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This Week in Doctor Who: Print Archive


Wednesday 26th February 2003



This Week In Doctor Who - February 26, 2003
(posted 26th Feb 2003, 12:45pm - TWIDW post #0144)
THIS WEEK IN DOCTOR WHO - February 26, 2003
by Benjamin F. Elliott
Vol 6, No 9
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thisweekindoctorwho
thisweekindoctorwho-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Peter Davison and Colin Baker were interviewed at the Gallifrey convention by Charles Martin for Sci-Fi Overdrive, a new syndicated sci-fi news/talk show airing on the Business Talk Radio network http://www.businesstalkradio.net/. The interview will be a featured segment of Sci-Fi Overdrive's next broadcast. It is apparently the first US nationwide radio interview for Doctor Who cast members since Larry King's interview with Jon Pertwee and others at a Chicago convention in November 1983. I don't know which hour(s) the interview will air in - keep an eye on http://www.scifioverdrive.com/ for any further details. While this is a US radio show, it may actually be easier to listen to outside the United States, where it can be heard at more convenient hours for listeners. There is a live audio feed from the Business Talk Radio website. For those trying to tune in:
Eastern US Time - early Monday 2AM to 6AM
Central US Time - early Monday 1AM to 5AM
Mountain US Time - late Sunday Midnight to 4AM
Pacific US Time - Sunday 11PM to 3AM
Alaska Time - Sunday 10PM to 2AM
Hawaii Time - Sunday 9PM to 1AM
Atlantic Canadian Time - early Monday 3AM to 7AM
Newfoundland Time - early Monday 3:30AM to 7:30AM
UK Time - Monday 7AM to 11AM
Central European Time - Monday 8AM to Noon
Eastern Australia Time - Monday 6PM to 10PM
If you live in a different time zone, use those references to find the specific time. There will be an archive of the show at some point on the Sci-Fi Overdrive website.
SOUTH AFRICA - The South African Sci-Fi Channel is rerunning the 1996 Doctor Who movie several more times in the next two weeks. The 2 March airing is already noted in the column. Next week, look for an airing late Friday at 12:35AM and a rerun Saturday at 6:30PM. The UK Sci-Fi Channel, which is co-owned with the South African Sci-Fi Channel and shares the same website, has not scheduled any March airings of the Doctor Who movie as of this writing. I should know of any April airings within the next week.
CANADA - Early warning for readers with BBC Kids. From Monday 10 March through Friday 14 March, the Midnight Eastern Time Doctor Who broadcasts will be pre-empted and replaced by rather lousy American Kids movies from the 1990s. Free Willy, Free Willy 2, Dennis The Menace, and worse. The 4AM airings of Doctor Who continue that week. Doctor Who returns to Midnight weeknight airings on Monday 17 March. There is no explanation for the programming move at this time. I understand pre-empting programming you have aired before for "new" movies, but these movies are not BBC products. I thought it was BBC Kids. The movies aren't Canadian either. They ARE kids' movies, though I don't see why anyone would want to sully the category by exposing the continuing existence of the celluloid in question. Apologies to anyone who actually LIKED those films.
Pledge season is beginning in the US on most PBS stations, resulting in lots of pre-emptions for Doctor Who in favor of big pledge events. Most other programming on those stations are being pre-empted as well.
While I try to keep the column up to date, I do sometimes miss late changes to schedules. If you see TWIDW's information getting out of synch with what your local station is actually airing, let me know ASAP.
Additions and corrections are welcome at thisweekindoctorwho-owner@yahoogroups.com , bfelliott@... , bfelliott3 on AOL IM, or thebfe on Yahoo Messenger. And now, the listings:


RADIO/INTERNET:


BBC Radio 4 http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/
92-95FM (UK), 198LW (UK and Europe), Live link from website worldwide
My Life As A Dalek - archived till Saturday on the website in RealAudio Radio 4 took an affectionate look back at the Daleks, the longest lasting, best known villains from Doctor Who. Interviews with the men and women who brought the galaxy's most memorable pepperpots to life. Hosted by Mark Gattis. Sneak preview interview with John Scott 'Everydalek' Martin at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2780177.stm . Look for the show on the "Listen Again" page.
Fri 7PM EST Interstellar Transmissions
http://www.interstellartransmissions.com
WWNN AM1470 Pompano Beach/Boca Raton, FL (Miami/West Palm Beach, FL)
http://www.wnnhealthtalkradio.com
Joey Reynolds' weekly radio show for sci-fi news and interviews, which can be heard online worldwide. Doctor Who news usually discussed during the show.
Business Talk Radio Network http://www.businesstalkradio.net/
Late Sun/Early Mon 2-6AM EST (11PM-3AM PST, 7-11AM GMT, 6-10PM AEDT )
Sci-Fi Overdrive
http://www.scifioverdrive.com/ station list on the scifioverdrive website
Live audio link at Business Talk website - requires Windows Media Player.
Archives expected soon.
National version of Interstellar Transmissions, though probably easiest to hear in timezones outside the USA. Charles Martin has an interview with Peter Davison (5th Doctor) and Colin Baker (6th Doctor). George Takei from Star Trek and the Mediaeval Baebes will also be on.


TV:


UK:
UK Gold http://www.onthebox.com/partner/otb
http://www.telewest.co.uk/flextech/ukgold.htm
Late Fri 1:15-3:35 AM, Sat 6:30-9AM GMT The Mind of Evil movie
This story only survives in Black & White. An experimental device that turns hardened murderers into productive members of society raises the suspicion of the 3rd Doctor. A peace conference on the edge of collapse has the Brigadier exasperated. Both events are about to come together in a catacylsm which could start World War III.
Late Sat 12:50-2:35AM, Sun 7:10-9AM GMT The Claws of Axos movie
Aliens come to Earth in need of fuel and promising prosperity beyond the wildest dreams of humanity. But how can you trust aliens who would double cross the Master?

UK Gold + 1
Late Fri 2:15-4:35AM GMT The Mind of Evil movie
See UK Gold for story details.
Late Sat 1:50-3:35AM GMT The Claws of Axos movie
See UK Gold for story details.
Homechoice http://www.homechoice.co.uk
Video On Demand. Now playing:
Robot all 4 pts
The Ark In Space all 4 pts
The Sontaran Experiment both pts
SOUTH AFRICA:
SA Sci-Fi Channel http://www.uk.scifi.com/
Sun 8-9:30PM Doctor Who 1996 movie
The Master cheats death to steal the lives of the Doctor, in a plot to destroy the Earth and give himself a new life cycle. Sylvester McCoy hands the role of the Doctor over to Paul McGann in this movie intended to revive the TV series.
CANADA/USA:
BBC Kids http://www.bbckids.ca
Weeknights 2 episodes Midnight + 4AM EST (9PM + 1AM PST)
Saturday/Sunday complete stories Midnight + 3:30AM EST (9PM + 12:30AM PST)
Wed The Face of Evil pts 3+4 of 4
The 4th Doctor battles a psychotic clone of his mind trapped in the body of a supercomputer.
Thu The Robots of Death pts 1+2 of 4
Fri The Robots of Death pts 3+4 of 4

The robots on a Sandminer have been reprogrammed to infiltrate and destroy the human crew. A robot revolution is on the way, and only the 4th Doctor can stop it. And Leela. Only the 4th Doctor and Leela can stop it. And Robot D86. Only the 4th Doctor, Leela, and Robot D86 can stop it. And a secret government agent. Only the 4th Doctor, Leela, Robot D86, and a secret government agent can stop it. Anybody else on the list? No? Thank goodness.
Sat The Ribos Operation all 4 pts
This time on Garron & Unstoffe: Thieves Of Fortune, Garron hopes to use a piece of Jethryk and a fake mine to swindle a notorious warlord out of billions. But he may have made a mistake this time. The warlord is insane. And a pair of suspicious aliens are trailing him. Could this be the end of a classic partnership in crime?
Sun The Pirate Planet all 4 pts
Revenge is a dish best served with quantum mechanics and impossible physics.
Mon The Talons of Weng-Chiang pts 1+2 of 6
Tue The Talons of Weng-Chiang pts 3+4 of 6

Leela's cultural education begins in the 19th Century, when the 4th Doctor takes her to a London theatre. Apparently, you have to be threatened with death twice before the show begins, use magic, and face off against a villain from Earth's future. Leela finds the course most ... enlightening.
Channel numbers in brackets ( ) indicate a digital station that is not on the air. Low power stations do not currently have digital assignments.
NHPTV New Hampshire http://www.nhptv.org
analog 11,49,52
digital 57,48,(49) - not on digital schedule yet
Boston Dish Local 8781,11
Pre-empted by pledge drive. Returns March 8.
WCNY/W59AU Syracuse/Utica, NY http://www.wcny.org
analog 24,59
digital 25-1
Pre-empted by pledge drive. Returns March 30.
WSKG Binghamton, NY http://www.wskg.com
analog 46
digital (42) - under construction
Sat 11:30PM EST Planet of Evil pt 1 of 4
In the distant future, the 4th Doctor and Sarah land on a world between universes. Part of the planet exists in our universe. Another part exists in the realm of anti-matter. And woe betide anyone who crosses between the parts.
WQED/WQEX Pittsburgh, PA http://www.wqed.org
analog 13,16
digital 38-1,(26)
Pittsburgh DirecTV Local 13,947
Pittsburgh Dish Local 8136,13
Pre-empted by pledge drive. Returns March 29.
WYBE Philadelphia, PA http://www.wybe.org
analog 35
digital (34) - coming 2003
Philadelphia DirecTV Local 35,909
Philadelphia Dish Local 8162,35
Sat 11PM EST Destiny of the Daleks pt 4 of 4
The Movellans plan to use Davros' knowledge and non-robotic instinct to conquer the universe. Dunno how they planned to use an evil genius to help them against his will. Dunno how they thought they could conquer the universe in hippy hair and platform shoes either. They come across as completely safe and harmless. Wait a minute - that's their secret.
Sat 11:30PM EST City of Death pt 1 of 4
The 4th Doctor and Romana vacation in Paris, France in 1979 in the first Doctor Who story with extensive overseas filming. Julian Glover plays the evil Count Scarlioni, a man of mystery. Douglas Adams' most famous story (well, the most famous Douglas Adams story made under a psydonym, anyway).
MPT Maryland http://www.mpt.org
analog 22,67,28,31,62,36
digital 42,(29),(62),(44),(28),(56) - simulcast of analog begins in 2003
DC/Hagerstown & Baltimore DirecTV Local 22,980
Late Sat Mid EST Arc of Infinity movie
Time approximate. Show may start late due to pledge programming earlier in the evening. And that's a shame. The last time Arc aired on MPT, it was on a pledge night. MPT ran The Lathe Of Heaven as a lead-in, and delayed the start time of Arc to 1AM. Alas, Lathe and its pledge drives ran till 1:40AM. Then MPT accidentally joined the story 2 or 3 minutes in progress. And it was not MPT's only famous encounter with Arc of Infinity. In 1997 or so, a tape mixup resulted in half of Arc of Infinity airing, followed by the last 2 episodes of Trial Of A Time Lord. Arc of Infinity has Colin Baker playing a Gallifreyan guard back before he was cast as the Doctor, and the Doctor is on trial during its first half, so Colin suddenly being the Doctor on trial must have surprised a lot of viewers. MPT's solution that time was to rerun [s{ArcOfInfinity}} the next Saturday and shove Snakedance later into the evening. Hopefully there won't be any problems with the tapes this time, as Snakedance is already scheduled to start late next week due to pledge programming. Can MPT break its Arc of Infinity curse? Tune in Saturday night
and find out!!!!!
WCET Cincinnati, OH http://www.wcet.org
analog 48
digital 34-1
Cincinnati DirecTV Local 48,909
Cincinnati Dish Local 8356,48
Pre-empted by pledge drive. Returns March 22.
WILL Urbana, IL http://www.will.uiuc.edu
analog 12
digital (33) - under construction
Sat 11:55PM CST The Power of Kroll pt 3 of 4
Late start due to pledge drive. Pre-empted by pledge drive next week.
Returns March 15.
IPTV Iowa http://www.sffn.com http://www.iptv.org
analog 11,12,21,24,27,32,32,36,36
digital 50-1,(45),(25),(18),(28),(33),(35),(35),(34)
Des Moines Dish Local 9116,11
Omaha, NE Dish Local 9146,32
Cedar Rapids Dish Local 9161,12
Pre-empted by pledge drive. Returns March 22.
KERA/K44FI Dallas/Wichita Falls, TX http://www.kera.org
analog 13,44
digital 14-1
Dallas DirecTV Local 13,889
Dallas Dish Local 8406,13
Late Fri 12:30AM CST Castrovalva or Four To Doomsday movie OR Pre-empted.
TV Guide Online has Doctor Who scheduled for the time period, but does not know the story. Zap2it's online listings has specials saluting British comedians John Inman, Patricia Routledge, and Wendy Richards. If Doctor Who airs, it is too soon to know if KERA will finally figure out the correct order to air the stories. If KERA gets it correct, Castrovalva should air. If they continue with production order, Four To Doomsday will air. Pre-empted by pledge drive next week. Next airing date of Doctor Who unknown.
ยป it was a pre-emption.
KBDI/K32EO Denver/Colorado Springs, CO http://www.kbdi.org
analog 12,32
digital (38) - under construction
Denver DirecTV Local 12,910
Denver Dish Local 8211,12
Pre-empted by pledge drive. Returns March 22.
KUED/KUES Salt Lake City/Richfield, UT http://www.kued.org
analog 7,19
digital 42-1,(19)
Salt Lake City DirecTV Local 7,982
Salt Lake City Dish Local 8536,7
Pre-empted by pledge drive this week and next.
KBTC/KCKA/K65BU 28,15,65 Tacoma/Centralia/Gray's River, WA
http://www.kbtc.org
analog 28,15,65
digital (27),(19) - under construction
Seattle DirecTV Local 12,910
Seattle Dish Local 8620,28
Sat 7PM, Late Sat 12:30AM PST The Trial Of A Time Lord pts 13+14 of 14 (The Ultimate Foe both pts)
A surprise new defense attorney for the 6th Doctor brings witnesses and new evidence that blow the trial apart, and could destroy the fabric of Time Lord civilization.
KTEH/KCAH San Jose/Watsonville, CA http://www.kteh.org
analog 54,25
digital (50),(58) - under construction
San Francisco DirecTV Local 54,903
Salinas Dish Local 9190,25
San Francisco Dish Local 8234,54 - not available to subscribers
On hiatus. Tentatively set to return in May.


Thanks for reading. Until next week, take care.

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