This Week in Doctor Who: Print Archive
Friday 30th June 2000
THIS WEEK IN DOCTOR WHO - Fri, 30 Jun 2000 (posted Fri, 30 Jun 2000, via the Doctor Who Alliance) |
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by Benjamin F. Elliott Email: bfelliott@gallifreyone.com |
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Sad news to start a quiet week in the column. KNME in Albuquerque, NM dropped Doctor Who after last weekend's showing of The Androids of Tara. Now, for the first time in at least 15 years, there are no stations in the US airing Doctor Who in movie format. Many fans (myself included) who got into the show in the mid-to-late 80s grew up with the 90 minute Doctor Who broadcasts. As recently as July 1998, 7 stations were still using the movies. Now, every station has either discontinued the series or switched to the episode versions. I don't know if this is a good event or a bad event. I don't even know if this situation will last for long (presumably the movie versions are still available to stations). But it is an event that deserved a mention. |
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MPT Maryland is indeed broadcasting a digital signal on channel 42 in Annapolis, Md. However, it is running on very low power and only offers HDTV demo programs. The wait for Doctor Who on digital broadcast television continues. |
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There are currently only four other digital transmitters of stations airing Doctor Who reported to be under construction: KBME-DT 22 Bismarck, ND (PPTV - analog channel 3) KFME-DT 23 Fargo, ND (PPTV - analog channel 13) KDIN-DT 50 Des Moines, IA (IPTV - analog channel 11) KSIN-DT 28 Sioux City, IA (IPTV - analog channel 27) |
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Under current FCC regulations, all US non-commercial stations that wish to stay on the air after the conversion to digital is complete must have their digital signals on the air by May 1, 2003 (May 1, 2002 for commercial broadcasters). Fortunately for financially- strapped Doctor Who- supporting stations, I doubt that the FCC will hold fast to that deadline. |
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As promised last week, Ken Patterson at KTEH San Jose has given This Week In Doctor Who a special report about his restoration work on their local broadcast of Resurrection of the Daleks: This story started life as 4 25-minute episodes (all 72 edits [second edit]) and was hurriedly re- edited as a 2 50-minute story prior to transmission in 1984 due to the winter olympics. This four part version was the version shown overseas and released on BBC Video...[From Steve Roberts archive holdings page*] A brief correction, while the US (then distributed by Lionheart) was issued a 4-part version of the story, the version supplied by the BBC of episode 2 is indeed the "71 Edit" -- or the original production edit. This version contains approximately 2 minutes more footage, but is lacking in music and sound effects. In February of 2000, I attempted my first "restoration" of this episode (which was subsequently shown as part of our Evening of Doctor Who with Peter Davison.) This consisted of tacking on the open and closing sequences, along with the recap and cliffhanger. Unfortunately the 71-edit's end contains an extra scene of Daleks approaching the Doctor, and audio had to be lifted to fill the gap. After digging out a 16 year old copy of the original BBC telecast, I decided that the best course of action would be to re-edit the episode to the 72-edit content that was supposed to have been in distribution all of these years. Unfortunately, the only complete audio of the end sequence is the 16 year old tape I used as a reference. Along with all of the mid-80's consumer grade audio problems, the end credits also had an announcement about when to see part 2. Following is a list of all of the elements used in re-constructing episode 2 of Resurrection of the Daleks:
Resurrection of the Daleks will be airing on Sunday, 2 July, 2000 at 11PM PDT, as part of KTEH's regularly scheduled Doctor Who broadcasts." * The archive holdings web link provided by Mr. Patterson had to be cut due to formatting problems. Go to http://www.restoration- team.co.uk/ and look for the archive holdings page in the left frame. |
Additions and corrections are welcome at bfelliott@gallifreyone.com or bfelliott@earthlink.net . And now, the listings: |
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Radio/Real Audio: |
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BBC Radio 4 http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/ RealPlayer stream http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/realplayer/index_fm.html Dead Ringers ep 203 Fri 6:30PM BST (1:30PM EDT, 10:30AM PDT), Sat 12:30PM BST (7:30AM EDT, 4:30AM PDT) Another episode in the series where impersonators of british celebrities engage in random acts of comedy. Guest appearance by "The Doctor". Apparently they are using a different person to portray Tom Baker's Doctor this time. You can't tell - it's very well done. |
Television: |
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UK/IRELAND: |
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TG4/TnaG http://www.tg4.ie/tg4.htm http://www.sceneone.co.uk/s1/tv/listings Sat-Sun 5:05PM BST Day of the Daleks eps 3 - 4 of 4 The future's been altered by a mistake in the present, leaving a more effective Dalek invasion than the one faced by the 1st Doctor. But the records are faulty, so any attempt to restore history could in fact destroy it. |
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UK Gold http://www.sceneone.co.uk/s1/tv/listings Sun 9:25-11AM BST The Happiness Patrol movie Week 6 of the Summer of Syl. The Doctor and Ace come across a colony where happiness is the rule, and frowning is a hate crime with a penalty of death. In any culture where you can be punished just for thinking in an unapproved societal way, the people that will thrive will be the ones who choose to never use their brains. Can the Doctor and Ace lead a race of mentally- stunted individuals in a revolution against an all-consuming government? UK Gold 2 http://www.sceneone.co.uk/s1/tv/listings Sun 6-7:35PM BST The Happiness Patrol movie Same day replay of the story listed above. |
EUROPE/AFRICA/ASIA: |
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BBC Prime http://www.bbcprime.com/ Late Fri 1AM*, Sat 5PM CET Warriors' Gate ep 1 of 4 Sun+Mon 11:30AM CET Warriors' Gate ep 2 of 4 *Not seen in all areas. The gateway. The way out of E-Space. But a slave ship and fluctuating time are very serious distractions. |
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND: |
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UKTV Australia http://www.varos.com/drwho/uktv/ Sun 7AM, Late Sun 1AM AEST Spearhead From Space all 4 eps The cleaned up version broadcast on BBC2 in 1999. The Doctor regenerates and arrives on Earth, where he gets involved in the investigation of meteorites that came to Earth and disappeared. Mon-Fri 11:30PM AEST The Ambassadors of Death eps 2 - 6 of 7 The spaceships are returning to Earth. But the secrets inside the ships lead to murder and mayhem, as one man's quest endangers the world. |
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Prime TV New Zealand http://www.primetv.co.nz/ Sun 6:25PM The Rescue - Desperate Measures ep 2 of 2 Only previous New Zealand showing in 1968. The Doctor learns the truth behind the deaths of the crew of Vicki's spaceship. Barbara is accused of murder. Mon-Thu 6:25PM The Romans eps 1 - 4 of 4 (The Slave-Traders, All Roads Lead To Rome, Conspiracy, Inferno) Only previous New Zealand showing in 1968. An extended vacation in the Roman empire is rudely interrupted by Slave Traders and an invitation to visit the infamous Caesar Nero. This is the first story ever played with a comedic twist. Fri 6:25PM The Web Planet - The Web Planet ep 1 of 6 Never before televised in New Zealand. The TARDIS is captured by the magnetic force of the planet Vortis, where the accepted laws of physics are laughed at and sent to bed without supper. |
USA: |
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BBC America http://www.bbcamerica.com/ Weekdays 5AM EDT East Feed - 2 episodes daily Mon-Wed Genesis of the Daleks eps 1 - 6 of 6 Mission: Untenable. The 4th Doctor's mission, whether or not he chooses to accept it, is to investigate the creation of the Daleks and alter their future, regardless of the cost to history. Thu-Fri Revenge of the Cybermen eps 1 - 4 of 4 The Doctor returns to Nerva Beacon to await the TARDIS. But a space plague, a planet of gold, and old enemies will ensure that he doesn't get bored while waiting. Also, find out how Harry Sullivan got called an "imbecile". |
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NHPTV New Hampshire 11,49,52 http://nhptv.org/ Sun 3PM EDT The Android Invasion eps 3+4 of 4 The Kraals plan to take over the real Earth as a new home, and now they've copied the Doctor and Sarah. It's a race against time, and the final appearances of RSM Benton and Harry Sullivan. |
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WQED/WQEX 13,16 Pittsburgh, PA http://www.wqed.org/ Sat 11:29PM EDT The Talons of Weng-Chiang ep 3 of 6 (Many Pittsburgh area Cable viewers will lose WQEX effective July 5 or 6. Fans with Cable should make certain they know which station on their lineup is WQED and which is WQEX, so they don't get caught off guard.) The attack on Professor Litefoot's house may have blown Li Hsen's cover, which does not please the mysterious Weng-Chiang. Next episode airs July 15. |
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WYBE 35 Philadelphia, PA http://www.wybe.org/ Sat 11PM EDT The Leisure Hive eps 1+2 of 4 The 4th Doctor's ongoing search for a good vacation spot takes him to the Leisure Hive, where a new kind of science is being developed. But dark secrets endanger this paradise. A story where Romana actually carries the story, with the Doctor closer to the companion role. |
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MPT Maryland 22,28,31,36,62,67 http://www.mpt.org/ Late Sat Mid EDT The Visitation all 4 eps The 5th Doctor gets Tegan to Heathrow Airport - 300 or so years early. The locals are all acting strangely, and for once it's not just an ill-conceived scriptwriter assuming that rural people are bumpkins. That aspect's there too, but it's not the main reason they're acting strangely. Meanwhile, an old friend suffers a startling fate. ยป it was confirmed the following week this was actually shown in movie format. |
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WUSF 16 Tampa, FL http://www.wusftv.usf.edu/gateway.htm Sat 11:30PM EDT Timelash 4 pt version, ep 4 The Bandrils will wipe out Karfel unless the Borad ends its evil scheme. But what to do if good news comes too late to stop the weapons' launch? |
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WCET 48 Cincinnati, OH http://www.wcet.org/ Sat 11:30PM EDT Planet of Evil ep 4 of 4 The planet is determined to keep all the anti-matter on the planet. But one of the people on the ship is infected with anti-matter. Is murder the only solution, or can the Doctor find another way? A tense episode. Sat 11:55PM EDT Pyramids of Mars ep 1 of 4 Before UNIT HQ became a top-secret military base, it belonged to an Egyptologist. This is the story of the house that used to live there, when it was invaded by energy from an ancient alien evil, and how it had to endure someone who had no clue how to play an organ. |
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WYIN 56 Gary, IN http://www.wyin.org/ Sat 10PM CDT The Talons of Weng-Chiang ep 3 of 6 (more likely episode 4) See WQED for a plot description. |
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TPT 2 St. Paul, MN http://www.tpt.org/ Sat 11:35PM, Sun 5:35AM CDT The Robots of Death ep 2 of 4 The Doctor and Leela become the prime suspects in a wit-filled episode. We in the audience know they're innocent, but the crew of the sandminer don't have the benefit of seeing the story title. |
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IPTV Iowa 11,12,21,24,27,32,32,36 http://www.sffn.com/ http://www.iptv.org/ Fri 11:35PM CDT The Robots of Death all 4 eps Murder and mayhem on a sandminer months away from civilization. The robot revolution is underway. |
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PPTV North Dakota 2,3,4,6,9,13,19 http://www.pptv.org/ Fri 10:30PM CDT (9:30PM MDT) Image of the Fendahl ep 2 of 4 The scientists doubt the Doctor's story about the danger of the Time Scanner. But at least it sounds more credible than Martha Tyler's tales of black magic. |
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KBDI/K32EO 12,32 Denver/Colorado Springs, CO http://www.kbdi.org/ Late Fri 12:30AM MDT The Sun Makers eps 3+4 of 4 The Doctor, Leela, and Cordo lead the revolution against the Company. Tax receipts are going to fall this year. Sat 10PM MDT Underworld eps 1+2 of 4 The Doctor and Leela get caught up in the end of an ancient quest brought about by a tragic mistake the Doctor's people made many years ago. |
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KNME 5 Albuquerque, NM http://www.knmetv.org/ **Series cancelled. Replaced by Red Green and Sessions at West 54th.** |
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KUED 7 Salt Lake City, UT http://www.kued.org/ Sat 11PM, Late Sat 12:30AM MDT Planet of Evil ep 2 of 4 The Anti-Matter part of the planet will not let anyone with any anti- matter leave alive. |
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KBTC/KCKA/K65BU 28,15,65 Tacoma/Centralia/Gray's River, WA http://www.kbtc.org/ Sat 7PM, Late Sat 12:30AM PDT Genesis of the Daleks eps 5+6 of 6 Davros has become the man that knows too much. By trying to change history to weaken the Daleks, the Daleks now know how to conquer the universe. Now it may be impossible the save the universe without wiping out the Daleks altogether, smashing the web of established history. |
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KTEH 54 San Jose, CA http://www.kteh.org/ Sun 11PM PDT Resurrection of the Daleks 4 pt version, all 4 eps (See top of column for a report on this broadcast.) The Daleks attack the abandoned prison where Davros rots away. The TARDIS lands on Earth in 1985. A bloodbath is about to begin, and neither humans nor Daleks are safe from the slaughter. When Davros plots evil, he plots EVIL. |
Thanks for reading. Until next week, take care. |
