Category: News

Hey Kids! What Time Is It?

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A long time ago in a reality far, far away, a small child was placed in an experimental rocket ship so that he and he alone (sort of) could escape his dying home planet. As such, he became the last of his people (sort of) and, when he landed on the planet Earth he was imbued with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men… as well as several mortal women.

This is not the story of that man.

Today, Glenn Hauman is just three years shy of a half-century. Born barely before the first lunar landing and the Woodstock festival that wasn’t even in Woodstock (and nor was Glenn), the child started growing and as far as science can discern, he has yet to stop.

Armed with a mind that never stops churning that is fueled by the heart of a saint, Glenn took his massive aptitude to the wonderful world of geekdom. He is, has been and someday will be again a writer, and his output includes many Star Trek and X-Men prose stories. (Note: “prose” is like comic books, but they are lacking in art, color and balloons.) He’s a publisher, a website creator, something of an editor, and easily the best production manager the comics world has seen in decades.

He’s also a rabid liberal who, in 1997, sued Attorney General Janet Reno over the Communications Decency Act, an early attempt to impose government censorship onto the Internet. This one went all the way to the Supreme Court, where all nine justices sided with Glenn (and the ACLU) and against the Congress and the White House.

howdy-doody-7146124Somehow, Hauman was lucky enough to convince a woman way above his reach to take his hand, and much of the rest of his body, in marriage. People who have grown tired of Glenn still hang around to appreciate Brandy’s presence.

During his term at DC Comics, he met a handsome and debonair aging hippie who, in the words of Jim Shooter, could sell refrigerators to Eskimos. The record is not clear: either they teamed up or Glenn was kidnapped. Or, perhaps, blackmailed. Most likely, all three. Together they worked to create all sorts of projects that were as befuddling as they were unique.

No one knows that man’s name. Glenn would be well rid of him, if only he could. But the two of them, joined by people such as Brian Alvey and Martha Thomases, found ComicMix LLC, which, since you are reading these words, remains extant.

We wish Glenn the best on his birthday, particularly now that he’s officially pushing 50.

 

McCall’s Jumps Into Cosplay!

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The McCall Pattern Company today announced the release of three new sewing patterns intended to help cosplayers and costume makers bring their own imaginative looks to life more easily and expertly than ever before.

“Cosplayers who make their own costumes are incredibly resourceful stitchers and stylists, possibly the most resourceful,” said Kathleen Wiktor, Director of Retail and Consumer Promotions for the McCall Pattern Company. “These deeply engaged superfans could never be satisfied with an “off the shelf” look.  Though inspired by their favorite characters, they want their costumes to reflect as much personal style as possible. That’s what we set out to help them achieve with ‘Cosplay by McCall’s.’”

CosplayLogo_BlackStackedRegThe brand, launched by the company online last fall, came about after more than a year of conversations with cosplayers who sew.  “We set up a modest display at a comic convention in New York and were overwhelmed by fans eager to tell us how they’d been using our McCall’s, Butterick and Kwik Sew patterns for years in creating and crafting their own costumes,” said Janet Wolf, VP Marketing.   “So we invited them to sit down with us and discuss the best ways we could be of help to them today.

Each new pattern offers step-by-step instructions for creating a central component of any number of looks and ensembles.  Be it an airborne avenger from a distant galaxy or an angelic herald from an alternate universe, imagination literally takes wing with FLIGHT.  Fans looking to pay tribute to a favorite hero of anime or rogue adventuress will find inspiration in TRENCHED.  And for those for whom winter can’t come soon enough, CLOAK X has got them covered.

“Cosplayers we spoke with also told us that they like to reuse patterns for different cosplays,” said Wiktor. “So we printed these patterns and their guidesheets on brighter, more durable paper.” The outer envelopes are also larger, glossier and of a heavier paper stock, designed with more room for additional information, sewing tips, line drawings and photo references.

Priced from $17.95 to $19.95, each pattern is available exclusively online at www.CosplayByMcCalls.com. Once at the site, visitors also have access to The Vault Collection, a continually expanding selection of designs, silhouettes and accessories reissued especially for creative cosplayers.  They’ll also find ideas and suggestions posted by McCall’s own team of cosplayers and members of the broader cosplay community.

“The growth in cosplay participation, diversity and creativity around the world is truly phenomenal,” added Wolf.  “For as long as fans desire to essentially transform into their favorite characters, ‘Cosplay by McCall’s’ will be there to help them with ideas, inspiration and ingenuity.”

 

The Point Radio: THE X-FILES – A Future Is Out There

The special “event series” of the X-FILES winds up in just a few days after giving Fox a huge ratings boost in 2016. So what happens now? We talk to creator Chris Carter and star David Duchovny about the possibility of a future for the series and just how they got it back on the air in the first place. Plus from a bunch of guys who clowned around all through high school to a TV show that just hit it’s 5th season. What is the real secret origin of the IMPRACTICAL JOKERS? They reveal how it all worked out.

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The Point Radio: Michael Ian Black Is So Easy

Pop TV says it is THE EASIEST GAME SHOW EVER, and host Michael Ian Black lets us play to prove the point. Plus we talk comedy and guess what Michael’s dream job is? Then we celebrate a new season of El Rey’s LUCIA UNDERGROUND by spending time with wrestling superstar, Johnny Mundo.

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No Joke, Justice League vs. Teen Titans Due in April

jltt-bd-deluxe-3-e1454090473793-7492004Burbank, CA (January 29, 2016) – The demonic forces of Trigon infiltrate the minds and bodies of the Justice League, turning the veteran super heroes against their youthful counterparts in the all-new DC Universe Original Movie, Justice League vs. Teen Titans. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the film will be available from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on April 12, 2016 on Blu-Ray™ Deluxe Edition, Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack and DVD. Order due date is March 8, 2016.

Justice League vs. Teen Titans will be available on Blu-rayTM Deluxe Edition for $29.96 SRP, Blu-rayTM Combo Pack for $24.98 SRP, and DVD for $19.98 SRP.  The Blu-rayTM Combo Pack includes a digital version of the movie on Digital HD with UltraViolet. The Blu-ray™ Deluxe Edition will include all components of the Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack, along with an exclusive Robin figurine in a numbered, limited edition gift set. Fans can also own Justice League vs. Teen Titans in Digital HD on March 29, 2016 via purchase from digital retailers.

Justice League vs. Teen Titans welcomes the Teen Titans to the ever-expanding canon of classic DC Comics characters within the DC Universe Original Movies. When Damian’s over-aggressive tendencies almost destroy a Justice League mission, he is sent to learn teamwork by training alongside the Teen Titans. However, adjusting Damian’s attitude turns out to be the least of the Teen Titans’ troubles as Raven’s satanic, world-conquering father Trigon begins an escape from his inter-dimensional prison. To complete his return, Trigon must have Raven’s assistance – and to accomplish his goal, he spreads his demonic forces across the globe, infiltrating the minds and bodies of the Justice League to do his bidding. To save the universe and prevent a literal hell on Earth, the Teen Titans must rescue – or defeat – the Justice League, and intern Trigon for all eternity.

The voice cast for Justice League vs. Teen Titans includes several actors reprising their recent Justice League roles – Jason O’Mara (Complications, Terra Nova) as Batman, Jerry O’Connell (Crossing Jordan, Stand By Me) as Superman, Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Rent) as Wonder Woman, Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds) as Cyborg and Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs, Ugly Betty) as Flash. Sean Maher (Firefly/Serenity, Batman: Bad Blood) also returns as Nightwing, as does Stuart Allan (Batman vs. Robin) as Robin/Damian. Making their Teen Titans voiceover debuts are Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story, Wicked City) as Raven, Jake T. Austin (Wizards of Waverly Place, The Fosters) as Blue Beetle, Brandon Soo Hoo (Tropic Thunder, From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series) as Beast Boy and Kari Wahlgren (Phineas and Ferb, Legion of Superheroes) as Starfire. Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead, Daredevil) takes the villainous center stage as Trigon.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, Justice League vs. Teen Titans is directed by Sam Liu from a screenplay by Bryan Q. Miller and Alan Burnett based on a story by Miller. James Tucker is Supervising Producer. Burnett is also co-Producer. Sam Register is Executive Producer.

“Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is thrilled to bring the Teen Titans into the fold of amazing characters within the DC Universe Original Movies,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, WBHE Vice President, TV Family, Animation Marketing. “This all-new film provides the Teen Titans with the perfect stage – alongside and against the Justice League – for a thrilling adventure that fans will truly enjoy.”

Justice League vs. Teen Titans – Enhanced Content

DVD

  • An exclusive sneak peek at the next DC Universe Original Movie.

Blu-ray™ Combo Pack

  • An exclusive sneak peek at the next DC Universe Original Movie.
  • Featurette – “Growing Up Titan” – The Teen Titans have fascinated readers for over 50 years due in part to their stories of valor, as well as earning empathy with comic book readers during their own trials growing up into adulthood.  This documentary spotlights the importance of young voices in the DC Comics mythology, giving generations of readers a team of heroes that mirror their own life experiences.
  • Featurette – “Heroes and Villains – Raven” – She is the daughter of one of DC Comics’ greatest villains, the demon Trigon.  Raven is a powerful telepath who uses her soul-self as a means for astral projection.  She is integral to the Teen Titans.  This documentary is her story.
  • Featurette – “Heroes and Villains – Trigon – The most fearsome and evil opponent the Teen Titans have encountered is this inter-dimensional demon.  Trigon uses his immortality to shape worlds and exact his control.   This documentary introduces the character and how he raises the stakes for the Teen Titans.
  • From the DC Comics Vault– Two Classic Episodes of DC Comics cartoons

Mockingjay Part II and Complete Hunger Games Collection Due 3/22

MJ2_BD3dSANTA MONICA, CA and VANCOUVER, BC (January 27, 2016) – Four years after Jennifer Lawrence first appeared on the big screen as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, Lionsgate’s (NYSE: LGF) critically acclaimed series based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling book trilogy comes to a thrilling resolution in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, arriving on Digital HD March 8 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack + Digital HD,  DVD + Digital, and On Demand March 22, the company announced today. In addition, for the first time ever, The Hunger Games Complete 4-Film Collection will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on March 22.

With $647 million worldwide box office and counting, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 set the world on fire and enthralled millions of devoted fans across the globe. With a critically acclaimed cast including Academy Award® winner Jennifer Lawrence (Best Actress, Silver Linings Playbook, 2012), Josh Hutcherson (Journey to the Center of the Earth), Liam Hemsworth (The Expendables), Academy Award® nominee Woody Harrelson (Best Actor, The People vs. Larry Flynt, 1996), Emmy® nominee Elizabeth Banks (Modern Family), Academy Award® winner Julianne Moore (Best Actress, Still Alice, 2014), Academy Award® winner Philip Seymour Hoffman (Best Actor, Capote, 2005), Golden Globe® winner Jeffrey Wright (HBO’s Angels in America), with Academy Award® nominee Stanley Tucci (Best Supporting Actor, The Lovely Bones, 2009), and Golden Globe® winner Donald Sutherland (Citizen X), The Hunger Games franchise is a worldwide phenomenon earning over $2.9 billion at the box office worldwide.

Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss Everdeen, who began her journey fighting to survive the brutal Hunger Games, and rose to lead the rebellion against Panem’s tyrannical president (Donald Sutherland). Now, Katniss and a team of rebels from District 13 prepare for the epic battle that will decide Panem’s future.

Based on the third novel in Suzanne Collins’ trilogy, the must-own limited edition Blu-ray release is packed with over five hours of special features, including the “Pawns No More: Making The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” 8-part documentary – an in-depth look at the making of the film from production design, costumes, hair, make-up, stunts, special effects and post production. The documentary also includes a touching piece – from the last day of shooting – in which the cast reflects on their experience shooting the four films. Also included is a detailed look at Cinna’s sketchbook and a walk through the on-set photography along with audio commentary by director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson. The Blu-ray is encoded in Dolby TrueHD and features a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack, which delivers captivating sound that places and moves audio anywhere in the room, including overhead, to bring entertainment alive all around the audience. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 Blu-ray and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.99 and $29.95, respectively.

Also available for the first time as a set on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, The Hunger Games Complete 4-Film Collection includes The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 with all of the special features from each film’s initial release plus hours of all-new exclusive content including 13 never-before-seen deleted scenes from The Hunger Games and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and two all-new featurettes: “Picturing Panem” and “Capitol Cuisine.” The Hunger Games Complete 4-Film Collection will be available on Blu-ray and DVD for the suggested retail price of $64.97 and $54.98, respectively.

MJ2_DVD3dTHE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 BLU-RAY / DVD / DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES*

  • Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson
  • “Pawns No More: Making The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” 8-Part Documentary**
    • Walking Through Fire (Concluding the Saga)
    • Real or Not Real (Visual Design)
    • High-Value Targets (The Acting Ensemble)
    • From Head to Toe (Costume, Make-up & Hair)
    • Navigating the Minefield (Production in Atlanta, Paris & Berlin)
    • Collateral Damage (Stunts, Special Effects & Weapons)
    • Tightening the Noose (The Post-Production Process
    • A Different World (Reflections)
  • The Hunger Games: A Photographic Journey
  • Cinna’s Sketchbook: Secrets of the Mockingjay Armor
  • Panem on Display: The Hunger Games: The Exhibition
  • Jet to the Set**

*Subject to Change
**Exclusive to Blu-ray/ Digital HD

hunger-games-complete-collection-e1453923211973-4780699THE HUNGER GAMES COMPLETE 4-FILM COLLECTION BLU-RAY / DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*

  • Over 14 Hours of Bonus Content Including:
    • 12 Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes from The Hunger Games
    • 6 Deleted Scenes from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Including 1 Never Before Seen
    • 9 Deleted Scenes from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
    • 2 All-New Featurettes: “Picturing Panem” and “Capitol Cuisine”
    • 70 Additional Featurettes (Blu-ray); 69 Additional Special Featurettes (DVD)
    • Audio Commentaries, Music Videos and More

*Subject to change
THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 PROGRAM INFORMATION
Year of Production: 2015
Title Copyright: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 © 2015, Artwork & Supplementary Materials TM & © 2016 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Type: Theatrical Release
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for some thematic material.
Genre: Action/Adventure
Blu-ray Closed Captioned:  NA
DVD Closed Caption: English
Blu-ray Subtitles: English and Spanish, English SDH
DVD Subtitles: English and Spanish
Feature Run Time: 137 minutes
Blu-ray Format: 1080p High Definition 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
DVD Format: 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
Blu-ray Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD Compatible), English 2.0 Dolby Digital Optimized for Late-Night Listening, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio
DVD Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Optimized for Late-Night Listening, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio

THE HUNGER GAMES COMPLETE 4-FILM COLLECTION PROGRAM INFORMATION
Year of Production: 2012-2015
Title Copyright: The Hunger Games © 2012, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire © 2013, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 © 2014, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 © 2015, Artwork & Supplementary Materials ™ & © 2016 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Type: Theatrical Release
Rating: The Hunger Games: PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images – all involving teens. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language. ​​ The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images and thematic material. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for some thematic material.
Genre: Action/Adventure, Compilation
Blu-ray Closed Captioned:  NA
DVD Closed Captioned: English
Blu-ray Subtitles: English, Spanish and English SDH
DVD Subtitles: English and Spanish
Feature Run Time: The Hunger Games: 142 minutes. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: 146 minutes. ​​ The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1: 123 minutes. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2: 137 minutes.
Blu-ray Format: 1080P High Definition 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1); The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: 16×9 Variable (2.40:1) and (1.78:1) (IMAX® Sequences)
DVD Format: 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1)
Blu-ray Audio: The Hunger Games & The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: English 7.1 DTS-HD Master AudioTM; The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 & 2: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby True HD Compatible); The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1: DTS Headphone:XTM Audio Track; All Films: English 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio Optimized for Late-Night Listening, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, English Descriptive Audio (except The Hunger Games)
DVD Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio Optimized for Late-Night Listening (except The Hunger Games: Catching Fire), Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, English Descriptive Audio (except The Hunger Games and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1)

Stream Game of Thrones Season 5 Now or on Disc in March

game-of-thrones-s5-e1453477084987-4882356The “worldwide phenomenon” (USA Today) is back, breaking more records along the way. Winner of 12 Emmy® Awards (the most of any series in one year) and a Guinness World Record holder for the largest simultaneous broadcast of a TV drama (in 173 countries and territories worldwide), Game of Thrones is bigger than ever in Season 5, and this spring, fans of the hit show will finally have the chance to add this legendary season to their collections before new episodes debut. Game of Thrones: The Complete Fifth Season will be available on Blu-ray ($79.98) and DVD ($59.99) on March 15, 2016. The Blu-ray set features a free Digital HD copy of all 10 episodes, plus exclusive bonus content including a brand new feature that takes an in-depth look at the story behind the Targaryen civil war, known as the Dance of Dragons.

Blu-ray with Digital Copy – includes all DVD features plus:

  • The Dance of Dragons – Hear the story of the Greens and the Blacks, the Targaryen civil war that led to the downfall of the dragons, featuring surprise narration from notable characters from past seasons.
  • In-Episode Guide – Dig deeper into the show with this in-feature resource that provides background information about on-screen characters, locations, and relevant histories.
  • Histories and Lore – Learn about the mythology of Westeros and Essos as told from the varying perspectives of the characters themselves in 14 history pieces. Select Histories feature illustrations from the show’s storyboard artist, Will Simpson.

DVD:

  • Anatomy of an Episode: Mother’s Mercy – From the early stages of the writer’s room to the final visual effects, see what went into creating “Mother’s Mercy,” the Emmy-winning episode fans will be talking about for years to come.
  • The Real History Behind Game of Thrones – Watch historians, along with George R.R. Martin, explore the interweaving inspirations of the actual players in the era known as “The Wars of the Roses” and other historical events in this two-part series
  • Audio Commentaries – Twelve audio commentaries with cast and crew including David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Kit Harington, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Iain Glen, Maisie Williams, Natalie Dormer, Gwendoline Christie and more.
  • Deleted Scenes – 4 deleted scenes
  • A Day in the Life – Three countries, hundreds of cast & crew, one epic day. Get an inside look at the production process of Season 5.
  • New Characters/New LocationsExplore the new societies, cultures and locations of Season 5.

Season 5 begins with a power vacuum that protagonists across Westeros and Essos look to fill. At Castle Black, Jon Snow struggles to balance the demands of the Night’s Watch with those of newly-arrived Stannis Baratheon, who styles himself the rightful king of Westeros. Meanwhile, Cersei scrabbles to hold on to power in King’s Landing amidst the Tyrells and the rise of a religious group led by the enigmatic High Sparrow, while Jaime embarks on a secret mission. Across the Narrow Sea, Arya seeks an old friend while a fugitive Tyrion finds a new cause. And as danger mounts in Meereen, Daenerys Targaryen finds that her tenuous hold on the city requires some hard sacrifices. This season features some of the most explosive scenes yet, as the promise that “winter is coming” becomes more ominous than ever before.

Steve Jobs Comes to Homes via Streaming & Disc in February

steve-jobs-e1453476741153-5014692Universal City, California, January 21, 2015 – An intimate and revealing portrait of one of the chief architects of the digital age, Steve Jobs is coming to Digital HD on February 2, 2016, and Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand on February 16, 2016, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. From Oscar®-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, Moneyball) and Oscar®-winning director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours), Steve Jobs is an up-close-and-personal look at the founder of Apple, a remarkable creative genius whose vow to put computers in the hands of ordinary people changed the world.  A “must-see, one-of-a-kind that cannot be ignored” according to Indiewire’s Anne Thompson, Steve Jobs on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD also comes with a revealing “making-of” documentary and feature commentary by the filmmakers.

Witness the founder of Apple like never before. Steve Jobs paints an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at the epicenter of the digital revolution, backstage in the final minutes before three iconic product launches. Directed by Academy Award® winner Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire), written by Academy Award® winner Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) and starring Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen and Jeff Daniels.  Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds, 12 Years a Slave) stars as the enigmatic Jobs, headlining an accomplished cast that includes Academy Award-winner Kate Winslet (The Reader, Titanic), Seth Rogen (Neighbors, This is the End) and Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom, The Martian) in an unexpected and enthralling film that led Peter Travers of Rolling Stone to declare, “Steve Jobs is a triumph.”

BLU-RAY AND DVD BONUS FEATURES:
•    Inside Jobs: The Making of Steve Jobs
•    Feature Commentary with Director Danny Boyle
•    Feature Commentary with Writer Aaron Sorkin and Editor Elliot Graham

The film will be available on Blu-ray™ with DIGITAL HD UltraViolet™ and DVD
•    Blu-ray™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
•    DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.
•    DIGITAL HD UltraViolet™ lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.

The Point Radio: Shatner’s Warp Speed World

Willam Shatner doesn’t slow down. His career is still moving at warp speed with his one man show, a new book (on his friendship with Leonard Nimoy) and a nationwide concert tour that showcases the music of all of STAR TREK. We talk about all that as well as his passion for film making. Plus former PUNISHER Ray Stevenson is back at being bad, this time as Blackbeard in the new season of BLACK SAILS on Starz (premiering tomorrow). How accurate is the portrayal and which other famous pirate is he constantly compared to?

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Moffat leaving Doctor Who after series 10, at end of 2017…wait, what?

tumblr_mqgokqpicp1qka8b1o1_1280-300x225-1121676And there was much rejoicing.

In an emotional rollercoaster of announcements, the BBC revealed that showrunner Steven Moffat would be leaving Doctor Who after series 10, which they then announced would not begin until Spring 2017.  The only new episode for 2016 will be the Christmas special.

Steven’s shoes will be filled by Chris Chibnall, far from a stranger to the series. In addition to numerous episodes of the series including the “mini-sode series” Pond Life, he’s written many episodes of Torchwood, and most recently was the creator and showrunner of the mystery series Broadchurch, starring David Tennant and many other Who-lumni.

Chibnall said, “Doctor Who is the ultimate BBC program: bold, unique, vastly entertaining, and adored all around the world. So it’s a privilege and a joy to be the next curator of this funny, scary and emotional family drama. I’ve loved Doctor Who since I was four years old, and I’m relishing the thought of working with the exceptional team at BBC Wales to create new characters, creatures and worlds for the Doctor to explore. Steven’s achieved the impossible by continually expanding Doctor Who’s creative ambition, while growing its global popularity. He’s been a dazzling and daring showrunner, and hearing his plans and stories for 2017, it’s clear he’ll be going out with a bang. Just to make my life difficult.”

Moffat is not without comment either - “Feels odd to be talking about leaving when I’m just starting work on the scripts for season 10, but the fact is my timey-wimey is running out. While Chris is doing his last run of Broadchurch, I’ll be finishing up on the best job in the universe and keeping the TARDIS warm for him. It took a lot of gin and tonic to talk him into this, but I am beyond delighted that one of the true stars of British Television drama will be taking the Time Lord even further into the future. At the start of season 11, Chris Chibnall will become the new showrunner of Doctor Who. And I will be thrown in a skip.”

While a year without Doctor Who seems an interminable punishment, one must remember that 2016 will bring us the spin-off series Class.  Written by noted young adult author Patrick Ness, very little is known about the series yet, save for it’s set at Coal Hill School, where the series got it its start, and made quite the return to with Clara Oswald and the late lamented Danny Pink as a teacher. BBC America has announced that they’ll be carrying the series, which begins filming this spring.

Steven Moffat’s run on Doctor Who has been met with…shall we say “mixed” reviews, with wildly varied opinions on his handling of the character and the universe.  While there will likely be cheering from certain circles, one must remember that it was his contributions, both as writer and showrunner, that made the show a truly global phenomenon.