The 4th Doctor

Image Of The Fendahl Figures

2011-12-14T15:30:00.000-08:00

Another classic Doctor Who figure set is scheduled for release this December (maybe a little later for the USA) - the Image Of The Fendahl.set. It's a variation of the latest Leela figure, but with a new head sculpt.In this story Leela wore her hair up (as seen on the figure below). There's an interesting story behind this; Louise Jameson (Leela) went to get her hair cut and asked for "just a trim." However, the hair stylist cut a lot of length off. The BBC is all it's wisdom thought that audiences wouldn't understand why Leela's hair was suddenly shorter than the previous story so they had her wear it up.Oddly, they figured we could understand why Leela switched outfits in other stories...In the last scene of Image Louise wore her hair down again and it was noticeably shorter. To totally not draw attention to the shorter hair the director also had Leela combing her new short locks... I guess with her hair up for most of Image Of The Fendahl.the BBC totally fooled us there in that scene...with...it....still shorter...but it was at the end so that...makes more...sense...

More Season 18 Greatness

2011-12-07T11:35:00.000-08:00

With the holidays I've been expectantly busy (oddly mostly just with eating...) and haven't posted much. Of course the big news (to me) is the new Fourth Doctor boxed set of figures from the classic season 18 story "The Keep of Traken."

The set is due sometime this December - which is good for me, but bad for someone wh might not get a present this year because of it. It includes a partial new Tom sculpt (i.e. shirt sleeves and vest) with no overcoat. A friend of mine asked me if Tom actually went coat-less in "Traken" and I could have sworn that he didn't. Apparently he did right at the end when all ended well...(except for poor Tramas of course).

This screenshot is interesting for another reason too. Tom was very withdrawn that last season and spent much of the time not looking directly at his costars.Lalla Ward (who played companion Romana most of season 18) has commented on this a few times. Many who worked with Tom felt that he was removing himself emotionally from the series that he loved knowing it would be hard to walk away. He was also physically ill for a large portion of filming and had lost a lot of weight. However, we did get some wonderful performances from Tom that year and the above photo is a good example of the magic he still had as Doctor Who.

The Boxes Are In

2011-11-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

Nice peak at the two upcoming boxed set of classic figures for the First Doctor Era:

And for the Third Doctor:

Incidentally, we are getting a new sculpt for the "Caves of Androzani" figure set:

From the figure collection of Jazmunda at Gallifrey Base.

Huge Heads Prevail

2011-10-31T09:54:00.000-07:00

I've not seen the new 8 inch scale (1970s Mego sized) action figure in person yet. However, one brave fan RonpurFLAUSA of Gallifrey Base forum) if has his and posted a picture of his next to the classic Mego Star Trek figures...Tom's head is still too big. Virtually all of these new retro MEGO-inspired action figures have heads that are completely out of scale.

The Star Trek figures are from Mego first series that came on skinnier bodies than the later more muscular bodies. This new Tom Baker Fourth Doctor figure just looks totally odd next to these figures though. it is disappointing, but I'll still pick up a Tom figure. You can't have too many fourth Doctor action figures.

Come Closer Peri

2011-10-26T07:44:00.000-07:00

Closer look at the upcoming "Caves of Androzani figures" - Peri and Sharez Jek.

And another set coming soon is the "Enemies of the Third Doctor."

More Classic Sets

2011-10-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

Although this is old news to many, there are some really great classic Who figures coming soon...

I've been scouring the USA looking for the new 10 inch tall Matt Smith figure to no avail...the only place I've seen it is Ebay from Australian dealers wanting $30 shipping in addition to the $30-$40 price tag...that's a lot to pay for a rather cheap looking 10 inch figure...but I still want one...Doctor Who Where Are You?

I have decided to try and save a little money by not buying Doctor Who Magazine each month. It's around $11 per issue here in the US. That may not seem like much, but the magazine has been terribly uninteresting lately and I rarely do anything other than look at the pictures. I can't justify the money or shelf space (I can't throw these away - it seems like sacrilege) any longer. It saddens me...but that same $11 can go elsewhere I guess...like utility bills, or groceries, or a Matt Smith 10 inch figure...

Eleventh Doctor 1/6 Scale Figure Revealed

2011-10-01T06:33:00.000-07:00

Images of Big Chief's upcoming Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor have been revealed finally. There will be two editions a Signature Edition (seen here) and a Limited Edition (seen here). The figure is beautifully done. Of course, such a high-end figure will cost big bucks. The Signature edition £169.99 and depending on the exchange rate will be around $264 plus shipping in the US. Hopefully a US retailer will be distributing these and Big Chief is working on this with a retail price of $199.99. However, the Signature Edition will only be available online and ordered in British Pounds from their website. The price is high, but in line with Hot Toys and Medicom figures. Start saving now because pre-orders are coming soon for a December/January release. You have to register to get on the Priority Pre-order notification.

Leela Returns

2011-09-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

There is indeed another classic Leela action figure "coming soon." The Invasion of Time Action Figure Set is headed to the US in January 2012. This is Leela in her second animal skin outfit. I kind of like this outfit better than her original one. The Invasion of Time was also Leela's last story. The figures look pretty good to me. I've read there's a November release date in Britain and January 2012 fro the US, Not sure why there's such a difference in release dates if true.

There's also a new bust of Leela in the works too. Oddly, I had read that the line of busts was cancelled, so I don't know now. It doesn't look that great anyway.

Ten Inch and Twelve Inch Eleventh Doctor Figures

2011-09-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

Interestingly enough, Character Options is sort of getting back into the clothed doll/action figure line. Recently shown is a 10 inch tall action figure of Matt Smith as the Doctor. It's a shame that they aren't going to make this in the same scale as their old Tenth Doctor line of dolls/action figures. The clothes look sloppy in a way, but still a fun looking figure.

Of course Big Chief's high-end (i.e. expensive) figure is coming too. I hope to get this one, but the price will be a determining factor.

Superman's Shorts

2011-09-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

I saw this online at the Sideshow Freaks forum. Love it!

Superman's New Costume III

2011-09-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

Then...

Now...

...

New Who Revue

2011-09-12T05:42:00.000-07:00

The second half of series six of Doctor Who returned to TV a few weeks ago. The first episode ("Let's kill Hitler") was entirely devoted to answering the question (once again) of who River Song is/was/will be. At this point, as much as I love Alex Kingston as River, I don't care who she is/was/will be. The episode was virtually one long chat fest with little to no action. Doctor Who was never really an action show per se (except some of the Pertwee era stories) so a lot of talk isn't unusual. However, something is missing under Stephen Moffat's era of Doctor Who. What seems to be missing is the Doctor himself. Moffat has made the Doctor a guest star on his own show.

Virtually every story since Moffat took over two years ago has revolved around the Doctor's assistant, Amy Pond. Amy is played aptly by Karen Gillan, but no assistant of the Doctor has ever been interesting enough to warrant becoming the main focus of the show...never...not even Leela or Sarah Jane Smith. Of course, Russell T Davies started this trend with the eternally over-hyped Rose Tyler. At least Davies gave us much of the Doctor's lore too especially when David Tennent became the Tenth incarnation of the Time Lord. Moffet's has overtly placed the Doctor second in line to Amy Pond. Amy in fact often is the one who solves the episode's denouement. A lot of young male Who fans love to gush over Amy because she's "hot." Since I am several decades out of puberty, the attractiveness of an actor doesn't hold my interest for more than two minutes; I want good story more than a pretty face.

This weekend we saw another full story ("The Girl Who Waited") devoted to not one but two Amy Ponds (thanks to another time travel, multiple universes thing that has been done to death). During this fan wank to our beloved hormone-challenged Amy fans I found myself leaving the room many times to do other important things like fold laundry or pick up a stray piece of lint. Moffet's Who just can't hold my attention. Increasingly I have found myself totally bored with the show. As great as Matt Smith is, he is second banana to Karen Gillan. This era of Doctor Who feels a lot like the Sylvester McCoy (Seventh Doctor) era when the show was winding down and frankly had run out of ideas.

I suspect a couple of things are driving this companion-based focus; budget cuts and audience ratings.The rumor when Moffat took over was that he had less money than Davies to work with and it often shows onscreen. Doctor Who at heart is a cult show with a specific audience of mostly science fiction fans and the aforementioned hormone-challenged young males. Moffatt is trying to grab a larger audience and also fighting cheaper-to-produce and higher rating grabbing (crap) reality shows. Although, I firmly believe that TV ratings are totally forged by the industry and are not an accurate picture of audience tastes...but that's another topic. I also think there's little "reality" in Reality TV. Is Moffat making the right production choices? He probably is because new Who does have decent ratings, which can only help keep the show on the air longer. And new Who is better than no Who.

And so Doctor Who plods along like it did in season 19 looking crisp and new, but missing the very thing that made it fun - a strong focus on the Doctor. I will keep watching mostly for Matt Smith as little (as he's used and) for the TARDIS, which I suspect is the real star of the show. Unfortunately, though, for the first time I don't really care if I miss an episode.

P.S.- I do realize that "The Girl Who Waited" was this year's Doctor-light episode in which the star is given a break and is not the main focus of the episode. This happens every season with every Doctor. However, I do feel that the main focus of Moffat's era has been Amy Pond and not Doctor Who.

Superman Movie Suit Is Horrible

2011-09-01T15:34:00.000-07:00

I absolutely hate this suit. This is nothing more than a rip-off of the bleak Dark Knight films. Of course, Batman is written dark these days so a rubber suit works for that character. Superman is a positive light - at least theoretically. Of course. the dark always wins in this world and now Superman is lost too. The new suit is just plain hideous. Oddly. a lot of fan reaction online is positive. Further proof that this is a world that's moved on past me.

City of Death Action Figure Set

2011-08-22T05:30:00.000-07:00

The next classic Doctor Who figure release is a set from "City of Death." Many fans think "City" is one of the best of Tom Baker's era. However, I've never really been able to get into it. It's a great idea, but it happened in the later years when Tom's stories lapped into an over-use of goofy humor. Many attribute this to Tom Baker "taking charge" and injecting too much silliness. I think it's more related to Douglas Adams as the show's script editor. Adams work always slipped into a parody of science fiction, which is great for his novels, bit that doesn't fit well in Doctor Who. The producer, Graham Williams, also set a more light-hearted tone. It is interesting to note, though, that during Graham William's time, the budget on Doctor Who had been slashed considerably. Tom Baker's wonderfully wild portrayal arguable helped maintain high viewership when the show started to look very cheap (well, more cheap than usual).

The figures look pretty good. It seems we will finally be getting the longer multi-colored scarf for the Fourth Doctor this time too. The set should be available in October.

Superman's New Movie Costume

2011-08-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

The first picture of Henry Cavill as Superman has been released...egads. They've done it again! The suit is dark and leathery looking with some weird texture. I give up hoping for a classic looking Superman ever to grace the screens again. There's not even the spit curl in his hair here. And don't get me started on a British actor playing an American icon. Don't get me wrong - I love the Brits. But Superman is classically apple pie American. Although, the film looks better than Superman Returns just from this one shot alone. They've suspiciously left his mid-section hidden in shadows...I assume because there will be no red shorts in this suit (click for larger view).

More details here.

And here's the new Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) from the next Batman film....I just...don't...get it....

I guess they realize there is no way to top Julie Newmar so they totally gave up on "sexy" as a trait of the character. I guess I can't blame them...but really...

Another Leela Figure

2011-08-01T04:56:00.000-07:00

Recently found on Ebay (from a seller in China) was a loose Leela variant figure. We can only assume that this will also be a future official release either single or in some kind of box set. it is Leela in her other leather outfit. It looks pretty good actually. I just received the first issue Leela last week and am quite happy with it.

San Diego Comic Con Continued

2011-07-21T05:03:00.000-07:00

The New Leela figure has been revealed. I am definitely getting Leela after seeing the picture.

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And the retro 8-inch scaled figures by Biff, Bang, Pow are shown. The Tom Baker figure looks pretty good.

Classic Who San Diego Comic Con Exclusive 2011

2011-07-20T05:47:00.000-07:00

The classic figure release for this year's San Diego Comic Con Exclusive has been announced...Leela. No pics yet of the actual figure. Classic fans are very happy with this choice.

Big Chief's Head

2011-07-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

Sneak peek at the 1/6 scale Matt Smith head is up at Big Chief's site.

Action Figure Theater

2011-07-13T06:21:00.000-07:00

There are some amazingly talented fans out there (in the ether?) who can customize just about anything. One of the most fun sites featuring art from such fans is The Action Figure Theater. This site contains photo stories using posed action figures - it's sort of like a comic book with figures, backgrounds, photo effects, and related mini props. A lot of love and attention has gone into these stories as well as a lot of talent.

Another fantastic part of the site includes free downloadable paper props and sets to make your own dioramas for your Doctor Who action figures. I am amazed at the attention to detail on these paper crafts and how effective they can be. One of the most amazing is Sarah's attic set from The Sarah Jane Adventures. I really love paper crafts and there are some really cool ones on the web - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the ships from Battlestar Galactica. A lot of these are very intricate and require more patience than I often have, but are gorgeous to look at. You've got to love the talent and dedication of fans and customizers. They are the backbone of fandom.

New Doctor Who 1/6 Figures Coming

2011-07-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

A new company has taken over the 1/6 scale action figure rights from Character Options - BIG Chief Studios Ltd. The figures:

BIG Chief Studios Ltd. is proud to announce a licensing deal with BBC Worldwide to produce a range of high-end collector 1:6 scale figures and 1:4 scale mixed media statues, based on the flagship TV series Doctor Who. The agreement includes rights for both the current series starring Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor and the classic series’, from the very first Doctor William Hartnell, through to David Tennant.

Initial product offerings will include highly detailed 1:6 scale versions of the Doctor (Matt Smith) and his companion Amy Pond (Karen Gillan). Both figures will be fully articulated for maximum poseability and will feature authentic hand-painted character portraits, finely tailored costuming, signature accessories and themed display bases. To complete the first wave, other popular characters including Rory Williams and River Song will be released.

Key monsters and aliens from the hit TV series will also be released. Additionally themed 1:6 scale dioramas depicting the sets from the show will be introduced for collectors to create displays for their figures.

These figures should be higher end than Character Options. Not that I am knocking CO's figures because I liked them and have all of their 1/6 line. The good thing about CO's 1/6 scale line was that it was very affordable. I think BIG Chief will be doing higher quality figures. The Matt Smith and Amy Pond figures should be great. And hopefully we will finally get a quality 1/6 scale Tom Baker Doctor as well. The figures should be available relatively soon:

BIG Chief will begin offering the first two character releases in Q4 2011, both direct to consumer via their dedicated website and through select hobby and specialist retailers.

New Doctor Who Micro Figures

2011-07-07T05:14:00.000-07:00

The classic series is getting a whole new range of miniature scaled figures. This set will complement the new series line and features all eleven incarnations of the Doctor. These should be available late summer or Fall.

Doctor Goo

2011-07-04T14:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day! yes, I am home alone with no barbecue to attend...I am nursing a terrible summer flu and feel like crap. However, an absolutely gooey new product is being released soon based on this year's episodes "The Rebel Flesh" and "The Almost People." It's basically just yesteryear's "slime" toys, but this has some melted 11th Doctor pieces. Totally cool idea. Unfortunately, you only get a few pieces per container and it's basically a crap shoot. It could take several purchases to get a full different five pieces. As long as I get one with the head piece, I'd be happy. Coming Soon this month.

Build a Sonic

2011-07-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

Like the Star Wars "Build a Lightsaber" kits, the Doctor Who line is getting a similar toy that builds sonic screwdrivers. I have to say that the kit looks really cool and fun. I am not sure if the parts are in scale to the TV prop, though. The kit lets you "personalize" your very own sonic with 80 possible combinations. The sets should be available in July for $35.

Doctor Who San Diego Comic Con Exclusive 2011

2011-06-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

This year's Character Options/Underground Toys San Diego Comic Con Exclusive is River Song and the Pandorica chair for $30.The Doctor (not included) will also fit in the chair. These exclusives are usually available at WhoNA and other US retailers after the convention...well, some of them have been.And, yes, "there will be a new Classic Doctor Who item launched at SDCC but it won't be an exclusive. More info nearer the time."

Is Doctor Who Heading for Cancellation?

2011-06-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago the BBC announced that Doctor Who would return with a full 13 episode season in 2012 and Matt Smith would be returning. However, a week or so later they amended that to a reduced season. BBC1 Controller Danny Cohen had this to say:

"The tricky thing to explain to your kids - who I'm very glad are fans of it - is that the same man who writes Doctor Who also writes Sherlock, and there's only so many hours a day he can be awake. We're very keen that Sherlock comes back too, and it will be back as another three parts next year, so he needs enough time to get that done and then start work on the next series of Doctor Who.

There will be some episodes but there won't be a full series, so we won't have a thirteen part run ... but you know the man has to sleep, he's got a family! That's the genuine reason, it's about Steven Moffat - who's the creative drive force behind Doctor Who at the moment and he also rather magically at the same time created and got to air Sherlock - we have to get that balance right. There will be episodes, but there won't be as many, and there'll be more episodes again in 2013 - which I think is the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who, so that's a big year.

It's a very special programme, it's one of the programmes that we feel is so special that we plan for on Christmas Day."

I find it ridiculous that this is because Moffat writes two different shows. Doctor Who is much more popular world-wide than yet another version of Sherlock Holmes. It also has to generate much more revenue in merchandising alone. Why would the BBC plot to destroy Doctor Who??? Simple; it's too expensive. There were some rumblings last year that the budget for Doctor Who had been slashed and it showed onscreen. It looks a little less fancy this year too and the season was split into two parts for some odd reason. The final six episodes will air sometime in the Fall. I wondered it that by doing so it would spread the expense over two fiscal years. That is if the BBC runs on fiscal years and not calendar years, which I don't know if they do or not. It was just a guess.

If Moffat can't handle two shows, perhaps it's time he left one of them. In my opinion Doctor Who under his reign has been too fantasy prone and contains more magic than science fiction. For that reason alone I wouldn't mind him leaving Who. However, I think we are seeing the winding down of Doctor Who until it eventually will be seen only once or twice a year. Then, eventually, it will be retired once again while the BBC coasts on fandom and merchandising sales. I also think that the BBC (like USA networks) is spending less on expensive shows like Doctor Who in favor of cheaper reality shows. I also believe this is related to the world-wide economic woes. Money isn't freely flowing like it used to be and we are seeing networks dropping expensive shows to conserve money. The money saved, however, still goes to highly paid executives. We wouldn't the wealthy of our world to suffer with only one house now would we?

ABC recently cancelled both daytime dramas All My Children and One Life to Live, which caused a huge outcry of fans. The outcry was totally ignored of course. In their place ABC will give us two more cheap-to-produce reality shows. Ironically, ABC will also be paying Katie Couric $20 million for a talk show...that's roughly half an entire year's budget for One Life to Live. How many people will be put out of work so Katie can live like a queen? You can bet no executive salaries will be slashed and neither will the advertising costs to companies for the new shows. But that's the new America for you - the rich get richer while the masses can go "eat cake." I think it's a world-wide philosophy that will eventually end modern Doctor Who.

New Tom Baker Action Figure (Update)

2011-06-14T05:04:00.000-07:00

A new(er) picture of "Bif Bang Pow's" new line of 8 inch scaled Doctor Who figures is out. This one with a corrected Tom Baker head sculpt - i.e. they shrunk it to better proportion with an actual human head. It doesn't exactly look like the Fourth Doctor and the scarf isn't colored terribly accurately. Still it is a cool retro-styled figure. It's also one of the few Tom Baker sculpts of the Doctor not to be smiling broadly. Entertainment Earth has the Doctor and a Sontaran ready for pre-order for $39.99.

Superman's New Costume II

2011-06-13T10:58:00.001-07:00

Bleh!

Superman's New Costume

2011-06-10T04:36:00.000-07:00

With all of DC comics getting "rebooted" (how I hate that term) Superman will be getting is new suit soon. There aren't that many changes, but it just looks stupid. I am of the opinion that Superman's costume is not only iconic, but the inspiration for every super hero to follow. Changing it is sophomoric. There is speculation, too, that this is the result of the family of Superman's original creator's lawsuit against DC. DC may have lost the rights to some aspects of the character such as red shorts, low collar, and plain red boots. Since DC for years refused to do the right thing and pay the family may have cost them more in the end and they had to change the suit. This is still just speculation, but typical corporate greed if true. I will not be following the new Superman comic or the upcoming movie...wait for it..."reboot". Next year will see the Man of Steel a reboot of Superman Returns, which was a reboot of Superman III. Can we officially retire the word "reboot" now. The actual definition for "reboot" is: The inability to create one's own original material resulting in the process of taking beloved material and destroying everything the public loves about it. Rest in Peace Superman.

Supergirl didn't fare much better in her new suit. Of course, her costume has been hideous for years.

Adrianne Palicki Classic Style

2011-06-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

It seems Warner Brothers (or NBC?) caved to fan reaction and did get Adrianne Palicki into a version of the classic Wonder Woman suit after all. The pilot has not been picked up for series, which is probably a blessing. An early leaked version of the script has gotten some terrible online reviews. The classic-styled costume isn't that great after all. Adrianne just makes a rather plain looking Wonder Woman for some reason. She's certainly pretty, but somehow always reminds me of a fan in a homemade costume

I think in the second picture she is standing by one of her fleet jets - none invisible. Apparently the script also had her somewhat neurotic as she sat on the floor eating ice cream and crying over Steve Trevor. It's amazing to me how Hollywood (and recent comic book publishers) are going out of their way to destroy everything people love about classic Super Heroes. Apparently not only is Superman losing his classic costume (again), but he also recently denounced his US citizenship. It seems that all DC comic heroes are getting their origins "rebooted." All I can say is "yawn." Maybe the world doesn't need modern heroes any longer...

No Spoilers

2011-06-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

Sam Hodges, Head of Communications for BBC1, Fiction, Daytime and HD at the BBC has confirmed on Twitter this afternoon that Doctor Who has indeed been commissioned for a further fourteen episodes, with Matt Smith continuing in the role.

Head writer Stephen Moffat re-iterated: "14 eps + Matt DEFINITELY. I've got a plan and I'm NOT TELLING YOU WHAT IT IS. Now hush or River shoots you with her Spoiler Gun."

no mention of Amy though......

Hot Toys Superman Pre-Order

2011-05-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

Pre-orders are up at Sideshow Collectors for the Christopher Reeve Superman figure. He's listed at $209.99.

Sideshow also has an exclusive version of the figure with the chunk of Kryptonite that Lex Luthor used to disable Superman. It's also listed at $209.99.

I've already got my pre-order in for the Exclusive. Who needs food for a month when you can have a mini Chris Reeve on your shelf? Buying from Sideshow directly is usually more expensive, but it's the only place to get the version with Kryptonite. The regular edition figure will be available at other dealers as well. What I find amusing is that Superman "fans" are nit-picking this figure to pieces; "He's cross-eyed!" - "Yup, eyes are too small" - "If they don't fix the eyes I won't buy it!" I don't see anything wrong with the eyes. We've had to wait 34 years for a proper Chris Reeve figure and it's still not right to some. Hilarious. I love this figure as is. Now...bring on the Margot Kidder as Lois Lane figure!

Hot Toys Christopher Reeve Superman

2011-05-26T05:45:00.000-07:00

Finally Hot Toys upcoming Christopher Reeve Superman action figure photos are here. Hot Toys makes some of the best (and expensive) figures around. I have just a few (Brandon Routh Superman and Clark Kent, Brando Jor-El, Jackman Wolverine and some True Type bodies) and they are like works of art. I assume this Reeve figure will be around $200 or more.I am getting this because Reeve is the epitome of Superman in my mind. This is absolutely gorgeous work and a great tribute to Reeve.

The Master Arrives

2011-05-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

The classic Master and TARDIS set have already arrived in the US. That was fast! Whona has it for $29.95. Looks good in the box.

Junked TARDIS 2

2011-05-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

Better look at the set de-boxed. This is a really cool piece, but I am thinking in the box it will be huge and take up a lot of shelf space.

Click for Larger View

Junked TARDIS

2011-05-19T04:40:00.000-07:00

A really interesting new playset is going to be released soon - the Junked TARDIS Console from "The Doctor's Wife." What's also interesting is that the design of this was selected from a contest. The winning design was from Susannah, an 11 year old girl...girl? Since when do girls get into Doctor Who!?? kidding. Girls who like Who give hope to millions of little boy geeks the world over. The contest was part of a British children's show called "Blue Peter" (what were they thinking...). With money being tight, thanks to the post Bush era economy, I don't know that I can afford to get this. But it certainly would look good on a shelf...if I had shelf room left.

The Doctor's New Scarf

2011-05-18T04:46:00.000-07:00

As I bemoaned earlier, the "Destiny of the Daleks" figure set that was released recently (which I still haven't picked up) featured the Fourth Doctor in the wrong scarf. It's just too short for this period of time in which the Doctor appeared. Naturally,fans have been customizing correct ones. The simplest recipe involves repainting the existing scarf from the Season 18 "Burgundy" Doctor figure. Jinxieman on the Galifrey Base forum has created a great example of what can be done.

The scarf is flexible so you'd need a strong vinyl safe paint or it could flake off. It is interesting that Character Options didn't do this same thing using the already existing S18 scarf mold. Perhaps the cost was too high change production even for something as simple as a paint scheme. Who knows. It's all very Ood, er..odd.

And here's a version also by Jinxieman with two of the shorter scarves pieced together. Very clever idea. And, yes, the Doctor is holding a giant Tylenol....not really (it's a bomb).

New Series Action Figure Range

2011-05-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

The newest range of Doctor Who action figures for the current Matt Smith series has been revealed. As with last year's wave (which I didn't get any of) the choices are rather dull. However, there really haven't been too many fantastical villains these past two seasons to make figures of. Steven Moffatt is still producing Doctor Who as a fairy tale instead of science fiction. There's far too much "magic" in the new series these days. It's still good TV, but quite "off" for the Doctor's adventures.

As it turns out, we will be getting a general release young Amelia Pond sans hat and coat. Not sure if I care enough about any of these to get them. I am no longer a "completist" when it comes to Who figure collecting The Silents are rather nice though. And still no new River Song figure which is sure to disappoint many.

Doctor in Stetson

Amelia Pond (Amy as a child)

Silent (open mouth)

Silent (regular)

Nephew Ood

A Master and His TARDIS

2011-05-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

Another new classic series set has been officially announced: The Master and his TARDIS set from "The Time Monster." This, of course, a re-release of the Roger Delgado version of the Master. The TARDIS is new and the set comes with some extra fiddly bits: the Kronos Crystal and the Doctor's time sensor. Since the Master's chameleon circuit was working this is the only story where TARDIS was disguised as a computer. It is funny, though, looking back at how this was a modern computer at the time - i.e. big enough to take up a whole wall of any room.This is one of my favorite classic series TARDISes, though. Even though the Delgado Master figure has already been released, it's a must have for me. But I like TARDISes anyway so it was a given I'd get this. The set is so far only listed as "Coming Soon."

Incidentally, in the new series episode "Utopia," in which the Master was re-introduced to the world of Doctor Who, if you look carefully in the background you can see one of these old-fashioned computers...

As the story goes, the Master fled the Time War and hid himself (in a complicated way) as Professor Yana. Yana had no idea who he really was, until the Doctor accidentally set things into motion. In the end the Master stole the Doctor's TARDIS (which was promptly disabled by the Doctor). How ironic that the Master/Yana may have had his old TARDIS sitting in the back of his lab all forgotten...or did he forget about it...

Little Amelia Pond Figure

2011-05-12T05:17:00.000-07:00

Apparently (and I didn't know this was planned) an Amy Pond as child action figure is out now in Britain. And, here's a surprise, it's yet another exclusive; this one for "The Doctor Who Experience" exhibition in London. I really, really hate "exclusives." All they do is limit access to collectors who are "completists" or those who may just want a specific figure. Playmates Toys in the 80s/90s had many, many exclusive figures in their Star Trek line. In my opinion, it was one of the big reasons the line died. Naturally, the result was that for years the exclusive Star Trek figures were found only on Ebay for huge sums of money (none of which I bought there). I did get a few of the exclusive figures at the time, but quickly grew tired of trying to keep up. Later I sold all my Playmates Star Trek figures anyway for next to nothing since they are now not worth the plastic used to make them. Of course, very little is keeping it's value these days, which is why Ebay is now charging sellers ridiculous fees (but that's another topic).

I have no intention of trying to scour the Universe for an Amelia Pond figure. It looks okay I guess, but maybe too tall? I would bet that Character Options/Underground Toys will release this Amelia figure again...perhaps packaged with another Doctor figure and TARDIS release...anything to squeeze all they can out of collectors. Action figure collecting isn't really fun anymore - it's too much work.

Too tall? She looks about 14 instead of 7....

From the collection of (BigGavSW9)

Comic-Con Exclusive Figures

2011-05-10T04:54:00.000-07:00

Comic-Con is coming up in late July and two exclusive Doctor Who figures are ready for pre-order. These will be from the new line of 8 inch tall action figures inspired by the old Mego (1970s toy company) line. I grew up with Mego toys (Star Trek, Superheroes, and even The Waltons), so these really are retro for me. I loved the Mego toys as a kid, but the scale is too small for my tastes these days. However, I kept all my childhood figures from Mego and will probably grab the new Doctor Who line.

The exclusive figures for Comic-Con are the Cyber Leader and The Master.

As usual with these new Mego-esque figures, the heads look waaaaay too big. The new company making these - Bif, Bang, Pow, just can't seem to get the scale right on most of their figures. Mego never had this problem. The worst thing they did (besides really lousy celebrity likenesses) was to leave the ears off their Toni Tenille doll. Still, the Comic-Con exclusive are available here for pre-order with a November shipping date.

The Fourth Doctor and Sontaran are also available for pre-order with shipping in October. You'll notice a HUGE head on the Fourth Doctor figure. Per Bif, Bang, pow, this will be corrected in the final release. We'll see....

Who Toys Then & Now

2011-04-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

A collector (Brendan Jones) has taken some nice comparison shots of the old Dapol Doctor Who figures and the new Character Options line. It's funny actually seeing how off Dapol got the scale. The figures in the TARDIS door look like they've been hit by Dr Shrinker's ray (a vintage Kroft Saturday morning kid's show reference for those of you under 40). Also, notice Dapol couldn't be bothered to sculpt a scarf for the fourth Doctor figure...

We've come a long way in quality and craftsmanship even though the old Dapol line has a charm all its own. I have many figures from the Dapol line, which was released in the 1980s! Back then we loved the Dapol figures because that was literally all there was. That Dapol TARDIS is also really cool because you can take it apart to build the console room interior. A console set was "sold separately," but quickly ceased production due to an incorrect sculpt consisting of only 5 control panels (instead of 6). I was really disappointed when Dapol canceled their planned 1/6 Seventh Doctor figure (with real cloth costume) too! Check out more of Brendan's collection and comparison photos on Galifrey Base. Thanks to Brendan for the great shots.

Elisabeth Sladen 1948 - 2011

2011-04-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

I was shocked and devastated to learn that Elisabeth Sladen has passed away from Cancer. Lis was Tom Baker's first companion on Doctor Who - Sarah Jane Smith. She was the first companion I saw and my all-time favorite. In fact, everybody loved Lis Sladen and Sarah Jane Smith. So beloved was the character, and Lis herself, Russell T Davies created a spin-off show for her called "The Sarah Jane Adventures" soon after bringing Doctor Who back in 2005. Lis was beautiful and gracious. The world was better off with her in it. Tom Baker himself has always stated Lis was his favorite co-star. She was ours too. RIP Lis...

A Peak Into Destiny

2011-04-15T18:53:00.000-07:00

One collector (screen name FUNCHOMCLALA) on the WhoNA Forum has posted sneak preview pictures of the Destiny of the Daleks set due out in May. He got a set early it seems and has posted some nice pictures of the new Fourth Doctor figure. It looks pretty good even though the scarf is too short - it should loop down to the figure's waist and not around the neck, Overall, it is a good representation of Tom's season 17 costume. I will get this set for sure.

Wonder Woman Re-Dressed

2011-04-12T07:33:00.001-07:00

They've updated the new Wonder Woman costume. It still looks like a homemade fan creation to me. It's lacks any real charm. But, the boots are now red if that means anything.

UPDATE: Apparently, there is a more classic costume included in the Wonder Woman pilot as well. NBC has released a statement that the new Wonder actress will indeed be seen in tiny blue shorts during the episode:

“There was an initial outcry about the long pants – you know, skintight pants as opposed to those little shorts [worn by Lynda Carter in the original TV series],” Greenblatt concedes to TVLine.com. “But the shorts were always planned. They are actually used in the final confrontation when she beats Veronica Cale (played by Elizabeth Hurley).”

Read all about it here.

Not Yeti He Ain't!

2011-04-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

As it turns out a prototype photo of a "possible" upcoming Yeti figure was released recently. I've seen it and it's a gorgeous prototype. The Yeti was a creature featured in several Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) stories. I can't post the photo here because the leaked photo has apparently ticked off Character Option so much they are considering just canceling the figure. I wouldn't want to add fuel to that fire for the sake of the fans who want this figure. Character Options is certainly looking to fire anyone in their organization who did release the photo. I find this whole situation totally insane.

First of all why act like a spoiled 5 year old and threaten to "take your toys and leave"??? They may cancel the thing after all the time and money spent on developing it...?? And all because a photo was leaked early? What kind of company is this? I mean I certainly understand the issues of surrounding a prototype not yet approved by the BBC (also proven to be bizarre with their sculpting demands). However, there is no way an early peak at a figure would severely affect future sales. The classic Doctor Who collectors are going to flock to this figure like they have all the others. Would I get a Yeti figure? Certainly. Do I care that a photo has been leaked early? Uh, no...it adds to the excitement and anticipation. Of course, these stupid threats by Character Options makes me more likely to not buy any more of their figures (theoretically).

Hey Character Options....why not release your own teaser photos of prototypes and upcoming figures (like Sideshow Toys does) and stop being total jerks. The world has officially gone totally crazy. It's just a toy!

Still Another Custom Fourth Doctor

2011-04-08T04:37:00.000-07:00

I often wonder why I keep looking for custom Doctor Who figures on Ebay only after the auction has ended! I think there is something going on here energetically. Or, perhaps, my poor brain is not focusing too well these days (too much going on). Yet another 1/6 scale (12 inches tall) Fourth Doctor figure in season 18 attire just sold on Ebay. I didn't see it in time, naturally, or I would have bid. This figure is from a British seller (peterdalek) and sold for a ridiculously low £15 (or about $25). Things just aren't selling very high on Ebay these days. It's a shame he didn't get money for his custom work. A few years ago this seller would have gotten 5 times that. Sorry I missed my chance to bid.

Is This Some Kind of a Bust?

2011-04-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

New and bigger photos have popped up on several sites showing the upcoming Tom Baker bust. It looks pretty good, but slightly off on Tom's facial features. I can't tell exactly what's off - maybe it's the facial expression. Perhaps they were going for Tom just after he tossed a script across the rehearsal room. But I like it and still plan to get this when it's released later in the year. I found the below pictures on Galifrey Base.

Another (Not Creepy) Custom

2011-04-05T04:49:00.000-07:00

As I constantly tell every fellow Doctor Who fan I know I do love Tom Baker's final (season 18) plum-colored costume. So much so that I'd love to have a genuine copy for myself. Not...that...I'd wear.. it...or any...thing...just to have...Anyway, a couple of years ago I was perusing the British Ebay site for Doctor Who customs and found a great season 18 custom Fourth Doctor figure. I missed the auction as it was already over, but there were a few photos still active:

Had I seen the action in time I would have bid. As I recall it went for a relatively decent (i.e. to low) price. Of course, this was during the "financial crisis" and nothing was selling very high on Ebay. I would love to have won this figure. At the time I did have my season 18 Tom completed though so it wasn't hugely disappointing. I have not seen any new photos of this figure online so the buyer must not be sharing. I'd love to see some better, closer shots. I don't know who made this guy either.

Favorite (Creepy) Custom

2011-04-04T05:14:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite Fourth Doctor customs is a rather mad-looking sculpt of Tom Baker. I have no idea who made it or when it was available. Vikki at Fabric of Time and Space makes wonderful 1/6 scale clothing and is one of the few female Doctor Who fans out there who makes custom figures. She put together a Tom Baker Fourth Doctor figure using this strange and wonderful head. Vikki has now replaced this head with another and the shot of this figure is no longer on her site. However, one lone shot survived and lives on the web...

Some have called this sculpt "creepy" and "scary," but I love it. I firmly believe that there can never be too many Fourth Doctor figures, statues, and toys. Even if they are wildly crazed looking and unusual. The above figure is fantastically manic. I thinks it's great and am ticked I never had a chance to get one. I emailed Vikki once and asked her where she got the head, but she could no longer remember exactly (I know that feeling). Definitely check out Vikki's work, though. I have a few of her Doctor Who clothes and her customs are a labor of love.

P.S. - not knowing who made this sculpt, I can't credit you. But I think it's great whoever you are.

Tom's Bust Revealed

2011-03-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

I knew there would be a Fourth Doctor bust released eventually. The first glimpses have slipped onto the web. It's based on the gray coat Tom wore in "City of Death" and even has the little lapel pin from that story. It's great to see a Fourth Doctor in something other than the short red jacket he wore in his premiere season. I'll be getting this for sure. The release date is set for mid October 2011.

Who Sets

2011-03-20T05:37:00.000-07:00

Two new Doctor Who sets are coming out both continuing the "Davros" series. I've never seen so many re-boxed releases of any action figure in the history of the universe. This will be the fourth and fifth times the same Davros figure will be released (with minor repaints). Both are Tom Baker era sets - one from "Genesis of the Daleks" and the other from "Destiny of the Daleks." The Genesis set has the same Fourth Doctor figure already released with the Sontaran set. Destiny has a new Fourth Doctor figure so I assume I'll have to get that one. Although, the scarf (in the prototype) is totally inaccurate. Tom wore the much longer multi-colored scarf by the time Destiny was filmed. Since Character Options Toys likes to release the same figure parts over and over, I doubt we'll see an accurate scarf on the final release. The sets will most likely retail for $60.

Destiny of the Daleks

"Destiny "Correct Scarf Length

Genesis of the Daleks

Wonder Woman Undressed

2011-03-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

TV's new Wonder Woman (Adrianne Palicki) has been unveiled in her vinyl costume....WTH??? It looks like a fan's homemade costume. This series sounds dreadful anyway - "Wonder Woman juggling super hero duties and her full time corporate job as a modern woman." I'll be skipping this show.

Solid as a Rock

2011-03-03T17:10:00.000-08:00

Interesting new merchandise has been announced by Underground Toys (who handles the Doctor Who toy line distribution in the US): a new line of statues:

"Underground Toys announces the Doctor Who Signature Statue Collection, a new line of polystone sculptures of the characters from the popular sci-fi series.

Their first release will be the Second Doctor as played by actor Patrick Troughton. The Second Doctor's costume is from the storyline "The Tenth Planet" which was first broadcast on 29th October 1966. At the time, Doctor Who was broadcast in black and white but the colours used on the statue are authenticated by the many existing ‘behind the scene’ shots.

The Second Doctor statue is made from polystone and once set on it's base, stands 9" tall. It is presented in a high-quality, fully illustrated closed gift box. Painted and ready for display, the Second Doctor comes packaged with an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Look for it this July."

First up, interestingly enough, is the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton). He's a good choice, but what I find most interesting is that after Sixteen 12's (or whatever they call themselves these days) massive failure of their Doctor Who statue line another company thinks they can make a go of it. Actually, it's just weird. Sixteen 12 started with the iconic Tom Baker Fourth Doctor and some Cybermen. The line was abruptly canceled after the Cybermen because of poor sales even though they had more statues planned. Statues, generally, are overpriced and just too static to attract the average figure collector. Of course, Sixteen's statues were 12 inches tall and very expensive ($200+ in the US). The Underground Toys statues will be under 9 inches tall (not counting the base) and possibly less expensive - I'd guess no less that $100, though. I can't see this line being successful either and am really shocked no one learned anything from Sixteen 12.

I don't generally like statues, but I do have an older Patrick Troughton statue that I bought years ago before any Doctor Who action figures were available. Of course, the Jon Pertwee mini bust is retailing for $69 and I already pre-ordered that. In my defense, Pertwee merchandise is so few and far between that I... just have.... to get that. And I did get that HUGE shelf-hogging Weta statue of the Fourth Doctor and Davros. Apparently There's also that Star Trek Captain Kirk statue...I guess I am not as opposed to statues as I keep swearing to. Looking at the new Toughton statue, though, it appears to be nothing more than an up-scaled version of the the already existing 5 inch action figure. I can't say that it interests me. $100 saved.

Pertwee Up Close (and Personal)

2011-02-24T05:32:00.000-08:00

Two more very detailed pictures of the upcoming Jon Pertwee mini-bust have popped up online. I think the sculpt looks great with a lot of Pertwee's character lines. It just "looks" like the Third Doctor to me regardless of how close it is Pertwee's actual face (which changed a lot over the years he was associated with Doctor Who). I've already pre-ordered him...er, it. Click the pictures below for nice big sized photos.

Also, the first look at yet another "Davros set" with several repainted Daleks, Davros and yet another Sixth Doctor figure (now with cape). I doubt I'll get this one because I am not a Dalek completist. Although, I'd like to have the Sixth Doctor simply because of the new cape...even if it is sculpted in a goofy "flowing in the wind" shape. I think the green hand on Davros in the below shot has something to do with Character Options Photoshop effects. In the story this set is from. "Revelation of the Daleks" that hand was shot off of Davros. Although, I can't remember why now. So the new figure will probably have a (bloodless) stump there. Ick. However in the new series, Davros returned a few years ago with a new cybernetic hand.

Nicholas Courtney 1929-2011

2011-02-23T06:19:00.000-08:00

RIP Nicholas Courtney.

Nicholas Courtney played Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart on Doctor Who with the Third Doctor and a few adventures with the Fourth Doctor. He was one of the longest-running Who stars and he worked with virtually every Doctor in the classic TV series. He was 81.

Tom Baker has a great tribute to Nicholas Courtney on his site. Tom and I, it seems, both picked the same photo of him and Nicholas! Total serendipity as I typed my blog post before checking Tom's...great minds, you know...

The Third Doctor Cometh

2011-02-18T07:22:00.000-08:00

Some really beautiful mini-bust statues are coming this year from Titan Merchandise. They are, of course, starting with new series current star Matt Smith. I do like this sculpt a lot and hope to get Matt. Of greater interest, though is the announcement of the first classic Doctor to be released - Third Doctor Jon Pertwee. Some fans are already moaning that is doesn't look like Jon, but I think it looks great. And I definitely will be getting this one. Pertwee is scheduled for release in August 2011.

These will retail for around £50 - probably $60 US. Surely there will also be a Fourth Doctor mini-bust as well. We'll see if they get imported to the USA too or if international orders will be all. Forbidden Planet in the UK already has them up for pre-order.

The Matt Smith Sculpt:

Yes, I Know My Head is Too Big

2011-02-15T06:30:00.000-08:00

More Toyfair pictures of the "retro" Doctor Who figures are showing up. The Tom Baker prototype isn't too bad st sll. I love the little sign with a formal statement from the actual figure admitting his head is too big.

More photos of the new Who toys here.

Custom and Mego Tom Baker

2011-02-13T06:40:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned yesterday, the Fourth Doctor action figure from The Sontaran Experiment set is inaccurate for the story, but could be easily customized. And, today the first (on one of the first) has been unveiled by a fellow fan. A member of Galifrey Base (screen name Terrasolo) made a simple but effective parts swap and came up with a correct Tom from Sontaran.

Also unveiled this weekend are first pictures of the new 8 inch scale "retro styled" Doctor Who figures from a company called Biff, Bang, Pow. Tom's Doctor is, of course. the first o be made. The head sculpt on the Tom figure is huge, but apparently the company has stated that will be fixed.

These retro figures are supposed to take us back in time to the 1970s when a company called Mego made a ton of 8 inch scaled action figures from TV, movies, and super heroes. I loved those figures as a kid, especially Star Trek, and played with them endlessly. I can't help but feel that their day has come and gone. By 1970's standards Mego figures were cool as heck. By today's they just look cheap - especially all the recent offerings we've seen. You truly can't go home again. Of course. I am sure I'll get the Tom figure no matter what it looks like. I do still have my homemade TARDIS scaled for the 8 inch figures I made out of cardboard when I was a kid...

Closer look at new 8 inch Tom Baker doll,...er action figure.

Nit Picking

2011-02-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

So, the Fourth Doctor boxed set from The Sontaran Experiment has been announced and finally released. I was on the fence about buying this set because it comes with a (relatively) huge spaceship. This translates to "it takes up more shelf space" than I really like to give up. However, it does have a new Fourth Doctor figure and I bit the bullet and bought the set.

The new Doctor figure is really mostly pieced together from other existing parts. The brown overcoat, however, is new. And it was really only worn (for any length of time) in a few stories. I have a huge "accuracy" thing with figures and this one is off. Tom didn't actually wear the striped vest or red cravat in The Sontaran Experiment. In Sontaran, Tom actually wore his original plaid sweater and green striped cravat with the brown overcoat.

Of course being totally unsure of my memory these days I did a bit of research and found a photo of Tom in the vest and brown coat.

Character Options Toys may have used this as their sole reference photo? However, Tom actually wore this vest and brown coat in the following season's story Terror of the Zygons. I found it at the Doctor Who Tragical History Tour, which has a wealth of photos...and it was listed under photos for The Sontaran Experiment. It is possible, of course, that Character Options had planned a Zygons set with this figure, but changed their minds and boxed it with a Sontaran instead. Just for accuracy's sake, even if it was a Zygons Doctor, the cravat should not be seen because it was tucked into Tom's shirt. Of course, one could theoretically cobble together a custom figure using existing parts for an accurate Tom from The Sontaran Experiment....Knowing my collecting trends, though, I'll never open my set.

Who Knows

2010-12-31T12:02:00.000-08:00

I've been debating whether or not to continue this blog in 2011. As far as Doctor Who toy news, I am woefully inadequate and other sites are far better and quicker than me. I have noticed many friends and favorite bloggers have let their blog sites slowly whither away. Maybe it's just a change in humanity in general. Maybe we'd rather just live than write about it all the time. Of course, I also am thinking about the new year and what changes I'd like to make and/or see happen in my life.You know, the usual New Year's resolutions I never keep.I have lots to do in 2011 and I am not particularly looking forward to it. I go back to work Monday and must return to "my old life." I am dreading it in many ways.

I have had another really active dream state recently. Just last night I had a very complicated dream in which I traveled back in time to save JFK from assassination. I knew JFK was a good man who was going to radically alter the powers that be (in the 1960s) and I was desperate to save him.I did succeed by somehow getting him out of the car. I believe some sort of technology was used to transport him out of the car. Jackie was left in the car, but safe since JFK was no longer there. He and I had a long and sad talk about how "they" would never let him live. I had some sort of TARDIS-like time machine that got me there and I was willing to spend my life back in time watching over JFK. Still, I had absolutely no idea what to do to help him. It seemed some dark force would never let him finish his Presidency and help free humanity. I'd like to see humanity freed. I believe we are still very much a slave species.

Oh yeah; Happy New Year.

Resurrection Set

2010-12-16T06:04:00.000-08:00

Announced and now unveiled is another classic set of figures from the Fifth Doctor's era. The Resurrection of the Daleks set features (yet another) Fifth Doctor figure, two Daleks, and Davros. This will, of course, be an exclusive set but should be available in the US. The set will probably retail for $59.99. The Daleks and Fifth Doctor are basically repaints of figures already released. Davros is new, which may frustrate some collectors who only wanted him. Character Options has been maximizing profits by releasing so many repaints of classic figures. I would guess it was the only way to fund new classic figures, though. So the repaints seem to be a strategic decision to get new characters made affordable. with the limited collector base for the classic series.

The rumored list of upcoming classic series sets:

■THE TIME WARRIOR set - Sontaran Lynx with Sontaran pod and 3rd Doctor

■THE SONTARAN EXPERIMENT set - Sontaran Styre with Sontaran pod and 4th Doctor
■GENESIS OF THE DALEKS set - Davros, 4th Doctor and 2 Daleks
■DESTINY OF THE DALEKS set - Davros, 4th Doctor and 2 Daleks
■REVELATION OF THE DALEKS set - Davros, 6th Doctor and cream Dalek and gray Dalek
■RESURRECTION OF THE DALEKS set -Davros, 5th Doctor, Dalek supreme and Dalek
■ATTACK OF THE CYBERMEN set - Peri and Cyberman

Peri's Talents

2010-12-14T18:57:00.000-08:00

Here's a closer look at Peri and Sil. These aren't mine as they haven't arrived in the US yet. These pictures are from a British collector (screen name 'Snow') on the Galifrey Base forum. As you can see, Peri's ample talents were meticulously sculpted in. Fans have been wanting to get their hands on these (figures) for years. The figure set should be available in the US in January 2011.

Classic Companions

2010-12-01T10:12:00.000-08:00

Collectors have wondered and speculated if the Doctor's various companions from classic Doctor Who would be made by Character Options toys. It has certainly been much hoped for and we now have confirmation that at least some companions will be made. First up is a two figure set featuring Peri (Perpugilliam Brown) and classic villain Sil. The figure set should be available this December at I am guessing around $40.

Peri is actually a great choice for a first companion (not counting the previously released figure of Sarah Jane Smith who often visits the recent Who series Doctors). Peri is very popular among (male) fans mostly for two big reasons...

...Yes, it's Peri's Talent and Ability - T and A - that make her so popular. I like dear old Peri myself except then producer John Nathan Turner decided to make her American and Nicola Bryant as Peri gave us an often grating American accent. Why can't Brits do good USA accents? Still, she was a good companion. Sil does rather resemble South Park's Mr. Hanky to a large degree, but is a good choice too.

RIP Leslie Nielsen and Irvin Kershner

2010-11-29T05:09:00.000-08:00

Two greats have passed away.

Leslie Nielsen died Sunday from complications of pneumonia at age 84.

Sad to lose another funny and talented man. I've enjoyed his work for as long as I can remember - from Forbidden Planet to The Naked Gun movies. Leslie was a great actor and fun Hollywood personality. Rest in peace.

-------------------------------------------------

Irvin Kershner has also died at age 87 from an unspecified illness. He directed arguably the best Star Wars film The Empire Strikes Back. Irvin Kershner was an old-time Hollywood director who brought a real sense of class to the Star Wars universe. RIP.

Something to Remember

2010-11-24T05:59:00.001-08:00

U.S. Constitution: Fourth Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

In Valle Lacrimarum

2010-11-19T08:42:00.000-08:00

When you are young, death seems to be a long-off and abstract concept. As a kid, unless you are unfortunately touched by death early on, it seems too big of a concept to really ponder. As you get older, say 40 and on, death begins to become a looming companion; a shadowy figure always just out of sight. And, as you get even older, it starts to define your life in many, many ways. Over the past three years, I have seen 4 family members die and the rest of us just keep getting older. Since my father died in February, I have been wondering who will be next. It seems to be that time of my life; when death comes knocking at the door often.

We had to put one of my stepmother's dogs to sleep last night. He was 13 years old and suddenly became unable to walk or maintain balance. The vet believed it was a brain tumor. We knew he was declining rapidly in the last 6 months and his condition was not treatable as we learned. Putting a pet to sleep always feels like a "betrayal" to me. It's hard not to anthropomorphize animals and wonder if they know what you are doing. The "death ride" to the vet's office is the worst. However, we were with him when he went and it was very peaceful - especially with how ill he was at the time. There is actually a lot of compassion in how we end the suffering of pets. Oddly, we seem to make people's suffering endure as long as possible.

My stepmother was in tears. She has, as have I, been through too much death the last year or so. The dog was her's and I didn't have the same attachment to him, but it was sad to see him go. One of the vet's assistants cried too. We still have the dog's brother from the same litter, so he is also aging rapidly these days. Although, for now, he seems healthier. I dread the next late night call from my stepmother and we go through this again. Death is hovering around us once again. I can hear the rustle of it's dark grim reaper's robes.

My 93 year old grandmother finally did what I have been fearing she'd do; she fell and broke her hip. She went through the surgery just fine, as is often the case with hip replacements. The worst days are to come, though, as she has to learn to walk again. it is clear that she cannot live on her own anymore. My stepmother has insisted that my uncle take charge of this because she and I cannot. We both still work and we really can't do the death watch again so soon after my father's passing. So, we wait. We will see if my grandmother heals quickly or not at all. I fear this signals the end for her, though. It's just too tough of a health problem at 93. I do not like how death and sadness have suddenly defined my life. But, that's life and what can you do but go on...

Chitty For Everyone!

2010-11-12T04:43:00.000-08:00

I don't know why this ticks me off, but it does. SyFy has an obnoxious new "reality" show called Hollywood Treasure where some really unpleasant people look for Hollywood memorabilia to sell at auction. Joe Maddalena who runs the auction house "Profiles in History" heads this despicable little show. I say "despicable" because their motives are not to save props and costumes, but to make huge profits. That's not a bad thing per se, but they end up talking people out of their collectibles not necessarily to get money to the owners, but to make fat commissions and auction premiums for themselves.

The item that ticked me off most was Profile's decision to track down and sell the original movie car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. They decided this on their own (hey, it's good TV). We got to see this group of obnoxious people plot and plan their trip to England where the original car still resides. They all overacted as if this was a matter of life and death. My problem is that the Chitty car is in the hands of a guy who has lovingly cared for the car for nearly 40 years - Pierre Picton. Pierre worked on the film and years later got it from the producers. He has proudly kept old Chitty polished and protected. He even takes it out for fans to see at special events. I had a good feeling knowing the car was in good hands.

This group of vultures went to London and stalked 76 year old Pierre into letting them sell Chitty because they could get him "at least one to three million dollars." Maybe they can and maybe they can't. Pierre admitted that he is getting on in years and even has a pace maker now. He isn't sure how much longer he'll even be able to drive and care for Chitty. Pierre did say that he felt the car "belongs in a museum where everyone can enjoy it." Of course, the money carrot could lead anyone to agree to auction the car. My blood was boiling at the idea of anyone other than Pierre owning Chitty. I hate the idea that some preposterous millionaire will buy this iconic car to stick in his private collection. The car DOES belong in a museum. Pierre's charming Chitty site is http://chittygen11.com/.

Interestingly enough there was a HUGE controversy earlier this year when Joe Maddalena auctioned a bottle he claimed was an original prop from the first season of I Dream of Jeannie. He was inundated with comments from fans and collectors proving the bottle was a reproduction and not an original show used prop. Mr. Maddalena sold the bottle anyway as an original show prop. I can only hope his turgid TV show gets the cancellation axe soon. The only thing I cling to is that Mr. Picton did not immediately agree to give the car to them (at least onscreen). It was all rather left up in the air for some "future auction" which I suspect was to make the show seem more impressive than it is. I think Chitty is safer in Mr. Picton's hands and I hope he decides to keep the old girl and will it to a museum.

Revenge of the Potted Plant

2010-11-11T09:34:00.000-08:00

On January 11, 2011 we will finally see one of my favorite Doctor Who stories released on DVD - "Meglos." Most fans rate this story extremely low. I love it. There is no doubt that it is an oddity in Tom Baker's final season (1980 - 1981), which switched thematically to more (pseudo) scientific based adventures. In many ways Meglos is a throwback to an earlier era of the show; perhaps even back to the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) era. The basic story involves an alien, Meglos, seeking the lost power source to his all but destroyed home world. it seems it "fell" onto a neighboring planet (Tigella) whose inhabitants are worshiping it as a gift from the gods. The story idea isn't really bad, but the concept for Meglos is completely silly; Meglos is a cactus.

Ironically, Meglos isn't an alien with certain characteristics of a cactus such as prickly skin. He is an actual intelligent, talking cactus. Even more ironically, he is also "stuck" in a space age planter (as your average plant would be). The ludicrousness of this alien is so wildly wonderful that only classic Doctor Who could pull it off. Of course, a megalomaniac plant was also a theme of the 1980s musical Little Shop of Horrors. In order to move about freely, Meglos hires a bunch of space pirates to kidnap an Earth human (why an Earth man we never know).

By merging with the Earth human, Meglos is able to walk around freely and eventually impersonate the Doctor. This is where the real fun begins.Tom Baker dives into his dual roles as good Doctor/Bad Doctor with great aplomb. He is creepily effective when Meglos, as the Doctor, loses control and sprouts cactus spikes all over his face and hands. Tom is wonderful to watch perfroming as Meglos giving the fake Doctor even more Time Lordish arrogance than usual. In fact, Tom's dual role is the main reason I like this story. He's thoroughly enjoyable and that makes the whole thing fun. The story also has a wonderful techno soundtrack by Paddy Kingsland.

An interesting bit of trivia is that Tom Baker was ill during this story and had dropped a lot of weight. In the early TARDIS scenes he sheds the big coat and scarf and you can see how frail he'd become. He was ill for most of his last season and quite thin the whole time. Another interesting fact is that the new series of Doctor Who almost brought Meglos back last year as the villain in Matt Smith's first season. Meglos was going to be revealed as the mastermind behind the events in the episode "The Lodger." Also, almost rather smugly, the year before producer Russell T Davis gave us updated (friendly) cactus like aliens in David Tennant's final story "The End of Time" - the Vinvocci. In that story, I think Wilf summed it up best "God bless the cactuses."

A large glimpse of the DVD cover for Meglos has also been released.

Secret Meanings

2010-11-10T10:22:00.000-08:00

I read something the other day and it has been bouncing around my head ever since. It has, quite frankly, been bugging the crap out of me. David Wilcock, a sort of new age writer, postulates that Gilligan's Island wasn't actually quite so innocent at heart. He believes that:

Gilligan's Island was actually an early attempt to portray people in hell. Each character was one of the Seven Deadly Sins, and Gilligan was Lucifer, the phallus, "my little buddy," who always wore a red shirt. Gilligan always sabotaged people from being able to leave the island but played like he was ignorant. LOST appears to have been the rebooted Gilligan's Island with the same underlying concept/message.

I was shocked when I first read that because it gives the show a dark side. I have always associated it with goofy, silly slapstick. Then I worried that I was inadvertently enabling the dark agenda by being a fan of Gilligan's Island. As a kid I loved it and watched it all the time. My ex-stepsister and I used to play Gilligan's Island down at a creek when we were little (the rocks in the center was the island). She would be all the girls and I would be all the guys.

After my initial shock I began to ponder the show and from a certain point of view, Gilligan's Island really could be a metaphorical story about hell: Some of the more obvious reasons being:

The Professor could make a car out of bamboo, but not fix a hole in the SS Minnow.
For a three hour tour, each character was oddly surrounded by the things that defined them;

Ginger (Deadly Sin = Lust) - sexy dresses and make-up.
The Professor (Deadly Sin = Sloth) - his books.
Skipper - (Deadly Sin = Anger) - his navy items.
Thurston Howell (Deadly Sin = Greed) - his trunk filled with cash.
Lovey Howell (deadly Sin = Gluttony) - her furs and jewelry.
Mary Ann (deadly Sin = Envy) - she had nothing but her pigtails and cooking skills.
Gilligan - his Deadly Sin is Pride. And the very appropriate definition from Wikipedia = Pride is considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins, and the source of the others. In perhaps the best-known example, the story of Lucifer, pride (his desire to compete with God) was what caused his fall from Heaven, and his resultant transformation into Satan.

The castaways never got dirty in the tropical heat. No one even perspired much. They lived in an unreal environment.
No matter what happened each time, the very next day (i.e. episode) everything was reset back to "normal"

One such event involved Mary Ann getting hit on the head and had come to believe that she was the one person she envied most; Ginger. Since she was smaller than the movie star, Mary Ann cut all of the real Ginger's clothes down to fit her. Of course, by the next episode Ginger's clothes were back to their original sizes.

The castaways often had dark nightmares where even stranger things happened;

In one dream sequence Gilligan, perhaps showing his true self, even turned into Mr. Hyde and cowered as everyone saw his real face.

Another very dark episode involved a mad scientist putting each castaway into a machine that switched their brains into each others bodies. Even today this episode, which was not a dream sequence, is very dark and creepy.

I think Wilcock is onto something here. Even though it rather ticks me off that a show I grew up watching and loved could have a dark heart, it actually gives the show much more depth. In fact, the next time you watch a rerun observe how Bob Denver plays Gilligan. There really is much more going on in his mind than just being a naive simpleton....you can see that Gilligan could just be the evil mastermind playing everyone for fools in their tropical island hell.

Tina Louise (Ginger) refused to participate in any of the reunion movies. Did she know something and could no longer be a part of it? It was claimed by the producers that she "wanted too much money." Gilligan's Island eventually was remade into two cartoons in the 1970s (one was an even more strange Gilligan's Planet). Did the makers of the cartoon give us an even bigger hint...

There is an interesting comparison of LOST and Gilligan's Island here. Is all this true? Is there a dark side to Gilligan? Who knows. A friend of mine told me the important this is what each viewer gets from the show. Millions of people love Gilligan's Island because it was goofy fun. So, perhaps no matter the inception, it is ultimately positive. As shocking (and maybe a little fun) as all of this is to contemplate...I don't even want to get into the hidden meaning of Bewitched...

Is this the face of pure evil?

Custom "Shada" Figure

2010-11-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

A talented customizer (screen name NewtonDKC) on Galifrey Base has made a really nice looking Fourth Doctor figure from Tom's never completed story "Shada." He plans to add some details to the vest, but so far it looks gorgeous. I may have to try this recipe too.

"Shada" was a story partially filmed in 1979, but never completed due to a technicians' strike at the BBC. All finished material was released in VHS many years ago with linking narration by Tom Baker. And two small clips were featured in the 20th Anniversary story "The Five Doctors" in 1983. Newton's figure matches perfectly to the scene where the Doctor was rowing Romana around in a punt.

Infinite Evil

2010-11-01T07:15:00.000-07:00

I suppose it was fitting to have a dream about the dark side on Halloween night even though it was not a fun adventure. The dream was long and very complex, but very important (or so it seemed). It began simply enough with me visiting friends and their kids. These were my "real" life friends. I was watching TV with their kids and one other child I didn't know. Because it got late I decided to sleep over and I crawled into the guest bed. I could hear the rest of the family getting ready to go to sleep to in another room. There was a series of odd movements in the house and a weird kind of energy flow.

One of the kids crawled into bed next to me and he tossed and turned for a bit before finally getting up and leaving the room.Next, the greyhound dog that my friends used to own (she died several years ago) jumped in next to me. She seemed to be paying a ghostly visit and after a few minutes she left as well. Finally another dog that I didn't recognize hopped on. He stayed at the foot of the bed watching over me like a good guard dog would. All I remember about him was that he had golden fur. Suddenly a group of people in business suits appeared in the house and they were observing and talking about me, which irritated me no end. I couldn't understand them at all. With all the activity I decided to get up and just go home.

There was some complicated activity in the garage where my car was parked and so it was morning by the time I left. I decided to stop by my father's house to check on my stepmother. The house had been trashed as if someone was desperately looking for something...or for me I wondered. My stepmother was not there and neither was her car. I assumed she had gone to work and was safe. I suddenly remembered that I was supposed to meet my friends at McDonald's for breakfast and headed over there. I'd deal with the house later. I was strangely groggy by this point and my actions and memories seemed to be affected. Something had happened between night and morning...but what?

When I got to McDonald's parking lot it was dreary and pouring rain. I parked and met my friends inside, but I felt like I was walking in molasses. My perception of the world was off. I finally decided to leave because I felt so weird. I went to find my car, but it had vanished. I panicked over this, but saw a police officer and he "helped" me look. He was overly friendly and I felt there was something wrong with him. He seemed to be controlled by some force and was just pretending to do "police things." I was so sure something had happened the previous night that I asked one of the kids what had really happened. He told me a horrific story that I had "turned evil" and started threatening everyone and even got into a fight with a group of people! He thought I had been possessed. I didn't remember any of it, but saw flashes of it in my mind's eye. I knew he was telling the truth.

I was so scared that I went back to my childhood home; the one that seems to be linked to the supernatural in all my dreams. Once back there I was contacted by a spirit who told me that indeed the sinister dark force that is in control of the earth wanted to infect me as well. Even though it did for a time that fateful night I was able to shake it off. That's what the strangers were talking about friend's house as I tried to sleep. It was a terrifying prospect to be known personally by this evil force. However, I wasn't scared at all because I knew my enemy now. I looked into a window and saw a man's face staring at me. The mas was handsome in a movie-star way, but I saw the pure evil in his eyes. I looked right into them they and were swirling with energy then changing shape from cat-like to normal. I felt stronger than ever and and told this force that it would never infect me and that I would spend the rest of my life fighting it if i had to.

Even now I feel this was an important dream. It seems to parallel much of my feelings about the state of our world right now. I do think evil is infectious and we must guard against it at all times. I've seem good friends succumb to it and be changed forever. I've felt myself falling ever increasingly pessimistic about the power to fight this evil. Is "fighting" evil an oxymoron? Is there really a battle between good and evil on Earth? I think there is in a very real sense. For this world to be healed, the evil in control must be vanquished. Can mankind ever overcome it?

The Cloister Bell Rings

2010-10-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

We had the first of two planned estate auctions for my father's items today. This initial auction was considered a "man's auction," meaning we sold all the tools, cart parts, car engine, and other traditionally male oriented pieces. It was shocking to see how much stuff came out of the barn. There was literally a flatbed truck full of tools and many more in the driveway and field. My father didn't have one screwdriver, he had 50. The same theme was continued into hammers, files, wrenches, ratchets, and clanks. In a way it was comical, but it so defined my father; he was the obsessive collector. There was a huge crowd and everything sold. It is a good thing because moving this stuff was not an option. Of course, the sale was very poignant too.

Much of this stuff were the things I grew up around. When I was ten or so I made the labels for each of the drawers on one of the tool chests. They were still there all these years later. I tore those off so they wouldn't be sold too. It was a way to preserve the memories I guess. My father always had a house with a garage for his cars and tools. Many of these things I have vivid memories of him using. A huge piece of my history was sold today. It was also the end of my father. Well, nearly the end - driving away from the house for the last time will be the absolute end. Seeing the barn/workshop now completely empty has left a hollow feeling. It was very, very sad. It was extremely hard to watch. However, I know it was also fitting.

Every tool bought went to someone who will really use it. The crowd consisted of a lot of mechanics, farmers, and tool guys. These things will be much loved now as they were by my father. They also went via an auction and my father loved auctions too. I'd bet a good deal of it was bought at auction originally. There's is a kind of cosmic synchronicity with everything going via auction. Of course, after everything is gone, it's sinking in how sad saying goodbye yet again is. I guess that's the thing with death; you rarely say goodbye just once. It seems I am always looking back for another farewell these days.

There was another kind of synchronicity today. A childhood friend of my father's was at the auction and he told me wonderful stories of my father including the two of them drag racing back in the 50s and being chased by the cops! My father was best man at this guy's wedding too many years ago too. I could feel my father's presence very strongly there today.

History of the Plum

2010-10-23T16:49:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize until just yesterday that June Hudson, who designed Tom's final Doctor Who costume, has written a great article about her ideas for that costume. It's been posted on Tom Baker's official site and it's fascinating. She reveals why she chose plum as the color:

"In the end I decided on a blue-red compromise, plum, which had both majesty and warmth. It is definitely a patrician hue: it was popular in England among ‘bloods’ during the Regency, and later in last century it was often the colour for gentlemen’s smoking jackets. The Doctor is at one level an honorary English gentleman, and Tom’s version of the character had always suggested an adventurer of the Romantic age."

The full article is a must-read and can be found here. June Hudson was one of Who's greatest designers and she had a keen mind for the job. Considering the massive changes John Nathan Turner was implementing, Fourth Doctor fans owe her a debt of gratitude for keeping the iconic scarf in her redesign.

An interesting thing about the plum color is that almost all photos released from Tom's era on have shown the color as burgundy (as I wrote about before). For years most fans, including me, believed it to be Burgundy. What's even more interesting is that Character Options recently released Fourth Doctor figure is labeled "In Burgundy Outfit." The incorrect legend lives on. Luckily, the figure's coat and pants are molded in a nice plum color. It's my favorite Tom figure in the line.

When It Rings It Pours

2010-10-21T07:29:00.000-07:00

I have always hated the sound of a ringing phone. It's kind of odd because as a little kid I loved playing with toy phones. I vividly remember being 3 or 4 and sitting on the front porch playing with a plastic phone and loving it. I was in hog heaven when my father gave me a real (non working) phone to play with later on. It was an old 1950s heavy black phone. Fantastic fun. I believe I still have that old phone somewhere in storage.

For some unknown reason as I grew older I came to hate the sound of a ringing phone. Perhaps when I started working and I realized phone calls usually meant some problem. Or when I was a teenager and my father had a home office. During the summers I would have to answer his office phone and take messages...they were always these complex work related messages that I never got right. Thank god for answering machines in the 1980s!

Last year, about this time, phones took on an even worse association. Every time my phone - especially my cell phone - would ring it would be a call from my stepmother concerning my father's failing health. At first it was just an update, but after his surgery the calls were about what was wrong. The worst call was on Christmas Eve when my father collapsed at home and was rushed to the emergency room. We actually thought he would pull through that one, but needed emergency surgery that night. After that, every call on my cell would send me into an anxiety spin. I still remember the last call I got from my stepmother the day my father died.

Ever since then, I still have a Pavlovian response to my cell phone ringing that send shard of anxiety through me. I have come to dread the thing ringing or vibrating. My friend called the other day. She usually texts firsts, but didn't this time. My first thought was "someone has died." My friend had a baby that died from SIDS 4 years ago and that call is burned into my head as well. Lately when my stepmother calls it is bad news about the house - which just sold (another nightmare begins). I have had many, many urges to throw my cell phone against the wall when it goes off. I have instead begun to let people leave a message...I can't seem to answer the damn thing without having a bit of panic.

Birthday Pangs

2010-10-13T04:47:00.000-07:00

Today would be my father's 72nd birthday. I knew his birthday was coming, but didn't really dwell on it. My father never made a big deal about his own birthday. He felt, as I do, that they are mostly for kids. Kids like the excitement of a pending birthday, cake, and presents. For adults, certainly me and my father, it was a kind of "duty" to buy presents. For the life of me I could never get him to not buy me something. I told him repeatedly that he did so much for me on a daily basis that he didn't need to buy me anything. He would never listen though and always got me something. My stepmother told me last night that his birthday would be a hard day for her. I was actually thinking it would be a nice day to remember him. I know it will be hard for her, though. She will go to the grave to visit him. I cannot go to the grave. I just cannot think of my father in the ground. I "see" him as a spirit now with no earthly limitations. I do, however, miss him greatly.

The house sold Saturday and I am more sad about that than the birthday. My father's presence is very much in the house and the land. As I blogged before I am having a difficult time letting that go. I threw a mini fit when my stepmother called to tell me the house sold. Someone with "deep pockets" bought the house for a lark! In an odd way I feel like I betrayed the house by not being able to "save" it from strangers. I was so sick over it I didn't sleep at all Sunday night. I took two sleeping pills, but didn't get one minute of sleep. So I called in sick Monday (and I was) and took the day off.

After I got myself together I went to see my friend and her three year old. He is going to pre-school several days a week and he was getting off the bus when I got there. He was thrilled to see me (which is always nice) and I guess he sensed my stress because he clung to me all afternoon. When I first saw him he dropped his backpack and coat on the floor and gave me a hug. It was very sweet and much needed by me. My friend was working on Halloween decorations for the house leaving me and the three year old to watch a Godzilla movie. It gave me time to think and have the distraction of a cheery toddler. By the time I left I had come to terms with the loss of the house and have said my (emotional) goodbyes to it. After it is officially in the hands of new owners, I never want to see it again. The doors to the past must be closed and locked forever.

I Died Last Night

2010-10-12T05:27:00.000-07:00

The dream work continued last night where I died and found myself in an after-life comedy club. It started out innocently enough with me standing in the master bedroom of the house we lived in when I was a teenager. This house has some sort of special energy and meaning to it. Until recently many of my dreams took place in this house, particularly ones involving alternate realities. While standing in the bedroom I suddenly collapsed to the floor. Well, my body did; as my body fell I was still standing there in spirit form. I looked at myself on the floor and realized immediately that I just died and was now out of body.

When I looked down at my body I was shocked that I looked totally different from this perspective. Seeing yourself in a mirror doesn't look the same it seems. I also noticed my two current cats sitting on the bed watching this event. They could see my spirit body and their eyes followed me as I moved. I went over to them and the black cat looked right at me. I could see a shimmering glow around his body and my astral hand as I reached out to touch him. He was unfazed by me being out of body. I thought that cats must see this sort of thing all the time. So I turned my attention to my body on the floor and tried to get back in it, but couldn't "stick." I panicked a little and realized I didn't want to be dead. I even tried to use CPR to get the body alive again. Of course, as a spirit, I had no effect on the physical. However, when I looked closely I saw that my body was still breathing shallowly. I wasn't dead...yet.

At that instant I found myself transported to a darkly lit room with a stage in it. I recognized it as a typical comedy club. There were a few people standing around watching me. I was motioned (or told perhaps) by one man that I had to get on stage and defend my life. Thinking it a comedy club I started with the requisite joke "my mother in law is so fat...." with the punch line being "I don't have a mother in law!" I realized my joke wasn't funny and stopped my "act." I was told by the same mystery man (who I kept thinking was George Carlin) that I would be judged by a panel to see if I was "fit" to return to my body. Oddly, I really wanted to go back and live again. As much as I bitch about how crazy life on earth is, I wanted to be there!

To my great shock, one of the judges appeared and was Dolly Parton. She came walking up to meet me on the stage and was glowing with spiritual radiance. I told the man that Dolly Parton is still alive couldn't possibly be here. He told me that she is actually a very powerfully spiritual being who does a lot of work "on the other side" while still alive. Dolly told me not to worry about anything and touched my face gently with her hands. I could see that she wasn't solidly physical, but more of a spiritual presence and she walked through a wall to prove it. I felt totally "real" and physical in this after life place, though. And then it was time to begin....the next thing I was aware of was being in my real life bed groggily waking up with my tabby cat next to me purring. Apparently, I passed the comedy exam. An interesting after effect was that I didn't mind getting up and going to work this morning. Let's see how long that lasts!

Congratulations MJ

2010-10-08T04:56:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to MJ for getting into nursing school. It's been her dream for a while now and she has been diligently taking pre-nursing classes. Now, she will be formally trained to do all the work while the doctors make all the money. You know; the American way. I am sure MJ will make magic happen for her patients and coworkers.

So Congratulations MJ and good luck in school. It will be a long, but rewarding challenge. The future is yours for the injecting...er, taking!

Nothing to See Here...Move Along

2010-10-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

I keep feeling as if I am reliving the same three weeks over and over and so nothing really new is happening. In fact, I have a real sense that the world is completely still...as if everyone is holding their breath waiting. Of course, nothing is actually "coming" to wait for; just more of the same. Well, Halloween is coming and that's always fun and a most magical night of the year. I don't buy into all the secret "evil" origins of Halloween and just enjoy the candy and costumes. My 12 year old godson has announced that he is "too old" for trick or treat, so that leaves me the 3 year old to bring into the candy begging tradition. This will be his first year understanding what it means. Last year he really didn't have any clue or interest. It was a real tradition for me to take the 12 year old door to door. What a shock to my aging system that he is now "too old."

My father's house is still up for sale and I royally get ticked off when anyone wants to see it. I am working on letting the house go mentally. My stepmother admitted that it's hard for her to be there with so many memories, but also that she is hesitant to leave too. Lately, whenever I am there, I just want to go. It's getting so complicated now and hard to be in the house. I was comforted by the memories of our times and my father in the house, now it has a kind of cold and empty feeling - like something is ending. I believe that selling all of my fathers tools and car items will be the worst. We will have an estate auction and all those things that I literally grew up with will be sold. I looked at his old workbench and tools last week. It was very sad. It's a huge chunk of my memories that will be sold off with that stuff. I kept his old metal flashlight and a wooded cigar box he kept junk in. Death really bites you in the face sometimes.

Monstrous Revenge

2010-10-01T05:24:00.000-07:00

It seems the geniuses in Hollywood are at it again with the remakes. Well, I guess the word du jour is "reimagining." Once again there are plans to remake...er, reimagine classic 60s sitcom The Munsters. I love the classic show, but it has been remade four times already. For years it was rumored that the Wayans brothers had the rights and were writing an update. Perhaps they realized it couldn't be done? The news release:

Consider this an early Halloween present from me to you: Pushing Daisies mastermind Bryan Fuller is toiling away on a modern-day reboot of the creepshow classic The Munsters! So far, NBC, with whom Fuller has an overall deal, has ordered only a pilot. But since the potential series is being described to me as “Modern Family meets True Blood,” I have a good feeling about it. Not only that, but rumor has it no less than Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy) is eying a behind-the-scenes role in the project.

We have already seen over the last 30 years:

The Munsters Revenge - reunited all of the original cast except Butch Patrick (Eddie) and Pat Priest (Marilyn) in 1980. The plot was ludicrous and they oddly decided 15 years later to keep Eddie at about age 10. However, it was a joy to see Fred Gwynn and Al Lewis do their shtick again. Yvonne DeCarlo was reduced virtually to a cameo part as Lily. The original cast deserved better.
The Munsters Today - absolute dreck that tried to update the Munsters by putting them to sleep and waking up in the 1980s. John Schuck was woefully miscast as Herman and the rest of the cast is totally forgettable.
Here Come The Munsters - Fox TV updated the family again with Edward Herman as a droll and unfunny Herman. Avoid at all costs.
The Munsters Scary Little Christmas - the better of the three remakes, but only just. It aptly demonstrates that the Munster family doesn't work in post 1960s America. It can't really be classified as a comedy or a family drama. It reminds me of a fan film with a bigger budget.

This show is, in my opinion, been literally beaten to death. There are no more stories to tell about the Munster clan. It can't really work in the modern age. One main gimmick of the original series was that the monstrous appearance of the family frightened people (to comedic affect). Would anyone even look twice at the strange clan now? Another huge concept Hollywood cannot grasp is that the characters are not recastable. The show was not based on a famous character that is open to interpretation. Fred Gwynn didn't play Herman, he created Herman. Anyone else portraying him is either sad imitation or a reimagining. It can't work. I say let sleeping Munsters lie.

Wonderfully Bizarre

2010-09-30T05:12:00.000-07:00

It's been a relatively slow and loooong week with nothing much happening. Each day has literally dragged on. There's not a lot to do at the office with my boss out sick. I have been in a very intensive dreaming phase right now too. I always get like this when stressed and selling the house has been very stressful. Early this morning I had a doozy of a dream, which was probably more of an escape fantasy than anything else. However, it was emotionally charged and quite wonderful. In this dream I was living in a world that was very negative and dark; you know, our current world. There was a lot of nasty things going on such as bad governments, wars, economic troubles, etc. It was a world that weighed heavily on the soul (for those of us who still have one). At some point a very dark force began infiltrating everything and everyone on a personal level. It felt like the this world was coming to an end or at least was about to get much, much worse.

I was with another person I can't identify and I believe we were in my father's house. I was desperate to get out of this world one way or another. As the dark force entered the house (energetically) we began chanting some sort of mantra. I seem to remember something about Jesus and protection, which is odd because I am NOT religious and would never cry religiously. I think the concentration on a positive force was the basic idea, though, hence Jesus. As we chanted the world began to fade away and we entered an energetic vortex. The swirling chaos around us was intense, but not painful. It was beautiful.

When the chaos died down I found myself in another world. I knew instantly that it was different and based on positiveness. A huge sense of relief flooded me and I felt years of negativity just die away. There were people there all smiling and happy. In my head I received images and messages about how this world worked. We would be free from the dark force here, but we had responsibilities to help keep it positive and functioning for everyone. I knew it was a world I would have no trouble in and it was one I had been waiting all my life for.

The dream ended there and, needless to say, I did not want it to. It was a fantastic adventure. For the time I was there, I felt truly hopeful about mankind (and womankind). It's a shame that it was just a dream.

I like It Classic Style

2010-09-23T04:46:00.000-07:00

I am staunchly old school when it comes to superhero costumes and it drives me crazy when they change or "modernize" my favorite characters. I can understand why they went with all black leather for the X-Men movies. That group fits better cinematically in darker tones than their bright spandex comic counterparts. I suppose I can understand it also for the Batman films. I haven't liked any of the Batman films, so I really don't care. Even though Adam West will always be "my" Batman. However, some costumes just shouldn't be changed; specifically Superman and Wonder Woman. They have suits that were perfected by the mid to late 1960s and should remain frozen in time. They are also, as originally conceived, the two most optimistic costumed heroes ever created. Their bright costumes make sense for them and they are a joy to behold.

For Superman Returns we got one of the most hideously redesigned costumes I have ever seen. Routh looked ridiculous in his modernized costume. Superman is a light, positive character and Bryan Singer put him in dark colors with huge rubbery boots, skimpy Speedo shorts, a miniature plastic emblem on his chest, and worst of all a long, dark leather cape. A lot of fans called foul and rightfully so. Singer himself took exception at the time when a fan asked him why he changed the suit. Singer said "changed from what?" Uh, from the classic design and more specifically the Christopher Reeve suit, which was perfect. Singer ridiculed Reeve's costume. Superman Returns sucked. Go figure. Incidentally, on the new season of Smallville starting this month, Tom Welling will finally wear the Superman suit...and it's Routh's. But, don't get me started on that show!

Another costume Hollywood got perfect was Lynda Carter's original Wonder Woman suit from the first season (aka the Nazi years). They changed it in season 2 to a more "sexy " look that I never liked. However, it was faithful enough to the original to be acceptable. Lynda Carter, incidentally, disliked the "bullet bra" look of the season one costume and preferred season two.

Of course, TV did stumble with it's first (or second if you count the failed and campy 1960s pilot that was never shown) attempt at Wonder Woman with Cathy Lee Crosby's blond haired version in a track suit. As you can see in the photo below this Wonder Woman piloted a jackass instead of the Invisible jet. How appropriate.

At one time Josh Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) was attached to the perpetually proposed Wonder Woman film and, of course, mocked the TV costume stating Lynda looked like she was wearing a "diaper." Why do these guys mock what is beloved by many? Is it ego or just stupidity? He had to redesign the whole suit with even more leather and dark fabrics. Hmmmm, I wonder where he got that idea? His designs were eventually leaked online and they look as goofy as I expected. The one with the skirt is the most faithful, but still not right.

Recently, in a sad ploy for readers or inspired by Whedon, DC Comics redesigned Wonder Woman's costume again. More leather and all danger...yawn....I don't know how long this one will last. I didn't bother to even read why she changed her costume.

DC did this in the 1970s too turning Wonder Woman into a sort of Emma Peel inspired avenger. Thankfully, it didn't last long.

I could write a lot about a "dark agenda" of Hollywood turning beloved and positive characters bleak and vengeful all the while telling us it's "modern" and "fresh." I could begin to think that it's some sort of intentional propaganda or social engineering to influence people to accept negativity as "natural." But, what's the point? I'll just stick with classic Chris Reeve Superman and Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman. Yes, I am lost in a long forgotten and gentler age. One that probably never really existed except in the memories of those born in the late sixties and early seventies.

Guilty Pleasure?

2010-09-22T05:17:00.000-07:00

okay...it isn't easy to admit, but I confess that I love to watch The Rachel Zoe Project. I only recently discovered it on Bravo and can't not watch it. It's another "reality" show that is heavily edited to make it appear spontaneous and exciting. I don't care about the fashion industry at all or people who fawn over celebrities. However, Rachel herself seems slightly wounded and quirky and still managed to make a successful business. Of course, the more I watch the more jaded I become. Rachel Zoe and her husband live totally in a fantasy world. it is one for the "privileged" few and it makes me angry sometimes.

I completely get the fun of having a job in an industry that is exciting and glamorous. However, I question the importance of a job that earns one millions of dollars to pick dresses for models and celebrities to wear at events and photo shoots. It's totally unrelated to actual life and it's a job that serves no purpose. How is this possible? How does a society evolve that rewards the most useless (to society) jobs? I assume we aren't supposed to think about such things when watching the glamorous people "struggle" to have a personal life and balance a lucrative (and ridiculous) career. For the most part I don't worry about it and just get caught up in Rachel's drama. Still...I wonder how she'd handle having to decide if she can afford rent and buy groceries for her family one week?

So, I'll keep watching Rachel and her (straight?) husband struggle to manage their hectic lives dressing Demi Moore for the Oscars and deciding to have a baby or not. It's nice that some people's biggest crisis involves matching shoes and handbags to overpriced dresses. I'll be at my desk plugging along in a dead end job that will never afford me a million dollar apartment on Madison Avenue. Or shoes and a belt that matches.

Hey, Hey That's My Tractor

2010-09-21T06:12:00.000-07:00

I had yet another long and bizarre Hollywood related dream last night. I was going to appear in a new Monty Python film. It was a strange mix of The Life of Brian and Star Wars (which actually happened in The Life of Brian).. I was sitting with John Cleese and Graham Chapman discussing my scene. We decided it would be funnier if John cleese played my part and then they would cut it out - and market Cleese as a special guest star whose scene was cut. We all laughed too hard and thought it would be just hysterical. Of course, now it sounds stupid. I was relieved, however, that I didn't have to learn any lines. After the "hilarious" conversation I went to the cafeteria and a guy stopped me and told me to be sure and eat something because we were being charged for the food. I decided to go tour the space sets instead and looked for the Millennium Falcon mock up. Eventually the dream faded into me touring a dilapidated house.

I spent Saturday evening with friends celebrating the third birthday of their youngest kid. He is totally into Godzilla and pretends to be the monster all the time. Luckily I found a stuffed Godzilla online that roars and has eyes that light up. Another little girl was there too and what a pains she was. She is five and kept bugging the crap out of the three year old. He eventually crawled into my lap to get away from her and she still kept picking at him over and over. It was nice to be thought of as a protector by the kid, though. I did tell him to get used to the girl...when he's older it will be called "marriage."

My father's house goes on the market this week and I am really down about it. I don't know if I should wish for it not to sell or to sell quickly. I have some sentimental attachment to the house. It's been the family home for 25+ years. Even when I didn't live there it was still "home." To think of other people owning it pisses me off. But that's life. Nothing lasts and nothing stays the same. I have gotten nearly to the point where I want it all to just be over. Once the house is out of our hands, my father will truly be gone from our lives. That's rather sad.

No Lines

2010-09-20T05:20:00.000-07:00

Just as I had predicted, the scarf on the season 18 Tom figure is not as detailed as the prototype pictures. Some loose figures have been hitting Ebay (or so I hear because I can't find any) and it has the same scarf as the regeneration fifth Doctor figure. The general release should be around the end of September.

Beverly Hillbillies: The Musical

2010-09-19T08:13:00.000-07:00

It seems my dreams are taking a turn for the campy. Last night I dreamed I went to the theater to see a production of The Beverly Hillbillies in Outer Space: the Musical. Our favorite hillbillies, the Clampetts, were launched into space in their spaceship mansion as they sang and danced their way through the cosmos. We were treated to musical renditions of "Weeeelllll Doggies" by Jed Clampett and "Yes, Chief" by Miss Jane Hathaway. I was very interested in seeing who they had recast the roles since all but two (Max Baer Jr and Donna Douglas) have passed away from the original cast. The guy playing Jed didn't have the mustache Buddy Ebson always wore, which I thought was a mistake. The actress playing Miss Jane was too old in my opinion. Elly May was generically beautiful of course and Jethro big and goofy. The play was set in the the spaceship mansion of the Clampetts which was stereotypically in shades gray metal. It was a totally bizarre situation. However, it wouldn't surprise me if this idea wasn't in the planning somewhere in New York. It's just stupid enough. It does prove to me that my dreams are never boring.

I Dream of...

2010-09-16T18:08:00.000-07:00

Dreamed that I met Barbara Eden last night. It was a long, complicated dream and I enjoyed it immensely. It was Barbara of today and not her I Dream of Jeannie Character. I willed myself to stay in that dream world. I met Barbara at some sort of convention or fan gathering. She had been busy meeting fans and signing autographs and she thought I was another fan. However, I started talking to her about something deep and philosophical to which she listened intensely. I wondered if she thought I was just another Jeannie fan because she was very cautious around me. She and I did continue the conversation, though, and eventually I felt her relax. We left the convention center and continued the conversation as we walked. We walked for a long time and I knew I was dreaming, but didn't want to leave. Eventually I was dragged back into reality by the alarm clock. I enjoyed the dream very much, though. I'm sure this was all caused by the posts from fans on the IDOJ site who actually did meet her recently at Dragoncon.

I spent the rest of the day painting another room in the house in order to get it ready to sell. I still can't believe (or don't want to) that my family home is going to be sold. Of course, everyone keeps telling me they doubt it will sell anytime soon "in this housing market." I am torn. If I wasn't such a loser job-wise I could buy it myself. I'd love to buy the house and stay in the apartment over the barn and move my friends and their kids into the main house. I'd love to have them close and have some help to take care of the place. But, of course, I'll never have the money in this lifetime to do any such thing.

In Praise of Marina Sirtis

2010-09-15T04:49:00.000-07:00

I must admit that Marina Sirtis still intrigues me. BBC America is rerunning Star Trek the Next Generation each night and I have been watching it when I can. I haven't seen most of these episodes since their original broadcast 20+ years ago. In many ways the entire series is slooooow paced and more character oriented than the original 1966 series. Sometimes that equals boring. There are also many more story arcs for the supporting cast in ST:TNG. I can't stand Worf because Klingons bore me. I find it irritating that a certain section of Trek fandom has overly embraced them. Geordi is also very dull in general as is Riker. I do enjoy Counselor Troi, though. Mostly thanks to Marina Sirtis.

As I posted earlier, Marina often plays Troi in the old school method - larger than life and melodramatic emotions. I love it. In one recent rerun, "Night Terrors" the entire crew was suffering from a lack of REM sleep, which caused all sorts of physical and emotional breakdowns. Troi, being empathic, was able to save the day. One great touch near the end of the episode had Marina mess up her near perfect coif to enhance the feeling that she was tired. Hilarious! I do give credit to Marina from hanging from a wire in a smoke-filled sound stage looking worried. But that caused Marina some consternation...

As I watched this episode I remembered an old interview with Marina from around the time the episode aired. It always stuck in my head because of the one fact Marina insisted fans know; That was was not her behind in those floating scenes.

Marina hilariously and emphatically stated that the shots of Troi from behind (and of her behind) was "not my butt." She said that it was a stunt woman's large derriere and she was appalled that people might think she had a butt that big. Of course, anyone who knows how they created flying scenes back in the early 1990s realizes there was a thick leather harness under the actor's costume. Regardless of how big the stunt woman's backside may or may not have been...please know that Marina, at the time, had a nice slender rear end. She still does today and I am sure she would like you to know that as well. At the time I thought the article was hilarious. I even pondered that Marina was lying about it being a stunt butt. Today, it makes me love Marina even more.

Conspiracies Everywhere

2010-09-14T04:44:00.000-07:00

Maybe I read too many conspiracy theories, but I noticed something odd the other day. While perusing Youtube for the most obscure things imaginable I thought to look at some footage for the stage play Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Something was off and weird...then I saw it...the car used in the play is far too small. The actor driving the car barely fits in the driver's seat. It's hilarious actually. He looks like he's riding a kiddie car. I imagine they intentionally shrunk the design due to the mechanics involved in making the "car" drive and fly on stage.

Another shot shows the whole cast in the mini Chitty. Now that I noticed this it's just goofy looking.

As a kid I saw the Chitty film many times on TV reruns. I even had a small Matchbox car that the kid I played with always hated. When we played with our cars I always had Chitty flying, which irked him no end. Of course, he was playing with a dump truck; talk about no imagination!

The movie car was a big, substantial piece of machinery. It is gloriously beautiful and powerful looking.

So, in a Chitty mood, I browsed my favorite site for upcoming DVD releases, http://www.thedigitalbits.com/, and came across news about the Blue-Ray release of the original 1968 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie. However, something was off....the car on the cover is, like the stage version, too small.

Is the conspiracy a rewrite of history to make everyone think the theater car (not a real working car by the way) correct? Are they trying to fool everyone? Has George Lucas gone back and digitally shrunk the car in the 1968 film frame by frame? Does Chitty now shoot first? Or did the designer for the Blue-Ray cover use the newer car prop for the theater as a reference? The actors in the car are clearly PhotoShopped in. We may never know, but I smell something rotten in Denmark. And for once it's not all the cheese...

True Endings

2010-09-13T06:12:00.000-07:00

The season finale of True Blood aired last night. It was good and, like last year's, rather low key. I bet many fans were moaning on forums the next day because not enough things happened. Most of the events in the episode were clearly setting up next season including a few cliffhangers. I don't mind that. Watching Doctor Who for decades I am used to cliffhangers. The most interesting character journey this year for me was Tara's. And her decision to drive away from Bon Temp for good in search of a new life was rather poignant. I have had more than one fantasy of getting in my car and just driving away from everything too.

Sookie's journey is really the main focus of the series and she finally found out the whole truth about Bill. I knew his secret from the books. I used to really like Bill, but he's become rather creepy the last two years. However, he did seem to be determined to really protect Sookie whether they were together or not. The truth of Sookie being a Faerie is really interesting and also silly. Maybe because the word Faerie has a negative connotation in many ways. I can't believe it will be next summer before we see more True Blood. Still, I am looking forward to next season. And I have more of the novels to read in the meantime.

Meglos Returns

2010-09-06T16:03:00.000-07:00

Most fans inexplicably dislike the classic Doctor Who story "Meglos" and I've never understood why. It features original companion Jaquelin Hill (strangely not playing her original character Barbara), a wickedly prickly villain, and a nice parable about religious fanaticism. I agree that it was a bit of an odd story in the revamped and glossy season 18, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. The story has a few plot holes, but nothing major. And the design for the main villain, Meglos, is actually rather silly....he's a potted cactus...but once Meglos disguises itself as the Doctor it becomes quite fun. Tom Baker gets to play hero and villain (as many of his costars considered him anyway) and relishes it. "Meglos" is finally set for DVD release in early 2011. It's one of my favorite stories mainly because Tom gets to ham it up in season where his creativity often wasn't nurtured. It's just a fun story in what is often and over-technical season. I can't wait.

A preview of the DVD cover has also been released.

The Case of the Curious Arches

2010-09-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

Several years ago there was a huge debate among I Dream of Jeannie fans about the color of the lines and arches on the prop bottle used on the show. One faction (led by two people actually) swore the arches were painted white. Another (led by someone in contact with Barbara Eden) stated that they were pale blue. Barbara Eden, by the way, legitimately owns the only known surviving prop bottle from Jeannie. Surely she knows the colors on her own bottle. The group leading the white debate sent someone to photograph Barbara's bottle at her home and posted photos "proving" the arches were white. The blue team posted an email from Barbara's husband stating that they are a pale blue. To further complicate the issue, the crystal clear resolution of the DVD's for the entire Jeannie series clearly SHOWS blue arches. So...what to believe?

THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The arches certainly look white....or do they....

Wow. Those arches and lines do look white (or even slightly purplish....huh???). Then we look at one more shot and, my gosh, that line around that stopper is white...almost glowing white.

And just below on the lip of the bottle there's a green circle faded mysteriously to white...but, there's a black circle around that dot...almost like some Photoshop trickery was not hidden well enough...what!? PhotoShop? No! This was a legitimate investigation into the bottle at Barbara Eden's own home! This was for the fans! No one would alter these poorly lit amateur photographs. No one would alter pictures of the only known surviving prop...would they?

At the time I questioned the "photographer" about that odd black circle around the lip dot. He swore that there were no black borders around any of the circles. But what about your photo???? No response. As we later discovered, the photographer owns, what is claimed to be one of the other surviving original prop bottles from the show. And it is very valuable and worth a fortune...if legitimate. Unfortunately, that bottle has white arches. If Barbara's bottle has blue....and the DVDs scene to scene shows blue arches...how did he get the only bottle with white arches? My guess; he didn't. I can only assume that he has a reproduction bottle. It would seem logical to conclude that in order to protect the claim of originality, the photos of Barbara's original bottle were altered. Of course, for all anyone knows, the bottle owner spent a fortune on the bottle himself and is freaked that he was taken. One could suspect that he is trying to retain it's resale value. And the Jeannie community was messing that up with its blue arches claims! Just a guess on my part.

Incidentally, the other person spreading the white arches story was a self-proclaimed "Bottle Artist" who painted and sold reproductions of the Jeannie bottle. Despite his claims that the original arches were white, his bottles always featured blue arches. I know this because I have one.

THE FINAL WORD

It's now 2010 and the good folks at wedreamofjeannie.com have interviewed Barbara Eden in her home and dared ask the question on arch color. Barbara, ever devoted to her fans, was more than glad to talk about the show all these years later. She respects her fans and has no desire to fan any flames. In fact, those who love the show are lucky that she is willing to get information out about the show, costumes, and props. Her original prop bottle is now safely locked away in a vault. Barbara stated that the arch color, of course, is pale blue. Check out the site and hear Barbara for yourself. She deserves a huge thank you for being so devoted to her fans to even do these interviews. I have another reproduction bottle (my favorite) myself by the artist JC Wicker...with blue arches.

In Praise of Deanna Troi

2010-09-03T04:38:00.000-07:00

I remember when Star trek: The Next Generation premiered back in the 1980s. I was appalled that anyone would dare try to make any Star Trek without Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley - and secretly hoped it would fail. The first season I found mostly unwatchable, but as the years went on I grew to accept and even enjoy the show. It was a bit too soap opera-ish for my tastes overall, but some episodes that concentrated on the minor characters were enjoyable. One such episode was "The Loss," which involved Counselor Deanna Troi losing her empathic abilities. I love this episode because it is inadvertently hilarious.

I always thought that the buxom Marina Sirtis was perfectly cast as Counselor Troi. She was one part western saloon gal and one part haughty debutant. The producers had to make Troi half-human otherwise her mind reading abilities could end every mystery in 2 minutes. In "The Loss" Troi deals with the absence of her powers in "a very special episode" in which she becomes more and more bitter and angry. Marina played it big and larger than life and, as a result, the drama was ever so slightly undercut by good old fashioned melodrama. In many ways, Marina gave a performance worthy of Joan Crawford. One scene that always makes me laugh (in a good way) involved our intrepid crew (with Troi hanging around moping) trying to find out if a life form is interfering with the ship:

Geordi - It's too bad we can't tell if they are sentient.
Troi - WHAT do you mean by that?
Geordi - Nothing...
Troi - I'm doing the best I can!
Picard - Counselor, he wasn't referring to you.

Later Picard tries to reason with Troi telling her the usual stuff about when one loses a sense, the others increase. Marina brilliantly chews the scene turning on Picard, "With all due respect, Captain, you don't know what you are talking about!" If only there was a cat fight with Bette Davis (although one comes close with Dr Beverly Crusher), this would be a near prefect episode.

What, Me Worry?

2010-09-02T06:01:00.000-07:00

Despite the last two semi-angst filled posts - or perhaps more accurately described as me "bitching about the nature of things" - I am not really in a negative place right now (well, I am to a certain extent like a lot of us in the US). Nor am I really worried about losing my job at the moment even though it could happen to any of us here. It's almost like there is an inner calm that I have and I can't get worked up about it. I wonder, though, if that's denial. Or, perhaps, I just don't have any worry left. Too much has happened the last few years to make me panic anymore. Maybe that's old age...although. I still think we should not live in a world where people have to worry about money. It's the most asinine thing I have ever seen. Money serves only a small few and the rest of us are slaves to it...I don't get it. Why are we willing to put up with that? There is no answer to that.

I did get more details yesterday on the "possible layoffs" and the reality of it is so ridiculously absurd and filled with nothing more than "educated guesses" right now that it's not even logically something that we can worry about. Only time will tell what kind of budgets may or may not be headed our way. However, I did clearly see that the people who make the most money here would gladly throw the rest of us to the wolves. It's so encouraging to see humanity come together in times of crisis - not. The typical attitude of "me first" still prevails in mankind. Honestly...how can someone who makes $180,000 a year sleep knowing that protecting his fat salary could cost 10 other "little people" their jobs? Obviously very well on 900 thread count sheets.

Confession

2010-09-01T04:48:00.000-07:00

I'm an ignorant old Doctor and I've made a mistake

I confess that I have been second guessing my decision to leave my old job ever since I did it. It's not an easy thing to admit because I left in good faith...faith that things would work out for the better. I felt that I was clearly being "guided" to make the move into something more positive. I must have been still deeply engaged in the positive hope that Obama's win represented and that was an amazingly positive thing to witness. That was just stupid because I know better than anyone that things don't "just work out." And I have never seen anything to make me believe good triumphs. It's just the reverse actually.

This institution - the one I have come to despise - is again going through budget cuts. Essentially, my boss told me that her boss expects lay offs in our department - i.e. me (and possibly 1 other). He did not tell her to do that in so many words, but flat out said he would in his area. My boss told me no there is way in hell that she is going to happen to her group, especially because there is only three of us. But I know how this world works. I know how this institution works. I know those who do nothing reap the rewards. I have to assume that I will lose this job soon. Even though I only vaguely care about it (and dream of the day I don't have to work here) realistically I cannot afford to lose it. There is nowhere else for me to go.

My old boss was a psychopathic nut job, but that department was very stable. I would not have to worry about this issue had I stayed. She would not have fired me because she is a game player and likes to keep her employees miserable. I would have been fine had I remained there - miserable, but fine. That department even now is experiencing a tremendous work load and financial security. So what if everyone is miserable? They can still pay their bills - several have even gotten raises. I often wonder how I became so despondent about the future recently...it's obvious now. I chose to give up a career, a big chunk of money, and relative security just to be "happy." And I am not even happy because I worry about money and my career constantly. That is the biggest joke and it seems to be on me. I chose to believe in something that will never happen and I threw away my career.

I am oddly calm about this unemployment prospect. I lost the ability to really care about anything during the last few years in that old job. That's the biggest loss of all I suppose (even though the money is a close second). My old boss would love how this turned out. She loves other people's misery, especially when she's the cause. She won after all...as I suspect she had every intention all along.

Stella, Your Turkey Recipe!!!!

2010-08-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

I was sick all weekend with what appeared to be a head or chest cold. I was hoping it was just an allergy fit that started last Thursday, but it was much worse and longer-lived. I coughed so much my abs hurt...if I had abs. I am sure I do somewhere in there under that layer of middle age fat. I called in sick yesterday to get one last day of rest and healing and to detox from all the cold medicine. It was real torture to come back to work today. I just am so completely finished with this institution. It's lost in its own malaise. But I've covered (whined) about that on this blog countless times.

Despite being in the beginnings of the cold I went to lunch with my friend and her kids, then took the 12 year old out shopping to our annual Halloween store trek and the hobby store (his favorite). He was wearing the new jeans with cool belt that I picked out last weekend and they looked cool. So, I guess I made a decent choice for once (I've been second guessing all my decision lately). When we got home he told me that he enjoyed spending time with me and that I am funny. I told him the feeling was mutual. He is really, really a good person (a good soul)...and we know what life on earth does to good people! I hope he doesn't become bitter like me. He is so much like me when I was his age. I hate to see life kick the crap out of him.

Returning to work was agony. Mostly because I just don't want to be here anymore. A friend of mine told me there is a club for people who hate their jobs. It's called EVERYBODY. Funny, but sad. Why are people okay with toiling away in the slave-like corporate structure that runs this world? I don't get it. Why are people accepting of a system that makes them go to work in order to earn money to pay to live in a place to be able to go to work to make money to live in a place to...It's stupid. There is so much better things we could be doing like healing the earth and each other. But the almighty dollar rules on and on and on. I guess it does so because the majority of people want it that way. The world will not change until all people stand up and say "enough." But they never do. I think I watched too much Star Trek as a kid; I keep expecting things to get better. There is no utopia in our future for real. Yes, I am in a Debbie Downer mood today.

What The...?

2010-08-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

This is just irritating. As reported here:

The BBC and Steven Moffat have announced today that the transmission of the next series of Doctor Who, in 2011, will be split into two blocks, transmitting in spring and autumn.

The split transmission is the result of a request from Steven Moffat to write a new Doctor Who story arc which involves a big plot twist in the middle of the series. By splitting the series Moffat plans to give viewers one of the most exciting Doctor Who cliffhangers and plot twists ever, leaving them waiting, on the edge of their seats, until the autumn to find out what happens.

Steven Moffat said: "The split series is hugely exciting because viewers will be treated to two premieres, two finales and more event episodes. For the kids it will never be more than a few months to the next Doctor Who! Easter, Autumn, Christmas!!"

Once again they are playing games with Doctor Who's schedule. I don't need to see half now and half later! Just film the damn show and run them like a normal season. What are these people thinking? Some have suggested it's really so Moffat can work on another series at the same time. I am just beyond words for how stupid this is.

Break Downs

2010-08-26T07:04:00.000-07:00

I have been eyeing the audio book to the last Fourth Doctor adventure, Logopolis, for a while now. I bought the original book when I was a kid, but haven't read it in years (decades) despite the desire to do so. One reason I kept putting off getting the audio book version was the ridiculous cost ($25) and the fact that the original writer of the script, Christopher Hamilton Bidmeade, reads it. I would prefer it read by Tom Baker as he has other Doctor Who audio books. Bidmeade has a HUGE ego and has been very vocal in his criticisms of Tom Baker. Bidmeade was the script editor in Tom's last year in the show in 1981.

A lot of Bidmeade's criticism came from Tom wanting to change lines in the scripts as he had done in previous years with different producers. I think a lot of Tom's changes in dialogue improved the story and added little bits that were fun and totally in character to his Doctor. Bidmeade often writes overly stuffy dialogue and focuses more on pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo or "technobable" as has been coined by Star Trek fans. Tom liked to liven up the dialogue, which infuriated Bidmeade. He hated any suggestions by Tom and has admitted that he just wanted Tom to "say the damn lines." Apparently, Bidmeade considers his words so fantastically sacrosanct and genius that anyone daring to suggest a change is just a lunatic. Of course, at the time, Tom was such a force on the show he didn't care and made changes anyway (thankfully).

Amazon has a service (Audible) that lets you download audio books at a much cheaper rate than buying the actual CD, so I went ahead and bought Logopolis as read by "Christopher Hamilton Bidmeade." The book (and audio) is based on Bidmeade's original script of course, so you can read (or hear) much of his original dialogue; the dialogue he thought Tom Baker should say word for word. So far I have gotten about half way through the audio because I can only take Bidmeade in small doses. Although, his ideas made season 18 very interesting, his massive ego always shines through every time he opens his mouth. But, that's half the fun of Doctor Who - all the egos.

The Root

2010-08-25T05:33:00.000-07:00

Everyone I know is having major money issues lately including me. It really makes me mad (on a deeply cosmic level) that human life has, now more than ever, been reduced to a question of money; how much you do or don't have. And prices for things are getting ridiculous. It almost seem to be a very nasty plan (especially in the USA) that the average person should be enslaved to credit scores and interest payments - never seeing any hope of rescue. What I really don't understand is how the mass public is okay with this. It's as if people want to be enslaved in this manner. Of course, I realize that even with the banking and corporate system as criminally crooked as it is, there are people far worse off than Americans. But that is another much larger issue.

A friend of mine called me yesterday in tears over her family's financial stresses. I know that they don't spend money frivolously and all of it is related to trying to live the "American Dream" (which has become a nightmare for many) and simply pay bills. I received my car insurance renewal and yearly car taxes (another scam) and it comes to well over $800. This is a ridiculous amount of money to spend all at once, but I have absolutely no choice. I had no advice for my friend. I don't understand any of this prison-like existence we have on this planet. I do wonder if humanity will ever be free...I also wonder if humanity even wants to be free - I fear not. So much darkness in the world goes unchallenged by the masses. A writer whose work I once followed wrote that he felt absolute contempt and love for humanity all at the same time. I am having a hard time with the "love" part recently.

I watched a documentary on the auction that never was where Michale Jackson intended to sell hundreds of his items from his bizarre collection of expensive art pieces. I say "bizarre," but a lot of it was really cool. Jackson surrounded himself with a fantasy world of statues, toys, paintings, and odd knick-knacks. In the end he changed his mind and had to pay the auction house to give him back his stuff. I felt rather sad that he was so unable to take the word as it was that he created (bought) a world of fiction to live in. I understand that urge, though. If I had the money I'd probably do the same - although I'd really rather buy things for others in need. However, I am ready to see our collective fictions end and for humanity to decide it's own positive course; one no longer centered around money, greed, and war. Perhaps that is the biggest fantasy of all. I fear it will not happen.

Blech to School

2010-08-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

Every boy's nightmare...Back to School clothes shopping. Sunday, my friend and I took her 12 year old out to get the requisite new clothes for the school year. This was a chore I dreaded every year when I was a kid. It was sheer agony trying everything on and going through rack after rack of clothes. I would have been much happier going to school in a Star Trek costume...of course, that it far too telling about my childhood psyche. The twelve year old hated it, as is his genetic responsibility to do so, but I enjoyed every minute.

My "I'm over 40 and never had kids of my own" was in high swing Sunday and so I wallowed in watching my unofficial godson (we aren't religious) agonize as I used to. I also enjoyed torturing him endlessly by picking out goth clothes and purple pants just to watch his reaction. When I was his age I was into "husky" sizes much to the chagrin of my mother and to the detriment of my ego (and the eventual cause of my body dysmorphia). Luckily, the kid did say with me there it was at least a little fun for him this year.

I also heard from the kid the rules for clothes that the average seventh grader must endure. Some of it makes no sense. For example; boys cannot wear an oxford shirt open at the collar without a T-Shirt underneath. Do they thing 12 year olds will show too much chest hair (all 2 of them if that)? They can wear T-shirts alone with skulls or whatever, but a smart pair of khakis and cool button-down shirt is out of the question. My friend figured they made that rule unisex so the girls can't show any cleavage. I find it all vaguely disturbing. Even more so that 12 year olds should be confronted with cleavage (seeing or showing). It's a different world from when I was a kid...I am not sure that's a good thing.