News

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

Russell T Davies will be staying on for another series of Doctor Who

8 September 2006 Rob Buckley 1 Comment

More larks from Doctor Who Magazine. This time, RTD confirms he – and everyone else on the production side – will be back for a fourth series, should it be commissioned. Oh, like there are going to be any problems getting that to happen:

“We’re planning for Series Four right now,” Executive Producer Russell T Davies tells Doctor Who Magazine, “as we’re waiting to be commissioned, and the signs are very good.”

“I will stay for Series Four,” he confirms. “I think we all will – Julie [Gardner, executive producer], Phil [Collinson, producer], and I would absolutely love to do it, so we’re waiting for the nod, and we’re fairly confident that it will come. The BBC is so supportive, and they’re delighted with the ratings – not just the ratings, cos they’re not that ratings-conscious, but also the profile, and the energy of the show. They love it.

”So yes, we’re making plans for Series Four. If we waited until they commissioned it, and I don’t know when that’ll be announced, we’d be behind already. Phil and I drove up to Manchester the other day, and we added together all of our ideas for Series Four in the space of that car journey… and we had nine episodes already! Of course, some of them will change, but it’s already gathering shape…!“

Apparently, there’s also going to be news about the eighth Doctor in the issue, on sale on Thursday. Ooh!

News

Five has the rights to Thomas and Friends

8 September 2006 Rob Buckley 2 Comments

Thomas!You might not care about this, but I do. Five has acquired the rights to show new episodes of Thomas and Friends. According to the Media Guardian, “Producer HIT Entertainment also announced it is shooting a new series starring Reverend W Audry’s famous locomotive in high definition. The series, which will air in May 2007, will include 13 new stories and see Thomas cross the Island of Sodor to new locations. New characters will also be introduced: two brand new mainline engines and a big, black truck.”

Which is all very lovely. But I have a quick question: Why is it that they won’t reprint the original Thomas The Tank Engine books? I’ve still got mine, sitting in a box, waiting for the time we have kids. But what about parents who aren’t so lucky? No proper Thomas books. That’s sad.

Actually, there’s a growing trade in buying up then reprinting old kids book. Maybe something to be done there, publishers?

News

Eddie Izzard show gets a green light

7 September 2006 Rob Buckley 1 Comment

RichesThat Eddie Izzard show I mentioned a while ago has been given the all-go signal from FX in the US. Now called Riches and co-starring Minnie Driver, it will run for 13 episodes, starting some time in the second quarter of 2007.

It’s supposed to be FX’s family show. However, they’ve already had to reshoot the pilot to lighten its tone. I wonder why? Here’s the plot…:

Series, formerly titled “Lowlife,” revolves around a family of traveling grifters who take the identity of an upper-middle-class suburban family.

“Riches” stars Izzard as Wayne Malloy, a father questioning the marginal life his family leads. Show follows he and his wife Dahlia (Driver), newly sprung from a two-year prison stint and now battling a drug habit, as they and their three children get accustomed to their new identities as the well-to-do Riches.

FX chief John Landgraf said “Riches” is the cabler’s first family show — “albeit a show and a family unlike any television viewers have seen before.”

Airing dates for US shows, both in the US and over here

5 September 2006 Rob Buckley 1 Comment

Digital Spy has some useful nuggets of info about when various US shows are going to air, both in the UK and the US:

  • Sky One has the full rights to the first three seasons of Bones, so you won’t be seeing it on terrestrial channels any time soon.
  • Prison Break will be returning to Five in January.
  • The fate of Eureka, aka A Town Called Eureka in the UK, hangs in the balance. Cancellation is a possibility.
  • Traveler will appear on ABC in either January or February.
  • Kyle XY, which has already been picked up for a second season in the US (excellent finale by the way), is close to being acquired for UK audiences by… The Disney Channel. Arse.