Doctor Who : Regeneration

Rating:
Summary: The triumphs and tribulations of making a TV movie
Review: 'Regeneration' is the story of the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie, as told by producer Philip Segal with additional material by Gary Russell. Although, given that the two authors' contributions are in different typefaces, one must assume that the credits have been negotiated Hollywood-style since Mr. Russell certainly contributed more words.

This book probably has a limited audience (although some people would say "It's a Doctor Who book! Of course it's only got a limited audience!"), and it is hard for me to imagine exactly who it is for.

I found it interesting enough, but tales of negotiating a particular property, no matter how interested I am in that property, through the maze of TV production really isn't my kind of thing.

Information on discarded versions of the story (and I'm so glad they were discarded!) are probably the most interesting part of the book for me.

I also found the very different ways of expressing themselves employed by Messrs. Segal and Russell interesting to read, but unless you have an interest in the content then that's hardly going to get you in.

If you are interested in Doctor Who as a TV show (as opposed to the story told on the TV show), or interested in the internal politicking of TV production, this may be the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: The triumphs and tribulations of making a TV movie
Review: 'Regeneration' is the story of the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie, as told by producer Philip Segal with additional material by Gary Russell. Although, given that the two authors' contributions are in different typefaces, one must assume that the credits have been negotiated Hollywood-style since Mr. Russell certainly contributed more words.

This book probably has a limited audience (although some people would say "It's a Doctor Who book! Of course it's only got a limited audience!"), and it is hard for me to imagine exactly who it is for.

I found it interesting enough, but tales of negotiating a particular property, no matter how interested I am in that property, through the maze of TV production really isn't my kind of thing.

Information on discarded versions of the story (and I'm so glad they were discarded!) are probably the most interesting part of the book for me.

I also found the very different ways of expressing themselves employed by Messrs. Segal and Russell interesting to read, but unless you have an interest in the content then that's hardly going to get you in.

If you are interested in Doctor Who as a TV show (as opposed to the story told on the TV show), or interested in the internal politicking of TV production, this may be the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: "The things one must know"
Review: Co-written by Gary Russell, producer of Big Finish's "Doctor Who" audios and editor of "The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring," and Philip Segal, producer of the 1996 "Doctor Who" TV-movie, this book is a fascinating account of a period of "Who" history that is otherwise poorly documented. The book presents the history of how Segal secured the rights to make the TV-movie, the writing of the three very different scripts it went through, and the concepts for the new series which it was hoped that the first of those scripts, that by John Leekley, would launch -- a series that would have constituted an entire "rebooting" of the "Doctor Who" saga, and might have included remakes of classic serials from the original series. Embellished with beautiful and fascinating concept art, this book will be a riveting and enjoyable read for any "Doctor Who" fan.

Rating:
Summary: "The things one must know"
Review: Co-written by Gary Russell, producer of Big Finish's "Doctor Who" audios and editor of "The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring," and Philip Segal, producer of the 1996 "Doctor Who" TV-movie, this book is a fascinating account of a period of "Who" history that is otherwise poorly documented. The book presents the history of how Segal secured the rights to make the TV-movie, the writing of the three very different scripts it went through, and the concepts for the new series which it was hoped that the first of those scripts, that by John Leekley, would launch -- a series that would have constituted an entire "rebooting" of the "Doctor Who" saga, and might have included remakes of classic serials from the original series. Embellished with beautiful and fascinating concept art, this book will be a riveting and enjoyable read for any "Doctor Who" fan.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful read and very insightful
Review: I found this book to be a wonderful addition to the Howe-Stammers-Walker series The 60's, 70's and 80's. Although not necessarily written the the same style, it does pick up where The 80's left off and continues the story of the production of Doctor Who.

Just as fascinating to me was the account of all the trials and tribulations that incurred as Philip Segal attempted to secure rights to produce the project. Given all the hassles that he had to deal with, especially America Executives ideas of what constitutes as a good story, I think Doctor Who fans were blessed by what finally appeared on television. Could the movie been better? Possibly...but I admire it and appreciate all the more after reading this wonderful account.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful read and very insightful
Review: I found this book to be a wonderful addition to the Howe-Stammers-Walker series The 60's, 70's and 80's. Although not necessarily written the the same style, it does pick up where The 80's left off and continues the story of the production of Doctor Who.

Just as fascinating to me was the account of all the trials and tribulations that incurred as Philip Segal attempted to secure rights to produce the project. Given all the hassles that he had to deal with, especially America Executives ideas of what constitutes as a good story, I think Doctor Who fans were blessed by what finally appeared on television. Could the movie been better? Possibly...but I admire it and appreciate all the more after reading this wonderful account.

Rating:
Summary: A keepsake packed with fine color photos
Review: In 1996 over nine million Britains tuned in to watch the new Dr. Who science fiction TV show. Doctor Who: Regeneration charts the show's history and its newly revamped appearance, providing insights into television politics and the challenges involved in returning Dr. Who to new audiences. Prior fans of the series will consider this a keepsake packed with fine color photos.

Rating:
Summary: The Doctors last gasp????
Review: This is an excellent book which chronicles many of the most awful, proposed adaptations of Doctor Who which never made it to American television. The end result was a somewhat entertaining `96 TV movie which tries to capture the fun and spirit of the much loved show but still falls slightly short.

At every stage, at every turn with every proposal the BBC was looking to charge any production company for every miniscule reference to the original series feeling they could make a fortune if they charged by the letter.

Clearly as you read this book and look at the artwork there was the possibility that in migrating to American televison Doctor Who could've advanced to a more grown up type of SF tv show with the benefit of higher production values and writers willing to take chances.

The Fox network known for the sucess of the X-Files had a potential winner here if they could take advantage of the tremendous continuity they show posesses. Sadly, it seems the BBC will not allow this racehorse out of the starting gate.