Doctor Who Club of Australia

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 3897

Primeval is Doctor Who's rival on ITV.

Found out from an ad that Primeval is among the new shows to be shown on 9 this year.

It is also one of the shows that Michael Idato assesses in the SMH Guide but does not seem to be impressed with it:
"Primeval (Nine)

From the makers of Walking with Dinosaurs and (the slightly less thrilling) Prehistoric Park comes the television version of Jurassic Park III. (A chilling omen ... did someone say Tea Leoni?) Top visual effects and all that but surely the dinosaur thing has been well and truly pumped dry?"

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 3897

Here's the trailer and it looks pretty good:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds41256.html

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 3897

ITV is backing Primeval with a heavyweight marketing campaign:
http://www.brandrepublic.com/bulletins/media/article/627450/primeval-heavyweight-push-itv-takes-doctor-who/

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 3897

SFX's article on Primeval:
http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=sea_monsters_and_centipedes_in

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 3897

Comparisons between Primeval and Doctor Who have been made in the British press. Heat magazine said "...it's not a fair comparison - where Doctor Who is quirky, playful and very British, this glossy adventure is more in the American style, with spectacular effects, fancy locations and less larking about... For all it's slickness, Primeval would be improved by the presence of a David Tennant or a Billie Piper. But what wouldn't?". Closure magazine commented that as, "Doctor Who proved that decent sci-fi drama can be a huge family hit, so you can't blame ITV for wanting a piece of the action."

SharazJek · Joined: 12 Aug 2005 Posts: 889 Location: Hobart, Tasmania

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 3897

phase5 · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 246

Spoke to a few friends in the UK who have ACTUALLY seen "Primeval" and quiet frankly they aren't very impressed by it. Seems it's more "hype" then an actual show worth watching.

Lame stories and effects are the usual comments.
And it only took 2 years to get to air.

First episode rated around 6.5million from what I was told, which for a premiere in the UK market is somewhat disappointing.

Looks like Channel 9 might not have any programmes this year, as this is their only new one that hasn't been cancelled from what I've read.

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see .......

phase5 · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 246

Greg · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 5:58 pm Post subject:

phase5 · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 246

I know there is this attitude that it's "OK" to cut & paste provided you credit the cut & paste, (a lot of people do it and no one seems to care), but as I've tried to point out OUTPOST GALLIFREY states quiet clearly, (as do just about every other website I've ever visited), the YOU CANNOT CUT & PASTE FROM OUTPOST GALLIFREY. Ever. No excuses. That's in their "Terms Of Use". Access our site, read it, but no cutting and pasting from in.

You could probably get away with paraphasing something you've read elsewhere in a post, and mentioning the sourse, but really, no-one should be cutting and pasting without written permission of the copyright owner. That's the website the psot is on.

And really, is there any need to cut and paste?
We all seem to know where most news pages are, and it's much easier to read the news on a news page, rather then sort through a discussion forum to "maybe" find a (naughty) cut & pasted post on some topic.

JMHO. (And the "Terms of Use" of most websites).

Greg · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject:

Yes, it says something like that - 'Any duplication or reproduction of items on this page without permission of the editor is prohibited.'

It should be noted, of course, that much of the Outpost Gallifrey news page includes quotes from magazines. Perhaps they have permission for each and every magazine to use the quotes. Outpost Gallifrey is a US-based web-site, and there's all sorts of bizarre copyright and fair use laws there. By way of example, you can't copyright facts. A reproduction of facts is unlikely to attract any substantial copyright problems, though reproduction of opinions may.

Our commonwealth government was going to amend Australian copyright law to introduce 'fair use' concepts (in fact it was an election promise!) with the specific intention of facilitating posting of material on the internet. However, our copyright law does include the concept of 'fair dealing', and reporting news is one of the categories of fair dealing. It's not as simple as that, of course!

Here's what the Australian Copyright Council has to say on this:

phase5 · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 246

I've read the Australian Copyright Act of 1968; and the amendments from the 90s. (And what a headache legalise is. It seems to say one thing while actually sayiong the opposite).

Basically; everything's illegal.

You can't photocopy printed material, you can't operate a device design to record broadcast television or radio etc, etc.

I agree that "People should be careful, considerate and polite in posting material from other sources to this forum".

Perhaps the best idea is to get clearance from the website in question first. And then state that any cut & pasted item is "reproduced under premission of the copyright holder".

Or paraphase it; or just NOT do it.
We all know where the news pages are after all.

Just a thought.

PS. I think you'll find OG has a agreement to reproduce the information it publishes with the various copyright owners.

Greg · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:27 pm Post subject:

phase5 · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 246

phase5 · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 246

Back on topic ...

Just received an email telling me that Series 1 of "Primeval" will be released on DVD on March 19th. Available from the usuaul online suppliers.

Be aware that you may prefer to wait until you've seen it on Channel 9 first. Feedback from friends in the UK is that just like "Torchwood" it didn't live up to the hype and is somewhat disappointing.

Greg · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:53 pm Post subject:

I've also seen mixed reviews of Primeval. The real problem is trying to work out whether your tastes coincide with the tastes of those who like the program or those that dislike it...!

phase5 · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 246

I read in this mornings paper that "Primeval" starts Saturday 28th April on Channel 9. I wonder if they are trying to get the drop on Channel 10 who have "Torchwood"? Both shows being VERY different but with a similiar context. (Time Rift/Portal etc). At least you can let the older kiddies watch "Primeval", it's mostly harmless. (And silly). "Torchwood" is for grownups only, and even then they'll probably tune out.

And I also read that Chaser beat "Heroes" in the ratings. Nice to see some home grown material winning for a change ....

arturo · Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Posts: 78 Location: Toowoomba

Ive seen a couple of eps of this series and kind of like it.

I think the DW and Torchwood comparisons are inevitable but not altogether fair. It is a different syle of program with a different audience in mind.

The sfx are pretty cool. It is a good looking show with a good looking cast. There are some plot holes and jumps in logic but it seems to be a decent genre type program. Ive seen the 2 and 3rd eps with giant spiders and centipedes and killer croc monsters. There seems to be an interesting story arc to cover the season. My niece loves it (though she is a nerdy 6 yo).

Id give it one thumb up. It's cool. kinda fun, but no DW. In some ways i think it may end up as better than torchwood.

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 3897

Found out from Madds at Buffy Down Under that Primeval will be at 7:30pm from the aforementioned date of April 28.