Sunday, May 22, 2011

Nothing Fishy Going On Here, Guv

As you know, myself and the Prof are fans of Big Finish. I have to say that the Prof is far more versed in their productions than am I, seeing as I am still very much a happy dabbler rather than an aficionado. Its something I keep meaning to rectify and now the weather’s improving, I have determined to listen to a few on the walk to work of a morning (and evening, obviously; it’s not like I sleep there or anything, despite what my students might think).


Having talked to Nev Fountain at Dimensions last year about his (then) upcoming Companion Chronicle, I decided to pick up “Peri and the Piscon Paradox”. For those of you interested in chronology, it takes place somewhere between Peri’s first meeting with the Fifth Doctor and also a bit after the mess commonly known as “Trial of a Timelord”. In it, Peri and both the Fifth and Sixth Doctors have to battle a fish-alien by the name of Zarl who, as you would expect, is up to no good on Earth in 2009. Problem is, there’s two Peris, one from the past and an older one who really shouldn’t be there at all…

Now I’m not a fan of Peri; originally I only saw her in “The Caves of Androzani” (having given up on the show somewhere around Omega’s search for happy flapjacks in Amsterdam) and was not impressed. She was whiny and annoying and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why everyone was determined to get themselves killed on her behalf. Nothing I’ve seen since has made me change my mind. So that makes this Companion Chronicle a bit of an odd choice then, really, doesn’t it?

If it hadn’t been for the fact that Nev had written it and I’m a big fan of “Kingmaker” (no matter what my illustrious podcast companions might say, its fab), I freely admit that I would never have looked at this. My dislike of the character did make the first disc difficult to get through despite the quality of the story, as Nev and Nicola Bryant have done far too good a job of catching young Peri’s voice. The Companion Chronicles rely on the person chosen to be able to pull off a reasonable impersonation of the Doctor they’re travelling with and even though there’s a joke about how rubbish she is at it in the script, Ms Bryant really doesn’t convey a sense of Davison at all well. That said, it’s the only misstep in an otherwise excellent production.

Things really get going in the second half of the story, told from old Peri’s point of view. It’s helped by the appearance of Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor (quite unusual for a Companion Chronicle, I’m told), doing sterling work as ever in these things, and the fact that older Peri is a far more sympathetic character. You can hear in her voice that all of that irritating brashness has been knocked out of her the hard way. Parts of the story were very painful to listen to, and if you know us and you’ve heard this production you will know why, but they were handled superbly by both Nev and Ms Bryant (proving here that she really can act her socks off, given the right script). Nev may be known as a comedy writer, but his ability to deliver tragedy is heartbreaking; let’s just say, I was grateful that there weren’t any dog-walkers about that morning to see my trying not to cry all over my iPod.

The wrap up is cleverly timey-wimey; even though I haven’t seen the episodes to which it refers, I know enough about them to get and appreciate the way the denouement deals with a particularly thorny fan problem. Yes, the underlying story is a bit daft when you look at it closely, but then, aren’t a lot of Doctor Who stories? It’s what’s going on between the lines that makes it. I’m never going to be a big fan of Peri, but all in all, I went away glad that I hadn’t let my age-old prejudices stop me from listening.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

TARDIS Beer Label T-shirt

Since all we do is get wasted and talk WHO around here, this seemed appropriate. A very nicely designed vintage beer label design, based on the password combination given to Rory by the TARDIS/IDris.


The artist's name is ZeroBriant. You'll find more of his fantastic and original designs over on his profile page at Redbubble.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Dirty WHOers Podcast - Episode 27

Another review episode from the new series. Almost in two halves this one, as we argue and nit-pick our way through 'The Curse of the Black Spot', and froth on about the 'The Doctors Wife'.

After a masterful edit c/o The Prof we almost sound sober. Really. It's incredible. We don't know how he did it.

Performed under contractual obligation.

This is one of the LOST Dirty WHOers Episodes, no longer available for streaming, but is available for download from our Dropbox archive HERE.

You Always Get a Big Finish with Nick Briggs!


As we mentioned in the last podcast, Big Finish are having a special day at Barking Abbey School, Longbridge Road, Barking on Saturday 11th June from 10am - 4pm. There's lots of guests, ranging from stars to writers to the essential backroom staff without whom nothing would happen, including Dirty Whoers victims Mr Briggs, Mr Fountain, Mr Shearman and Ms Aldred (and a few others we've got our eye on for future stalking, sorry, interviews). Sadly David Warner will no longer be there, but there's always Katy Manning, Caroline Munro and Colin Baker. A new Doctor's assistant will also be revealed...

Tickets are £25 and available from the Tenth Planet website. Big Finish are a truly lovely, generous bunch, so it would be smashing if people could go along and support them

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Series 6 Doctor Who Figures Announced


More news from the action figure world. They had to get a couple of episodes out of the way so as these weren't spoilers. Here's a run down on the next (Series 6) release from Character Creations (for the current season, alas not classic) - 

Eleventh Doctor (in a Stetson)
With rediculous American hat and obligatory sonic screwdriver. As seen in The Impossible Astronaut (2011). Utterly unimaginative.

The green-eyed Ood (with green orb translation device) from The Doctor's Wife (2011) (I'd rather have Idris/TARDIS, but beggers can't be choosers).

Silent (open gob and closed gob variants)
As seen in Day of the Moon (2011), or not, as the case my be...

Amelia Jessica Pond as per 'Eleventh Hour' 2010. First release May 2011. A limited edition exclusive 'Doctor Who Experience' junior Amy Pond with overcoat and suitcase is also (only) available at The Doctor Who Experience exhibition shop.

So, apart from Iris and Amy in a pirate/Dana Skully outfit, spotted any good stuff you'd like as figs in the series so far?

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Delgado Master & Time Monster Set

Check out this awesome new Forbidden Planet Time Monster Set (exclusive UK only, sorry) now on pre-order.  Comes with Time Scanner (technically a Pertwee accessory), Delgado Master (with TCE), Master's TARDIS 70's computer exterior, and Atlantean Crystal of Kronos thingy.

A bargain at £19.99. This one's coming out of the packet and going on the mantle piece...

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Dirty WHOers Podcast - Episode 26

Hello? Hello? Is anyone still out there? Yeah, we know, we're a bunch of lazy, unreliable, work-shy, layabouts who can't organize their lives enough to al be on Skype at the same time. It's a fair cop.

This time we review Dalek Invasion of Earth [1964].

FINALLY, here's another episode (and for the new season too). Sure you've probably listened to all the reviews from all the other podcast first. Presumably, this is no new news. But this a review born or Gin, excess, and obsession. As such you owe it to yourself to grab your favourite tipple, run a nice hot bath, and join in us our non-sequential meanderings through the latest offerings from Auntie Beeb.

Oh, and don't forget, you can join us for daily disposable casual alcoholism and frothing about Whovian tat on our new Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/DirtyWHOers.

Boomshanka.

Sputters, Lightfoot, Sen and Fuschia.

This is one of the LOST DirtyWHOers Episodes but is available for download from our Dropbox archive HERE.

Friday, May 13, 2011

TARDIS IKEA Manual

OH..see, mine didn't work because I was missing that little wooden peg.

Or:
There's always a bit left over..
Originally from - collegehumor

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Junk Console Playset


Added on the Who North American new TV board by Clavius (ta) here's a shot of the Junk Console Playset we discussed in the latest podcast. Designed by a Blue Peter viewer, Susannah Leah, and 'realized' by production designer Michael Pickwoad (whatever that means).



Not seen a release date for this yet. Hey, it may even be an exclusive, so please let us know if you know more about this.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Neil Gaiman Teases 'The Doctor's Wife'

Yes, Neil Gaiman teases 'The Doctor's Wife' calling her names and pulling her pigtails...
Morgan Jeffery from Digital Spy interviews legendary fantasy author Neil Gaiman about the upcoming Doctor Who episode he scripted.

Warning: Spoilers.


More spoilery theories and speculation: 
I'm very excited as it sounds like they'll finally do the pocket universe idea that was used in the 8th Doctor novels. I've always thought that it was a perfect way to circumnavigate what Russel T. Davies did to Gallifrey. Pocket universes are good places to hide...things...or people. I won't go into it further, and just keep my fingers crossed. AND it sounds like we finally get to see more of the TARDIS. 

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Anthony Ainley, Obamaized

Had a long flight, and chance to fiddle with something vaguely artistic(ish) using Adobe Ideas on the iPad.

WebMaster: Terry Lightfoot
WebDoctor: Oolon Sputnik
Blog by Terry Lightfoot
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