1985's The Two Doctors. Possibly his finest achievement was 1983's anniversary epic The Five Doctors. Since then, Peter was a regular contributor to the extras for the Classic Series DVD releases. As well as his work on Doctor Who, Moffatt worked on many other high-profile series during his distinguished career. These included All Creatures Great and Small, Juliet Bravo and Within These Walls.
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Sad to hear about Peter Moffat - although I never follow the production personnel involved closely it just goes to highlight the length of time this show has been around. As the year goes on the soap opera gossip that follows the series continues. Once again rumour circulates that David Tennant may not return after this latest series - although the break in full production after this series was supposedly to accomodate his plans. Also stories circulate about assistants, certainly Freyma (Martha) is not fully involved with the next series although returns later in the series. Catherine Tate capitalises on her success in the last Christmas special and returns as The Doctors main assistant from the off in the new series. A new name has also entered the fray with the songstress Lily Allen being rumoured to be in early talks for the series after next. Whatever, whoever, it's all fascinating stuff..... Martin