Doctor Who coming to WVIA-TV
- Publication: The Danville News
- Date: 1987-05-08
- Author:
- Page: 9
- Language: English
PITTSTON — The seventh and newest 'Doctor' — Scottish actor Sylvester McCoy — will make his only Pennsylvania appearance when the "Doctor Who Celebration and Tour" comes to WVIA on May 13 and 14.
The tour has been organized by Lionheart Television International — the B.B.C. in America — in support of the B.B.C.'s phenomenally successful television series "Doctor Who," which can be seen on WVIA TV Channel 44 weekdays at 7:30 p.m.
The 24-year-old program, which premiered in the U.S. in 1977, is the longest running science fiction show in television history. It is seen in the U.S. on more than 180 PBS stations with a worldwide viewing audience of over 110 million in 60 countries. The program features an eccentric character called the Doctor, who, with a host of colorful companions, enjoys adventures in time and space. Six British actors have portrayed the Doctor in the past, each with their own distinct personality, costume and flair.
An "experience theater on wheels" is the tour's focal point. A 48-foot-long mobile exhibition features the show's most famous monsters and villains with special effect animation, lighting and sound. Visitors enter the exhibit by walking through a TARDIS — the Doctor's time traveling craft forever locked into the shape of an old English police call box. They can see a mock-up of the ship's control panel before entering into an illusion of space within which the figures are displayed.
Sylvester McCoy will be hosting question and answer sessions on May 13 and 14, and will also sign autographs. Sylvester's career has spanned both dramatic and comedy roles in theater, television and feature film productions. He was playing the lead role in the National Theater's production of "The Pied Piper" when "Doctor Who" producer John Nathan-Turner approached him.
The tour will be appearing at the studios of WVIA, Old Boston Road, Pittston, on Wednesday, May 13, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday, May 14, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The WVIA site marks the only appearance of the tour in Pennsylvania. WVIA members will be entitled to two free admissions by bringing their May Tempo magazine with mailing label to the Dr. Who Tour. Non-member ticket prices are $7.50 for adults, with children under 6 admitted free. In addition to the exhibition trailer and the appearances by Sylvester McCoy, several documentaries on the series and the tour will be shown throughout the day and a new range of "Doctor Who" merchandise and collectibles will be for sale.
"This 'Who' event, like the television series itself, is family entertainment," said Brian Sloman, Lionheart's director of special projects. "By visiting over 75 major U.S. cities, we hope to thank the PBS stations and their viewers by presenting an exciting attraction for fans and newcomers to the show alike."
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- APA 6th ed.: (1987-05-08). Doctor Who coming to WVIA-TV. The Danville News p. 9.
- MLA 7th ed.: "Doctor Who coming to WVIA-TV." The Danville News [add city] 1987-05-08, 9. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "Doctor Who coming to WVIA-TV." The Danville News, edition, sec., 1987-05-08
- Turabian: "Doctor Who coming to WVIA-TV." The Danville News, 1987-05-08, section, 9 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Doctor Who coming to WVIA-TV | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Doctor_Who_coming_to_WVIA-TV | work=The Danville News | pages=9 | date=1987-05-08 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=23 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Doctor Who coming to WVIA-TV | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Doctor_Who_coming_to_WVIA-TV | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref>
