Watching Doctor Who

Before I get started, I must admit that I hate April Fool’s Day. If at all possible, I even take the day off of work and hide in my bedroom. Well, not actually in my bedroom, but you get the idea. Why? I’m not sure. I think there were too many stupid jokes I had to deal with as a child.

On the other hand, I love the obvious online April Fool’s jokes. Like the ones over at Google, you know? So, in that vein, here are a few headlines that I will shock the world by announcing here for the very first time. Are you sitting comfortably?

Then we’ll begin.

Have you heard that David Tennant is planning on staying on Doctor Who…as The Doctor’s assistant? Yes indeed. The Doctor will be his own companion at some point in Series five for a couple of episodes. This may cause a few problems, however, as The Doctor is not well known for getting along with himself, and may leave himself behind on some moon or other. Either that or they will swing by and pick up another incarnation so that they can rename themselves “Me, Myself, and I.”

Series five will bring yet another surprise when we finally see The Doctor’s bedroom, only to discover that the walls are still plastered with posters from old Gallifreyan rock bands. It turns out that he tends to wear the same clothing all the time, because he is too lazy to do the laundry!

The next series of The Sarah Jane Adventures will feature an episode that is a crossover with Torchwood! We will see Captain Jack flirting with Mr. Smith, an alien menace that seems to be a large singing banana, and we will hear Ianto say, “I’ll never be able to look at a Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich the same way again.”

And finally, I am going to be doing a Doctor Who podcast with The Vig over at Shadowproclamation.net. (actually…this part is true. So, keep your eyes peeled. It should be up in a couple of days.)

Happy April Fool’s…

David Tennant

One of the songs from yesterday’s Tenth Doctor playlist is Mr. Blue Sky by the Electric Light Orchestra, otherwise known as ELO. Yes, this was played in the Doctor Who series two episode Love & Monsters. So, I figured what better way to follow that up with a fellow who looks like a young David Tennant (and is very tired of hearing about it…Sorry Liam) in a video where he listens to Mr. Blue Sky in a silly fashion on a train? Yep. He’s lip-syncing. I love the way he’s cut the video together.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Littleradge, he’s a University student in Edinburgh who loves making YouTube videos. So, that means that in addition to looking like David Tennant, he also sounds quite like him. Different region of Scotland, but Scotland nonetheless.

The Night Train (Littleradge and Mr. Blue Sky):

Tenth Doctor, Mr. Blue Sky, Electric Light Orchestra, Doctor Who, Love & Monsters, Littleradge

I don’t know about you folks, but lately I’ve had a need for a good giggle, or outright guffaw. I’m sure that I’m not alone in this, the way things have been going. Imagine my delight, then, when I discovered not only one, but two funny Doctor Who-related call center themed videos while hanging out over at YouTube this weekend.

This first video takes some footage from the end of Doctor Who series two and replaces the soundtrack with hilarious results. “Ashens” gives us a Dalek attempting to renew his house insurance. The voice synthesizers that he used are really quite spot on. I wish I knew how he did it.

Cybermen Call Center:

This one looks like an official commercial of some sort, but it repeats twice for some reason. If you look carefully, you will see an old-style Cyberman in the background. I love that this is labeled “An Average Call Center.” Would that be what the Daleks are doing when they aren’t working on Doctor Who?

Dalek Call Center:

After finding the video of John Barrowman reading a bedtime story on CBBC, I did a bit more surfing about on YouTube and I found this gem. When you see it, you’ll understand why I had to share. Back in 2000, John Barrowman was in a production of “Putting it Together” with Carol Burnett on Broadway. As you might expect, with John Barrowman involved with the production, “Putting it Together” is a musical. In this clip, you get to see some of that singing and dancing. Until, that is, Carol Burnett calls a halt to the show…for a very good reason. How everyone reacts and deals with the problem shows 1) that they believe that the show must go on, and 2) that John Barrowman was a little bit too amused by the situation.

John Barrowman- Putting It Together Blooper:

John Barrowman, Putting It Together

(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

(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

Here we see the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theater with another Doctor Who-related video. This time around they’re attempting to sing the names of all eleven Doctors while standing in front of one of their “Edinburgh TARDISes.” (As seen in a couple of their previous videos.) They even throw in the Doctors from the Curse of Fatal Death, a spoof written by a certain Steven Moffat you may recall. Clever hand puppets, aren’t they? I’m quite amused by their stated reasoning for liking Matt Smith. Yes, a Doctor with two single syllable names certainly makes it easier to work said name into a song. What could they possibly come up with next? An ode to K-9? A marathon of Companion names? Personally, I can’t wait to find out.

Enjoy!

The 11 Doctor Whos Name Song:

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theater, Doctor Who, Matt Smith

And have a Who-filled New Year.

Hogmanay Song - Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre:

Hogmanay Song

With thanks to Liz for letting me know about this video, I offer you…Daleks Morris Dancing. Yes, you read that correctly. Kent Korkers & Pork Scratchin’s Morris Dancing doing their thing with two Daleks who had reportedly never Morris danced before. I think they did pretty well, all things considered. Quite a lighthearted moment for a Dalek, now that I think about it. What’s next? Cybermen doing Irish Step-Dancing? Sontarans dancing the Highland Fling? Who knows? In the meantime, enjoy the video.

Dances With Daleks:

Well, the dog may not be impressed, but I am. A Dalek Christmas tree! How very clever.

Hmmm….mind you, it does manage to combine two Doctor Who baddies into one. Here’s hoping that it doesn’t start spinning or shouting “Exterminate!”

A Dalek Christmas Tree:

Unbelievable Dalek Christmas Tree from Lindsey J. Testolin on Vimeo.

Dalek Christmas tree

I hope that those of you who are in the U.S. had a great Thanksgiving. I certainly did. Actually, Doctor Who is one of the things that I’m thankful for. To keep you entertained while I’m busy cleaning up after the big dinner we just had, I offer you two videos.

This first video is the two minute preview of this year’s Doctor Who Christmas Special “The Next Doctor” that appeared during this year’s Children in Need show. I’ll be curious to know what you think of it.

Children in Need: The Next Doctor Clip -

This second video is a bit of silliness from the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theater. This time the socks bring you a song that includes all ten Doctors. Mind you…there is at least one glaring error in the song. Can you spot it?

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppets Sing a Doctor Who Children in Need Song -

Doctor Who, The Next Doctor, Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theater

Basically, this is the titles to The Muppet Show, or at least the soundtrack of same, set to some images from the new series of Doctor Who. Yeah. Pretty much what you’re imagining. Still, it’s fun any silly, and who doesn’t need that these days?

The Muppet Show, Doctor Who

Yes. You read that correctly. This is a video of John Barrowman singing “The Time Warp” from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. (It is quite possible that this video will hurt your brain, depending upon how you feel about said cinema experience. You are officially warned.) This is a stage performance, complete with backup dancers. That’s right..backup dancers.

So…enjoy.

John Barrowman sings The Time Warp:

John Barrowman, The Time Warp, Rocky Horror Picture Show

Okay. This one is also just plain wrong, but I had to share. It’s sort of a Dalek music video….to a very silly song that sounds like it is being sung by Tiny “tiptoe through the tulips” Tim.

Fair warning…the tune is a bit catchy.

Did I mention it was silly?

The Happier Dalek Song:

This is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s a bit of silliness that helps Daleks…exterminate that flab. That’s about it, really.

I need to get myself some video editing skills. Perhaps then I could make my own silly videos. Until then, please enjoy this bit of Whovian amusement.

A Dalek Workout: