Robert Sloman, who wrote four classic Doctor Who episodes during the Jon Pertwee era of the series -- "The Green Death," "The Time Monster," Pertwee's final story "Planet of the Spiders" and, under the pseudonym Guy Leopold (together with Barry Letts), "The Daemons" -- has died, according to an obituary in today's Guardian written by Letts. Born in Oldham, he became an actor and playwright as well as an employee of the Sunday Times before writing for television. As Letts states in his obit, "As producer, I asked Bob, a friend, to join me in developing an idea I'd had. His exuberant imagination made our story sessions a delight. The resulting serial, The Daemons (under the nom de plume of Guy Leopold), was for several years voted the best ever Dr Who story. ... Bob left the Sunday Times in 1974 and took over as wholesale distributor of all the Sunday papers, based in Burgess Hill, Sussex. Sailing now became a major part of his life, and when he retired, a second home in Spain meant a share in a boat in summer. His wife and children survive him."

Doctor Who - The Doctor calls in sick - Season 1 delayed
Posted by Gord Lacey 1/10/2006

Earlier today we received a report that Doctor Who may be delayed from the planned Feb 14 release date. We checked with the BBC PR company, and they checked with BBC and were told that there were "complications" with the set, and it wouldn't meet the release date. This doesn't surprise us since nothing with this release has gone according to every other BBC title. The release was announced, yet the Warner Home Video (their distributor) press site had nothing about it for weeks, then once it was added to the press site it still wasn't available to purchase. It could be that the delay was simply caused by the slow process of getting the title information out to retailers, or it could have been delayed due to ongoing negotiations with a US broadcaster (the series hasn't been shown in the US yet). We called Warner Canada to find out if the title will be delayed as well, and while Warner Canada hadn't received a delay notice, they expected to receive one given the delay in the US.

Thanks to Phil Benfield and Rich Kirkpatrick for tipping us off about the initial delay report on Steve Manfred's Doctor Who Video FAQ page.

Doctor Who - Reason for delay explained - Sci-Fi Channel picks up series
Posted by Gord Lacey
1/12/2006
Two days ago we posted news that the February 14 release of Doctor Who had been pulled from the schedule, and today we know why; Sci-Fi Channel has picked up the series and will begin airing it later this year. BBC has moved the release date to July 4, 2006 to gain more publicity for the box set, and to allow Sci-Fi to air the series before they release it on DVD.

Amazon.ca lists the set for sale in Canada, shipping on Feb 14. The series has already been shown in Canada, so BBC may release it in the north on the previously scheduled date. You may order the set from Amazon.ca for $87.49 CAN (approx $75 US). You can read more information about the Sci-Fi deal on the BBC website.

Doctor Who checks into SCI FI
SCI FI Channel screen first series Fridays at 9pm from March.

SCI FI Channel and BBC Worldwide Americas announced today a major licensing deal for the first series of the latest Doctor Who adventures.

The 13-part drama is about a mysterious time-travelling adventurer known simply as "The Doctor" (Christopher Eccleston) and his companion, Rose Tyler (Billie Piper). The Doctor and Rose risk death and danger, battling aliens and monsters.

The deal, brokered by Lisa Hofer, Director Co-Production & Sales, BBC Worldwide Americas, grants SCI FI Channel the first run rights for series one with an option for series two. The award-winning series will premiere on SCI FI beginning in March, airing Friday nights at 9.00pm.

Russell T Davies, Head Writer and Executive Producer told us: "The Doctor's made all sorts of journeys in Time and Space, but this is one of his most exciting yet! I'm a huge fan of the SCI FI Channel, and I'm delighted that Doctor Who is appearing on a channel that supports and enhances the entire genre."

"With its rich history of imaginative storytelling, Doctor Who is a true sci-fi classic," stated Thomas P. Vitale, SCI FI's Senior Vice President, Programming & Original Movies. "We're excited to add the show to our lineup."

Commenting on the deal Candace Carlisle, Senior Vice President, BBC Worldwide Americas, said: “The new production has fantastic storylines and production values and has already gained an iconic status around the world. SCI FI Channel is the perfect home for the show and will introduce Doctor Who to a whole new generation of fans in the US.”

In addition, BBC Video has moved the US release date of the DVD from February 2006 to July 4, 2006 to capitalize on the exposure from the TV broadcast. As part of the deal, BBC Video and SCI FI Channel have agreed to work together on joint marketing promotions to support the brand launch.

Burton Cromer, Vice President, Consumer Products, BBC Worldwide Americas said: “We are delighted to be working with SCI FI Channel on the launch of this exciting new take on Doctor Who. The additional marketing support from SCI FI, as well their ability to reach such a broad audience base, made moving the release date an easy decision.”

Executive Produced by Russell T Davies (lead writer) and Julie Gardner, the first series of Doctor Who attracted huge ratings and received critical acclaim when it aired on BBC ONE in March 2005.

Amazon Canada today has listed a change in the release schedule for the DVD release of the Complete Series One Boxed Set. As of yesterday, the target release date was February 14; today, Amazon lists it as March 7. There is currently no word on the reason for the possible delay, or any confirmation other than on Amazon that it has indeed been rescheduled.

BBC Worldwide today confirmed the DVD releases in the UK of Genesis of the Daleks starring Tom Baker and Inferno starring Jon Pertwee. "Genesis" is listed by the official Doctor Who website as being due out 10 April, though some retailers are suggesting 27 March, while "Inferno" is due out 29 May.

Genesis of the Daleks will include commentary by Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, Peter Miles (Nyder) and director David Maloney; "Genesis of a Classic," a 62-minute featurette looking at the making of the story, produced by Ian Levine and edited by Adi Denney, and featuring interviews with Baker, Sladen, Miles, producer Philip Hinchcliffe, executive producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks, actors Guy Siner, James Garbutt, Dennis Chinnery, Roy Skelton, Cy Town, John Scott Martin and Michael Wisher, BBC sound person Dick Mills, lighting director Duncan Brown, visual effects designer Peter Day and makeup artist Sylvia James; "The Dalek Tapes," a 53-minute documentary produced by John Kelly, "which looks at the history of the Daleks and covers all of their appearances in the classic series" and includes rare Dalek clips and classic interviews and is narrated by Terry Molloy; a 7-minute featurette about Doctor Who models; a 6-minute continuity compilation which includes voice-overs; production text and photo gallery. Also included are PDF versions of the 1976 Doctor Who Annual and the Radio Times billings for the original transmission.

Inferno will feature commentary by Nicholas Courtney, John Levene, script editor Terrance Dicks and producer/director Barry Letts; "Can You Hear the Earth Scream?," a 35-minute "making of" documentary which includes interviews with Dicks, Letts, Levene, Courtney, Caroline John, Ian Fairbairn and stunt arranger Derek Ware; "The UNIT Family (Part One)", a 36-minute documentary featuring a look at the first half of the "UNIT family" from the Third Doctor's era with interviews with Letts, Courtney, Levene, Dicks, John, Ware and UNIT Creator Derrick Sherwin; "Visual Effects Promo Film," an excerpt from an early sales pitch from the BBC Visual Effects department featuring rare Doctor Who footage; "The Pertwee Years Intro," a short intro by Jon Pertwee originally included on BBC Video's "The Pertwee Years"; a Jon Pertwee radio announcement; a PDF of the 1971 Doctor Who Annual; Radio Times billings; plus photo gallery and production notes.

Articles on the restoration work are now available at the Restoration Team site on both Genesis of the Daleks and Inferno.