Watching Doctor Who

The first part of this video is a Doctor Who skit that was filmed for the show French and Saunders on 25 January 1987. It features George Layton as The Doctor, and French and Saunders as Silurian guards. It was never transmitted, according to the notes on the video, but it apparently appears as one of the extras packaged with The Curse of Fatal Death spoof written by none other than a certain Steven Moffat. Perhaps you’ve heard of him? Now, if only we could get Dawn French or Jennifer Saunders to play a part on Doctor Who. I bet they’d love it. They’ve made several references to the show in stuff they’ve done over the years after all. Just one thing, though. Do those “pods” in this video look a bit phallic to anyone else? No? Oh. Just me then.

After the French and Saunders skit is a another Doctor Who spoof from Victoria Wood As Seen on TV. This skit was transmitted in 1987, and according to the notes on the video, Jim Broadbent plays The Doctor. If you include his turn as The Doctor in The Curse of Fatal Death, he has played the part in at least two instances. Unfortunately for him, he seems to encounter rather unhelpful energy in both cases. Poor fellow. This spoof is also one of the extras packaged with The Curse of Fatal Death. I really need to get a copy of that DVD.

One French and Saunders Doctor Who Skit and One Victoria Wood Doctor Who skit:

Doctor Who, French and Saunders, Steven Moffat

(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

Hello all! This is your quick reminder that this is the last day of the Watching Doctor Who comment contest. You have until 11:59pm Pacific Time to comment (with your non-spammy comments) on any of the posts from November 2008. I will announce the winner on Monday, 1 December. (a.k.a. Tomorrow.)

In the meantime, to keep you all entertained, here is a video of a certain “Littleradge” interacting with The Doctor. Enjoy…and Don’t Blink.

Littleradge vs. The Easter Egg:

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:

As I’m sure you all know by now, I tend to spend a fair amount of time surfing around on Youtube. There’s just so much stuff to look at over there. Today I bring you two videos for the price of one.

The price of one, being “free” in this case…but you get the idea.

The first video isn’t available to be embedded, sadly, but I can offer you a link. In 1979, British television played a spoof called Doctor Eyes. Can Doctor Eyes and Gloria survive the planet Chromokey? It’s a bit of silliness, but worth it for the giggle.

My second video offering today is from the 1985 Children in Need special. All you have to do is watch one of the special guests to know that it’s 1985. He’s dressed a wee bit like Rose’s dad in Father’s Day. Also, I’ve never really thought of the TARDIS as a clown car, but watching this video brings the image to mind. It’s more of a class reunion than a special scene or anything. Still, it’s worth watching for the memory jog. Enjoy!

Doctor Who Children in Need 1985:

Doctor Eyes, Doctor Who, Children in Need

I first encountered this video yesterday. While watching it, I had the sudden eerie impression that perhaps the cat involved had been watching a bit too much Doctor Who. After all, he seems to be doing a very good impression of a quantum locked assassin. Obviously, I had to share.

Don’t blink while watching this…

This video makes me want to get out there and film my own Doctor Who spoof. I don’t know that I could come up with something quite so fun, though. Dalek Invaders 2008ad was apparently filmed while the “actors” were on holiday. Keep your eyes open for Davros wearing a “Mr. Happy” t-shirt, Jack’s guns, and the TARDIS with a bit of a chameleon circuit problem. The dialog alone is a reason to watch this one. Once you have seen the whole thing, pause a moment to reflect on the special effects. Then, think about the special effects from Classic Who. Technology is amazing these days, isn’t it? (Huge thanks to Gillian of Food History for sending me the link to this wee movie.)

Enjoy!

Dalek Invaders 2008ad:

Doctor Who, Dalek Invaders 2008ad

Today I am offering you all a Doctor Who spoof from Lenny Henry’s comedy show. Of course, Lenny gets to play The Doctor. Interesting use of a leather jacket here. It’s like he’s managed to combine the 4th, 6th, and 9th Doctors’ costumes…back in 1985. Talk about time traveling! It’s a fun little spoof with a slight political edge. Enjoy!

So…as my computer just crashed while I was working on my review of Planet of the Ood (Ack! Scary Blue Screen of Death!) I thought I would go ahead and post this a wee bit sooner than I had planned. This way you still get a post for today, even if my poor computer freaks out again. (Yes. I am now trying to reach Donna’s typing speed…just in case.)

Recently, a couple of folks who work for the BBC had a most amusing idea. They took David Tennant’s appearance on Top Gear (posted here a while back) and mashed it together with some footage of The Doctor flying the TARDIS. The result was so popular amongst the folks at the BBC that they decided to share it with the world, which included linking it to the BBC Doctor Who website. As you no doubt know by now, that means that there are some folks across the globe who cannot see said video. Unless, of course, you go searching for it on Youtube…like I did. And here it is. Please enjoy, and I’ll try to get that review up soon.

Star in a Reasonably-Priced TARDIS:

David Tennant, Top Gear, Doctor Who

(Well…I hope that this posts correctly. Keep your fingers crossed. I hear that they’re finally working on the servers to correct the problems we’ve been having. Hopefully I will experience no more “High Load” warnings when trying to post very soon.)

Imagine if you will that the Doctor had to live for a weekend with the Cyberman family. And by family, I mean Mum, Dad, and baby. What do you think would happen? Well, that’s what the folks from Dead Ringers wondered. They invented a reality show called “Living with the Enemy” (at least, I think they invented it. I couldn’t find any record of a television show with that name online) and they got that fellow who sounds just like the Fourth Doctor to play his usual part. As you might imagine, hilarity ensues.

Dead Ringers

While the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theater was/were appearing in Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival last August, they filmed a bunch of diary entries. This one was the most popular, and I think you’ll see why. All I’m saying is that a “TARDIS” is involved in some way. Well, of course The Socks are also involved…and Edinburgh itself after a fashion. I hope that you enjoy this bit of silliness.

By the way, for those of you who have been wondering about my computer situation, fear not! My new hard drive arrived today. Now it just needs to have everything re-installed properly, and all of the data moved back onto it.

Yeah. It might take a couple of days. But at least it’s alive.

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theater

Yes, the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre is back with: Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre vs Darleks. Yep, that pretty much covers it. Hilarious as always.

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre

I was going to save this for next week, but I just couldn’t wait to share it with you folks. This is the adventures of Torchwool brought to you by Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre. I am issuing a no drink advisory for this four and a half minute video. Seriously. You don’t want to go choking or spitting your drink on the computer. Soda has no business being in your nasal cavity, so just don’t tempt fate.

Right then. Please enjoy the comic stylings of a couple of Sock Puppets in this spoof of Torchwood, which includes the Torchwool van and a big scary monster to defeat. Oh yes, and Terry the Pterodactyl.

Torchwool, Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, Torchwood

Hello all! I found this week’s video over at The Flickr Filosopher. It’s another hilarious spoof from Dead Ringers. The Fourth Doctor goes to Harveys to buy a new Wardrobe…or is that TARDIS? Watch the first sales guy’s face when “The Doctor” tries to tell him the post code for Gallifrey. Enjoy!

Dead Ringers

Once upon a time, there was a show on the BBC called Jim’ll Fix It which encouraged folks to write in with wishes, and some of them would come true during the course of an episode. (It originally ran from 1975 to 1994, and it has recently been brought back to life…much like Doctor Who.) One of these wishes was sent in by one Gareth Jenkins. Gareth’s wish is fulfilled by participating in a Doctor Who adventure. Gareth, The 6th Doctor, and Tegan (accidentally transmatted on board) work together to defeat a couple of Sontarans that have managed to get on board the TARDIS. Can our three heroes defeat the Sontarans? Will Gareth get his “Jim Fixed it For Me” medal? Watch and find out!

A Fix With Sontarans pt. 1

A Fix With Sontarans pt. 2

Yes, Janet Fielding agreed to appear in this short when Nicola Bryant (Peri) was not available.

Jim’ll Fix It, Doctor Who, Gareth Jenkins, 6th Doctor, Tegan, Sontarans, Janet Fielding, Nicola Bryant