acsgjjp@sunybcs.UUCP (Jim Poltrone) (08/15/84)
[Not only is this book not a book, but time is running backwards over it!]
Last week, I was able to get one of the back issues of the Doctor Who
Monthly (#81, to be exact), which contained a rather extensive summary of
the story "Shada", never broadcast because filming was interrupted by a
strike at the BBC. (Never? Well, hardly ever; Tom Baker's role in "The
Five Doctors" was taken from scenes from Shada.) A friend of mine who also
read the article suggested that Shada should be taken out of limbo and
completed. But there are a number of problems with finishing Shada:
1) The writer of the story, Douglas Adams, is too busy partying with Ford
Prefect and Zaphod Beeblebrox. Actually, he left (and hasn't written any
of his DW stories for Target Books) because he wanted more ### and the
BBC wouldn't give it to him. (Those of you with the UK character set know
what I am trying to say; I can't use $$$ when pounds sterling are
intended.)
2) Point of information: Tom Baker is no longer the Doctor, and since
he has seperated from Lalla Ward (Romana), I do not know if he would be
willing to finish the story.
3) The production crew has undergone many changes (regenerations?) since
the 17th season. JNT was only a production unit manager before he became
the producer in 18th season. (I always thought that he had something
to do with Tom leaving the role.) I doubt if it would be possible to
re-recruit everyone who was involved.
4) The technology has also changed. Does the Beeb still have the old
TARDIS exterior and the 1979 console? I think not.
5) To the best of my knowledge, DW is not repeated at all on BBC1. Would
the effort to redo the story be worth it if no one is able to see it?
6) Lastly, would the production code remain 5M? "The Twin Dilemma" has
code 6T, and all filming is done in sequence, one story after another.
(As most of you know, the filming sequence is not always the same as the
broadcast sequence.)
I'd like to hear your opinion. PLEASE send mail (do NOT post to the Net);
if the response is sufficient, I will post a summary of the letters to
the Net. Also, anyone who does not have the Doctor Who Programme Guide
vol. 1, and would like a short summary of the story, I will send (by
mail) the synopsis to anyone who asks for it. Enclose a stamped,
self-addressed path. :-)==!|+|!|+|! << scarf
"Praise be the Company!"
--Jim Poltrone
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