Let Out of the Kennel

This will come as a bit of a shock to some fans (who presumed, wrongly, that the show would never come to pass...) but K9 the series launches this weekend on Disney XD - that's Sky Channel 607 or Virgin Media Channel 707.

K9 - LAUNCHES SATURDAY 31ST OCTOBER @ 6PM ONLY ON DISNEY XD

Yes, to tie in with Halloween festivities Park Entertainment are offering you a chance to see the first episode of the 26 part series, as a preview for what you can expect when the series proper debuts in early 2010. As far as I'm aware, it's the worldwide premiere of any episode of the series.

A little bit of history for you now. Bob Baker originally tried to launch a spin-off centred around his robot dog creation in the 1990's - CGI footage of what he intended the series to be was even included on the 2000 DVD release of K9 Unleashed. Of course funding was a major obstacle to overcome, which explains why it's taken almost a decade for Baker to get from there to here.

SARAH-JANE.tv has been following the development of the show since we launched way back in 2006 - see for yourself - so it's gratifying to know that this show, that most dismissed or said would never be made, has finally been completed and will soon see the light of day.

You can view a clip from the show here. Let us know what you think of it in the comments section below, and whether you'll bother tuning in on Saturday, or across 2010.

Remember!! Episode One of K9 previews this coming Saturday - Halloween! - on Disney XD from 6pm. It's available on both Sky and Virgin Media. Sadly viewers with only Freeview won't have access to the channel, or indeed the show.

Canon Fodder

"When the world needs saving, the only person you can turn to is... a robot dog!"

There's a new piece of promotional material regarding the K9 series doing the rounds. It started on a video that C21Media posted yesterday, which features a number of leading TV buyers outline the shows that they want to buy/air over the next business year.

Here's what Jim Howell, the Chief Executive at Park Entertainment has to say regarding the show:

"K9 is a 26 part series; a half-hour show aimed at kids from 8-14. K9 is a robot dog, an iconic character created by Bob Baker and Dave Martin for the Doctor Who show in the late 1970s here in the UK. But with a brand new 21st century design, K9 is now going to appear in his own series.

"It's a live action/CGI mix. It contains aliens and monsters; lots of laughs - humour and scares, and stunning special effects created by a cutting edge team in Brisbane.

"It's going to be broadcast in early 2010. Its first broadcast will probably be through the Ten Network, the terrestrial broadcaster in Australia, and it's a prime weekend slot - and it's also going to be broadcast by Disney Kids on paid television throughout Europe.

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"The new K9 should follow his predecessors as a successful merchandising character brand, and should appeal to anybody that's interested in a DVD market and merchandising licensing.
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"K9 is going to be fun for all - for kids, for family. It's going to be The X-Files meets Ghostbusters, for kids."

But enough from Jim! Here's some pictures taken from the new trailer, and doesn't it just look... ooh, fab?

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You can see a full gallery of images from the trailer on SARAH-JANE.tv's Facebook group.

The trailer appears about halfway through this video.

UPDATE: You can now view the trailer on Park Entertainment's site.

Newsround

Hooray! Actual news again, for the first time in an age. For even though filming continues on the third series, there's very little set reports or photographs to report on. A massive thank you to Doctor Who Magazine then for a massive update on casting....

Episode 3 & 4 feature Souad Faress, Gregg Sulkin, Eleanor Tomlinson, Toby Parkes, Rai Rajani and Kate Fleetwood.

Meanwhile episodes 5 & 6 stars David Tennant as the Doctor, with Nigel Havers, Zienia Merton (who appeared in Doctor Who way back in 1964 during Marco Polo - playing Ping-Cho).

Floella Benjamin returns to the role of Professor Celeste Rivers for the third time in episodes 7 & 8 - and it's far from a cameo! "At last, she's going into action with Sarah Jane!" Producer Nikki Wilson reveals. Starring alongside her will be Adam Gillen (as the Professor's assistant Toby Silverman), Donald Sumpter (as Erasmus Darkening - "one of the greatest and most chilling villains we've ever seen"), Tony Boncza and Amelia Clarkson.

Also in 7 & 8 is Callum Blue - star of Dead Like Me, and boyfriend of Billie Piper's Hannah character in Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

The fifth story, made up of episodes 9 & 10, features former Coronation Street star Suranne Jones, with Jeff Rawle and Liza Sadovy.

Best of all, the same story has a cameo appearence from Lizo Mzimba - the BBC's Entertainment Corrospondent.

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There's also confirmation that John Leeson will return to voice K9 in the new Jetix series, due to air next year in Australia.

For more hints and teases about the new run of the SJA and K9 pick up Doctor Who Magazine issue 411 now, for £3.99.

Hands in Y'er Pockets!

This Red Nose Day is shaping up to be something rather magical, I think you'll agree. This time last week I was in Teddington, watching a very special Comic Relief episode of Harry Hill's TV Burp being filmed (it contains a Torchwood gag, yay!) and as well as that we've had celebrities climbing up mountains, and hundreds of thousands of envitable fancy dress parties organised before the week is out.

But forget about all that, because the highlight of the evening - for me - is watching the SJA team in action, in a special mini episode guest starring Ronnie Corbett. There's a special 15 second clip from the episode available to view on the Red Nose Day website, or via the official Sarah Jane BBCi page.

Only a couple of days to go, now. Don't forget to donate to the programme (guest hosted by the incredible David Tennant) and do your bit for the charity, by whatever means you can.

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In other news, the first image of the new K9 model from Channel Ten's K9 spin-off series has been released. Click here to view the metal mutt in full!

Finally, I know there's been rumblings on the internet about a certain high profile actress (*cough cough* Anna Friel) appearing on the show during the third series, but so far as I can see, these rumblings are nothing more than rumour. At the moment. And that's the key thing to remember here; nothing is fact until the BBC or DWM have announced it as such.

The Return... of K9!!

Seems like only yesterday I was writing about K9's imminent return in his own show on Jetix, a children's platform on digital television here in the UK. Today the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine (officially released tomorrow) brings even better news regarding the metal mutt - first seen in Doctor Who's 1977 adventure "The Invisible Enemy" - he's returning to The Sarah Jane Adventures, and not just in a small cameo appearence!

K9 RETURNS TO THE SJA IN 2009

Oh no, his return is full time. Well, not quite... Over to you, producer Nikki Smith: "We've already got 10 scripts at first draft stage, and I can now announce that K9 is going to make a return to Sarah Jane's attic! He's been locked away in that safe, saving the world from a Black Hole, for far too long now. And he's so loved, especially by children, that we wanted him back. Many thanks to his co-creator, Bob Baker, and the estate of the late Dave Martin, for allowing this to happen."

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She continues, "K9 won't be in every single episode - right now, we estimate he'll appear in approximately six of the 12 episodes. And I can promise that the fun is only just beginning - just wait 'til he gets to meet Mr. Smith properly!"
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The production team are supposedly awaiting to hear from Nicholas Courtney with the intention of his Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart character returning. Also slated for guest spots, but still unconfirmed, are Yasmin Paige, Joseph Millson and Juliet Cowan - aka the Jackson family, in a storyline that wraps up their current character arcs, possibly at the wedding of Chrissie Jackson to current bit on the side Ivan...

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(That news comes direct from a trusted source, and not DWM)
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Doctor Who Magazine issue 405 also reveals news on the Gareth Roberts/Russell T Davies scribed Doctor Who easter special, "Planet of the Dead" which guest stars Michelle Ryan (of The Bionic Woman, Jekyll and Merlin fame) and comedian Lee Evans. The episode marks the first time that Doctor Who will have been filmed in High-Definition.

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There's also a neat article on why the general public never seem to remember the many invasion attempts made by alien menaces over the years (including a look back at many classic era Sarah Jane stories, featuring Zygons, Dinosaurs and Loch Ness Monsters!).
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Part time producer Susie Liggat also talks exclusively to Dan Berry about her Doctor Who experiences - but us Smithies will also remember her involvement with the "Invasion of the Bane" pilot episode that helped to launch the SJA back in 2007. Sadly Liggat doesn't discuss the SJA in her interview, which also covers Russell T Davies' 2005 Casanova remount.

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This month's The Fact of Fiction feature investigates 1975's "Planet of Evil", starring Elisabeth Sladen and Tom Baker - in an adventure recently released onto DVD.
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And finally, Dave Owen reviews the entire second series in a page, calling the Brigadier's return a triumph, and the arrival of the Chandra family as something that needs "a bit of work" in order to perfect the formula.

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DWM issue 405 is out tomorrow priced a very reasonable £3.99.
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Apparerently there's somebody called Matt Smith on the cover, and interviewed inside...

Can't Put a Good Dog Down

Blimey! I'm away for a couple of months, and by the time I come back the lovely folks behind the K9 series have filmed four complete blocks of the show (which, aside from a remodeled K9 bares no relation to the Whoniverse - ergo, it's no spin-off series).

Look, a press release! It ran on the Doctor Who News Page last week...

Production on spin-off series [sic] K9 is well under way in Brisbane, with the fourth block of filming due to complete at the end of next week.

Paul Tams, who along with Bob Baker is the show's co-creator and co-associate producer, revealed that there would be 13 blocks, each comprising two half-hour episodes, with principal photography set to end on May 7.

Taking the opportunity to put the record straight on various matters regarding the show, he confirmed that the series would be known purely as K9, adding: "Bob and I are pleased with the interest shown and hope K9 will be viewed as a series that Who fans old and new will all find something enjoyable from."

And as a teaser, he said: "I've made sure that hidden in most episodes fans will spot some nod to the past - either a mention or a visual treat."

Regarding the electronic dog itself, he said: "K9 will be seen on screen as both an animatronic prop and in CGI form. The latest design I have done that is being used in the show is sleek and different from any previous images seen on the net, etc. K9 will, however, be recognisable to fans new and old as the K9. And to clear up the identity of which mark K9 this is, to quote Doctor Who itself he is the original you might say!"

Most information - including cast and characters - was being kept under wraps but Tams added: "The show will feature several new races of monsters created by Bob and myself, alongside the Jixen Warriors as reported previously.

"We first planned and created the show back in 1998, so it has taken 11 years to get to the production stage. It has been a long and rocky road and we are working with some very talented people here: actors, artists, sculptors, costume-makers. The schedule is very hectic and full on.

"I have to tip my hat - if I wore one - to the creative teams in the '60s who worked under such pressure to turn monsters, costumes and sets around at such a fast pace on Doctor Who. I now know how they must have felt - exhausted!"

A new logo has been created, which will be revealed in due course, and Tams said that the show would be airing later this year, with Australian broadcaster Network Ten currently lined up to carry it.

The Doctor Who Forum already has a dedicated K9 thread (members only, sorry).

Althought strictly speaking a fansite aimed at the CBBC Sarah Jane series, SJ.tv will continue to monitor the development of K9 throughout the next few months, and leading up to broadcast.

Honestly, I never thought it'd happen. Then they went and proved me wrong.

It's Finally Happening!!

Readers with long memories will be aware that when this very site launched two years ago its remit stretched further than just The Sarah Jane Adventures. Back in those days we covered any up and coming (or so we thought...) semi-spin-off from the Doctor Who universe, K9 Adventures - the further adventures of everybody's favourite metal mutt, and a show that was supposedly was hitting digital kids channel Jetix 'soon'.

Then it all went quiet, and I'll admit, I gave up on the idea.

But now, it would seem, things are back on track! The production team have launched an official website for the show (now just titled K9?) which includes cast and crew credits, production photographs (taken as late as this week, showing the building of the sets - Griffiths Lab, apparently) and a guest book where you can sign up to receive udpates on the show.

Could it finally be then after so long waiting, the producers have got their funding together and are finally ready to make the show - a show that was originally supposed to run on Jetix way back in Winter 2006, then Summer 2007, then... then...?

Who knows. This series has had a slippier production than most... hell, the sequel to Wizard of Oz got here faster than this...

Keep it peeled for more news on K9 (the series)!!

The Bane Hit DVD

The BBC Shop website is now displaying a pre-order for "Invasion of the Bane" - the pilot episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures. The DVD is scheduled for release on the 29th October, woth an RRP of £12.99. There's no news on any potential follow up releases for the 10 part series proper, but I'll take an estimated guess that the rest of the Sarah Jane Adventures should see a DVD before 2007 is out.

Elsewhere, and (thanks to Martin Day over at OutpostGallifrey's forums) it seems that Broadcast Magazine has published an update on the progress being made on the independent "K9 Adventures" series. According to the magazine, which is industry based, the series will begin filming later in the year ready to be delivered by July 2008. The press release states:

"K9 Adventures
Running time: 26 x 30 minutes

Description: The loveable BBC TV robot dog created by Academy Award winner Bob Baker (Wallace and Gromit - The Wrong Trousers) is brought to the screen in a series of new adventures in space developed with Jetix Kids. A mix of live action and state-of-the-art CGI and with scripts by Darrell Vickers and Andrew Nicholls (W.I.T.C.H), K-9 is sophisticated, funny and adult in a way that relates to younger viewers, as well as speaking to family audiences. Currently in pre-production with delivery targeted at July 2008."

And finally, for today's short updates, there's a number of rumours flying around about tonight's episode of Doctor Who (so discontinue reading right now if you want to remain un-spoiled in any way). Apparently several reviewers claim that there's a short cameo appearence by Elisabeth Sladen; who's been captured and placed under arrest by Saxon's officers. Whether this particular rumour (and a few others I've heard) actually come to pass remains to be seen...

"The Sound of Drums" airs tonight at 7:15pm on BBC One.

A Dog Called K9

When I started this blog one of my original mission statements was to report about two series; "The Sarah Jane Adventures" and another show, one we've heard absolutely nothing about for months now "k9 Adventures" - the all singing, all dancing K9 'spin-off' (and I mean that in the loosest possible sense) series, set to be made by Park Entertainment.

I have no idea what's happening, if I'm completely honest. The series seems to have gone into hibernation for the time being, so it *appears* that we're back to square one with the series - or are we? Maybe not, as the case may be...

Visiting the Park Entertainment website shows us a few interesting things. Namely, details on when the series is planned for being recorded, and subsequently, broadcast. In short? Recording is scheduled to begin this summer, with an early 2008 broadcast. But I'll believe it when I see it.
Of course, the longer the delay the less likely it is that the series will ever get made (just look what happened to the proposed "Red Dwarf Movie" with died a death after years in production hell). I've been told that Bob Baker continues to slave away on the show, and is writting the majority of the scripts - but what's the point in scripts if they're never produced?

Surely 26 half hour episodes is too much for a relatively small company like Park Entertaiment to produce? Some of the companies other productions (from "Grand Star" to "Charlie Jade") hardly look like they've ever taken off fully so I have to question just how much of an investment P. E are likely to make in the series?

I mean, it's set in space for heaven's sake! "Doctor Who" has a budget of millions, and even that stays Earthbound for a majority of the time. I doubt "K9 Adventures" can afford half of what the current Doctor Who's have got, so maybe that's the reason for the delay? Money - it all comes down to it at the end of the day.

Saying that, from what I've seen of the series so far - via the K9 Unleashed DVD which you can perchase here - doesn't look half bad. Shame they're not sticking to the CGI format, isn't it? Cos a CGI science-fiction series is a hell of a lot cheaper than a life like set built show.

Guess we'll just have to wait for news. Though I'm not exactly quaking in my boots by the show's synopsis, it does sound mildly amusing, and anything even remotely connected to "Doctor Who" can't be that bad can it? Hey, you mouthing off against Torchwood - shut it!

Perhaps if the series does indeed fall through, we might have K9 returned to where he belongs - out of that safe in Sarah's attic, and on the streets saving lives and doing what he does best. I could imagine it now...

Still, nothing will ever persuade me to start up k9.tv...

Useful links - 1: Wikipedia Page 2: GallifreyOne Forum

A Girl's Best Friend?

From the reports we've heard so far, k9's not going to be sticking around in The Sarah Jane Adventures for long. So, hardly k9 and Company, is it?

We do know that k9 is going to appear in this New Year's Day special, "Sarah Jane Investigates", and is likely to vanish at the end of it. As this is a children's series, the special episode's villian, played by Samantha Bond, is hardly likely to die is she?

No, it's more likely that her character (much like Margaret Slitheen) will redeem herself, and leave a 'new person', likely with k9 in tow. Will Sarah-Jane give up her faithful dog to a more needy cause? This seems to be the most likely sceniro.

No matter what happens (look, we could speculate until next Tuesday - lets not!) k9 won't be appearing in the series proper when it starts transmitting. It's thought that k9's creators Bob Baker and Dave Martin have asked for him to be removed from the show, due to their developing series "k9 Adventures".

That particular series isn't regarded as offical cannon within the Doctor Who universe, and isn't even thought to feature the same k9 as we're currently use to seeing. The cheeky so-and-sos!

Sarah-Jane Smith's new "tin dog" it seems will be 13 year old Maria - her new neighbour. As great as Maria may turn out to be, I'm sure you'll agree that she won't ever be a patch on k9!

We'll keep you up to date on all of the latest k9 Adventures news, as the show progresses through development hell towards broadcast (possibly in late 2007).

We all know how great that silly, camp robotic dog is.

And we'll lement his passing from The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Goodbye old friend...

Who's A Good Dog?

Scrowling around the internet, I managed to find this neat little teaser poster (from parkentertainment's website) for the new K9 Adventures series.

Interestingly, the production company lists the series as a "comedy" - and it confirms that they'll be 26 half hour episodes, due some time in 2007/8.

Keep watching the site as we bring you up to date news on that series, as well as the more mainstream Sarah Jane Adventures.

Toodles.

Spin Offs All Round

As members of the Innuendo Squad gear up for the - one month away! - transmission of Torchwood, production continues on the two other Doctor Who spin-off series, K9 The Series and the Sarah-Jane Adventures.

Following the recent press release following Sarah Jane Adventures, Outpost Gallifrey reports on the latest developments surrounding K9 The Series:

Park Entertainment, the television distribution agent associated with the Jetix-produced K9 Adventures spin-off, has further details of the upcoming series on its website. Among the website's list of "projects in development" is a section headed "K9 - The Series", which describes the premise and lead characters for the series as follows: "Somewhere in the future… An old Prairie class spacecraft is drifting towards distant stars. She is The 'Platte,' once used for the colonisation of Asteroids. On board are SLOCUM - mid-thirties, rugged, taciturn who thinks of himself as a dealer in valuable commodities - others would say he just collects junk! He is a loner – a space gypsy! It's the only way he knows. He's in no hurry to get anywhere and he stays well off the beaten track. And DJINN - a V997 (F), an overactive computer module in the shape of an attractive young woman. She was programmed by the ship's previous owners to provide stimulating conversation. Something that SLOCUM would happily change if only he had knowledge of her operating codes! Together they discover an apparently abandoned battle cruiser. Whereupon they meet K-9! The adventures begin ..."

Now, come 2007 we'll have four (count them!) Doctor Who dramas* on television.

They really are spoiling us!

*If you count K9 The Series as a drama!