Time's up for 24

Whilst an official announcement has yet to be made, Variety is reporting that Fox has decided to end the show, which is currently airing its eighth season.  As previously reported, however, it is expected that the franchise will continue in movie form.

Studio and network execs declined comment -- but it's believed that the final decision will be made in the next day or two. Move is not a huge surprise, but still reps the end of an era for Fox.

"24" helped usher in Fox's ratings surge in the 2000s, as the franchise -- along with "American Idol" and "House," among other series -- led the network to the No. 1 spot in the adults 18-49 demo.

But the cost of producing "24" has continued to increase, while ratings have dipped. A one-time critical darling, "24" has also received its share of knocks from critics this season.

The studio is said to be considering shopping "24" to other nets -- but given the thriller's age and pricetag, it's believed interest from other outlets will be limited.

Yet even as the bell tolls for "24" in primetime, the franchise is far from dead. Sutherland and the "24" team have been keen on adapting the show as a feature film, and have made major strides in recent months toward making that long-term goal a reality.

Twentieth Century Fox's film side recently hired scribe Billy Ray ("State of Play," "Flightplan") to pen the script for the feature version (Daily Variety, Feb. 8.)

Ray's pitch, which takes Jack Bauer to Europe, was a hit with Fox execs and producers of the high-concept television series.

Behind the Scenes of SFX Magazine's 3D Doctor Who Cover

The latest issue of SFX Magazine (published today) features a 3D cover of Doctor Who stars Matt Smith and Karen Gillan.

In addition to the lengthy article about the new series in the magazine, you can view a number of behind the scenes photos from the cover shoot here.

Wicked London 2010-11 Cast Blogs

lastminute.com has posted the first in a new series of backstage blogs from Wicked London, which will follow the cast in rehearsals though to 29th March.

The video, which you can view here, features a brief glimpse of new cast members Rachel Tucker (Elphaba), Louise Dearman (Glinda), Cassie Compton (Nessarose) and Lewis Bradley (playing Fiyero until Lee Mead joins the cast in May).

Below: Rachel and Louise appearing in "Jest End"

Doctor Who UK Tour

From the BBC Press Office:

Doctor Who will begin an exciting national tour across the UK in March, introducing the new Doctor to fans of the series in five different locations spanning the length and breadth of the British Isles.

The tour will introduce the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith, and his Companion, Karen Gillan, to fans of the BBC One show and offer them a unique chance to meet the stars.

Each location will also host a regional premiere of episode one, The Eleventh Hour, for local children, working alongside BBC Outreach to enable kids to get a first look at the new Doctor in action.

Matt and Karen will travel around the UK on a specially themed Doctor Who tour bus, featuring the new TARDIS logo and iconic imagery.

BBC Outreach proactively takes the BBC into specific communities and sections of society, and has been integral in organising and supporting the tour.

The focus of the tour is to reach relatively under-served communities by the BBC.

The Doctor's maiden voyage will commence on 29 March in Belfast, and then travel to Karen Gillan's home town, Inverness, for a screening on 30 March.

The bus will then move on to Sunderland that afternoon and Salford on Wednesday 31 March before finishing later that day in Northampton – Matt Smith's hometown.

Following the tour, from 1 to 3 April, the BBC will also hold events for three days at selected BBC Big Screens across the UK giving Doctor Who fans in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Plymouth and Swansea the chance to interact directly with the show in their home towns.

The events will feature exclusive footage – including the chance to see the Doctor Who trailer in 3D – and giveaways, and fans can also get their photo taken tumbling through the giant vortex.

Visitors will be able to meet some of the scariest monsters that have had viewers watching from behind their sofa for generations as well.

Piers Wenger, Executive Producer, and Head of Drama, BBC Wales, said: "This is a great opportunity for the new Doctor and his Companion to interface directly with the people who matter most to Doctor Who: the fans.

"The chance to visit them in their hometowns will ensure that the 11th Doctor's maiden voyage is an utterly magical one."

Alec McGivan, Head of BBC Outreach, added: "Outreach is all about getting face to face with people so they can get involved and experience the BBC in a different and exciting way – we're delighted to be able to take one of the BBC's best loved brands out to its audience."

PPR

 

Matt Smith/Karen Gillan Interviews.

With the new series' launch less than a month away, it's becoming increasingly hard to avoid Matt Smith and Karen Gillan, who are interviewed in the latest issues of Esquire and InStyle Magazine respectively.

Today The Guardian has also published a lengthy interview with Matt, which you can read here.  As Matt explains, he was actually hoping to become a professional footballer until injury put a stop to this, however the new Doctor will be putting those skills to use in a future episode, as can be seen below.  More photographs from recent filming can be found here.

Pictured below: Karen Gillan (Photo: Matthew Eades) & Matt Smith (Photo: WENN).

Zachary Levi discusses his directoral debut, Chuck vs the Beard

Webcast with White Collar's Matt Bomer & Tim DeKay