From: morgans@cobra.uni.edu (Siobahn Morgan) Subject: Weekly FAQ - with latest Who news and more! Date: 1995/09/04 Message-ID: <1995Sep4.111936.48447@cobra.uni.edu> X-Deja-AN: 109463130 organization: University of Northern Iowa newsgroups: rec.arts.drwho @@@@@@@\ @@@@@@@@\ @@@@@@@\ @@@\__@@@\ @@@@@@@@@\ @@@\| @@@\| @@@@@@@@@\ @@@\_\@@@\| @@@\| @@@\| @@@@@@@@@\| @@@\| @@@\| @@@@@@@@\/ @@@@@@@\ \__@@@\__\| @@@\| @@@\| @@@\__@@@\ @@@@@@@@@\ @@@\| @@@\| @@@\| @@@\| @@@\ @@@@@@@\ @@@\| @@@\| @@@\| @@@@@@@@@\| @@@\| @@@\ @@@@@@@@@\ @@@\| \__\| @@@\| @@@@@@@\/ \__\| \__\| @@@@@@@@ @@@\__@@@\| @@@\| @@@\| \_____\/ @@@@@@@@@\ @@@\| @@@\| @@@\| @@@\ @@@\| @@@\__@@@\| @@@\| @@@\| @@@@@@@@@\| \__\| @@@\| @@@\| @@@\| @@@\| @@@@@@@\/ @@@\| @@@\| @@@@@@@@@\| \_____\/ @@@\| @@@\| @@@@@@@\/ @@@@@@@@@\| \_____\/ @@@@@@@@\/ \______\/ ???\ ???\ ????\ ????\ ?????????\ ???\| ???\ ???\| ????\| ????\| ???????????\ ???\|?????\ ???\| ????\| ????\| ????\__????\| ???\???????\???\| ???????????\| ????\| ????\| ???????\???????\| ???????????\| ????\| ????\| ??????\/ ??????\| ????\__????\| ????\| ????\| ?????\/ ?????\| ????\| ????\| ???????????\| ????\/ ????\| ????\| ????\| ?????????\/ \__\/ \___\| \___\| \___\| \_______\/ THE WEEKLY FAQ FOR rec.arts.drwho. (updated September, 1995) This FAQ is intended to answer some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) that appear quite often in rec.arts.drwho, in particular those questions which would be asked by new users/posters/lurkers. This FAQ will be posted once per week, while the standard FAQ will be posted once per month (usually the first day). Siobahn (Shabang) Morgan (morgans@cobra.uni.edu smorgans@nitro9.earth.uni.edu) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents ================= 0. Intro to rec.arts.drwho **** Important Addition **** 1. The Return of Doctor Who? 2. FTP/WWW information sites 3. What are all those abreviations? 4. New Adventures? Missing Adventures? 5. Nudie pictures of companions? 6. Doctor Who Movies? 7. Doctor Who in a Pink Floyd song? **** New Item **** =========================================================================== 0. Introduction to rec.arts.drwho. ***What is discussed?*** As the name implies, this group discusses the television show Doctor Who, as well as the novellizations, fan produced videos, feature length films and other items that are associated with the show. Often the discussion may get well removed from "standard" topics, and in many cases the header (the description of the posting) may be inappropriate after many reincarnations of a post. [NEW][NEW][NEW][NEW] ***Should the rec.arts.drwho newsgroup be restructured? Why?**** After a bit of discussion in r.a.dw, people seemed to reach a consensous that having a newsgroup for information would be a good thing. This includes things like the FAQs, fan club listings, convention updates, new series reports, etc. The idea was to create r.a.dw.info, which would be moderated to ensure it was on topic. The discussions about the information would take place on rec.arts.drwho. This idea and the possible renaming of rec.arts.drwho to rec.arts.drwho.misc were written up in a Request For Discussion (RFD) and posted appopriately. There should be a Call For Votes near the end of August. ***Are there anythings that should not be discussed?*** Hell no. Well, actually there may be things that can cause alot of uproar, but since the USENET has more liberties and freedoms of expression than are covered by any government document, people sometimes get quite controversial. Topics that have caused uproars in the past (and will probably do so in the future) are: religion, homosexuality, politics (national/international), violence on television, sex on television (when you don't fall off), etc. Just use your best judgement. You can also get into a bit of a mess if you start flaming (criticizing, namecalling, baiting) another poster. This could lead to a long and rather tedious series of postings that not too many people will appreciate. It may make you feel good to flame another poster, but remember, there is a person on the other side of the terminal, and careless words can be very cruel - whether intended or not. A good rule of thumb to follow is if the topic of the post no longer has anything to do with the show or any aspect of the show, use e-mail. Some people have to pay for access, and downloading megabytes worth of irrelevant discussions does not make these people happy campers. You should also make an effort to delete irrelevant information in the test of a post that you are replying to. If all you want to do is say "I agree" or "Me too!", you probably don't need to repost the entire text of the previous posting. Editing down articles is the polite thing to do. ***Who are some of the more infamous/famous people that post on rec. arts.drwho?*** As with any newsgroup, there are a few personalities who seem to dominate a newsgroup, for better or for worse. Amongst them are.... Jason A. Miller - frequent poster, originator of the current edition of the FAQ, in the US. Kate Orman - author of New Adventures, in Australia, has chocolate covered fantasies of Sylvester McCoy, and is a very nice person! Paul Cornell - author of New Adventures and Missing Adventures, in England. Andy Lane - author of New Adventures, in England Dan Blythe - author of New Adventures, in England Johnny Byrne - script writer from the show, in England David Howe - author of several information books, in England Jean-Marc and Randy Lofficier - authors of Doctor Who reference books, have a lot of information about new show, in US Richard Atkinson - Doctor Who artist, in England RevRingo (Lou Anders) - writer/correspondent for "Sci Fi Universe" Richard (Halibut) Salter - organizer of the internet publication projects "Storm God Rising", as well as the "Net-Decalog" (currently off-line) Daniel O'Malley - posts updates of Video releases, and keeps track of bloopers in Doctor Who shows, in Ireland Brian M Hass - posts the Lost/Missing episode list (currently off-line) Ghoti - putting together the New Adventures/Missing Adventures Continuity guide. Steve Phillips - posts list of film clips from episodes that are lost Steve Traylen - reviewer, keeps track of New Adventure rankings, in US E. Larry Lidz - creater of Top Ten lists (humorous), in US Don Smith - keeper of many quote files and writer of essays on the physics of Doctor Who, in US Dave Yadallee (aka Yads) - An incoherent poster who thinks monarchism is great, the US is evil, and grammar is optional. Quotes whole posts with one line of comment, and claims to have an anti-killfile virus. May be a random character generator gone out of control. Keeps a list of fan clubs. (description courtesy of Shannon Patrick Sullivan) ========================================================================= 1. The Return of Doctor Who? ***Is it true that Doctor Who will be returning?*** The following update is provided by Randy and Jean-Marc Lofficier: LATEST UPDATE: (Sept. 1, 1995) Reprinted from BROADCAST, a British trade (TV) magazine, reporting on comments made by Philip Segal at the Edinburgh Festival: UNIVERSAL WANTS SIX DR WHOS A YEAR The BBC and Universal Pictures could co-produce up to six two-hour "Dr Who" telefilms a year if their first $5 million (pounds 3.1 million) joint effort is a success, writes Claire Atkinson. Executive producer Philip Segal working through Universal revealed his hopes for thscale of the "Dr Who" revival after addressing a seminar on science-fiction programming at the Edinburgh TV Festival. A BBC Worldwide spokeswoman confirmed that pair might look at further co-productions, but only after assessing the success of the first, which will also be broadcast by Fox in the US. The identity of the new "Dr Who" is being kept a tight secret, but the story will be set in San Francisco. Pre-production begins in three weeks with principal photography starting on 20 November. It will air in February 1996. A few post-scriptums: Phil Segal himself reconfirmed this on AOL today. The identity of the New Doctor is a secret because he hasn't been cast yet :-) ... Obviously, the future of the show depends on the ratings success of the first TV feature (as emphasized by Mary Collins, a BBC Worldwide press officer, quoted on another board). Lastly, now that things are entering a more "official" phase, there will soon be regular reports, interviews, etc. in the press. Our reporting will be less frequent, as there (hopefully) won't be as many rumors to debunk! Best Randy & Jean-Marc Lofficier (who will be in Europe from Sept 15 - Oct 12) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Previous Updates: NEW DOCTOR WHO UPDATE 05/09/95 Matthew Jacobs has been signed to write the script of the two-hour DOCTOR WHO made-for-television feature, to be co-produced by BBC Worldwide and Universal Television for the Fox Network. Matthew was born in England. In 1986, he wrote "Smart Money", a BBC TV feature, and directed "Vardo", a short feature which was very well received at the London, Edinburgh and Sydney Film Festivals. His "Hallelujah Anyhow", which he wrote and directed for the BBC in 1990, was nominated as best TV film of the year by the WGGB. It was the London Film Festival's centerpiece, and was successfully screened at the Sundance and Seattle Film Festivals. Matthew has also worked as a writer for a variety of American and British productions, including Jim Henson's "Monster Maker" (1989). He wrote "Paper House" (1989), a feature film which won two fantasy awards at the Avoriaz and Brussels Film Festivals, and "Somewhere To Run" (1989), a Thames production, which won the Europa Award. Another of his scripts, "Some Lie and Some Die" (1990), was nominated by the WGGB as best TV film of the year. More recently, Matthew has written scripts for the ABC/Lucasfilm/ Paramount television series, "Young Indiana Jones" (1991-93). Of interest to DOCTOR WHO fans will be the fact that Matthew's father is Anthony Jacobs, who played Doc Holliday in "The Gunfighters". Matthew visited the set when he was 8, and met William Hartnell, whom he remembers as being quite nice to him. Needless to say, Matthew is excited by the prospect of writing the new DOCTOR WHO television feature. The producers expect the script to be completed by mid-July, at which point it must still be approved by Fox, Universal and the BBC. Do not, therefore, expect any major announcements until then. Now for those who don't check the FAQ: SUMMARY OF OTHER AVAILABLE INFORMATION: BBC Worldwide and Universal Television have signed a script deal with the Fox Network for the development of a two-hour (with commercials), made-for-television DOCTOR WHO feature. Please note that this is a *SCRIPT* commitment, and NOT yet a *FILM* commitment. The script and the budget must still be approved by Fox, Universal and the BBC in order for the feature to be filmed. Due to various factors too complicated to explain here, mostly having to do with Dreamworks SKG (the new Spielberg/Katzenberg/Geffen studio), Amblin's name has been removed from the project. It is inaccurate to refer to the new DOCTOR WHO as "Amblin Who", "Spielberg Who", "U.S. Who" or " American Who", as the BBC is, and will be, actively involved in every creative phase of the project. Also, the executive producers in charge of the new DOCTOR WHO, Philip Segal and Peter Wagg, and the writer, Matthew Jacobs, are all British. They are all fans of, and well acquainted with, the original DOCTOR WHO. Prior to working for Amblin, Segal was an executive at ABC, and was involved in the programming of "Twin Peaks", "ThirtySomething", "Young Riders" and "Young Indiana Jones". This production is, for him, the fulfillment of a long time desire to see DOCTOR WHO brought back to television. Segal made a recent appearance at Gallifrey One in California, where his presentation was warmly received by the fans. Peter Wagg's credits include producing the U.S. version of "Max Headroom". Alan Yentob and Michael Wearing, respectively of BBC and BBC Worldwide, are monitoring the production on their end. If the script and the budget are acceptable to all, the producers would like to shoot the feature in the fall, for a November broadcast, during the rating sweeps period. It is too early to say where the feature will be shot. The BBC will likely show it in the U.K. around the same time that it is shown in the U.S. If the feature gets good ratings, and is well received, it is likely that it will be followed by a regular series, but there are no certainties about this at this time. As announced previously, the producers intend to cast a British actor to play the part of the Doctor. The theme music will remain virtually unchanged, but a new master will be recorded (for technical reasons). Production designs will be updated. Whether we like it or not, DOCTOR WHO must now compete with TREK and BABYLON-5 in the area of visual effects. But every effort will be made to preserve traditional design elements from the Original Programme. For example, the TARDIS will remain a police box. Randy & Jean-Marc Lofficier (For DOCTOR WHO, fan liaison) rjmlof@haven.ios.com *end of inclusion* ========================================================================== 2. Facts and data on the Infobahn - FTP sites and WWW sites pertaining to Doctor Who. ***Are there any FTP sites out there?*** Of course there are! There are the following: frontios.niagara.edu (192.188.5.50) in /pub/Doctor_Who tardis.soc.staffs.ac.uk (193.61.121.236) in /pub/dr_who ftp.cc.adfa.oz.au (131.236.1.2) in /archives/aus-sf/drwho ***What about WWW sites?*** Several, some with many items, some with a few - the really heavily laden ones are the following: http://nitro9.earth.uni.edu/doctor/homepage.html (my own) http://orca.ucd.ie/Doctor_Who/ (Ireland) http://www.tardis.ed.ac.uk/ (in the UK) http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/DrWho/index.html (UK) http://www.phlab.missouri.edu/ccpeace_www/Dr.Who/ (US) http://usacs.rutgers.edu/~edharel/drwho.html (US) http://geology.wisc.edu/~straylen/welcome.html (US) http://dale.hsc.unt.edu/~wilsonm/drwho/drwho.html (US) ftp://sflovers.rutgers.edu/pub/sf-lovers/Web/sf-resource.guide.html (Program guide and and all sorts of other Sci-Fi stuff) http://sundry.hsc.usc.edu/hazel/www/sf-resource.guide.html (duplicate of previous site) http://zen.btc.uwe.ac.uk/~n2-ellis/DWID.html (detailed prog. guide) http://www.mit.edu:8001/people/dasmith/Who/Quotes.html (Quote files) http://www.pipex.net/people/chuck/sf/drwho (link to DWAS page) http://www.interport.net/~cybermen/index.html (US cool format) And for Doctor Who merchandise there is http://www.shopping2000.com/800trekker (retailer of books, videos) ***What about IRC?*** Check the postings in the newgroup for IRC information - there are some fairly frequent discussions. Generally people tend to meet at 4 PM EST daily at #doctorwho, as well as Fridays at 10 PM EST, but anytime at all is also fine. Another irc group is #drwho. Go to which ever trips your trigger. There is also a mini FAQ for the IRC group at the WWW site http://expert.cc.purdue.edu/~drwho/Welcome.html ========================================================================== 3. What are all those abbreviations? ***I'm new to the internet and I don't understand what people are saying when they say stuff like IMHO, FYI, etc. What does it all mean?*** General Abbreviations - IMO - in my opinion IMHO - in my humble opinion IMNSHO, IMNHO - in my not so humble opinion BTW - by the way ISTR - I seem to recall(remember) FYI - For your information Doctor Who Abbreviations - DW - Doctor Who r.a.dw - rec.arts.drwho a.dw.c - alt.drwho.creative, a newsgroup for fiction TL - Time Lady/Time Lord DWM - Doctor Who Monthly - magazine NA - New Adventures (see section 4) MA - Missing Adventures (see section 4) PBS - Public Broadcasting Service, US television network Yads,Yaddy - Nicknames for Dave Yadallee There are a ton of abbreviations for the titles of shows and novelizations and you can probably figure those out. Some of the more commonly posted ones are - COF - Curse of Fenric ACF - All Consuming Fire Hummer, LHH, LHHB, LH - Left-handed Hummingbird DIT - Dimensions in Time (Doctor Who Charity Special) GSITG - Greatest show in the Galaxy TOATL - Trial of a Time Lord BOM - Brain of Morbius POM - Pyramids of Mars SN - Silver Nemesis ======================================================================== 4. New Adventures and Missing Adventures ***What are these New Adventures of Doctor Who?*** These are novelizations that take up where the show left off (originally). They initially feature Ace and the 7th Doctor and have evolved just as the show has evolved. The entire list of them is included in the main body of the FAQ since it is rather lengthy by now. A large amount of discussion in rec.arts.drwho revolves around these books. Some of the books are part of story arcs, with a theme running from one story to the next, but for the most part they are self contained adventures. ***What are the Missing Adventures?*** Another recent series of publications are the Missing Adventures which cover the entire range of Doctor Who history. The books have adventures featuring Doctors 1-6, as well as their companions. ***How can I get these books?*** You may be able to find the latest releases at your local major bookstore chain, however you may not have much luck in some cases. You may have to order the books using the ISBN numbers that are included in the FAQ. If you want to let your fingers do the walking, it seems that the best phone order place is TREKKER, so just dial 1-800-TREKKER and get information about ordering the books - you will of course have to pay postage and shipping costs, as well as the standard book price. They also have a WWW site http://www.shopping2000.com/800trekker ***I seem to see some author's names in e-mail messages, gosh, are there real book writers on rec.arts.drwho?*** Yes, several of the authors of the New Adventures and Missing Adventures and other Who-vian books are regular posters to the newsgroup. In general they seem very happy to answer questions about their books or Doctor Who related topics. If you have lengthy questions, perhaps you should limit your enquires to e-mail. In some cases, fan harassment of authors has apparently driven them away. ======================================================================== 5. Nudity on Who? ***Is it true that one of the companions from Doctor Who posed nude in a porn magazine?*** Yes this is true. The actress in question was Katy Manning (Jo Grant, companion of the 3rd Doctor) who posed topless with a Dalek. The picture was originally published in "Girl Illustrated". If you can't find that issue of the magazine, you can still get a peek at the picture in the book "Doctor Who:Timeframe", a thirtieth anniversary book about Doctor who. It is on page 60. Since the picture is considered by some to be pornography, it may not be available in GIF format at most FTP sites. ========================================================================= 6. Doctor Who Movies ***I saw an old movie on tv last night that said it was a Doctor Who movie, but it seemed very screwed up. What was it?*** During the 1960's 2 feature films were made based upon the show. The films starred Peter Cushing as the Doctor, and took liberties as to the Doctor, his family and his origin (he is only mentioned as being an inventor, not a Time Lord). Both films dealt with the Daleks, the most popular of the Doctor's foes at the time. The films are "Doctor Who and the Daleks" and "Dalek Invasion 2150 AD". Videos of these films are available for purchase, but may require some searching. ***What about fan produced videos?*** Several fan produced videos have been circulated through Who fandom, if you come across something you like, ask about it and perhaps another poster will be able to provide you with information for obtaining it. One of the more famous fan produced video series is by Ryan Johnson. You can get a copy of them by sending Ryan a blank VHS tape and $2 for return postage to Ryan K. Johnson 6523 NE 171st pl. Bothel WA 98011 Ryan is also available on the internet email: rkj@eskimo.com URL: http://www.eskimo.com/~rkj/ These films feature a female Doctor, and are considered to be among the best produced. Another series of videos is the Mythmakers series, which is mainly biographical information about the people involved in the show, not just the actors, but also some of the producers, writers, etc. These are sold at fan conventions and in some SF-film catalogs. ***What is this Stranger video I keep hearing about?*** Bill Baggs has produced a series of videos involving an enigmatic character known as the Stranger, who is played by Colin Baker, the actor who was also the 6th Doctor. Since the videos have a rather science fiction/fantasy flavor to them, some people think that the Stranger is another incarnation (or perhaps imitation) of the Doctor. Not only is Colin Baker involved in the series, but also Nicola Bryant (Peri) is featured, while other Doctor Who actors have also made appearences. Bill Baggs has also produced several other videos that aren't in the "Stranger" series, but do involve several of the Doctor Who actors. These include "The Airzone Solution" and "The Zero Imperative" ======================================================================== 7. Is there a Pink Floyd song that sounds like the Doctor Who theme music? Yes there is. It is called "Meddle" and is on the album "Echoes" ========================================================================