1980: Difference between revisions
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== Events == | == Events == | ||
=== [[February]] === | === [[February]] === | ||
* [[14 February|14]] - Dr. [[Owen Harper]], [[Torchwood Three]] operative, was born. ([[ | * [[14 February|14]] - Dr. [[Owen Harper]], [[Torchwood Three]] operative, was born. ([[TV]]: ''[[Exit Wounds]]'', [[WEB]]: ''[[Torchwood website|torchwood.co.uk]]'') | ||
=== [[April]] === | === [[April]] === | ||
* [[15 April|15]] - [[Samantha Jones]], future [[companion]] of the [[Eighth Doctor]], was born. ([[ | * [[15 April|15]] - [[Samantha Jones]], future [[companion]] of the [[Eighth Doctor]], was born. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Unnatural History]]'') | ||
=== [[November]] === | === [[November]] === | ||
* The [[science fiction]] film ''[[Prey for a Miracle]]'', which was inspired by [[UFO]] / [[god]]s scare caused by the [[Latter-Day Pantheon]] in [[New York City]] in [[March]] and [[April]] [[1965]], was released. It was directed by a newcomer named [[Anthony Jones]]. The film's screenplay was based on the book ''How I Saved the World'' by [[Alexander Lullington-Smythe]], which was published by Aphrodite Press in [[1976]] and was "very publicly discredited" in [[1978]]. The veteran science fiction and horror star [[Peter Cushing]] played the lead role of "the mysterious government adviser, [[Dr. Who (Dalek movies)|Doctor Who]]," a character loosely based on the [[First Doctor]]. However, a film critic for the magazine ''Film in Focus'' noted that Cushing's "endearingly eccentric professor [was] as fictional as the rest of ''Prey for a Miracle''" as what little was known about the real life "Doctor" suggested that he was "a shadowy, manipulative figure. ([[ | * The [[science fiction]] film ''[[Prey for a Miracle]]'', which was inspired by [[UFO]] / [[god]]s scare caused by the [[Latter-Day Pantheon]] in [[New York City]] in [[March]] and [[April]] [[1965]], was released. It was directed by a newcomer named [[Anthony Jones]]. The film's screenplay was based on the book ''How I Saved the World'' by [[Alexander Lullington-Smythe]], which was published by Aphrodite Press in [[1976]] and was "very publicly discredited" in [[1978]]. The veteran science fiction and horror star [[Peter Cushing]] played the lead role of "the mysterious government adviser, [[Dr. Who (Dalek movies)|Doctor Who]]," a character loosely based on the [[First Doctor]]. However, a film critic for the magazine ''Film in Focus'' noted that Cushing's "endearingly eccentric professor [was] as fictional as the rest of ''Prey for a Miracle''" as what little was known about the real life "Doctor" suggested that he was "a shadowy, manipulative figure. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Salvation (novel)|Salvation]]'') | ||
=== [[December]] === | === [[December]] === | ||
* [[8 December|8]] - Knowing of the impending [[assassination]] of former [[The Beatles|Beatle]] [[John Lennon]], the [[Seventh Doctor]], [[Ace]] and [[Bernice Summerfield]] travelled to [[New York City]]. [[Mark David Chapman]], influenced by [[the Blue]], shot and killed him anyway. ([[ | * [[8 December|8]] - Knowing of the impending [[assassination]] of former [[The Beatles|Beatle]] [[John Lennon]], the [[Seventh Doctor]], [[Ace]] and [[Bernice Summerfield]] travelled to [[New York City]]. [[Mark David Chapman]], influenced by [[the Blue]], shot and killed him anyway. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Left-Handed Hummingbird]]'') | ||
* [[25 December|25]] - [[Professor]] [[Edward Travers]], CBE, died. ([[ | * [[25 December|25]] - [[Professor]] [[Edward Travers]], CBE, died. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Downtime]]'') | ||
=== Unknown dates === | === Unknown dates === | ||
* [[Victoria Waterfield]] visited [[Det-Sen Monastery]] in [[Tibet]], believing she was obeying a summons from her father [[Edward Waterfield]]. ([[ | * [[Victoria Waterfield]] visited [[Det-Sen Monastery]] in [[Tibet]], believing she was obeying a summons from her father [[Edward Waterfield]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Downtime (novel)|Downtime]]'') | ||
* While visiting [[1911]] with the [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Sarah Jane Smith]] told [[Laurence Scarman]] that she was from the year 1980. ([[ | * While visiting [[1911]] with the [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Sarah Jane Smith]] told [[Laurence Scarman]] that she was from the year 1980. ([[TV]]: ''[[Pyramids of Mars]]''; see [[UNIT dating controversy]]). | ||
=== Alternative timeline === | === Alternative timeline === | ||
* The [[Fourth Doctor]] took [[Sarah Jane Smith]] and [[Laurence Scarman]] from [[1911]] and showed them what 1980 would look like if [[Sutekh]] freed himself: a lifeless [[Earth]] orbiting a dead [[sun]]. This [[Alternate timeline|alternative timeline]] convinced Sarah that they had to return to 1911 and stop Sutekh. ([[ | * The [[Fourth Doctor]] took [[Sarah Jane Smith]] and [[Laurence Scarman]] from [[1911]] and showed them what 1980 would look like if [[Sutekh]] freed himself: a lifeless [[Earth]] orbiting a dead [[sun]]. This [[Alternate timeline|alternative timeline]] convinced Sarah that they had to return to 1911 and stop Sutekh. ([[TV]]: ''[[Pyramids of Mars]]'') | ||
== Behind the scenes == | == Behind the scenes == | ||
=== [[January]] === | === [[January]] === | ||
* [[5 January|5]] - [[ | * [[5 January|5]] - [[TV]]: ''[[The Horns of Nimon]]'' Part 3 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[12 January|12]] - [[ | * [[12 January|12]] - [[TV]]: ''[[The Horns of Nimon]]'' Part 4 was first broadcast, bringing the season to an end six weeks earlier than planned due to the cancellation of [[TV]]: ''[[Shada (TV story)|Shada]]''. This was the final story to feature the original 1960s arrangement by [[Delia Derbyshire]] of the ''Doctor Who'' theme music, specifically the arrangement introduced in the [[1967]] serial [[TV]]: ''[[The Macra Terror]]''; the final use of the diamond-shaped series logo and [[Bernard Lodge]] "tunnel" opening sequence; and the end of [[Graham Williams]]' term as producer and of [[Douglas Adams]] as a member of the writing team. It was [[David Brierley]]'s last televised performance as the voice of [[K9]] (although he voiced the character for the incomplete ''Shada''). | ||
* [[24 January|24]] - [[ | * [[24 January|24]] - [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Underworld]]'' was first published. | ||
* 24 - The American edition of [[ | * 24 - The American edition of [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Android Invasion]]'' was published by [[Pinnacle Books]]. | ||
=== [[February]] === | === [[February]] === | ||
* [[4 February|4]] - Former [[Script Editor|script editor]] and writer [[David Whitaker]] died in [[Australia]]. | * [[4 February|4]] - Former [[Script Editor|script editor]] and writer [[David Whitaker]] died in [[Australia]]. | ||
* [[9 February|9]] - [[Heron Carvic]], who voiced [[Morpho]] in [[ | * [[9 February|9]] - [[Heron Carvic]], who voiced [[Morpho]] in [[TV]]: ''[[The Keys of Marinus (TV story)|The Keys of Marinus]]'', died. | ||
* [[21 February|21]] - [[ | * [[21 February|21]] - [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Invasion of Time]]'' was first published. | ||
=== [[March]] === | === [[March]] === | ||
* [[18 March|18]] - [[Sophia Myles]] ([[Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson]] in [[ | * [[18 March|18]] - [[Sophia Myles]] ([[Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson]] in [[TV]]: ''[[The Girl in the Fireplace]]'') was born. | ||
* [[20 March|20]] - [[ | * [[20 March|20]] - [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood (novelisation)|Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood]]'' was first published. | ||
* 20 - Target Books reissued the [[1976]] non-fiction book [[REF]]: ''[[The Making of Doctor Who]]''. | * 20 - Target Books reissued the [[1976]] non-fiction book [[REF]]: ''[[The Making of Doctor Who]]''. | ||
* The American edition of [[ | * The American edition of [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Seeds of Doom]]'' was published by [[Pinnacle Books]]. This was the last re-print of a ''Doctor Who'' novelisation by Pinnacle. As of [[2009]] it stood as the last American edition of a ''Doctor Who'' novel. | ||
=== [[April]] === | === [[April]] === | ||
* [[19 April|19]] - [[Tony Beckley]] died. | * [[19 April|19]] - [[Tony Beckley]] died. | ||
* [[24 April|24]] - [[ | * [[24 April|24]] - [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Androids of Tara]]'' was first published. | ||
* [[25 April|25]] - [[Samuel Barnett]], who voiced [[Hans Tod]] in [[ | * [[25 April|25]] - [[Samuel Barnett]], who voiced [[Hans Tod]] in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Beast of Orlok]]'', was born. | ||
=== [[May]] === | === [[May]] === | ||
* [[26 May|26]] - [[ | * [[26 May|26]] - [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Power of Kroll]]'' was first published. | ||
=== [[June]] === | === [[June]] === | ||
* The BBC announced that [[K9 Mark II|K9]] would be leaving ''Doctor Who'' during the next season. According to ''The Television Companion'' by David J. Howe and Stephen James Walker, the response to this announcement by fans inspired [[John Nathan-Turner]] to pitch the idea of a spin-off series featuring the character, which later became ''[[K9 and Company]]''. | * The BBC announced that [[K9 Mark II|K9]] would be leaving ''Doctor Who'' during the next season. According to ''The Television Companion'' by David J. Howe and Stephen James Walker, the response to this announcement by fans inspired [[John Nathan-Turner]] to pitch the idea of a spin-off series featuring the character, which later became ''[[K9 and Company]]''. | ||
* [[4 June|4]] - [[Philip Olivier]] was born. | * [[4 June|4]] - [[Philip Olivier]] was born. | ||
* [[26 June|26]] - [[ | * [[26 June|26]] - [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Armageddon Factor]]'' was first published. Due to the inability of [[Target Books]] to come to an agreement with [[Douglas Adams]], this ultimately was the last of the ''[[Key to Time]]''- arc serials to be novelised. The remaining serial, [[TV]]: ''[[The Pirate Planet]]'', was not officially novelised. | ||
* 26 - [[ | * 26 - [[PROSE]]: ''[[Junior Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius]]'' was first published. This was a short version of [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius]]'' and was the second of two such books released (a paperback edition of [[PROSE]]: ''[[Junior Doctor Who and the Giant Robot]]'' was also released in 1980). Reportedly the book was originally to have been released in [[1978]]. | ||
* ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' began publishing ''Doctor Who''-universe comics written by future comics superstar writer [[Alan Moore]]. | * ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' began publishing ''Doctor Who''-universe comics written by future comics superstar writer [[Alan Moore]]. | ||
=== [[August]] === | === [[August]] === | ||
* The ''[[Doctor Who Annual 1981]]'' was published. Beginning this year the annual, previously published each September, moved to August. | * The ''[[Doctor Who Annual 1981]]'' was published. Beginning this year the annual, previously published each September, moved to August. | ||
* [[5 August|5]] - [[Sophie Winkleman]], [[Kelly Westwood]] in [[ | * [[5 August|5]] - [[Sophie Winkleman]], [[Kelly Westwood]] in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Eight Truths]]'' and ''[[Worldwide Web]]'', was born. | ||
* [[6 August|6]] - [[Barry Justice]] (King [[Charles IX]] in [[ | * [[6 August|6]] - [[Barry Justice]] (King [[Charles IX]] in [[TV]]: ''[[The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve]]'') died in [[London]]. | ||
* [[7 August|7]] - The final issue of ''[[Doctor Who Magazine|Doctor Who Weekly]]'' was published; it changed to a monthly magazine in September. | * [[7 August|7]] - The final issue of ''[[Doctor Who Magazine|Doctor Who Weekly]]'' was published; it changed to a monthly magazine in September. | ||
* 7 - [[Norman Atkyns]], who played a Guardian in [[ | * 7 - [[Norman Atkyns]], who played a Guardian in [[TV]]: ''[[Colony in Space (TV story)|Colony in Space]]'' and a Rear Admiral in [[TV]]: ''[[The Sea Devils (TV story)|The Sea Devils]]'', died. | ||
* [[8 August|8]] - [[Simon Lack]] ([[Kettering]] in [[ | * [[8 August|8]] - [[Simon Lack]] ([[Kettering]] in [[TV]]: ''[[The Mind of Evil]]'' and [[Zadek]] in [[TV]]: ''[[The Androids of Tara]]'') died. | ||
* [[21 August|21]] - [[ | * [[21 August|21]] - [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Keys of Marinus]]'' and [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Nightmare of Eden]]'' were first published. For the first time in several years, [[Target Books]] released more than one book on the same day. | ||
* [[30 August|30]] - [[ | * [[30 August|30]] - [[TV]]: ''[[The Leisure Hive]]'' Episode 1 was first broadcast, launching a longer-than-usual [[Season 18]]. It was [[Tom Baker]]'s final season and the first series produced by [[John Nathan-Turner]]. Among the many changes evident with this episode were the introduction of a radically different arrangement of the [[Doctor Who theme|''Doctor Who'' theme]] by [[Peter Howell]] and a new neon-tubing style [[Doctor Who logo|series logo]]. A modified costume was also introduced for the Doctor. Season 18 was the last truly "season-long" series, as during the Davison era the show aired from January to March only (two episodes per week) and was subject to an ever-decreasing number of episodes thereafter. | ||
=== [[September]] === | === [[September]] === | ||
* ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' began publishing as a monthly publication, initially changing its title from ''Doctor Who Weekly'' to ''Doctor Who: A Marvel Monthly''. | * ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' began publishing as a monthly publication, initially changing its title from ''Doctor Who Weekly'' to ''Doctor Who: A Marvel Monthly''. | ||
* [[John Nathan-Turner]] approached [[Peter Davison]] about taking over from [[Tom Baker]] as the star of ''Doctor Who''. | * [[John Nathan-Turner]] approached [[Peter Davison]] about taking over from [[Tom Baker]] as the star of ''Doctor Who''. | ||
* [[6 September|6]] - [[ | * [[6 September|6]] - [[TV]]: ''[[The Leisure Hive]]'' Part 2 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[13 September|13]] - [[ | * [[13 September|13]] - [[TV]]: ''[[The Leisure Hive]]'' Part 3 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[20 September|20]] - [[ | * [[20 September|20]] - [[TV]]: ''[[The Leisure Hive]]'' Part 4 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[27 September|27]] - [[ | * [[27 September|27]] - [[TV]]: ''[[Meglos (TV story)|Meglos]]'' Part 1 was first broadcast, featuring the return of [[Jacqueline Hill]] to ''Doctor Who'' after more than 15 years, albeit as [[Lexa|another character]]. [[John Leeson]] returned as the voice of [[K9]]. | ||
=== [[October]] === | === [[October]] === | ||
* [[4 October|4]] - [[ | * [[4 October|4]] - [[TV]]: ''[[Meglos (TV story)|Meglos]]'' Part 2 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[11 October|11]] - [[ | * [[11 October|11]] - [[TV]]: ''[[Meglos (TV story)|Meglos]]'' Part 3 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[16 October|16]] - [[ | * [[16 October|16]] - [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Horns of Nimon]]'' was first published. (Although the series branding changed to [[Doctor Who logo#Logo Five|a new logo]], [[Doctor Who logo#Logo Four|the previous logo]] was still used by [[Target Books]] for several more volumes.) | ||
* [[18 October|18]] - [[ | * [[18 October|18]] - [[TV]]: ''[[Meglos (TV story)|Meglos]]'' Part 4 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[24 October|24]] - At a press conference, the BBC announced that [[Tom Baker]] would be leaving ''Doctor Who'' at the end of the current season. | * [[24 October|24]] - At a press conference, the BBC announced that [[Tom Baker]] would be leaving ''Doctor Who'' at the end of the current season. | ||
* [[25 October|25]] - [[ | * [[25 October|25]] - [[TV]]: ''[[Full Circle]]'' Episode 1 was first broadcast, launching what became known as the [[E-Space]] Trilogy. [[Matthew Waterhouse]] debuted as new companion [[Adric]]. | ||
=== [[November]] === | === [[November]] === | ||
* The BBC announced that [[Peter Davison]] had been cast as the [[Fifth Doctor]]. | * The BBC announced that [[Peter Davison]] had been cast as the [[Fifth Doctor]]. | ||
* [[REF]]: ''[[A Day with a TV Producer]]'', a non-fiction work profiling [[John Nathan-Turner]] and the production of [[ | * [[REF]]: ''[[A Day with a TV Producer]]'', a non-fiction work profiling [[John Nathan-Turner]] and the production of [[TV]]: ''[[The Leisure Hive]]'', was published. | ||
* [[1 November|1]] - [[ | * [[1 November|1]] - [[TV]]: ''[[Full Circle]]'' Part 2 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[8 November|8]] - [[ | * [[8 November|8]] - [[TV]]: ''[[Full Circle]]'' Part 3 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[13 November|13]] - [[ | * [[13 November|13]] - [[PROSE]]: ''[[Junior Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius]]'' was published in paperback. | ||
* [[15 November|15]] - [[ | * [[15 November|15]] - [[TV]]: ''[[Full Circle]]'' Part 4 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[16 November|16]] - [[Alexa Havins]] was born. | * [[16 November|16]] - [[Alexa Havins]] was born. | ||
* [[19 November|19]] - [[Adele Silva]] ([[Squeak]] in [[ | * [[19 November|19]] - [[Adele Silva]] ([[Squeak]] in [[TV]]: ''[[Survival]]'') was born. | ||
* [[22 November|22]] - [[ | * [[22 November|22]] - [[TV]]: ''[[State of Decay]]'' Part 1 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[29 November|29]] - [[ | * [[29 November|29]] - [[TV]]: ''[[State of Decay]]'' Part 2 was first broadcast. | ||
=== [[December]] === | === [[December]] === | ||
* [[4 December|4]] - [[ | * [[4 December|4]] - [[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Monster of Peladon]]'' was first published. | ||
* [[6 December|6]] - [[ | * [[6 December|6]] - [[TV]]: ''[[State of Decay]]'' Part 3 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[8 December|8]] - Ex-[[The Beatles|Beatle]] [[John Lennon]], who appeared as himself in [[ | * [[8 December|8]] - Ex-[[The Beatles|Beatle]] [[John Lennon]], who appeared as himself in [[TV]]: ''[[The Chase]]'', was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman outside his home in [[New York City]]. | ||
* [[13 December|13]] - [[ | * [[13 December|13]] - [[TV]]: ''[[State of Decay]]'' Part 4 was first broadcast. | ||
* [[30 December|30]] - [[Tom Baker]] and [[Lalla Ward]] married; Baker was in the midst of filming [[ | * [[30 December|30]] - [[Tom Baker]] and [[Lalla Ward]] married; Baker was in the midst of filming [[TV]]: ''[[The Keeper of Traken]]'', while Ward's final episodes as [[Romana II|Romana]] had not yet been broadcast. | ||
* [[Eliza Dushku]], who voiced [[Holly Mokri]] in [[ | * [[Eliza Dushku]], who voiced [[Holly Mokri]] in [[TV]]: ''[[Web of Lies]]'', was born. | ||
* ''[[Marvel Premiere]]'' issue 57 was published by [[Marvel Comics]] in the United States. This comic, featuring [[Fourth Doctor]] comic strip reprints from ''[[Doctor Who Weekly]]'', was the first American comic ever published based upon the ''Doctor Who'' TV series (a previous comic published in the mid-60s by another US publisher was based upon the ''[[Dr. Who and the Daleks]]'' movie, not the TV series). This comic, and three issues that followed, led to the launching of a monthly ''[[Doctor Who (1984)|Doctor Who]]'' title by Marvel in 1984. | * ''[[Marvel Premiere]]'' issue 57 was published by [[Marvel Comics]] in the United States. This comic, featuring [[Fourth Doctor]] comic strip reprints from ''[[Doctor Who Weekly]]'', was the first American comic ever published based upon the ''Doctor Who'' TV series (a previous comic published in the mid-60s by another US publisher was based upon the ''[[Dr. Who and the Daleks]]'' movie, not the TV series). This comic, and three issues that followed, led to the launching of a monthly ''[[Doctor Who (1984)|Doctor Who]]'' title by Marvel in 1984. | ||
Revision as of 07:10, 16 September 2012
| Timeline for 1980 |
1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 |
 |
Events
February
- 14 - Dr. Owen Harper, Torchwood Three operative, was born. (TV: Exit Wounds, WEB: torchwood.co.uk)
April
- 15 - Samantha Jones, future companion of the Eighth Doctor, was born. (PROSE: Unnatural History)
November
- The science fiction film Prey for a Miracle, which was inspired by UFO / gods scare caused by the Latter-Day Pantheon in New York City in March and April 1965, was released. It was directed by a newcomer named Anthony Jones. The film's screenplay was based on the book How I Saved the World by Alexander Lullington-Smythe, which was published by Aphrodite Press in 1976 and was "very publicly discredited" in 1978. The veteran science fiction and horror star Peter Cushing played the lead role of "the mysterious government adviser, Doctor Who," a character loosely based on the First Doctor. However, a film critic for the magazine Film in Focus noted that Cushing's "endearingly eccentric professor [was] as fictional as the rest of Prey for a Miracle" as what little was known about the real life "Doctor" suggested that he was "a shadowy, manipulative figure. (PROSE: Salvation)
December
- 8 - Knowing of the impending assassination of former Beatle John Lennon, the Seventh Doctor, Ace and Bernice Summerfield travelled to New York City. Mark David Chapman, influenced by the Blue, shot and killed him anyway. (PROSE: The Left-Handed Hummingbird)
- 25 - Professor Edward Travers, CBE, died. (PROSE: Downtime)
Unknown dates
- Victoria Waterfield visited Det-Sen Monastery in Tibet, believing she was obeying a summons from her father Edward Waterfield. (PROSE: Downtime)
- While visiting 1911 with the Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane Smith told Laurence Scarman that she was from the year 1980. (TV: Pyramids of Mars; see UNIT dating controversy).
Alternative timeline
- The Fourth Doctor took Sarah Jane Smith and Laurence Scarman from 1911 and showed them what 1980 would look like if Sutekh freed himself: a lifeless Earth orbiting a dead sun. This alternative timeline convinced Sarah that they had to return to 1911 and stop Sutekh. (TV: Pyramids of Mars)
Behind the scenes
January
- 5 - TV: The Horns of Nimon Part 3 was first broadcast.
- 12 - TV: The Horns of Nimon Part 4 was first broadcast, bringing the season to an end six weeks earlier than planned due to the cancellation of TV: Shada. This was the final story to feature the original 1960s arrangement by Delia Derbyshire of the Doctor Who theme music, specifically the arrangement introduced in the 1967 serial TV: The Macra Terror; the final use of the diamond-shaped series logo and Bernard Lodge "tunnel" opening sequence; and the end of Graham Williams' term as producer and of Douglas Adams as a member of the writing team. It was David Brierley's last televised performance as the voice of K9 (although he voiced the character for the incomplete Shada).
- 24 - PROSE: Doctor Who and the Underworld was first published.
- 24 - The American edition of PROSE: Doctor Who and the Android Invasion was published by Pinnacle Books.
February
- 4 - Former script editor and writer David Whitaker died in Australia.
- 9 - Heron Carvic, who voiced Morpho in TV: The Keys of Marinus, died.
- 21 - PROSE: Doctor Who and the Invasion of Time was first published.
March
- 18 - Sophia Myles (Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson in TV: The Girl in the Fireplace) was born.
- 20 - PROSE: Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood was first published.
- 20 - Target Books reissued the 1976 non-fiction book REF: The Making of Doctor Who.
- The American edition of PROSE: Doctor Who and the Seeds of Doom was published by Pinnacle Books. This was the last re-print of a Doctor Who novelisation by Pinnacle. As of 2009 it stood as the last American edition of a Doctor Who novel.
April
- 19 - Tony Beckley died.
- 24 - PROSE: Doctor Who and the Androids of Tara was first published.
- 25 - Samuel Barnett, who voiced Hans Tod in AUDIO: The Beast of Orlok, was born.
May
- 26 - PROSE: Doctor Who and the Power of Kroll was first published.
June
- The BBC announced that K9 would be leaving Doctor Who during the next season. According to The Television Companion by David J. Howe and Stephen James Walker, the response to this announcement by fans inspired John Nathan-Turner to pitch the idea of a spin-off series featuring the character, which later became K9 and Company.
- 4 - Philip Olivier was born.
- 26 - PROSE: Doctor Who and the Armageddon Factor was first published. Due to the inability of Target Books to come to an agreement with Douglas Adams, this ultimately was the last of the Key to Time- arc serials to be novelised. The remaining serial, TV: The Pirate Planet, was not officially novelised.
- 26 - PROSE: Junior Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius was first published. This was a short version of PROSE: Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius and was the second of two such books released (a paperback edition of PROSE: Junior Doctor Who and the Giant Robot was also released in 1980). Reportedly the book was originally to have been released in 1978.
- Doctor Who Magazine began publishing Doctor Who-universe comics written by future comics superstar writer Alan Moore.
August
- The Doctor Who Annual 1981 was published. Beginning this year the annual, previously published each September, moved to August.
- 5 - Sophie Winkleman, Kelly Westwood in AUDIO: The Eight Truths and Worldwide Web, was born.
- 6 - Barry Justice (King Charles IX in TV: The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve) died in London.
- 7 - The final issue of Doctor Who Weekly was published; it changed to a monthly magazine in September.
- 7 - Norman Atkyns, who played a Guardian in TV: Colony in Space and a Rear Admiral in TV: The Sea Devils, died.
- 8 - Simon Lack (Kettering in TV: The Mind of Evil and Zadek in TV: The Androids of Tara) died.
- 21 - PROSE: Doctor Who and the Keys of Marinus and PROSE: Doctor Who and the Nightmare of Eden were first published. For the first time in several years, Target Books released more than one book on the same day.
- 30 - TV: The Leisure Hive Episode 1 was first broadcast, launching a longer-than-usual Season 18. It was Tom Baker's final season and the first series produced by John Nathan-Turner. Among the many changes evident with this episode were the introduction of a radically different arrangement of the Doctor Who theme by Peter Howell and a new neon-tubing style series logo. A modified costume was also introduced for the Doctor. Season 18 was the last truly "season-long" series, as during the Davison era the show aired from January to March only (two episodes per week) and was subject to an ever-decreasing number of episodes thereafter.
September
- Doctor Who Magazine began publishing as a monthly publication, initially changing its title from Doctor Who Weekly to Doctor Who: A Marvel Monthly.
- John Nathan-Turner approached Peter Davison about taking over from Tom Baker as the star of Doctor Who.
- 6 - TV: The Leisure Hive Part 2 was first broadcast.
- 13 - TV: The Leisure Hive Part 3 was first broadcast.
- 20 - TV: The Leisure Hive Part 4 was first broadcast.
- 27 - TV: Meglos Part 1 was first broadcast, featuring the return of Jacqueline Hill to Doctor Who after more than 15 years, albeit as another character. John Leeson returned as the voice of K9.
October
- 4 - TV: Meglos Part 2 was first broadcast.
- 11 - TV: Meglos Part 3 was first broadcast.
- 16 - PROSE: Doctor Who and the Horns of Nimon was first published. (Although the series branding changed to a new logo, the previous logo was still used by Target Books for several more volumes.)
- 18 - TV: Meglos Part 4 was first broadcast.
- 24 - At a press conference, the BBC announced that Tom Baker would be leaving Doctor Who at the end of the current season.
- 25 - TV: Full Circle Episode 1 was first broadcast, launching what became known as the E-Space Trilogy. Matthew Waterhouse debuted as new companion Adric.
November
- The BBC announced that Peter Davison had been cast as the Fifth Doctor.
- REF: A Day with a TV Producer, a non-fiction work profiling John Nathan-Turner and the production of TV: The Leisure Hive, was published.
- 1 - TV: Full Circle Part 2 was first broadcast.
- 8 - TV: Full Circle Part 3 was first broadcast.
- 13 - PROSE: Junior Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius was published in paperback.
- 15 - TV: Full Circle Part 4 was first broadcast.
- 16 - Alexa Havins was born.
- 19 - Adele Silva (Squeak in TV: Survival) was born.
- 22 - TV: State of Decay Part 1 was first broadcast.
- 29 - TV: State of Decay Part 2 was first broadcast.
December
- 4 - PROSE: Doctor Who and the Monster of Peladon was first published.
- 6 - TV: State of Decay Part 3 was first broadcast.
- 8 - Ex-Beatle John Lennon, who appeared as himself in TV: The Chase, was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman outside his home in New York City.
- 13 - TV: State of Decay Part 4 was first broadcast.
- 30 - Tom Baker and Lalla Ward married; Baker was in the midst of filming TV: The Keeper of Traken, while Ward's final episodes as Romana had not yet been broadcast.
- Eliza Dushku, who voiced Holly Mokri in TV: Web of Lies, was born.
- Marvel Premiere issue 57 was published by Marvel Comics in the United States. This comic, featuring Fourth Doctor comic strip reprints from Doctor Who Weekly, was the first American comic ever published based upon the Doctor Who TV series (a previous comic published in the mid-60s by another US publisher was based upon the Dr. Who and the Daleks movie, not the TV series). This comic, and three issues that followed, led to the launching of a monthly Doctor Who title by Marvel in 1984.
Unknown dates
- The Adventures of K9, a children's book series by David Martin, was published by Sparrow Books.
- Tom Baker and Lalla Ward appeared as the Fourth Doctor and Romana in a series of commercials for Australian television, advertising Prime Computers (a room-sized computer system for business). While most of the commercials featured them in their standard character roles, the final commercial in the series had Romana flirting with the Doctor and ended with the Doctor proposing marriage to her.
- Johnson Bayly died.
