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The ABC has added additional titles to its 2017 line-up, including two new dramas in early stages of production.

At a media launch in Sydney today, director of television Richard Finlayson said the public broadcaster.s slate aimed to be .ambitious, accessible and Australian...

.We want to use the best talent we can possibly find. We want to continue to be the most awarded network. We want to be recognised for the best TV in Australia. But not just in Australia, in the world,. he said.

Finlayson said the ABC wanted to be bold in its programming, and show that the broadcaster's content was "for everybody. via big national stories.

.We want to make big, noisy prime time shows, but we.re going to also make sure that we.re giving emerging creatives the opportunity to access audiences as well. They.ll be doing that a lot on iview,. he said.

Pete Dillon-Trenchard Dec 26, 2016

With Eric Idle, Prof. Brian Cox and guests, The Entire Universe is a rare programme that manages to inform, educate and entertain...

The Royal Institution Lectures are a grand Christmas tradition, having been on our screens for the last eight decades of their nearly two hundred-year history (The first of this year’s lectures, about Michael Faraday, will already be available on iPlayer by the time you read this). Designed to bring science to a general audience, the lectures feature scientific concepts delivered in an entertaining fashion.

See related Amazon Prime UK: what’s new in January 2017?

However, for all of their fun tricks and experiments, the Ri lectures are ostensibly still that - lectures - and as such they are often lacking in such key areas as comedy sketches, full-blown musical numbers and Warwick Davis. Step forward Eric Idle and Brian Cox, then, and The Entire Universe...

Louisa Mellor Dec 12, 2016

We’ve taken a pen to the UK Christmas TV and radio schedules and circled the shows we’re looking forward to. Add yours below!

Amid the cosy repeats, big movies and inescapable cranberry-stuffed cookery shows on TV this month are a few original gems. Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton’s Inside No. 9 festive special The Devil Of Christmas (Tuesday the 27th of December, 10pm, BBC Two) is top of our must-watch list. Hot on its heels is Yonderland’s family friendly Yonder Yuletide (Saturday the 24th of December, 6.30pm, Sky One). Another for families on Sky is the Christmas Day Jasper Fforde adaptation The Last Dragonslayer, while Channel 4 has the non-festive-but-essential-for-fans-of smart-sci-fi Humans series two finale (Sunday the 18th of December, 9pm).

See related James Cameron's Avatar: five years on Avatar review

Not to forget, of course, the Doctor Who Christmas Special, a brand-new series of Sherlock,...

Louisa Mellor Rob Leane Dec 20, 2016

Lee Mack’s Not Going Out will be back on the BBC in 2017, 2018 and 2019 - three new series are now on the way.

Back in August, the news broke that the BBC had renewed Lee Mack's excellent sitcom Not Going Out for its eighth series. Today, it's being reported by CultBox that the Beeb has decided to order series 9 and 10 as well.

See related The Science of Doctor Who review The Quest For Wonder: Robin Ince and Prof. Brian Cox web series trailer Robin Ince interview: science, Brian Cox and Jason Statham Den Of Geek’s Christmas 2016 UK TV and radio picks The Mighty Boosh: celebrating BBC Three originals

Series 8 will arrive in 2017, series 9 in 2018 and series 10 in 2019. That's music to our ears, and one heck of a display of confidence in Mack and co. from the powers that be.

CultBox's report also...

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42, The Power Of Three, Dinosaurs On A Spaceship and more - the Doctor Who work to date of the show's next showrunner...

Who is Chris Chibnall? You might know him as the creator of Born & Bred, Law & Order: UK and Broadchurch amongst others, but as readers of this site, it's more likely that you know his scripts from Doctor Who and his tenure as head writer of Torchwood. On Friday, the BBC announced that Steven Moffat will be stepping down as the showrunner of Who after next year's tenth series (since its revival), to be replaced by Chibnall in 2018.

Over the weekend alone, there has already been a lot written and said in speculation about what the new show-runner, Doctor Who's third since Russell T. Davies combined the roles of head writer and executive producer when he revived the series in 2005. I, for one, welcome our...

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Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince's new 6-part science web mini-series, The Quest For Wonder, has a first trailer...

Where should you go if you've lost your wonder? Where else but The Science Museum! Nearest tube stop: South Kensington.

That's where comedian Robin Ince and Professor Brian Cox, aided by their puppet counterparts, embark on a quest for the good prof's sense of awe (small, blue and fluffy in case you see it around) in this trailer for a new six-part web series.

The online mini-series, arriving in 2016 and made in association with The Science Museum, is being billed as "a fun-filled caper through the world of science that is sure to delight both children and adults alike." 

Here's the trailer:

For more info on this and the pair's many other science communication projects, visit cosmicgenome.com or follow @cosmicgenome on Twitter.

See related  Does bad science ruin science fiction?...

Take a brief glimpse at Sherlock's Victorian special, the return of Idris Elba's Luther and BAFTA winner Olivia Colman's new drama in a brand new BBC One trailer.

A three-minute promo for the channel's autumn and winter schedule features a star-studded lineup from David Attenborough to Tom Hiddleston.

Colman and Hiddleston will team up for The Night Manager, an adaptation of John le Carré's novel.

Other shows featured in the clip include Professor Brian Cox's Force of Nature, River, a new drama from The Hour's Abi Morgan, Andrew Davies' epic adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace and dramatic scenes for Kathy Beale as Gillian Taylforth makes her full-time EastEnders comeback.

Tracey Ullman spoofs German chancellor Angela Merkel in a teaser for her new sketch show, while established BBC One primetime hits such as The Great British Bake Off, Strictly Come Dancing, The...

UK TV ratings roundup - data supplied by Barb

Martin Clunes continued to rule Monday nights outside soaps despite a small drop, according to overnight figures.

Doc Martin dipped by just under 200,000 viewers from last week to an average 5.42 million (24.7%) at 9pm (284,000/1.9% on +1). Earlier, Britain As Seen on ITV brought in 2.44m (11.2%) at 8pm.

On BBC One, new documentary series All Change at Longleat interested 3.34m (15.2%) at 9pm.

BBC Two's University Challenge quizzed 2.63m (12.1%) at 8pm, followed by Only Connect with 2.14m (9.6%) at 8.30pm and Michael Mosley's new science series Countdown to Life with 1.63m (7.4%) at 9pm. Professor Brian Cox's new panel show Six Degrees of Separation attracted 1.13m (6.7%) at 10pm.

On Channel 4, Jamie's Super Food was seen by 1.25m (5.8%) at 8pm (273k/1.2%), followed by Food Unwrapped with 1.33m (6.0%) at 8.30pm (271k/1.2%) and The Catch with 878k (4.0%) at 9pm (176k/1.2%).

Channel 5's new series of...

The stars have come out in force to defend the BBC against government criticism.

Daniel Craig, Dame Judi Dench, Jk Rowling and Sir David Attenborough are among the names who have signed an open letter to David Cameron ahead of the BBC's Charter Review.

Describing the corporation as a "very precious institution", they have warned the Prime Minister that "a diminished BBC would simply mean a diminished Britain".

Rachel Weisz, Mark Rylance, David Walliams, Miranda Hart, Michael McIntyre, Steven Moffatt, Richard Curtis, Simon Schama and Sir Lenny Henry have also put their names to the letter.

They are joined by Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Claudia Winkleman, Graham Norton, Chris Evans, Professor Brian Cox, Stephen Fry, Michael Palin, Lord Melvyn Bragg, Adil Ray, Jamie Oliver, Clara Amfo, Nick Grimshaw, Trevor Nelson, Annie Nightingale and Reggie Yates.

The letter reads: "The Government and the BBC are now entering the Charter Review. We...

As Only Connect and University Challenge return to the BBC for new series, we salute the geek comforts of UK TV quiz shows…

Never mind A.E. Housman’s maxim that “all human knowledge is precious whether or not it serves the slightest human use”, no knowledge is really precious until it serves the slightest use watching a TV quiz. If you’ve ever moaned about not needing your schoolboy geometry in the real world, you’ve clearly never experienced the joy of shouting “Cartesian Plane” at BBC Two on a Monday night.

Quiz shows are a TV comfort blanket for trivia nerds. That instant sliding-into-a-warm-bath relaxation other people experience when they hear the first bars of a beloved soap theme is what the opening ‘dum’ of the University Challenge music does to us. You’re home now, says that music. Wherever you are, whatever’s going on in your life,...

Simon Guerrier and Marek Kukula's The Scientific Secrets Of Doctor Who is well worth a look, says Patrick...

One of the quotes The Scientific Secrets Of Doctor Who chooses to open with is said by the Fourth Doctor's sidekick Leela in 1977's Horror Of Fang Rock: "I, too, used to believe in magic, but the Doctor has taught me about science. It is better to believe in science". And while it is fundamentally true, it doesn't quite hold water when you look at Doctor Who's relationship with science over the years.

The earlier seasons, particularly the Hartnell/Troughton monochrome years, tried to root explanations in science - or the closest thing to it - while the more recent series starring Peter Capaldi's cantankerous incarnation asked us to suspend disbelief most of the time (In The Forest Of The Night, though underappreciated, defied basic science). Lately, Doctor Who...

Nicola Sturgeon will become the first ever British politician to deliver the Alternative MacTaggart lecture at Edinburgh TV Festival this year.

The First Minister for Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party follows in the footsteps of Ant and Dec, Professor Brian Cox, Mary Portas and Charlie Brooker.

This year's festival marks the annual event's 40th anniversary year, and will see Sturgeon interviewed by editor-in-chief of Guardian News & Media, Katharine Viner.

Sturgeon said: "I'm delighted to have been invited to speak at this year's Alternative MacTaggart.

"This will be an excellent opportunity to share my views on the future of Scottish Broadcasting, in front of the key people responsible for running our country's media organisations, and those creating content for our audiences."

Viner added: "Nicola Sturgeon is one of the most interesting figures in British politics right now and I'm delighted to be interviewing her at this year's TV Festival.

Exclusive: Andrea Riseborough joins Shepherds and Butchers ahead of June shoot.

Birdman star Andrea Riseborough is to star opposite Steve Coogan (Philomena) in apartheid drama Shepherds and Butchers.

WestEnd Films has launched Cannes sales on the project from Oliver Schmitz, director of 2012 Un Certain Regard entry Life, Above All, with shoot due to get underway in South Africa on June 15.

Cox’s script, adapted from the novel of the same name, sees a hotshot lawyer (Coogan) face his biggest test when he agrees to defend a white prison guard who has killed seven black men.

Anant Singh (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom) and Brian Cox (Kite) produce the drama for Distant Horizon and Videovision Entertainment. Sudhir Pragjee, Sanjeev Singh and Basil Ford are executive producers.

Production design and costume design come from District 9 duo Mike Berg and Diana Cilliers, respectively.

“The film deals with the death penalty, which is a controversial issue globally and we believe...

Professor Brian Cox has signed up to host a new BBC Two panel show.

The popular scientist will present a new series called Six Degrees, which tests the theory of six degrees of separation.

BBC Two announced today that Cox will challenge a team of scientists and celebrities to work out how seemingly random things are connected, with BBC Two suggesting that this could be "from Babbage to Buzzfeed, Lovelace to Linux".

The broadcaster added: "The panel show will rejoice in the often serendipitous connections that have led us through the digital revolution."

Cox has previously been a panellist on panel shows Qi and Would I Lie to You? but this will be the first one that he has hosted.

It is not yet clear when Six Degrees will air on BBC Two.

Oliver Schmitz to direct Philomena star.

Steve Coogan (Philomena) is to star in Shepherds and Butchers, an apartheid-era drama about a jaded lawyer, who takes on a seemingly hopeless multiple murder case and uncovers scandalous shortcomings in South Africa’s capital punishment system.

The film will be directed by Oliver Schmitz, whose mother-daughter drama Life, Above All played in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard strand in 2010.

Anant Singh’s Distant Horizon will produce Shepherds and Butchers, which is due to shoot in South Africa in June and will be sold by WestEnd at Cannes.

Singh (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom) and Brian Cox (Kite) are producing for Distant Horizon and Videovision Entertainment.

Executive producers are Sudhir Pragjee, Sanjeev Singh and Basil Ford.

Singh said: “We are pleased to be working with WestEnd Films as Eve, Sharon and their team are passionate about our film. We have been friends for a long time and have acquired their films for distribution...

Professor Brian Cox is to host new BBC One show Forces of Nature.

Whereas Cox's previous shows have predominantly focused on the solar system, the new science programme will focus on the wonders of the earth.

The four-part series will explore the relationship between the earth and the sun's light, analysing phenomenon such as rainbows and moonbows.

Controller of BBC One Charlotte Moore said: "Brian Cox will enthuse and inspire audiences in his debut series for BBC One.

"Revealing some of the most extraordinary phenomena and events on Earth, he will set out to illuminate our understanding of the planet like never before, bringing science to a mainstream audience in a surprising way."

Cox next leads the lineup for the Manchester International Festival 2015.

He will write and present The Age of Starlight, a show about the history of the universe.

We’ve scanned the UK Christmas TV and radio schedules for the festive fortnight and circled a few programmes you may enjoy…

We’ve taken our glittery pen to the pages of this year’s festive TV Listings guide to circle a selection of shows that might tickle your Christmas fancy.

Supplement your festive box-set viewing with appearances from the Doctor and Clara, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, Dame Judi Dench, Professor Danielle George, the work of Roald Dahl, Charlie Brooker, David Attenborough, the much-missed Rik Mayall, and many more...

Drama Doctor Who: Last Christmas

The tenth annual Doctor Who Christmas Special since the show’s 2005 return, and Peter Capaldi’s first real festive Tardis adventure. Nick Frost, Michael Troughton, Dan Starkey and Nathan McMullen all co-star in this Father Christmas North Pole caper, alongside Capaldi and Jenna Coleman. Watch the latest trailer, here.

When’s it on? 6.15pm on Christmas Day,...

As Interstellar arrives in cinemas, James salutes those films that take us, well, somewhere else...

(Note: this article discusses the ending of Gravity and 2001: A Space Odyssey and it will also hurl you into the void of outer space. Don't panic, and remember: "In space no one can hear you scream".)

We're going Interstellar. Finally, one of the most-eagerly awaited films of the year has landed in cinemas to pick us up and take us beyond the stratosphere and out of Earth's orbit. Interstellar will then, as the title suggests, propel us even further and push us beyond the outer reaches of the Solar System.

That's an exhilarating prospect but, putting the conceptual idea aside for a moment, Interstellar is exciting simply because it's a Christopher Nolan movie. For his first feature since The Dark Knight trilogy's finale he's assembled a cast of high-calibre stars (Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway,...

2001: A Space Odyssey has been given its first new officially-sanctioned trailer in four decades.

A brand new teaser for director Stanley Kubrick's classic movie has been commissioned by Warner Bros in commemoration of the BFI's Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder season.

Ignition Creative London have made the sentient artificial intelligence Hal 9000 (Douglas Rain) the focus of their promo clip.

Kubrick's pioneering film chronicled David Bowman (Keir Dullea) and his team of scientists' exploration of space.

2001: A Space Odyssey won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, and came in as the 15th greatest film of all time on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies list.

Have your say: What are the greatest sci-fi movies ever made?

The BFI's Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder season will include a panel discussion of the movie featuring stars Dullea and Gary Lockwood, writer Sir Christopher Frayling and physicist Professor Brian Cox.

Critic...

The BFI has unveiled a Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder three-month screening programme celebrating genre works in film and TV.

The event will run from October 20 to December 31 with more than 1,000 screenings of big and small screen classics across 200 UK locations.

Days of Fear and Wonder will play across three primary strands: 'Tomorrow's World' will look at futures reshaped by technology, 'Altered States' will journey into the minds and bodies of 'inner-space', and 'Contact!' centres on exploration of new frontiers and visitors from other worlds.

The BFI's creative director Heather Stewart said of the programme: "Sci-fi has come to define the cinematic experience for audiences everywhere. We will celebrate the originality, the craftsmanship and the vision behind some of the most important film and television ever made.

"Its calling card is visual spectacle, but at its heart sci-fi is the genre for big ideas, revealing our...

The BFI has unveiled a Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder three-month screening programme celebrating genre works in film and TV.

The event will run from October 20 to December 31 with more than 1,000 screenings of big and small screen classics across 200 UK locations.

Days of Fear and Wonder will play across three primary strands: 'Tomorrow's World' will look at futures reshaped by technology, 'Altered States' will journey into the minds and bodies of 'inner-space', and 'Contact!' centres on exploration of new frontiers and visitors from other worlds.

The BFI's creative director Heather Stewart said of the programme: "Sci-fi has come to define the cinematic experience for audiences everywhere. We will celebrate the originality, the craftsmanship and the vision behind some of the most important film and television ever made.

"Its calling card is visual spectacle, but at its heart sci-fi is the genre for big ideas, revealing our...

The news that Monty Python’s Flying Circus were to take to the skies again was as welcome as it was unexpected. Now we are hours away from seeing the Pythons together again, for quite a few nights only, in the stage show to literally end all Monty Python shows.

This morning the remaining members of the Python clan took to the stage in London to meet the press. The hour long video can be seen below – and it’s Python so it’s well worth your time.

There are more tickets for ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly) One Down Five to Go’ are going on sale tonight at 6pm, and tomorrow for the remaining shows. Previously reported as being sold out we can presume they’re going to be launching small royal box sized hot air balloons to open up more seating. If you’re not able to get to...

Following the huge success of his Wonders of the Universe app, TV's Professor Brian Cox is releasing an exciting new follow-up, The Wonders of Life.

Available on iTunes from February 20, priced £3.99, the app will allow users to take an incredible 3D tour of the Earth, pinching and zooming to take in the full magnitude of its beauty.

The app will allow you to tour the secrets of life in the most stunning detail, from the smallest paramecium to the largest giraffe.

Cox has produced over 80 articles for users, which delve deeper into the intricacies of the natural world.

It is packed with 30 beautifully crafted creatures and habitats to explore, crisply sharp renderings of the most extraordinary and diverse environments and over 2 hours of HD footage from the series and 30+ locations.

The whole product is optimised for the iPad Mini, Air, other iPads and iPhone 4s and up.

The app has...

With last year’s “Trance” ending up a financial disappointment — it made roughly only $250,000 more than his theatrical debut “Shallow Grave” — Danny Boyle has gone into TV’s warm embrace for the time being with his pilot for the police series “Babylon” (read our review here). While we wait for updates on his fictionalized adaptation of the documentary “Smash And Grab” and the long-discussed “Trainspotting” sequel, why not take a stroll down memory lane with Boyle as he talks about “Sunshine.” In a Q&A panel for the winter edition of the Shuffle Festival last December, Boyle sat down with physicist Brian Cox — who acted as a consultant on the film — and BBC film critic Mark Kermode to parse the questions raised by the 2007 science fiction film. The panel lasts just over an hour and finds Boyle in top form as he slags “fantasy sci-fi” like “Star Wars” and “Star Trek...

In the last seven years, The Big Bang Theory has been a haven for geeks. While there are those that have been critical of the writers for playing on stereotypes of nerds, they provide interesting and comical discussions on current scientific theories and discoveries, as well as referencing so many fandoms that many of us are a part of, including Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, comic books and their respective movies, Firefly, Dungeons & Dragons and so many more. Even more, the producers have lined up talent from so many of these films, programs and comics (dare I say, the greatest of these is the recurring role of Wil Wheaton), as well as some of the leading scientists of our time. So without further ado, I present here, for your approval, my wish list for future cameos for The Big Bang Theory.

10. Mark Hamill

With the announcement that both Carrie Fisher...

There's been surge in the public appetite for all things celestial – but will Channel 4's Live from Space be able to replicate the thrill of Gravity?

If Gravity has taught us one thing about space, it's that the whole place is awful. It's cold, it's lonely, it's undeniably terrifying and, if you spend any time there at all, you'll either get sliced to ribbons by razor-sharp debris travelling at thousands of miles an hour or George Clooney will saunter up and embark on a directionless loosey-goosey anecdote about nothing that constantly runs the risk of transforming into some sort of unprompted Nespresso sales pitch. No thank you, space.

However, to a lesser extent – but with more relevance to what you're reading – Gravity also taught us that space is very pretty to look at from a safe distance. And that's why, buoyed up by this newfound public enthusiasm for all things celestial,...

The 7.39: BBC One, 9pm

One Day writer David Nicholls' two-part romantic drama - starring Sheridan Smith, Olivia Colman and David Morrissey - concludes, as Carl (Morrissey) and Sally (Smith) take their relationship to the next level, unbeknownst to his unwitting wife (Colman).

Stargazing Live: Back to Earth: BBC Two, 9pm

A treat for astronomy geeks, as Professor Brian Cox returns, accompanied by comic Dara Ó Briain and guests, to further explore the wonders of the solar system. In the first of a new three-part run, the team are on a mission to capture the Northern Lights on camera.

The Taste: Channel 4, 9pm

Nigella Lawson, Ludo Lefebvre and Anthony Bourdain are the judges for this hot new cooking contest, which also airs a Us version on ABC. Digital Spy already had a go, now you can check out the real deal.

Tom Daley has spoken about his "terrifying decision" to post a YouTube video about his sexuality earlier this week.

Speaking on ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show, the diving star said that he "couldn't be happier" after revealing that he is dating a man.

Asked about his decision to speak about his relationship, the 19-year-old said: "It was a terrifying decision to make, I didn't know what the reaction was going to be like, I didn't know how it was going to go but I felt I needed to say something.

"I wanted to say something in my own words and from the heart, I didn't know what else to do.

"Right now I couldn't be happier, the support and reaction has been amazing, everyone has been so supportive and I just have to thank them," he continued.

The star also advised young gay teenagers to "tell one person" about how they feel.

Jameson Cult Film Club | Sublime Frequencies In North & West Africa | Winter Shuffle | The Nomad Cinema

Jameson Cult Film Club, London, Leeds & Manchester

It feels like they've been buttering us up for the return of Ron Burgundy all year. We've been treated to the Ron-fronted Dodge commercials and an impromptu live version of Afternoon Delight, but if you simply can't wait till Anchorman 2 goes on release next Wednesday – or you simply don't feel like paying for a ticket – these special preview screenings are a good option. The format is the same in each city: a big, themed venue in which to follow the exploits of Will Ferrell and his fellow 1970s throwbacks (this time contending with the cut-throat world of 24-hour news). Plus the promise of "salon-quality hair makeovers", branded refreshments and, of course, jazz flute. Now all you have to do is get a ticket; check the website to find out how.

Eddie Izzard is to star in an upcoming BBC Two science drama.

The comic actor will portray radar developer Robert Watson Watt in the one-off film Castles in the Sky.

The film will centre around the Scotsman's flight to invent the detection system with a group of British scientists.

Breaking Bad's Laura Fraser will play Izzard's wife Margaret, while other cast members will include Alex Jennings (The Queen), Tim McInnerny (Blackadder) as Winston Churchill, David Hayman (Trial And Retribution) and Julian Rhind-Tutt (Green Wing).

Izzard said of the project: "I feel very privileged to be playing the role of Robert Watson-Watt. Hopefully our production will allow him, along with Arnold 'Skip' Wilkins and their team, to finally take their places in the pantheon of British greats of World War II, as the inventors of radar."

Elsewhere, BBC Two has also commissioned a new five-part series titled Human Universe, presented by Professor Brian Cox.

What a week it has been for Doctor Who! Not just the almighty ‘Day Of The Doctor’ but a whole host of specials and events for the fans. I’ll make no bones about it; I have thoroughly enjoyed it all. This is why I am here now, fresh from my viewing experiences to review the specials that took place over the last week. An Adventure In Space And Time. The Day Of The Doctor. The Fiveish Doctors. And a few other little gems too. They’re all here as I continue my retrospective of the 50th anniversary year (part 3).

In part 1 I looked at the events that led up to November 2013. Series 7b. The announcement of Matt Smith’s Departure. The return of missing Patrick Troughton episodes. All the intrigue and rumours and the announcement of Peter Capaldi, who we’ll finally get to see in person in the...

On TV this Monday: Christy’s Mom needs helps, 2 guest stars get cooking on Broke Girls, Almost Human continues, The Voice moves forward with the Top 10 and Castle is twin piqued. As a supplement to TVLine’s original features (linked within), here are 10 programs to keep on your radar.

8 pm Almost Human (Fox) | John and Dorian investigate a murder and high-profile missing persons case that draw them into the world of Intimate Robot Companions… also known as sexbots. O-kay. (Get scoop.)

8 pm Dancing With the Stars (ABC) | Former Dancing pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy returns as a guest judge, as the couples...

Anyone who had the pleasure of witnessing Professor Brian Cox try to answer some of the many questions behind ‘ The Science Of Doctor Who’ could have been forgiven for thinking to themselves that old Coxy would make an excellent Thirteenth Doctor.

If you did, we salute you, and here are just some of many, many reasons the former D-Ream keyboard player and telly science institution could be an inspired choice at the helm of the Tardis once Peter Capaldi exits. Not that he won’t be brilliant, it’s just, well, you saw how enthusiastic he got over Michael Faraday & those equations, right?

Seems only right he should be allowed to observe the Wonders Of The Universe at first hand, and I hope to present a compelling argument in his favour. Amazing!

The post Doctor Who: 10 Reasons Professor Brian Cox Would Make An Amazing 13th Doctor appeared first on WhatCulture!

Review Louisa Mellor 15 Nov 2013 - 10:59

BBC Two’s The Science of Doctor Who was more of the former than the latter, but still an entertaining celebration of ideas…

Can you imagine Rufus Hound as a long line of disassociated atoms? Professor Brian Cox can. He can imagine lots of things: diagrams drawn from the perspective of a black hole (how does it hold the pen?), bits of card as “pieces of space-time”, and the concept of looping energy and matter around so that your future light cone touches your past light cone (I think I did that once in yoga).

Armed with just a candle, a blackboard, and a handful of TV’s most innocuous celebrities, Professor Cox set out to explore the science of Doctor Who. What, about the world of the Doctor, was really possible, and what was science-y bunkum? Could regeneration ever happen? Can something really be bigger on the inside?...

It's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff.

Sandwiched between some silly and fun sketches with Matt Smith, TV science whizz Professor Brian Cox delivered a lecture on BBC Two tonight (November 14) which attempted to explain the scientific concepts at the heart of Doctor Who to viewers who perhaps like Digital Spy, only managed to leave school with a D in Physics.

Occasionally mind-bending, often mind-blowing and always terrific fun, here are our 5 highlights from the show.

1. "I'm going to show you that we're almost free to wander through time."

If Professor Brian Cox had the power to travel in time, he would head back to 1860 to watch the lectures of scientist Michael Faraday. Obviously, that isn't possible. However, while the doors to the past may be currently closed, the TV boffin was able to demonstrate that time travel itself is something that we're all very capable of doing.

Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Doctor Who is taking over TV from this week – just as Steven Moffat promised. Here we present the key shows you won’t want to miss, commissioned for the series 50th anniversary! Thursday November 14th The Science of Doctor Who, BBC Two, 9-10pm For one night only, Professor Brian Cox explores the universe of the

The post Event Whorizon On TV: Where To Catch Doctor Who At 50 Coverage appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Rule One: The Moffat Lies.

Rule One-a: So Does The McGann.

After nearly a year of what showrunner Steven Moffat described as “lying through my teeth”, the prequel to the Doctor Who anniversary episode “The Day of the Doctor” reveals that the one fact that upset people the most is the one that was the biggest lie.

Watch, and squee with me.

Ok, so technically, Paul McGann isn’t in the Anniversary episode proper, so his year-long claim that he wasn’t asked to take part wasn’t quite a lie, but it’s close enough.

And it was released on his birthday, which is just a case of the universe rolling the right way on occasion.

The Sisterhood of Karn made their first appearance in the Tom Baker adventure The Brain of Morbius. The Sisterhood have had a long history with the Time Lords, as described in numerous prose and audio adventures.

It's another bumper week of TV this week, with must-see content ranging from tense Danish political dramas to a bunch of famous faces chewing on a kangaroo testicle.

Plus, there's the fun-filled charity extravaganza that is Children in Need to look forward to. Sir Terry Wogan, Tess Daly, Fearne Cotton, Zoe Ball and Nick Grimshaw will host throughout the night, while the likes of One Direction, Jls, Tinie Tempah and Ellie Goulding appear. Coverage kicks off Friday, November 15 at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Hebburn: Tuesday (November 12) at 10pm on BBC Two

Our favourite funny people with different dialects, Chris Ramsay and Fresh Meat's Kimberley Nixon, return as newlyweds trapped with the parents in Tyneside tickler Hebburn, now in its second series.

With a baby on a way, plans are being made for them to get out from under the feet of Jack's mum Pauline (Gina McKee) and dad...

With just two weeks before it’s airing, the BBC has finally released an extended trailer for Day of The Doctor, the 50th Anniversary episode of Doctor Who.

The plot: “The Doctors embark on their greatest adventure in this 50th anniversary special. In 2013, something terrible is awakening in London’s National Gallery; in 1562, a murderous plot is afoot in Elizabethan England; and somewhere in space an ancient battle reaches its devastating conclusion. All of reality is at stake as the Doctor’s own dangerous past comes back to haunt him.”

While this story line seems everyday, the trailer reveals that for the first time since the series returned in 2005 we’ll get a (detailed?) look at the Time War that cost the life of Gallifrey and the Doctor’s people. It will also explore how John Hurt’s Doctor figures within the personal timeline of the Doctor as well. David Tennant...

The good news? If you’re planning on traveling during Thanksgiving week, you won’t be missing any of the amazing Doctor Who programming that BBC America has announced for the 50th anniversary, including several new specials. The bad news? You’re going to need to take an extra week of vacation the week before Thanksgiving, in order to watch it all. Or maybe you feel some illness coming on?

We’ll have all of this on the SciFiMafia.com calendar, but here it all is in one convenient place, along with descriptions of everything. Also included is a confirmation of the Dw:datd simulcast time: 2:50pm Eastern, November 23.

If you’re new to Doctor Who, Now Is The Time to join us. BBC America has included an excellent catch-up summary of the entire show, under “About Doctor Who” in the press release below, so you’ll be ready. You won’t really know,...

Trailer Louisa Mellor 8 Nov 2013 - 06:58

Professor Brian Cox! The Eleventh Doctor! A new Doctor Who BBC 2 ident!

"That's impossible"

"That is a naughty word, Brian"

Professor Brian Cox is bringing the magic of the Royal Institute's Christmas Lectures to November, with this Doctor Who-themed one-off special discussing the science of time travel and more. See Professor Cox amaze Rufus Hound, Shappi Khorsandi and more with experiments proving that we are all, in some sense, Time Lords. 

Keep watching to the end for a new Tardis-themed BBC Two ident. We like that. It makes us happy.

The Science of Doctor Who airs on Thursday the 14th of November on BBC 2 at 9pm.

BBC

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Doctor WhoThe Science Of Doctor WhoMatt SmithProfessor Brian CoxDoctor Who 50th anniversary...

Whitechapel climbed back in the ratings on Wednesday night (September 25), according to overnight figures.

The ITV drama's fourth episode gained 200,000 viewers from last week to 3.23 million (14.6%) at 9pm (259k/1.7% on +1). Earlier, Big Star's Little Star entertained 3.81m (17.4%) at 8pm (220k/1.0%).

On BBC One, Watchdog interested 3.93m (18.1%) at 8pm, followed by the final Who Do You Think You Are? of the series featuring John Simpson with 4.12m (18.4%) at 9pm. Father Figure amused 1.59m (12.3%) at 10.35pm.

BBC Two's House that 100k Built appealed to 2.02m (9.3%) at 8pm, while Brian Cox's Science Britannica gathered 1.35m (6.0%) at 9pm.

On Channel 4, Three Day Nanny was seen by 903k (4.2%) at 8pm (179k/0.8%), followed by Grand Designs with 2.11m (9.4%) at 9pm (405k/2.5%). Gogglebox returned to 1.34m (7.9%) at 10pm (201k/2.2%).

Channel 5's latest episode of CSI: NY thrilled 946k (4.2%) at 9pm (220k/1.3%), while Wentworth attracted 789k (4.8%) at 10pm (92k/1.0%).

On BBC Three, the first Pirates of...

It’s going to be Time Lord overload for the next couple of months. In addition to the 50th-anniversary special “The Day of the Doctor” and the making-of docudrama “An Adventure in Space and Time,” the Doctor is going to be all over the BBC. From the BBC’s Doctor Who site:

BBC Two will broadcast a number of new commissions, focusing on telling the story behind the show. For one night only, Professor Brian Cox will take an audience of celebrity guests and members of the public on a journey into the wonderful universe of the Doctor, from the lecture hall of the Royal Institution of Great Britain (1x60mins). Drawing on the latest theories as well as 200 years of scientific discoveries and the genius of Einstein, Brian tries to answer the classic questions raised by the Doctor – can you really travel in time? Does extra-terrestrial life exist in our galaxy?...

Doctor Who fans... we're a funny old bunch, aren't we?

At best, we're caught in a state of permanent anxiety about the fate of our favourite sci-fi drama, and at worst, we're downright pessimistic about it.

So ever since head honcho Steven Moffat promised, way back in December 2012, that Doctor Who would "take over television" in its 50th anniversary year, fans have wanted to know what we're getting, when we're getting it and whether it'll match our lofty expectations.

The BBC officially unveiled its slate of celebratory programming at 00.01am this morning (unofficially revealing it a little earlier than that!) and, it has to be said, it's a pretty damn impressive line-up.

All four major BBC channels, plus Cbbc, BBC Radio 2, Radio 4 Extra and iPlayer, will be hosting shows dedicated to the big birthday bash - though some hard-to-please Whovians are still finding reason to complain...

Well, the Week in Geek says phooey to you!

In just over two months, the BBC will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who with a one-off special, Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor, and the anticipation has naturally been buzzing for months around the special event.

The 75-minute episode will air on BBC One, BBC America, and around the world on November 23rd, and commemorating fifty years of what has grown to become a cultural landmark, as Steven Moffat describes it in the broadcaster’s full press release below.

As the programme draws ever clear, a new poster has been revealed for The Day of the Doctor, along with a slew of programming around the episode to celebrate the milestone.

The episode will be the penultimate to star the current Doctor, Matt Smith, who will be exiting the programme with the Christmas episode. Peter Capaldi was announced last month as his replacement, coming on board...

News Louisa Mellor 11 Sep 2013 - 07:57

The BBC has released even more details of its Doctor Who 50th celebrations, across its radio and television stations...

In the run-up to BBC One's simultaneous broadcast of Doctor Who anniversary special episode, The Day of the Doctor, comes, well, all this. Licence-fee payers, fill your timelord boots:

BBC Two

"Professor Brian Cox will take an audience of celebrity guests and members of the public on a journey into the wonderful universe of the Doctor, from the lecture hall of the Royal Institution of Great Britain (1x60mins). Drawing on the latest theories as well as 200 years of scientific discoveries and the genius of Einstein, Brian tries to answer the classic questions raised by the Doctor – can you really travel in time? Does extra-terrestrial life exist in our galaxy? And how do you build something as fantastical as the Tardis?

In an hour-long special,...

The BBC has unveiled its slate of programming to celebrate Doctor Who's 50th anniversary.

The sci-fi drama's 50th special - starring Matt Smith and David Tennant - will be titled 'The Day of the Doctor' and will be 75 minutes in length.

Smith said: "The Day of the Doctor is nearly here! Hope you all enjoy. There's lots more coming your way, as the countdown to the 50th begins now."

All of the BBC's channels will dedicate programmes to Doctor Who in the run-up to the golden anniversary on November 23.

BBC Two will air a special lecture by Professor Brian Cox on the science of Doctor Who, while arts programme The Culture Show will present 'Me, You and Doctor Who' - an hour-long special with life-long Who fan Matthew Sweet exploring the cultural significance of the long-running TV drama.

The channel will also air the previously-announced drama biopic An...

The BBC has officially announced the multitude of programmes that have been lined up to celebrate Doctor Who’s 50th Anniversary. Amongst the announcement of various tributes has been the latest major reveal about the Anniversary Special itself: The episode is titled “The Day Of The Doctor” and will run for seventy-five minutes.

As well as “The Day Of The Doctor”, the BBC will also broadcast the programme’s first story “An Unearthly Child” on BBC4 in a previously unbroadcast and restored format, Mark Gatiss’s docudrama “An Adventure In Space And Time” starring David Bradley as William Hartnell, a BBC2 lecture by Professor Brian Cox (who guest starred as himself in last year’s The Power Of Three) about the science of Doctor Who, several broadcasts on BBC3 that have yet to be confirmed, and “Me, You, And Doctor Who”, a special edition of BBC2 arts programme The Culture Show...

News Simon Brew 10 Sep 2013 - 13:36

The BBC has given a flavour of the celebrations in store for Doctor Who's 50th birthday this November...

The wraps are finally coming off the celebrations that the BBC has planned for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who this November. We know already that a 75 minute special episode, The Day Of The Doctor, will star Matt Smith and David Tennant. Furthermore, Mark Gatiss' eagerly-awaited docudrama, An Adventure In Space And Time, is already earmarked for the anniversary weekend.

But more has now come to light.

A BBC Two lecture from Professor Brian Cox will be screened, where he'll look at the science behind the show. Meanwhile, BBC Four is confirmed to be doing a full re-run of Doctor Who's maiden story. Furthermore, the William Hartnell adventure will be broadcast in a restored format for the first time.

On BBC Two again,...

The Last Leg's third series is to begin on July 31, Channel 4 has confirmed.

The live show will be broadcast for eight weeks every Wednesday night, following the series' successful debut during the 2012 Paralympic Games and a second series earlier this year.

Presenter Adam Hills will return along with co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker.

The show will invite audience members to participate in debates while talking to celebrity guests during the evening.

Previous guests have included Professor Brian Cox, Jamie Oliver, Jonathan Ross, Jo Brand and Idris Elba.

Familiar segments will return such as 'Is It Okay?', where the live studio audience and viewers at home can answer contentious issues without being judged.

Viewers will see Brooker continue in his journey to reach the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio as well as live challenges and VTs every week.