Christian Cawley's Blog, page 223

045 The Mind Robber

Barnaby Eaton-Jones is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Be warned.

This isn’t a documentary about how Nigel Farage got people to vote for UKIP.

Neither is it a step-by-step guide by Emma Watson about how you can fool people into thinking you’re a good actress.

It isn’t even a tell-all book by Tom Cruise on his Scientology beliefs.

No, it is a Doctor Who story from 1968. However, if anyone was going to remake this as a Hollywood film, then I’m sure you’d cast Tom Cruise as Jamie, Emma Watson as Zoe and… er… Nigel Farage as the Second Doctor? No, that analogy’s fallen down. Sorry.

So, yes, The Mind Robber. A slice of pure ’60s television, combining the edict of the show so well (Science Fiction and Education), that still holds up against today’s version. If you’ve read a previous article, concerning The Dominators, you’ll know that one of the episodes of that preceding story was dropped to simplify it; which meant that a new starting episode had to be written for The Mind Robber to fill the gap.

And what an episode it is.

Script Editor Derrick Sherwin crafts a sublimely surreal and utterly trippy entrance into The Land Of Fiction (where the story is set) by having the TARDIS escape the volcanic explosion of The Dominators‘ end using an emergency link which takes them outside of reality. A white void of an empty studio conveys this better than any CGI landscape could, with the stark black and white tones giving you really powerful visuals that, again, wouldn’t be enhanced by adding psychedelic colours to them.

Turn on (the fluid link), tune in (the Second Doctor does), drop out (they do, as the TARDIS explodes).

In essence, it’s a pre-amble. Nothing more than a loose dream sequence to drift you into the main story, written by Peter Ling. However, it works so perfectly, and draws you in so fantastically, that the other episodes seem slightly duller by comparison. However, that’s predominantly because the style changes. They enter the Land Of Fiction, rather than a White Void. The first episode cliffhanger, of the TARDIS blowing apart and the central console revolving in mid-air (with Zoe clinging on to it and screaming for all she’s worth), is forever going to appear in clip shows, compilations and the like. It’s become iconic. And that’s not just because Zoe’s sparkly-costumed bottom still makes hearts flutter.

So, once inside this Land Of Fiction, Peter Ling appears to spoon in enough characters, ideas and plot to furnish another whole season’s stories. The premise of a forest made of words is, in itself, explorable for an entire story. In the same way, you could write an entire story around the meeting of each of the whole host of various characters from literature that are encountered (particularly Gulliver, who is played with straight-laced and stoic perfection by Bernard Horsfall – who was to re-appear a further three times throughout Doctor Who, in some of the biggest and best remembered stories). We even get to meet literary characters from the future too, like the superhero Karkus; who gets into a fight with a suddenly Emma Peel-eseque Zoe – her hitherto dormant martial arts skills overtaking her mathematical ones in her audition for joining John Steed in The Avengers. I’m not sure a German-accented superhero, with limited fighting skills and who appears to be named after decaying flesh, is a creation that Stan Lee would invite to assemble in the other Avengers but at least he is the catalyst for showing our heroes out of the Land Of Fiction and introducing them to the Wizard pulling the strings behind the Oz-like curtain.

Before we get to that, let’s pause for a moment and touch on the TARDIS trio. Such is the strong chemistry between Patrick Troughton’s Second Doctor, Frazer Hines’ Jamie and Wendy Padbury’s Zoe that it’s a genuine shock of unease when – during a game where the Second Doctor has to re-assemble a jigsaw of Jamie’s face and gets it wrong – we are introduced to a different actor playing the passionate Highlander. In reality, Frazer Hines contracted chicken pox and missed some of the shoot, so Hamish Wilson – with a stronger Scots accent but less of a naturally charismatic actor – is brought in to cover Frazer as Jamie; necessitating the brief re-write with the jigsaw puzzle. To be honest, if I were Jamie, I’d have been pretty cheesed off that the Doctor couldn’t pop a few large pieces of puzzle together in the right way to create his face again.

To be even more honest, if I was Frazer Hines’ brother, Ian, I’d be even more cheesed off that I wasn’t offered the part and, instead, stomped about inside one of the looming white robots who menaced the TARDIS in the opening episode and sporadically throughout the rest.

The Mind Robber deserves its ‘classic’ status for daring to be different and for creating such a memorable look, feel and story from so many jumbled ideas and characters. It’s like being thrown into a living library, face-first.

Our main ‘villain’ of the piece is called the Master. Though, unfortunately, not a suave hypnotist with a neat sideline in Tissue Compression Elimination, a penchant for wearing black and a well-trimmed goatee beard, this Master is a bit of a meek shrew of a writer who’s been the creative hub around which the Land Of Fiction revolves. His creativity running dry, he wants the Doctor to take over his position and continue the story. I rather liked the irony of him trapping Jamie and Zoe into a book, so that they became ‘characters’, which is – in reality – what they are. Very post-modern.

The look and style of The Mind Robber is something quite extraordinary in places (kudos to designer Evan Hercules, costumiers Martin Baugh and Susan Wheal, with special effects magic by Jack Kine and Bernard Wilkie) but the true stand-out in the story is the direction from David Maloney. Here, he earns the first of his returning credits as a director with a real vision and a real understanding of how to make this genre interesting to look at and exciting to watch. The mark of a good returning director is to be engaged in the story they tell but not to realise it is the same man telling the tale. It’s safe to say, that if you look at the rest of his work on Doctor Who (and we’re talking notable ‘classic’ stories like The War Games, Planet Of The Daleks, Genesis Of The Daleks, The Talons Of Weng-Chiang, Planet Of Evil and The Deadly Assassin), each story has a look and feel all of its own. Sometimes, directors like to have a box of tricks and a certain style that showcases who they are but, with the amount of wildly-different genre-shifting and eclectic story-telling that’s kept Doctor Who alive for more than 50 years, then you’ve got to be able to tell the tale in ways that are new and interesting visually too. I’ve no doubt, like Graeme Harper (the only returning director for the ‘classic’ series, who popped up again with the ‘new’ series), David Maloney would have sprinkled some magic on a story for David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor, had he not passed away in 2006.

Looking at The Mind Robber with a view to seeing a similar story somewhere else in the ‘classic’ or ‘new’ series, it has to be said that it stands pretty much alone. You can usually find parallels in stories which have echoes of each other in themes or storylines (e.g. ‘Base Under Siege’, ‘Man Vs Monster’, ‘Mad Scientist Wants To Blow Up The World’, etc) but, although there’s a kind of foreshadowing of it in a previous season – when William Hartnell’s First Doctor meets The Celestial Toymaker – there isn’t anything as near to surreal as this right up to the present day. It is a shame that the TV show didn’t return to The Land Of Fiction with a later incarnation of the Doctor, as it’s a place worth exploring more. The licensed audio company, Big Finish, managed it with Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor accompanying the returning Jamie and Zoe… with added Cybermen. However, as yet, there’s been no Forest of Words appearing in the new series of the show on television.

That so many of Patrick Troughton’s Second Doctor stories are lost in the ether, when the BBC re-used videotapes from its archives to record new programmes, makes you realise how we must be thankful that such an individual example of Doctor Who firing on all cylinders and such an example of something that seems to encapsulate ’60s telefantasy so perfectly is with us today, intact.

It’s odd to think that the writer had created Crossroads four years earlier (a British soap opera that would run until the 1980s) but, with the amount of plots and characters and contrivances and creativity it takes to keep a long-running soap opera going for that length of time, perhaps he was basing The Master on himself? All his creativity poured into keeping a fictional land living, tethered like a slave to a typewriter and having to produce endless amounts of dialogue and stories ad infinitum. Perhaps it was a televisual cry for help, a televised note from a literary hostage, asking for a Doctor to come along and set him free from the endless flow of words that he was having to write?

Or am I reading between the lines too much?

Either way, The Mind Robber deserves its ‘classic’ status for daring to be different and for creating such a memorable look, feel and story from so many jumbled ideas and characters. It’s like being thrown into a living library, face-first. If you haven’t seen it yet, you’re in for a treat when you watch it. If you have seen it, give yourself a treat and watch it again.

The post 045 The Mind Robber appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Remembering Wizard World Philadelphia 2014! (Part 2)

Rebecca Crockett is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

This is part 2 of my recap of the Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Convention. Part 1 covered the first three days I was part of the con team, from Wednesday to Friday morning. Here, I cover Friday night thought Sunday. Feel free to read on, but you might want to check out the first part of this recap!

Conventions usually follow a pattern – they go from slow, to busy, to what could be called barely controlled chaos, to slowly ending. The people come in waves, their numbers ebbing and flowing on some invisible tide, This is how the last two and a half days of the convention followed, starting Friday afternoon.

The lines that will become a major part of the convention this weekend make their first appearances Friday night. With my post at the TARDIS stationed mere meters from their autograph areas, the lines for both Matt and Karen that eventually cover the whole area on either side of the booth and are nearly on top of us! But this is mostly a group of like-minded Whovians, so it means questions about the TARDIS – is it a real one? (Sorry, it’s only a replica. It can’t travel through time and space.) Can we take a picture with it? (Yes.) How much does it cost? (It’s free, and if you ask nicely, many of the cosplayers will join you in the picture if you’d like!) Is that David Tennant? He looks like David Tennant! (Um…)

Surprisingly though, it isn’t until the line begins to move that anyone else who isn’t part of the groups waiting to meet them realises that our stars have arrived! Chatter turns to costume and makeup checks and discussions as to what people are going to say to either Matt or Karen when their turn finally comes. What had been anticipated as something possibly bordering on chaos turns out to be rather organized and efficient. Even when both stars leave to do photo ops for a time, it atmosphere is calm.

This is where I admit that I had a bit of a fangirl moment. While I did not see Karen on Friday night, when the night was almost over I was able to watch Matt signing autographs for a few moments. I might have made some noises that were quiet but high-pitched at just being able to see him, live and in person. But can you blame me?

Saturday is the big day – Panels! Autographs! Photo Ops!

The biggest show day brings with it the biggest crowds. In the end, some estimated 60,000 people came through the doors of the convention center throughout the weekend, and many of that number were in attendance on Saturday, The day can only be described as a Whovian’s dream come true, or at least one that saw two major items being crossed off a Whovian bucket list! Thought for some, the rest of the day after the Who panel was over was not so pleasant.

Saturday mayhem #PhiladelphiaComicCon #Philadelphia #wwcc pic.twitter.com/MoPgEBLsk1

— Wizard World (@WizardWorld) June 21, 2014

Even so, life is about waiting. Amy Pond and Rory Williams both waited for long periods of time, didn’t they? Even factoring in getting pictures with both Matt and Karen, for me, the highlight of the day was seeing them up on stage during the q&a session.

Seeing Matt and Karen together, in person, you really do get the sense of how close of friends they really are. The easy chatting and camaraderie between the pair is so genuine. And you also see that they, too, are just as much fans of the show as we all are. Sure, they may not know the exact series and episode number for every show, but when asked something about a particular episode they are just as enthusiastic to talk about that individual story and what went into filming it. Their answers show that working on Doctor Who was just as much an adventure for them as it was for fans to see. Matt even said, when asked what his least favorite moment of making the show was, that it really is just as much fun to make as it is to watch!

Love pic.twitter.com/S2gC9sTiur

— Jessica (@SmarvilIan) June 24, 2014

What I love about attending events like this is the reactions and answers to the questions the fans come up with. Actors get asked the same questions and types of questions repeatedly. What was this like? What was the best thing about doing this? What are you working on now? The best answers come from the questions that are different, that haven’t been asked before or at least asked in the same way.

What if your roles were reversed? If Karen had been the Doctor and Matt the Companion?

M: I’d have been a Kiss-o-Gram!

K: Nothing would ever get done!

M: I’d have made a great companion!

(If you haven’t already read the round-up of media bites from the Doctor Who q&a panel with Matt and Karen, please do yourself the favor of checking out the wonderful article posted here on Kasterborous by our own Nick Kitchen. Plus, follow the links in this article to see Matt and Karen do the Drunk Giraffe!)

The barely controlled chaos begins to build after their panel is over. So much to do for both stars yet so little time to do it. Matt spent the rest of his day taking photo ops and signing autographs. Karen was part of a panel about Guardians Of The Galaxy.

First Nebula cosplayer! #guardiansofthegalaxy pic.twitter.com/yHqHf9coxA

— Karen Gillan (@KarenGillan2) June 21, 2014

But even the long lines of people, the hand cramps from signing autographs, and the thousands of flashes blinding them, both Matt and Karen remained ever gracious and happy to meet people and say hello. Events like comic cons, where the biggest draw has become the actors and other celebrities, can remind us all that they, too are still just normal people who also have the same kinds of things they get most excited over and even get star struck. So it’s nice to see that even with everything going on, they, too, got to have at least one bit of a fan moment!

This casually happened… Also there was nothing casual about me in this moment. pic.twitter.com/AskbAm3Yez

— Karen Gillan (@KarenGillan2) June 23, 2014

As if Matt and Karen weren’t enough, Wizard World Philly even saw a visit from the Doctor Puppets and their creator, Alisa Stern!

(And yes, I was just as excited to meet Alisa and the puppets!)

In the swirling chaos for the rest of us, there were Doctors from every era, a villains, and loads of friends and companions, from Weeping Angels to all shapes and sizes of Daleks, to Rivers, Amys, even a few War Doctors…and a Moment!

Saturday ends with the huge Wizard World costume contest. This is where costume creators really shine. Characters from anime to superheroes to video games to even books show their stuff on stage for a packed crowd. Some costumes have taken months to put together. But if it can be recreated in reality from drawn images or written descriptions, it might just show up in a costume contest!

 

Sunday arrives much like Friday. The day is busy, but the chaos is dying down. Merchants are offering deals to those attending the last day. in hopes of not having to transport as much product back home. I personally was able to take my volunteer shirt off for a bit and walk the show floor for a while, seeing all of the artists and merchants, from the comic artists and painters to the wearable art makers to t-shirt booths. There are a few stars that stick around for the last day so Sunday is also the day that we, as volunteers, may see some extra reward for our hard work – some stars will sign our volunteer shirts, maybe even take pictures with us. We may even get a free print or two that some artist has decided to share with us. Nothing is guaranteed, however.

https://www.facebook.com/RobPriorOffi...

Yes, we really do volunteer for the minimal compensation of being allowed to attend the convention, and we all knowingly agree that attending might be all we get for our hard work. But what is work, when there are so many good, fun times? When we get to hang out for a weekend with 60,000 other people who love pop culture just as much as we do? Our feet may be tired but our hearts are happy! (Both of them!)

Plans for next year are begun. Hopes and dreams about which other celebrities those that organize the convention can get to attend. Thoughts about maybe going to another convention in a few months in a different city, just because it’s a con! Plans to see about volunteering in a different city and seeing if anyone else wants to do the same. For as much as our feet hurt and as tired as are, when the day is over on Sunday, it’s almost like something in us says NO! It can’t be over!

But alas, it is. Another year of Comic Con is over.

When do they put the link up for volunteering at Wizard World Philadelphia 2015??

The post Remembering Wizard World Philadelphia 2014! (Part 2) appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Forbidden Planet’s Doctor Who Legacy Game Codes Giveaway!

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

While you’re waiting for the new season of Doctor Who, why not play Doctor Who: Legacy – with FREE game codes from your local Forbidden Planet!

Doctor Who: Legacy is a free-to-play puzzle-RPG game for iOS, Android and Kindle from BBC Worldwide, Tiny Rebel Games and Seed Studios. Steeped in 50 years of Whovian heritage, Doctor Who: Legacy lets you build a team of your favourite companions and relive the Doctor’s most legendary battles. Launching with the most recent two series, Doctor Who: Legacy’s meticulous attention to character detail makes it a feast for the eyes for any fan. Combined with easy to learn, but hard to master mechanics, it’s the perfect way to stay part of the adventure right up to the Christmas Special and beyond.

Forbidden Planet are giving away literally THOUSANDS of Doctor Who: Legacy in-game codes. They’ll give you the TARDIS as a companion, along with the First Doctor! All you have to do is make a purchase in any one of our stores while codes last.! We will give you the game code FREE with your receipt. To use the code, just download the game.!

You can find your local store here: forbiddenplanet.com/stores

You can find more information about Doctor Who: Legacy at www.doctorwholegacygame.com. You can download the game at iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon Kindle.

The post Forbidden Planet’s Doctor Who Legacy Game Codes Giveaway! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Who Can See Into The Doctor’s Soul? [NEW TRAILER]

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

The BBC has released a new teaser video for Doctor Who Series 8 – and hints at some darkness to come in the next run, which commences on August 23rd with the episode Deep Breath.

Stating that “There are interesting times ahead for the new Doctor. It’s time you knew him…” further details are – of course – hidden for now.

However, you don’t have to wait until August 23rd. We’ve heard today that a special premiere event – held in association with BFI Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder – will begin at lunchtime on August 7th will be taking place at Cardiff’s St David’s Hall, with Peter Capaldi among the celebrity attendees.

Tickets will be available to the public from St David’s Hall Box Office from next Monday, July 7th, and are priced £11 for adults, and £6 for children. There is a limit of 4 tickets per person.

The Box Office opens at 10am on Monday and you should call St David’s Hall Box Office on 029 2087 8444 or book online at www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

The post Who Can See Into The Doctor’s Soul? [NEW TRAILER] appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Does Doctor Who Really Need A Catchphrase?

Alex Skerratt is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Catchphrases: aurely the Marmite of all creative writing? Writer and comedian John Cleese, (who appeared in 1979′s City of Death and created the hugely successful British sitcom Fawlty Towers), admitted that he and his Monty Python writing partners had a very “low opinion” of catchphrases, and yet the line “He’s from Barcelona”, which he created,  has become almost legendary in the UK.

Is there something intrinsically effective about catchphrases? And does our favourite Time Lord from Gallifrey actually need one?

Now, it’s worth noting that neither William Hartnell or Patrick Troughton had catchphrases per se, unless you count “Hmm?” and “Oh my wooooooooooord!” but I’m not sure I’d have these on a poster.

Jon Pertwee was the first Doctor to properly have a catchphrase incorporated into his dialogue. The line “Reverse the polarity of the neutron flow” first appeared in 1972′a The Sea Devils, if memory serves, and made several return appearances at the request of the Third Doctor himself. Apparently, he found the line’s somewhat rhythmic quality easy to memorise, and so the script editor Terrance Dicks endeavoured to work it into as many episodes as possible, albeit in a variety of forms.

Then there was Tom Baker, who could always be relied upon to ask people if they’d “like a jelly baby” as the universe crumbled around them. It wasn’t until Doctor Who burst back onto our screens in 2005 that catchphrases began to be included as standard, with Christopher Eccleston’s wide-eyed “Fantastics!”, David Tennant’s “Alons-ys!” and Matt Smith’s “Geronimos!”

And with a brand new Doctor a matter of weeks away, will head writer Steven Moffat break with Nu Who tradition, and give us a Doctor with somewhat less ‘stylised’ dialogue? (Maybe not, if this video is anything to go by…!)

The big question is, are catchphrases essential to Doctor Who’s term success, or are they unnecessary and annoying? I think you could make a checkmate argument for either side. Personally, I am against catchphrases, but let’s examine the positives for a moment.

First, they are so easy to imitate. Just as the Daleks’ cries of “exterminate!” echo throughout school playgrounds up and down the country, “alons-y!” and “geronimo!” are just as memorable for school kids, not to mention cosplayers and general geeks (such as myself.) For brand awareness, and general lolz, this stuff is perfect.

Second, catchphrases create a sense of brotherhood. Not so long ago, I found myself in the company of relative strangers, heading out for food. As we scrambled out of the car and walked towards our destination, I said, “Right then – alons-y!” The chap next to me smiled and said, “Alons-y, Alonso!” Oh – I could have cried. We then proceeded to discuss the virtues of 2007′s Voyage of the Damned, and the virtues of the Tenth Doctor in general. I now love this man.

That said, I still find catchphrases very, very annoying, especially when they’re ‘signposted.’ I always found Matt Smith’s “geronimo!” to be a little in-your-face. Crikey, he used it in his first ever scene! It was as if the producers had hung a flashing neon sign above the poor guy’s head, saying “This is our catchphrase for 2010, kids!” At least his subsequent “Bow ties are cool” catchphrase was a little more organic; it felt as if it had evolved from the characters and drama, as opposed to being shoehorned in by the bods at Aunty Beeb. I can just imagine them creating a catchphrase think-tank, in which people wear lanyards and eat cold quiche and pore over pie charts and graphs, piecing together corporately-inspired dialogue that will “appeal to the core demographics.”

But then, I do have a very vivid imagination! (And I’m feeling grumpy today.)

I guess we’ll have to wait until August 2014 to find out if Peter Capaldi has a catchphrase, and whether or not he’s Sonny Bono’s ex wife. Personally, I hope he doesn’t / isn’t! But hey – it won’t stop me watching.

Bye bye, everybody. Bye bye!

The post Does Doctor Who Really Need A Catchphrase? appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Stream Doctor Who Audios Free To Your Phone With Soundcloud

Nick Kitchen is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

If you’ve spent any amount of time here at Kasterborous, you know that we’re big fans and supporters of Big Finish and their different lines of Doctor Who full cast audio adventures. After all, how else are you going to enjoy brand new adventures with both Bakers, Davison, McCoy, and McGann and their companions?

Maybe you’ve mulled over the idea of getting in on the sweet audio adventure action, but you haven’t quite pulled the trigger on a single adventure or a subscription. We have some fantastic news for you, especially if you’re adapting to a post-PC world and doing 90+% of your computing from your mobile! Big Finish has released NINE complete audio adventures to their SoundCloud page and they’re available for streaming right now!

Let’s walk you through the process, shall we? (*Note: while I will be doing this from a iOS viewpoint, the steps are cross-platform and should net you the same result)

Þ     From here, you’ll want to point your mobile browser to Soundcloud

Þ     The link leads you here:

Þ     From here, streaming is as easy as hitting the big orange “play” button.

Þ     It will initially lead you to the first audio in the playlist, a Peter Davison adventure called Cuddlesome. However, if you want to see all of your options before diving in, you’ll want to hit the icon circled below.

Þ     This takes you to the entire playlist and you can choose your audio from there.

As we said before, maybe you’re living in the mobile age as well and you don’t have time for a mobile browser. Browsers are rubbish. You like apps; apps are cool! Good news, I’ve got your step by step for that too!

Þ     You’ll want to grab yourself a copy of the SoundCloud mobile app from your phone’s app store. The links for iOS and Android are listed here: Apple Appstore  Google Play

Þ     After installing, launch SoundCloud on your mobile device

Þ     Hit the search icon:

Þ     Type in big-finish and tap search

Þ     You’ll then have a list of search results. It should be the second one.

Þ     And Bob’s your uncle! You can choose your audio from the playlist.

 

It’s that easy, dear reader! If you’ve been curious about Big Finish before, now is the time to find out what you’ve been missing – you won’t be disappointed! Are Soundcloud freebies enough to get you into the Big Finish line of Doctor Who adventures? If you take the plunge, let us know what you think of them below!

The post Stream Doctor Who Audios Free To Your Phone With Soundcloud appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Is Frank Cottrell Boyce The Missing Doctor Who Series 8 Writer?

Danny_Weasel is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

We are now mere weeks away from the return of Doctor Who and still there is so much that we don’t know – isn’t the suspense brilliant?

Well the latest bit of juicy information to trickle out is that Frank Cottrell Boyce has been linked to that final blank space in the list of writers for Series 8 which includes a plethora of talent both new and returning such as Phil Ford, Stephen Thompson, Gareth Roberts, Peter Harness and Jaime Mathieson.

Frank has previously worked with Russell T Davies on Granada drama Springhill in the mid-1990s so he does have links to the show. He is also the man responsible for movies such as Millions, 24 Hour Party People and most recently the Colin Firth starring adaptation Railway Man – oh and also the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.

If true this is quite a big deal for the show to attract someone with such a high-profile resume, but then again since its return to the airwaves in 2005 the show has pulled in some of the biggest and best names for writing duties. Not counting the likes of Moffat, Gatiss and Russell T we have had some frankly epic names.

Neil Gaiman

The man who gave us the award-winning The Doctor’s Wife and the slightly less prestigious Nightmare in Silver is a best-selling author in his own right with international best sellers galore and a string of very successful film adaptations of his works such as Stardust, Coraline and Neverwhere (which was amazingly a best-selling novel, a TV series, a comic book and most recently a radio drama). Rumour has it he is working on another script for the Doctor, but it is unlikely to be for Series 8.

Chris Chibnall

The man who gave the world Broadchurch has also given us episodes of Merlin, worked on Law and Order UK and was the only person other than the creators to write for Life on Mars. Chris has done some sterling work for the Doctor in the past in the form of stories like 42, Dinosaurs on a Spaceship and the mini episodes of Pond Life.

Neil Cross

The man behind the Idris Elba smash hit Luther (which gets bonus points for co-starring Paul McGann) jumped into Series 7 to give us two stories that had polarizing reactions fro fans in the shape of Rings of Akhaten and Hide.

Richard Curtis

Blackadder, Mr Bean, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, War Horse, Bridget Jones. Seriously, I could fill a whole page with the list of awesome that this man has given the world through his writing for both the big and small screen, but to us Whovians he will always be the man who makes us cry every time we see sunflowers. Vincent and the Doctor is rightly regarded as one of the best episodes of Doctor Who of all time and stands as a landmark for what writers can do when given the wide palette that Doctor Who offers.

Of course the list goes on and on for top notch writing on the show, with new and untested writers sharing space with veterans, which brings us nicely back to the fine line up we have for series eight now. With a clutch of tried and tested writers like Mark Gatiss, Gareth Roberts and the Moff leading the charge while some big guns strike out at the show for the first time like Peter Harness and Jaime Mathieson and with the idea that Frank Cottrell Boyce could be rounding out the team, well it fills me with even more enthusiasm that this could well be one of those vintage years that fans will talk about for years to come.

So what do you think, do we have the dream team of writers or would you rather see a different line up? Who have been some of your favourite guest writers, are you sitting there screaming at your screen that I dint mention one of your top writers? If so put those thoughts into words and leave a comment below.

The post Is Frank Cottrell Boyce The Missing Doctor Who Series 8 Writer? appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Space Helmet for a Cow: The Mad, True Story of Doctor Who 1963-1989

Rebecca Crockett is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

There have been a number of books published in the last year aimed at retelling the history of the production behind Doctor Who. Given that the show’s 50th anniversary just passed, it’s no surprise that newer fans would clamour for as full an account as possible of the history of the show.  We all have heard some of the stories, how it was filled with all kinds of drama and politics, in-fighting and major creative disagreements, and how in the end of the show’s original run, some of those in charge at the BBC Television Centre absolutely loathed the show and did everything they could to see that it ceased production – forever.

A new book, Space Helmet for a Cow, is set to be released 9th December, 2014, takes a different look at all of the drama and at what lengths some of those on the production took to keep the show going.

From Mad Norwegian Press -

In Space Helmet for a Cow, award-winning writer Paul Kirkley (SFX Magazine) provides a sweeping, wry and warm look at the behind-the-scenes story of Doctor Who – not just the greatest TV show ever made, but frequently the most insane TV show ever made. Which other program, for example, would attempt to sink Atlantis, wage inter-planetary war and crash Concorde – all in BBC Television Centre, on a budget that would barely cover a sitcom?

This is the story of how, over 50 years, a bunch of very clever, very dedicated and sometimes plain crazy people made Doctor Who happen, often against seemingly insuperable odds; a story of triumph and tragedy, tears and tantrums, and an awful lot of men called Donald.

Space Helmet for a Cow also answers the burning questions few have dared tackle before. Questions like: How does a talking cabbage get an Equity card? What would have been in William Hartnell’s Glastonbury set? And if you meet a Yeti coming out of a loo in Tooting Bec, how long should you give it?

Sounds…interesting.

Finally, a retelling of Who history that shows it for what it really was – an insane idea that somehow managed to stay afloat and captivate audience across the UK for many years. Now with so many years behind us, it’s easy to see the humor in all of the things that went on behind the scenes of a television show. This book looks to shed some of that humor on all of the drama and remind us that, for as revered as it is, it’s still a children’s television show.

Space Helmet For A Cow will be released 9th December, 2014 by Mad Norwegian Press, the publishers of the popular Geek Girls Chronicles (Chicks Dig…) series. It is currently available for presale on Amazon US for $10.75US. The book will be available for retail at $14.95US across all digital formats the day it is released.

A second volume of Space Helmet For A Cow is already in the works and will cover the history of the show from 1990 through Matt Smith’s tenure as the Doctor.

(Mad Norwegian Press)

The post Space Helmet for a Cow: The Mad, True Story of Doctor Who 1963-1989 appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Don’t Like The New Doctor Who: Would You Quit Fandom?

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Hello, dear listener, and welcome to this week’s podKast in which we cover some of the latest Doctor Who Series 8 news and ask the question: if Doctor Who changed drastically (such as casting a woman Doctor or canning the TARDIS), would you quit fandom?

It’s an interesting question, prompted by the actions of a fellow writer recently.

As ever, we’re looking forward to hearing back from you on this topic and everything else we cover this week, so feel free to comment below, tweet us or email.

Sadly there is no Brian Terranova this week, who was sadly caught out with some time travelling freedom fighting on Peladon. Fortunately, Christian Cawley and James McLean are on hand to take your hand and guide you through some exciting, pre-new series news items.

Just to remind you: Doctor Who is on air next month.

Yes, I thought you would like that Here’s something else you might like – press play to begin!

Kasterborous PodKast Series 4 Episode 21 Shownotes

Doctor Who Series 8 trailer, returns August 23rd
Return of the UberCybermen
Big Finish cast a new Rani
Master rumours
Steven Moffat staying on for Series 9
Recommendations: Nightmare of Eden , the War Doctor in Engines of War by George Mann

The Kasterborous PodKast theme tune is arranged by Russell Hugo. In case you were wondering.

Listen to the PodKast

There are several ways to listen. In addition to the usual player above, we’re pleased to announce that you can also stream the podKast using Stitcher, an award-winning, free mobile app available for Android and iPhone/iPad. This pretty much means that you can listen to us anywhere without downloading – pretty neat, we think you’ll agree! (Note that it can take a few hours after a new podKast is published to “catch up”.)

What’s more, you can now listen and subscribe to the podKast via our Audioboo channel! Head to http://audioboo.fm/channel/doctorwhopodkast and click play to start listening. You can also comment and record your own boos in response to our discussions! Meanwhile you can use the player below to listen through Audioboo:

You haven’t clicked play yet?! What are you waiting for? As well as our new Stitcher and Audioboo presence you can also use one of these amazingly convenient ways to download and enjoy this week’s podKast.

Use the player in the top right of the Kasterborous home page, or visit the podKast menu link.
Listen with the “pop out” player above, which also allows you to download the podKast to your computer.
You can also take advantage of the RSS feed to subscribe to the podKast for your media player, and even find us on iTunes, where your reviews will help the show considerably.

 

The post Don’t Like The New Doctor Who: Would You Quit Fandom? appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Remembering Wizard World Philadelphia 2014! (Part 1)

Rebecca Crockett is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

This is the first of a two-part piece on my time at the Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con. As you’ll read below, my experiences at a convention like this are not necessarily the same as an ordinary attendee. Today’s post will cover the first three days I spent at the convention, which for me was Wednesday to Friday. Tomorrow’s post will cover the big day – the arrival of Matt and Karen – as well as the last day of the convention. I hope you enjoy my unique perspective on things!

I am not the typical convention goer.

To pay the price to walk around a big open space and maybe see celebrities and attend panels about fan films and other topics is not how I do things, mainly because, to be honest, I’m broke. A bit lacking in the paying job area right now.

So I am one of the few, the proud, the foot tired, the sometimes harassed. The one to whom every question is directed from “Where are the bathrooms?” to “Where is *insert name of celebrity* signing autographs at?” I am a volunteer.

For the third year now, I have willingly given up 5 days of my life to help the Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con run smoothly.

This has proved hectic and back-breaking but absolutely rewarding as well. I get to experience a side of things that others do not. I get to see how hard people really do work so that everyone has a good time and how far those same people will go to make things right for those whose experience wasn’t all it was supposed to be.

And I can say I have now seen the TARDIS move through the vortex. Or at least over a convention floor.

(To move her physically when her engines aren’t working takes about 40 minutes, more than one Doctor, and a few companions…)



When we volunteers arrive on Wednesday afternoon, much of the physical work to set up the convention floor, registration area, and panel rooms is almost complete and there are tables and booths as far the eye can see on the convention floor. Towers of t-shirts and walls of artwork are already making the room brightly coloured. In a short 24 hours, this whole room will be packed with almost every superhero, anime, and sci-fi item available.



Those of us in the yellow shirts (Wizard World’s colour of choice for its volunteer shirts this year in Philly) are tasked with filling those bags that everyone ends up with that have all kinds of fliers and pamphlets advertising things at the convention. Not a glamorous job, but those bags won’t fill themselves! It is a rite of passage for those new to the volunteer crew and a great way to get to know everyone.



Wednesday also brings with it a kick-off party this year. Drinks and dancing and a good time is on hand for all who attend, including a few of the stars who will be appearing this weekend at the convention. Ever want to get to meet Jason David Frank from the Power Rangers or Michael Rooker from The Walking Dead? This was a great time to do just that, as both spent a great deal of time with the media and with the fans, taking pictures and meeting all sorts of people. And where else could you get to see a star willingly get up and ride a mechanical bull!? Mr. Rooker delighted us all by doing just that!

Thursday brings the actual start of the convention. This is when the real work begins. We will greet all of the fans coming to the show, get them checked in and given their wristbands for the day or for the weekend, and direct them where to go and how to get to the all that is taking place during the convention. All of it sounds rather dull, but this, for me is where the fun starts. Everyone coming in is so excited to be there and they all can’t wait to see what the massive convention floor will hold this year. Many arrive in costume, all proudly displaying their passion for their fandom. I even get in on the act – wearing my customary bow tie. A subtle but huge hint to where my fandom loyalties lie.

Friday is when the real fun begins at Wizard World. The stars come out! And with them come many, many more people, all clamouring to see who they can see. And tonight will mark the arrival of the two stars many of us have been anxiously waiting for – Matt Smith and Karen Gillan!

My job the last two years as a volunteer has largely been one of getting to hang out with the TARDIS all day. Rough work, let me tell you. While some volunteers really want to work at a booth with a celebrity, which usually includes controlling the line of people waiting to see whoever it is, I personally get more enjoyment out of working with those that costume and cosplay. Since a convention like this isn’t geared directly towards anime or to a fandom like Doctor Who, fans of every property come out and wear their best. Since I am stationed near the lovely blue box, I see think I see every fan of the Doctor who is at the convention that day. Even a Dalek stopped by!



Did I mention that the TARDIS was given a home on the convention floor that could not have been in a better place? Just steps from Smith and Gillan’s autograph booths! This will prove interesting as the night draws on their impending arrival and on Saturday, when the biggest crowds of all are expected to attend.

Tune in again soon, dear K reader, for more on my time at Wizard World Philly, including Smith and Gillan’s q&a panel and the appearance of all the Doctors! (In costume cosplay at least…)

For more of my pictures from the weekend (as well as pics from past conventions) check out my Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con album on Flickr! It features loads more photos of the lovely TARDIS as well as some hints at stories for my next post!

(Photos courtesy of Andrew Swetz)

The post Remembering Wizard World Philadelphia 2014! (Part 1) appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.