Watching Doctor Who

(image source: Amazon.co.uk as linked below)

Christopher Eccleston recently did a voiceover for an Amnesty International video about the proposed UK laws that would enable them to detain terrorism suspects for 42 days without a trial. You can watch “Sleepwalking” here.

In this years’ National Television Awards the male and female talent are competing against one another in every category. What does this mean for us? Well…it means that David Tennant and Catherine Tate are competing against each other for the Outstanding Drama Performance Award. (Doctor Who is also up for Most Popular Drama, by the way.) You still have a couple of days left to vote, if you’re of a mind to do so. Slightly more than seven days left until the show.

Digital Spy is reporting that the score for Doctor Who series four will be out on 17 November in the UK. No sign of it in the US as yet. Some of the tracks include: Season Four Opening Credits, Songs of Captivity and Freedom, and Silence In The Library. Yay for Oodsong!

Some other items that are out right now (and coming soon), for those of you preparing your Christmas/Chanukah/etc. lists:
* The Torchwood Soundtrack (US)
* The Sarah Jane Adventures - The Complete First Season (US)
* Doctor Who: The Complete Fourth Series (US) (18 November)
* Doctor Who: The Infinite Quest (US) (18 November)
* “Torchwood”: Lost Souls (BBC Audio) (UK)

And finally, just a note to remind you all that next month is the Two Year Anniversary of this blog. Wow! I don’t believe it! Stand by for a contest announcement at some point soon.

Christopher Eccleston, National Television Awards, David Tennant, Catherine Tate, Doctor Who, Torchwood

Hanukkah is nearly over. Christmas is on its way (and with it, Voyage of the Damned.) The Solstice will be here a few days sooner. No matter which holiday you celebrate this time of year, you are going to spend time shopping for presents. What Doctor Who-related gift are you hoping to receive? Will it be toys? Are you waiting on a special book? Is someone knitting you a scarf? Let us know! As usual, I will include some suggestions to get you started.

Shopping Suggestions:

• The Doctor Who 2008 Wall Calendar
• Flight Control TARDIS
• A Doctor Who Scarf
• A Nice “Hermits United” shirt
• 2008 Doctor Who Annual
• The Sarah Jane Action Figure
• Radio Controlled Dalek
• Torchwood: Another Life
• Seal of Rassilon Tattoo
• Doctor Who Trivia Game

Surprise! I actually want everything on this list. (Psst! Honey! *points at list*) Anyway, if I had to narrow down my choices to one, I’d have to go with the Radio-controlled Dalek. I have wanted one of those for a really long time. I already have some Who-related shirts (for all that I drool over some of the stuff on Cafe Press) and I’ll make myself a scarf at some point here. A radio-controlled Dalek is just plain cool. So there.

Well, what are you waiting for? What Doctor Who-related item do you want for your holiday gift?

Voyage of the Damned, Doctor Who

It’s the Holiday Shopping season again. So, I thought that you all might enjoy some of the highlights of what’s out there. (Oh, and I apologize for posting this so late. I think that the stairs in my apartment have it in for me. Yes. I fell on the stairs again. Good thing I turn out to be pretty durable. Nothing is broken, but wow the pain. It’s slowed me down a bit.) Anyway, I’ll start with the Weeping Angel Action Figure. Own your own quantum-locked Assassin! (Item pictured above. Don’t blink.) The item is five inches tall and poseable. Why not buy four and set them up around your TARDIS?

In other Action Figure news, Sarah Jane has an action figure!

Like your presents a bit more interactive? Why not try The Master’s Laser Screwdriver or The Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver? Just be sure that you give the right screwdriver to the correct person. You wouldn’t want to get those mixed up. You wouldn’t want the Judoon to get involved, would you?

There are all sorts of books available right now, and most of them are on my Christmas list. The Doctor Who Encyclopedia by Gary Russell is the one I’m most interested in. It contains more of those “never before seen” pictures, and I’m curious to see what sorts of previously unknown information it features. I’m also keen to get a hold of the 2008 Doctor Who Annual, but that’s mostly because I like annuals. Fans of the Sarah Jane Adventures can find several Audiobooks over on Amazon.co.uk. In calendar land, you can fill up your walls with the Doctor Who Calendar and the Torchwood Calendar.

And now, some of the more…unusual items out there:

What would breakfast be without the Doctor Who egg cup?

Why not go as a Dalek to your next fancy dress party?

How about a Wibbly-Wobbly Timey Wimey Wall Clock?

Or, just spend all of your money on t-shirts.

Argh! I can’t decide. I want it all.

There are all sorts of new Doctor Who Tie-ins coming out these days. Some are strange, some entertaining, and some are dead useful. Take the Judoon Scanner UV Pen and Light (pictured above) for example. It would be very handy to have one of these with you if you ever encountered a platoon of Judoon. You could pre-mark yourself and everything!

Did you know that pretty much every character from the modern version of the show has their own action figure? Well, if they don’t yet, it’s coming soon. Seriously. Theres a 12″ Dalek Sec Hybrid, a 12″ Novice Hame, a 5″ Doctor Constantine, a 5″ Gelth Zombie, a 5″ Brannigan, Evil Toby, and even Grandma Connolly and The Wire (though…wasn’t that Mrs. Connolly’s mother? I think they’ve got the wrong name there.) Not to mention Martha, The Doctor, and The TARDIS. See what I mean?

In the Okay-I-Wasn’t-Expecting-That Department, I offer you Advent calendars. Your choice - Dalek or Cyberman. (There are also normal calendars - David Tennant and Doctor Who.) Or, how about the TARDIS Ice Bucket.

I’ve found Boxer Shorts with David Tennant on them. Still not the infamous Y-fronts…but getting closer.

Personally, I want the 10th Doctor Stand-up (but I’d need to find someplace selling it in the USA), the Doctor Who Trivia Game, and a You Never Forget Your First Doctor T-shirt.

And finally, because I know The Vig has been looking for this, the Sonic Screwdriver and Psychic Paper set.

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed your Doctor Who Stuff update. Happy Shopping!

Doctor Who

Keeping with the Tie-in theme that I have going lately, this week I would like to know: What is the most unusual Doctor Who Tie-In (official or fan made) that you have encountered? There are some really…er…interesting things out there. Car signs that say “Mrs. David Tennant” on them, for example. Those strike me as a bit…stalkerish. Don’t you agree? (Anyway, his name is really “David McDonald.” “David Tennant” is his stage name, so those signs aren’t all that accurate. What? Oh, sorry. Back on topic.) What have you seen in your travels across the ‘net? As usual, I offer you a few gems that I am forced to wonder about. Some are cool, some make you very curious about where they came from. Well, here we go.

Some Esoteric Tie-ins:

• A Painting of David Tennant
• Doctor Who Skateboard
• Doctor Who Folding Chair
• The infamous Mrs. David Tennant white thong underwear.
• Talking Dalek Bottle Opener
• A David Tennant Pillowcase
• 5th Doctor Costume
• Doctor Who Cookbook
• Plush Dalek
• Cyberman Shower Radio

I really have to go with the thong as the most unusual tie-in. There are some really cool and random tie-ins out there. I mean, hello? Skateboard? Shower Radio? But the thong just weirds me out a wee bit. What unusual tie-ins have you encountered? Do you agree with me on the infamous thong? Let me know.

Doctor Who, Plush Dalek

Hello all. This week I have been pondering shopping (perhaps my weekend spent shopping has something to do with this, but I can’t be sure.) As you know, there are all kinds of Doctor Who-related products on the market today. Everything from party supplies to costumes is available if you know where to look. So, this week’s question is: What is your favorite Doctor Who tie-in product? Do you have the soundtrack on eternal repeat? Is your mobile phone tastefully adorned with a K-9 charm? Is that a Clockwork Robot action figure defending your desk at work? I’m not going to require that you actually own this item, but that’s generally a pretty good way to tell what your favorite product actually is. I have created a list of tie-ins for you to ponder, but feel free to wander off like good little companions.

A few products for you to ponder:

• The Plush Dalek (Can’t you just imagine it at a Dolly Tea Party?)
• Fiction Books (Like The Stone Rose.)
• 10th Doctor Pajamas
• TARDIS socks
• The TARDIS playset
• Non-Fiction Books (Like The Key to Time by Peter Haining.)
• Doctor Who Magazine
• Sonic Screwdriver Torch
• The TARDIS key
• DVDs (Which are the ultimate tie-ins, I suppose.)

Well, my favorite product that I don’t yet own is The 9th Doctor’s coat. If I ever win the lottery, I am *so* there. My favorite product that I actually own is the Sonic Screwdriver torch. This may have something to do with my flashlight fixation, but it’s cool either way you look at it. Now, if only I had a real sonic screwdriver. …or maybe a TARDIS. What about you?

Doctor Who, tie-in product, soundtrack, K-9, Clockwork Robot, Plush Dalek, The Stone Rose, TARDIS socks, TARDIS playset, The Key to Time, Doctor Who Magazine, Sonic Screwdriver Torch, TARDIS key

I’ve been surfing around again lately, looking for interesting Doctor Who tie-ins and the infamous David Tennant y-fronts (still looking for those.) In the process I’ve found some interesting things that I thought you might enjoy.

To begin with, I recently bought a couple of things from Voga. My order arrived in less than a week! A couple of pairs of Dalek socks for my husband (which he is enjoying) and a TARDIS mobile phone charm for me. Now, I figured that the phone charm wouldn’t flash properly on my American phone, but I didn’t care. Then it arrived and I discovered…there is no way to attach it to my new phone. *pout* So, my husband ran off with it. Now it’s on *his* phone. Oh, well. It looks cute on his phone.

Some other random interesting things I have encountered:

A Stuffed Dalek! - that’s right, a silver plush Dalek (pictured above) will become available on 14 July. I’m trying to image Daleks as cute and cuddly, and it’s not quite working for me. I kinda want one, though.

How about a Talking Dalek Bottle Opener? I suppose that it’s prepared to “Exterminate” your beer, so use caution.

Perfect for your upcoming birthday party is the Doctor Who Party Pack featuring Cybermen and Daleks. This one is actually pretty cool. I’m sure a bunch of folks have been waiting for this sort of thing to become available. Remind me to have a party this year…

I *did* find some children’s pajamas with The 10th Doctor on the front.

Another one that I would like to own: The University of Gallifrey Mug. Nice design work on this one.

And finally, how about a white thong with “I love David Tennant” on it?

Have you encountered any entertaining Doctor Who-related stuff? Please let me know. It’s always fun to see what’s out there.

Doctor Who, David Tennant, Voga, Dalek socks, TARDIS mobile phone charm, Stuffed Dalek, Talking Dalek Bottle Opener, Doctor Who Party Pack

Remember the auction that I told you about last month? Well, according to contactmusic.com, the final price received for the Fourth Doctor Costume auction was *twelve times* larger than expected. Wow! The final price on the auction website is listed as “£20,500 plus Premium and tax.” (For those of you with buckets of cash lying around, the Obi-Wan Cloak hasn’t sold yet. The estimated price is: £50,000 - 60,000. I know…that’s Star Wars, not Doctor Who, but you have to admit it has a high cool factor.) Oh, and The Ninth Doctor’s coat that I was simply dying to own? It was withdrawn from the auction. I wonder what prompted that? BBC plot? Alien plot? Hmmm…

Some of the other final prices:

Second Doctor Costume - £8,000 plus Premium and tax

Third Doctor Costume - £8,000 plus Premium and tax

Fifth Doctor Costume - £4,200 plus Premium and tax

Seventh Doctor Costume - £1,000 plus Premium and tax

So…anyone else notice that the Fourth Doctor’s Costume went for around the same price as everything else put together? Go Fourth Doctor!

Fourth Doctor, Doctor Who, Ninth Doctor, Second Doctor Costume, Third Doctor Costume, Fifth Doctor Costume, Seventh Doctor Costume

You may recall some of the stuff that I mentioned purchasing in the Dealer’s Room at Gallifrey One. Yes? Well, I got some pictures of a couple of things, and I thought that I’d share them with you. Enjoy!

Picture 1: My Necklace from Springtime Creations. (They really need to update their website.) Please note the Seal of Rassilon. They had several necklaces featuring that motif, as well as some with tiny old-style TARDIS keys.

Picture 2: Newly Framed Art by Carolyn Edwards, who now has a bit of a Con Report of her own up on her blog. She has also posted a wee picture of this, her best-selling picture at the Con. It sounds like she’ll be back next year. Yea! (Now, I need to start saving to be able to afford some of her custom work.)

Picture 3: Autographed Gallifrey One Program Cover that was easier to frame than Colin Baker’s Autograph. Yes, this is sort of turning into a slide show, but I had to show y’all this one. The program cover was already “suitable for framing.” (Hey…are the Dalek and Cyberman surrounded by Stargates?) I had way too much fun getting everyone’s autograph, even if I didn’t manage to get one from Steven Moffat. (Paul Cornell’s signature is to the right and slightly above the R.)

Picture 4: My Big Geeky Wall that has all of this stuff on it. Sgt. Benton is on the right above the Billie Piper calendar. The three pictures above my Colin Baker autograph are some art that my husband has been working on lately. As you can see, there is room for more. *grin*

So, there you go. Now you see what happens when I have a bit too much fun at a Convention. I come home and get creative with a blank wall. It’s a darn good thing that my husband is also a fan, eh?

Gallifrey One, Springtime Creations, Carolyn Edwards, Colin Baker, Steven Moffat, Paul Cornell, Sgt. Benton, Billie Piper

Well, it seems that while I was at the Gallifrey One Convention, The Vig, a frequent commenter here, found a place that sells the 9th Doctor’s Coat! It comes in a variety of sizes, and a couple of colors. It seems that the coat was based on a German WW2 submariner’s jacket. Too bad I just spent all of my money at the Con. Now, if someone would just find Romana 2’s coat for me…

9th Doctor’s Coat

Attention all fans of the 9th Doctor’s Leather coat! If you happen to have £4,000 lying around, you can bid on it at the Bonhams “Angels Star Collection of Film & TV Costumes” auction. That’s not the only Doctor Who-related item available. They also have items (mostly costumes) from Doctors 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7. (and Obi-Wan’s cloak…) The Auction will occur on Tuesday 6 March 2007 at Bonhams in Knightsbridge, London. For more information check out the Bonhams Press Release. Explore the Auction Catalog, and then get your funds together. (Now, if only I had that kind of money just lying around…)

Doctor Who, Bonhams

A while back I ran across a TARDIS-shaped USB Hub available over on Amazon.co.uk. Amber (a frequent commenter here) reminded me about it, and now I’m seeing stuff about it everywhere. I showed it to my husband, and now he wants one. Sadly, Amazon.co.uk doesn’t seem to be willing to ship this bit of electronics to the US. So, far, I’ve only found one place that seems to have it here in the US (and they won’t actually have it until April, apparently.) Does anyone know where I could actually get one of these? (The light works, and it makes noise, by the way.)

TARDIS-shaped USB Hub

This is just a reminder to let y’all know that the second season DVDs for Doctor Who are available in the US as of today. I pre-ordered mine from Amazon, so they won’t be arriving until Thursday. Le sigh. I can’t wait for all of the extras on this set. Reportedly, there are all sorts of commentaries, video diaries, and the cut down version of Doctor Who: Confidential. Yes, I am the sort that watches all of the extras. (I spent a great deal of time with the LOTR DVDs for just this reason.) So, if you haven’t already, get out there and buy those DVDs.

DVD, Doctor Who, Doctor Who: Confidential

Last evening I was working on a scarf (yes, I knit, a little) and I had the sudden mad urge to make the scarf incredibly long, even though it was pink. This, in turn, made me think of Tom Baker’s infamous scarf. (pictured here) How many people are mad enough to make one of their own? Well, quite a few as it turns out. I popped over to Ebay, and found six different “Doctor Who Scarves” for sale, for prices of up to $119.99. So, I did a bit more searching, and I found a website called The Doctor Who Scarf. This fabulous site has both pictures of The Scarf (okay, Scarves) and instructions on how to make your own. This is particularly helpful for folks who do not own a copy of The Doctor Who Pattern Book by Joy Gammon (the scarf pattern is on page 37). Now I want to attempt this feat (after the pink one, of course). It’ll take a while, but I’ll let you know if I ever finish it. How many of you folks own a “Doctor Who Scarf?” (Erik? You have one, right?) (Also, does anyone know where I can find Romana #2’s pink coat? I’m looking for that too.)

Edit: Here’s the direct link to the pattern for the first scarf.

Tom Baker, scarf, Doctor Who, The Doctor Who Pattern Book, Joy Gammon

I’ve received all of my presents now, so I can finally report back to you on my Doctor Who-related presents. I only received two, but my goodness they are pretty.

Doctor Who: The Beginning set contains An Unearthly Child, The Daleks, and The Edge of Destruction. My parents are the ones that gave me this DVD set for Christmas. Finally I have the official DVDs for the first three episodes of the original series! Perhaps they were tipped off that I wanted this by the five stars next to it on my Christmas list. Who knows? Hopefully I will have time to sit down and watch these episodes again soon.

Doctor Who: Aliens and Enemies by Justin Richards is the informational sequel to Doctor Who: Monsters and Villains. It contains even more information about The Doctor’s foes, and like its predecessor, is full of glossy, full-color photographs of those foes. It doesn’t merely concentrate on the baddies encountered by the tenth Doctor. All sorts of enemies from the classic series also lurk in these pages.

So, there you are. My Doctor Who-related presents from this year. Did you get anything fun?

Doctor Who, Doctor Who: The Beginning, An Unearthly Child, The Daleks, The Edge of Destruction, Doctor Who: Aliens and Enemies, Justin Richards, Doctor Who: Monsters and Villains