This Week In Doctor Who - December 23/24, 2003
(posted 23rd Dec 2003, 1:07pm - TWIDW post #0198)

THIS WEEK IN DOCTOR WHO - December 23/24, 2003
by Benjamin F. Elliott
Vol 6, No 52
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thisweekindoctorwho
thisweekindoctorwho-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

This is a special Tuesday edition of This Week In Doctor Who, as
many of you will be traveling or simply staying off the internet at
Christmas. Back to Wednesday next week for the final column of 2003.

Sky Digital subscribers in the UK will get a late Christmas present -
The Scream Of The Shalka's digital TV premiere. The BBC's Digital
TV service http://www.bbc.co.uk/digital will air the episodes of
Scream on its special service - one episode per night from Tuesday
30 December through Sunday 4 January. Each episode will air in a
repeating loop from 7:30PM to Midnight. Have your TV on a BBC
station, and press the red button on the remote, if I read their
instructions right. Scream will be enhanced to have a better visual
flow for TV, and higher quality audio is promised. As of this time,
this presentation will NOT be available on Freeview or Digital Cable.

BBCi http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/doctorwho is giving visitors a chance to make their own "Puppet Theatre" of The Scream Of The Shalka. Go to the Shalka section, and click on extras. They have provided the designs to print out and make your own Shalka story, reminiscent of the Doctor Who Theatre done by the Blue Peter show in 1977 (and included as an extra on the Talons Of Weng-Chiang DVD). No word yet on if BBCi will suggest ways to make edible Shalkas ala the Blue Peter Dalek treats from the 60s.

BBC1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcone has scheduled "The Story Of Doctor
Who", the 40th anniversary documentary, to air on Tuesday 30
December at 6:30PM GMT, as part of the Christmas programming. No
rebroadcasts or airings in other countries had been uncovered at
publication time.

Encore Australia is airing Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150A.D. on Monday
5 January 2004 at 5:35AM AEDT and Saturday 17 January 2004 at 5:20AM.

Outpost Gallifrey http://www.gallifreyone.com has undergone a very
nice redesign. Everything's still there, but it loads much faster.
Congratulations to Shaun Lyon.

Joey Reynolds has announced a change in the production of the
American Who radio program.

American Who http://www.americanwho.net
Sci-Fi Overdrive http://www.scifioverdrive.com
Business Talk Radio http://www.businesstalkradio.net
`"American Who," the only internet audio program on the television
science fiction classic series "Doctor Who," will now become the
only nationally broadcast radio program on "Doctor Who."

`Joey Reynolds, host of "American Who," as well as President of Interstellar Transmissions, Incorporated (the production outfit responsible for American Who and its sister show Sci-Fi Overdrive), said that the decision to bring the program to nationwide radio was an easy one- "We have a four hour block every week for `Sci-Fi Overdrive' that runs in 22 markets in the United States. We also have the facilities through Business Talk Radio's website to archive the program for six weeks from its initial broadcast so that the listeners can take down the complete program for their own listening pleasure, thus giving us the web space to provide more content from the show's website for those who want to hear a little more."

`That "little more" means more for the fans to listen to than what
is offered on a satellite radio show. Reynolds says, "The only
drawback is that when a show like `American Who' goes on a
nationally broadcast radio program via satellite, it must adhere to
a broadcast clock, which means that we will have the usual standing
segments, though constrained due to time. How ironic that time would
be a factor for a radio show on `Doctor Who'!"

`The move seems natural, as Reynolds explains - "With the
announcement of the series' return to first-run television in 2005,
added to the fact that there are still a handful of stations in the
US continuing to run the original series, `Doctor Who' needs all the
help that it can get in the United States in order to expose the
audience to the fact that, even though production stopped full-time
in 1989, this programme never went away - it just changed mediums.
Most folks think of `Doctor Who' as just Tom Baker and those seven
years that it was on the air. They don't know about the Big Finish
audios, the Virgin/BBC Books adventures, the conventions - maybe the
1996 telemovie, but nothing more. This show is the perfect `open
door' to get the word out that the series is returning in 2005.
Sure, it was great to see the news of the series' return on crawls
on CNN and MSNBC, but that was temporary and we need to keep that
interest going."

`News on "Doctor Who", old and new, will lead the hour, followed by
convention news and interview segments for the balance of the
program.

`The first broadcast of "American Who" as part of "Sci-Fi Overdrive"
on Business Talk Radio will take place on Monday, January 19th at
5AM, Eastern Standard Time. Guests on that program will be Peter
Davison, from an interview at United Fan Con in November 2003, and
Jason Haigh-Ellery of Big Finish Productions, from an interview at
Chicago TARDIS in November 2003.

`Radio station affiliates for the program are across the country are
as follows (broadcast times are local):
KFNN 1510 Phoenix, AZ 3AM
KNRY 1240 Salinas, CA 2AM
KDMN 1450 Buena Vista, CO 3AM
KSKE 610 Vail, CO 3AM
WGCH 1490 Stamford, CT 5AM
WTMY 1280 Sarasota, FL 5AM
KFRM 550 Salina, KS 4AM
WBNW 1120 Boston, MA 5AM
KCCO 950 Minneapolis, MN 4AM
KGWA 960 Enid, OK 4AM
KBNP 1410 Portland, OR 2AM
WPSE 1450 Erie, PA 5AM
WISW 1320 Columbia, SC 5AM
*WBCF 1240 Florence, AL 4AM
*KLMO 1060 Denver, CO 3AM
*WPLC 1050 Washington, DC 5AM
*KCUE 1250 Red Wing, MN 4AM
*WDXI 1310 Jackson, TN 4AM

*Stations airing 4th hour of Sci-Fi Overdrive (and thus will carry
American Who) that were omitted in the press release. Stations that
air Sci-Fi Overdrive that aren't listed here break away before the
4th hour.

Corrections and updates are always welcome at thisweekindoctorwho-
owner@yahoogroups.com , bfelliott@... , TWIDW on AOL IM ,
and thebfe on Yahoo Messenger. Here are the listings:

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RADIO/INTERNET:

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BBCi http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/doctorwho
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/doctorwho/shalka
The Scream Of The Shalka - all 6 episodes now online. Fully animated in Flash format. The Ninth Doctor is a haunted alien. Something happened to him. Now he dreads the thought of visiting Earth, of fighting evil, of caring about people. Unfortunately, a Shalka invasion fleet has a base in rural England, and the Doctor has no choice but to intervene one more time. Richard E Grant is The Doctor. If you have Sky Digital in the UK, see the entry beneath BBC One in the TV section.
older online drama:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/doctorwho/realtime
"Real Time" - starring Colin Baker and the Cybermen. 6 episode
illustrated audio tale. The 6th Doctor and Evelyn Smythe research a
temple that has been yanking scientists out of time. The secrets of
the temple threaten the future and past of two species. Viewer
discretion advised for the illustrations of episodes 4 through 6 due
to the amount of blood and visualized violence.

New Zealand Radio (National Service) http://www.radionz.co.nz/nr/f-
nr.htm
Sun 4:50PM "Slipback" pt 6 of 6
Conclusion of the 1985 radio serial. Starring Colin Baker as the
Doctor and Nicola Bryant as Peri.

American Who http://www.americanwho.net
http://members.aol.com/americanwho/121403a.mp3
http://members.aol.com/americanwhofan/121403b.mp3
From The Jay Michaels Radio Show's archives - a December 1987
interview with John-Nathan Turner, Nicola Bryant, and Brian Sloman
at the end of the Doctor Who Celebration tour. More segments
expected online soon.
http://members.aol.com/scifiradioguy/who/110403.mp3
Dan Harris discusses the Sci-Fi Sea Cruise.
Coming in January, new episodes of American Who will premiere every
2 weeks as the 4th hour of Sci-Fi Overdrive.

Sci-Fi Overdrive http://www.scifioverdrive.com
on Business Talk Network http://www.businesstalkradio.net
Late Sun/Early Mon 2-6AM EST (11PM-3AM PST, 7-11AM GMT, 6-10PM AEDT)
Live Stream http://www.warpradio.com/popTuner.asp?id=14085
Archives
http://www.businesstalkradio.net/weekday_host/Archives/sfo.shtml
Hour 1 - Sci-Fi Year in Review 2003 with Robert J. Sawyer. Hour 2 -
Dr. Jeff Plaut on the ESA Mars Express/Beagle 2 mission. Hours 3 +
4 - repeat broadcast of Sci-Fi Overdrive's interview with Arnold T.
Blumberg celebrating 40 years of Doctor Who.

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TV:

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UK:

BBC1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcone
Tue 30 Dec 6:30PM GMT "The Story Of Doctor Who" 2003 documentary
16:9 Aspect Ratio on Digital, 14:9 Letterbox on Analog
In this new 60 minute documentary, 40 years of Doctor Who is
celebrated. Lots of clips and interviews in a look back at a series
which is preparing to come to life again. When the documentary's
over, if you subscribe to Sky Digital, see below ...

BBC Interactive http://www.bbc.co.uk/digital
Tue 30 Dec 7:30PM-Mid GMT The Scream Of The Shalka (constant loop)
Anyone with Sky Digital can see episode 1 of Scream of the Shalka by pressing the red button on your Sky Digital remote while on a BBC channel. Enhanced to look good on TV. One episode will be featured each day through 4 January 2004. Features available through this button are typically in 4:3 format, while Scream is in 16:9 format - it'll be curious to see how it is presented. BBCi regrets that for technical reasons, Scream of the Shalka will NOT be available on Freeview or Cable. And they know that sounds stupid.

UK Gold http://www.ukgold.tv http://www.onthebox.com/partner/otb
Pre-empted for Christmas programming. The Trial Of A Time Lord continues Saturday 3 January 2004.

UK Gold + 1
Doctor Who returns 3 January 2004.

AUSTRALIA:

ABC http://www.varos.net/drwho/ http://www.abc.net.au/tv
Wed 24 Dec 6:05PM The Chase - The Death Of Doctor Who ep 5 of 6
Pre-empted Christmas Day.
Mon 29 Dec 6:05PM The Chase - The Planet Of Decision ep 6 of 6
A robotic duplicate of the Doctor infiltrates the TARDIS crew on the planet Mechanus, seeding doubt and slowing them down for a Dalek attack. The final battle with the Daleks will happen here. And not everyone will return to the TARDIS.
Tue 30 Dec 6:10PM The Time Meddler - The Watcher ep 1 of 4
Wed 31 Dec 6:05PM The Time Meddler - The Meddling Monk ep 2 of 4?
The schedule for Wednesday had not been confirmed at publication time. Assuming no additional pre-emptions, the 1st Doctor and company arrive in 11th Century England. Vikings are on the loose. Fears of invasion loom. But something is rotten. 20th Century artefacts are popping up everywhere.

CANADA/USA:

BBC Kids http://www.bbckids.ca
7 Days A Week 1 + 3:30AM EST (10PM + 12:30AM PST) - 2 episodes weekdays, full stories weekends)
The weekday airings will be on a special schedule from Monday 20 December through Friday 2 January.
Late Tue 23 Dec 3:30AM EST/12:30AM PST The Keeper of Traken all 4 pts
The 4th Doctor and Adric arrive on the home world of the Traken Union, on a secret mission from the dying keeper to outwit a gathering evil that plans to overthrow the multi-planet peace. The consequences will forever change the lives of Tremas (next in line to be Keeper), his wife Kassia, and daughter Nyssa.
Late Wed 24 Dec 3:30AM EST/12:30AM PST Logopolis all 4 pts
The Master tracks the 4th Doctor and Adric through time and space, baiting the Doctor closer and closer to a deadly encounter. Final story for Tom Baker, and currently the last story purchased by BBC Kids.
Late Thu 25 Dec 3:30AM EST/12:30AM PST Robot all 4 pts
The Doctor regenerates into his 4th incarnation, leaving U*N*I*T with a wild-eyed loon just when they need the Doctor's help investigating a series of military thefts. The beginning of the most popular era of the series in North America begins.
Late Fri 26 Dec 4:30AM EST/1:30AM PST The Sontaran Experiment all 2 pts
A Sontaran has set up shop on Earth, using humans in lethal experiments as evaluation for invasion and conquest. Unfortunately for the Sontaran, the 4th Doctor, Sarah, and Harry have arrived on a mission. Will the Sontaran be smart enough to cut his losses and run, or will he have a run-in with the Doctor?
Sat 27 Dec The Creature from the Pit all 4 pts
A distress call leads the 4th Doctor, Romana, and K9 to the jungle world of Chloris, where a Lady in black & red rules the world with a gloved fist, holding all precious metals to herself and leaving the population in submission.
Sun 28 Dec Nightmare of Eden all 4 pts
In Frontier In Space (a 3rd Doctor story that hasn't aired in Canada in many years), Jo Grant comments to the Doctor that only he could manage to pull off a traffic accident in space. Well, she's wrong. This time the 4th Doctor and Romana match wits against the two captains who have managed to pull it off with great gusto. Unfortunately, Jo is not around for the Doctor to remind her on the
subject. Oh well.
Late Mon 29 Dec 3:30AM EST/12:30AM PST The Ark In Space all 4 pts
Two races were on the verge of extinction. Humans and Wirrn. Each chose hibernation as the key to survival. Store all valuable information, and wait for the cue to awaken. Unfortunately, for one race to survive, the other must die. And they're both waking up.
Late Tue 30 Dec 3:30AM EST/12:30AM PST The Sontaran Experiment all 2 pts
Late Tue 30 Dec 4:30AM EST/1:30AM PST Genesis of the Daleks pts 1+2 of 6
In the battle of Good versus Evil, apparently Good is the losing side. So the side of Good has decided to cheat. Can the 4th Doctor be convinced to destroy history as he knows it, manhandling the past to rescue the future?

NHPTV New Hampshire http://www.nhptv.org
analog 11, 49, 52
digital 11-2 (57-2), 49-2 (48-2), 52-2 (49-2)
Boston DirecTV 11,955
Boston Dish 11,8781
Sat 11PM EST Terror of the Zygons pt 2 of 4
A murder attempt leaves a member of the TARDIS crew near death in a hospital. Now the Zygons are out to ensure that the information in that person's head never reaches the ears of the Doctor. Doctor Who will air at 11:30PM on January 3 and 10.

WCNY/W59AU Syracuse/Utica, NY http://www.wcny.org
analog 24, 59
digital 24-1 (25-1)
Sun 5:30PM EST Pyramids of Mars pt 2 of 4
Professor Scarman's body now works as the eye and ears of Sutekh, sowing the seeds for the return of the Dark Lord and eliminating all who stand in the way. Especially a man with a long scarf and an inability to shut up.

WYBE Philadelphia, PA http://www.wybe.org
analog 35
digital 35-1 (34-1)
Philadelphia DirecTV 35,909
Philadelphia Dish 35,8162
Sat 11PM EST The King's Demons both pts
The 5th Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough are befriended by King John in 1215. He's in need of guidance. Certainly the Doctor thinks so - John's supposed to be in London right now signing the Magna Carta, not half a kingdom away.

MPT Maryland http://www.mpt.org
analog 22, 67, 31, 28, 62, 36
digital 22-2 (42-2), 67-2 (29-2), 31-2 (44-2), 28-2 (56-2), 28, 54
DC/Hagerstown, Baltimore DirecTV 22,980
Baltimore Dish 22,8736
Late Sat Mid EST The Rescue movie (The Powerful Enemy, Desperate Measures)
Mildly depressed and unusually tired, the 1st Doctor guides the TARDIS to the planet Dido for a rest. Meanwhile, on a wrecked space ship, the two human survivors wait for rescue while avoiding the ire of a sinister benefactor.

WCET Cincinnati, OH http://cetconnect.org
analog 48
digital 48-2 (34-2)
Cincinnati DirecTV 48,909
Cincinnati Dish 48,8356
Sat 27 Dec 11PM EST The Happiness Patrol pt 3 of 3
Only 1 episode airing this week. The 7th Doctor and the Killjoys learn how to stop worrying and love the Happiness Patrol. It's the battle of the happy unhappy people versus the unhappy happy people. One thing for certain, someone's happiness will prevail.

WILL Urbana, IL http://www.will.uiuc.edu
analog 12
digital 9 - not on air
Champaign Dish 12,7407
Sat 11:40PM CST Warriors' Gate pt 2 of 4
The mystery of the Tharill's unfolds at the gateway between universes. Next week's episode starts at 11:44PM.

IPTV Iowa http://www.sffn.com/ http://www.iptv.org
analog 11, 12, 21, 24, 27, 32, 32, 36, 36
digital 11 (50), 45, 25, 18, 28, 33, 35, 35, 34 - not on air
Des Moines DirecTV 11,474
Des Moines Dish 11,9116
Cedar Rapids Dish 12,9161
Omaha Dish 32,9146
Sat 11:35PM CST The Sun Makers pts 3+4 of 4
For those who forgot, this story began in November. Leela pays a price for leading a revolt to free the 4th Doctor. The resistance hiding in the basement areas must decide whether or not to battle their overlords.

KBDI/K32EO Denver/Colorado Springs, CO http://www.kbdi.org
analog 12, 32
digital 12-1 (38-1)
Denver DirecTV 12,910
Denver Dish 12,8211
Late Fri 12:30AM MST Inferno eps 1+2 of 7
Sat 11PM MST Inferno eps 3+4 of 7
A tale of two universes. Parallel Earths with very different British governments are imperiled by a drill project that promises to solve Earth's energy problems by feeding off the core. The 3rd Doctor learns that trying to save 2 Earths is even more hazardous than trying to save 1.

KUED/KUES-DT Salt Lake City/Richfield, UT http://www.kued.org
analog 7
digital 7-1 (42-1), 19-1 (19-1)
Salt Lake City DirecTV 7,982
Salt Lake City Dish 7,8536
Sat 11:30PM MST Black Orchid pt 1 of 2
The 5th Doctor gets involved in a cricket match in 1925 England. After the match, a dinner party forms the setting for murder.

KBTC/KCKA/K65BU Tacoma/Centralia/Gray's River, WA http://www.kbtc.org
analog 28,15,65
digital 28-1 (27-1), 15-1 (19-1)
Seattle DirecTV 28,910
Seattle Dish 28,8620
Sat 7PM + 12:30AM PST The Chase: The Executioners ep 1 of 6
Sat 7:30PM + 1AM PST The Chase: The Death of Time ep 2 of 6
Never ones to take defeat well, the Daleks send an elite group after the TARDIS in hopes of assassinating the 1st Doctor and companions.

KTEH/KCAH San Jose/Watsonville, CA http://www.kteh.org
analog 54,25
digital 50,58 - not on air
San Francisco DirecTV 54,903
San Francisco Dish 54,8234
Monterey Dish 25,9190
Next Doctor Who broadcast TBA.

Thanks for reading. Until next week, take care. And a Merry
Christmas to all of you at home!

Doctor Who is a BBC Trademark. Copyright 2003.