Untitled (Tonight's the Night): Difference between revisions

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{{Rename|''Tonight's the Night'' (TV story) as Russell T. Davies refers to it as that in The Writer's Tale}}
{{update|This article is very . . . confused.  "Tonight's the Night" is not the name of the sketch.  It's the name of the television show.  There should be one article about the TV show and another about the sketch, which should be at [[Untitled (Tonight's the Night)]]. This isn't a special, a mini-ep or anything like that.  It's an untitled segment on a regularly scheduled TV show called ''Tonight's the Night''}}
{{real world}}
{{title|''{{PAGENAME}}''}}
{{invalid}}
{{Infobox TV
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image           = [[File:TonightNight.jpg|250px]]
|name           = Untitled
|story name      = Tonight's the Night Special 2009
|image          = Tonight's the night.jpg
|series         =  
|title         = Tonight’s the Night
|number          =
|special        = Tonight’s the Night special
|doctor          =  
|main character = [[Jack Harkness]]/[[John Barrowman (Tonight's the Night)|John Barrowman]]
|main character = [[Jack Harkness]]/[[John Barrowman]]  
|enemy         = [[Sao Til]]
|companions      =
|featuring      = [[David Tennant (in-universe)|David Tennant]]
|enemy           = [[Sao Til]]/[[Tim Ingham]]
|setting       = [[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]], 2009
|setting         = The Doctor's TARDIS/The TARDIS Set in 2009
|writer         = Russell T Davies
|writer         = [[Russell T Davies]]
|director       = [[Alice Troughton]]
|director       =  
|producer       = [[Brian Minchin]]
|producer       =  
|broadcast date = 23 May 2009
|broadcast date = 23rd May [[2009]]
|network        = BBC One
|format          = 1 3-Minute
|epcount        = 1
|production code =  
|format        = 1x3-minute episode
|previous story  =  
}}
|next story      =
{{Dab page|Untitled}}
}}'''''Tonight's the Night''''' was a [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] talent series hosted by [[John Barrowman]] which aired in the spring of 2009. In a promotion connected with the series, a contest winner was given a chance to play a villain in a specially written ''Doctor Who'' scene featuring [[Jack Harkness]] and a surprise guest which was broadcast during the 23rd May 2009 episode of ''Tonight's the Night''.
'''''Tonight's the Night''''' was a special mini-episode broadcast on the [[BBC]] talent series hosted by [[John Barrowman]] of the same name. The special aired in the spring of 2009.


The mini-episode itself carries no on-screen title, however Russell T. Davies referred to it by the title ''Tonight's the Night'' in his June 2009 column in ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' #410.
In a competition connected with the series, a contest winner was given a chance to play a villain in a specially written ''Doctor Who'' scene featuring [[Jack Harkness]] and a surprise guest which was broadcast during the 23rd May 2009 episode of ''Tonight's the Night''.
 
The mini-episode itself carries no on-screen title, however Russell T. Davies referred to it by the title ''Tonight's the Night'' in his June 2009 column in [[DWM 410]].
 
== Official synopsis ==
Captain Jack is back and he has company!<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/features/videos/video_tntn_preview</ref>


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
[[Jack Harkness]] enters [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] and discovers a blue-headed alien who claims to be a regenerated [[the Doctor|Doctor]]. The alien gives the game away when Jack notices that he's armed, something the real Doctor would never be. The alien identifies himself as [[Sao Til]], a literal arms dealer who trades in limbs. Jack draws his gun and the two enter into a Mexican standoff before ... [[David Tennant]] comes in through the TARDIS doors and asks John what he's doing. John introduces Tim Ingham of Stoke-on-Trent, who is pretending to be Sao Til. David then exits the set via the 'fourth wall', pausing briefly before he leaves to chide John for being in "my TARDIS". After a moment of giddiness at having seen David Tennant, John and Tim then carry on from where they left off, resuming their characters and pretending to shoot at each other as they run around the TARDIS set.
[[Jack Harkness]] enters [[the Doctor]]'s [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] and discovers a blue-headed alien who claims to be a regenerated [[The Doctor|Doctor]]. The alien gives the game away when Jack notices that he's armed, something the real Doctor would never be. The alien identifies himself as [[Sao Til]], a literal arms dealer who trades in limbs. Jack draws his gun and the two enter into a standoff before...
 
[[David Tennant (in-universe)|David Tennant]] comes in through the TARDIS doors and asks John what he's doing. John introduces [[Tim Ingham (Tonight's the Night)|Tim Ingham]] of Stoke-on-Trent, who is pretending to be Sao Til. David then exits the set via the 'fourth wall', pausing briefly before he leaves to chide John for being in "my TARDIS". After a moment of giddiness at having seen David Tennant, John and Tim then carry on from where they left off, resuming their characters and pretending to shoot at each other as they run around the TARDIS set.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
* [[Jack Harkness]] / Himself - [[John Barrowman]]
* [[John Barrowman]] - [[John Barrowman (Tonight's the Night)|Himself]]/[[Jack Harkness]]
* [[Sao Til]] / Himself - [[Tim Ingham]]
* [[Tim Ingham]] - [[Tim Ingham (Tonight's the Night)|Himself]]/[[Sao Til]]
* Himself - [[David Tennant]]
* [[David Tennant]] - [[David Tennant (in-universe)|Himself]]


== Crew ==
== Crew ==
No crew are credited on-screen. However, [[Alice Troughton]] can be clearly seen directing the episode in the behind-the-scenes featurette that accompanied it.
* [[Writer]] - [[Russell T Davies]]
* [[Director (crew)|Director]] - [[Alice Troughton]]
* [[Producer]] - [[Brian Minchin]]
* [[Executive producer]] - [[Russell T Davies]]<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/features/videos/video_tntn_preview</ref>


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
* Jack mentions having been to a party on [[Alpha Centauri (planet)|Alpha Centauri]] that had something to do with "organ donation" (given the nature of the skit, it's doubtful this has any bearing on canon).
''to be added''


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
* The skit has no opening or closing credits.
* The mini-adventure has no opening or closing credits.
* Running just over 3 minutes in length, this is the shortest televised ''Doctor Who''-related production of all time. (The shortest canonical television story remains as [[SJA]]:''[[From Raxacoricofallapatorius With Love]]'', while the 2009 webisode ''[[A Ghost Story for Christmas]]'', running 3.5 minutes, stands as the shortest ''Doctor Who''-related storyline that could fall within canon.)
* As Tennant does not appear as the Doctor in this skit, it is one of the few ''Doctor Who'' stories since ''[[Mission to the Unknown (TV story)|Mission to the Unknown]]'' in which the character does not appear. It is also the first time a televised story has featured the TARDIS, but no Doctor.
* Also, as Tennant does not appear as the Doctor in this skit, it is the first ''Doctor Who'' story since ''[[Mission to the Unknown]]'' in which the character does not appear, and it is the first and only time a televised story has featured the TARDIS, but no Doctor. Given the acknowledged non-canon nature of this skit, ''Mission to the Unknown'' remains as the only [[DW]] story to not feature the Doctor (when viewed as a stand-alone story independent of ''[[The Daleks' Master Plan]]''.)
* There was no ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'' for the episode, but there was a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the skit followed its broadcast (on ''Tonight's The Night'').
* There was no ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'' for the episode but there was a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the skit followed its broadcast (on ''Tonight's The Night'').
* Although it was broadcast after ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'' (the first High Definition ''Doctor Who ''episode), the skit was the first time the [[TARDIS control room|TARDIS interior]] was shown in High Definition.
* Although it was broadcast after ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'' (the first High Definition ''Doctor Who ''episode), the skit was the first time that the [[TARDIS]] interior was shown in High Definition. The [[TARDIS]] interior didn't feature in ''Planet of the Dead''.
* At the time this was written, Davies believed it would be the final ''Doctor Who'' story he would ever write (as he relates in [[DWM 410]] and ''[[The Writer's Tale]] - The Final Chapter''); ultimately, this ended up not being the case, due to his contributions to ''[[Doctor Who: Lockdown!]]'' stories, a [[Target novelisation]] of ''[[Rose (novelisation)|Rose]]'', and ''[[Tales of the TARDIS]]'', and also returning as [[head writer]] of ''Doctor Who'' beginning with the [[2023 specials]].
* At the time this was written, Davies believed it would be the final ''Doctor Who'' story he would ever write (as he relates in [[DWM 410]] and ''[[Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale]] - The Final Chapter''); ultimately, this ended up not being the case as it was announced in April 2010 that he would be writing an episode of ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' featuring an appearance by the [[Eleventh Doctor]] as played by [[Matt Smith]]; that episode was [[SJA]]: ''[[Death of the Doctor]]''.
* This sketch marks the second time that a fan of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' has been given the honour of being on the show as an in-character figure. The first was as a ''[[Jim'll Fix It]]'' [[mini-episode]] called ''[[A Fix with Sontarans (TV story)|A Fix with Sontarans]]'', starring [[Colin Baker]] as the [[Sixth Doctor]].
* Davies also said in DWM that he was originally going to have this story as "canon" with the Doctor in it – but changed his mind.
* Davies also said in DWM that he was originally going to have this as a non-comedic story with the Doctor in it, but changed his mind.
* The complete script for the skit is reproduced in [[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale|Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale - The Final Chapter]]''.
* The complete script for the scene is reproduced in the reference book ''[[Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale - The Final Chapter]]''.
* As he was playing himself, not the Doctor, David Tennant spoke in his natural Scottish accent; he previously used his natural accent in [[DW]]: ''[[Tooth and Claw (TV story)|Tooth and Claw]]''.
* As he was playing himself, not the Doctor, David Tennant spoke in his natural Scottish accent; he previously used his natural accent in the television story ''[[Tooth and Claw (TV story)|Tooth and Claw]]''.
 
=== Ratings ===
''to be added''


=== Myths and Rumours ===
=== Myths and rumours ===
* When first announced it was thought the skit would be a potentially canonical mini-episode along the lines of ''[[Music of the Spheres]]'' and ''[[Time Crash]]'', but this turned out not to be the case. According to Davies in his column ''Doctor Who Magazine'' #410, he did initially intend to write such a mini-episode, but on realising this would be the last ''Doctor Who'' story he'd likely ever write, he couldn't bring himself to create something canonical in this context.
* When first announced, it was thought the source would be a potentially serious mini-episode along the lines of ''[[Music of the Spheres (TV story)|Music of the Spheres]]'' and ''[[Time Crash (TV story)|Time Crash]]'', but this turned out not to be the case. According to Davies in his column ''Doctor Who Magazine'' #410, he did initially intend to write such a mini-episode, but on realising he thought this would be the last ''Doctor Who'' story he'd likely ever write, he couldn't bring himself to create something serious in this context.
 
== Continuity ==
* Barrowman and Ingham break character and Tennant appears as himself, and we see the equipment surrounding the TARDIS set at Upper Boat Studios. This renders the story completely non-canonical and thus it doesn't fit into any timeframe of the series. Davies also explicitly indicates in DWM #410 that the story is not canonical. This is actually only the second BBC-made ''Doctor Who'' production, after the ''[[Scream of the Shalka (webcast)|Scream of the Shalka]]'' webcast, to be officially disqualified from canon (the ''[[Dimensions in Time]]'' mini-serial of 1993 has been "decanonised" by fan opinion, but the BBC has never itself given an opinion).


== Home video releases ==
== Home video releases ==
* No DVD release of this skit has to date occurred. Although reference to the skit is made in David Tennant's Video Diaries, a special feature in the 2009 Specials DVD/Blu-Ray box set, the skit itself is omitted. There has likewise been no announcement of a home video release of the ''Tonight's the Night'' series. Unless this happens, the skit will join the interactive mini-episode ''[[Attack of the Graske]]'' as the only Tennant-era productions to not see home video release.
* No DVD release of this mini-adventure has to date occurred. Although reference to the scene is made in ''David Tennant's Video Diaries'', a special feature in the 2009 Specials DVD/Blu-Ray box set, the scene itself is omitted. There has likewise been no announcement of a home video release of the ''Tonight's the Night'' series. Unless this happens, the scene will join the interactive mini-episode ''[[Attack of the Graske (video game)|Attack of the Graske]]'' and the [[Tardisode|TARDISodes]] as Tennant-era productions to not see home video release.


[[fr:Minisode Doctor Who (Tonight's the Night)]]
== External links ==
{{chakoteya|Extras/TonightsTheNight.html|Tonight's the Night}}
{{DWU Doctor Who stories}}
{{TitleSort}}
{{TitleSort}}


[[Category:Non-canonical stories]]
[[Category:Non-DWU television stories]]
[[Category:2009 television stories]]
[[Category:2009 television stories]]
[[Category:Parodies and pastiches]]
[[Category:Stories about Doctor Who]]
[[Category:Real world television shows with DWU connections]]
[[Category:Doctor Who mini-episodes]]
 
[[fr:Minisode Doctor Who (Tonight's the Night)]]

Latest revision as of 12:16, 6 September 2024

This topic might have a better name.

Tonight's the Night (TV story) as Russell T. Davies refers to it as that in The Writer's Tale

Talk about it here.

RealWorld.png
This subject is not a valid source for writing our in-universe articles, and may only be referenced in behind the scenes sections or other invalid-tagged articles.

You may wish to consult Untitled for other, similarly-named pages.

Tonight's the Night was a special mini-episode broadcast on the BBC talent series hosted by John Barrowman of the same name. The special aired in the spring of 2009.

In a competition connected with the series, a contest winner was given a chance to play a villain in a specially written Doctor Who scene featuring Jack Harkness and a surprise guest which was broadcast during the 23rd May 2009 episode of Tonight's the Night.

The mini-episode itself carries no on-screen title, however Russell T. Davies referred to it by the title Tonight's the Night in his June 2009 column in DWM 410.

Official synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

Captain Jack is back and he has company![1]

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

Jack Harkness enters the Doctor's TARDIS and discovers a blue-headed alien who claims to be a regenerated Doctor. The alien gives the game away when Jack notices that he's armed, something the real Doctor would never be. The alien identifies himself as Sao Til, a literal arms dealer who trades in limbs. Jack draws his gun and the two enter into a standoff before...

David Tennant comes in through the TARDIS doors and asks John what he's doing. John introduces Tim Ingham of Stoke-on-Trent, who is pretending to be Sao Til. David then exits the set via the 'fourth wall', pausing briefly before he leaves to chide John for being in "my TARDIS". After a moment of giddiness at having seen David Tennant, John and Tim then carry on from where they left off, resuming their characters and pretending to shoot at each other as they run around the TARDIS set.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Story notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The mini-adventure has no opening or closing credits.
  • As Tennant does not appear as the Doctor in this skit, it is one of the few Doctor Who stories since Mission to the Unknown in which the character does not appear. It is also the first time a televised story has featured the TARDIS, but no Doctor.
  • There was no Doctor Who Confidential for the episode, but there was a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the skit followed its broadcast (on Tonight's The Night).
  • Although it was broadcast after Planet of the Dead (the first High Definition Doctor Who episode), the skit was the first time the TARDIS interior was shown in High Definition.
  • At the time this was written, Davies believed it would be the final Doctor Who story he would ever write (as he relates in DWM 410 and The Writer's Tale - The Final Chapter); ultimately, this ended up not being the case, due to his contributions to Doctor Who: Lockdown! stories, a Target novelisation of Rose, and Tales of the TARDIS, and also returning as head writer of Doctor Who beginning with the 2023 specials.
  • This sketch marks the second time that a fan of Doctor Who has been given the honour of being on the show as an in-character figure. The first was as a Jim'll Fix It mini-episode called A Fix with Sontarans, starring Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor.
  • Davies also said in DWM that he was originally going to have this as a non-comedic story with the Doctor in it, but changed his mind.
  • The complete script for the scene is reproduced in the reference book Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale - The Final Chapter.
  • As he was playing himself, not the Doctor, David Tennant spoke in his natural Scottish accent; he previously used his natural accent in the television story Tooth and Claw.

Myths and rumours[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • When first announced, it was thought the source would be a potentially serious mini-episode along the lines of Music of the Spheres and Time Crash, but this turned out not to be the case. According to Davies in his column Doctor Who Magazine #410, he did initially intend to write such a mini-episode, but on realising he thought this would be the last Doctor Who story he'd likely ever write, he couldn't bring himself to create something serious in this context.

Home video releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • No DVD release of this mini-adventure has to date occurred. Although reference to the scene is made in David Tennant's Video Diaries, a special feature in the 2009 Specials DVD/Blu-Ray box set, the scene itself is omitted. There has likewise been no announcement of a home video release of the Tonight's the Night series. Unless this happens, the scene will join the interactive mini-episode Attack of the Graske and the TARDISodes as Tennant-era productions to not see home video release.

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

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  1. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/features/videos/video_tntn_preview
  2. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/features/videos/video_tntn_preview
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