This Week In Doctor Who - March 31, 2004
(posted 31st Mar 2004, 12:32pm - TWIDW post #0217)

THIS WEEK IN DOCTOR WHO - March 31, 2004
by Benjamin F. Elliott
Vol 7, No 13
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thisweekindoctorwho
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Last week's column generated a little bit of controversy. Certainly the most feedback I've gotten on TWIDW since 2000. Chris Eccleston being the Doctor - bah, it was old news before publication time. WCNY Syracuse dropping Doctor Who - not a ripple. Changing the label of the section formerly known as "TV" to "The Original Series" - tidal wave.

To recap, I noted that I was tweaking the column to be more useful
to new readers who I hope will come along as the revival attracts
new fans. The new series (in the UK, they use series where the US
uses season) would get a section with the quick confirmed
information about the show and listing what networks worldwide would
air it as we learn who they are. Since this would result in two TV
sections, I opted at the time to call the other one "The Original
Series", and made some improvements to it. And I reminded readers
that I like feedback, which I do. At the time I wrote last week's
column, I had forgotten that the 1960s Star Trek is sometimes called
The Original Series, and shortly after sending the column out I
decided it was a lousy name and I'd have to find another one.

Well, the name tested extremely badly. Readers hate it. And it seems
to have created the impression that I don't consider the new show to
be a continuation of the old show, an impression that a less
polarizing name might have avoided. There's at least some sentiment
that all TV broadcasts, new or old, should remain in the same
section when the new show starts.

Basically, I have a problem. It's a wonderful problem to have. I wish I'd always have had this problem. There's going to be a new Doctor Who audience. Hopefully a massive audience. An audience that, at least at first, is going to focus on the new episodes, naturally enough. BBCi http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/doctorwho and Outpost Gallifrey http://www.gallifreyone.com both have separate sections for news on the new episodes versus other Doctor Who news. I believe, at least when the episodes are new, that this column will really need the same thing. A concise, spoiler free section which will chronicle the show's launch in countries around the world. Down the road, I imagine earlier seasons/series of Eccleston's Doctor would move to the regular episodes section while later ones would remain in the new section.

But rest assured, I am not calling for Doctor Who to be considered
two entirely different shows, and this column will not be referring
to "The Original Series" in future. I'll be testing out names for
both sections over the next few weeks till I decide on ones that
carry the intent the best.

As to the other bit of controversy, think of my story description as
the "new and improved" version of Stones Of Blood, the one where
they threw the characters from Androids Of Tara in and had more fun.
That or a typo from writing in a hurry.

Upcoming airings of the movie "Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150A.D." in
Australia:
All times Australian Eastern Standard Time
Tuesday 4 May - 4:10PM Showtime Greats
Saturday 8 May - 8:45PM Showtime Greats
Wednesday 12 May - 7:05PM Showtime Greats
Friday 21 May - 9:25PM Showtime Greats
Monday 24 May - 6PM Showtime Greats

The United States*, Canada, and probably a few other places are
switching from Standard Time to Daylight Savings Time early Sunday
morning. If this affects you, remember to change your clocks.

*Except for the parts of the United States that don't switch, like
Hawaii.

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:

THE UPCOMING REVIVAL:

Doctor: Christopher Eccleston
Written by: Russell T. Davies (8 episodes), Steven Moffatt (2
episodes), Paul Cornell (1 episode), Rob Shearman (1 episode), Mark
Gatiss (1 episode)
Original Aspect Ratio - 16:9
Premieres: 2005 (Date TBA)
Total episodes for first series: 13
45 minute episodes

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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 - Richard E Grant is The Doctor in a fully animated 6 episode story. The Shalka prepare to conquer the Earth from below. Unfortunately for them, the Doctor is back.
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.

American Who http://www.americanwho.net
Next new episode April 12 at 5AM Eastern Daylight Time. Scheduled
guest - Barry Letts, producer from 1970 to 1974.
http://archives.warpradio.com/btr/SciFi/032905.mp3
Arnold T. Blumberg discusses the casting of Christopher Eccleston as
The Doctor.
http://archives.warpradio.com/btr/SciFi/031505.mp3
Charles Martin discusses the writers for the new series.
http://archives.warpradio.com/btr/SciFi/030105.mp3
Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon in the 2nd Doctor stories) remembers
Patrick Troughton.
http://archives.warpradio.com/btr/SciFi/021605.mp3
Joey interviews India Fisher (Charley in the Big Finish 8th Doctor
audio dramas), recorded at the 2003 Chicago TARDIS convention.

Sci-Fi Overdrive http://www.scifioverdrive.com
on Business Talk Network http://www.businesstalkradio.net
Late Sun/Early Mon 2-6AM EDT (11PM-3AM PDT, 7-11AM BST, 4-8PM AEST)
Live Stream http://www.warpradio.com/popTuner.asp?id=14085
Hour 1 - Sci-Fi News & Comment. Hour 2 - an examination of the
graphic horror novel The Black Forest, along with a special premiere
of an audio adaptation of the story. Hour 3 - Phillip Segal
(producer of the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie) is now the Vice-President
of Programming for Tribune Entertainment. He discusses the shows
from Tribune that he's been involved with - Andromeda, Mutant X,
Beastmaster, and the 5th season of Earth: Final Conflict. Hour 4 -
Alan Lutton discusses the upcoming Gaylaxicon event in San Diego, CA
and gay/lesbian science fiction in general.

THE FIRST 40 YEARS:

UK:

UKTV Gold http://www.ukgold.tv http://www.onthebox.com/partner/otb
Saturday 7-9AM BST The Hand Of Fear movie
Series 14, Episodes 5 through 8. Doctor: Tom Baker. Sarah is possessed by a crystalline hand that seeks to rebuild its body. The Doctor must stop the hand from wreaking havoc. The Nuclear Power station in this story (Nunton) was originally going to be called Nuton, the fictitious power station that felt the claws of Axos several years earlier.
Sunday 7-9AM BST The Deadly Assassin movie
Series 14, Episodes 9 through 12. Doctor: Tom Baker. A distress call lures the Doctor back to Gallifrey, where the Time Lords are preparing to see one President retire and a new one be named. A dark force is out to kill the President, blame the Doctor, and bring Gallifrey into chaos.

Due to Easter Weekend and a marathon of Carry On movies, Doctor Who will not be seen on UKTV Gold or UKTV Gold + 1 on 10 and 11 April. Doctor Who will return April 17. Alas, UKTV Gold is skipping The Face of Evil, the story that introduces Louise Jameson as Leela. To the best of my knowledge, The Face of Evil features neither Daleks nor a script by Terry Nation, so this story's omission cannot be connected to that issue.

UKTV Gold + 1
Saturday 8-10AM BST The Hand Of Fear movie
Sunday 8-10AM BST The Deadly Assassin movie

AUSTRALIA:

ABC http://www.varos.net/drwho/ http://www.abc.net.au/tv
Thursday 6:05PM Doctor Who And The Silurians ep 6 of 7
Monday 6:06PM Doctor Who And The Silurians ep 7 of 7
Series 7, Episodes 10 through 11. Doctor: Jon Pertwee. Black & White version. The plague unleashed by the Silurians threatens to wipe out humanity. The Doctor does not believe this is grounds for ending diplomatic efforts with the Silurians.
Tuesday 6:04PM The Ambassadors of Death ep 1 of 7
Wednesday 6:04PM The Ambassadors of Death ep 2 of 7
Series 7, Episodes 12 through 13. Doctor: Jon Pertwee. Black & White version, I think. Astronauts lost in space for months are finally returning to Earth. But something is wrong with the mission. Sabotage is disrupting the mission. And it seems to have ties to high places.

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) (EDT and PDT from Sunday)
Wednesday Kinda pts 3+4 of 4
Series 19, Episodes 11 through 12. Doctor: Peter Davison. The Doctor must play the fool to learn the secrets of the Kinda people and stop the Mara.
Thursday The Visitation pts 1+2 of 4
Friday The Visitation pts 3+4 of 4
Series 19, Episodes 13 through 16. Doctor: Peter Davison. Aliens crash land on Earth in the year 1664. Taking over a small English village, they decide to expand their horizons and conquer the planet.
Saturday The King's Demons both pts
Series 20, Episodes 21 through 22. Doctor: Peter Davison. The 5th Doctor and company are proclaimed as beloved Demons by King John, thereby ensuring that all the good and bad guys around will try to kill them in short order. Meanwhile, King John is also in an entirely different part of England signing the Magna Carta. How can the King be in two places at once?
Sun Warriors of the Deep all 4 pts
Series 21, Episodes 1 through 4. Doctor: Peter Davison. The Silurians and Sea Devils, cruelly shunned by society just because they tried to wipe out humanity on two separate occasions, come back for revenge.
Monday Black Orchid both pts
Series 19, Episodes 17 through 18. Doctor: Peter Davison. A cricket match, a dinner party, and a murder throws the TARDIS crew into a tale reminiscent of an Agatha Christie story.
Tuesday Timeflight pts 1+2 of 4
Series 19, Episodes 23 through 24. Doctor: Peter Davison. Shocked by the events in Earthshock (which BBC Kids couldn't buy due to a contract problem), the TARDIS crew returns to Earth, where the theft of Concordes causes them to get involved.

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
Saturday 11PM EST Pyramids of Mars pt 4 of 4
Series 13, Episode 12. Doctor: Tom Baker. Sutekh takes mental control of the Doctor as his endgame approaches.

WYBE Philadelphia, PA http://www.wybe.org
analog 35
digital 35-1 (34-1)
Philadelphia DirecTV 35,909
Philadelphia Dish 35,8162
Saturday 11PM EST The Caves of Androzani pts 3+4 of 4
Series 21, Episodes 21 through 22. Doctor: Peter Davison. The 5th Doctor's era ends as he races against time to save Peri from death from Spectrox Toxaemia.

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 Saturday Mid EST The War Games movie, pt 1 of 2
Series 6, Episodes 35 through 39. Doctor: Pat Troughton. Soldiers from different eras fight, each group unaware the presence of the others.

WCET Cincinnati, OH http://cetconnect.org
analog 48
digital 48-2 (34-2)
Cincinnati DirecTV 48,909
Cincinnati Dish 48,8356
Saturday 11PM EST Survival pts 1+2 of 3
Series 26, Episodes 12 through 13. Doctor: Sylvester McCoy. Ace returns to her hometown of Perivale, where old friends are disappearing, and a cat is hissing at the populace. The start of the final story of the original TV series.

WILL Urbana, IL http://www.will.uiuc.edu
analog 12
digital 9 - not on air
Champaign Dish 12,7407
Saturday 11:40PM CST Castrovalva pt 1 of 4
Series 19, Episode 1. Doctor: Peter Davison. The new 5th Doctor, Adric, Nyssa, and Tegan flee in the TARDIS, as the Master continues to pursue and set traps.

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
Saturday 11:35PM CST The Stones of Blood pts 3+4 of 4
Series 16, Episodes 11 through 12. Doctor: Tom Baker. Vivian Fey's true identity is revealed, while Romana and the Doctor get a lesson in the nature of Hyperspace.

KBDI Denver, CO http://www.kbdi.org
analog 12
digital 12-1 (38-1)
Denver DirecTV 12,910
Denver Dish 12,8211
Late Friday 12:30AM MST The Claws of Axos all 4 eps
Series 8, Episodes 11 through 14. Doctor: Jon Pertwee.
We come in peace.
Saturday 11PM MST Colony In Space eps 1+2 of 6
Series 8, Episodes 15 through 16. Doctor: Jon Pertwee.
Shoot to kill.

KUED/KUEW-DT/KUES-DT Salt Lake City/St. George/Richfield, UT
http://www.kued.org
analog 7
digital 7-1 (42-1), 18-1 (18-1), 19-1 (19-1)
Salt Lake City DirecTV 7,982
Salt Lake City Dish 7,8536
Saturday 11:30PM MST Arc of Infinity pt 3 of 4
Series 20, Episode 3. Doctor: Peter Davison. The creature from the alternate dimension seems strangely unworried that the Doctor could wind up dead. Is it possible that executing the 5th Doctor wouldn't stop this being's emergence into our universe?

KBTC/KCKA Tacoma/Centralia, WA http://www.kbtc.org
analog 28,15
digital 28-1 (27-1), 15-1 (19-1)
Seattle DirecTV 28,910
Seattle Dish 28,8620
Saturday 7PM + 12:30AM PST The Dominators eps 3+4 of 5
Series 6, Episodes 3 through 4. Doctor: Pat Troughton. Can a race of pacifists be galvanized for war to save them from conquest by evil Dominators?

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
Late Saturday 1:37AM PST Interview With Patrick Troughton 1987 special
KTEH interviewed Patrick Troughton, the 2nd Doctor, during a visit he made to the US.

US Sci-Fi Channel http://www.scifi.com
Late Sunday April 11 - Doctor Who1996 TV Movie
3AM EDT East Feed, 3AM PDT West Feed

Thanks for reading. Until next week, take care.

Doctor Who is a BBC Trademark. Copyright 2004.