12 December 2005 :: Attack of the Graske PR

The BBC Press Office have this afternoon released full details of their special interactive 'red button' Doctor Who special 'Attack of the Graske' which will show immediately after the Christmas day special, 'The Christmas Invasion'.

According to the press release:

"After the credits roll on Doctor Who's first Christmas special, The Christmas Invasion, viewers will be given an opportunity for a further adventure with the Doctor.

"By pressing the red button they have the chance to become the Doctor's companion in a truly interactive mission of their own.

"Attack of the Graske is a pioneering mix of live action, state-of-the-art special effects (from multi-award-winning The Mill) and individual tasks.

"Starring David Tennant as the tenth Time Lord, with Jimmy Vee as The Graske, Attack of the Graske features an entirely new threat - an alien species intent on taking over the Earth.

"In a series of challenges the viewer will be tested on all the skills necessary to keep the Universe safe - you'll even have a chance to fly the TARDIS!"

After the credits roll on Doctor Who's first Christmas special, The Christmas Invasion, viewers will be given an opportunity for a further adventure with the Doctor.

"By pressing the red button they have the chance to become the Doctor's companion in a truly interactive mission of their own.

"Attack of the Graske is a pioneering mix of live action, state-of-the-art special effects (from multi-award-winning The Mill) and individual tasks.

"Starring David Tennant as the tenth Time Lord, with Jimmy Vee as The Graske, Attack of the Graske features an entirely new threat - an alien species intent on taking over the Earth.

"In a series of challenges the viewer will be tested on all the skills necessary to keep the Universe safe - you'll even have a chance to fly the TARDIS!"

The release goes on to describe the various scenearios that will face the viewer and quotes one of the producers, Sophie Fante, as saying: "Attack of the Graske gives the viewer the unique opportunity to immerse themselves fully in the world of Doctor Who.

"We aimed to make the challenge with the same scope and feel of the main series and, in Attack of The Graske, the viewer finds themselves not only flying the TARDIS with the Doctor but fighting the Graske on the planet Griffoth and hunting him out in Victorian London.

"Filming was great fun because of the variety of locations within a relatively short shoot.

"The high point was creating an authentic Dickensian Christmas scene, complete with snow, in a small corner of Cardiff."

Attack of The Graske is written by Gareth Roberts and directed by Ashley Way. Executive Producers are Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner (Head of Drama, BBC Wales). Produced by Sophie Fante and interactive producers Jo Pearce and Andrew Whitehouse.

Read the full release from the BBC Press Office here and look out for our guide to this interactive episode coming soon.

With thanks to ?hil.

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12 December 2005 :: Press Update

The weekend and the end of last week saw a number of articles and interviews in the UK press, these are listed below:

UK Newspapers - Monday 12th December

• The Mirror - again promotes the TV guide which has The Doctor and Rose on the cover, to be given away free on Saturday. The coverline has changed from Saturday's Merry Christmas to a jaunty "Who Who Who!"
• The Daily Star - includes quotes on page three from David Tennant about the 'relationship' between The Doctor and Rose. The quotes appear to have been taken from The Observer magazine interview on Sunday (see below).
• The Sun - TV Biz includes a short piece about David Tennant which is accompanied by a photo.

Online articles and stories - Monday 12th December

• » MediaGuardian: "CBeebies takes to the stage". This section of The Guardian website today reports that a theatre version of Doctor Who is being planned by BBC Worldwide. It is intended to make it a similar event to the Tweenies Live! type arena performances. view online here (requires registration).

UK Newspapers - Sunday 11th December

• The Observer - the magazine section featured a wide-ranging interview with David Tennant. view online here
• The Sunday Post (Scotland) - included an interview with a former policeman who has written a book of humourous moments while on the beat. He's pictured next to an old Tardis-type Police Box, but the article makes no reference to it. We assume he was snapped next to the one in Glasgow.

UK Newspapers - Saturday 10th December

• The Express - the magazine section featured an interview with Billie Piper in which she said the next series will start in February. We currently don't have a copy of this article, if you do please contact us.
• The Mirror - included a picture story "Doctor Who Little" about the auctioning of the model Tardis that was used in the classic series. The prop will be sold in London this week, and is expected to raise £6,000. It has also started to promote its Christmas TV guide, offering dummy covers in its current edition (just the Tardis) and in the paper (David Tennant, Billie Piper and the Tardis). view online here

UK Newspapers - Thursday 8th December

• The Mirror - in a small 'Exclusive' piece on page 9, lifted, it appears, from the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine and titled "DR WHO EXCLUSIVE: BILLY TREATS ROLE AS 'PRACTICE'", the newspaper quotes Billie Piper as saying she's learnt a lot whilst working on Doctor Who. view online here

With thanks to ?hil.

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11 December 2005 :: Christmas Invasion Trailer

Following on from two very brief teaser trailers shown over the last week and a half tonight saw the first airing of a spectacular new 30 second trailer for 'The Christmas Invasion'.

The trailer was broadcast just before 8pm on BBC ONE, between The Story of God and Sports Personality of the Year 2005.

The trailer featured a number of sequences from the Christmas special, including part of the TARDIS landing scene near the beginning of the story, the first appearance of David Tennant, the Sycorax (looking very menacing) and their spaceship over certain London landmarks as well as government heads and military personnel reacting to their appearance. To give any further details might lead us into spoiler territory but we have put together a gallery of 33 images from the trailer for those who wish to see more.

Click here to view the gallery of images

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07 December 2005 :: Press Update

There were a couple of items in the press yesterday, details of which came in to us late, and one item of interest that we know of today - details below:

UK Newspapers - Wednesday 7th December

• The Daily Star - includes a 'free' Christmas TV supplement, which has the TARDIS on the cover. Amongst the usual features and listings inside the supplement includes one item that's news to us. According to the listings for Monday the 2nd of January 2006 Doctor Who is scheduled between 7pm and 8pm, could this be the first repeat of 'The Christmas Invasion'? The time-slot (one hour) would suggest it may well be!
• The Guardian - included an obituary for 'classic' series writer Robert Sloman ('The Green Death', 'The Time Monster', 'Planet of the Spiders' and, with Barry Letts, 'The Daemons') written by Producer (1970 to 1974) Barry Letts.

UK Newspapers - Tuesday 6th December

• The Daily Star - published an article about how Billie Piper was 'scared' about carrying much of the action in the Doctor Who Christmas Special, 'The Christmas Invasion'. The article is it would appear based on comments made by Piper in the Christmas Radio Times supplement.

With thanks to ?hil.

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07 December 2005 :: Christmas Who Listings

Just in case you don't know yet, haven't got your copy of The Radio Times yet, want to see right now what's on before and after 'The Christmas Invasion' and what the main rival channel, ITV1, has in opposition (norra lot, norra lot!) or just want a handy listing of the Christmas Day programmes here's our guide to Christmas Day and much more:

BBC1
Sunday, December 25, 2005

6:00am - Breakfast
9:00 - The Snow Queen
10:00 - Stranger in the Manger?
11:00 - Songs of Praise
11:45 - Blue Peter's Christmas Presents
12:20 - BBC News & Weather
12:30 - Film: The Santa Clause
2:00 - Top of the Pops Christmas Special
3:00 - The Queen's Christmas Message 2005
3:10 - Film: Shrek
4:3 - Film: Toy Story 2
6:00 - My Family Christmas Special
6:50 - BBC News & Weather

7:00 - Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion
David Tennant, Billie Piper, Camille Coduri, Noel Clarke and Penelope Wilton.
Cosmic adventures with the Gallifreyan Timelord, in a Christmas special starring David Tennant as the new Doctor. The Tardis falls to Earth on Christmas Eve, bringing the new Doctor home to Rose's family. But while his regeneration goes wrong, Santa-shaped assassins and deadly Christmas trees herald the approach of a terrible danger from the stars. The Sycorax are coming, and without the Doctor, the human race is helpless.

8:00 - The Green Green Grass
8:50 - BBC News & Weather
9:00 - EastEnders
10:00 - The Two Ronnies Christmas Sketchbook
11:05 - Before They Were Famous: The Confessions
11:45 - Film: Working Girl
1:35am - On Christmas Night
1:40 - Film: Father, Dear Father

ITV1
Sunday, December 25, 2005

6.00 - GMTV, including:
 6.00 - Wakey! Wakey!
 7.25 - Toonattik: wall-to-wall animation
 8.55 - Chronicles of Narnia Movie Special
 9.25 - Rugrats
9.55 - Help! It's Christmas
10.55 - Film: Alice in Wonderland
12.15 - ITV News; Weather
12.20 - Tarrant in the Land of... the Polar Bear
1.05 - Film: The Railway Children
3.00 - The Queen
3.10 - Creature Comforts. Merry Christmas
3.25 - Film: The Grinch
5.15 - ITV News; Weather
5.30 - Christmas Creature Comforts. Happy Christmas Everybody!
6.00 - Emmerdale
7.00 - Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
8.00 - Coronation Street
9.00 - The Booze Cruise 2
10.50 - ITV News
11.05 - Little Britain: A South Bank Show Special
0.05 - Film: The Untouchables
2.15 - Film: What's New, Pussycat?

In addition look out for David Tennant on the Jonathon Ross talk show on BBC ONE:

Friday, December 23, 2005
10:25pm - Friday Night with Jonathan Ross - Guests are Scarlett Johansson, Rob Brydon, Steve Coogan and David Tennant with music from Richard Ashcroft. (BBC1 NI @ 11:25, BBC1 SCOTLAND @ 10:55, all other regions @ 10:25)
Repeated: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 2:20am

Digital

That's the 'terrestrial' channels but radio and digital tv will give you a fair amount of Doctor Who this Christmas, although we're sorry to note that there are no repeats of the 'classic' series (unless you count the 19996 McGann TV Movie, so it'll be a delve into the old VHS and DVD collection boys and girls!).

There's a 'red button' interactive Doctor Who adventure available via BBCi that allows you to play the part of the Doctor's companion so look out for that. Titled 'Attack of the Graske' and written by Gareth Roberts it will star David Tennant as The Doctor.

Other than this BBC THREE and UK GOLD will do Doctor Who proud with a wealth of repeats, double bills every evening from the 26th in the case of BBC THREE:

BBC THREE

Monday, December 26, 2005
19.00pm - Doctor Who: Rose
19.45pm - Doctor Who: The End of the World

Tuesday, December 27, 2005
19.00pm - Doctor Who: The Unquiet Dead
19.45pm - Doctor Who: Aliens of London

Wednesday, December 28, 2005
19.00pm - Doctor Who: World War Three
19.45pm - Doctor Who: Dalek

Thursday, December 29, 2005
19.00pm - Doctor Who: The Long Game
19.45pm - Doctor Who: Father's Day

Friday, December 30, 2005
19.00pm - Doctor Who: The Empty Child
19.45pm - Doctor Who: The Doctor Dances

UK Gold

Thursday, December 22, 2005
10.00am - Doctor Who: Aliens of London

Friday, December 23, 2005
10.00am - Doctor Who: World War Three

Saturday, December 24, 2005
10.00am - Doctor Who: Dalek

Sunday, December 25, 2005
08.20am - Doctor Who: TV Movie (McGann, 1996)

Tuesday, December 27, 2005
10.00am - Doctor Who: The Long Game

Wednesday, December 28, 2005
10.00am - Doctor Who: Father's Day

Thursday, December 29, 2005
10.00am - Doctor Who: The Empty Child

Friday, December 30, 2005
10.00am - Doctor Who: The Doctor Dances

Saturday, December 31, 2005
10.00am - Doctor Who: Boom Town

Radio

As if all that wasn't enough there's also a special Radio 2 documentary:

BBC RADIO 2
Tuesday, December 20, 2005

8:30 - Doctor Who: Regeneration
Mark Gatiss presents a documentary examining how this year's revamped Doctor Who became one of the most talked-about television events of 2005 and the ups and downs of the series over its 42 years. Including interviews with new Doctor David Tennant, Billie Piper, new series writer and producer Russell T Davies, composer Murray Gold and BBC1 controller Peter Fincham.

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05 December 2005 :: Season 2 Press Release

Hot on the heels of their publicity for 'The Christmas Invasion' the BBC Press Office have today released information on their upcoming Winter/Spring 2006 season on BBC ONE.

Season 2 of Doctor Who is listed amongst the drama highlights and some detail is given about the shape of the seaon. One name that is notable for it's omission is Stephen Fry's who has been writing episode 11; however, a new name, Matthew Graham, is mentioned as writing an episode. This follows on from a recent report in The Times that suggested Fry's "episode may be delayed ...it needs so many special effects, it could prove to be too expensive, at least for the next run." - could it be the case that this is true and Graham will be penning a replacement and that being the case will Fry's episode be remounted for Season 3 in 2007?

In addition to the above there's also a surprise reference to a certain famous 'enemy'...

View the full text of the Press Release here but please be aware that some small spoilers may be included.

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06 December 2005 :: Christmas listings update

Here, as promised yesterday, are more details for TV & Satellite Week:

UK Listings Magazines - cover dated 17 to 30 Dec.

• TV & Satellite Week - devotes its Christmas cover to Doctor Who and includes a page and half feature plus picture to accompany its listing.

With thanks to ?hil.

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05 December 2005 :: Christmas listings magazines - spoiler free details

This is the 'biggie' now, the Christmas editions of the various listings magazines are starting to appear - if you don't have them in your shops now expect to see them tomorrow (Tuesday 6th December).

We've listed below all the Doctor Who related content in each, starting, of course, with the Radio Times:

UK Listings Magazines - cover dated 17 to 30 Dec.

• Radio Times - has a stunning ten page special on Doctor Who plus a cover, as documented last week (see below). A cracking issue including a double page picture spoiler from 'The Christmas Invasion' and a chance to win a Dalek by spotting three small Daleks hidden throughout the magazine.
• TV Times - includes a page and a half picture feature on page four highlighting 'The Christmas Invasion'.
• Total TV Guide - another cover for Doctor Who - page three invites readers to 'open' the Tardis to reveal the Christmas treats by turning the page. Turn the page and you get a Tardis scene with David Tennant and Billie Piper plus a tree adorned with TV programme baubles. A double-page spread on page 10 offers a sneek peak ahead to series two, including a picture of Sarah Jane Smith (Elizabeth Sladen) from the classic series.
• TV & Satellite Week - Doctor Who is on the cover - more details to follow.
• TV Quick - runs a double page feature on 'The Christmas Invasion'.
• TV Choice - has a small preview article for 'The Christmas Invasion' featuring a photo and an article a few paragraphs long. There's also a photo for Christmas Day.
• TV Easy - includes a small picture feature on page 4.

With thanks to ?hil.

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05 December 2005 :: Press Update

There have been a few articles over the last few days, sorry we missed the rather important (although very spoilerish) ones on Saturday but we're making up for it now.

So, without further ado here are the details:

UK Newspapers - Monday 5th December

• The Express - reports that a shortage of toy Daleks means they could sell out before Christmas on page 15.
• The Guardian - the media section for December 5 contains an article 'The new TV Time Lords', about how long TV shows should be available for downloading. The article namechecks Doctor Who. view online here
• The Times - today reports that Doctor Who is on the short-list for one of the 'main' awards this year, the South Bank Show Awards will be announced on 27 January 2006. Additionally the newspaper is sponsoring the 'Breakthrough Award', last year won by actor James McAvoy, one of this year's nominations is a certain Ms. Billie Piper.

UK Newspapers - Sunday 4th December

• The Daily Star - included a win a "Robot Dalek" competion with front-page mention and picture of (classic series style) remote control Dalek.

UK Newspapers - Saturday 3rd December

• The Express - included an interview with John Barrowman (Jack in Doctor Who and Torchwood) in the magazine on page 17.
• The Mirror - included a half-page Picture preview of 'The Christmas Invasion' with a number of spoiler photos from the story opening on page 15.
• The Daily Star - included a picture preview of the Doctor Who Christmas special on page 28.
• The Sun - published another highly spoilerous picture preview of the Christmas Special.

With thanks to ?hil.

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03 December 2005 :: Season 2 episode titles

Christmas listings magazines now appearing

Some shops in the London area are now receiving copies of the Christmas listings magazines according to reports we have received. This is normal at this time of year and is the result of a staggered distribution policy with all areas due to receive their copies by Tuesday the 6th of December.

The Radio Times is, of course, of particular interest to us and copies of this magazine have been the first to be spotted, along with TV Times.

New episode titles

Amongst the details about the 2006 series of Doctor Who the magazine reveals are two new episode titles. According to the Radio Times episode seven, written by Mark Gatiss, is titled 'The Idiot's Lantern' and the final episode of series two, episode thirteen, written by Russell T Davies, is titled 'Doomsday'.

We have added this information to our Season Two episode list to the right of this page and will shortly be unveiling our full guide to this season.

New series guide - the 2005 'specials'

As a prelude to this we have today added our guide to both 2005 'specials', Children in Need and 'The Christmas Invasion', both come with an introduction, teaser synopses and cast listings, whilst the former comes with a full set of photos from the seven minute short. Cick here to view this new page

We hope you enjoy this addition to the site and look out for more very soon.

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02 December 2005 :: BBC.co.uk teaser trailer

Further to our story from about BBC.co.uk Doctor who exclusive we can now confirm that this was indeed the first teaser trailer for "The Christmas Invasion".

The teaser can be viewed from the BBC Official Doctor Who website homepage and we are promised a second next week. The teaser will apparently be aired during the evening of Friday the 2nd and may have further television airings in the coming week.

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02 December 2005 :: Press Update

The penultimate listings magazines of the year are now in the shops (covering the week 10-16 December) and a number of them have Doctor Who related items.

Below is a full listing of what to expect form the various magazines as well as a piece from yesterday published in The Mirror:

UK Listings Magazines - cover dated 10 to 16 Dec.

• Radio Times - the "Christmas Preview" feature has an image of a festive TARDIS and a caption stating "Who's inside the Tardis? TURN TO PAGE 16 FOR THE LATEST NEWS". Page 16 includes a boxout to the right of the page titled "Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion" which gives the 'low-down' on the upcoming Christmas special. Additionally pages 14, 15 and the rest of page 16 carry a substantial "exclusive" interview with David Tennant, in which, amongst other things, he wonders how anyone working in the arts could vote Conservative and states that he loves Doctor Who. For fantasy fans there's also a two-page feature on Narnia, to promote the CD giveaway in the Christmas issue of the "Prince Caspian" audiobook.
• TV Times - features an interview with David Tennant to promote Secret Smile (ITV1, Monday & Tuesday December 12/13). It's preview for the Christmas issue reveals a Santa cover and highlights Doctor Who alongside a completely different shot of The Doctor and Rose to all the rest of the magazines - well done on that bit of variety TV Times!
• What's on TV - on page 3 a prominent piece is included titled "The evil side of Doctor Who" covering Tennant's appearance in Secret Smile but mentioning Doctor Who a number of times. The feature is accompanied by three photos, one of them a Doctor Who publicity image. Page 13 has a further feature that concentrates more fully on Secret Smile and other roles such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The page 81 preview of what's in the Christmas issue again mentions Doctor Who and along with that publicity shot.
• TV & Satellite Week - includes an interview with David Tennant on page 12/13 - with small Doctor Who publicity shot.
• TV Quick - an article on pages 18 and 19 mainly focuses on tennant's co-star in secret Smile, Claire Goose. However a smaller box-out feature on page 19, again accompanied by that publicity shot, concentrates on David Tennant. Again a small "Next Week" feature at the bottom of page 82 mentions Doctor Who alongside a publicity shot (yup, same one!)
• TV Choice - Secret Smile is covered by an article on page 4 that very briefly mentions Doctor Who. Page 66 carries a small preview of what's in the next issue, with Doctor Who mentioned and that photo.
• TV Easy - includes a Doctor Who publicity shot and small caption in it's two page preview of what's in the Christmas issue (pages 114 & 115).

UK Newspapers - Thursday 1st December

• The Mirror - the Radio Times interview (see above) was picked up under the headline "Dr Whozzzz - Tennant: I'm the dullest Doc ever", with a picture of the Daleks screeching "Dullard alert! Dullard alert!". View online here

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01 December 2005 :: BBC.co.uk 'exclusive' on Friday

BBC.co.uk have added a cryptic Doctor Who message on their homepage...

The words 'home' at the top of the page transform to reveal the phrase 'Doctor who exclusive tomorrow'.

As we've seen the BBC homepage has in the past offered sneak peaks and exclusives as well as one of special super Dalek page.

Exactly what it is we can't reveal but can tell you that you'll definitely want to see it tomorrow (Friday) on the BBC homepage!

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29 November 2005 :: Confirmed - Invasion @ 7pm Christmas day

The BBC Doctor Who website has just confirmed that the Christmas Special, 'The Christmas Invasion', is defnitely scheduled to air at 7pm on Christmas day.

The news runs contrary to tabloid press speculation (see below) that the hour long special would air at either 6.15 or 7.15pm.

We have yet to have confirmation of what the main 'rival' station, ITV1, will be airing against Doctor Who but expect details soon.

Read the full BBC story online here

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29 November 2005 :: Confirmed - Doctor Who on Radio Times Christmas Cover

The official BBC Doctor Who site has posted news that Doctor Who will indeed feature on the cover of the Christmas double issue of the Radio Times (cover dated 17-30 December 2005).

In a news feature accompanied by a cover image (smaller version left - click for larger - click here to view the full BBC story and larger image) the good people at BBC Online confirm that "it's a rare honour for the magazine to devote a coveted Chrimbo cover to a single show, and the first time that favour's gone to Doctor Who."

10-page Doctor Who Christmas Special

Looking closly at the image on the BBC website you might be able to make out the words "WIN A DALEK in our 10-page Doctor Who Christmas Special", this would appear to confirm rumours that we had heard about this edition including a Doctor Who supplement. However, as yet we have no word on what the supplement contains por whether it will be a self contained pull-out in the centre of the magazine like the one included earlier this year.

There's more information on the BBC site so we urge readers to pop over and have a look.

This edition of the magazine also comes with a free CD (see information below) which has been generally described as a 'covermout' but we believe it will, in fact, be mounted inside the magazine and won't obscure (or potentially damage) the cover. (The clue lies in the words "FREE CD INSIDE" to the left of the cover, we view this as pretty definitive evidence.)

Read the full BBC article online here

Our friends at UNIT News have now added a much larger version of the cover to their site click here to view it

See all the 2005 Radio Times covers here

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29 November 2005 :: Press Update

Nothing to report in the press today but there's one item we missed from the weekend:

UK Newspapers - Sunday 27th November

• The Sunday Times - The Biteback column in the Culture section of the newspaper included a story on Stephen Fry's episode for the second series. Apparently the "episode may be delayed ...it needs so many special effects, it could prove to be too expensive, at least for the next run." More one The Sunday Times website here (you'll need to register but it's free)

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28 November 2005 :: Christmas Radio Times

The Lion, the Witch and the TARDIS!

Hot news just in about the Christmas Radio Times, broken by the MediaGuardian.

According to MediaGuardian the "Christmas double issue of Radio Times on sale December 6 - covering programming from December 17" will break new ground this year, and we suspect will become a highly collectable edition, it will come with a cover mounted CD "for the first time in its 82-year history".

Before you all become too excited we'd better mention that the CD isn't Doctor Who related, although fans of fantasy, in particular The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, will have a treat in store but more on that below.

Doctor Who get's a mention though, apparently "readers will ... have the opportunity to win a real six-foot Dalek from the 2005 Doctor Who series to tie in with the programme's return on Christmas Day, when David Tennant takes over as the Doctor from Christopher Eccleston."

No mention of what the cover image will be (Doctor Who perhaps?) but we'll keep our eyes open and our ears to the ground for any further details that may be released.

As for Narnia, and we have to admit that we're very much looking forward to the release of the new film, the article confirms that this edition of the Radio Times "will include a free Chronicles of Narnia CD audiobook, including the first part of Prince Caspian, behind-the-scenes footage from the new film and a demo of the new AOL Narnia game."

Apparently "parts two and three of the audiobook will be available with subsequent issues, which go on sale one December 23 and January 3.

"And the promotion will be backed by a nationwide TV and poster campaign launching on December 6, the same day The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe premieres at London's Royal Albert Hall."

The article quotes Kathy Day, Radio Times publisher, as saying that "the promotion is set to be the magazine's biggest ever Christmas issue push" so we advise you grab your copy early to avoid disappointment because it's sure to feature Doctor Who quite heavily as well.

Read the full article online here

With thanks to ?hil.

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28 November 2005 :: Christmas Schedules

According to Sunday's News Of The World, which is probably about as reliable as any other red-top tabloid (see below), the Christmas day schedule on BBC ONE will be as follows:

BBC ONE
2.00pm - Top of the Pops
3.00pm - The Queen
3.10pm - Film: Shrek
4.35pm - Film: Toy Story 2
6.00pm - Outtake TV Christmas Special
6.30pm - BBC News
6.45pm - Eastenders
7.15pm - Doctor Who
8.15pm - The Green Green Grass
9.05pm - Eastenders
9.35pm - The Two Ronnies Christmas Sketchbook
10.35pm - Little Britain
11.05pm - BBC News

In contrast these are the 'seasonal delights' ITV have in store for us on the same day:

ITV1
1.05pm - The Railway Children
3.00pm - The Queen
3.10pm - Film: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
5.00pm - ITV News
5.15pm - Creature Comforts
5.45pm - Emmerdale
6.45pm - Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
8.00pm - Coronation Street
9.00pm - Booze Cruise 2
10.50pm - ITV News

So, not much different to any other night of the year then - we have a spare white flag we've never used ITV if you'd like it... actually we'd love you to have it!

Look out for the official listings tomorrow (Tuesday) but be aware even these are subject to change so the situation is still fluid.

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28 November 2005 :: Press Update

It was a quiet weekend in the UK press with only a couple of articles appearing. However, The Sun makes an 'entry' this morning with an "exclusive" report:

UK Newspapers - Monday 28th November

• The Sun - in an "exclusive" story today The Sun reports that the Daleks are starring in a porn film. The page feature, titled "SEXTERMINATE", on page 9 (with a cartoon on page 6) features stills from the DVD, which the BBC has blocked from being sold on eBay. It also quotes Tim Hancock, director of the Terry Nation estate, which is planning to take legal action. "They weren't ever intended to be sexual creatures, he explained. "It's simple, Daleks don't do porn." Well I never... The article is available online but due to the nature of some of the accompanying images we are not publishing a direct link here - click here to go to the main page of The Sun's website.

UK Newspapers - Sunday 27th November

• The Observer - in an article titled "This is the real deal" Sunday's Observer comments on "the return of inventive drama" to British television and mentions "the Doctor Who effect" as one of the key factors behind this development. View online here
• The Sunday Mail (Scotland) - in a piece titled "THE SECRET DIARY OF DR WHO, AGED 14 3/4" the Sunday Mail reveals that "DR WHO star David Tennant predicted he would play the TV time traveller... in a school essay written 20 years ago". The article goes on to quote one of Tennant's former teachers at Paisley Grammar School and can be seen in full online here

With thanks to ?hil.

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25 November 2005 :: Press Update

A few more scattered articles in the press today:

UK Newspapers - Friday 25th November

• The Sun - the TV Biz page reports that John Barrowman (Captain Jack) will be skating in the BBC ONE Strictly Ice Dancing special.
• The Times - includes a pictue of the Simpson's Nativity, which will apparently be broadcast in competition with the Doctor Who Christmas special.
• The Daily Star - today picks up on the Broadcast magazine's movers and shakers "Hot 100" award to David Tennant (see below), highlighting his accolade with a large picture story, using the standard BBC publicity picture.

With thanks to ?hil.

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24 November 2005 :: More on 'The Christmas Invasion'

More from the BBC on 'The Christmas Invasion', yesterday, which was incidentally Doctor Who's 42nd Birthday, the BBC Press Office released a full Press pack on the special. It includes profiles on and quotes from Billie Piper and David Tennant but much of the information appears to be a re-hash of that previously available (page one in particular). The Press Pack can be viewed online here.

The Press Office have also released their programme details for Weeks 51 & 52 (17 Dec. 2005-2 Jan. 2006) and the accompanying downloadable PDFs include details of 'The Christmas Invasion'. Of particular note is the accompanying "Features" document which includes an intersting article on the Christmas special and quotes Tennant extensively. The Week 51 & 52 programme details can be viewed online here.

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24 November 2005 :: Press Update

It's tabloid Christmas TV suplement day today so there's a slew of, probably innacurate, 'Christmas Invasion' listings and previews to report.

Links to online versions of these and other articles are below:

UK Newspapers - Thursday 24th November

• The Mirror - highlights Doctor Who in it's Christmas supplement and suggests that it will be on at 6.15pm (see listings below, but please take this with a pinch of salt). Its BBC Three listings don't mention Doctor Who at all. Their 'exclusive' is on 'The Christmas Invasion' - but it looks as if they've taken screen grabs from the preview on the newly released Series One box set.
• The Sun - the Christmas TV supplement includes a Doctor Who picture on the front cover as well as mentions inside.
• The Daily Star - the front page promises a Christmas TV Guide but it is in fact a two page spread of highlights, by Mike Ward, However Doctor Who is included in the list with a BBC publicity photo of a Christmassy TARDIS included for good measure.
• The Daily Record (Scotland) - includes a centre spread interview with David Tennant that contains some mild spoilers for 'The Christmas Invasion'. More online here

Below is the provisional BBC ONE Christmas day (25 Dec.) schedule according to The Mirror TV supplement:

BBC ONE
4.40 - Film: Toy Story 2
6.05 - News
6.15 - Doctor Who
7.15 - Eastenders
7.45 - To be announced
8.45 - Eastenders
9.15 - To be announced
10.15 - News
10.25 - Film: Chicago

UK Listings Magazines - cover dated 26 Nov. to 02 Dec.

• Radio Times - includes a number of features covering Doctor Who: the cover mentions Billie Piper, the Editor's comment on page 3 mentions Doctor Who at length and in glowing terms. Page 10 includes a photo of a new Cyberman (see photo below) and the accompanying piece mentions that the Cybermen "will be back to open the second series", which runs contrary to reports elsewhere. The review of the year mentions Who a number of times, firstly it reports that the ratings for 'Rose' (series One, episode one) made it the fifth most watched show of the year. Following on from this a double page photo and text spread on pages 18 and 19 includes, alongside large photos of Piper and Eccleston and a smaller one of Tennant, a mocked-up "National Exterminator" magazine cover with a Dalek on it and the headline Am I Hovered? My Joy When I Learnt to Fly". In addition to all this the Alison Graham column mentions Doctor Who on page 37, the new series one box set is reviewed on page 44 and (this is scary!) Charlotte Church suggests that she's getting a part in Doctor Who in an interview on page 154.
• The TV Times - the cover includes a small picture of Piper and Tennant in the top right-hand corner. In their Christmas preview article they include a small photo of Rose and the Doctor outside a snow covered TARDIS - the accompanying caption says that Doctor Who is the festive TV treat that the magazine's most looking forward to.

UK Magazines and Periodicals

• Broadcast - the industry magazine has published it's "Hot 100" list and David Tennant is in at number one. (See link to BBC report below)

Online articles and stories - Thursday 24th November

• »BBC Online: "New Doctor Who tops talent list". BBC report on Broadcast magazine's number one entry for David Tennant in their Hot 100 list (also see above). [view]

With thanks to ?hil.

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