On Watching Doctor Who

While I have “The Sontaran Experiment” and “Genesis of the Daleks” on video tape, last night I tuned in to public television at midnight to watch them. Why? Nostalgia. 🙂 I grew up watching Doctor Who on Saturday afternoons on public television. In high school I watched it late Saturday nights. Doctor Who on publicContinue reading “On Watching Doctor Who”

On The Sarah Jane Adventures

The BBC issued a press release today on their upcoming series starring Lis Sladen as former Doctor Who companion Sarah Jane Smith: Multi-award winning writer Russell T Davies has written a brand new series for CBBC called The Sarah Jane Adventures. It stars one of The Doctor’s most famous companions, investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith.Continue reading “On The Sarah Jane Adventures”

On Saint Cedd

Last night I started pondering “Shada,” the Doctor Who serial written by Douglas Adams during Tom Baker’s era that went unfinished (due to industrial strikes) and was later remade as an audio drama with Paul McGann. In the course of the story the Doctor and Romana go to visit Professor Chronotis, who keeps rooms atContinue reading “On Saint Cedd”

On Ten Pop Culture Questions

Stolen from Keith and Lisa, who stole it from Drew: 1) Wonder Woman or Xena? Wonder Woman. 2) John Strange or Carl Kolchak? Carl Kolchak. 3) 9th Doctor (Eccleston) or 10th Doctor (Tennant)? Eccleston. Tennant is more traditionally Doctor-ish, which makes Eccleston's performance look all the more impressive because he wasn't traditionally Doctor-ish. 4) JulyContinue reading “On Ten Pop Culture Questions”

More on Stephen Fry and Doctor Who

Nearly a year ago it was announced that Stephen Fry would be writing an episode of Doctor Who. A few months later an announcement was made that Fry’s script was being postponed from the second season to the third season. Reportedly the script was effects-heavy. Now, the script has fallen through altogether. According to FryContinue reading “More on Stephen Fry and Doctor Who”

On "School Reunion"

Thanks to the kindness of a beagle I watched “School Reunion”–the second season Doctor Who episode with Sarah Jane Smith–today. Lawrence Miles is, in my opinion, off-base in his criticism of the episode. Miles criticizes “School Reunion” as being a prototypical example of “cult television.” Indeed, the episode structure does resemble a typical 1987-2004 StarContinue reading “On "School Reunion"”

On a Public Service

First, today is St. Patrick’s Day. Go forth, and drink responsibly. And maybe watch some Father Ted. 😀 Second, Doctor Who debuts tonight on the Sci-Fi Channel at 9, with its first episode, “Rose,” followed by the second episode, “The End of the World.” Go forth, and watch. If you think you know Doctor Who,Continue reading “On a Public Service”

On Recent Reading

What have I been reading? I’ve been on a Revolutionary War kick of late. Or at least, of that era. Currently atop the desk–Redcoats and Rebels, by Christopher Hibbert, which offers a British perspective on the conflict. Also recently read, General Howe’s Dog, by Caroline Tiger, about, besides General Howe’s Dog (obviously), the battle ofContinue reading “On Recent Reading”