On July 29th Gallifreyan Embassy Contributor Troy Baker posted a list of the Doctor Who specials airing this month  This Saturday, August 11th, 2012 9/8c the second of these specials air on BBC America -- The Women of Doctor Who

Here is the description from the BBC America site: 

Behind every great time lord there’s a great woman. Whether they’re busting Daleks or the Doctor’s ego, the women of ‘Doctor Who’ prove that you don’t need testosterone to save the universe.

Ok very cool and we know that in the post 2005 series we have Valkyrie type female companions in Rose, Martha, Donna & Amy.  

Greetings!

First just a quick note before my news I wish to thank Louis Trapani for allowing my wife (Jessica Burke) and I (Anthony Burdge) to blog here for him and the Gallifreyan Embassy.  If you are not familiar with us we are the Editors/Contributors of  The Mythological Dimensions of Doctor Who and The Mythological Dimensions of Neil Gaiman both published by Kitsune Books. We have been contributors to Doctor Who Podshock and guests as well. You will be able to hear about our latest book The Mythological Dimensions of Neil Gaiman in an upcoming episode of Podshock.

The BBC's "Doctor Who" website and the BBC's press office have announced that a new special about "Doctor Who" is to air on it's 50th anniverasry on BBC2

Here is the text from BBC's Press Office:

_____________________________________________________________

The BBC today announces that a special BBC TWO drama has been commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who next year.

An Adventure In Space And Time will tell the story of the genesis of Doctor Who - first broadcast on 23 November 1963. Exploring all aspects of the longest-running science fiction series to date, the special one-off 90-minute drama will also look at the many personalities involved in bringing the series to life.

If you are like me and do not receive BBC America, you may be pleased to know that their latest Doctor Who related special, The Science of Doctor Who (science in Doctor Who? Who knew?) is available via iTunes for purchase ($2.99). 

I haven't seen it yet myself, so I can't comment on the special, though I have heard that not surprisingly it only focuses on post-2005 Doctor Who unfortunately. If you want to find it on iTunes, there's an affiliate link below to it.

Richard E. Grant has been cast in the upcoming 2012 Doctor Who Christmas special. The news came from a tweet from Doctor Who Magazine today. It's interesting to see an official-unofficial past Doctor actor return to the series. You may recall that Richard E. Grant was the original 9th Doctor in the Scream of the Shalka, a story written by Paul Cornell. This animated adventure was produced prior to the television series being relaunched in 2005. We reviewed Scream of the Shalka not too long ago in Doctor Who: Podshock 267. In it, we discussed Richard E. Grant's portrayal of the Doctor and how Scream was the forerunner of Rose. 

I had avoided this image until the new Doctor Who 2012 autumn series promo trailer was released. Now that it has (see it here), here is the "launch art" for this series. Possible spoilers if you haven't seen the trailer. Nothing all that surprising though.

You can download a large version of this image here.

Both BBC and BBC America have made the new promo trailer for the upcoming Doctor Who series available (2012). On the BBC website, it is not restricted to the UK only either. Enjoy!

For the last couple of years (since Matt Smith became the Doctor) BBC America has run specials that lead up to the new episodes.

Well, now for the new season the specials are coming out. Starting Aug 4 we get the first special - "The Science of Doctor Who" which airs at 9:00 PM (EDT).

The following week BBC America airs the new special "The Women of Doctor Who" (airing Aug, 11 at 9:00 PM (EDT))

As of now they have not listed any other specials on their schedule but I wouldn't be surprised if there was at least one more.

But we know what comes after they run the new specials - new "Doctor Who". So start looking for them to air soon - however BBC and BBC America has not placed the show on the schedule yet but in both instances the schedule only goes up to two to three weeks.

EDIT:

Since I've posted this I've discovered that there are more specials coming up.

Doctor Who: Podshock - Episode 275
Running Time: 1:34:42

Mary Tamm (Romana 1) dies, Tom Baker rumours, plus other Doctor Who related news, feedback on the passing of Caroline John (Justin from Ohio), and more. Hosted by Louis Trapani, Dave Cooper, and Ian Bisset.

I am sadden to report that once again we have lost someone in the Doctor Who community. A month after the news of Caroline John (Liz Shaw) passing, we have lost another actress that played a companion on Doctor Who, Mary Tamm. You will remember her for her role as the original Romana in the Tom Baker era. She introduced us to the Time Lady companion, Romana in 'The Key to Time' series of 1978 to 1979. 

Mary Tamm in 1984

The Mirror reports that she lost her long battle against cancer this morning. She was only 62 years old. 

It has been reported on the BBC's "Doctor Who" website that Diana Rigg will be guesting in "Doctor Who" and her daughter Rachel Stirling will be joining her.

They will be in a story written by Mark Gatiss.

Little is known about the role but it will be airing sometime in 2013.

The story is here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/articles/Dame-Diana-Rigg-and-Rachael-Stirling-to-Star-in-New-Series

Doctor Who: Podshock - Episode 273
Running Time: 1:51:46

Caroline John (Liz Shaw) dies, Fan's favourite Doctor Who "Monsters," plus Doctor Who related news, feedback (D Scott 750, Justin from Ohio, Greg from Florida, BlueBox Bill), and more. Hosted by Louis Trapani, Dave Cooper, and Ian Bisset.

In The BBC's website it has been reported that actress Caroline John has recently died.The reported cause of death is cancer. She was 71. Her reported death was on June 5th.

Carooine John is best known for her work in Doctor Who appearing with Jon Pertwee in the 1970 season as scientist and assistant-to-the-Doctor Elizabeth "Liz" Shaw. She has also appeared in some iof the Big Finish Companion Chonicles episodes and was married to another person from the world of Doctor Who - Geoffrey Beevers (who played the Master in "The Keeper of Traken" and has recently appeared in the 4th Doctor Adventures (also by Big Finsh) reprising his role as the Master)

Doctor Who: Podshock - Episode 272 EXTRA Edition
Running Time: 1:12:41

In this Extra Edition of Doctor Who: Podshock we give our review of the first Doctor Who spin-off production, K-9 and Company: A Girl's Best Friend starring Elisabeth Sladen and John Leeson, plus Doctor Who related news and more.

Thank you supporting subscribers!

Hosted by Louis Trapani ( @LouisTrapani ), Dave Cooper ( @daveac ), Graeme Sheridan ( @The2ndDoctor ), and Ian Bisset ( @The6thDoctor ).

Listen to a preview of DWP 272 Extra Edition:

"Today marks 27 years since the organization was formed."

That is quite an achievement Louis.

It's a while since I posted a Blog item here but I feel i should use this moment to thank Louis for all his hard work through over the years.

I'm sure Louis would be the first to say this isn't just his anniversary and would thank Ken , James and all the Podshock Correspondents during these years - alongside of course - the Subscribers, Readers and Listenners of Podshock.

Keep up the great work Louis as we head towards the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who

Cheers, daveac

This is what has become an annual posting here on the 18th of June each year… The Gallifreyan Embassy anniversary. Today marks 27 years since the organization was formed. What can I say that I haven't already said in my previous anniversary postings? Yeah, I can't believe so much time has passed… I believe I had said it before. Perhaps these photos that I took last week on the Long Island Raid Road say it all. We have come a long way since 1985. I never thought then that I would see train posters referencing Doctor Who in them as these do for BBC America.

Doctor Who: Podshock - Episode 271
Running Time: 2:17:11

A special double-length episode: Jon Preddle (author of Timelink, BroaDWcast) interviewed, plus Doctor Who related news, feedback (Justin from Ohio, Whoviac, Michael House), and more. Hosted by Louis Trapani, Dave Cooper, and Ian Bisset.

Matt Smtih (the 11th Doctor on Doctor Who) and Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes on Sherlock) presents Steven Moffat (executive producer of both aforementioned series) with his special 2012 BAFTA award.