News

Every week day, I let you know what’s happening in the world of television from around the world

News

Monday morning news

18 December 2006 Rob Buckley 13 Comments

Doctor Who action figures

Begin the countdown to Christmas week with some uplifting news:



Doctor Who

  • The Guardian interviews Billie Piper. Apparently, she calls David Tennant ‘David Ten-inch’. That’s presumably a reference to the size of his action figure.
  • The Sun is sticking to its story about The Rani appearing next series, despite official BBC denials.
  • There’s a blow by blow account of the series three trailer, complete with pictures, over at FreemaAgyeman.com.07-Wink

British TV

US TV

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Mission: Impossible – FYI

15 December 2006 Rob Buckley Post a comment

MI - Steven Hill

Just in case you hadn’t noticed, Five US is now airing the infrequently seen first season of Mission: Impossible, every day at 4pm. I didn’t notice at first because they started airing it last Thursday. Brilliant, huh? Who starts a new daily show on a Thursday? Five, of course…

Incidentally, the first season didn’t feature Jim Phelps, but had Dan Briggs (Steven Hill) leading up the Impossible Missions Force. Given the characterisation in the scripts, you’ll probably not notice much of a difference. But then it was the plots and the stupid “East European” accents and locations we all watched it for, wasn’t it?

News

The Singles Table: am I looking forward to it any more?

15 December 2006 Rob Buckley 1 Comment

Alicia Silverstone



Remember a while ago I previewed The Singles Table, one of NBC’s mid-season replacement comedies? I watched the pilot episode, it was rather funny and I was looking forward to it.

Now I’m not so sure I am. This news is a bit old, but I’ve only just found out that Alicia Silverstone is replacing one of the original The Singles Table cast members.

Dear God, why? There wasn’t anything wrong with the show, and the small indie feel to it has just been swamped by the Silverstone’s presence. Now, instead of an even-handed four-way comedy, we have an Alicia Silverstone vehicle with three other cast members.

Still, let’s not prejudge. We should try to remain optimistic. Recasting isn’t always bad. Jane Krakowski wasn’t in the original 30 Rock pilot but is working out just fine. Rules of Engagement was so bad, even the addition of David Spade to the cast list can only improve it when it finally emerges onto our screens.

So, it might still be good. I liked Silverstone in Clueless and the woman she’s replacing wasn’t the most charismatic of actresses (Pascale Hutton). I’m just not sure I’m looking forward to it any more. Anyone psyched by the news?

News

End of the week news

15 December 2006 Rob Buckley 3 Comments

Tennant in specs

Doctor Who

British TV

  • BBC3’s just unveiled its Winter/Spring season (free registration required). In the list is a spin-off from Spooks called Rogue Spooks, featuring some young agents who ‘follow a different rule book’ (sounds horrid); six new comedy series, including Gavin and Stacey starring Rob Brydon and Alison Steadman; and Road Kill Café, in which a professional forager tries to persuade members of the public they should ditch regular food for stuff found dead on the motorway.
  • Just in case Gillian McKeith doesn’t horrify you enough already, imagine what it would be like having her live with you. Pity then, the poor participants in the next series of You Are What You Eat.

US TV

  • Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller have both been refused cameos on 24 because they’re too recognisable.
  • E!’s Watch With Kirstin has an interview with Dexter‘s ‘ice-truck killer’. Don’t read it if you haven’t started watching yet. There are also a couple of spoilers for Sunday’s finale.
  • The remaining episodes of 3 Lbs. are up on Innertube.
  • This year’s Golden Globe TV nominations are available. Yet again, Battlestar Galactica has been shafted, but Dexter is seeing some love, as is Ugly Betty. And if Alec Baldwin doesn’t win the best comedy actor award for 30 Rock, I’ll be surprised…
  • Talking of Battlestar Galactica, there be pretty significant spoilers ahoy over at the Chicago Tribune, including an interview with Ronald D Moore.