Wow. What an age – 43. So much has happened in the world since Doctor Who began – a world that was a very different place just a day before. The assassination of President Kennedy, so often tied by us fans to the history of Doctor Who was a moment of global relevance, whose shockwaves continue to affect us to this very day – this is where the conspiracy theory was born. I would, however, urge you to continue your research on that particular matter elsewhere.
I’ve had a look for other people who are 43 this month, just to see how they have contributed to the world. Astonishingly Cherokee cherub Tori Amos is 43, having celebrated her birthday in August, while actor Rupert Graves celebrated his birthday in June as did Helen Hunt. But all entertainment, not really earth shattering, are they? How about Garry Kasparov, the chess player? Or Abu Faraj al-Libbi, allegedly third in command of al-Qaeda? Graham Norton, however, is now forever linked to Doctor Who due to a certain technical balls-up during the premier of Rose, and one-trick pony director Quentin Tarantino is also 43. Martin Bashir too may get a mention in the footnotes of history, but save for countless rock musicians, actors and policians, no other significant birthdays or events celebrate 43rd anniversaries in 2006. So a very happy birthday to one of the most significant events of 1963 – Doctor Who!
What is most astonishing about Doctor Who being 43 is that I’m 31 in December. That means Doctor Who was just 12 when I was born. Yet I’m still so enthusiastic about the show, whether I’m up or down, whether the show itself is up or down. And it’s nearly Christmas, which means we’re in for a new adventure in just 30 odd days…
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Oh Grace, Where Art Thou…?
So, we had a great time at the convention – Brian and Jen travelled to Manchester airport, Ant picked them up, and soon they were here in the North East wing of Kasterborous Towers. After a meal on the Saturday night we turned up for some top class entertainment at the Corus Sports & Social Centre, a small annex we had built some time ago where the local shobogans like to come and watch X-Factor rejects.
Sunday came around, and after a bacon sandwich we got ourselves up to Stockton for Dimensions 2006. We started slow, missing the Eric Saward/Graeme Harper/Philip Hinchcliffe on-stage talk but soon things brightened up when Gareth Kavanagh of Black Scrolls met up with us.
Generally a great day was had by all… however I don’t think it can ever be topped.
I met a stunningly lovely lady by the name of Daphne Ashbrook – Dr Grace Holloway herself – and I was absolutely smitten. What a smile! What a laugh! Such lovely eyes! Ooh, nice hair too!
Actually I’m not exaggerating. She really is a rather smashing lady, and it got me thinking about what Doctor Who could have been, and what a great companion she could have made.
I’ve also been astonished to find that there is no Daphne Ashbrook homepage or fan-run site! Is the world mad?!?! (Strokes chin, thoughtfully…)
The things I saw going through my mind... it was like an episode of Peepshow, I tell you.
Of course, I’m giving the impression that we were chatting for hours. Sadly, the whole experience lasted just 2 minutes. But it was very nice. And a sharp contrast to my meeting with Tom Baker several years ago. I’ll have to tell you about that some time…
Oh, I also met Paul McGann and Sylvester McCoy too…
Meh.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Unconventional
It is that time of year again… as I type this, Anthony, Brian and his lady Jen are driving through Kasterborous Towers to stay in the Cawley wing. Why? For it is the weekend of Dimensions 2006, of course!
Last year, the three of us met up for the first time, as well as encountering some Kasterborous friends including Gareth Kavanagh of Black Scrolls Magazine whom we hope to join up with this year.
Of course, as I type this the event is underway – but no matter, cause we’re only attending on Sunday! And looking at the event schedule – Paul McGann, Daphne Ashbrook and Sylvester McCoy are all in attendance tomorrow to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the TV Movie – I reckon it will be a pretty busy event.
As with last year, we’ll have a report on the event, although at the moment it hasn’t been determined who will be writing it…
Last year, the three of us met up for the first time, as well as encountering some Kasterborous friends including Gareth Kavanagh of Black Scrolls Magazine whom we hope to join up with this year.
Of course, as I type this the event is underway – but no matter, cause we’re only attending on Sunday! And looking at the event schedule – Paul McGann, Daphne Ashbrook and Sylvester McCoy are all in attendance tomorrow to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the TV Movie – I reckon it will be a pretty busy event.
As with last year, we’ll have a report on the event, although at the moment it hasn’t been determined who will be writing it…
The Who Factor
Just to underline that Doctor Who is one of the BBC’s biggest shows, 3 guests of “Friday Night with Jonathan Ross” over the last 3 weeks have been past or future Doctor Who companions.
Both Billie Piper and Catherine Tate (who appears alongside David Tennant in this years Christmas episode The Runaway Bride) appeared on the same show two weeks ago – notable for Wossy describing the Rose Tyler toy as resembling “a grumpy lesbian” – and just last night the rest of the show failed to live up to opening guest John Barrowman.
Sadly, I cannot go into what was or wasn’t said (save that it was very funny) as this is a family website…
Both Billie Piper and Catherine Tate (who appears alongside David Tennant in this years Christmas episode The Runaway Bride) appeared on the same show two weeks ago – notable for Wossy describing the Rose Tyler toy as resembling “a grumpy lesbian” – and just last night the rest of the show failed to live up to opening guest John Barrowman.
Sadly, I cannot go into what was or wasn’t said (save that it was very funny) as this is a family website…
Fanzone
The next new section of Kasterborous - the Fanzone - should be live by the end of this weekend - so keep your eyes out forthe new fanfic section, the new home of the desktop downloads and much more.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Project Mojo
The time is thankfully upon us at last - the Doctor Who Spinoffs section has arrived!
We've had a few fits and starts getting this sorted, but thankfully due to some time on my hands and an intermittent broadband connection, I've managed to implement phase 1 of the changes.
Phase 2 will restore the temporarily missing desktop backgrounds page to a magical fun-packed new section some time in the next 7 days - I cannot wait!
(Incidentally, if you encounter any problems with the site, don't hesitate to contact us via the Forum)
Who-do
It is almost that time of year again - the Dimensions 2006 event is almost here, providing Ant, Brian and myself another opportunity to get together and be generally daft for a day.
It doesn't seem like five minutes since last years event, and like last year we'll be reporting back on what we saw and who we met - Paul McGann and Sylvester McCoy will both be in attendance this year, as will the OFFSTAGE Theatre Group who will be performing their TV Movie Spoof entitled 'The Six Million Dollar Fan'
Of course don't be too surprised if we don't get back to you straight away... I haven't even considered who is going to write it this time!
Nigel Kneale
He didn't like Doctor Who, he didn't work on Doctor Who, yet the work of Nigel Kneale - who dies last Sunday - left a giant footprint on the shape of Doctor Who. Most notable for being set on Earth, the Jon Pertwee era - in particular the first two seasons - owe an awful lot to the adventures of Kneale's most famous creation - Professor Bernard Quatermass.
Kneale's career was far broader than a professor and some martian insects, however, and jut as his work influenced Doctor Who, it has been mirrored in modern television. I suggest a quick visit to our news section to read snippets of Mark Gatiss' various tributes to the writer before following the links provided...
We've had a few fits and starts getting this sorted, but thankfully due to some time on my hands and an intermittent broadband connection, I've managed to implement phase 1 of the changes.
Phase 2 will restore the temporarily missing desktop backgrounds page to a magical fun-packed new section some time in the next 7 days - I cannot wait!
(Incidentally, if you encounter any problems with the site, don't hesitate to contact us via the Forum)
Who-do
It is almost that time of year again - the Dimensions 2006 event is almost here, providing Ant, Brian and myself another opportunity to get together and be generally daft for a day.
It doesn't seem like five minutes since last years event, and like last year we'll be reporting back on what we saw and who we met - Paul McGann and Sylvester McCoy will both be in attendance this year, as will the OFFSTAGE Theatre Group who will be performing their TV Movie Spoof entitled 'The Six Million Dollar Fan'
Of course don't be too surprised if we don't get back to you straight away... I haven't even considered who is going to write it this time!
Nigel Kneale
He didn't like Doctor Who, he didn't work on Doctor Who, yet the work of Nigel Kneale - who dies last Sunday - left a giant footprint on the shape of Doctor Who. Most notable for being set on Earth, the Jon Pertwee era - in particular the first two seasons - owe an awful lot to the adventures of Kneale's most famous creation - Professor Bernard Quatermass.
Kneale's career was far broader than a professor and some martian insects, however, and jut as his work influenced Doctor Who, it has been mirrored in modern television. I suggest a quick visit to our news section to read snippets of Mark Gatiss' various tributes to the writer before following the links provided...
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