News about Doctor Who's 50th. anniversary special.

[The Romulan Republic]

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio ... ersary-bbc

The BBC has unveiled plans for more than 20 hours of programmes across TV and radio, culminating in a special feature-length edition to mark the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who.

The anniversary episode, called The Day of the Doctor, will unite the show's outgoing star Matt Smith with his predecessor David Tennant, alongside companions Jenna Coleman and the returning Billie Piper. John Hurt will star as the "dark Doctor" in the 75-minute episode, which will air on BBC1 on 23 November.

Rarely has the BBC devoted so many hours to celebrating a single show. Professor Brian Cox will explore the science of Doctor Who in a BBC2 special filmed in front of an audience of celebrity guests at the Royal Institution of Great Britain.

Cox will investigation the science of time travel, whether extra-terrestrial life exists in our galaxy and whether it would be possible to build a Tardis (police box disguise an optional extra).

Smith, who will leave the show after this year's Christmas special, said: "The Day of the Doctor is nearly here! Hope you all enjoy. There's lots more coming your way, as the countdown to the 50th begins now."

Blue Peter viewers will be given the chance to invent a new gadget that will feature in the next series, which is due late next year starring Peter Capaldi, best known as the foul-mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker from The Thick Of It. A futuristic bleep machine presumably is out of the question.

BBC2 will broadcast Mark Gatiss's drama An Adventure in Space and Time, about the origins of the show, starring David Bradley, Brian Cox and Call The Midwife's Jessica Raine. In an hour-long special of The Culture Show, the dedicated Whovian Matthew Sweet will explore its cultural impact.

The BBC's director of television, Danny Cohen, said: "Doctor Who is a titan of British television and I'm incredibly proud to have it on the BBC. It's an astonishing achievement for a drama to reach its 50th anniversary. I'd like to thank every person – on both sides of the camera – who has been involved with its creative journey over so many years."

BBC3 will invite audiences to vote for their favourite monsters and villains across a weekend of programming, and BBC4 will broadcast the first ever story, starring William Hartnell, with all four episodes to be shown in a restored format not previously broadcast in the UK.

The Doctor Who showrunner and lead writer, Steven Moffat, said: "Fifty years has turned Doctor Who from a television show into a cultural landmark. Personally I can't wait to see what it becomes after 100."

Graham Norton will present his Saturday morning Radio 2 show live from the Doctor Who 50th birthday celebrations event in London's Excel exhibition centre, and there will be documentaries about the Doctor on Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

The 50th anniversary edition of Doctor Who will feature the timelord's most infamous foes, the Daleks and the Cybermen, as well as the Zygons, the shape-shifting monster race who first appeared in the series in 1975.

The title and length of the 50th anniversary special are now known.

[Iroscato]

That's more like it. Also, the first official poster for the 50th is up on the BBC's Facebook page, for anyone who wants a butchers.

[Eternal_Freedom]

Brian Cox on the science of Doctor Who. Oh crap. Couldn't they have got Jim Al-Khalili? He did a TARDIS section for the 40th anniversary and he is far superior to Cox.

[Jerry the Vampire]

Yeah but aside from perhaps Stephen Hawking, Brian Cox is the face of British physics to the British public.

[Eternal_Freedom]

Yeah but aside from perhaps Stephen Hawking, Brian Cox is the face of British physics to the British public.

He's still a git.

[Jerry the Vampire]

Why? What about him?

[Eternal_Freedom]

Myself and many other astronomers hate him because he's taken over as "the face of British astronomy" despiten being a particle physicist. Plus, he really sucks at doing live TV as seen in the Stargazing Live events. Now he's trying to take over for Attenborough which is just irritating.

Finally, having met him twice at Astrofest he's downright creepy in person, he always smiles but it's a really odd smile. Oh, and the second time he threw a fit and stormed out after realising he had to meet the public and sign autographs, which he was explicitly booked to do.

[Jerry the Vampire]

That seems like petty jealousy.



Not the last bit I have never heard of him doing anything like that.

[Eternal_Freedom]

Not jealousy really. I have plenty of respect for his accomplishments as a scientist. I just wish he wasn't "the face of astronomy" when he isn't an astronomer. Plus most of his programs seems really dumbed down.

[Jerry the Vampire]

Well you can only make a programme for the layman so complicated.

[Eternal_Freedom]

Well you can only make a programme for the layman so complicated.

True, but there are times when his programs seem like they are aimed at twelve year olds rather than interested adults or teenagers. It just grates me tis all.

[Jerry the Vampire]

I agree but I do think it's important for those people to be targeted we need more scientists.


As for him not being an astronomer, he may not have conducted original research in the field but he would have learnt a lot of Astro at undergrad.


What do you mean take over Attenborough?

[Eternal_Freedom]

At one point (I am not sure if it is still the case) he was slated to take over the BBC's wildlife programs after David Atttenborough retired.

Certainly youngsters should be introduced to astronomy and other sciences, but not in a program that is supposedly aimed at the interested amatuer adult.

[Jerry the Vampire]

And who would you rather take over?

[Eternal_Freedom]

I dunno who, but I think someone who is actively involved with wildlife, not a physicist.

[Broomstick]

Yeah but aside from perhaps Stephen Hawking, Brian Cox is the face of British physics to the British public.

Stephen Hawking is the face of physics to the whole world, not just the UK. AND he's a SF fan. I think he landed the Lucasian Chair just so he could worm his way onto Star Trek.

So... when is he going to land a role on Doctor Who?

[Jerry the Vampire]

Probably never, I doubt his health is up to it. But maybe he could appear if they film his part in the next year or so. Also is he a Doctor Who fan?

[Admiral Valdemar]

We can always resurrect Feynman.

[Jerry the Vampire]

No need, just use the Tardis.

[Admiral Valdemar]

But... zombie Feynman!

[Connor MacLeod]

Does he match up with Zombie Einstein and Shakespeare?

[Jerry the Vampire]

BRAINS....MUST ENRICH YOUR BRAINS!!!!


Well, he wouldn't be a scary zombie.

[Dartzap]

Some relevance.

[TimothyC]

Starting around 0:38 and running just past 0:40, we see someone with either a very odd shaped hand or something in their hand facing Ten. Anyone have any ideas what it is?

[Bedlam]

Starting around 0:38 and running just past 0:40, we see someone with either a very odd shaped hand or something in their hand facing Ten. Anyone have any ideas what it is?

I think that Doctor 6 judging by the costume.