The Return of the Doctors
BBC has just released an exclusive interview with Matt Smith and David Tennant on the set of Doctor Who’s 50th Anniversary Special. The occasion? A reward for fans who received their Blu-Ray and DVD copies of the shows latest season before the final episode had a chance to air, and not spoiling the finale for the rest of us.
The shows official Twitter explained to fans that if they were able to keep details of the final episode under wraps, a “special video featuring Matt & David” would be unleashed. True to their word — gasp — the video was released to a sea of fainting Whovian’s, and while the actors reveal some incredibly scant details about the upcoming special, I think the clip’s true merit lies in watching Tennant don his signature pinstripe suit and tie once again, but hey, that might just be me.
Bad News, Everyone: Futurama Gets Cancelled, Again
Forgive me if I’m a bit late to the news, but you can chalk it up to the fact that I’ve been in mourning since I learned that Futurama is getting canned for the second time. Matt Groening and David X. Cohen’s science fiction/comedy powerhouse has faced the slaughter before, of course — Fox gave them the boot back in 2003, and though Comedy Central was a faithful ally from 2009 until 2013, it’s still a shame to see the show blasted into orbit.
The show-runners hope to see Futurama picked up by a different network once the current season ends on September 4th, but I think it’s time for them to turn their attention towards, well, the future. Streaming entertainment has recently garnered a great deal of positive attention, and who can deny it? Subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu have shot through the roof in recent years, and, with the latest trend of stream-exclusive content ala House of Cards and the upcoming season of Arrested Development, it’s a wonder that Futurama isn’t looking for a more permanent home on the streaming circuit.
Only time will tell what happens to one of the most hysterically witty television shows of our generation. Until we learn more, I’ll just have to content myself with watching hours of reruns in my pajamas, crying over Jurassic Bark like a small, unattended child.
Ten and Eleven Photographed on Set, Plus: Nine Returns?
Can you feel that, folks? That stirring in the cosmos? That would be the earth-shattering awesome currently radiating from the set of the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special. This image of actors David Tennant, who recently celebrated his 42nd birthday, and Matt Smith getting cozy with the TARDIS hit the web this week, and I don’t think there’s been a greater cause for celebration amongst Whovians since the anniversary special was first announced. Though the photograph itself gives little information about the upcoming episode, we do get a glimpse at one of the potential villains, seen in the rightmost corner of the image. No news yet on what the Classic Who monster has in store for our hero(es?), but I’m sure it won’t be long before we find out more.
Now, some of you may have felt the same heartache I did upon learning that the Ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, would not be returning to the cast for the anniversary event, but fear not, friends. Everyone’s favorite leather-clad Time Lord is making a return to the series during next week’s episode, entitled “Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS”. The cameo itself is little more than a voice over, much to my chagrin. Keep your ears tuned for this line from Nine’s first episode: “The assembled hordes of Genghis Khan couldn’t get through these doors, and believe me they’ve tried.”
David Tennant and Billie Piper Return for 50th Anniversary Special
BBC News has confirmed that Doctor Who’s most beloved iteration and his trusty companion, Rose, will be returning for the shows fiftieth anniversary episode, set to air on November 23rd. Acclaimed actor John Hurt is said to be making a guest appearance in the episode, as well.
The episode is being penned by showrunner Steven Moffat and directed by Nick Hurran. Tennant and Piper are set to star alongside the current Doctor, Matt Smith, and his latest companion, Jenna-Louise Coleman, with shooting rumored to start around April 1st.
There’s still much to learn about how Rose and Ten’s story will weave into the fold of the current season, or even how the anniversary episode will fall in line with the rest of the show. Even still, I’m aching to know just what kind of adventures The Doctor will get into next, and if Tennant’s involvement is any indication, then all I have to say is: allons-y!
Feast your eyes on the latest trailer for the long-awaited continuation to the seventh season of Doctor Who.
New Who: The Latest from Series Seven
Still reeling from the latest episode of Doctor Who? Take comfort in the newest set photos from the second half of series seven, featuring Matt Smith’s new duds, Jenna Louise-Coleman and, of course, the TARDIS. If that isn’t enough to dry your tears on, check out this behind the scenes clip of our protagonists in action and revel in the fact that there is still more Who yet to come.
The Doctor Returns
You’ve waited patiently, friends, and now the time has finally arrived. Series 7 lands tonight on BBC One, but for those of you unlucky enough to be caught outside of the United Kingdom, fear not. You can find live streams of the first episode here and hereabouts, which will be airing at 2:20pm EST/1:20pm PST respectively. If you’re feeling impatient, you can check out (or, rewatch, depending on your level of dedication) the Pond Life miniseries available exclusively on the BBC One website. Asylum of the Daleks premieres tonight at 7:20 GMT.
Red Dwarf X Episode Titles Hint at Series Completion
Most of the news surrounding Red Dwarf X has been kept fairly well-hidden, save for the minute-long trailer launched a month ago. Now it seems we’ve gotten our hands on some shiny new episode titles, and fans are speculating as wildly as you would imagine.
The episode titles for the upcoming series are as follows:
- Trojan
- Fathers and Suns
- Lemons
- Entanglement
- Dear Dave
- The Beginning
Long-time fans of the series will note that the final episode, “The Beginning”, harkens back to the title of the original pilot from 1988, called “The End”. Could this mean a well-and-truly official end to the show? Is this something fans even want to see?
It’s been almost three years since we’ve flown with the crew of the Red Dwarf, but we shouldn’t have to wait too much longer to reunite with our old friends since Red Dwarf X lands on Dave sometime early this fall, where most of our questions will (hopefully) be answered.
Matt Smith Carries Who Through 2014
Like it or not, the disaster-on-legs known as the Eleventh Doctor has decided to remain on board with Doctor Who for at least two more years. Rumors had been circulating recently regarding Matt Smith’s departure from the show, but the actor seems keen on keeping his role for as long as he can.
The condition that convinced him? Writer Steven Moffat’s pitch for the next season. Says Smith:
“His first episode sounds great. It hasn’t been written yet but the idea is as brilliant and as mental as you’d expect from Steven. So there’s a lot to look forward to.
When Steven was going to pitch the next season to me not long ago, he said, ‘Are you ready to cry?’”
Smith’s filming schedule seems to be booked solid as he is currently shooting the upcoming Christmas special which features the return of some fan favorites and the introduction of the Doctor’s latest companion, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman. When you throw in Doctor Who’s upcoming 50th anniversary movie set to air sometime late next year, it looks like we’ll be exploring the universe with the Eleventh Doctor for quite some time.
Bryan Singer Talks Battlestar Galactica
It’s been some time since the universe of Battlestar Galactica has seen the light of day. Sure, there was that nod to Blood and Chrome at SDCC, wherein the writers of the show still had hope that the mini-series would find some footing with SyFy in the near future, but since the show’s completion in 2009, there hasn’t been much movement in the way of continuation.
Enter Bryan Singer, director of X-Men and X2, who has reportedly been working on a Battlestar script with the help of writer John Orloff for quite some time. A recent interview with Singer reveled a few fascinating bits of information regarding the film itself, since speculation about the timeline of the story left many fans confused.
“It will exist, I think, quite well between the Glen Larson and Ron Moore universes, but that’s all I want to say about it.”
The script, currently in revision, seems to be in good hands. Singer has been a proud fan of the series for many years, and with John Orloff at the pen, the potential for this film to succeed is high, despite how much of it remains a mystery.
Image by John Berkey
