I Am A TV Junkie

Video -- In Two Days, Secret Diary of a Call Girl Final Series on Showtime

I don't really know what to say about how I feel about this show. I know I'm not supposed to like it, it glamorizes prostitution, which is OMG! ILLEGAL (scandalous too, natch) but then I ask myself questions like, "If she wasn't getting paid would it be okay? Is my objection that she's a whore? That she's a whore that doesn't suffer consequences for being a whore?

Well, she actually does suffer consequences, but I'm not so sure that those consequences are occupation based. Frankly, this dual personage, Hannah/Belle, she's kinda screwed up. Major intimacy issues. Loves Ben (guy in the darker suit above) but can't seem to put together 24 straight hours of not fighting with him. Keeps falling for other inappropriate guys, like Harry, the vice cop that loves to mix business with pleasure.

Meanwhile, Belle's former madam Stephanie is in jail and Belle has been hoodwinked into not only keeping her daughter Poppy outta trouble during the incarceration but also covering up the nature of her business while acting as madam for Steph's girls.

Good luck with that. And good luck with controlling Poppy, who you get the sense is really gonna act out now that she knows the truth about her mom and this life of whoring she leads.

There are other new characters as well, some of the girls under Stephanie's care and control who are now looking to Belle for their appointments and cash handling. One, played by Gemma Chan, is a very exacting dominatrix who I think you will love. That's her above left with Billie, someone got the short end of the wardrobe trailer that morning, huh?

It seems to me that Chan is the woman that you call if you want Lucy Liu but you're in England and she's not available. And, you might know here from one of the Sherlock episodes from BBC and PBS late last year.

Furthermore, the first four episodes that Showtime sent (thanks!) are deliciously over the top in their look. The fashion is outrageous, the new home Hannah bought with the money Belle made is gorgeous and Billie, despite what I think is still a little bit of trouble with dental veneers that are too big, looks fabulous.

Harry the cop is the most interesting addition. At the end of the second episode Harry basically tells Hannah/Belle her life, explains to her that the two of them are living in life's gray areas and they thrive there. It may be the first time Hannah seriously questions what she wants her life to be and you get a feeling that she's coming to a conclusion she didn't expect.

Though I don't imagine this frothy series will end on a down note, you gotta wonder what happens to a Hannah who after all this finds out she's just been kidding herself regarding a life with Ben, a life without sex work, a standard issue life that I don't think she has the tools to handle.

She has eight more half hours to figure it out, starting Thursday at 10:30, on Showtime. Check out two clips, they're after the jump.

Video -- Exclusive Secret Diary of a Call Girl Clip from the NY Post?

Yeah, about the exclusive? Not so exclusive when you provide embed codes. And that's how the clip got here. This clip is spoiler-ific. If you want to be in the dark, particularly about Hannah/Ben, just keep walking, nothing for you to see here.

It's after the jump.

Video -- Sexytime on Showtime: Billie Piper Returns in Secret Diary of a Call Girl

You know I love big hair, raccoon eyes and a bow tie, but it's usually on a guy.

Sounds like Adam Lambert actually. Well, Adam Lambert would have a sequined bow tie. Whatev.

Ah, Billie Piper. She'll always be Rose Tyler first, but I do love this show about a woman named Hannah who's a whore named Belle. And this, sadly, will be the last go round for the series, or so I've been told.

Hey, maybe a fifth season where she moves into a house in Beverly Hills with another girl and a sitcom star and ... no? Okay. Well I don't think Belle/Hannah would actually like that set up, she's pretty independent. I think that's why she's always resisted being with Ben (Iddo Goldberg, with Piper - left), but I imagine this being the end of this series there will be some attempt to get them back together. 

Of course the image above left here of the two in a rose petal covered bed doesn't really look so, uh, cozy. In fact, they look more "on" the bed than in it.

I get her, though, maybe because she has a very male outlook on sex. Funny that I consider hers a male outlook, it's really just someone having issues with commitment and lacking the ability to say no to other options.

This season sees Hannah continue writing and then traveling to New York to check out the set of the film based on her book. She meets some men along the way, moves into a new home, helps out a frenemy in need, we meet her sister Jackie again, there's more sex stuff, I'm sure a fetish or two along the way ... it's nothing really heavy and the sex part of the series is very light and easy going, maybe slightly too easygoing according to it's detractors.

She's so likeable and the camera adores this woman so much that she could play a comedy Eva Braun and I might be compelled to watch. Interesting, I see nothing on the horizon with her attached to it. Her IMDb page shows nothing, Wikipedia comes up empty, a Google search just has those stories the Daily Mail writes that give them excuses to use pics from the series, even pics of her body double's breasts being drawn on with a marker.

She has little Winston at home, I know (we share a birthday with Seth MacFarlane) and I'm sure her agent will be quick to say "blah blah blah momentum blah blah blah strike while the iron's hot" but I don't know if it matters to her.

I think I'll miss her if she decides to stay home and be a mom.

Clips after the jump, two of them, a series four trailer right after a recap of the last one.

The Perfect Director for the #DoctorWho Movie is Now Surprisingly Free, Let's Get it Done!

It is amazingly simple to see and incredibly obvious that the man who should direct a Doctor Who movie written by Russell T. Davies and starring Doctor 10 David Tennant and Billie Piper as Rose has been, is and will always be Guillermo Del Toro.

(Sorry Euros Lyn, I know you'd like to get the call.)

Spend ten minutes watching clips form Pan's Labyrinth or either of the Hellboy movies and it's obvious he would have the feel for the script and the performances and for the elaborate effects work that would need to be done to bring the show to your local cinemas.

And now, Del Toro has some room on his schedule as he's pulled out of the two-film Hobbit series being produced by Peter Jackson in New Zealand.

So, Jane Tranter  (pictured here above right with DT at the BAFTA TV Awards in 2009) I encourage you today or tomorrow (okay, take a day off and eat something fried with cheese, it's a bank holiday ... in fact I'll join you!) and maybe just let the word get out to some close industry friends that a team could be put together fairly quickly for this enterprise and if you work fast we might have something for a 2013 production date.

And just to get you thinking this way, Jane, watch the Hellboy 2 trailer again, click this and watch. He's really perfect for the job and getting him, especially now, would cement the fanboy furvor for the project.

Plus DT and Billie won't be available for this forever, you know. They'll need to get on with it, eventually.

Secret Diary Video -- Hannah and I Consider Duncan, Her Editor

Worth consideration, yes? Well first off he's employed, that's a good thing. But he's her editor and that's not such a good thing.

Then again, who better to, ahem, consider (read: have lustful fantasies about) than the one guy besides the guy you call your best friend that knows your secrets and is okay with them.

And then again on the other hand who worse that the man that knows all your secrets.

But on the other other hand there's all that accent and distinguished tone and psychobabble on the nature of attraction  and let's face it, all these two talk about is sex, it's gotta get one going, dontcha think?

Of course on the other other other hand (that's some interesting set of body parts, huh?) the guy looks like James D'Arcy.

She does has to work with him, but she's ... you know ... not someone that lets that kind of thing stand in her way.

So she's not acting in her own best interests, what twenty-something who just landed a book deal and screws for a living does?

(Insert reference to quill stuck in company ink.)

Watch the trailer for next week's episode by clicking here. Clothes make the man, but shoes and women is a relationship that lasts a lifetime.

Monday at 10 on Showtime, Thursdays at 10 on ITV2.

Wossy This Friday -- Billie Piper, Alicia Keys, Alan Carr

Wossy = Jonathan Ross, Friday nights at 10 eastern on BBC America. It's his final series of the show for BBC One.

BTW, not Alan Carr the producer of the Village People movie Can't Stop The Music costarring Bruce Jenner but British comic Alan Carr, host of UK Channel 4's Alan Carr: Chatty Man , which just got picked up by Canadian cabler OUTtv.

Note to Logo, I really wouldn't mind it if you did the same. It can't be a really expensive show to buy, why not take the plunge?

Of course, US audiences will be most excited about Billie and Alicia. Billie's there to promote the new season of Secret Diary, which started last night here in the US and premieres this Thursday on ITV2 and I imagine Alicia Keys is touring there, don't really know.

All those recent quotes from Billie about kissing various Doctor Who stars comes from this upcoming interview, as if the woman had nothing else to say. Leave it to Wossy.

Ross' show has always been one that I've watched for the guests, not the host. Compare that to Craig Ferguson here in the States, who could have the bagger at your supermarket and Joseph Mengele and still be very entertaining.

Funny story, speaking of the late Alan Carr ... I was at the South Coast Performing Arts Center back in the day to see the revival of Grease, the national tour cast with Rosie O'Donnell and, I believe, Megan Mullally. It was terrible, plus the acoustics were horrible so I left early. So did Alan Carr, who produced the film version with Travolta.

I ran into him in the parking garage while he waited for his car to pull up and I asked him what he thought. He replied, "Glad the movie came out first."

Which was probably the nicest thing he could have said. 

See a clip from the other Alan Carr's chat show by clicking here. He's talking to Miley Cyrus.

Video -- Billie Piper Talks To "The Real Belle" Tonight on Showtime

Billie and The Real Belle Bare All will kick off the third season of the ITV/Showtime hit Secret Diary Of A Call Girl tonight at 10 right before the season premiere of Tracey Ullman: State Of The Union.

It's a half hour interview conducted by Billie Piper with Brooke Magnanti, the woman who wrote the book on which the series is based. Magnanti revealed herself to be the writer of the anonymous volume earlier this year.

I'm looking forward to this, watch this clip where Ms. Magnanti talks about her first client. Billie talks on her way to meeting Brooke at this link.

The first new episode of series three will then premiere next week.

And here's another clip, to prepare you for next week's proper first episode.

Watch a clip of Brooke on Sky TV's The Book Show being interviewed by Mariella Frostrup and read Robert McCrum's analysis of her putting her name to her blog and book, finally, at this link.

You know, we're actually seeing this before it airs on ITV, which is kinda cool for a change.

Watch Billie Piper's First Credited Screen Role in The Calcium Kid Now Via Hulu

Check out this pic above. Obviously not an official still from the film, huh?

That's Billie Piper second from left in the really really short shorts. And in the center is a very young Orlando Bloom. 

(Note: Billie had an uncredited role in the film version of Evita, so yes, she's already worked with Maddona.)

About the movie, from IMDB:

Jimmy Connelly, an English bachelor milkman, 'accidentally' knocks down his boxing club's champion as stand-in sparring partner. The champ was scheduled for a title fight against the reigning, American world champion. So the sleazy manager decides to substitute him with Jimmy, who is now groomed for stardom. Naive Jimmy does everything the crook says, only to be blamed when it all explodes in their faces big time. Will he keep taking it or stand his ground before his whole career and private life are ruined?

Billie plays a character named Angel. I have no info past that.

Watch it by clicking here. And see Billie again on the 25th when the new series of Secret Diary of a Call Girl returns to Showtime at 10 pm eastern.

Watch a clip from the new series by clicking here.

Okay, All Right, I'll Write About the Doctor Who Finale (and show you the trailer for series five)

And because you've all seen it by now, beware for spoilers.

In fact, if you haven't seen it yet you should just stop reading this now (and go watch it and then come right back here, natch).

And, to help you do that, I'm putting the rest of this post after the jump.

Video -- BBC Clips Galore -- Doctor Who BBC America Marathon NOW! and Doctor #10 Wishes You Happy Holidays

Aw, he's so pretty.

Sorry, I digress.

Anyhoo, BBC America apparently doesn't want me to go out and buy gifts for anyone today, they're running a marathon of episodes. Just finished Voyage of the Damned with Kylie and that dashing jerkoff Rickston Slade.

Right now they're airing Turn Left which is of course the most dramatic of the Doctor-Lite episodes, those that don't include a lot of the Doctor. Instead you get a bumper crop of companions (on camera and referenced) including Rose Tyler breaking through the multiverse, despite the warnings of a scientist in an alternate reality (and another show entirely) named Walter Bishop.

Why didn't Rose have the Doctor take her to 2009 and sit down and watch a few episodes of Fringe? She would have benefitted greatly.

Also, I have for you two little video holiday cards from my favorite Doctor at this link and this link. And ... one more clip you must see (Reindeers pulling the tardis) at this link.

And for you Doctor Who newbies, change the channel, sit down and enjoy. It's time to do some catchup before the three-weekend Doctor Who event (Waters of Mars and The End of Time Parts 1 & 2) starting next Saturday on BBC America.

Check out the BBC America website for this huge event (huge, I tell you) at this link.

Happy Birthday Billie Piper!

Seen here as Belle at a very different party from series one of Secret Diary of a Call Girl. Series three debuts on Showtime in the States and ITV in England in 2010.

And here's Billie behind the scenes during shooting of series two catching up on the latest.

Here's a BBC promotional image from series one of the rebooted Doctor Who. Episodes from series one (not all of them, unfortunately, that would be too convenient) with Doctor #9 Chris Eccleston are currently on BBC America on Demand.

And, finally, what's a girl to do? They both have great hair. Really great hair.

Have a happy, Billie.

Fringe Season Two -- Is Anna Torv Better Blonder? Watch Season One Recap

Season One                                                                                                      Season Two

Blonder, right?

Is it something in the Vancouver water? Or did she hang out at Bondi Beach all Summer long?

(Actually, I'm pretty sure she's been dividing her time between the set of Speilberg's HBO miniseries The Pacific in Australia and the States where she's getting settled with new husband Mark Valley from the new Fox series Human Target.)

Is it just something that happens when your character goes from one universe to a parallel universe? Because I think this also might have happened to Billie Piper between seasons two and four of Doctor Who. And, Billie suffered the side effect of a lisp, strangely. Hey, if Anna has a side effect let's hope it's something that stablizes her US accent. I know, it's not a big thing but it bugs sometimes.

I just don't think it fits the character for her to be lightening her hair. I don't think Olivia Dunham spends the time in the chair at the salon. It's just not her nature.

Other physical changes for season two? Joshua Jackson's really leaned out. Someone send him some donuts before he gets all manorexic.

After the jump, watch the very quick season one recap. Or, click over to Hulu and catch some full episodes before the season premiere Thursday at 9 on Fox.

I'll have Fringe posts all week in advance of the premiere. Also, always check out Fringebloggers.com and our pal Roco for all the latest.

And btw, yes, I'm still pissed that John Noble was robbed of an Emmy nod.

Reported: Doctor #11 and Rose Tyler Spotted on Set in Wales

Now that's a surprise. I thought we'd seen the last of Rose Tyler.

Maybe we never see the last of Rose Tyler. Or, maybe Rose Tyler becomes a character on every show on TV. She does live in a parallel universe, after all, with a one-hearted Doctor.

I still hope BBC One creates a show where the one-hearted Doctor and Rose open a space travel agency with Carol "Computer Says No" Beer from Little Britain. That's a show that needs to happen.

I can't come up with a title for that show. Any ideas?

Okay, back to Billie/Rose being part of series five ...

Llanelli (Wales) Star:

Billie Piper was back on the Doctor Who set yesterday, filming scenes for the new series.

The actress was at Neath Abbey to reprise her role as Rose Tyler in the hit sci-fi show.

Filming took place at the venue with 11th Doctor, Matt Smith on set.

Billie was spotted in a floral dress during the morning session between 8am and noon, but did not return later in the day.

Recognize the Abbey? Did you watch Merlin? I know, only 17 of us did watch Merlin, but you should recognize the abbey from that.

G4TV.com Has All Kinds of Comic-Con Breaking News Incl. Lost Panel Live Blog, Tron Trailer

They have it all, live blogs from panels and comics stuff with Blair, and Olivia (no pie, just Olivia) getting her rack cruised by all kinds of guys and gals at the Con and ...

... no, I'm wrong, I'm the bad guy. It was me that was on the cover of Playboy coming out of a p0ol in a bikini.

G4 Comic-Con link is RIGHT HERE!!!

And, I don't know where on the floor they're setting up this year, but if you loiter there (and people will ask you not to) just do your best Tim Conway old man character from The Carol Burnett Show, pictured left, though that does work better with some gray hair.

Finally, gray hair comes in handy.

Starting today at noon eastern and pacific they have their exclusive Star Wars panel, and then at 2 they have three hours of live coverage from the floor. Considering that today is the day for all the Doctor Who stuff, I'm hoping they get live coverage of David Tennant and Russell T. Davies announcing a movie project. No, not sure, but my hunches are always really good. And, it wouldn't surprise me if they kept Billie Piper holed up in some hotel undercover until the moment they do announce.

Or, they should just hire ME for these big press events. I know what works because I know what would work for me.

Also, if you're a Lost fan (yes, my season one DVD set is still sitting here waiting to be watched) there was a live blog of their panel that was attended by Bob Stencil. I'm led to believe you guys get the Bob Stencil reference.

And, there's embeddable video, including the trailer for Disney's Tron revamp, which is after the jump and shows a bit of a creepy character arc for Jeff Bridges.

You know video of these panels will start showing up on YouTube and the network sites. There are rules about Comic-Con exclusivity and time windows that they all sign, but ASAP I'll have what I can find right here.

Just in case you're busier than I this weekend.

Billie Piper Movie Alert -- Set Your DVR, Spirit Trap On Showtime Beyond Wednesday

I'm not a horror film guy, I'm a Billie Piper guy. So I'm gonna check out Billie in this UK comedy/horror film about a group of college students who get a message from the housing office that there's an old creepy mansion that they can live in if they want.

I'm sure this will turn out to be a bad idea for them. And that's why it's a horror film.

It co-stars Luke Mably who you might recognize from 28 Days Later. But mostly I'll check this out because I enjoy seeing my faves in different situations.

I'd provide a trailer, but I can't find one. Sorry. It's on Wednesday at 2pm. Which is why you have a DVR. Set it and DON'T forget it.

DVR Alert -- Sci Fi (Or Syfy, Whatev!) Doctor Who Series 2 Mini-Thon Tomorrow; Why Should You Watch?

Why? You're seriously asking why you should record these? Oh, that's right, that was me.

Record these episodes and watch them at your leisure, but certainly these are some of the best of the second series, and if you're a Billie Piper fan from Secret Diary of a Call Girl or a fan of Sophia Myles from Moonlight you will find a way into these eps and then you'll be hooked.

I'm certain of that.

Hat tip to the blog with a very long titile that will just call Morjana's for the heads up.

Myles' episode, The Girl in the Fireplace, won a Hugo award for writer Steve Moffat (who's at the helm for series five).

These eps include Billie's departure from being a regular companion of the Doctor, btw, for the uninitiated.

Tennant? Charming, engaging, and of course there's the outstanding hair. Great, great hair!

Award winning fan vid using footage from The Girl in the Fireplace after the jump is by YouTube username seduff and features music by New Zealand artist Brooke Fraser.

After that you'll be wanting to buy the series two DVD set. If you click to it through the icon below maybe I can buy the specials on DVD from the UK and a region-free DVD player to watch them.

Or a sheet of paper, depending on the number of converts.

Are Brits Really Placing Bets on Who Will Play Deceased UK Reality TV Star Jade Goody?

Dear Friends from Britain,

When we hear stuff like this in the States, we either don't believe that people are actually wagering or we don't want to believe it (because it's a sucker's bet as far as I can tell), but I think you, my British readers can shed some light on this.

I thought it was strange that people would bet on who would be Doctor #11, too. I mean, it's not like it's a game that is won or lost on a field, there are people who know who's gonna be cast and they could, and in the case of Matt Smith apparently did, go out and wager on it once the casting decision was made.

Now I'm seeing news pop up from my Billie Piper Google alert that she's 6-1 to play Jade Goody, the British reality TV star, in a film about her life that may or may not be made, which I say because I haven't seen anything definitive in the press.

Ashley Jensen (Ugly Betty) is the odds-on favorite, by the way.

My issues here:

• Why would anyone want to play Jade Goody in a movie, anyway? Wasn't she not very well liked until she announced her cervical cancer diagnosis? Didn't she say some rather racist things to Indian actress Shilpa Shetty on UK Big Brother?
• Did having cancer really make you all change your opinion of her?
• Has she done anything more than be a reality show contestant and contract cervical cancer?

I just don't get it. Anything you got for me can go in the comment section. Thanks.

CBS News Video -- Mexican Drug War, Sec. of State Clinton Interviewed by Lara Logan

Serves two purposes, gets you up to date on the roller coaster ride to failed statehood that Mexico is on, and you get to look at Lara Logan.

Because I get huge hit counts every time I post Lara online.

Still getting big hits on the post I wrote about how Billie Piper should play Lara when she eventually writes that book about her Iraq experiences.

Important stuff after the jump. And an attractive woman, for those of you who don't get that this drug war across our Southern border is gonna destroy us if we don't stop it.

Do you want Tuco from Breaking Bad in your neighborhood distributing drugs? 'Cause I've seen what guys like that can do, and it ain't pretty.

You know who is pretty? Lara Logan ... after the jump.

More Doctor Who News -- Billie, Freema, Donna On Board For Tennant's Finale

Yes, they are all on board, and, according to the Coventry Telegraph, their inside source says, "Anything can happen in Doctor Who. His assistants are always recurring and Donna is no exception. When you're a Time Lord you can go back to any point in history and meet whoever you want."

It's in a story about Tate getting a co-starring role in the Jack Black Gulliver's Travels, which I wrote about here.

So, all that talk about Billie never coming back? That wasn't true. I think the Matt Smith call reported on the other day from every point on the Internet was actually a back-door attempt to get her in, and it worked.

So, all that talk about the Doctor Who crew being all aggro about Freema moving over to ITV's Law & Order UK was just a story, huh?

So, Donna can come back without her brain exploding into a million pieces or melting down and pouring out her ears. Lovely.

Oh, and my fave Bernard Cribbins (above right) comes back as Donna's grandfather, love this guy. And John Simm, too. The Master returns.

This is the episode with the regeneration. From proper Doctor to Intern Who.

Yeah, yeah, I know, I should wait and see. But sheesh, do I hate that hair.

Some Doctor/Rose/Donna moments from Journey's End and series four , in a fanvid after the jump.

2 Clips -- Secret Diary Season Finale & Win a Season One DVD!!!

So we come to the end of this season and Hannah turns out to be so much less competent than alter ego, call girl Belle at, well ... everything.

Girl just can't be a regular girl. Doesn't know how. She can't even dress well unless she's seeing a client -- have you looked at some of the clothes she's worn on dates with Alex the anesthesiologist? The Flashdance-inspired get up at the movies was particularly bad.

On another note, it does bother me a bit that we don't get any reason why this young woman has such a problem with intimacy.

I remember how she told us in the premiere that she wasn't abused and she wasn't an addict, but when you take a hard look at the character she's not really that sympathetic. Ben's right in his rant in the last ep, she takes and takes.

I hope in upcoming episodes (and I believe season three is in the can) we find just a little bit more out about this family of hers that she can't stand to be with. Gotta be something there.

If I could cut one scene from that last episode it would be the copying machine sequence. She can't make copies? Really? Stealing a scene from the movie 9 to 5? How very retro.

(I want to note that this last episode is the only one written by a man and one of only two scripts so far in the series not written by creator Lucy Prebble.)

And Alex is quite the sanctimonious prig, but he's Catholic (I'm pretty sure), he's never gonna be able to handle the dichotomy. In my experience Catholics have a problem with the Madonna/whore thing. And this is with an actual whore, so what are his chances, really?

But Belle will be Belle, and even after she's back with Alex for one more chance in this Sunday's season ender, Hannah is gonna be tempted to let Belle out one more time.

Big payday, plum assignment ... what's a girl to do?

I have a clip after the jump. But first ...

FREE STUFF ALERT!!!

The lovely people at Showtime Networks want to thank all of you for watching this seasonof Secret Diary of a Call Girl, but they can't give you all a DVD of season one so they're letting me pick one person who will get it.

The only restriction on this one is you can't be related to me and you have to be a US resident.

Simple question -- On what network does Secret Diary of a Call Girl air in Britain? 

First commenter with the correct answer wins a season one DVD box set of the show.

Thanks, Showtime.

Here's How I Will Report on the New Doctor Who Movie News

Listen, who knows if it will happen!

(Pun intended.)

Every time a reporter sees Russell T. Davies they stick a mic in his face and ask him a ridonkulous question. Thing is, Russell seems to like to answer. I think it's his way of keeping the show relevant in this year of the four specials and all the brouhaha over Matt "Intern Who" Smith.

So, just read what he says. Don't tie it in with the wild conjecture that comes from the chattering class.

Here are the RTD quotes today from ThisIsSouthWales.co.uk:

1. There must be ways and means of doing it — I suspect one day it will happen.
2. I think once something is talked about often enough then it starts to happen.
3. I think being talked about in the papers could almost bring it into existence. It gives us an idea of whether or not anyone would want to go and see it at the cinema.
4. In The Voyage of the Damned Christmas special in 2007 our design department did a brilliant job. But in a film version it would have had huge, vast ballrooms and towering inferno-type sets with everything collapsing.
5. I think we'd stick very much to what we've made so far because it is successful. The Sex and the City film kept it very faithful to the core show and it was clever.
6. Doctor Who might seem as if it's a film sometimes, but if you actually look at films they're even bigger.
7. I think the important thing to say is that if it ever happened it wouldn't take the television version off air because that would be terrible and it would also be breaking the BBC's charter.

All very hopeful quotes. Nothing concrete. Do with this information what you will.

As long as it has Tennant and Piper, I'm in. Okay, I'd like some Freema with them, too.

Love Freema. Anyone know yet with Law & Order UK premieres?

Before Tomorrow's Secret Diary, Let's Check in With Ben & Bambi

They apparently hire out the same exact personal videographer to show up where they are, Bambi sitting in garish opulence in a room that you expect Donald Trump to walk through, and Ben laying around on his couch while that pain in the ass Vanessa (have we even see her yet?) is off getting limber.

And then the guy edits the stuff, escapes the fiction London that is on TV and uploads the thing to YouTube for you and me.

(Yes I get stuck in the abyss between TV world and real world, too. I blame Andy Richter. When I watched Andy Richter Controls the Universe, I really thought he did.)

I'd lay around on Ben's couch. I know, he's not asking. So?

And, I use the same lube as Bambi and Belle. And I mention that because I missed National TMI Week.

LINK

After the jump, Hannah gets the knock on the door Belle fears most, especially when it's the wife of a Member of Parliament.

And she's pissed.

Sunday, 10:30, Showtime.

Video -- Billie Piper Does a US Talk Show (but it's Carson Daly, at 1:35 am)

So I have the clip from YouTube user BilliePiperFan82, who you should all go and thank in the comments on this clip.

Secret Diary premieres Sunday at 10:30, Showtime.

LINK

Video -- Billie Piper is IN! Says Daily Mail, Soccer Wife Beckham OUT!!! Secret Diary Returns Sunday

Well, I'm with that!

This is what Clare Coleman says in her piece today in the UK paper, which starts:

It's no coincidence that M&S is closing some of its swanky food stores at the same time that Greggs and Domino's Pizza are announcing a leap in sales.

Whether or not you're being crunched by the crisis, there's something a bit tacky about ostentatious consumption.

And of course, Billie is working, and working it in the new series of Secret Diary of a Call Girl which starts back up this Sunday at 10:30.  Coleman continues:

IN: Billie Piper

Our new heroine; she dresses down and seems more interested in work and family than fashion.

OUT: Posh

Oh VB, you were the ultimate aspirational icon, but now we're just starting to resent your Birkins bags.

But Billie's not interested in working the press in the US, apparently, as the series picks up this weekend on Showtime. I was kind of hopeful when I saw images in the British press of Billie and Laurence and baby Winston in Miami that she might do a US press tour.

I just don't get why the networks, cable or otherwise, that are carrying British fare don't bring their folks over for a press tour, at least for the premiere week if not more. How are people gonna know if Ellen or Bonnie of even Matt Lauer don't tell them?

They just might have to ... gasp! ... read this blog. But I know how many of you are reading and it's really really not enough.

(I was just thinking about how much Lauer would enjoy meeting Billie, she's just his type. He would be stammering and falling all over himself.)

Anyhow, there's a new preview clip after the jump. This is from the premiere, as Belle has a "date" with a guy named Alex. The problem is that it's a common name. Oops.

Both Alexes will be an issue for Hannah/Belle as the series progresses.

Sunday night, 10:30, after Tara, on Showtime.

Video -- Secret Diary of A Call Girl Series Two, Your Stateside First Look

I know that my UK readers have already seen series two of Billie Piper's ITV series, but your stateside pals have to wait until January 18.

Of course, I don't. I get the hookup from Rommel at Showtime, what a dear! I got episodes one through four in a very nicely presented package yesterday.

The short take is that series two is more of everything! More fun, more sexy, more hot guys, more new characters (including a fine looking Irish doctor bloke and a doe-eyed beauty who calls herself Bambi -- wait for the joke, it comes in the first episode).

And, interestingly, more conflict. Between Hannah and her family, between the returning ex-boyfriend Ben, between Ben and new boyfriend Alex, between Belle and Bambi and finally between Belle and Hannah, that conflict being over whether of not to get a boobie upgrade.

Some givens -- series one of this show wasn't heavyweight, it was pretty fluffy and cute like a puppy. And my being a huge fan of Ms. Piper was the motivation for my seeking out the show in the first place, way before Robert Greenblatt and his Showtime gang found it to bring it here.

We followed Hannah around as she worked as Belle the call girl who then tried ever so unsuccessfully to slip back into her real life skin after the night's work. We saw some conflict but not much, most of the first series to me was reminiscent of the scene at the end of episode one where Belle is riding the farmer guy john with a saddle on his back.

This series steps it up a couple notches. There's more to sink your teeth into this time out which is great to see. And Billie has more opportunity to stretch emotionally.

The scripts, as in series one, are all female written and Lucy Prebble continues on a the closest thing to a showrunner as a British show has.

And finally, this show makes London look beautiful like Woody Allen's cinematographers makes NYC look beautiful. And I love that, especially in high def.

Show returns on January 18 right after United States of Tara, it creates a nice hour of TV from Showtime for Sundays.

(BTW, you can see the series premiere of Tara right now at Joost. Click here, it'll open in a new window.)

Also from Joost, a clip from the last series of the show. It's after the jump.

Video -- Billie Piper's Back in Series Two of Secret Diary of a Call Girl

January 18th at 10:30 right after United States of Tara. Great hour of pay cable from Robert Greenblatt and the gang at Showtime.

Of course, series two has already been seen on ITV in the UK so there are spoilers from this stanza all over the web, but that also means that there is a lot of content for me to glom from the various sites, so I'm good with that.

After the jump I have a clip from Showtime, but first ... the series made SF Chronicle's TV writer Tim Goodman's top 25 list:

24. "Secret Diary of a Call Girl." Showtime. Imported from England and not tampered with, this series about dual lives may not be as deep as "Mad Men," but it kept up Showtime's penchant for sexy drama that's not merely skin deep.

And, the Associated Press chose Secret Diary as part of their top 12:

Funny, sexy, glamorous, racy, smart, heartwarming, eye-opening, even downright educational, plus sexy. In the title role of Showtime's tell-all comedy, Billie Piper has a strong rebuttal to the age-old saying, "Money can't buy happiness."

And finally, all the British tabs are again discussing Billie's future as a Time Lord.

Not gonna happen. Trust me.

Clip after the jump.

Is Billie Piper on Vacay and Catching Up on Her Facebook Friend Adds (Including Moi)?

Well first, I have Google alerts for all current and former DW actors ('cause I'm a GEEK! I can't believe I'm admitting that) and that's how I found out that Billie started her own personal Facebook page (as she's had an actor page and there's a Billie Piper Fans group as well and oh my god am I a geek) and so I clicked the link and because I'm a Facebook member and signed in it took me right to the link to add her so I did because Facebook is the dinner party that you never get to have (though sometimes nice people who have a moment do respond like Patton Oswalt who's funny in a small role in United States of Tara, btw).

So back to the Google alert and I see the Daily Mail headlines that go with the pics of Billie and her husband and baby on the beach in Miami, and my first thought is she should have better things to do in Miami than be on Facebook, you can be on Facebook at home.

Then I remember that when she added me on Facebook, because I enjoy writing comments to my own Facebook status messages (because my life requires explanation) I said, and I'll quote it here:

Joe is now friends with Billie Piper. 10:49am - 2 Comments

at 6:58pm December 29

Well, Facebook friends, anyway.

I'm not expecting Billie and Laurence to show up for lobsters on New Year's Day.

Unless they want to! Offer's there, kids. Bring the baby!

I, of course, not wanting anyone on the planet to feel disinvited and not mentioning that I know they're in the states makes me feel like I made them feel uninvited (a therapist could and has had a field day with remarks like that), I add ...

I did not realize that they were in Miami when I wrote the previous comment.

Maybe they wanna stop by. Billie? Call me.

We really are having lobsters on New Year's Day. Should be a good time.  Don't bring around that Amy Winehouse. My parents will be here and they might tolerate a little herb but nothing more than that.

How Big is David Tennant's Sonic Screwdriver? (not really talking about sonic screwdrivers)

Because apparently in the UK they talk about this all the time.

Notice we're never talking about how big a woman's womanly parts are. I mean "down there."

"Oh, yeah, I'm cavernous! Hear the echo? I got parking for three!"

No, none of that ever.

The Sun (of course):

Dr Who star David Tennant rang Absolute Radio yesterday — after it had been taken over for the morning by wives and girlfriends of Christian O’Connell’s team.

The girls were clearly not backward in coming forward. The first question they asked was about the size of the Timelord’s manhood.

The cheeky mums said: “I’ve heard a rumour that you are known as David Ten-inch. Is that true?”

He replied: “It was Billie Piper who first gave me that name and all I can say is she’s very generous.”

Cheeky. I like the word cheeky.

Speaking of sonic screwdrivers, this one pictured above is the future sonic screwdriver that River Song gives the Doctor in Silence in the Library, and its toy version will soon be available by Character Options at the usual places you buy such things and hopefully from WhoNA.com.

2 Clips -- Bad Doctor, Bad Donna (Truly Evil Edition)

Great clip from YouTube user VortexGuyz934. Could you imagine?

Right after the clip ends, Donna turns to the Doctor and says, "But am I bovvered?"

LINK

Series four of Doctor Who continues tonight on BBC America (or on your DVD player) with one of my favorite eps from this go-round, Planet of the Ood.

Only for those of you who have already seen the episode (though I can't enforce, obviously) the Song of the Ood in a clip after the jump.

Madonna Divorce -- UK Independent Says Guy Has "Done a Piper." What?

He's done a Piper. Not he's done Piper. He's done what Billie Piper did.

Read this:

Their publicists, who finally confirmed five weeks ago that the couple were to divorce, declined to comment on reports that Ritchie has "done a Piper" by refusing to take any of Madonna's estimated £300m fortune, despite being entitled to as much as half. The move is named after the actress Billie Piper, who walked away from her marriage to Chris Evans without taking any of his cash.

You know what I call it? Not holding your ex for ransom. These people have plenty of cash of their own, and after a while how much more money makes a difference, anyway?

So, call it what you like. It's what it is.

And not for nothin', but Ms. Ciccone is looking a lot like Bush's Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff these days, isn't she?

Around the Horn -- Our Newest Web Friends Edition

Only the newest and freshest links from the left hand column today, okay?

First off, we travel to B-Piper.com, a great Billie Piper fansite run by the lovely Mandy. She has a deleted scene from the series four Doctor Who DVD set from the scene in Norway (you know, at the end).

It is a great place to keep up with news about Billie, who also stars in Secret Diary of A Call Girl, which returns to US TV screens on Showtime in January.

Showtime site at this link.

Next, I met British journo and all around writer guy Keith Topping last year at the Gallifrey One convention in Los Angeles. Most recently, Topping links to Keith Olbermann's Special Comment on the CA Prop 8 sitch and says:

Keith Olbermann of MSNBC, you da man. WELL spoken.

I imagine that you will doubtless be crassly and ignorantly attacked for the views you've voiced in this editorial by various homophobic wretches not a million miles for your own backyard. (Indeed, I note from some of the - particularly poorly spelled - comments left on You Tube that you already have been.) Prophets are seldom appreciated and often spat upon in their own land. Nevertheless, I salute you, sir. Bravo.

Thanks for the support, Keith. I don't see you on the list for this years' confab, but I'm still hoping to see you.

Oops, I was wrong, he is on the list.

And to the right here is the cover of Keith's West Wing book, which you can buy at Amazon should you be sitting with the DVD set and need further research material.

Finally, we click over to SkinsOnline.net, a fan blog/site for the E4/BBC America teen drama Skins that's way better than Gossip Girl and 90210.

I would be remiss if I didn't link you to the lovely screengrabs of young Mitch Hewer who played Maxxie on the first two series of the show. But that's not my primary motive.

This is:

E4 has announced the new characters that will be introduced in the upcoming third season of its popular teen drama Skins, says Last Broadcast.

Tony Stonem's younger sister Effy (Kaya Scodelario) and her best friend Pandora (Lisa Backwell) will be the only existing cast members to appear in the third series next year.

The new additions to the girls' lineup are Katie and Emily, twins with contrasting personalities, and the idealistic Naomi.

The boys are comprised of the charismatic Cook (Jack O'Connell), skateboarding stoner Freddie, magician J.J., and Thomas, who struggles to settle in the UK after arriving from Congo.

Harry Enfield, Morwenna Banks and Geoffrey Hughes will return for guest appearances, along with new guest stars Scott Mills, Mackenzie Crook, Sally Phillips and James Fleet.

Kaya (pictured) is also upcoming in the new Kevin Spacey - Sam Rockwell film Moon. She's really quite remarkable on screen; on Skins she's played a character that doesn't speak much but you can't take your eyes off her when she's on.

She has a ferociously strong presence for someone so small and quiet. And, she's stunning. Another star in the making.

And we'll go around the horn again tomorrow (if I don't forget). You could do a guy a solid and remind him, you know

A Baby Boy for Billie Piper and Laurence Fox

His name is Winston James Fox and he came in at 6 lbs. 11 oz.

UK Telegraph:

The father, actor Laurence Fox, said of his newborn son: "He is beautiful. He is sweet. "Billie is happy, of course she is, she's a mum."

Speaking outside the private Portland Hospital in central London, a weary-looking Fox said: "I'm tired but not as tired as her. I'm a proud father. Mum is doing really well, no complications, healthy, brilliant."

Fox, scion of the acting dynasty which includes his father, James, and uncle, Edward, later celebrated with friends at a nearby pub where he showed off pictures of the baby on his mobile phone. He married Piper in December after they appeared together in a West End play.

If you're sending flowers (Doctor Who fans are crazy nuts, that's why I mention it. If I had money to throw around at strangers I would send a bouquet), here's the address:

The Portland Hospital

205 - 209 Great Portland Street London W1W 5AH

T: +44 (0)20 7580 4400

F: +44 (0)20 7390 8012

Or you could click this link and send email, though I don't have a room number, which they ask for.

More, including video (not of the birth you cretin) at this link from BBC News.

Diablo Cody Showtime Series Debuts Jan. 18, Paired With L Word Final Bow & Secret Diary Series Two

Roger Catlin at the Hartford Courant:

Showtime announced a start date for one of its most interesting new series. "United States of Tara" starring Toni Collette as a mother with multiple personalities, starts Jan. 18.

Among the executive producers are Steven Spielberg and Diablo Cody, the Oscar winner for "Juno." John Corbett, Nathan Corddry and Rob Moran also star. 

That Sunday night will also be marked by the second season start for "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" starring Billie Piper, and for the beginning of the sixth and final season of "The L Word."

I was not aware of the Nathan Corddry casting (image right). You saw Rob's brother in the only season of Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip.

Secret Diary of a Call Girl debuts this week on ITV in the UK. I'm sure many of you will be filling me in on how they shot around Billie's belly.

Nicola Mostyn at Manchester Confidential has more on the new season and says:

It’s the second series of Secret Diary of a Call Girl and it’s as seductive as ever. Though clearly, like any job, being an escort is not without its niggles. In the first episode, Belle met the wrong Alex in a hotel bar and was back in his room before she realised that this one was not a paying customer, but just a very surprised and excited anaesthetist. “I am fucking moving to London,” he said, unable to believe his luck, before Belle got the call that the real Alex – a much older, less attractive, portly fellow – was waiting in his hotel room and had to skedaddle.

Now, about that L Word spinoff that we keep hearing about, progress is being made. Leisha Hailey will come front and center as Alice Pieszecki on the series that's being developed by Ilene Chaiken.

Also, note that Digital Spy is reporting that Lucy Lawless is upcoming in this the final season of the landmark Showtime drama.

Does This Billie Piper News Spell an End to My Lara Logan Movie Campaign?

So, you know I'm pushing for Billie Piper to play Lara Logan in a movie about her Iraq War experiences, both on the battlefield and the love triangle story that apparently was taking place in safe houses around Baghdad between Logan, CNN's Michael Ware and that State Dept. contractor who is the father of her yet unborn child.

Read this link and this link for background.

Anyhow, bad news today in the form of a quote from Billie in the celeb glossy Now in the UK:

Secret Diary Of A Call Girl has been a huge success in the US – but its star Billie Piper says she has no intention on capitalising on her high profile over there.

She is due to give birth next month to her first child with husband Laurence Fox, 30, and admits she doesn't understand the lure Hollywood.

‘That world breeds neurosis and issues,’ she says. ‘I don’t think I could handle all that. That mad side of it all just doesn’t appeal.

Well, you can't really argue that point. It does. I've seen it happen.

But Billie could work on US projects without moving to LA, lots of people do. Thing is, I don't think the US powers that be that would greenlight something like this would do so with Billie in the lead unless she had a US track record, either in TV of film.

Though I can't imagine that a smart person couldn't see that she's very right for the role. And if I could have been just a little part of the push to get Rachel Maddow her own MSNBC show, I figure I might be able to do something about this, too.

Now, about Logan, there's a piece in the new outstanding issue of Radar Magazine which is on newsstands that could be the source material for the movie. I'd provide a link, but the article isn't posted at their site. Foolish Radar editors, you don't see Newsweek doing that. Check this NY Observer link for more on the article.

I just know that this project is Billie's key to the big time. I just know.

It is, after all, my millieu.

Oh, and I'd like someone good to direct, like maybe a Jon Avnet or a Mimi Leder.

Billie Piper, Ruby In the Smoke, Tonight on PBS

The first of two Billie Piper as Sally Lockhart films from BBC airs tonight at 9 (check your local PBS listings for your area).

From PBS.org:

Sally Lockhart has just struck a man dead. Not with a weapon, though she has a pistol and probably the heart to use it. Sally killed Mr. Higgs with just three words — the seven blessings. Unfortunately, she has no idea what they mean. They were sent to her by her father, just before he drowned in the South China Seas, in a letter warning Sally of danger to come.

She had hoped that her father's colleague, Mr. Higgs, might have explained the mystery. Instead he died of fear. The only other person to witness this strange turn of events is Jim Taylor, the young assistant at the Lockhart & Selby shipping firm. With his passion for solving mysteries, Jim helps Sally begin to answer the questions surrounding her father's death. Together, they are quickly drawn into a mystery filled with opium, Chinese gangs, secrets from Sally's own past — and, at the heart of it all, the Ruby of Agrapur.

PBS has an interview with Billie, and here's a taste:

"I love all the different areas of this profession and I do feel like I am finally on my way. If the right movie came along I would love to do it but I am enjoying television work at the moment. I have seen a few big action scripts but I would love to do something a bit more domestic like current affairs or a political thriller... anything with a social conscience. But we shall see what comes along."

I would love, as you know, to see Billie play CBS Iraq war journo Lara Logan in a feature. She's perfect for it, she even resembles the South African-born Logan. I hope Billie has seen this previous post and is busy finding out that Lara is a strong woman in a complex male-oriented world (still, sadly) and could be her road to mainstream film success.

Obligatory Yet Gratuitous Billie Piper Baby-Naming Post -- Rose If It's a Girl!

Yes, it's gratuitous. But, well, there's room for a little of that on a Sunday, isn't there?

OK! Magazine (the epitome of journali ... sorry, couldn't get that out without laughing):

(T)hey have asked everyone from the baker to the bartender in the local pub for their opinion.

To make matters worse, Billie has no desire to know whether it will be a boy or a girl - doubling the number of names they can choose.

The Swindon-born actress now has scores of baby names taped to her fridge door under headings of Boys and Girls.

A close friend says that Laurence thinks his wife is having a girl and his favourite names are Fanny and Victoria.

They, of course, are Billie and her husband Laurence Fox.

Surely, the only girl name that's suitable is Rose, dontcha think?

Rose Tyler Piper Fox. Lovely. I'm all for it.

This also popped up in the last few days, about Billie returning, possibly, to the tardis (BBC News):

Piper told The Radio Times: "I haven't thought about it," adding "at some point you've just got to let go".

The actress, who is expecting her first child with actor husband Laurence Fox, said that motherhood is her priority over "the rest of my career".

She also denied having speech problems in recent Doctor Who episodes, blaming it on filming in cold weather.

Cold weather? Really? Not the dental work? You can still get on a plane after the baby is born and go see Dr. Smigel in NYC. Kelly Ripa swears by him.

And, as much as I love Rose, I think her arc is done on Doctor Who. She has her happy ending. Let her be.

Did Billie Piper Plan Baby to Arrive on Seth MacFarlane's (and My Own) Birthday?

No. Of course she didn't. That's just rubbish, the most ridiculous kind of scrurrilous ... well, I did make it up all by myself. Anything? Anyone?

Funny, Billie probably couldn't pick Seth out of a crowd of Cher impersonators. Nah, she probably could, huh.

Certainly you could pick me out of a crowd of Cher impersonators, I'm the one with the beard. Actual beard, not some woman I pretend to date.

But when I let my hair grow, it's ... actually it's kind of like a salt & pepper Sonia Braga 'do, which is why I get it buzzed off.

But, I thought I'd take a moment to update you all (via the UK press) on the haps as Billie prepares to deliver.

Daily Mail, tops in celeb pregnancy news, click there for the copyrighted pics:

Billie who is seven months pregnant with her first child with husband Laurence Fox, 29, stepped out in a baggy grey jumper dress as she flip flopped to the chemists with a mobile phone clasped firmly to her ear.

(snip)

The 25-year-old actress has kept herself busy throughout her pregnancy, filming the entire second series of raunchy ITV drama Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, despite the fact that she felt like a 'sweating sea cow' for most of it.

‘I found the heat very uncomfortable,’ she revealed. ‘I was thirsty all the time and always needing the toilet – which is really unhelpful when working to such a tight schedule!’

'I needed two body doubles in the end. As I got more and more pregnant I began to gain weight so it looked silly having a really skinny body double.'

And we will see that second season upcoming on Showtime here in the states, with ITV producing and airing in the UK.

Above is a still from the upcoming second season of Secert Diary ... with the director certainly taking advantage of Billie's pregnancy, those breasts are certainly a little, uh, fuller than usual, dontcha think?

The Sun (that bastion of journalistic ethic):

The 25-year-old – who is expecting her first child with husband Laurence Fox in October – said: “When I am playing Belle I have to play a sexually liberated, empowered young prostitute but unfortunately I felt like a sweating sea cow!”

She also said other effects of pregnancy – such as cravings, needing the toilet all the time and wanting food constantly - didn’t help while the series was being made.

Well, we think she still looks bloomin’ marvellous!

The second series of the show will start on ITV1 next month.

Nice, I guess the italics make it all okay.

And yes, I know they used the same quotes. They always do. At least the Daily Mail attempted to fashion a story by actually describing the photo on the page. Lame, but an attempt, anyway.

Season one fanvid sexy montage after the jump. YouTube user helmutundhammer, nice job!

Confirmed: Secret Diary ..., Billie Returns Next Season -- Not Confirmed? Andy and Nancy Botwin Hooking Up on Weeds

I just got an e-card from someone at Showtime, who revealed that Showtime will indeed pick up the second season of Billie Piper's Secret Diary of a Call Girl (and I betcha the third as well, but we'll have to see).

Tonight? Big changes in Hannah's and Belle's life when she gets the offer of a lifetime. Well, it's the offer of a lifetime in her line of work, anyway.

And, I actually have a series of comments about what happens in tonight's episode, but I'm holding till after. Because we start to venture out of rental territory and into what I thought was a very well paid servitude role (with which in fact I was somewhat uncomfortable).

And about the next go-round, Billie's talking to The Sun (or they're making it up, you decide):

Belle’s menu of saucy hardcore fetishes will even overshadow the last series of the ITV2 show, when she took part in threesomes, spanking and swinging. But the second series wasn’t easy to film as Billie fell pregnant with her first child.

She said: “I needed two body doubles in the end.

“As I got more and more pregnant I began to gain weight so it looked silly having a really skinny body double.”

So, watch tonight at 10:30, right after a new episode of Weeds, tonight on Showtime. I gotta watch last week's Weeds first, however. I think Nancy Botwin's on her way to being the first lady of Tijuana.

Yes, Nancy's playing with fire, but that mayor is one sexy devil.

Oh, and btw, rumors of a Nancy-Andy romance on Weeds? Kristin Dos Santos at E! says:

If you thought there was some Andy-Nancy chemistry in the past couple of eps, you weren't imagining it. Jenji says Andy (Justin Kirk) does have some burgeoning feelings for Nancy, but that for now those feelings are a a one-way street. Says Jenji about Andy's Nancy-crush, "I think he would be self-protective, because I don't think his feelings would be reciprocated in that way, [even though] they've entered into this partnership...Although, biblically speaking, you are supposed to take on your dead brother's wife." Biblical mandates aside, "Ultimately I don't think it's going to play out this season, because she has other fish to fry."

What do you think about that? Use the comments.

In a Little Teenie Weenie Mention in this Times Article on Amy Winehouse, I Found This

LINK

This kind of manipulative and disruptive behaviour didn’t play well at any of the schools she briefly attended. The last, the Sylvia Young Theatre School, to which she won a scholarship aged 14, and where she befriended Billie Piper, expelled her after two years.

And that's why Billie Piper always mentions Amy when asked who her fave singer is.

I found the pic at this link.

Donna Noble, Not Just a Temp From Chiswick

On an almost related note, did you notice how many ads BBC Video bought for the Doctor Who series 1, 2 and 3 box sets? Nice move, BBC Video marketing department!

And by the way, to all those people who were the target of my wrath re RTD and all the online dissing, once again ... Yeah, get over yourselves. This is a great, great ep.

The only thing wrong with this episode is that you look back on that montage sequence at the end of series three (Last of the Time Lords) when Martha walked across all the continents building support for the Doctor and realize that could have been a whole episode and a good one.

From Wikipedia:

For a whole year, Martha had crossed the globe, telling the human race about the Doctor, and instructing everyone to think of the Doctor at the same time the Master plans to launch his fleet. Crucially combined with the Master's own Archangel satellite network — which the Doctor has had an entire year to get in tune with — this has the effect of charging the Doctor with the combined psychic energy of the people of Earth. Now renewed with powerful psychokinetic abilities, the Doctor restores his youthful physiognomy and ends the Master's control. As the Master cowers, the Doctor says the words the Master was afraid to hear: "I forgive you".

You remember now, it all happen in a blink of an eye (no, not THAT blink of an eye).

[Speaking of which, did you see that part of the Doctor Who sweep of the big awards at Canada's Constellation Awards was, surprisingly, Carey Mulligan, above, the highly regarded Sally Sparrow. How cool is that? Steve Moffat should bring her back in series five. Is there a Facebook group for that? There is a Sally Sparrow Appreciation Society, but it's rather quiet on the page, not much activity.]

More after the jump.

Serendipity? CBS News' Lara Logan & Billie Piper Concurrently Pregnant

Which of course means that if they wrote a script in moments and got financing and got logistics done in the next 15 minutes, Billie could be playing Lara in a great HBO/BBC co-production about Logan's time in Iraq and Afghanistan, her head butting with CBS News honchos about covering said wars the way they should be covered, the personal aspects which include affairs of the heart with a US State Dept. contractor and CNN's Michael Ware, and the problems in general with being an aggresive woman in a man's game, coverage war and bloodshed for a nation that just doesn't seem to wanna see it while the whole time that country's government is making error after error and telling lie after lie.

Actually, that's a great pitch for the movie.

Hey, HBO, I'm right here! Call me!

(These are damn good link in this post. Click a few of them, will ya?)

It's Rubber Dress Night on Secret Diary of a Call Girl

I told you I'd remind you. Come for the rubber dress, stay for the bondage humor.

That's right, I said it, bondage humor.

Tonight at 10:30, after an all new Weeds on Showtime.

I Have Already Cast the Lead In Movie Version of Lara Logan's Afghanistan/Iraq Book

The interesting point here is that Lara hasn't written that book yet.

For those outside the US (or too lame to watch the news) Lara is CBS' new Chief Foreign Correspondent, though she's gonna be based in D.C., which is just stupid, btw.

She's done a helluva job covering wars that US media chiefs don't find interesting anymore. Actually, I'm not sure if there's no war coverage because the American people don't care or because big media wants us to take our eyes off the horrific nature of it all.

Anyhow, this is Lara Logan ...

And this is the woman who should play her either on TV or in the movies.

Billie should jump at the chance to do this. I would option anything Lara writes. Billie has the money. If I were her, I would start creating relationships at Simon & Schuster, which I'm guessing would be the publisher of any CBS News reporter's tome.

There's also a personal story going on, it is rumored. Purportedly, Ms. Logan is the center of a love triangle that includes among others CNN reporter Michael Ware (who we love, he's the best) and another reporter. There are rumors of a big blowout between two men in an Iraq safehouse over the lovely Ms. Logan, who can also report her ass off, don't ever sell her short. She's hardly just a pretty face. Braver than I am, for sure.

Left Turn: The Most Dramatic Doctor- Lite

I never allow myself to get in on the same-day Doctor Who writing for too many reasons, but since I'm here avoiiding the excessive Southern California heat anyway, I thought I'd share,

Certainly this is the most dramatic Doctor-Lite episode, those shot without the Doctor and usually, but not in this case the companion as well -- there was a Donna-lite episode previous to this called Midnight -- it's all Catherine Tate and Billie Piper and sets up the final two-parter that will cap this series.

In fact, in terms of drama I would place it in a category with the Martha story in the final two eps of series three. There's a very epic quality to the narrative, and definitely backed up by production and performances. You're gonna like it, it does not disappoint. I was shocked when the episode was seemingly over so quickly.

The Noble family gets the focus, Donna's life choices in particular. You might also call the episode Donna Noble, This Could Have Been Your Life, or something to the effect.

Meanwhile, Rose keeps popping back from her parallel universe, refuses to give her name and is all business and no ceremony. I particularly like the Doctor-esque moment where she refuses the salute of an British military special ops person.

No Martha, as rumored, but I do have something vague to tell you about next week and the series (as in season) finale ... if they have or are exploring aliens races and planets inside the mind of Russell T. Davies, you will see them very very soon. The crossovers are mindblowing.

And you know how much I loooooove it when worlds collide!!!!

Very excited. RTD is going out like a lion.

UPDATE: I just learned the very reasonable biologist and author of The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins will be guesting in the fourth series finale. And also Paul O'Grady, who apparently is an openly gay British comic and drag comic (his alter ego is named Lily Savage), see this Wikipedia link for more on him.

Doctor Who: Make a Right? A Left? Doesn't Matter, Because ...

Make a left?

Or a right turn?

Just make sure you turn it on, because ... she's baaaaaaack!

 

And, I'll have more later.

UK Mag Liveblogging Billie's Return to Doctor Who

What's on TV, the TV listings magazine and website in the UK, will be liveblogging on their new Doctor Who blog called Web of Fear for the return of the beloved Rose Tyler to the show.

Click here for the website, here for the blog.

It airs tonight at 6:40 pm in the UK.

Other great links for today's big event are Planet Gallifrey, which is always linked in my left column, Den of Geek, and Fanboy G33k, which is populated by our web pal, Edinburgh's own Stu Arnott, among others.

Later this weekend, I have comments on the first of Steve Moffat's two-parter that aired here last night (I watched it two more times, in fact).

After the jump, the trailer for the episode. If you aren't keeping up with UK airdates, maybe you wanna wait a little before watching this.

Secret Diary: Belle's New Videoblog on Client Types

Billie looks fabulous in this clip.

Wow, I haven't had a crush on a girl since, uh, Christine Petersen? 11th grade? Of course, I'd probably do now what I would have done then, pay for everything, ask for nothin' and drive through Mickey Ds on the way home.

(I know some of my friends will argue this point, but trust me, it was 11th grade The one or two after that were kind of a test. Sorry.)

TMI? Sorry. I had to say something before I say ...

... this clip is after the jump.

Oh, the pic above? Screengrab with Billie and Iddo Goldberg (Ben) from episode six. Something to look forward to, folks. Clothes will come off, they will.

Note to Mica, I had this image long before you guys picked up the show.

Billie Piper Talks to Barry Garron at the Hollywood Reporter

And it's posted up at my pal Ray Richmond's blog Past Deadline for all of you to click to, but first, a quick excerpt:

I asked Piper if she could imagine herself in real life as a call girl and whether the intimate scenes were difficult to play. She replied: "Not so much the kind of clumsy, awkward sex. It's funny how you can disconnect from that. The more kind of intimate, emotional sex scenes are always really tricky. I did find that quite hard.

"It's funny because even though we're acting and there's no genuine sex going on, when people say to me, 'Do you think you're advocating prostitution?' I just think, 'Well, no, because if prostitution was all sweet and easy and a perfect profession, then everyone would be doing it.' But it's not. It's really, really hard. And having pretended to do these sex scenes, I could never imagine myself really doing it."

And I really don't think I have to mention one more time that Secret Diary of a Call Girl debuts tonight at 10:30 after an all new Weeds, on Showtime, and then after on Showtime on Demand, where you make the schedule, you are the programming chief.

Oh, are you wondering about the wedding dress? Well, I guess you'll just have to keep watching.

If You Have Today's New York Times ...

... turn to pages 18 and 19.

You'll see that story I excerpted about Russell Davies from the International Herald-Tribune, you'll see a feature on Billie Piper and just for good measure a story about Kathy Griffin.

It's as if this blog were cut open and left to drip across those two page.

And, as always, it's nice to see the Times catch up with me.

I'm out for the day, talk amongst yourselves.

Can you believe Galactica finally got to Earth and it was destroyed? I can. I live here.

Billie, Secret Diary, Get Good Notices at Entertainment Weekly

Gillian Flynn says:

Based on the memoir The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl, Diary is interested as much in the workaday moments of the sex trade: lonely 3 a.m. hotel lobbies; etiquette and hygiene; encounters boring, unpleasant, or strangely sweet, all in leached London light.

Piper is extraordinary, intermittently talking right to the camera in a straightforward, conspiratorial manner, the way a prostitute who's really good at her job would talk to a client. Her nonwork life pulls you in too, with her self-conscious confessions to best friend and ex Ben (Iddo Goldberg), and the occasional tease of a world where she doesn't meet her sister's new baby with a Bettie Page wig in her handbag. The series shows the darker side of Belle's work without getting into that porno-punishing crap so often disguised as morality lessons.

Two days and some hours from now on Showtime (right after the season premiere of Weeds) and then I assume at Showtime on Demand. Don't, I repeat, don't miss the pilot, it sets the tone for the entire first series.

And it's Billie Piper, and you need to know who she is. Actually, you should already, but I'm giving you a break because I assume you all have lives.

Anyone seen mine?