Happy Birthday, Doctor Who!!!

[CalliArcale]

The series is 42 years old today. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> It's the oldest sci-fi show currently in production, and the longest-running ever. And in honor of that, the BBC has released a preview of the upcoming special (airing Dec 25) "The Christmas Invasion":<br /><br />(cut-and-pasted from Outpost Gallifrey's Doctor Who News Page<br />Doctor Who – The Christmas Invasion<br /><br />It's Christmas and Jackie Tyler is at home preparing for the festive season, not knowing if her daughter Rose will be home in time - or at all. Then she hears the familiar, ancient grind of the TARDIS! Mickey, who is hard at work, also hears it and they both race across the estate just in time to witness the TARDIS' glorious, chaotic crash landing. The doors open and, much to their delight, out steps Rose and a complete stranger - except it isn't a stranger - it's the Doctor. Disorientated, yet overwhelmed to see them, he takes a few minutes to regain his balance and consider what it is he wants to tell them. "Oh! I know! Merry Christmas!" he yells, before collapsing. The Doctor falls in and out of consciousness, with Rose and Jackie powerless to help him.<br /><br />In a bid to boost Rose's spirits, Mickey suggests a spot of Christmas shopping. A good plan - until they find themselves under attack by a sinister brass band of masked Santas. However, they are not the only ones with problems. Prime Minister Harriet Jones has just been informed that a British space probe, on its way to Mars for a Christmas Day landing, has gone missing. It has been kidnapped by a monstrous race known as the Sycorax, who are set on taking over the world. Meanwhile, back at the Tylers', Mickey and Jackie are trying to fend off a killer Christmas tree, while Rose tries to wake the Doctor.<br /><br />David Tennant plays the Doctor, Billie Piper plays Rose Tyler, Camille Coduri plays Jackie Tyler, Noel Clarke plays Mickey, Penelop <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

<i>Noel Clarke plays Mickey</i><br /><br />"Oh, get on with it, Ricky."<br />"That's Mickey." <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[hracctsold]

As the white mice that determined the ultimate answer to all questions said, we told you it was 42!!!!

 

[lampblack]

Happy birthday -- to the finest Who in Whoville!<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#0000ff"><strong>Just tell the truth and let the chips fall...</strong></font> </div>

 

[ordinary_guy]

I've fallen out of touch with the Doctor.<br /><br />42 years, though. Wow.<br /><br /><i>My own recollection of Dr. Who:</i><br /><br />I grew up watching the series. It would air every sunday night at the ungodly hour of 11pm. I knew I'd have to pay dearly as I got ready for school the next morning, but there I would be – parked in front of the tube, in time to see Dave Allen at Large on WTTW in Chicago. Then the Doctor would come on with that cool theme song. I followed it from Patrick Troughton to the beginning of Colin Baker (eventually catching all of William Hartnell) before life took me in other directions.<br /><br /><i>Fondest Doctor memory:</i><br /><br />I was maybe 12 and there was a Doctor Who convention at the O'Hare Hyatt. There was Star Trek there, too, and a smattering of Star Wars stuff as well, but the Doctor was the big story. It had every living Doctor Who there to make an appearance. I thought that would be just cooler than ice cubes to see...<br /><br />There had been a drawing to go upstairs to a little soiree to meet the doctors. I, of course, did not win. Not surprising, really, there were people there from other planets (or so it seemed). In a fit of temporary stupidity (I'm still having that fit), I wandered away from all the excitement of the main convention area to see if I could catch some glimpse of my hero: Tom Baker. The man could do no wrong. One sonic screwdriver and he could save the universe. These days, I'm lucky if I can down a regular screwdriver and save the receipt.<br /><br />So there I was, 12 years old, wandering in a sneaky sort of fashion toward the hallways of the regular hotel. Lo and behold, I see a hotel employee standing guard by a particular hallway. I stake the place out and wait for her to step away. Sure enough, she does – and I make a break for it. Don't know if it's the right direction, but you only live once!<br /><br />Timed it just right. Slipped past, made it around a corner... and had no idea where to go next. I wande <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p style="font:normalnormalnormal12px/normalTimes;margin:0px"><strong>Mere precedent is a dangerous source of authority.</strong></p> <p style="font:normalnormalnormal12px/normalTimes;margin:0px">-Andrew Jackson (1767-1845)</p> </div>

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

Wow thats one awesome experience! Thanks for sharing. lucky you! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong>  </p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

No kidding! I am extremely jealous!<br /><br />Tom Baker has always been good with the kids; the thing that gave him the greatest joy on the series was being recognized in the street by children. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> You might be interested in his autobiography, although be advised it will make you sad at times; he's had a rough life. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[ordinary_guy]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Tom Baker has always been good with the kids; the thing that gave him the greatest joy on the series was being recognized in the street by children. You might be interested in his autobiography, although be advised it will make you sad at times; he's had a rough life.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />I had no idea about the autobiography... or the challenges.<br /><br />I'm going to look that up.<br />Thank you. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p style="font:normalnormalnormal12px/normalTimes;margin:0px"><strong>Mere precedent is a dangerous source of authority.</strong></p> <p style="font:normalnormalnormal12px/normalTimes;margin:0px">-Andrew Jackson (1767-1845)</p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

Though it has now officially ended it's run, Tom Baker recently was a lead role in the BBC show, "Monarch of the Glen" (one of my more favorite BBC shows).<br /><br />http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/tv/monarch/comments/index.shtml?cast=tom <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[mattblack]

Oh, Tom Baker is a lovely guy. Mad as a hatter, but in a nice way. Lately he's had a very good role in the series "Monarch Of The Glen", set in Scotland. If you've never seen the show, it's delightful. Baker plays the long-lost Uncle Donald, who's an ex-racing car champion and all round mischief maker!<br /><br />http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/tv/monarch/<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>One Percent of Federal Funding For Space: America <strong><em><u>CAN</u></em></strong> Afford it!!  LEO is a <strong><em>Prison</em></strong> -- It's time for a <em><strong>JAILBREAK</strong></em>!!</p> </div>

 

[jmilsom]

That is a great story Ordinary_Guy. I met Tom Baker when I was a child, but it was just lining up at a book signing in a shopping centre somewhere with my grandma. My younger brother asked him if he had any jelly babies, which he thought was very endearing. <br /><br />I am less in touch with Dr. Who than most of you. After Troughton, Pertwee and Baker, I saw a little of the Davidson series and have not seen it ever since. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>