The Idiot's Lantern

The Idiot's Lantern

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Torchwood, season 2

It's official! Torchwood will be coming back for a second season!

BBC Press Release for Torchwood's second season

Sweet!

Ch..ch..changes...

So I've been thinking about ways to to update the Idiot's Lantern, mainly give it a new face lift. The biggest change that I was considering-switching over to blogger beta-is on hold for now. My main blog is published via an external ftp server, and I've been reading about others in my situation who have been having major problems updating their blogs since making the switch. Also, my invite to switch over has disappeared. Was it a limited time offer? LOL. I don't know for sure, but for now I'm waiting until I have to switch my account over.

I've been thinking of changing the template-my choices are somewhat limited, but I've seen some cool ones that I'm pretty sure I can use here. Also, I will be adding more links to the sidebar-convention links, other Doctor Who blogs and links, also some links to the spin-offs, Torchwood and the Sarah Jane Adventures.

I am going to continue my weekly posts of what's on, and, if I have time, other news. I'll also post meeting reminders for DWC's monthly gatherings. Starting with the new year, I'm going to try to write reviews on a somewhat regular basis-starting with the new 8th Doctor Audios on BBC7 (which I'm looking forward to!), and the Christmas special.

I don't know how long before I actually get around to changing the template, but it looks like I may actually have a little bit of free time between Christmas and New Years this year-hopefully I'll be able to use that time to work on updating the template. :)

As always, comments are welcome. Also, if you are a memeber of DWC and would like to contribute to this blog, feel free to email me (my email should be listed in the yahoo group.) Thanks!

Friday, December 08, 2006

Doctor Who news

Series 2 (season 28)
Fridays, 8pm EST on the SciFi Channel

Current episode:
10. Love & Monsters

Previous episodes:
9. The Satan Pit, part 2
8. The Impossible Planet, part 1
7. The Idiot's Lantern
6. The Age of Steel, part 2
5. Rise of the Cybermen, part 1
4. The Girl in the Fireplace
3. School Reunion
2. Tooth and Claw
1. New Earth (9:30pm EDT)
The Christmas Invasion (8:00pm EDT)

Doctor Who on BBC7:
Check out BBC7's Listen Again page to hear the 8th Doctor audios from Big Finish. Current epsiodes are available for one week after it originally airs.


This week:
Sunday, December 10th: Invaders from Mars, part 4

Previous:
Sunday, December 3rd: Invaders from Mars, part 3
Sunday, November 26th: Invaders from Mars, part 2
Sunday, November 19th: Invaders from Mars, part 1

Torchwood
Sundays, 9pm, GMT on BBC3

Current episode:
9. Random Shoes

Previous episodes:
8. They Keep Killing Suzie
7. Greeks Bearing Gifts
6. Countrycide
5. Small Worlds
4. Cyberwoman
3. Ghost Machine
2. Day One
1. Everything Changes

If you haven't already noticed (I, myself just realized it was there today...) check out Doctor Who's homepage-there's a nifty little Advent calendar with assorted "goodies" for each day of the month, leading up to the Christmas special, the Runaway Bride. :)

DWM did a reader's poll, and the results are in. David Tennant has been voted the favorite Doctor, with Tom Baker a close second. Equally close was the favorite companion race-Rose,followed closely by Sarah Jane (together they took over 60% of the vote.) [BBC link]

Speaking of Sarah Jane, Unitnews has the scoop on her special, titled, the Invasion of the Bane, which will air on New Years Day. They also shared some of the first photos of the series:
Lis Sladen on BBC Breakfast
Sarah Jane Adventures pictures, round 1
Sarah Jane pictures, round 2 (*check out the picture of the Brigadier in Sarah's attic!*)
I'm very excited about SJA-it sounds like it's going to be really good!

More Christmas special/season 3 links
via Unitnews:
Runaway Bride photos

Martha Jones background info

Any Heroes fans about? I'm sure you've already heard, but I feel a bit guilty for not posting it here sooner-Christopher Eccelston will be joining the cast of Heroes in January. I'm looking forward to that!

Another announcement that's a bit late (it's been a looonnnggg week. ;) ) Congrats to Outpost Gallifrey for the return of it's news page!

TAFN, happy Who watching!

Friday, December 01, 2006

Doctor Who news

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! I'm sorry I missed a post last week-last weekend was rather crazy! ;)

Series 2 (season 28)
Fridays, 8pm EST on the SciFi Channel

Current episode:
9. The Satan Pit, part 2

Previous episodes:
8. The Impossible Planet, part 1
7. The Idiot's Lantern
6. The Age of Steel, part 2
5. Rise of the Cybermen, part 1
4. The Girl in the Fireplace
3. School Reunion
2. Tooth and Claw
1. New Earth (9:30pm EDT)
The Christmas Invasion (8:00pm EDT)

Doctor Who on BBC7:
Check out BBC7's Listen Again page to hear the 8th Doctor audios from Big Finish. Current epsiodes are available for one week after it originally airs.


This week:
Sunday, December 3rd: Invaders from Mars, part 3

Previous:
Sunday, November 26th: Invaders from Mars, part 2
Sunday, November 19th: Invaders from Mars, part 1

Torchwood
Sundays, 9pm, GMT on BBC3

Current episode:
8. They Keep Killing Suzie

Previous episodes:
7. Greeks Bearing Gifts
6. Countrycide
5. Small Worlds
4. Cyberwoman
3. Ghost Machine
2. Day One
1. Everything Changes

Season 3 (and other) tidbits

The next Doctor Who Christmas special, the Runaway Bride, will air on December 25th, 2006! The BBC program information has released some details about the upcoming special. [unitnews link]

David Tennant talks about his first year on Doctor Who and other career highlights of 2006 in the latest issue of the Radio Times [BBC link]

Captain Jack will be returning for a few episodes in season 3 of Doctor Who! John Barrowman talks a little bit about his return (which sounds like it will be towards the end of the season), and about why he believes there can never be a crossover of Doctor Who into Torchwood. [SciFi Wire link]

Speaking of other Who spinoffs, as heard at the Children In Need concert, the Sarah Jane Adventures special will be airing on January 1st, 2007!!!! YAY! :) Unitnews posted some details about the upcoming special. [unitnews link] Yes, I'm excited. Yay, Sarah Jane!!!

Among many other informative entries, SJA.TV also has a listing of the potential BBC holiday lineup. If the lineup airs as predicted, we are looking at two episodes of Torchwood, the Doctor Who special, and the Sarah Jane special. Woo! ;) [SJA.TV link]

TAFN, happy Who watching!! :)

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Happy Birthday, Doctor Who!

I meant to post this earlier this morning, but a certain turkey was having issues in my oven... Oh, yeah, Happy Thanksgiving, too!!! :)


special thanks to doctorwhofan1978, who posted this link back in October-the video is awesome! :)

Those going to Chicago TARDIS this weekend-have a fun and safe trip!!!!

Friday, November 17, 2006

Doctor Who news

Series 2 (season 28)
Fridays, 8pm EST on the SciFi Channel

Current episode:
8. The Impossible Planet

Previous episodes:
7. The Idiot's Lantern
6. The Age of Steel, part 2
5. Rise of the Cybermen, part 1
4. The Girl in the Fireplace
3. School Reunion
2. Tooth and Claw
1. New Earth (9:30pm EDT)
The Christmas Invasion (8:00pm EDT)

Doctor Who on BBC7:
Check out BBC7's Listen Again page to hear the 8th Doctor audios from Big Finish. Current epsiodes are available for one week after it originally airs.

Stones of Venice finished up last Sunday-this Sunday starts one of my favorite 8th Doctor Audios, Invaders from Mars.

This week:
Sunday, November 19th: Invaders from Mars. part 1

Previous:
Sunday, November 12th: Stones of Venice, part 4
Sunday, November 5th: Stones of Venice, part 3
Sunday, October 29th: Stones of Venice, part 2
Sunday, October 22nd: Stones of Venice, part 1

Torchwood
Sundays, 9pm, GMT on BBC3

Current episode:
6. Countrycide

Previous episodes:
5. Small Worlds
4. Cyberwoman
3. Ghost Machine
2. Day One
1. Everything Changes

I'm sorry I don't have much time for news this week, but I thought I would leave you with a couple of links:

Coming to Region 1 dvd in March 2007: The Second Doctor story, the Invasion (complete with the animated versions of episodes 1 and 4), and the Fourth Doctor story, the Sontaran Experiment (yay-now I can get ride of my vhs copy of the the Sontaran Experiment/Genesis of the Daleks-it's taking up alot of space on my shelf! ;) ) [TvshowsonDVD link]

BBC Radio Wales will be broadcasting the Children in Need concert this Sunday. They will have a live stream starting at 6pm GMT, and it will also be available in their Listen Again section after the concert! BBC Radio Wales: Children in Need Concert details [BBC link]

TAFN, happy Who watching!

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

DW Columbus November meeting

Don't forget! This coming Sunday (the 19th) there will be a DWC meeting at Andrew's. We will be showing the next three episodes of Torchwood, as well as snippets from the new dvd, the Invasion. We will also discuss the upcoming Chicago TARDIS convention and plans surrounding it. Please see the DWC Yahoo group for address and directions. Thanks!

Friday, November 10, 2006

Doctor Who news

Series 2 (season 28)
Fridays, 8pm EDT on the SciFi Channel

Current episode:
7. The Idiot's Lantern

Previous episodes:
6. The Age of Steel, part 2
5. Rise of the Cybermen, part 1
4. The Girl in the Fireplace
3. School Reunion
2. Tooth and Claw
1. New Earth (9:30pm EDT)
The Christmas Invasion (8:00pm EDT)

Doctor Who on BBC7:
Check out BBC7's Listen Again page to hear the 8th Doctor audios from Big Finish. Current epsiodes are available for one week after it originally airs.
This week:
Sunday, November 12th: Stones of Venice, part 4

Previous:
Sunday, November 5th: Stones of Venice, part 3
Sunday, October 29th: Stones of Venice, part 2
Sunday, October 22nd: Stones of Venice, part 1

Torchwood
Sundays, 9pm, GMT on BBC3

Current episode:
5. Small Worlds

Previous episodes:
4. Cyberwoman
3. Ghost Machine
2. Day One
1. Everything Changes

Another Doctor Who time change on SciFi! SciFi has changed their schedule around again-the second showing of Doctor Who is back to midnight. Personally, I think this is better-one hour after the original episode aired was a bit too close, I think. I thought they were nuts when they aired the same episode of Battlestar Galactica back to back!

Doctor Who soundtrack! The Doctor Who soundtrack will be released on December 4th, 2006 on Silva Screen Records. The cd will feature music from both the first and second season, plus a song by Neil Hannon which will be featured in the Christmas special, the Runaway Bride. Unitnews has a track listing on their site. I'm a little disappointed that School Reunion doesn't show up anywhere on the soundtrack (unless it's hidden in one of the other tracks.) I really loved the music from that episode. [BBC link]

A couple of links from the Doctor Who LJ community:
-Doctor Who, along with Winnie the Pooh and Westminster Abbey, is officially an English Icon-as part of England's ICONS project. [BBC link]

-Amusements: Chief of UK's MIB speaks out. "Aliens could attack at anytime..." I love the picture
they have there. ;)

The Invasion, with the animated missing episodes, is finally out on DVD in the UK. Check out a clip of the animation, as well as the extended trailer and clips from the commentary. I think animation is a little weird, but I think that's because I'm used to seeing live-action Who-and this format just seems a little strange. I still can't wait for it to come to the States-I'm sure it'll grow on me. :) [BBC link]

All things Torchwood. UnitNews has an excerpt from an interview with John Barrowman from the Friday Night With Jonathan Ross show, which will air tonight on BBC One. [UnitNews link]

TAFN-happy Who watching!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

DW Columbus Planning meeting

Don't forget-there will be a Doctor Who Columbus planning meeting for Chicago TARDIS tomorrow, November 10th, around 7pm. Please see the DWC yahoo group for more details. Thanks!

(Chicago TARDIS takes place during Thanksgiving weekend, November 24th-26th.)

Chicago TARDIS website

Friday, November 03, 2006

Doctor Who news

Series 2 (season 28)
Fridays, 8pm EDT on the SciFi Channel

Current episode:
6. The Age of Steel, part 2

Previous episodes:
5. Rise of the Cybermen, part 1
4. The Girl in the Fireplace
3. School Reunion
2. Tooth and Claw
1. New Earth (9:30pm EDT)
The Christmas Invasion (8:00pm EDT)

Doctor Who on BBC7:
Check out BBC7's Listen Again page to hear the 8th Doctor audios from Big Finish. Current epsiodes are available for one week after it originally airs.
This week:
Sunday, November 5th: Stones of Venice, part 3

Previous:
Sunday, October 29th: Stones of Venice, part 2
Sunday, October 22nd: Stones of Venice, part 1

Torchwood
Sundays, 9pm, GMT on BBC3

Current episode:
4. Cyberwoman

Previous episodes:
3. Ghost Machine
2. Day One
1. Everything Changes

Hey, guess what! Outpost Gallifrey is back! (Or will be very shortly-the news section that is). Click on the website link to get the full details. Yay! :)

Doctor Who took 3 awards home at the National Television Awards (NTA): Best drama, most popular actor-David Tennant, and most popular actress-Billie Piper. I love David's comment as he accepted his award. Congrats to all!

Series 3 casting update: Miranda Raison, from the BBC show Spooks is set to star as a showgirl from 1930s New York in an episode in the new season. Ryan Carnes, from Desparate Housewives is also lined up for a role in the new season. Hmmm...interesting!

According to Unitnews, Torchwood's first two epiosdes did extremely well in the ratings. The repeat on BBC 2 also brought in 2.5 million viewers. Nice! Those who have seen it-what do you think of the show?

First spotted on Sarah Jane.TV (and yes, it would be like me to find a blog dedicated to the Sarah Jane Adventures), a partial transcript with a link to an interview Elisabeth Sladen did for BBC Norfolk. She talks about School Reunion and a little bit about her new show. This is just a short transcript, as more of the interview will be released in December.

TAFN, happy Who watching!