Raven

Although they did show Holmes taking drugs when they first started the Jeremy Brett series, they dropped it quite quickly (mainly because Brett didn't like the idea of children watching the show and thinking it was a good thing to do). I don't believe the stories suffered because of that, so I wouldn't have a problem with any future adaptation that left it out.

Speaking for myself, I'm just viewing this as a bit of fun - it is so over the top that it clearly isn't trying to be a faithful adaptation (despite all the "it was in the books!" comments they are rolling out). Downey Jr. was great in Iron Man, and looks like he's playing this in a similar vein - should be good!

This will give you an overview of Doctor Who. From what you have said, I think you may have come in on the end of the most recent series, which is the fourth since the series returned in 2005 (after a 16 year break!). The first episode of the new run of Doctor Who started Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor, and it starts from the basic premise that people may not have seen the series before. The first episode of that series was called Rose.

You really need to start with the first episode of new Who, Rose, to get the best idea of what is going on. If you watch them in order from that, the story builds as it goes along.

I've seen a couple of interviews in the last day or so (Graham Norton and BBC Breakfast - yes, I was stuck in a Travelodge in London last night . . .) and the party line seems to be "It all comes from the original source material" (with the exception of the plot). How true that is - and how many liberties they have taken - I have no idea, but it looks like a lot of fun, and it's something I'd like to see!

Saw Mr. Pratchett last night, and on fine form he was too! There will be a podcast of it available from the Guardian Book Club web site shortly, though judging by the length of the others Terry must have gone on a good hour longer than everyone else, and was quite prepared to do more (he really seemed to like the wine!).

No, it doesn't, and if you throw in the fact that they haven't shown any pictures of the Triffids yet, it makes you wonder about the strength of the production.

I wouldn't hold your breath, if you are a fan of the book. Some of the promotional material that has been released is making it sound as though someone has taken a hatchet to the plot and characters. We'll have to wait and see, but I strongly suspect that this could be this years The Thirty-Nine Steps.

That's what you get when you listen to "You Sexy Thing" on an endless loop . . .

Absolutely Bongos Doctor Who BBC Christmas Ident. Love it!

Enjoy it, it's been great fun so far - a great cast and good, solid stories. Top stuff!

Looks like this is going to air on December 28th and 29th at 9pm on BBC One (two 90 minute episodes).

The BBC has announced that Merlin has been picked up for a third series, well deserved in my opinion!

Cormac McCarthy to part with trusty typewriter. What a sterling idea!

I liked Tosh, wasn't a big fan of Monkey Boy Owen though . . . (though to be fair, he did get better in the second series. Mainly after he was dead . . .). What's the betting on Martha and Micky in the next series?

There were at least two Discworld games on the PC, I played the demos for both of them - back in the day - but I can't say either really grabbed me. From memory, I think Eric Idle did the voice of Rincewind in both.

I believe Sharpe's Eagle was the first book published; Sharpe's Rifles was a "prequel" in today

I think I've heard recently that Waterstones are doing okay at the mo.

*Groan* Whilst the Tiffany Aching books are good, he's not written a Witches novel since he started this series and I'd far rather have a Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat book than another one of these.

If it manages to be as good as Children of Earth I'm all for it!

Not by much, the BBC are now reporting that they have gone into Administration.

It does get better as it goes along, the first series has some very ropey epsiodes (the one with the Cyberwoman was dreadful . . .). RTD was quoted the other day saying that talks are under way for series four, and that all going well he should start writing for it early next year.

That wasn't the film I was thinking of. I'm probably being a bit too random (and nerdy!) but both of those lines from A Tale of Two Cities were prominantly quoted in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

I know what film you've been watching! I've always thought: "Call me Ishmael." (Moby Dick, by Herman Melville) Was a good first line, but I think my favourite is: "When a day that you happen to know is a Wednesday starts off by sounding like Sunday, there is something seriously wrong somewhere" (Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham).

No idea I'm afraid, my knowledge is limited to the article above.