In recent years Doctor Who has concluded with big stories which are wrapped up in two episodes, but they have not concluded with big cliff hangers due to the long wait for the show to return. Steven Moffat had decided to change the schedule to have seven episodes with a big cliff hanger and then return three months later for the second half of the season:
“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!!”
The BBC press office describe the split transmission as 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.”
The Guardian has a video of Moffat discussing this change. In another video Steven Moffat and Karen Gillan responded to accusations that the last season of Doctor Who was too sexy.
In other Doctor Who news, the first official picture from the Christmas special was released, but it doesn’t reveal any information. Matt Smith was interviewed about an upcoming tour and other topics. Sylvester McCoy is trying for a role in The Hobbit.
Above is the promo for Season 3 of Merlin.
The cast of Dexter talks about Rita’s death in this post at Buddy TV. If you want to search for clues as to what happens next, Screen Rant has several pictures from the upcoming season.
Jessica Alba has been signed to star in Spy Kids 4.
The new movie centers on Alba as a retired spy who has been reactivated. The actress, mother of a toddler in real life, will be playing the mother of a baby and two preteen stepchildren.
The actors cast in the preteen roles will be the new Spy Kids.
Other roles seeking to be filled include Alba’s husband, a slightly nerdy investigative reporter, and the villain, known as the Time Keeper, whose goal it is to stop time.
I imagine this will be another unrealistic movie. A nerdy investigative reporter married to Jessica Alba? Not likely. I wonder if any of the movie takes place on MILF Island.
More actresses who have appeared in genre shows will appear in Scream 4 including Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars & Heroes), Anna Paquin (True Blood), and Hayden Panettiere (Heroes).
Christina Hendricks of Mad Men appears in an ad campaign for London Fog (above). I bet Don Draper would approve. In response to the Japanese businessmen in last week’s episode, I won’t even try to explain what keeps her from falling over.
Dear Vishnu NO…
WHY?!? The concept turned lame with the first sequel!
#DoctorWho » SciFi Weekend: A Split Season for Doctor Who; Implications of … http://bit.ly/9JJkqF
b-psycho, my assumption has always been that the series is lame, but as I haven’t actually watched them I can’t say this. I was impressed by the cast, which goes beyond those I mentioned in the post, and therefore thought it was worth mentioning. I assume that many of the stars listed are just in brief scenes, but I don’t know that for sure.
» SciFi Weekend: A Split Season for Doctor Who; Implications of Rita’s Death; Merlin Promo; Jessica Alba in Spy Kids http://goo.gl/5pY1
The first one was interesting. There never should’ve been another one though. That we’re now seeing horror movies cast knowing winks at a film series the entire point of which was playing up the stupidity of the genre is just sad.
Horror is dead, and has been for years. You can’t really shock people anymore, so they all fall into either routine gross-out or comedy-with-blood.