Further Missing Episode Rumours

So if the BBC and T.I.E.A (Television International Enterprises Archives) thought the statements they released last week would put the rumours to bed then they were mistaken.

The latest I have seen from someone on a forum I occasionally visit has said Philip Morris is currently in Hong Kong negotiating for 2 episodes of the Wheel In Space. This person cites Caroline Skinner as his source for this information.

As I have said previously this person has been saying for months about the missing episodes being in existence and I am sceptical but do not disbelief him.

He advised yesterday morning to keep an eye on Bleeding Cool again.

Now Bleeding Cool did indeed make a post yesterday where they say the latest rumour is "a teaser trailer for one of the Missing Episodes, now returned, will appear on the end of September’s release of Doctor Who: Terror Of The Zygons DVD."

They go on to say "The rumour stands that whoever hold the films wants the films to be properly treated, with full restoration, the use of vidFIRE and the like, while BBC Worldwide wanted to release them quickly in the format they arrived in. And that has caused the delay, in negotiation and release.

Contracts have, however, been agreed with all concerned parties for BBC Worldwide for the return and release of Marco Polo, Enemy Of The World and Web Of Fear missing episodes. This would account for seventeen missing episodes, verified and in releasable condition.

But to the rest of the reported returned ninety missing episodes? They’re on hold for now. As are the many episodes that the BBC already hold, but that could exist in better condition in this recovered cache."

The Full article can be viewed here: Bleeding Cool Missing Ep on Zygon DVD Rumour

We will try and keep you updated when more information on this story emerges.

Missing Episodes Update

The Radio Times have tried to get to the bottom of this.

A BBC Spokeswoman issued a statement about saying:

“There are always rumours and speculation about Doctor Who missing episodes being discovered - however we cannot confirm any new finds,”.

The Radio Times asked them to clarify this and were told “We can’t confirm because it’s not true as far a I’m aware,”.

Asked if they were talking to Philip Morris of Television International Enterprises Archives who say they are the “world’s foremost archive recovery company” she replied “I don’t think so?”

So there are no episodes? “Not as far as we know.”

So that seemed as if the BBC would neither confirm or deny this.

A statement has now been released on Facebook by Philip Morris.

T.I.E.A. does not hold any missing episodes of the long-running Dr Who series. The original videotapes were wiped [and] subsequent film copies were either returned to the BBC [or] sent to landfill. Odd fragments have surfaced - two episodes on 16mm film - but that's it. The programmes in question, like many others, were destroyed as they had no further commercial value. They are not missing but destroyed. The end.

I am sorry if this upsets some people but these are the facts.

I have also become aware of the tracking of some of our clients' shipments. These are local cultural materials sent to us for migration to a modern format as the playback equipment in the country of origin no longer exists and as such is the best road to preserve international cultural heritage.

I will be making no more statements on this subject.

Philip Morris, Executive Director, T.I.E.A.

So this appears to be the last word on the subject. This rumour is something I have been hearing for a couple of months now. The person that told me said they had seen proof.

Now I have no reason to disbelief them but I am sceptical until I see proof or we have an announcement to confirm the existence of these.

We will keep you updated when we hear more.

Missing episodes might be found?

So... I go away from the world of Sci-Fi for a few days and come back to find lost episodes might be found. According to the site Bleeding Cool, not one not even two, but a mass stock of missing episodes from the 60s have been discovered in Africa in a stash kept by an engineer from the time. At the moment this is all speculation from Bleeding Cool but they do say they have two good sources. From reading articles it would seem that one of the recovered stories is the remaining episodes of  Evil of the Daleks.  In my mind the best Dalek story out there. I can only hope that this does come to something rather than shattering all our dreams. As soon as anything comes out to either deny or confirm these stories I will let you guys know.

Breaking News: Matt Smith to leave Doctor Who

The BBC has announced that actor Matt Smith is to leave Doctor Who at Christmas.  He has just recently completed filming the Doctor Who Fiftieth Anniversary Special, where he stars alongside David Tennant and John Hurt.   He will make one more episode, the 2013 Christmas Special before he bows out by regenerating into the Twelfth Doctor.

Matt Smith said: "Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I'm incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years. 

Having Steven Moffat as show runner write such varied, funny, mind bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career. It's been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he's a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.

The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I've never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I'm back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!

It's been an honour to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with 'the ginger, the nose and the impossible one'. But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys. Matt."

Matt Smith arrived in Doctor Who in the second part of The End of Time broadcast on New Years Day 2010.  He has stayed with the show for three years, which ironically is the duration many of the lead actors of the original Doctor Who series remained with the programme.

Everyone here at the Doctor Who Bar wishes Matt Smith all the best for the future.

However as to the future of Doctor Who itself, just who will be taking over when Matt leaves?  Ben Daniels has been mentioned.  We won't find out until Christmas. :-)