From: ph9991_manfr@rivers.acc.uwrf.edu
Newsgroups: rec.arts.drwho
Subject: UK Videos - DWM's reports.  Was RE: Terminus out on video
Date: 11 Jan 93 13:11:34 -0600
Organization: University of Wisconsin - River Falls

> 
>>The January Dr. Who video release has turned out to be Terminus,
>>second story in the Peter Davison Black Guardian trilogy. I was quite
>>surprised to see it on the shelves when I was expecting the Daemons.
> 
>>So what happened to the Daemons release? Have BBC video realised that
>>releasing Daemons directly after its showing on BBC2 was not a good
>>idea. When will Silver Nemesis be released?
> 
> I don't think the BBC know what they're doing. Since they got rid of
> JNT, they've been chopping and changing the '93 releases every week!
> The Daemons was supposed to replace Silver Nemesis (which was supposed
> to be the only special to be released because the covers were already
> printed), and now you tell me Terminus (previously due in Feb.) is to
> replace the Daemons. I can only presume that both are to be released in
> the future, but don't look for any release schedules - take it a month at a
> time, after all that's what the Beeb are doing, methinks.
> 
> B.
> 

Here is the latest DWM's story about this year's upcoming videos in the UK.
All the answers to all your questions are found somewhere herein....


After three years of waiting and hoping, it looks as if the green light for
future Doctor Who *may* be given by BBC Enterprises - in particular, their
Home Video Department.  
It is currently being *rumoured* that Home VIdeo may consider producing a
special 30th Anniversary drama production, which will form the core of 
Enterprises' commitment to celebrating this important event.  
Although details such as casting and a director are a long way off, it is
hoped that should such a production be made, a strong cast will be 
available, supported by a director popular with Doctor Who fans.
Both BBC Home Video producer David Jackson and Head of Video Production Penny
Mills have always been strong supporters of the Doctor Who range and are
well aware of the loyal following the programme possesses.  Recent sell-out
Doctor Who releases of The Tomb of the Cybermen and the worthwhile investments
made into the Shada project have been extremely successful.  This has 
undoubtedly made Enterprises far more positive about Doctor Who than
mainstream BBC Television have been since Jonathan Powell became Controller
of BBC1 and "suspended production" of the programme in 1989.
Jackson has confirmed that should this project go ahead, DWM will bring you
all the accurate, up-to-the-minute official news and statements regarding
this project if, and when, it happens.

Meanwhile, BBC Home Video kick off their celebrations in January with the
release of The Daemons, shortly after its transmission on BBC2 in November
and December of this year. Alister Pearson is providing the cover for the
video.  
February's releases see the team up of "Terminus" and "Enlightenment,"
the two 1983 Peter Davison adventures that conclude the Black Guardian
trilogy begun last November with the release of "Mawdryn Undead."
March sees the Tom Baker era represented by "Image of the Fendahl," the
classic (SKM  - ????) Graham Williams-produced adventure from Season 15.
Another "Special" tape is issued in the Spring, the extended version of
the 25th Anniversary adventure "Silver Nemesis."  Former Who-producer
John Nathan-Turner oversaw production on this video shortly before he left
BBC Home Video in November to return to the freelance production field.
The video comes in a special, metallic photographic cover and the tape
contains twelve extra minutes of footage and the American "Making of
Doctor Who" documentary (SKM - documentary runs to about an hour).

As we reported back in DWM 191, other provisional releases for 1993 may
include the Colin Baker adventure "Vengeance on Varos," the McCoy story
"Remembrance of the Daleks" (which DWM readers voted earlier this year
as the story they'd most like to see released), the long-awaited Hartnell
six-part classic "The Chase," plus the two Pertwee "Peladon" adventures.
In DWM 191, we also reported that various "Specials" were in the early
planning stages, including "The Invasion," "The Reign of Terror," 
"The Tenth Planet" as well as a further selection of "Years" tapes and a
"Documentaries" special.  There is no news at present as to whether those
releases will go ahead or not.


I'll take over at this point again.
First, someone on the Net has reported that they saw this month "Terminus"
in release as opposed to "Daemons."  To that person I apologize, I 
made a correction that wasn't entirely accurate. 
From what I hear and read in this, something has tangled up the "Daemons"
release unexpectedly and to fill in the gap, BBC Video decided to release
the "Terminus" videos early.  What this something is, I don't know.
Could be an unexpected copyright clearance problem or something as simple
as a bad batch of videotapes off the assembly line.  
Whatever it is, I wouldn't panic.  BBC Video seem to be trying to make up
for it with the "Terminus" release, so relax.

I also note with interest that DWM mentions NOWHERE in this issue anything
about John Nathan-Turner being fired by BBC Video or Audio.  They seem to
indicate he left by his own decision, and that the Specials may even go
ahead.  Those reports out of DWB were, I think, wishful thinking on the
part of DWB's editors, who have always been anti-JNT biased ever since
they started.  I've said it before and I'll say it again.  "I wouldn't
trust that paper to even light a fire."

Also, DWB seemed to be so sure of themselves when they said no one at all
wanted to see all these Specials come into release, and indeed, DWM and
BBC Video seemed to agree with them.  In the issue before this one, 
DWM even said, "No one has written to us and said they like all these
specials."  
There is another pet theory of mine which states that people who hate 
something traditionally raise their voices much higher than do people who
love something.  The theory seems supported by the following things one
reads in this current DWM's letter's page...


Editor Gary Russell says - 
Now, last month we apparantly opened a vast can of worms by stating that we
hadn't received any letters in favour of BBC Home Video's provisional list
of "Special" releases for 1993.  To say we were overwhelmed by letters of
support for the "Specials" would be an understatement - here's just a sample
of your views in:
DEFENDING THE SPECIALS
I consider some of your readers' condemnation of the BBC Home Video "Specials"
(DWM 193) disappointing.  How can we *not* be entertained by this fun and
stylish medium of presenting material and Who luminaries outside the standard
formats?
"Specials" do not block regular releases - they *compliment* the already
established range.  Dubbing the proposed scheduling for 1993 as "dull" as
the Doctor celebrates his 30th Anniversary, must be disheartening for BBC
Enterprises.  Is this the only gratitude we can offer their commitment to
Doctor Who?   
-NYK, Stockport, Cheshire

The "Special" releases are a brilliant idea.  Myself, amd many others, are
too young to remember the black and white stories and would like to see
incomplete ones released on video, so that we can get a much better overview
of early Doctor Who.
I hope they come out very soon, and I'm very sorry that older fans don't
share my enthusiasm.
-Jason Elford, Reading, Berkshire

I can see why many object to the releasing of "Specials" such as the "Years"
series of tapes, but I believe he "patchwork" versions of incomplete
stories to be an *entirely* different matter.  Classics with missing episodes
should be given the same amount of attention as complete ones.
I say that every complete episode that the BBC possesses should be released,
regardless of whether the whole story exists - these fragments have less
chance of being shown on television.
-Philip Fairweather, Cambridge, Cambs

Moan, moan, moan.  That's all we've heard about the BBC Home Video "Specials"
so far.  OK, so some might seem a little dull without their final episode
("The Tenth Planet" for instance), but it's the only way we'll get to see
these stories.
If the BBC issued just complete stories, they would *all* be available by
1999 and then what?  The "Specials" give us a chance to see how the stories
were made, and lots of wonderful vintage clips.  I thought "Daleks - The
Early Years" was terrific!
DOn't put the "specials" down - they're extensions to the ever growing
world of Doctor Who and they're the only "new" material coming out right now!
-Matthew Harvey, Ely, Cambs

I was surprised to read in DWM 193 that you hadn't received *any* letters
in favour of the "specials."  I admit, I'm sceptical of "The Tenth Planet"
without the final episode, but I think "The Invasion" or "The Reign of
Terror" could be fantastic.  IN the US, we've had ample opportunity to see
all the complete stories and with the show currently out of production,
these "Specials" are our only chance to see "new" material!
-Christopher Riff, Hanover, NH, USA

I am amazed, indeed incredulous, at the letters you've received!  Maybe there
is a distinct difference between the British video buying public and the
Australian video buying public, but I'm surprised by the claim by some readers
that the "Specials" are not as popular as complete, episodic releases.
As a video dealer, I would like to stress that, in Australia at least,
this is certainly not the case - the "Specials" *far* outsell the traditional
releases.  The recent releases of "The Hartnell Years" and "The Troughton
Years" underline this, and I've had many enquiries regarding "The Pertwee
Years."  Indeed, the telephone hasn't stopped ringing recently regardig
the release of that particular release, whereas the latest traditional
releases, "The Claws of Axos," and "The Masque of Mandragora" haven't
created nearly as much interest - apart from the Who collectors who are
interested in buying everything.
Fans *are* an important part of Doctor Who, but we must also remember that
there are many people with just a casual interest in the show who are more
interested in seeing a wider variety of the 26 years for their hard-earned
$30.
-S.M. Clark, Woodford, Queensland, Australia

We all know of the huge mistake made by the BBC in the 70s, when they 
wiped many episodes. This is now history and nothing can be done to change
that, but at least BBC Home VIdeo are trying to make amends - by releasing
as many videos as possible, as this is the only way many of us will ever
get to see them.  
So *why* are dedicated "fans" still not happy?!?
OK, so it's *not* ideal to have a story released with links, but for ten
years or more we've been pestering the BBC to search for missing episodes
all around the world.  Are we now saying that if they find any, we *don't*
want to see them unless *every* episode of a story turns up?
If this *is* the case, and the fact is that the BBC are *unlikely* to find
every episode, we may as well ask the BBC to erase all the odd episodes
they do have!
BBC Enterprises are a profit making organization, *not* a charity for Who 
fans, and if we want to see more Doctor Who, we'll have to pay up or they
won't bother.
I can't believe anybody who says they're not prepared to watch "The Tenth
Planet" until the final episode turns up.  I can't wait to see it.  If 
this is the *only* way I'll get to see those episodes, I think it's very
brave of the BBC to even consider releasing them.
It was this kind of maoning that has stopped BBC Home Video from releasing
any six-part stories, and where has that got us?  If you find them 
expensice then you will have to do something apparantly unheard of in the
90s - save up!
-Mark Stangrom, Norwich, Suffolk


I haven't asked these people's or DWM's permission to reprint these
stories and letters here, but as the one is "news" I can't see any problem
with reprinting that, and as the other is all opinions ranged against what
seems to be the Net's consensus, I can't see them minding either.  

Lesson of the Day:  Never take Dream Watch Bulletin seriously, or even
			with a grain of salt.  A few pounds *may* suffice.


Steven.K.Manfred