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WHO’s Fifth Season
Delayed Till 2010!!

long time to wait by samsquanch	Sep 3rd, 2007 01:16:01 PM
crap.
Damn... That Sucks by ArcherNX01	Sep 3rd, 2007 01:23:26 PM
But three specials will be something to whet the appetite 'til #4
Interesting by photoboy	Sep 3rd, 2007 01:24:36 PM
There's been all sorts of rumours about RTD, Tennant, etc leaving at the end of season 4, so I would imagine this is where all that rumour-mongering came from. Perhaps it was all posturing to get the BBC to give them a year off and these "specials" are a compromise. One has to wonder though if Tennant will get much of a break if he's got 3 specials to make (depending on if their length makes them special). Maybe Tennant will just be narrating and the stories will be flashbacks to the older Doctors...
Bad decision by supertoyslast	Sep 3rd, 2007 01:27:23 PM
Tennant could have left Doctor Who after Series 4 and kept the show fresh. He will no doubt be in the specials because the only reason to delay Series 5 would be to accommodate his stint in Hamlet. There's no guarantee that Tennant will be in Series 5, since I guess he only took Hamlet because he was ready to leave Doctor Who. I am supposing that the BBC didn't want to lose him and so commissioned the specials to keep him in the show and give them time to persuade him to stay on for Series 5. I'm betting that Tennant has signed up for the specials with no decision on Series 5 yet. But if he does sign up for Series 5 it will be the same actor in the role for 5 years. I think that's too long for Doctor Who. Instead of refreshing the show, the BBC are just playing it safe. That's a shame.
Nooooooooo! by Head In A Box	Sep 3rd, 2007 01:28:59 PM
They gave Sylverster McCoy's Doctor "a rest" back in '89 and it didn't come back for 16 years. Here's hoping the same doesn't hold true here. I've notice that my favorite BBC shows go on "hiatus" and they never get aroud to picking it back up, it doesn't get cancelled officially, it just kind of goes away which is way more frustrating. Same thing happened with Red Dwarf after Series 8. I want some closure there dammit!!!
Sad, Happy, Sad by Rockin Ricky Rialto	Sep 3rd, 2007 01:32:03 PM
Although having to wait a whole year between seasons 4 & 5 will be hard we can only hope the 3 specials will be of the highest standard as there should be more time & money to spend on each of them. Hopefully they could focus on the Time war & maybe have Paul Mcgann contribute, even have the Mcgann to Eccelstone re-generation at the end.
Could this announcement be another RTD smokescreen? by SpyGuy	Sep 3rd, 2007 01:35:09 PM
I mean, what better way to cover up that the Tenth Doctor regenerates into the Eleventh in the final episode of Series Four than to announce that Tennant's "back" for three specials in 2009? And if you read the notice, there's no mention that Tennant will appear in Series Five in 2010. If nothing else, though, we finally have a statement that there WILL be a Series Five, which means the series will continue after Tennant. As the Cybermen (and Mr. Burns for that matter) would say...Excellent.
NOT a bad decision. by bobyoung1978	Sep 3rd, 2007 01:37:04 PM
It's the pefect time for a break, in my opinion. It's only for a year, after all, and can you imagine the anticipation that hiatus is going to generate? It stops the show going stale- which is what led to its cancellation in the first place. And as for Tennant staying on too long... 5 years? Tom Baker (One of THE most popular Doctors) was in the role for 7 years!
Catherine Tate? by redshirt	Sep 3rd, 2007 01:48:21 PM
She is going to become one of the doctors companions? Did I read that right? Man, so much cast turnover on this show. What was the longest a companion ever stayed on the show?
Tennant confirmed for series 5 by damned-dirty-ape	Sep 3rd, 2007 01:48:28 PM
Tennant confirmed for series 5, It's on DrWho online. I just hope RTD isn't back with him. It's not always the actors that make a show stale, a lot of it can be blamed on the writers. All the worst new Who episodes have been written by him, it's time for fresh blood.
Probably being done for 2 reasons by FrodoFraggins	Sep 3rd, 2007 01:51:37 PM
The first is as others stated, to allow tennant to work on other projects. The second is to give the next showrunner time to take over for davies. Maybe the new showrunner will handle the specials as well? It seemed clear that RTD wasn't going to run the show for season 5.
please god by eandh99	Sep 3rd, 2007 01:59:36 PM
let the "new showrunner" rumour be true -- RTD's final 3 episodes of Season 3 were disappointing to put it kindly. Give it to Steven Moffat who's currently 2 for 2 on winning Hugos for the episodes he writes. Oh, and geek trivia -- yes DT's taking time off to play Hamlet -- opposite Patrick Stewart as Claudius.
Last of the timelords was by Rockin Ricky Rialto	Sep 3rd, 2007 02:05:50 PM
Last of the timelords was poor, but Utopia and The sound of drums were good.
Hey, at least its not The Wire... by GravyAkira	Sep 3rd, 2007 02:13:43 PM
Then I might be suicidal.
The Moffat reign by Rockin Ricky Rialto	Sep 3rd, 2007 02:13:48 PM
When Moffat rightly becomes showrunner I can see Michelle Ryan as the new companian. Bionic woman will have probably been cancelled by then, and she has worked with Moffat on Jackyl. See may also bring more publicity if her profile has been raised Stateside.
good idea! by Obscura	Sep 3rd, 2007 02:15:25 PM
plus its not actually that long a wait really, and 3 specials will fill the gap. And hopfully a better season of Torchwood, which has potential but was all over the place at the end of season 1. i mean... who wasnt in love with someone else by the end of it?! thats not a good way to end the first season. the second season better not be full of lots of awkward silences.
If David Tennant comes back, it'll be worth it... by TheGhostWhoLurks	Sep 3rd, 2007 02:38:20 PM
The guy's the best Doctor we've had since Tom Baker — who, I believe, had the role for 7 years. I'd be more than happy with his return than getting someone subpar. I'm NOT, however, looking forward to another season of senseless groping, screwing and making out on Torchwood. Especially once they get Freema in the show and turn her character into yet another Torchwood whore, completely ignoring her "Doctor Who" persona/personality.
you know by DrLektor	Sep 3rd, 2007 02:38:25 PM
Maybe they're pooling everything into three big "events". If the eight and ninth Doctors come back... I'd be happy to wait. but if the bastards end season four on a cliffhanger...
This is nothing new for British TV by dr_buggerlugs	Sep 3rd, 2007 02:39:39 PM
UK tv doesn't work to fixed seasons and it's not unusual for there to be long or not particularly regular gaps between seasons or breaks. In fact this sounds like a good way to rest the series and refresh it so it doesn't outstay it's welcome.
Unfortunate, but... by KazamaSmokers	Sep 3rd, 2007 02:40:03 PM
.. at least we have "Torchwood" and "Primeval" to tide us over.
bbc does this from time to time by palewook	Sep 3rd, 2007 02:43:58 PM
and it will be fine.
What? When? Why? Where? by SoylentMean	Sep 3rd, 2007 02:46:38 PM
Anybody seen Trenchwood or whatever the fuck it's called? That looks pretty cool. I've never gotten into Dr. Who though.
Very wise. That's the only way to keep David Tennant by HarryBlackPotter	Sep 3rd, 2007 02:46:53 PM
So, we get a Christmas special this year and a full 13 episodes in Spring '08. Then, we get another Christmas special in '08, and then, scattered throughout '09 we get 3 more eppys before series 5 PROPER kicks in. Yeah!
If that guarantees us Tennant... by Flaming_Simian	Sep 3rd, 2007 03:00:19 PM
... forseason 5 then its a good thing. Otherwise no need...
I'm not excited that RTD is doing the specials by INWOsuxRED	Sep 3rd, 2007 03:00:20 PM
There is very little "special" about most RTD episodes, but hopefully the specials will be treated as such. At least one of those specials should have gone to Moffat. My guess is one of the specials will restore Gallifrey, and one will deal with monsters that are really just humans with an animal's head. Hopefully Moffat uses the long hiatus to write MANY episodes for Series 5. I'm glad Tennant will be back. He isn't my favorite Doctor, but he is still a great one, and the show is almost always on shaky legs when the Doctor is new. I'm fine waiting if it means the return of a great Doctor and means that there will be plenty of time for the writers to produce the best scripts possible. The filler episodes are annoying on the regular schedule, if one of the specials, or parts of series 5 feel like filler, people will be pissed.
Sci-Fi by INWOsuxRED	Sep 3rd, 2007 03:03:29 PM
better use that hiatus time to negotiate a contract where they run new episodes WHEN THEY ARE NEW! And it isn't like you're schedule is so hot that you can't run Confidential. Bump one of your repeats of Monster Snake, or Nazi Yeti, or Super Worm, or whatever shitty movie you commision for no reason and then run on an endless loop.
Torchwood HD? by INWOsuxRED	Sep 3rd, 2007 03:04:08 PM
I've seen ads for Torchwood on HDNet or something. Anyone know when that starts?
No so bad by manicart1	Sep 3rd, 2007 03:10:12 PM
I wonder if this is in any way connected with the budget cuts being made at the BBc at the moment? Ah well, absense makes the heart grow fonder. I had to wait fifteen years with only one TV special last time around, so this should be no biggie. At least we're not getting fucked up the freckle like Battlestar Galactica fans-- two halves of a season split two years apart? Fucktarded.
Oh, but... by manicart1	Sep 3rd, 2007 03:12:17 PM
the thought of RTD writing all the 2009 specials is making me a little uneasy, although the last two specials were solid. Give at least one of them to Moffat I say. I guess the Beeb will broadcast one at Easter and make the traditional Christmas special a bumper two parter. Here's hoping anyway. Oh, and BRING BACK THE NIMON!
Oh, it's called Torchwood... by SoylentMean	Sep 3rd, 2007 03:21:27 PM
The commercial looked pretty interesting. At least it's not reality tv. Or Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader or Deal Or No Deal. If I'm watching tv it's for escapism, documentaries, sports, or highly editied news. I don't want to see real people win cash and prizes. I want to see me win cash or prizes.
Torchwood on HDNet by INWOsuxRED	Sep 3rd, 2007 03:22:05 PM
Torchwood premieres Monday, September 17th at 7 PM ET. according to their website. I'll wait for the pretty pictures.
I'm a bit disappointed... by Strabo	Sep 3rd, 2007 03:25:25 PM
I was hoping that this meant they were going back to the drawing board on season four and scrapping Catherine Tate. I mean, Jesus Christ, who the fuck wants to see a full season of her screeching like a fucking harpy? She was bad enough in the Christmas Special, but for a full fucking season? I was thinking that they might have done some surveys to see if public opinion matches those poll results from the Tate announcement a few months ago. What was it, something like 80% of poll respondents said that bringing Tate on was a bad idea?
oh yeah, maybe they'll thake the specials away from RTD by INWOsuxRED	Sep 3rd, 2007 03:28:44 PM
after they see what happens when Tate is a companion for a full season. Much to worry about there.
mmm. But- by manicart1	Sep 3rd, 2007 03:31:13 PM
You'll notice that, when it comes to creative descisions that no one likes, RTD will scoff and say polls are meaningless. Then when they swing in his favour he will happily send you a fucking pie chart and sing it from the highest rooftop. Still, he's made the programme more succesful with each series so maybe he's on to something-- though it's hard to see how.
I Love Dr. Who! by Zardoz	Sep 3rd, 2007 03:48:50 PM
I've caught up on all the new episodes, and they're great! Great actors, cool characters, top-notch SFX and production design, fantastic writing. It may be the best Sci-Fi on TV, right now. (and it's much better than Who in the past; yes, I liked Tom Baker, too, but those shows were SO cheap and cheesy!) Check it out, it's worth it! And yes, Torchwood, an anagram of Doctor Who, runs this weekend, along with a 2nd season marathon of Dr. Who, so start yout Tivo's...
If this keeps Tennant for us... by Phimseto	Sep 3rd, 2007 04:03:39 PM
...through Series 4, the specials, and Series 5, great. I'm all for it. I've been very much against another "three and out" Doctor, so if I have to wait a little longer for the show, I can cope. I do think/hope that this is part of a "keeping Tennant around" strategy, but I also think there's another aspect. Anyone who follows the show hears A LOT about the cost, the budget, etc. etc. To hear BBC people talk, they praise Who with one hand and lament it with another. It sounds a great deal like the Sci-Fi Channel with Battlestar Galactica. Unparalleled success critically and ratings-wise for the channel, and the suits don't know how to cope. I'm curious where the truth lies.
um... by Noddy93	Sep 3rd, 2007 04:04:33 PM
Torchwood's alright if you like saxaphones. actually, it's pretty lame any way you look at it. Freema will hopefully ground the project a bit. as for RTD, he's kinda like Anne Rice. The first three quarters of his material is usually quite good but the man cannot end a story well. The first two episodes of this season's finale were fantastic, some of the best Who... but the ending was a terrible letdown.
Yes! you know what this means-- by TomBodet	Sep 3rd, 2007 04:08:06 PM
--12 daleks trapped on two stair landings for another year! Amazing! suspenseful! plastique!
Torchwood is utter shit by photoboy	Sep 3rd, 2007 04:22:30 PM
Sorry, but it's just not worth the time. Captain Jack is OK in it, but the rest of the cast are just fucking annoying or boring. Maybe season 2 will fix things, but I'm only going to give the first episode a chance. If it's the usual shit I'll not bother again.
lol wut by Ye Olde Gravy Leg	Sep 3rd, 2007 04:26:15 PM
but how can a ship be BIGGER on the inside? ridiculous.
2010 really isn't that far away.... by tonagan	Sep 3rd, 2007 04:31:52 PM
I mean, 2007 is almost over, and there'll be plenty to keep us occupied until then. Time feels like it goes by faster when you're older anyway. Soon we'll all be dead. Sigh. Happy Labor Day.
Darker by newkie brown	Sep 3rd, 2007 05:32:17 PM
It's good news if it secures the creative team in place. Better that than the series fall into the hands of someone who would sanction Bonnie Langford as an assistant. By the way, RTD recently said in an interview that Dr. Who is not going to go the darker route next season, despite the fact that run of 5-6 dark and scary episodes were the best received of the last run. Is he saving up his darker material for Torchwood?
THE TICK contest? by Jubba	Sep 3rd, 2007 05:37:34 PM
hey herc, was there a winner for The Tick DVD contest?
bigger on the inside... by Zardoz	Sep 3rd, 2007 05:45:54 PM
The exterior of the TARDIS is an illusion, a hologram or some such thing; In this case it's stuck in the fake-facade of a 60's London police call-box. The interior is the reality. So, the ship itself is really the shape and size of the much larger interior...(I'm probably wrong, but it works for me, besides it's Sci-Fi and it's fun, so relax!)
Not that bad by PMonkeyReclaimed	Sep 3rd, 2007 06:09:53 PM
I think a break is kinda what the show needs at this point. RTD needs to get his shit together. Glad DT is coming back - After 2 years of some of the best DW episodes, its hard to think of it without him now. I'd like to see him break the 7 year record. Torchwood is decent, but more so of a substitute for the absense of Who.
Torchwood is fine if ... by FrodoFraggins	Sep 3rd, 2007 06:10:47 PM
you go in with lowered expectations. I found it better than most crap on TV and I like the two leads a great deal. It shows great promise.
This isn't unusual for BBC by Gorrister	Sep 3rd, 2007 06:11:26 PM
Lots of BBC shows go a few years before making a new season/series. Just look at Red Dwarf. They had some multi-year gaps in seasons. Even Fawlty Towers went a couple of years before filming their second season.
good by slkboxrman	Sep 3rd, 2007 06:22:56 PM
it sucks anyways and gets too many free handjobs from this site....
So I assume there will be three 90 minute eps in 2009 by Yeti	Sep 3rd, 2007 06:43:21 PM
Question is what are they going to come up with?
FANTASTIC! by Master Bruce	Sep 3rd, 2007 06:46:22 PM
I agree that it sucks to have to wait but David Tennant is one of the best Doctors in a long time, and if this is what they have to do to accomodate him then so be it.(Note: Five seasons as the Doctor isn't unusual, Jon Pertwee did it & most of us know that Tom Baker stayed in the role for seven, so it's really up to Tennant at this point...stay as long as ya like mate.) That being said, I do hope that RTD doesn't try to beat John Nathan-Turner's time on the show...it's time for another producer/story editor to come in. I mean, many thanks for getting it back on the air & up to speed but I've had all I can take of farting aliens, pig aliens,etc. For a guy who's supposed to be a fan you'd think he'd know that although the original series was produced by the Beeb's childrens department, they NEVER treated it like such...they NEVER talked down to the audience which really made it rather unique. Ahh well, nothing's perfect. Into the TARDIS!
Giving Dr. Who a rest? But it's their biggest hit! by Drath	Sep 3rd, 2007 07:05:21 PM
Why are they "giving it a rest?" Only a non fan and/or someone with no money connected to this would think such a move is a good one. Are there any budget or contract issues that are messing them up? Really a very strange development to be reading about after reading how the show is the number one family programming on the BBC. Oh wait, did BBC just hire Les Moonves to be in charge of programming? That shit would do something like this...
It's for the transition between production teams by performingmonkey	Sep 3rd, 2007 07:18:12 PM
Russell T Davies has said that he wanted to do 4 seasons, bringing back one classic Who villain in each (season 4 will be Davros, surely there's no doubt). Obviously the three special episodes are his swansong as showrunner, then season 5 will be a fresh start. It's good that the BBC are committed up to the 2010 5th season. I feared it would be cancelled once Russell left.
On Dr Who Confidential by sean bean	Sep 3rd, 2007 07:30:39 PM
RTD said he has no desire to be around for a seventh season, so he clearly doesn't want to be in it for the long haul. A year off will probably do it good. There's no risk of cancellation, however - it's the BBC's golden goose: a critical and rating success that is sold around the world. And it shifts bucketloads of DVDs and merchandise. I'm more concerned that the bar has been raised so high that the fourth season won't be able to match previous ones. And the blockbuster antagonists have already been done. The first season was Daleks, the second was Cybermen (and more Daleks) and the third was the Master. What's left for season four without returning to one of them again?
wow, those Brits really work hard on their tv shows by newc0253	Sep 3rd, 2007 07:36:29 PM
13 episode seasons, huh? yeah, what a gruelling schedule. apparently the 2 year hiatus will allow them to get their rounds in down at the pub.
2 things about Brit shows by Purgatori	Sep 3rd, 2007 07:56:12 PM
They don't have commercial interruption, so they are technically longer eps than we get. Second, it's state funded TV, so it's all basically PBS. You have to pay a yearly fee to get more than 3 channels...and I'm not talking cable. So they in fact do work on their shows.
Yeah But What!? When? Where And HOW!? Got Moved Up by The Ender Smites Foes	Sep 3rd, 2007 08:02:23 PM
I heard those shows are launching this November.
The Stellar Decisions Keep Coming from NBC/Universal... by SifoDyasJr.	Sep 3rd, 2007 08:02:27 PM
Geniuses.
But by MrQuick	Sep 3rd, 2007 08:48:07 PM
will we have torchwood in the meantime? Torchwood season was great. I am looking forward to the inevitable crossover episode to link last season to ~season4 dr who
So now we treat television like Movies by skydemon	Sep 3rd, 2007 08:57:14 PM
The sequel to Doctor Who season four will be coming to your screen in a little over two years. The sequel to Battlestar Galactica season three will be gracing you screens next year. For now watch Star Trek Season One in HD for an obscene amount of money and be happy.
It might take a while to convince Sir Ben Kingsley by kabong	Sep 3rd, 2007 09:26:57 PM
to play the role of . . . Davros. Exterminate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Torchwood is ... by BeatsMe	Sep 3rd, 2007 10:01:47 PM
unwatchable. And this is coming from a gay Who fan. It's like Friday the 13th the series had bad drunken sex with the Red Shoe Diaries. Awful, awful, stuff. But I really like s3 of nu Who.
Waiting can be GOOD, and newc by half vader	Sep 3rd, 2007 10:15:32 PM
This can be a great thing, whether it's to keep RTD or Tennant or nothing to do with either. I've been saying for years that huge American shows like Seinfeld, X-Files and The Simpsons, which would be the only ones that could have done it precisely BECAUSE of their success, should have taken a year off. They were so big it's not like the audience would have said fuck you and not come back, and they would have all benefitted as they ALL jumped the shark to varying degrees. Like other non-Americans have said, it's not without precedent in England. Newc, don't make a fool of yourself. When you consider the quality of a show (you obviously go for quantity), it's more than a fair trade and may mean that the show lasts for longer in the end anyway. I'll wait for longer if it means following a Fawlty Towers model. Even though there were many years between 7 episode seasons of stuff like Open All Hours, I wouldn't have it any other way. Just because America used to have up to 38 episodes a season in the 60s doesn't mean the show was any better.
on the other hand by eandh99	Sep 3rd, 2007 11:17:14 PM
I'm a gay Who fan who found season 3 of DW only slightly less annoying than season 2, and loved Torchwood. It just won Best New Drama at the TV Choice awards in the UK and Matt Roush of TV Guide loved it.
Trik_Ster by INWOsuxRED	Sep 3rd, 2007 11:51:21 PM
The actors might do something else? The only cast member of Who right now is Tennant, and even he is replacable. Martha Jones is coming back, but also sorta already replaced. Tate is mostly not wanted, and obviously easy to replace.
My vote for a returning enemy would be Omega by INWOsuxRED	Sep 4th, 2007 12:10:08 AM
I hope we don't see any Daleks till at least 2010, but there is a Davros box set coming out that seems like it would be the time to awkwardly re-introduce him and sell some merchandise. There has been speculation about the Ice Warriors almost every season, so I wouldn't be suprised to see them either.
lengthy hiatus = lower ratings by Bill Clay	Sep 4th, 2007 12:37:44 AM
The Sopranos, Lost, Battlestar Galactica, Jericho, etc...
I'm a straight Torchwood fan... by voxmortis	Sep 4th, 2007 12:51:02 AM
...and I think RTD should hang up his typewriter. Freema fancying an alien who is 800 years older than her?! Come on... Billie and Ecclescake, I get, but not Freema and Tennants Extra.
I love Torchwood. by ScoobySnack	Sep 4th, 2007 12:53:49 AM
I dowloaded the series through BitTorrent when it was airing the end of last year, and I really enjoyed it. There are three or four clunker episodes which are REALLY bad (the Cyberwoman ep and the Fight Club-inspired eps spring to mind), but there are three instant classics in the mix: Countrycide, which is the most fucking scary thing I've seen on TV in a very long time; Random Shoes, which every fanboy of any stripe will love; and They Keep Killing Suzie, which has a wonderful twist at the end. Gwen is a great character, the one the audience is supposed to identify with, and the actress who plays her is really effective. The supporting characters are merely okay, however, although they're not as annoying as some critics would have you believe. The first 10 minutes of the pilot are great, too. :)
Tony Soprano's taken over the TARDIS! by MrMysteryGuest	Sep 4th, 2007 01:00:00 AM
Tells Dr. Who to take a rest or sleep with the fishes! :O
Eccleston Was Better by Queefer Bukkake	Sep 4th, 2007 01:17:58 AM
I still miss him. Tennant is OK. In fact, he's pretty good. It's just that I really liked Eccleston's take character. He was a more intense Doctor. I liked his range. Tennant doesn't do macho as well. I know that's not what Doctor Who is about, so fuck you before you tell me that.
Peter Davison could even play Omega by Shan	Sep 4th, 2007 02:03:58 AM
Especially since Omega duplicated the 5th Doctor's body. The fact Peter Davison's older now (and hence would look older than the Doctor when he played him) could be explained as due to damage Omega sustained during the last encounter with the Doctor.
Gives new production team time by Fourthwall	Sep 4th, 2007 02:47:37 AM
to gear up. Also allows RTD to copy US tv even more with a BSG "RAZOR" inspired one off or Heroes "origins" type thing. The Beeb has always liked to stagger Who Change overs (ie production staff, assistants and Doctors not leaving at same time). For a view on how Doctor Who should be have a look at this YouTube hommage http://tinyurl.com/2qtynp
Dr. Who could be delayed until 3010 by Bubba Gillman	Sep 4th, 2007 09:05:53 AM
and the Daleks would still look like a trash can with a bugle sticking out of it.
torchwood is overangsty crap bye RTD by jccalhoun	Sep 4th, 2007 09:26:39 AM
Torchwood takes itself way too seriously and then takes the last 5 minutes of every episode to tell us why it is so serious and angsty. It is serious and angsty. Did I mention it is serious and angsty? Because it is serious and angsty. Subtle it isn't. It seems heavily implied that RTD is not doing season 5. The press release goes out of its way to mention that RTD is doing the specials but no mention at all about who is doing season 5.
What, no Who's on first joke? by ricarleite	Sep 4th, 2007 10:21:48 AM

Who's on 1st, Ecclestone & Bill Clay by half vader	Sep 4th, 2007 11:30:09 AM
No need for Who's on first 'cause they just did that in Rush Hour 3. As for CE, I think Tennant's great, but my God if only Ecclestone had given us 2 seasons I'd be so much happier. It would have given him the proper time to deepen his version of the role. One season just didn't seem quite long enough. Bill, that's exactly why I cited the examples I did rather than make a blanket statement. I don't think any of the shows you mentioned could have got away with it like those I stated and the whole point was that my examples were exeptional in this regard. Still just my opinion though.
This just gives Sci Fi... by Spank	Sep 4th, 2007 12:20:24 PM
The chance to "Americanize" Dr Who using a Porta-john as the Tardis and Anthony Geary as The Doctor. Amazing!!
Season 4 and a half by DimensionsPlural	Sep 4th, 2007 01:34:53 PM
Hiatus bad. Fewer episodes = bad year in 2009! Them specials had better be bloody special, not just 3 x hour-long RTD camp-fests. We need the budget of 13 episodes spent on 3 kick-ass epics. We need Gallifrey back, the time war depicted and a good multi-doctor story. Not just the bloody Rani brought back, thank you very much! (worst episodes ever.)There's a good chance that DT will stay on, as this sounds like a compromise to let him do other stuff (ie. Hamlet) while he's this in-demand. He can stay as long as he likes, let him beat Tom Baker's record if he can!!!
MrMysteryGuest by VERY METAL	Sep 4th, 2007 01:47:53 PM
Nice one :), A whole year with no series :( the specials had better be special!
RTD is more than "that guy from Queer as Folk" by jamawalk	Sep 4th, 2007 01:58:20 PM
Russle T Davies brought back Who made it huge and invented Torchwood from whole cloth... Yet you guys call him a "Queer as FOlk Mastermind" as if thats all he's done before taking on the Who specials. You do HAVE reporters on this website, no?
Wish list for season 4 by DimensionsPlural	Sep 4th, 2007 02:13:58 PM
5. Yeti 4. Ice warriors 3. Cybermen back 2. Sea Devils 1. No Rani!
Anything that results in RTD leaving... by ThreeOranges	Sep 4th, 2007 02:30:46 PM
...is good. Any decision based on keeping him around is bad. I would be less annoyed with this if he weren't writing all of the specials, since he is responsible for all of the worst episodes of the last three series.
Question for the UKers - by SpacePhil	Sep 4th, 2007 03:59:42 PM
Hey - how has Who been doing in the ratings over on the islands? I thought I heard the last series finale kicked ass and chewed bubblegum - well, eyeball-on-the-tube-wise, if not critically. Anyone know what the deal is?
Tennant has rubbished rumours... by football	Sep 4th, 2007 04:01:24 PM
...that he's leaving Doc Who and he also added that the 5th series will comprise of 2 xmas specials and 3 episodes!!
giving it a rest = preparing for transition to HD by lynxpro	Sep 4th, 2007 04:02:57 PM
Look at the time table for the BBC moving to HD production. It is in the same time frame as this break. The BBC probably wanted to reduce the episodes to "specials" to see how producing NewWHO in HD would work out before jumping directly into full series production.
James Marsters is on Torchwood Series2 by lynxpro	Sep 4th, 2007 04:04:11 PM
I thought I'd remind Herc & Co. of the Whedonverse casting crossover to the Whoniverse.
half vader by newc0253	Sep 4th, 2007 04:06:46 PM
Half Vader, don't make a fool of yourself. As someone who pays their TV licence, its my fucking money that's going to support shit like Dr Who. Not only is the BBC unable to produce a quality show, but the lazy wankers apparently can't even bothered to do quantity either.
Torchwood - crap by Avengerdude	Sep 4th, 2007 04:40:10 PM
I just want to add to the above: Torchwood is total crap with no redeeming features what so ever. I only watched it because it was in HD and we are starved of HD programs in the UK. I've watched Dr Who since the very first episode, through good times and bad. I just wish they could get some decent SF writers on it. Mr Moffat excepted and Steve Gattis they really need someone with understanding of science fiction. Grant Morrison to write an episode or Iain M. Banks anyone.
scifi writers by jccalhoun	Sep 4th, 2007 07:21:30 PM
Grant Morrison would be interesting but Alan Moore would be really interesting. He wrote some really fun time-travel related stories back in his 2000ad days. I would bet he has one or two still in him that would be good Who stories.
You know the whole routine... by TomBodet	Sep 4th, 2007 08:17:20 PM
...Daleks, staircase, trapped, landing, invasion stymied, plastic F/X, ping pong balls and plunger guns, etc. Great fun to be had by all. You shoulda bought it at Marden's, Meestor Who. How, O HOW did Tom Baker manage to survive these ferocious, super intelligent alien invadors? Why it's very very easy, easy I tell ya son. It's the patented two-step program. First you-run upstairs and then B-you Go thru a doorway. True, mad genius at work. Yes.
I hate this Dr. Who by Virdon	Sep 4th, 2007 10:26:27 PM
I loved Tom Baker's Dr. Who when I was a kid. Used to LIVE for it on WOR on Saturday mornings. This new "queer friendly" version is for the birds. I have tried many times to watch and enjoy this Dr. Who and I just hate it. I like the actor playing Dr. Who but the writing SUCKS BIG GREEN...well you get the picture.
Ok, So what is the problem? by cornstalkwalker	Sep 5th, 2007 04:04:19 AM
Am I reading this timeline wrong? Lets see. So we have another season ahead that is pretty much already done. Now I got to wait till about Spring 2008, but that doesn't see too far off. Then in 2009, I get 3 "specials" which I assume are basically long episodes. So, we could say, 6 more episodes. Then, 2010 I get another season. So, I could assume that I'm going to be set with new Doctor Who till 2010. That sounds pretty darn good to me. Just ask Star Trek fans if they wouldn't mind having some new trek right now.
Oh, I get it!!! by cornstalkwalker	Sep 5th, 2007 04:07:07 AM
All the talkbackers are sad that they're not getting a full season/series of The Sarah Jane Adventures, instead of some new Who.
cornstalkwalker: The problem is no full 2009 season by SpyGuy	Sep 5th, 2007 08:03:10 AM
Yeah, it's great that Series 5 will air, but after three full 13-episode seasons (plus Christmas specials) and another full 13-episode season in 2008 (plus a Christmas special), it's disappointing that we only get three 60-minute specials in 2009. That works out to roughly four normal-length episodes of 1/3 of what we'd usually get, so you shouldn't blame people for feeling disappointed. Oh, and kudos to everyone for continuing to ignore TomBodet's standard desperate cries for attention. He's posted twice, so he's obviously feeling especially lonely and pathetic at the moment.
Hi, Atus! by Octavian	Sep 5th, 2007 09:01:13 AM
I think that a year away from it will do us all a lot of good. This show desperately needs a break to get some fresh ideas and get over the awful Tate decision and the increasingly poor storylines of the last couple of years. As it's the BBCs biggest show this must be a compromise with Tennant and RTD to keep them on board. All in all, good news. I won't miss it particularly, but I'll welcome it back.
SpacePhil by kwisatzhaderach	Sep 5th, 2007 09:41:11 AM
Who is massive here in the UK, always the top rated show on a Saturday. Episodes veer between 7-8 million which for spring/summer schedule is phenomenal.
Possible spoilers-if you don't know already by tylermo	Sep 5th, 2007 11:07:12 AM
I was at a Doctor Who panel during the recent DragonCon in Atlanta, Georgia. Some things that had been previously reported in the (uugghh)Sun, about the specials turned out to be true. As much as I hate to admit it. The Sun is usually only good for the t!ts on page 3. But, you guys already know that. As for other things, Peter Davison is(nearly confirmed) to appear as the 5th doctor in (along side Tennant) the next season's Children in Need special. I never got a chance to see the other special, but this sounds interesting. It would be 6 minutes, I think. Some think maybe it could end up as a regular episode. According to a St. Louis area Who-expert, P. Davison has been seen in and out of Beeb central quite a bit, and Mark Strickson(Turlough) was recently contacted by the BBC. He hasn't done much acting in recent years, in favor of being behind the camera. Not saying this is gospel truth, but it has been hinted at by many. Another rumor about the Rani's return is that she would be portrayed by Joan Collins. Not sure I'm totally buying into that one, but who knows. As for the Ben Kingsley rumor...it's believed he might portray a pre-wheel chair Davros. That could be cool, if RTD doesn't write the episode, and if they capture the look and spirit of T. Baker's Genesis of the Daleks. There will be an episode that takes us to the planet of the Ood. You may remember them from the wonderful Mysterious Planet and Satan Pit two-parter from season two. Contractually, the Daleks must be used once per season, so they'll return. Unfortunately, the episode will be written by Helen Raynor(?) who wrote the disappointing Daleks in Manhattan two-parter. Still up in the air whether or not it will be the Ice Warriors or the Yeti. Another rumor indicates that Julie Gardner would take Russell's place for season 5. And, on a side note...For those unhappy with the Judoon in Smith and Jones, the Sontarrans couldn't be used due to clearing the rights with the creators. It's said they would have been used in place of the Sitheen in the World War III two-parter. Would have been very cool. Personally, I thought the Slitheen were okay, except for the fart jokes. Didn't like the female Slitheen's later appearance in Boomtown. That one was largely crap. Don't really want to wait that long for new Who, and disappointed to hear that RTD will be in charge of the specials. Seems most of you have heard about D. Tennant and his Royal Shakespeare stint. Two other con rumors include possibly seeking James Bond villain role, and a part in Indy IV. Just telling you what some diehard Who knowledge-meisters have been following. If those last two are true, that's awesome.
Bring back Zygons... by Deak the Geek	Sep 5th, 2007 11:25:32 AM
for series 5...only been seen once...and davros
On the subject of the Zygons by tylermo	Sep 5th, 2007 12:50:43 PM
It was said at the panel that David Tennant or RTD(I struggle to remember which) was a big fan of the Zygons. I believe it was Tennant. Whether or not we see them remains to be seen. It was said(at a DragonCon panel), that Davies would possibly like to see the old auxillary tardis control room(circa Deadly Assassin). I don't think it was a definately going to happen kind of thing, but maybe an off-handed comment. As for the Tennant-Davison Children in Need special...I think it will be penned by Mark Gattis. That's a good sign. I believe he's a big fan of Davison.
Daleks by tylermo	Sep 5th, 2007 03:36:50 PM
I believe that's what was said about the Daleks being used in the series each season. The Terry Nation(Dalek creator)estate gets a tremendous amount of money for usage of the Daleks in the new series. Things were different in the 60's and 70's as far as control of various creations for the program are concerned. Kit Peddler and Gerry Davis own the Cybermen, as I recall. And, Robert Holmes for the Sontarrans. Some of these guys saw little or no compensation for dvd's, toys, etc. that featured their creations as I understand.
Thank you tylermo by INWOsuxRED	Sep 5th, 2007 09:28:24 PM
I think the Sun has actually been more right than wrong on their Who rumors, and they seem to be even more correct when the BBC makes a point of denying it. They Zygons were a pretty cool looking villian for that period of time, I think they would work in modern times. I'm sad to hear the writer of the Daleks in Manhattan will be writing them again. Can Davison actually play the Doctor still? I like him, and felt like he wasn't given a chance to be himself until he was already out the door. People didn't know how good they had it till Colin Baker showed up.
BBC are taking it up the arse to keep RTD by Brody77	Sep 6th, 2007 01:54:47 AM
And Tennant on board. They probably think the whole show will sink or swim based on their involvement, despite the fact it's The Moffat that keeps winning the awards for the show (2 Hugos? Good man) - and he's also the guy who wrote Jekyll (dunno if you have this in the US yet, but it rocked) and the best sitcom ever (excluding series 4) - Coupling. With Tennant doing Hamlet next year & presumably not wanting to give up the role/getting paid a shitload of dosh to stay, I guess we have no choice but to make do with 3 poxy specials. Just hope they are 2 hours long each. Was bad enough when Catherine Bloody Tate got announced.
Inwosuxred...P.Davison and other topics by tylermo	Sep 6th, 2007 08:57:59 AM
You're right about those old BBC denials. Eccleston's departure, among others. As for Peter Davison, I saw him a few years ago at Dragoncon. He still looked pretty good. A little more hair loss, and a bit heavier, but not bad. That said, he seems to have put on a little more weight and has lost a little more hair when I saw him on the special features of the Castrovolva DVD. Take into consideration that he's 53-58 years old. DISCLAIMER: I am in no way criticizing his appearance. That's not my sort of thing. I'm sure I will look like complete crap 20+ years from now. All of that said, I think he can do it with a minimal amount of weight loss, a top hair piece, or his trademark hat. Look what they did for Keir Dullea in the 2001 sequel. Of course, you're only talking a span of years from 1967 or 68 to 1983 or 84. With Davison, we're talking about 23(?) years from his last season. I think it can be done, and I'm hoping it turns into a full episode. I like something about all of the Doctors, and he always appealed to me. As for Colin Baker, I liked him too, except for the outfit. Of course, I'm from America, and we may have been a bit more receptive to C. Baker than the Brits. Brody, I totally agree about suffering through RTD and Tate.
Give us a Sally Sparrow spin-off done by Moffatt by Big Bad Clone	Sep 6th, 2007 09:04:05 AM
She's purty and Blink was awesome.
Sally Sparrow definitely caught attention. by kabong	Sep 6th, 2007 10:30:16 AM
I can't recall the actress's name (Clara Morgan?). She did a great job in a great episode. Another Moffatt-written episode, Girl in the Fireplace, also had a good female character--also well-played, by Sophia Myles. In both those eps, the Doctor's time-travelling is important. In lesser eps, writers merely resort to aliens with pig heads.
Sophia Myles is Stateside... by lynxpro	Sep 6th, 2007 11:29:50 AM
Well...probably in Vancouver if that's where the show is shooting, but she's booked for the CBS vampire series Moonlight.
They could do the X-MEN: TLS "de-aging" for Davison by SpyGuy	Sep 7th, 2007 08:24:23 AM
Especially if it's only for a short Children In Need special that turns out to be a brief Fifth Doctor appearance. And Sophia Myles is on MOONLIGHT? Looks like I'm watching that series now...
de-aging is too expensive for the BBC... by lynxpro	Sep 7th, 2007 01:47:16 PM
After all, they [the BBC] biotch already over the cost of doing CGI in HD as to why NewWho is shot on DigiBeta instead of HD as it should have been from the (re)start in 2005.

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