Gizmodo Australia » doctor who

ABC “Fast-tracking” Doctor Who Christmas Special

Nick Broughall — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:23:54 +0000

One of the biggest reasons people rely on Bittorrent to watch TV shows these days is that the local networks tend to make us wait for months before showing a program that’s already been seen overseas. And while the commercial channels have started to try and “fast-track” episodes by showing them a few days later, the ABC is still woefully slow at showing all the latest BBC programming.

Until now, that is. A press release landed in my inbox yesterday afternoon from Aunty saying that they’ll be “fast tracking” the latest Doctor Who Christmas Special, where viewers discover the identity of the new Doctor. The episode will screen on Christmas Day in the UK, while in Australia, fans will be able to enjoy the episode just one month later on January 25.Sorry Aunty, but showing a program we’ve been able to watch online for a whole month is not fast-tracking.Considering how far ahead of the commercial networks you are when it comes to IPTV, I thought you would have realised that.

If you are a (now disappointed) Doctor Who fan, the press release is below:

ABC TV FAST-TRACKS THE NEXT DOCTOR TO AUSTRALIA

Doctor Who fans are in for a treat when ABC TV screens the highly anticipated 2008 Doctor Who Christmas Special on Sunday January 25 at 7.30pm, on ABC 1.

Doctor Who: The Next Doctor will screen in the UK on Christmas Day, December 25, and will then be fast-tracked via tardis to Australia.

With news of David Tennant’s impending departure from the cult-hit series, there has been much intrigue and speculation surrounding who will be the 11th time lord. Will all finally be revealed in this Christmas special?

In Doctor Who: The Next Doctor, it’s Christmas Eve 1851, and Cybermen stalk through the snow of Victorian London. However, when the Doctor (David Tennant) meets another Doctor (David Morrissey), the two must combine forces to stop the rise of the CyberKing. But, are two Doctors enough?

To watch a exclusive sneak preview visit here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VLFli9i9Jw

Doctor Who: The Next Doctor will be available on ABC iView from Monday January 26, 2009.

ABC1 will then present an encore screening of series two of Doctor Who, each Tuesday night at 8.30pm, starting January 27, 2009.

Dalek Hidden Camera is the Worst Way to Spy on Time Lords

Gizmodo US Edition — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:20:00 +0000

Fans of British sci-fi favourite Doctor Who might be wary of conscripting a Dalek to do security work for them, but if you enjoy a little REC-ORD-ING along with your EXT-ERM-IN-AT-ION, you can now do just that. Wil Harris of ChannelFlip got to play with the Dalek security cam, which was built by a “top secret London security firm” for an “anonymous client.”

While the secrecy is most likely related to shame and embarrassment more than danger and intrigue, the “toy” is actually a pretty impressive piece of hardware. The camera can transmit high quality streaming video to a flat panel-equipped base station over 300 feet away, where it is recorded to a hard drive for playback and/or incrimination. Because of the top secret nature of the project the price is a matter of speculation, but Harris estimates a build cost in excess of US$1,500, which means that there must be some serious shit going down at Doctor Who conferences. [ChannelFlip]

The Master’s Laser Screwdriver Turns Doctor Who into Doctor Pew Pew Pew

Addy Dugdale — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:45:00 +0000

Doctor Who fans can now get their hands on the Master’s laser screwdriver. Darth Vader to the Time Lord’s Luke (father-son relationship aside), the Master’s laser screwdriver is more powerful than Doctor Who’s—well, that’s what you’d think, wouldn’t you? Although you can get a simultaneous blast from all three laser barrels, not to mention the Pew Pew Pew, it’s not multi-talented like the Doctor’s version. Can you write a list for the weekly shop with this version? No you can’t. Those eight-and-a-half inches of pleasure (when extended) will set you back US$18.99. [ThinkGeek]

The Dalek Voice Changing Helmet Will Exterminate Your Love Life

Sean Fallon — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:00:00 +0000

The popularity of the hideous Dalek Sec Hybrid Mask last year proved once again that Dr. Who fans are a loyal bunch. Soon, these fans will be able to strike fear/laughter in the hearts of their enemies once again by donning this dapper Dalek voice changing helmet. Naturally, you will be able to run around yelling “EXTERMINATE” with the classic cold, robotic tone—but you will also be able to play back recorded Dalek phrases or activate the exterminator sound. But before you get too excited, check out the image after the break to see how un-cool you will look wearing it.

Available for pre-order now. Ships in May for US$74.99. [Big Bad Toy Store and Toyology]

Doctor Who Outed as Secret Ikea Shopper, as Tardis Brought to Set Flat-Packed

Addy Dugdale — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:26:21 +0000

Fans of the revivified British TV series Doctor Who are, apparently, reeling, after the shock discovery that the Tardis, the Time Lords’ equivalent to a Toyota Prius, comes in a flatpack. “I expected the Tardis to beam down from some far-off galaxy,” said one shocked onlooker, “but it looked more like some flatpack furniture when it was pulled off the lorry to be screwed together.” Sonic screwdriver jokes below, please. [Times Online]

Parents Build Tardis Bedroom for Their Little Doctor Who Clone

Sean Fallon — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 00:00:38 +0000

Unfortunately, there is not much in the way of information (or pictures for that matter) of the Tardis bedroom that Steve Baker of Sittingbourne, Kent, built for his 10-year-old son George, but the image included here should give you the gist. Obviously the kid is a rabid Doctor Who fan —an obsession that is only encouraged by the fact that everyone notices that he looks like a miniature David Tennant. Watch your back David—George will probably be after your job one of these days. [The Sun via Peculiarosities via about:blank]

Doctor Who Dalek Sec Hybrid Voice Changer Mask is Deliciously Disgusting

Addy Dugdale — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 11:34:08 +0000

So, it’s official, we’re bored by Star Wars gear (yeah yeah, hate mail to addy@gizmodo.com.) Chen is championing Star Trek (yaaaaaaawn) and with there being a lack of BG stuff — you know what I mean: Commander Adama dolls with realistic commando-parts; Cylon toasters, Starbuck frack-wear; Gaius science kits; Raider croissants; Number Six Real Dolls — it’s evident that what we need is Who — as in Doctor. Is this Dalek Sec Hybrid Voice Changer Mask better than an Optimus Prime Helmet? Of course it is.The Dalek-Human hybrid appeared in the British show’s Daleks in Manhattan episode. This mask, however, is expected to be the holiday hit of the season on the toy front. The voice changer lets you sound like a dalek (oh, the joy of hearing your nephew say “More beans, please, Mum,” in that, eh?) Costing $50 if you pre-order, and ten bucks more if you buy direct, the mask hasn’t started shipping yet. Who fans should probably get their freak on and order one, because retailers will be out of supplies before you know it. [Time & Space Toys and Guardian Unlimited]

Dr. Who Cyberman Shower Radio Picks Up FM/AM/Invasion Orders

Seamus Byrne — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:30:00 +0000

Show your support for the intergalactic robotic conquerers with the Dr. Who Cyberman Shower Radio. Not only will it observe you with its cold, black sockets, the Cyberman Radio receives FM/AM stations and its mouth glows when you tune around. Its about six inches tall, has a hanging cord, and requires three AAA batteries to get going. Still, for 30 bucks, you’d think the thing could at least threaten your future as an organic being or radio a fleet of orbiting Cybermen warships. [Voga via UberReview]

Sonic Screwdriver: What Doctor Who Writes His Shopping List with

Seamus Byrne — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 16:10:38 +0000

Doctor Who fans for whom the Tardis USB hub was not enough can satiate their lust for all things Timelord with this sonic screwdriver. It’s actually a screwdriver-free zone, with a pen at one end and a UV light at the other.

So, while you may not be able to take a Cyberman to pieces in a schmazillionth of a second, you can write down Rose’s phone numberâ€”in normal ink if you’re not bothered about sharing her with the Doc, or with UV ink so that no one can read it except you*. It costs $12.99 and there’s some useless Sonic Screwdriver trivia and more shots after the jump.

The most recent incarnation of the Sonic Screwdriver, as used in the most recent Doctor Who series, was a lot smaller than this one. Then, when the producers of the show saw this one (which had to be large enough to accomodate 3 AG13 batteries) they took the toy mold and cast an identical one.

So this Sonic Screwdriver is identical to the one you see on the tellyâ€”but it still won’t gralloch a Dalek, no matter how hard you wish.

*Although I think the Doctor probably already has Rose’s phone number, as well her mum’s, just in case there’s an emergency. â€“ Ad Dugdale

Product Page [Think Geek]