Watching Doctor Who

It’s finally coming. The next Doctor Who special episode, Planet of the Dead is headed for UK televisions on Easter. I’m not sure when it will finally make it over to the United States, though, as a quick glance over at the Sci Fi Channel’s website didn’t find a date listed for that episode to appear as yet. In any case, here is the trailer to whet your appetite for the special which is now only about a week and a half away. What do you think?

Planet of the Dead:

Personally, I think it looks a bit like I will be spending the episode behind the sofa. Do I want to know where the TARDIS ended up? And where exactly are they? (Apart from Dubai, that is.)

I can’t wait!

As promised, here is the next installment of the Whoniverse-based musical playlists. This list covers all of the Tenth Doctor episodes up through the end of series three (with huge thanks for the updaters of the Wikipedia article on the topic.) I didn’t manage to find a list of music for the most recent series. If any of you know where I might find that list (or ones for Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures) please let me know. I’d like to be a bit more complete about this if I can. Obviously, I wasn’t able to find every song on the list, and in some cases I had to use other versions of the songs. In any case, I hope that you enjoy the twenty-three songs that I did manage to compile. (I’ll try to make lists for each Doctor in the future.)

On the 2009 Red Nose Day show for Comic Relief, David Tennant and Davina McCall competed in a special celebrity edition of Mastermind. Predictably, Davina “The announcer of Big Brother” McCall opted to answer questions for Big Brother 2000-2009 and David Tennant chose to answer questions about Doctor Who 1963-now. I won’t tell you who wins, but I will say that I was impressed my David’s knowledge of our show (well…except the one about the drink. I can’t believe he missed that one.) He really is “one of us.” Let me just add that I have no desire to ever appear on a game show like that. My brain would go completely blank. What about you lot?

Comic Relief | David Tennant and Davina McCall on Mastermind:

Red Nose Day, Comic Relief, David Tennant, Davina McCall, Doctor Who

As most of you know there have been ten different television-based incarnations of The Doctor (soon to be eleven). The original show ran from 1963-1989 (7 Doctors during that time), then there was an American-made film for television (loved the Doctor, thought that the film itself was not the best ever…), and then the new series that began in 2005. Now, I’m sure that you all know that the current series is designed rather like most American television shows, in that the episodes are about an hour in length (when you include advertisements). The Classic series wasn’t like that. One story could last up to twelve episodes (in the case of The Dalek Masterplan), with a cliff-hanger generally at the end of each one. Now, granted that the current series does include some two-parters, but it’s still not quite the same thing. So, I offer you a basis for comparison. (Yes, this would be another one of my lists. Oh, and for the record, I am not including multi-doctor episodes in the tally of any other than the reigning Doctor at the time.)

1. William Hartnell - 1963-1966
29 Stories/134 Episodes (25 minutes each)

2. Patrick Troughton - 1966-1969
21 Stories/119 Episodes (25 minutes each)

3. Jon Pertwee - 1970-1974
24 Stories/128 Episodes (now in color)

4. Tom Baker - 1974-1981
42 Stories/178 Episodes (if you include Shada)

5. Peter Davison - 1982-1984
20 Stories/69 Episodes

6. Colin Baker - 1984-1986
11 Stories/31 Episodes (45 minutes each after The Twin Dilemma, then back to 25 minutes each during Trial of a Time Lord)

7. Sylvester McCoy - 1987-1989 (and 1996 film)
12 Stories/42 Episodes (and the film)

8. Paul McGann - 1996 film
The American Film (and many audio adventures)

9. Christopher Eccleston - 2005
13 Episodes

10. David Tennant - 2006-2010?
39 Episodes, 4 Christmas Specials, 3 other specials…

11. Matt Smith - 2010-?

The Doctor, William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Doctor Who

As you may recall, David Tennant and Davina McCall were to share host duties for this year’s Red Nose Day in support of Comic Relief. And indeed, they did. So perhaps it isn’t too surprising that at one point Davina decided to ask David a question that many of us would have asked in her place. Yes, she asked him for a kiss. In the interest of raising money for charity, David agreed. Davina’s donation was then doubled when she took things a bit farther. All I have to say is…nice dip there, David.

David Tennant Kisses Davina McCall - Red Nose Day 2009:

What do you think of David’s white suit? I think he looks pretty good. Davina’s dress was a lovely shade of red. I don’t think that I could manage to get away with the dress itself. Ah well.

This looks to be one of David Tennant’s behind the scenes video diaries from Doctor Who series three. What can I say? It was amusing, so I had to share it with you all. You know how it is.

David Tennant and John Simm behind the scenes:

So, what did you think? The whole bit about the glue still being on the back of David’s hands made my skin itch a bit. What about you? Poor John Simm had a cold while they were filming? I couldn’t tell. Good job with the acting there, John. Here we see why I didn’t take that up professionally. I just can’t ignore being sick. That and I’d probably get all claustrophobic in prosthetics. The flying thing looks kind of fun, though.

David Tennant, Doctor Who

With a huge hat tip to a certain “nijnepluis” for posting them over on Youtube, I bring you three Tenth Doctor bloopers. The first one is from that bit near the beginning of New Earth where the Doctor and Rose are relaxing on his coat amongst the apple grass.

Blooper - New Earth:

Well, you’re bound to get a face full of hair if you insist on filming in a spot that windy, yes?

This second blooper is from the special mini-episode of Doctor Who called Music of the Spheres that was played during the Doctor Who BBC Prom. Let’s just say…”oops.”

Blooper - Music of the Spheres Special:

Don’t worry, David, I think it’s okay.

Our final blooper for today is from Partners in Crime. Having to imagine a fake window can sometimes lead to an attack of the giggles.

Blooper - Partners in Crime:

Am I alone in thinking that a toolbox full of chocolate tools sounds…tasty? Hey! The Doctor Who marketing team should come out with chocolate TARDISes and Sonic Screwdriver lollies. I know that there was some Easter special sweet or other, but I don’t remember what it was. Anyone?

Tenth Doctor, New Earth, Doctor Who, Blooper, Music of the Spheres, Partners in Crime

(Photo: WireImage/Samir Hussein - Catherine Tate arrives at the Woman’s Own Children of Courage Awards 2008)

Attention all David Tennant fans! (especially The Vig) The Telegraph is reporting that David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, and the rest of the Hamlet crew will be returning to film their Hamlet in June. Yes, you read that right. They’re going to be filming David’s Hamlet! Apparently it will be more than just filming the stage, but not quite the feature film level. Hamlet will be filmed over the course of two to three weeks. Let the squeeing begin! I can’t wait to see what they come up with, and it darn well better come out on DVD.

Remember how there was supposed to be a K9 series at some point? Well, now we have more information. Park Entertainment’s site has more information for us now. There is no trailer of promo up yet, but it looks like the show will take place in London of the future. There will be adventurous teens, a reclusive scientist, and, of course, K9. What will they be doing? Defending the Earth, of course. I’m not sure when we’ll be seeing the finished product, but I’m very curious to see what it looks like. It will be live action, by the way.

According to People.co.uk, Freema Agyeman may be currently working hard on Law and Order UK, but she isn’t ruling out appearing in Doctor Who again in the future. In the article, she even mentions that she’d like to be on Strictly Come Dancing. Well, it looks like her new show is already doing well. Congrats, Freema!

David Tennant, K9, Freema Agyeman

(It turns out that I’ve been collecting odds and ends of news and coolness in my Firefox tags since before I left for Gallifrey One. So, here they are all gathered together for you.)

I’ve got two word for you all: TARDIS quilt! My Mum has gotten very into quilting since she’s retired, and in surfing around quilting sites she discovered this quilt. She has now added my request for a TARDIS quilt of my own to her growing queue. I rather think I will remain at the end for a while, but I don’t mind. I can wait, albeit impatiently.

There’s a rumour going around that Robert Mugabe, the President of Zimbabwe, might have some of the lost episodes of Doctor Who in his possession. Any Doctor Who fans out there in Zimbabwe who are willing to infiltrate the Presidential tape vault? Anyone?

In an interview on the official BBC Doctor Who site, Matt Smith admits to liking long coats and “rather dashing scarves.” Perhaps this will influence his outfit as the Doctor? He’s apparently deep in the thick of things now. I, for one, am dead curious to see what they come up with for both the costume and the character.

The first of the Doctor Who tenth Doctor special episodes, Planet of the Dead, is using Dubai, of all places, as one of its filming locations. I heard that they had trouble with one of their doubledecker buses in the process. In any case, for a tiny bit of information and five interesting photographs of filming (one of which is now my desktop background) go here.

And finally, I offer you a most amazing video as sent to me by Paul of Toybender.com (which I subsequently watched on Topless Robot.) Have you ever asked yourself what a Doctor Who Anime might look like? OtaKing77077 is working on the answer to that question. In the meantime, he offers the world a bit of the work in progress. Fans of the third Doctor may now rejoice.

Making a proper Doctor Who anime by OtaKing77077:

Doctor Who, Matt Smith, Planet of the Dead

I’ve been over to my entertainment photos place again (WireImage for those of you who are curious) and I have brought back a crop of photos for your viewing pleasure. To start with, we have a picture of David Tennant on his way out after an evening as Hamlet. I wonder how many autographs he signed in total during the run. Quite a few, I’d wager. Good thing he’s got a scarf on. It looks cold out there.

(Photo: WireImage/D Martindale)

This next photo is one I turned up of Matt Smith acting in “That Face” from a couple of years ago. It’s nice to see that he’s had a variety of roles. It should stand him in good stead when facing a role like The Doctor. I would, however, like to point out to the character he is playing here that some nice shoes would make a world of difference with that dress.

(Photo: WireImage/Franks)

Freema Agyeman was recently a presenter at the South Bank Show Awards. It looks like success agrees with her, eh? Looking good Freema! I hope that Law & Order: UK turns out to be a fantastic success for you.

(Photo: WireImage/Mike Marsland)

I’m posting this last picture, of the beauteous Billie Piper, for a certain friend of mine. I’m thinking that he may kill me, though, when I tell him that the picture was taken at the CBS and Showtime Network’s Winter Television Critics Association Party in Hollywood, California on 14 January 2009. I hope that this picture makes up for that knowledge. She’s looking good post-baby, yes?

(Photo: WireImage/Bucci)

We’ve been given four series full of wild adventures, wicked baddies, and dropped hints in Doctor Who. It’s been quite a ride. So, this time I am not asking you to come up with one favorite episode for the whole show so far. Mind you, if you do have a clear favorite feel free to expound upon its charms. For the rest of us I ask: What are your favorite new series episodes so far? Everything we’ve seen so far is game, even the Children in Need specials if you so choose. Let’s hear it! As usual, I’ve provided you with a list to jog your memory.

The story so far:

Season 1

1. Rose
2. The End of the World
3. The Unquiet Dead
4. Aliens of London
5. World War Three
6. Dalek
7. The Long Game
8. Father’s Day
9. The Empty Child
10. The Doctor Dances
11. Boom Town
12. Bad Wolf
13. The Parting of the Ways

Special: The Attack of the Graske
Special: Children in Need
Christmas Special: The Christmas Invasion

Season 2

1. New Earth
2. Tooth and Claw
3. School Reunion
4. The Girl in the Fireplace
5. Rise of the Cybermen
6. The Age of Steel
7. The Idiot’s Lantern
8. The Impossible Planet
9. The Satan Pit
10. Love & Monsters
11. Fear Her
12. Army of Ghosts
13. Doomsday

Christmas Special: The Runaway Bride

Season 3

1. Smith and Jones
2. The Shakespeare Code
3. Gridlock
4. Daleks in Manhattan
5. Evolution of the Daleks
6. The Lazarus Experiment
7. 42
8. Human Nature
9. The Family of Blood
10. Blink
11. Utopia
12. The Sound of Drums
13. Last of the Time Lords

Special: Time Crash
Christmas Special: Voyage of the Damned

Season 4

1. Partners in Crime
2. The Fires of Pompeii
3. Planet of the Ood
4. The Sontaran Stratagem
5. The Poison Sky
6. The Doctor’s Daughter
7. The Unicorn and the Wasp
8. Silence in the Library
9. Forest of the Dead
10. Midnight
11. Turn Left
12. The Stolen Earth
13. Journey’s End

Christmas Special: The Next Doctor

I need to start by saying that I love all of Steven Moffat’s episodes. This is a darn good thing considering that he’s taking over. Apart from those, I am a huge fan of Idiot’s Lantern and The Impossible Planet/Satan Pit. A few of my other favorites are: The Shakespeare Code, Father’s Day, and The Next Doctor. Really, it would be much easier to come up with episodes I don’t like.

Which episodes come to mind for you?

Doctor Who

(Photo: BBC. Michelle Ryan and David Tennant)

We now have a bit more information about the upcoming Doctor Who special due on Easter 2009 - Planet of the Dead. The official BBC Doctor Who site is reporting that Michelle Ryan (recently of the Bionic Woman) will join the Tenth Doctor as “the mysterious Lady Christina de Souza.” As you can see in the photo above, a bus-trip is involved. One would think that The Doctor had had enough of bus trips by this point. Also appearing in this episode are: Lee Evans (The Fifth Element, There’s Something About Mary) as Malcolm and Noma Dumezweni in a repeat appearance as Captain Erisa Magambo (from the episode Turn Left.) Sounds to me like they’re brewing up quite an episode. I can’t wait!

Note: If you still haven’t popped over to Food History to see my guest post, here is the link.

Has anyone out there seen the American show Leverage? A friend of mine (Hi, Eideann!) kindly informed me that there had been Doctor Who references in the show. Like…enough that she thinks that at least one of the writers must be a fan. So, what did I do? I went over to YouTube, and this is what I found:

Leverage - Extreme Doctor Who Reference:

I laughed so hard. I love it when people sneak references like that into shows. Apparently, this is not the only reference in Leverage. One of the characters turns out to be a fan…which might explain the names on the IDs in the clip above, come to think of it.

Speaking of the Whoniverse leaking into other shows, there’s also the Halloween episode of the new Knight Rider to consider. Captain Jack Harkness is a good Halloween costume choice, yes?

Captain Jack for Halloween on Knight Rider:

I can’t believe that they managed to work a severed hand into this. That was just made of win.

Doctor Who, Planet of the Dead, Michelle Ryan

I’ve done it again. I’ve gone and compiled another huge list. This time it’s a whole list of of the new series scriptwriters…so far. Take a minute to look them over and reflect.

Chris Chibnall: - 1
42 (3.7)

Paul Cornell: - 3
Father’s Day (1.8), Human Nature (3.8), The Family of Blood (3.9)

Russell T. Davies: - 28!
Rose (1.1), The End of the World (1.2), Aliens of London(1.4), World War Three (1.5), The Long Game (1.7), Boom Town (1.11), Bad Wolf (1.12), The Parting of The Ways (1.13), The Children in Need special, The Christmas Invasion, New Earth (2.1), Tooth and Claw (2.2), Love and Monsters (2.10), Army of Ghosts (2.12), Doomsday (2.13), The Runaway Bride, Smith and Jones (3.1), Gridlock (3.3), Utopia (3.11), The Sound of Drums (3.12), Last of the Time Lords (3.13), Voyage of the Damned, Partners in Crime (4.1), Midnight (4.10), Turn Left (4.11), The Stolen Earth (4.12), Journey’s End (4.13), The Next Doctor

Mark Gatiss: - 2
The Unquiet Dead (1.3), The Idiot’s Lantern (2.7)

Matthew Graham - 1
Fear Her (2.11)

Stephen Greenhorn: - 2
The Lazarus Experiment (3.6), The Doctor’s Daughter (4.6)

Matt Jones: - 2
The Impossible Planet (2.8), The Satan Pit (2.9)

Tom Macrae: - 2
Rise of the Cybermen (2.5), The Age of Steel (2.6)

Steven Moffat: - 7
The Empty Child (1.9), The Doctor Dances (1.10), The Girl in the Fireplace (2.4), Blink (3.10), Time Crash, Silence in the Library (4.8), Forest of the Dead (4.9)

James Moran: - 1
The Fires of Pompeii (4.2)

Helen Raynor: - 4
Daleks in Manhattan (3.4), Evolution of the Daleks (3.5), The Sontaran Stratagem (4.4), The Poison Sky (4.5)

Gareth Roberts - 3
The Attack of the Graske (interactive special), The Shakespeare Code (3.2), The Unicorn and the Wasp (4.7)

Robert Shearman: - 1
Dalek (1.6)

Keith Temple: - 1
Planet of the Ood (4.3)

Toby Whithouse: - 1
School Reunion (2.3)

Chris Chibnall, Paul Cornell, Russell T. Davies, Mark Gatiss, Matthew Graham, Stephen Greenhorn, Matt Jones, Tom Macrae, Steven Moffat, James Moran, Helen Raynor, Gareth Roberts, Robert Shearman, Keith Temple, Toby Whithouse

Today I come bearing another few things that I encountered in my travels as I surfed about on the internet. Firstly, I bring you a link that dudewithak kindly pointed out to me. Have you ever wondered what kind of tea the Doctor would be? Well, if you have, you are apparently not alone. Adagio Teas allows you to design your own tea blends. (I actually made one there for my Nana a few years back.) One of the teas that you may now purchase from them is: Doctor’s Tenth Tea. It is a fine blend of black tea (Irish Breakfast, in fact), banana, and ginger. Jenn Moffat, who designed this tea, also created Noble Companion Tea, a blend of ginger, Christmas, and pomegranate. Now I have an urge to make a rose petal Earl Grey or something for Rose. For Martha, perhaps something spicy like a chai? What sort of tea would Jack be, I wonder. This is a line of thought that I feel The Doctor would approve of wholeheartedly.

Next, I have for you a scene from Billie Piper’s Secret Diary of a Call Girl…which includes Matt Smith. Yep, it’s pretty much what you’d think it is with a title like that. Just a bit more of the future Doctor’s work for you to see.

Matt Smith and Billie Piper in Secret Diary of a Call Girl:

And finally, I have another fan-made music video for you. This one is a bit slower that I usually like, but the song fully pulled me in. Darn you analeian. This is the second video you’ve made that has made me want to run out and buy the song you used. It’s Doctor/Rose-centric, for those of you that care, and the TARDIS has a rather major role.

Song : Blue Caravan - Vienna Teng, Video by analeian:

Adagio Teas, Doctor’s Tenth Tea, Matt Smith, Billie Piper, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, analeian

(Photo:Franks/WireImage - Matt Smith on Stage in 2006)

I have a lot of bits and bobs to share with you all this time around, so I’d better get to it. For example, did you know that when he was announced as the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith was nowhere to be found on WireImage (the Entertainment photo and video archive.) Now, suddenly, there are a slew of images of him from various stage performances (as you can see above.) I guess he’s on his way. I’m interested to see what will show up there as the year goes on.

In my online travels, I have run across another holiday-themed Dalek. Check it out. I obviously have to start thinking now about my Christmas decorations for 2009.

KTEH in San Jose, CA is holding a video contest! If you’re older than 13, can actually get to San Jose (do you know the way?), and are willing to make an entirely original video related to Doctor Who, you can enter. Personally, I’m hoping that I can enter something…after I visit a certain evil twin of mine in L.A. Anyone else out there entering?

Character Options is coming out with a new series of Doctor Who action figures called “Time Squad“:

The picture above is one of the sets that will be available on 16 February 2009 at Forbidden Planet and I imagine elsewhere also. Huge thanks to msauers and littleradge for letting me know about these action figures. May I just say, in a moment of girly-ness, that these toys are so cute? No? Well…they are. They’re only 2 inches tall. I’m so tempted to get them all and take them to work. They would give my desk a certain something, don’t you think?

And finally, I offer you a silly video. This is the trailer for Austin Powers: Goldmember redone with clips from the new series of Doctor Who. Thehellishgnome is obviously brilliant, as this works out a bit too well. Mind you, Mike Myers’ voice coming out of David Tennant’s mouth is a bit disturbing. Yeah, baby.

Matt Smith, Dalek, KTEH, video contest, Character Options, Time Squad, Austin Powers: Goldmember