TODAY'S TWD: "BLAKE'S 7"

Sky One, a satellite channel over in Great Britain, has apparently dropped their plans to do a remake of 'The Prisoner' in partnership with Granada TV in favor of a remake of 'Blake's 7', the sci-fi cult series from the late 1970s.

This would probably be a "re-imagining" (a currently popular phrase in TV production) similar to 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Bionic Woman'. However, this may be one of those rare instances when the remake is housed in the main Toobworld while the original is shunted off to an alternate dimension.

It all depends on who their "Big Bad" will be.....

The original series was about a group of freedom fighters on the run from the evil Federation. Now if Toobworld is supposed to be a fictional universe shared by as many TV shows as possible, then 'Blake's 7' had to go off to the evil mirror universe. That's because the Federation should be an alliance of niceness, as an intergalactic Maxwell Smart might say. Since their Federation is evil - EVILLLLL! - then the mirror universe has to be its home. (Ironically, the evil mirror universe was made most popular in the various 'Star Trek' series.)

If the crew of this new series is being hunted down by any other name for the "Big Bad", then it can come fly the friendly skies of Toobworld. Otherwise, it may have to join the same dimension shared by 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'The New Monkees'......

BCnU!
Toby OB

TODAY'S TWD: HG WELLS & "THE TIME MACHINE"

If it weren't for a last-minute head's-up from François O. Beaulieu, I would have missed recording last night's episode of 'The Big Bang Theory'. "The Nerdvana Annihilation" was about the guys chipping in to buy a replica of the time machine used in the 1960 movie version by George Pal. (The film starred Rod Taylor, Yvette Mimieux, Alan Young, and Sebastian Cabot.)

According to Francois, the sitcom used Fred Barton's Time Machine prop, which was made by John Rigg.

The characters thought they won an online auction to get a miniature version of the Time Machine, but instead got the full-sized model. There was a miniature version seen in the movie, but the original was lost in a 1961 fire at George Pal's home in Bel-Air.

The story of the nameless Time Traveler can be found in Toobworld as well. Sadly, it was a live BBC production from January 25, 1949, and no copy was preserved. One month later, with a partially re-written script, the production was again mounted, but still no copy was made.

There was a version broadcast in 1978 which starred John Beck, but it modernized and Americanized the story. Perhaps the only character to survive this translation was Weena, the beautiful Eloi from 802, 701 AD.

More interesting for Toobworld is how often the author of the story appears in Toobworld, in much the same way as other authors have done who share the same dimension as their fictional creations (like Mark Twain, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and coming soon via 'Doctor Who', Dame Agatha Christie).

Those who have played Wells on Television include:

Robert Burnier (H.G. Wells) . . . "Énigmes de l'histoire" (1956) {Le mystère de la Mary Celeste (#1.3)} TV Series
Hamilton Camp (H.G. Wells 2) . . . "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" (1993)

Terry Kiser (H.G. Wells 1) . . . "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" (1993)

Michael Sheen (H.G. Wells) . . . HG Wells: War with the World (2006) (TV)

Jeremy Sinden (H G Wells) . . . "BBC2 Playhouse" (1974) {Fothergill (#7.9)} TV Series

Tom Ward (II) (H. G. Wells) . . . "Infinite Worlds of H.G. Wells, The" (2001) (mini) TV Series

'Timecop' Logan met the young HG Wells while hunting Ian Pascoe in 1888 London after he took the place of Jack the Ripper. And this 'Timecop' episode ("A Rip In Time") can help splain away why Wells went through so many recastaways, even within the same series as was the case with 'Lois & Clark'. During the episode, we learned that Catherine Eddowes was murdered on November 7th, 1888. However, in the real world history, as well as in other televersions, Eddowes was killed on September 30th, 1888.
Therefore Logan traveled back in Time to an alternate TV dimension.

And this can be used for all of the other versions of HG Wells as seen on TV. 'Lois & Clark' already takes place in another dimension since the Superman of the main Toobworld was - and always will be - the one played by George Reeves in 'The Adventures of Superman'. (Even if he has passed away on Earth Prime-Time.)

If any of the HG Wells portrayers can be accepted as the official televersion of the author, I'd suggest it be Tom Ward as seen in the 2001 mini-series about Wells.

If you'd like to read more about the 1960 movie version of 'The Time Machine', then visit "The Time Machine Project".

You can also read more about the movie prop here.


BCnU!
Toby OB

"It's seven years ago.... My time machine worked!"
Chandler Bing
'Friends'

TORCHWOOD: RADIO DAYS

'Torchwood' will soon exist in yet another fictional universe of Mankind's creative spark. Born in the TV Universe, it has a mirrored existence in the world of literature with tie-in novels and now will be part of the radio world as well.

Radio 4's "Afternoon Play" will broadcast during a day of programming dedicated to the CERN project. The 'Torchwood' story has Martha - still a member of UNIT, I would assume - calling on the team to check out the weird stuff happening at the CERN nuclear facility in Switzerland*. (This will take place either during June or July.)

(Outpost Gallifrey calls it Team Torchwood's first international adventure, but that's not true. Even though we didn't get to see them do it, the team went to Tibet at the request of Prime Minister Harold Saxon, which kept them out of the way when he took over the world in the 'Doctor Who' two-part finale for last season. The fact that the Doctor hit the magic reset button and negated most of everything that happened during the year Saxon reigned over Earth doesn't mean it never happened.)

The radio play features the vocal work of John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Freema Agyeman, and Gareth David-Lloyd. But because Burn Gorman and Naoko Mori are no longer in the cast and were not listed for this production, it is assumed this adventure will take place after the events in the 'Torchwood' second season finale. However, the scriptwriter Joseph Lidster says that Owen and Tosh will still play a role in the story. So they may be involved but unheard from during the play, and that would place this story line in the Torchwood timeline before the deaths of their characters.

There's always a chance that this adventure will be mentioned at some point in the future of the TV series. (At least, I'm hoping that there will be another season of 'Torchwood'!) But if so, then it will be an unseen adventure in Toobworld. The radio version will be a mirror universe depiction of the same event (in much the same way as we treat the 'Star Trek' movies when it comes to their place in the TV Universe).

BCnU!
Toby OB

*Here's an extra Tiddlywinkydink for you, since I missed out twice last week while on a mini-vacation at the Lake:

The European Organization for Nuclear Research known as CERN is the world's largest particle physics laboratory, situated in the northwest suburbs of Geneva on the border between France and Switzerland. The convention establishing CERN was signed on 29 September 1954. From the original 12 signatories of the CERN convention, membership has grown to the present 20 member states. Its main function is to provide the particle accelerators and other infrastructure needed for high-energy physics research. Numerous experiments have been constructed at CERN by international collaborations to make use of them.
- from Wikipedia

TODAY'S TWD: THE WORLDS OF POIROT

I once wrote about how the Doctor of the 'Doctor Who' TV series and that of the many novels - no matter which incarnation - are from different universes. The proof of that was in the last season, in connection to the stories 'Human Nature'/'Family of Blood' and 'Blink'. The original novel for 'Human Nature' was written for the Seventh Doctor; Sally Sparrow in the original short story from which 'Blink' was adapted was about 12 years old.

That same argument can be made for Hercule Poirot as well, because of the novel "Cards On The Table" and its adaptation starring David Suchet as the Belgian detective.

In the novel, Poirot was assisted by three other - "for want of a better term" as Ariadne Oliver said - sleuths in solving the murder of Mr. Shaitana. Ms. Oliver, the mystery novelist, Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard, and Colonel Race of the Foreign Office. (That's probably code for "MI6 Spy".)

Colonel Race had appeared in a 'Poirot' production before "Cards On The Table"; he was played by James Fox in "Death On The Nile". However, Fox was not available for this continuation of the role, so the producers - bless their pea-picking hearts! - chose not to turn Race into a recastaway (and thus spared Toobworld Central the headache of splainin it away). Instead, the character's name was simply changed to Hughes and Robert Pugh - recently seen as the adult Jonah Bevan in the 'Torchwood' episode "Adrift") played the part.

(By not recasting the role, 'Poirot' is more "realistic" than shows like 'Seinfeld', 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'The Sopranos'.)

There was another alteration as well. Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard became Superintendent Wheeler instead. And therefore, the worlds of literary Poirot and televised Poirot were sundered.

By the way, Poirot was portrayed on radio by John Moffatt (with Donald Sinden as Colonel Race) and that would be an entirely different universe as well - not just another dimension.

BCnU!
Toby OB

"Never trust the Welsh."
Ariadne Oliver
'Poirot: Cards On The Table'

That quote just seemed to jump out at me for some reason.... Bwahahaha!

CYMRAEG DDEISYF CELF

Recently the producers of a Welsh soap opera called 'Caerydydd' got in trouble for filming a sex scene in the men's room at the assembly building which houses their Senedd. (I guess similar to our Senate?)

The politicians were assured that the scene to be filmed for the series was to be one of conversation, but as it turned out it wasn't social intercourse that was going on in the scene.

'Caerdydd' takes place in Cardiff, Wales, and is broadcast in Welsh. (I believe it does have English sub-titles.) Here's a description of recent plotlines: Love and lust at the cutting edge of capital city life – welcome back to 'Caerdydd'. There are new faces in town looking for a fresh start, and some familiar ones getting up to old tricks. Peter's realising his ambitions in the business world, but as ever it's his personal life that's causing him problems, while Osian is back and taking a gamble in the casino. New girl Natasha is desperate to climb the ladder in the media, but she'll have to knock Elen off her perch first. It won't be a surprise that Emyr’s love life is still as complicated as ever, but there will be surprises in store for Lea, Kate and just about everyone else!

There's lots to come in 'Caerdydd', and it's not just weddings, warnings and wake-up calls.

Someone’s found a body in the Bay…

So I'm wondering.... Could it be that the body in the Bay had something to do with 'Torchwood'?

I think it would be cool, speaking as a Toobworld cheerleader, if the writers of 'Caerdydd' snuck in a few references to 'Torchwood' - not as a show, but as actually sharing the same city! Nothing major - perhaps just references to weather disruptions caused by Rift activity, or acknowledgement that about ten explosions recently occurred around the city. Maybe being so bold as to actually show a Weevil skulking about in the background!

Beth ddeudi, producers chan 'Caerdydd'? Fel am yn ergydio asgwrn at hon 'n hen Deledu cariad? Gwna chyfundeb cyd-rhwng 'Torchwood' a 'ch arddangos.

If that's wrong, I'm sure I'll hear about it.....

BCnU!
Toby OB

"It's weevil season, but we were prepared."

Dwight Schrute

'The Office'

NUMBED BY THE NUMBERS

A lot of of "The Numbers" have been popping up recently in my viewings and none of them have been from 'Lost'.....

Going back to 1917, Lieutenant Arthur Styles arrived in Styles St. Mary by train in "The Mysterious Affair At Styles", a 'Poirot' two-parter. The number of the train's engine was "488".

ESPN is running their own version of what really happened when Bobby Thomson hit "the shot heard round the world" in a promotional blipvert. As baseball fans should know, Thomson's number was "23". In a classic episode of 'Burke's Law' which was written by the team of Richard Levinson & William Link (who would go on to create 'Columbo'), Captain Burke had to figure out "Who Killed Merlin The Great". The magician Jack Merlin had been staying in room "416" at the hotel which was hosting the magicians' convention.

There were "16" classrooms in Luke Smith's new school, as Luke discovered in 'The Sarah Jane Adventures' episode "Revenge Of The Slitheen".

By taking care of items on Earl's list, Randy Hickey was able to stop Earl's slide into his coma just as the monitor ticked off to "15". He was then able to bring it back up immediately to "16".

One of the bikes that competed during a motocross rally in "The Man In The Mud" (an episode of 'Bones') was numbered "42".
Well, that's the latest crop of "The Numbers" that I've been able to find outside of 'Lost'......

ADDENDUM
I should have waited until I watched the repeat of Christopher Walken's recent stint as host on 'Saturday Night Live' before I posted. In a sketch about replacing the "dirty words" to be found in the musical 'Grease' for a high school production, Andy Samberg's character Lucas wore "23" on his jersey.....
BCnU!
Toby OB

TODAY'S TWD: WATCHING THE DETECTIVES

Just a little tip for the day.....

I was a big fan of Agatha Christie mysteries when I was a teenager. Loved the Albert Finney portrayal of Poirot (at the time), and still love that movie on the whole. And I would go see the Ustinov films as well. But I was remiss in watching the adaptations starring David Suchet, until late last year. And now, either through the auspices of my friends M&M, or via Netflix, I'm catching up on them all.

If you're thinking of working your way through those mysteries that have so far been filmed (and here's hoping that Suchet can complete them all, including "Curtain"!), I have a suggestion for you......

Even though it was a bit later in the series, start off with "The Mysterious Affair At Styles". It tells how Poirot and Captain (then Lieutenant) Hastings first came to work together back in 1917.
After that, you could always follow the episode guide at epguides.com, for I believe they are in proper order after that.....

BCnU!
Toby OB

THE REBEL ALLIANCE

When I got home from work this morning, I checked out my DVR recording of the Sci-Fi broadcast of Catherine Tate's return to 'Doctor Who' - "Partners In Crime".

The real crime was in the cutting room!

Here's how my blogging buddy Joe B. describes it over at his site, "I Am A TV Junkie" (link to the left!):

Just know that it's a much better episode than you saw. It was ...... hacked to bits, more than likely by a twelve-year-old boy, and one that had never seen an episode of 'Doctor Who'.

Can we find out who's responsible and ... you know ... get all mad and stuff?

I guess we could not watch and wait for the DVDs or move or ...

... you know what I mean.

Not that I advocate that kind of thing, but what I'm watching here right now, it's criminal to cut the heart out of the story.

They cut out all the best Donna/Grandpa stuff. Now at the end when they do the Grandpa flyby it won't mean anything.

Does RTD get approval on this stuff? He should hold out for that next time he signs to do something, he has the clout. The show I'm watching now is considerably less desirable than the one that ran on BBC One.

That affects the US market's perception of the show and their perception of him in an increasingly global TV market which it can be argued affects his value in that market. It's not just a diva move, it's protecting yourself.

Sorry, it's just that they cut my favorite scene.

Well, I will advocate that sort of thing! Once again I feel compelled to speak up in support of bit torrent rebels. If you have access to the show via those means, then go see that episode again. That was a very touching scene between Donna Noble and Wilf Mott, her grandfather; probably the only good family scene RTD has been able to bring to the series.

And they shredded it to fit more commercials into the hour......

Of course, for Toobworld itself, it's the original broadcast that stands as the official "history", but it irks me that so many people in America couldn't get to see it.

BCnU!

Toby OB

GLAD IT WASN'T MY ANNIVERSARY!

I just noticed that I hit the 2700th post this past Sunday with the story about Mike Bloomberg appearing as himself on '30 Rock'.

And it reminds me I still have to write about that connection between '30 Rock' and 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles'......

BCnU!
Toby OB

TODAY'S TWD: DARFUR

Ricky Paull Goldin is joining the cast of 'All My Children' as a recastaway for Dr. Jake Martin, brother to long-time character Tad. When last seen, Jake was headed to Africa in 2003 to help out with the Doctors Without Borders group (and was played at that time by J. Eddie Peck).

But now Jake is being held captive by rebel fighters in Darfur, hoping for a big ransom payout by the Cambias Corporation.

I'm not sure if the Darfur Genocide has played a role in Toobworld yet; I wouldn't be surprised if it's at least been the topic of a court case on 'Boston Legal'. But this may be the first time that a series has thrown one of its characters into the thick of it.

Despite news stories about the conflicts which have connections to such high-wattage celebs as George Clooney and Steven Spielberg, Darfur still seems to bubble deep under the surface of most people's consciousness - at least that's the impression I get. So here's a little bit o' info on the situation from Wikipedia:

The War in Darfur (called the Darfur Genocide by the United States Government) is a military conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Unlike the Second Sudanese Civil War, the current lines of conflict are seen to be ethnic and tribal, rather than religious. One side of the armed conflict is composed mainly of the Sudanese military and the Janjaweed, a militia group recruited mostly from the Arab Baggara tribes of the northern Rizeigat, camel-herding nomads. The other side comprises a variety of rebel groups, notably the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement, recruited primarily from the land-tilling non-Arab Fur, Zaghawa, and Massaleit ethnic groups. The Sudanese government, while publicly denying that it supports the Janjaweed, has provided money and assistance to the militia and has participated in joint attacks targeting the tribes from which the rebels draw support. The conflict began in February of 2003.

You can read more here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Darfur

And if you want to help the refugees, try these sites:

http://www.fund4darfur.org/

http://www.theirc.org/

http://www.charity.org

As for a splainin re: the recastaway of Jake from Peck to Goldin, maybe the rigors and hardships of the last five years in Darfur could be the reason......

BCnU....
Toby OB