Christian Cawley's Blog, page 350

Have I Got Whos For You!

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.

Fans on the lookout for Doctor Who Christmas special location shooting and intrigued by Peter Davison and Sylvester McCoy’s recent appearance outside Television Centre have got themselves excited over the sight of what seemed to be McCoy and Tom Baker acting with a small crew and a police box prop today.

Conclusion seems to be that the Westminster filming was for a Have I Got News For You Trailer (swap Sylv for Ian and Tom for Paul )

— Dr Who Film Spoilers (@drwhofilming) September 13, 2013

Alas, it turns out that the two figures are none other than Have I Got News For You stars Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, apparently recording a trailer for the news series which begins on October 5th. They’ve had Tom on the show on a couple of occasions, so there is clearly likely to be some affection in this short skit.

But here’s why they might have chosen this particular theme for the trailer beyond Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary: guest host for the second episode on October 12th is none other than Peter Capaldi…

 

 

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Religion and Doctor Who Day

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.

Some could argue that any fandom is a religion of sorts.

We worship at the feet of the supreme being or entity in which ever universe we adore – the Jedi, Starfleet, the Time Lords.

We have our god or gods and saints, both fictional – Luke Skywalker, Spock, Picard, the Doctor, Rassilon, and real – George Lucas, Gene Roddenberry, Tom Baker, David Tennant, Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat.

We all have our devils or demons or evils – Darth Vader, Khan, the Klingons, the Master, Steven Moffat.

We all have those tenets every fan believes in – using the Force, that the Prime Directive should always be questioned, the Wibbly-Wobbly Timey-Wimey Big Ball of Stuff-ness that is Time itself.

So then does that mean we are all part of a religion, despite what other faith we may or may not ascribe to?

The University of Manchester will be discussing the role religion plays in the universe of Doctor Who at their upcoming Religion and Doctor Who Day.

Over the show’s long history on television religion and religious themes have consistently been a subject of interest. From early depictions of Buddhism and paganism to recent years in which the show has been accused of being both messianic and overtly Atheistic, religion has always played an important role on Doctor Who. Topics discussed will range from the show’s treatment of demons to its portrayal of Buddhism and its use a tool in teaching Religious Studies in school and universities.

The event at the University’s John Rylands Library will be held 2nd November and is open to the public. The event is free but registration is required as space is limited. For more information, visit the University’s Events website.

(via Patheos)

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Colin Baker: Mustard Afionado

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.

The Sixth Doctor, Colin Baker, whether he’s being his usually charming self or taking a crack at a modern Doctor’s speech (I’m especially fond of how he tackles the “Take it all, baby!” line from the Akhaten speech), has always been highly sought after at conventions and shows around the world. It was no exception when the Norwich Evening news caught up with the former Time Lord at the Rift convention.

Baker spoke briefly about his views on the convention experience, but perhaps more interesting is his affection for the city of Norwich.

I’ve spent many happy times in Norwich. I’ve done panto here twice and I’ve loved it…it’s a brilliant place to spend Christmas because it’s got the best variety of shops – especially if you like mustard.

So, is Colin a mustard aficionado? Come to think of it, the right lapel of his “Technicolor” coat is a rather mustardy color of yellow…coincidence? Maybe. All silliness aside, is Baker’s endorsement enough to sway you to plan a visit to Norwich, for Christmas or otherwise?

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Tovey: Peter Capaldi is “a genius”

Andrew Reynolds 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.

When it came to who will play the Twelve Doctor it wasn’t ‘Tovey’ for this Being Human actor but that’s not stopped potential Doctor and Midshipman Frame himself Russell Tovey calling the new Doctor, Peter Capaldi ‘a genius’.

Speaking at the Sandro London flagship store launch this week for London Fashion Week, Tovey said of Capaldi:

I think he’s a genius, of course. He’s absolutely the Doctor. He’s slightly scary, an incredible actor, very kind of timeless, kooky – he’s everything the Doctor should be.

When pressed about what traits The Thick of It actor would bring to the role that Matt Smith doesn’t, he replied:

Maturity. I think he might play it straighter than Matt does. Matt’s energy, he’s like a puppy dog. His Doctor is always discovering.

I think Capaldi might play the Doctor as someone who knows he’s been here before and seen it all, without getting overly excited. I can see more Christopher Eccleston’s energy than David Tennant and Matt’s.

So do you agree with Tovey’s assessment of Capaldi’s numerous talents? What do you want him to bring to the role?

With emotions being pitched and tossed between the heartache of Matt’s departure, the jubilant, celebratory anniversary and the elation that greeted the news of Capaldi’s appointment; it’s going to be a hell of winter!

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1963 Trilogy Kicks Off with Fanfare for the Common Men

Meredith Burdett 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 last trilogy of the year begins for Big Finish this month and takes us all right up to November 2013, just in time for Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary! What better way to celebrate the Doctor’s long list of adventures then to set the trilogy around 1963, the year that the adventure began.

The first part of the 1963 trilogy, Fanfare for the Common Men finds the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa in a spot of bother in the early years of the swinging sixties with a very well know band…

If you remember the Sixties, they say, then you can’t have been there.

The Doctor remembers the Sixties. That’s why he’s taking Nyssa on a trip back to November 1963. Back to where it all began. Back to the birth of the biggest band in the history of British music. Back to see those cheeky lads from Liverpool…

Mark, James and Korky. The Common Men. The boys who made the Sixties swing with songs like Oh, Won’t You Please Love Me?, Just Count To Three and Who Is That Man.

The Doctor remembers the Sixties. And there’s something very wrong with the Sixties, if the Beatles no longer exist…

Written by Eddie Robson and starring Peter Davison and Sarah Sutton, 1963: Fanfare for the Common Men is available this month on CD or via download from www.bigfinish.com.

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Doctor Who Casting Rules Capaldi Out of Musketeers Series 2

Jonathan Appleton 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 creator of new BBC One drama The Musketeers has appeared to rule out further appearances by Peter Capaldi beyond the first series following his casting as the Twelfth Doctor.

Adrian Hodges dropped a fairly heavy hint that Capadi, who plays Cardinal Richelieu in the series, won’t be returning in a chat with Geek Syndicate.

Of course, I didn’t exactly anticipate my leading actor becoming the new Doctor Who but you have to roll with the punches and all we can really do is turn it as much to our advantage as we can, and have a kind of ‘series villain’ policy which I think will keep the show fresh, assuming we get a second series of course.

You can sense a certain philosophical world-weariness in his voice, can’t you? The news doesn’t come as a big surprise given Doctor Who’s heavy production schedule which will see Capaldi required to take up residence in Cardiff for the best part of next year.

The Musketeers is a ten part drama coming to BBC1 in 2014. Adrian Hodges, writer and executive producer, has previous form in charge of Primeval and the Survivors revival of 2008-2010.

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Davison Has Copy Of 50th Script: Why?

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.

Now here’s something interesting – Peter Davison has admitted on TV that he has a copy of the 50th anniversary script. The question that must be asked to this, of course, is “why?”

After all, as far as we’re aware the Fifth Doctor actor isn’t involved in The Day of the Doctor; indeed, no classic Doctors are believed to be connected to the 75 minute special.

Chatting briefly on the ITV morning show Daybreak this week, Davison was asked about 50th anniversary. This is where it gets even more interesting:

I’ve heard lots of rumours, none of which I’m allowed to tell you anything about. I’m privy to them actually.

It goes further than that, however. He’s not only privy to them – he’s got his own copy of the script!

I have got a copy of the script which has got my name embossed across it. So it’s top secret, but there’s other stuff, lots of other things that are going on that people should keep their eye open for around the 50th anniversary special!

Let’s just appreciate that for a moment: “I have got a copy of the script which has got my name embossed across it.” This is his own copy, printed specifically for Peter Davison; not a knock-off Christopher Eccleston reject or one left around the family home by son-in-law David Tennant, but a copy that presumably features dialogue for the Fifth Doctor.

So what do you think of that, Kasterborites?

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Peter Davison Films Own 50th Anniversary Special!

James Lomond 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 is DISSENT among the ranks of senior Doctors! Cast your eyes, dear reader, to the covert snap below. The pic tweeted by @OneNConor apparently shows one Peter Davison and one Sylvester McCoy conversing outside BBC Television Centre with placards protesting at their lack of involvement in the 50th anniversary special…

https://twitter.com/OneNConor/status/...

“NO CLASSICS, NO 50th!!”

“Have a heart, Classic Doctors want a part!”

Scandal! Could we be seeing the start of a break-away faction? Could this point to the Big Finish stalwarts of the classic era taking matters into their own hands? I have to say, the combination of the sub-Blue Peter signage and Davison’s T-Shirt (apparently bearing the image of his Doctor’s cricketing jumper) suggests a tongue being lodged somewhere in the cheek vicinity.

So what is going on? What are Sylv, Pete and reportedly Baker, C. up to? I was under the impression that not much happens at BBC Televison Centre these days so it doesn’t seem the ideal place to launch a protest. In fact surely Cardiff, centre of operations for the Master of the Land of Fiction himself, would have made more sense?…

We have a small flotilla of televisual morsels for the 50th coming our way. And now my comedy sense is tingling. What think ye, Kasterborians?…

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Matt’s On Set – With a Wig!

Philip Bates 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.

Yesterday, current Doctor Matt Smith donned a wonderful wig to start filming on the 2013 Christmas special – and alas, we won’t be able to say ‘current Doctor’ for much longer.

There are plenty of photos of Matt and companion, Jenna Coleman (Clara Oswald), as they strolled around River View, Cardiff, twirling the trusty sonic screwdriver and proudly displaying a Christmas turkey.

(Which puts an end to the “Kasterborous Theory” that he’s already recorded his regeneration, I guess…)

And fingers crossed the great array of pictures will quieten those worrying about Matt’s wig, after he shaved all his hair off for Ryan Gosling’s How To Catch A Monster.

It certainly isn’t the first time the Doctor has worn a wig. In fact, the First Doctor wore one! It was an exceptional one, don’t you think? Eighth Doctor, Paul McGann, famously hated his wig. And the Eleventh Doctor has worn wigs (or at least hair extensions) before, notably in The Wedding of River Song. And Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, must’ve worn a wig, because that hair is unreal. I mean, it’s a miracle. It can’t be real, can it? Can’t be.

(And yes, I know it’s his real hair. Be quiet.)

A plethora of photos can be seen all over the internet, but especially on Twitter. It’s where social networking excels. Many photos are by Ryan Thomas-Farrell, so big thanks to him for giving us an insight into filming. She-Goat has also provided us with a teasing report:

“As soon as [Matt] climbed out of the car he gave Jenna a big hug and they walked arm in arm towards the crew. Matt proceeded to give several people hugs, which made me wonder if this was the first day he was seeing a lot of the crew as there was far more of a meet-and-greet than normal. The first scene he filmed with Jenna was them leaving the TARDIS and heading towards the flats, dialogue was hard to hear due to the distance and the wind but The Doctor appeared to be berating Clara for disliking Christmas.”

As we all know, if the Who production crew turn up somewhere, fans will follow, eager to see everyone’s favourite Time Lord, his Impossible Girl and that gloriously old-new-borrowed-blue box.

People will probably find fault in the wig – just because – but if they do, there’ll be hell toupee. (I’ll get me coat.)

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Simon Clark and The Shalka Sequel That Never Was

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.

September 16th brings the release of one of Doctor Who‘s most unique adventures; Scream of the Shalka, featuring the alternative Ninth Doctor, Richard E. Grant.

At the time of Shalka‘s inception in 2003 it was believed that the animation, which was broadcast on the fledgeling BBC website, would be the first in an ongoing series that was to be the shows re-birth. But two months before it aired, the BBC announced that the show was to return to TV instead and after only releasing one adventure the Flash animations were unceremoniously scrapped.

But it seems that is not the end of the tale, for there is more, in script form at least. As horror author (and the man behind 2004′s The Dalek Factor novella) Simon Clark revealed to SFX;

I was told about the animated Doctor Who, and asked to submit a very brief outline. They liked what they saw and I was then asked to submit a more detailed synopsis. On the basis of this I was given a contract to write the scripts

The serial, to be titled Blood of the Robots, would have seen the show head into a darker place not too dissimilar to that of the classic Hinchcliffe and Holmes era of the 70′s

There would have been some frightening elements, and a dash of gruesomeness too… There was also scope to have things happen in the animated Doctor Who that couldn’t have been done in the classic TV episodes.

By the time Scream of the Shalka hit the Internet the next story was already well on its way to being completed. Clark states that he had finished the entire storyline and three of the six scripts. When asked if there was any chance of the story ever seeing the light of day he replied;

I guess that isn’t in my hands, but… It would just be a case of blowing away an accumulation of interstellar dust and work could begin on completing Blood Of The Robots.

Would you want to see more, or like Peter Cushing before him, do you think that the “Shalka Doctor” should be left as a stray thread in the web of time? As always, leave us a comment and let us know your feelings on the possibility of more from the animated Doctor.

Personally, I think with the classic DVD range beginning to slow down now everything possible (barring the forthcoming Moonbase and Underwater Menace and -fingers crossed- The Crusades) has been released, the BBC could do far worse than bring back the alternative Doctor and run with the series in the same way that Big Finish did with their amazing Unbound range.

Scream of the Shalka DVD is released on 16th September and you can pre-order your copy from Amazon UK for just £13.97!

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