posted 09-23-2000 11:38 PM            

For the last few years, all Doctor Who videos have been released through CBS/Fox (meaning that the BBC gives CBS/Fox the masters and they make it into tapes that can play on US/Canadian/Japanese VCRS). This also meant that I was far behind all the nifty releases that England and Aussieland got. You want an example? I had to wait a fucking year before I got my paws on "The Ice Warriors," and thanks to 'packaging issues' I didn't get the documentary "The Missing Years" which was supposed to be with it.

But, no more. The BBC has gotten an idea of the fans over here and gave BBC America (the hand of the Beeb here in the States, natch) power to start doing some releases over here. Their first action was to shitcan CBS/Fox and change the distribution rights to Warner Bros, who now make the tapes so on and so on and so on.

Which means, FINALLY, that I can see some more Who before the end of the year. Who that is WIDELY available in other parts of the world.

So, I'll list them to gloat:

--"The Invasion of Time"--it was delayed because it's initial release date was the exact day the 'changeover' took place. It's now out and I need to borrow $30 to buy it.

--"Curse of Fatal Death" will finally be in my paws before Halloween (October 10th). This is iffy, since I'm rather in the mood for a Pertwee Doctor rather than a Joanna Lumley one (who big are her breasts, anyway?).

--Oh, wait! On the very same day comes the "Apology Package." What is this, you ask? Well, it's a combination of the Edge of Destruction/Original Pilot tape and "The MISSING YEARS!!" ABOUT FUCKING TIME, BBC? I'm surprised you didn't fucking burn it like "Power of the Daleks!" Well, all is forgiven. I'm just glad it took another YEAR for it to be released in North America. If it costs anywhere near $50, I'm going on a bloody rampage. But I'm glad.

--"Planet of the Daleks" comes out in November...oh GOD!! Who monthly? GO FUCKING FIGURE!! *sigh* It's about time, I tell you. Enough of these fucking three month waits between tapes. Either way, it's the uncut version complete with black and white Episode 3. Hopefully it's companion piece "Revelation of the Daleks" will be released in December, althrough I'm not sure because rumor has it that the "Cyberman" package might be the Christmas one.

But, all and all, I'm a happy Zbu. I can finally start collecting Doctor Who again.

Thank you, WB!! Now where's those DVDs? I wanna see "Spearhead From Space!!"

posted 09-23-2000 11:46 PM            

UK:

"Delta and the Bannermen" (VIDEO)
"The Five Doctors" (DVD)
"The Robots of Death" (DVD)
"The Caves of Androzani" (DVD!!!)

AUSSIES: (you lucky bastards!)

Remastered "Unearthly Child"
The Cybermen Boxed Set: "Attack of the Cybermen" and "THE TENTH PLANET!!"
Five Doctors DVD

There you go.

posted 09-24-2000 06:10 PM            

Space plays Doctor Who? I thought they only had the Tom Baker ones.

posted 09-24-2000 08:25 PM            

Also, Joanna Lumley looked great as the Dr in The Curse.... I'd spend time holed up in the TARDIS with her.

posted 09-24-2000 10:26 PM            

But the "Mutants?" *drool*

posted 09-25-2000 09:43 AM            

I just have to wonder if there's any potential for audiences in the States or Canada for a show to go on for thirty years. The Beachcombers ran for eighteen, which is about as close as we're going to get.

oh, and Nick, if you ever want a good sci-fi CD there's Space: The Imagination Compilation. It has a slough of theme songs from sci-fi movies and shows, including you-know-Who.

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"For 'tis the sport to see the engineer hoist by his own petar." -William Shakespeare

posted 09-25-2000 11:37 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Rockjock:
Was Tom Baker the first Doctor? I'm not familiar with any of the actors. They showed the episodes with the first three doctors, so basically they're all black and white.

I just have to wonder if there's any potential for audiences in the States or Canada for a show to go on for thirty years. The Beachcombers ran for eighteen, which is about as close as we're going to get.

oh, and Nick, if you ever want a good sci-fi CD there's Space: The Imagination Compilation. It has a slough of theme songs from sci-fi movies and shows, including you-know-Who.

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Get out of my forum, now. Come back when you learn something of Whodom!

LEAVE!! BEGONE!!! FIE ON YOUR BONES, FIE!!!!

posted 10-01-2000 05:50 AM         

I picked up The Ark (William Hartnell - the FIRST Doctor Who, Rockjock) just before going to Brisbane. It comes complete with loud sound effects from camera running into backdrop (the Beeb limited the budget for film editing, so that got left in!) and shaky space ship effects with visible strings. Still a good story though.

posted 10-01-2000 09:32 AM            

Yeah, it seems that Lexx is the newest cult show nowadays. The first two movies are excellent (Not that I Would Know) and while Season Two takes a while to get off to a wicked start (check out the 'Norb' episode to see why), Season Three kicks Cluster Lizard ass.

Bluebottle,

Thanks, man. Different distributor. I just hope that Warner Bros can find it in their heart to release the uncut "Talons of Weng-Chiang."

posted 10-01-2000 09:36 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Bluebottle:
Must get the Cybermen boxed set when it's released - checked the Beeb's website and it's not yet available.

I picked up The Ark (William Hartnell - the FIRST Doctor Who, [b]Rockjock) just before going to Brisbane. It comes complete with loud sound effects from camera running into backdrop (the Beeb limited the budget for film editing, so that got left in!) and shaky space ship effects with visible strings. Still a good story though.

Glad to see the Beeb is now serving the US again, Nick. [/B]

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Yeah, I'm glad that the BBC is finally taking measures to release the "Tenth Planet." That's gonna be a big one over here. Well, it would be if I didn't already have the now-outlawed telesnap reconstruction of it.

quote:

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OH yes ... Nick: The Aussie and English PAL formats are one and the same. Tapes from either country are freely "swappable", but the VCR machines are not - something to do with the sound band separation being slightly different (technobabble!!!!!).

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Really? Yeah, I've heard of the Many Faces of PAL. You know, that is one thing I would like to change: enough of all these fucking weirdo formats, someone should just make them the same. Huzzah!!

posted 10-01-2000 09:13 PM         

The Tenth Planet was a milestone - I'm really looking forward to its release.

I'm glad you're now able to get your Who fixes again, Nick. Life wouldn't be worth living without them.

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Splendid fellow. All of them.

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