Doctor Who, Series 5 and Specials.

[Feathers]

Ah, but detail is everything in television ;)

(I should know, I'm an aircraft Systems Engineer whereas you...work in television. Hmmmm. Perhaps I'll keep quiet.)

[Meds]

In a poll conducted by the Total Sci-Fi Website to find the best sci-fi television theme tune of all time, the Doctor Who theme, originally composed by Ron Grainer and arranged by Delia Derbyshire at the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop in 1963, came top.

The groundbreaking theme was realized by combining a tape loop of a struck piano string with the sound of test oscillators and filters among a whole host of techniques.

Total Sci-Fi editor Matt McAllister comments: "The poll result proves that in addition to being one of the most popular science fiction shows ever created, Doctor Who also boasts the most iconic sci-fi theme tune. Grainer and Derbyshire's theme manages to convey the outlandish quality of the show and is instantly recognisable to fans throughout the world just by its opening bars."

Other themes in the top 10 include Star Trek, Red Dwarf, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the Thunderbirds. See Total Sci-Fi for the complete list.

And for those not familiar with the excellent original theme here it is.

Doctor Who - Original Theme Music Video

And i still think it knocks the socks off the new version.

And here is a picture of the wonderfull Delia Derbyshire at work.

[Dangelus]

Very interesting!

I do love the Doctor Who theme tune. The new version is OK with the orchestral arrangement in it but they added some drums to it in later seasons which drowned it out a bit.

[Meds]

I don't mind modernising it a bit, I enjoy all the theme tunes (bar McGann version) and i grew up with the 5th Dr Theme but the new one looses the sci fi element i think. its funny I've just gone over to youtube and played all the versions and every one strikes a bit of memory from my past.

[Geekyfanboy]

Gillian Anderson A "Who" Villain?
By Garth Franklin Thursday April 23rd 2009 01:25PM
Gillian Anderson A "Who" Villain?

A British tabloid rumor about "Doctor Who" is about as reliable as one about James Bond from the same publication, yet on the rare occasion they've gotten things quite right.

Two years ago the tabloids reported that original UK "Life on Mars" and "State of Play" star John Simm was going to play The Doctor's old nemesis The Master at the end of the then upcoming third season, and that acclaimed actor Derek Jacobi would also play a key part. The rumor proved 100% correct.

Today, The Telegraph is reporting that former "The X-Files" star and now UK resident Gillian Anderson is being pursued to play a villain in an episode of the fifth season of the show airing in 2010. The so-called insider says the most likely role would be The Doctor's other Time Lord rival, The Rani.

Kate O'Mara previously played the exiled Time Lady who commits insidious experiments in the name of her research. Since 'Who' was revived in 2005 however, rumors of The Rani casting have proven fruitless in the past with the likes of "Footballers Wives" star Zoe Lucker being linked by the tabloids years ago.

Also unknown at present is if the most notable of the remaining 'Who-verse' alien races not yet introduced, such as the Ice Warriors or the Silurians/Sea Devils, will be included in the fifth season which sees a new Doctor (Matt Smith) and showrunner (Stephen Moffat). Filming on the fifth season kicks off in a few months.

Anderson is about to star alongside former Doctor Christopher Eccleston on stage in "A Doll's House".

[Meds]

Gillian Anderson as The Rani. That I like big time. :)

[Geekyfanboy]

Claire Bloom to Guest Star on "Doctor Who"
April 30, 2009 by Michael Hickerson   || Category: TV News

If the latest casting report for "Doctor Who" is true, the Stephen Moffat era cannot start soon enough.

According to the Daily Telegraph, actress Claire Bloom has been cast for the upcoming two-part holiday special as the mother of the Doctor.

"It is happening. They are filming at the moment. I have been organising her schedule," her manager in America, Marion Rosenberg, is reported to have told the Daily Mail.

Bloom, 78, who lives alone in Fulham, north London, rose to prominence after being chosen by Charlie Chaplin to appear in his film Limelight in 1952. She is said to be excited by her new role.

A friend of the actress told the newspaper: "The script is a very closely guarded secret, as the producers are desperate for Claire's appearance to be a surprise."

[Meds]

The Doctors mother? I think the House Of Lungbarrow will have something to say about that. Intresting.

[Scott]

Who knows, maybe she is gonna play a character that is the Doctors mother. Then she regenerates and then calls herself Professor Riversong. It could explain why Riversong knows the Doctors real name. I dunno. Maybe, it's just my imagination though.

[Meds]

Looks like ex James Bond actor Timothy Dalton will be in the final Tennant epsiodes.

[Meds]

Special clip from John Barowmans tv show with a special Dr Who segment and a guest star.

Tonight's The Night Doctor Who Scene

[Geekyfanboy]

Wow.. that was very cool.. what a cool treat.

[Meds]

Knew you would like that kenny, bet you wish you were on that set with captain jack, erm i mean John barrowman, ermmm .... ok either of them ;)

[Feathers]

Not sure I'd want to be anywhere alone with John Barrowman. I think he's as OTT in real life as on screen. I'd take the TARDIS set tour at the drop of a hat though!

[Meds]

YOU DONT HAVE TO WAIT TILL NOVEMBER TO SEE THE TENTH DOCTOR.

This was reported earlier.

The BBC Press Office has confirmed that David Tennant is to appear as the Tenth Doctor in the forthcoming third series of spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures, due to be shown on CBBC and BBC One this autumn. This will once again reunite the Doctor with former companion Sarah Jane Smith, played by Elisabeth Sladen.

The release also confirms that the series will again be twelve episodes long, and that it will feature an appearance from Doctor Who race the Judoon. Executive producer Russell T Davies is quoted of saying of Tennant's appearance in the programme: "Viewers thought they may have to wait until November for the next full episode of Doctor Who, but this is an extra special treat. And it's not just a cameo from David – this is a full-on appearance for The Doctor as he and Sarah Jane face their biggest threat ever."

Sladen is also quoted in the release, saying: "When I heard the news that David was going to be joining us I was absolutely over the moon. Not only has it made my day but it will also make the viewers' day."

For UK internet users, the Children's BBC website has made available a video interview with Davies where he discusses the Doctor's appearance in the series, which he says will take place across episodes five and six. The series is due to start broadcasting in September. BBC News also carries the video interview with Davies.