This Week In Doctor Who - January 12, 2001
(posted 12th Jun 2001, via rec.arts.drwho)

THIS WEEK IN DOCTOR WHO - January 12, 2001
by Benjamin F. Elliott
Vol 4, No 2
Doctor Who is a BBC Trademark. Copyright 2001.
Welcome to the weekly listing of known Doctor Who broadcasts around the world.

First on the agenda is an official statement from NHPTV regarding New Hampshire Public TV's move of Doctor Who from Sundays at 3PM EST to Late Thursdays at 12:30AM EST. (Thank you DavrosDW.)

"... As a long time viewer and fan of the Doctor (Tom Baker is my favorite), I understand your feelings about moving the timeslot. Doctor Who is true "appointment viewing" - a program we look forward to throughout our week. Rest assured that this schedule change, rather than disregarding your preferences, actually honors your support of Doctor Who by making sure that it remains in the schedule.

"As a programmer, I'm faced daily with program offers on the one hand and viewer requests on the other. I strive to meet the needs of as many viewers as possible while trying to create a schedule that is varied and inclusive. Crafting a schedule which keeps old favorites while introducing new titles is not an easy task. Sometimes the only choice available is to extend the definition of what a "good viewing time" is. Fortunately, technology has allowed us to do that. The VCR gives us the control we need to watch programs we love whenever we're ready to do so. In addition, NHPTV's recent expansion to a 24-hour broadcast schedule provides more "safe harbors" outside of the volatile prime time zone which is subject to frequent pre-emptions.

"So program your VCR for Fridays at 12:30 a.m. and watch the good Doctor's adventures whenever you want.

"Mercedes Sabio
Director of Content, Communications, and Broadcasting"

In other recurring news, WYIN goofed up again. According to someone who watched the episodes, WYIN has not been airing The Invasion of Time the past two weeks. When part 1 was supposed to air, they reran episode 3 of The Deadly Assassin. When part 2 was supposed to air, they reran episode 1 of The Invisible Enemy. Maybe should just buy The Invasion of Time from a local Suncoast or Borders so they don't get confused as to which tape they are airing. I want any station airing Doctor Who to prosper, but WYIN may well be the least competent station ever to purchase a Doctor Who contract. What next? Daleks' Masterplan episode 7?

And as a reminder, Prime TV in New Zealand goes from 1 episode of Doctor Who a day to 2 episodes at the end of the month. Who needs the news, anyway?

Additions and corrections are welcome at bfel...@earthlink.net , bfel...@gallifreyone.com , or bfelliott3 on AOL IM. And now, the listings:

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Radio:

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WPBR 1340 AM West Palm Beach, FL
Look for the show online at http://live365.com/
Sun 11:05PM EST Interstellar Transmissions ep 6
Joey Reynolds' weekly look at science fiction. Includes a quick wrap-up of
Doctor Who news.

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Television:

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UK:

UK Gold http://www.sceneone.co.uk/s1/tv/listings
Sun 9:15-11:05AM GMT Death to the Daleks movie
The TARDIS loses power and lands on the planet Exxilon. (Insert joke about running out of gas on a planet with a name that sounds just like Exxon. Insert confused reactions from England, where Exxon is still called Esso.) Events conspire to make the Doctor strike an alliance - with the Daleks. Meanwhile, the city of death lies in wait for all of them.

UK Gold 2 http://www.sceneone.co.uk/s1/tv/listings
Sun 6-7:50PM GMT Death to the Daleks movie
Time shifted from UK Gold.

EUROPE/AFRICA/ASIA:

BBC Prime http://www.bbcprime.com/
Late Fri 1AM*, Sat 3:30PM, Sun 11:30AM CET Black Orchid ep 1 of 2
Late Thu 12:30AM CET Black Orchid ep 2 of 2
*Not seen in all regions. A cricket match and a masquerade ball go awry when the 5th Doctor is accidentally framed for murder. Perhaps the only instance in the show's history where someone was framed by MISTAKE.

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND:

UKTV Australia http://www.varos.com/drwho/uktv/
Sun 7AM, Late Sun 1AM AEDT Genesis of the Daleks all 6 eps
(Intercepted and dragged off course.)
"Do you know how dangerous it is to intercept a Transmat Beam?"
(Sent on a suicide mission.)
"... the planet Skaro, before the Daleks were created."
(Where the only thing more dangerous than failure is success.)
"All I have to do is put these two strands together, and the Daleks are eradicated. Do I have the right?"
(Because if the Doctor succeeds, all of galactic history will be irrevocably altered, even his own.)
A Terry Nation script.
Mon-Tue 11:30PM AEDT Terror of the Zygons eps 3 - 4 of 4
The Zygons release the Scarasen to cause problems in London while they prepare their conquest plans.
Wed-Fri 11:30PM AEDT Planet of Evil eps 1 - 3 of 4
In search of a lost scientific expedition to Zeta Minor, a Morestran military ship comes across two suspicious characters - the Doctor and Sarah.

Prime TV New Zealand http://www.tetrap.com/drwho/nzdwfc/
http://www.primetv.co.nz/
Sun-Thu The Green Death eps 2 - 6 of 6
Last rerun in 1986. To the 3rd Doctor's horror, Jo Grant begins to fall in love with a scientist more irresponsible than he is. Meanwhile, Global Chemicals discovers that their efforts to keep their dumping practices secret have gotten slightly less subtle than 500 sheep stampeding through a large city during rush hour.
Fri The Time Warrior ep 1 of 4
Last rerun in 1986. To investigate the disappearance of respected scientists from an installation protected by the military, the Doctor infiltrates them.

USA:

BBC America http://www.bbcamerica.com/
Mon-Thu 8AM EST (5AM PST); following weekday 5AM EST (2AM PST) - 2 episodes edited into movie format daily
Mon-Tue/Tue-Wed Revenge of the Cybermen both segments
The 4th Doctor, Sarah, and Harry arrive on Nerva Beacon millennia before they left. While they wait for the TARDIS to show up, a sinister "plague" kills the humans on the beacon, and some old foes in a rusty spacecraft approach from a distance.
Wed-Thu/Thu-Fri Robot both segments
BBC America cycles back to the 1st Tom Baker story. The Doctor's efforts to establish his new personality after a regeneration are put on hold by a series of thefts of military equipment and plans - precisely the materials necessary to build a powerful weapon and launch other countries' nuclear weapons.

NHPTV New Hampshire 11,49,52 http://www.nhptv.org/
Late Thu 12:30AM EST The Sun Makers eps 1+2 of 4
One of the best Tom Baker stories. The Doctor and Leela discover that the human race has been moved to Pluto to be exploited by "The Company". A dual-attack on the British & American tax structures and oppressive corporations.

WQED/WQEX 13,16 Pittsburgh, PA http://www.wqed.org/
Sat 11:30PM EST The Stones of Blood eps 1+2 of 4
The 3rd segment of the Key To Time brings the Doctor, Romana, and K9 to Earth. Romana can't see the charm in the place, particularly after an attempt on her life. Beatrix Lehmann guest-stars.

WYBE 35 Philadelphia, PA http://www.wybe.org/
Sat 11PM EST Snakedance eps 1+2 of 4
Last year, Tegan's mind was invaded by a lifeform called the Mara, which wanted to use her to invade a world. Now, the Mara has returned. The Doctor and Nyssa rush to try to protect Tegan from being overcome again.

MPT Maryland 22,28,31,36,62,67 http://www.mpt.org/
Sat 11:30PM EST The Trial Of A Time Lord movie version, pt 4 of 4 (The Ultimate Foe)
As sentencing approaches, a surprise guest (Anthony Ainley) arrives with evidence that can clear the Doctor's name, and bring a civilization to its knees.

WUSF 16 Tampa, FL http://www.wusftv.usf.edu/
Sat 11:30PM EST Paradise Towers ep 4 of 4
Yellow Pool Monster's Personal Log, Final Entry: "No one ever pays attention to me. Now I've been killed by an idiot. The indignity. At least Kroagnon is on the move, killing off the human rubbish. Those Rezzies, Kangs, and Caretakers will never get along. Maybe the idiot who gave Mel the gun will die in the crossfire himself. Well, final power failing. I believe the right word is arrrgh, but I'm not sur ..." (log ends)

WCET 48 Cincinnati, OH http://www.wcet.org/
Sat 11:30PM EST Horror of Fang Rock ep 4 of 4
The Rutan reveals its plan. Leela courts death multiple times to battle the Rutan. This time she makes one too many mistakes.
Sat 11:55PM EST The Invisible Enemy ep 1 of 4
A space virus takes over the Titan space colony. Not finding any humans there suitable to host an invasion fleet, the virus sets its sights on the TARDIS, and the brilliant scientist on board - Ian Chesterson. Being a few incarnations too late for Ian, it starts evaluating the Doctor as a host instead.

WYIN 56 Gary, IN (Chicago, IL) http://www.wyin.org/
Sat 10PM CST The Invasion of Time ep 1 of 6 (or "Random Episodes For Confusion" week 3)
The situation at WYIN is rather ridiculous at this point. If anyone nearby WYIN needs a job, could you possibly try to get one there? There is no longer any evidence that anyone there on Saturday nights knows what they are doing anymore. Doctor Who is just one of the shows that is being fouled up by ineptness.
» reported as actually The Invisible Enemy: Part Two

WILL 12 Urbana, IL http://www.will.uiuc.edu/
Sat 11:20PM CST The Ark In Space ep 4 of 4
Noah has become a Wirrn. Vira tries to initiate an evacuation of the Ark. Sarah gets trapped in an air vent.

TPT 2 St. Paul, MN http://www.tpt.org/
Sat 11:30PM, Sun 5:30AM CST The Invasion of Time ep 1 of 6
Unlike WYIN, I am confident that this station will actually air the advertised episode. Indeed, I can't remember any mistakes with this station since they brought back the show in May 1999. I guess they spend the extra 5 seconds to read the label before playing the tape. Oh, you actually wanted an episode description? Well, the Doctor returns to Gallifrey to claim his post as President of the Time Lords, with eerie results.

IPTV Iowa 11,12,21,24,27,32,32,36 http://www.sffn.com/ http://www.iptv.org/
Sat 11:05PM CST The Creature from the Pit eps 1+2 of 4
David Brierly joins the cast as the new voice of K9. A distress call leads the 4th Doctor and Romana to a jungle planet ruled by an evil woman. She has a secret she wants to remain buried, and the Doctor and Romana stumble right into it.

PPTV North Dakota 2,3,4,6,9,13,19 http://www.pptv.org/
Fri 10:30PM CST (9:30PM MST) The Stones of Blood ep 1 of 4
See WQED for description.

KBDI/K32EO 12,32 Denver/Colorado Springs, CO http://www.kbdi.org/
No episodes this week. Doctor Who returns January 19.

KUED 7 Salt Lake City, UT http://www.kued.org/
Sat 11PM, Late Sat 12:30AM MST The Hand Of Fear ep 1 of 4
Sarah is buried by an explosion in a gravel quarry. When she is unearthed, something about her changes.

KBTC/KCKA/K65BU 28,15,65 Tacoma/Centralia/Gray's River, WA
http://www.kbtc.org/
Sat 7PM, Late Sat 12:30AM PST The Talons of Weng-Chiang eps 5+6 of 6
The Doctor, Leela, Henry Gordon Jago, and Professor Litefoot prepare a counterstrike to defeat Magnus Greel before Magnus makes the disastrous decision to return to the 51st Century.

KTEH 54 San Jose, CA http://www.kteh.org/
Sun 11PM PST "The Dead Planet" movie (The Dead Planet, The Survivors, The Escape, The Ambush, The Expedition, The Ordeal, The Rescue)
The story that galvanized the British public and made Doctor Who a sci-fi classic. The 1stDoctor's curiosity leads him to a metal city, where the inhabitants have reverted to living in metal casings and killing anything that at all annoys them. That's right - it's The Daleks.

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Thanks for reading. Until next week, take care.