The Doctor Who Production Diary: 1977
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January
1 Debut broadcast of The Face Of Evil episode one on BBC One The Face Of Evil
5 Birth of Clayton Hickman (bio), writer
8 Debut broadcast of The Face Of Evil episode two on BBC One The Face Of Evil
8 Recording for The Talons Of Weng-Chiang takes place in Northampton, Northamptonshire The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
9 Recording for The Talons Of Weng-Chiang takes place in Northampton, Northamptonshire The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
10 Recording for The Talons Of Weng-Chiang takes place in Northampton, Northamptonshire The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
11 Recording for The Talons Of Weng-Chiang takes place in Northampton, Northamptonshire The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
11 Terrance Dicks is commissioned to write “The Vampire Mutations” State Of Decay
12 Recording for The Talons Of Weng-Chiang takes place in Northampton, Northamptonshire The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
13 Recording for The Talons Of Weng-Chiang takes place in Northampton, Northamptonshire The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
14 Bob Baker and Dave Martin are commissioned to write The Invisible Enemy The Invisible Enemy
15 Debut broadcast of The Face Of Evil episode three on BBC One The Face Of Evil
22 Debut broadcast of The Face Of Evil episode four on BBC One The Face Of Evil
24 Recording for The Talons Of Weng-Chiang takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 1 in White City, London The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
25 Recording for The Talons Of Weng-Chiang takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 1 in White City, London The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
29 Debut broadcast of The Robots Of Death episode one on BBC One The Robots Of Death

February
5 Debut broadcast of The Robots Of Death episode two on BBC One The Robots Of Death
8 Recording for The Talons Of Weng-Chiang takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 8 in White City, London The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
9 Recording for The Talons Of Weng-Chiang takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 8 in White City, London The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
10 Recording for The Talons Of Weng-Chiang takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 8 in White City, London The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
12 Debut broadcast of The Robots Of Death episode three on BBC One The Robots Of Death
19 Debut broadcast of The Robots Of Death episode four on BBC One The Robots Of Death
25 Birth of Ingrid Oliver (bio), who played Petronella Osgood
26 Debut broadcast of The Talons Of Weng-Chiang episode one on BBC One The Talons Of Weng-Chiang

March
5 Debut broadcast of The Talons Of Weng-Chiang episode two on BBC One The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
12 Debut broadcast of The Talons Of Weng-Chiang episode three on BBC One The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
17 John Leeson is contracted to provide the voice for the robot dog K·9 in The Invisible Enemy; it is mooted that K·9 may be retained as a regular character K·9
19 Debut broadcast of The Talons Of Weng-Chiang episode four on BBC One The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
26 Debut broadcast of The Talons Of Weng-Chiang episode five on BBC One The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
27 In the deadliest accident in aviation history, almost 600 people die when two planes collide at Tenerife in the Canary Islands
28 Recording for The Invisible Enemy takes place at Bray Studios in Water Oakley, Berkshire The Invisible Enemy
29 Recording for The Invisible Enemy takes place at Bray Studios in Water Oakley, Berkshire The Invisible Enemy
30 Recording for The Invisible Enemy takes place at Bray Studios in Water Oakley, Berkshire The Invisible Enemy
31 Terrance Dicks is commissioned to write Horror Of Fang Rock to replace “The Vampire Mutations” Horror Of Fang Rock
31 Recording for The Invisible Enemy takes place at Bray Studios in Water Oakley, Berkshire The Invisible Enemy

April
1 Recording for The Invisible Enemy takes place at Bray Studios in Water Oakley, Berkshire The Invisible Enemy
2 Debut broadcast of The Talons Of Weng-Chiang episode six on BBC One The Talons Of Weng-Chiang
10 Recording for The Invisible Enemy takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London The Invisible Enemy
11 Recording for The Invisible Enemy takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London The Invisible Enemy
12 Recording for The Invisible Enemy takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London The Invisible Enemy
24 Recording for The Invisible Enemy takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London The Invisible Enemy
25 Recording for The Invisible Enemy takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London The Invisible Enemy
26 The first of several days of recording for Horror Of Fang Rock at the BBC Visual Effects Workshop in Acton, London, concluding on May 2nd Horror Of Fang Rock
26 Recording for The Invisible Enemy takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London The Invisible Enemy
28 Death of Anthony Coburn (bio), writer
late
Apr		 Robert Holmes confirms that he will step down as script editor midway through Season Fifteen The Fourth Doctor

May
early
May		 Graham Williams decides to keep K·9 as a regular Doctor Who character, despite mechanical issues with the prop K·9
2 Chris Boucher is commissioned to write Image Of The Fendahl Image Of The Fendahl
4 Recording for Horror Of Fang Rock takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London Horror Of Fang Rock
5 Recording for Horror Of Fang Rock takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London Horror Of Fang Rock
6 Recording for Horror Of Fang Rock takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London Horror Of Fang Rock
mid
May		 Anthony Read begins trailing Robert Holmes, as he prepares to take over as script editor for the second half of Season Fifteen The Fourth Doctor
20 Death of Lennie Mayne (bio), director
25 George Lucas' Star Wars opens in theatres
25 Recording for Horror Of Fang Rock takes place at Pebble Mill Studio A in Birmingham, West Midlands; due to a scheduling crunch at BBC Television Centre, this is the first time that principal studio recording for Doctor Who occurs outside London Horror Of Fang Rock
26 Recording for Horror Of Fang Rock takes place at Pebble Mill Studio A in Birmingham, West Midlands Horror Of Fang Rock
30 John Leeson is contracted for The Sun Makers K·9
30 Robert Holmes is commissioned to write The Sun Makers The Sun Makers

June
6 Four days of celebration begin in recognition of the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
7 Recording for Horror Of Fang Rock takes place at Pebble Mill Studio A in Birmingham, West Midlands Horror Of Fang Rock
8 Recording for Horror Of Fang Rock takes place at Pebble Mill Studio A in Birmingham, West Midlands Horror Of Fang Rock
9 Recording for Horror Of Fang Rock takes place at Pebble Mill Studio A in Birmingham, West Midlands Horror Of Fang Rock
10 Press reports emerge that K·9 will be a new regular Doctor Who character K·9
13 Recording for The Sun Makers takes place in Hartcliffe, Bristol The Sun Makers
14 Recording for The Sun Makers takes place in Hartcliffe, Bristol The Sun Makers
15 Recording for The Sun Makers takes place in Hartcliffe, Bristol The Sun Makers
16 Recording for The Sun Makers takes place in Camden Town, London The Sun Makers
17 Recording for The Sun Makers takes place in Camden Town, London The Sun Makers
20 Recording for The Sun Makers takes place in London, at Camden Town and the BBC Visual Effects Workshop in Acton The Sun Makers
23 Bob Baker and Dave Martin are commissioned to write Underworld Underworld

July
4 Recording for The Sun Makers takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 3 in White City, London The Sun Makers
5 Recording for The Sun Makers takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 3 in White City, London The Sun Makers
13 Looting and arson are rampant when lightning strikes plunge New York City into a power cut lasting 25 hours
13 Birth of Joseph Lidster (bio), writer
17 Recording for The Sun Makers takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London The Sun Makers
18 Recording for The Sun Makers takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London The Sun Makers
18 Douglas Adams is commissioned to provide a storyline for The Pirate Planet The Pirate Planet
18 David Weir is commissioned to write “Killers Of The Dark” The Fourth Doctor
19 Recording for The Sun Makers takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London The Sun Makers

August
1 Recording for Image Of The Fendahl takes place in East End, Hampshire Image Of The Fendahl
2 Recording for Image Of The Fendahl takes place in East End, Hampshire Image Of The Fendahl
3 Recording for Image Of The Fendahl takes place in East End, Hampshire Image Of The Fendahl
4 Recording for Image Of The Fendahl takes place in East End, Hampshire Image Of The Fendahl
mid
Aug		 David Weir's “Killers Of The Dark” is abandoned The Fourth Doctor
16 Rock and roll legend Elvis Presley dies at the age of 42
20 Recording for Image Of The Fendahl takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London Image Of The Fendahl
21 Recording for Image Of The Fendahl takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London Image Of The Fendahl
25 By this date, Anthony Read and Graham Williams have concluded that they have no choice but to replace “Killers Of The Dark” with a script of their own devising, which becomes The Invasion Of Time; it will be credited to the pseudonymous “David Agnew” The Invasion Of Time

September
3 Debut broadcast of Horror Of Fang Rock episode one on BBC One Horror Of Fang Rock
4 Recording for Image Of The Fendahl takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London Image Of The Fendahl
5 Recording for Image Of The Fendahl takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London Image Of The Fendahl
6 Recording for Image Of The Fendahl takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 6 in White City, London Image Of The Fendahl
7 John Leeson is contracted for Underworld K·9
10 Debut broadcast of Horror Of Fang Rock episode two on BBC One Horror Of Fang Rock
17 Debut broadcast of Horror Of Fang Rock episode three on BBC One Horror Of Fang Rock
24 Debut broadcast of Horror Of Fang Rock episode four on BBC One Horror Of Fang Rock
27 Birth of Dan Starkey (bio), who played Commander Strax

October
1 Debut broadcast of The Invisible Enemy episode one on BBC One The Invisible Enemy
3 Recording for Underworld takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 3 in White City, London Underworld
4 Recording for Underworld takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 3 in White City, London Underworld
6 A photocall is held to introduce K·9 as a new companion K·9
7 Brazilian football legend Pelé plays his final match, an exhibition game between his first and final teams
8 Debut broadcast of The Invisible Enemy episode two on BBC One The Invisible Enemy
10 With Louise Jameson leaving Doctor Who after Season Fifteen and Elisabeth Sladen uninterested in returning to the show, Graham Williams issues a character outline for a new companion called Romy (short for Romanadvoratrelundar) The First Romana
12 John Leeson is contracted for The Invasion Of Time K·9
15 Debut broadcast of The Invisible Enemy episode three on BBC One The Invisible Enemy
15 Recording for Underworld takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 3 in White City, London Underworld
16 Recording for Underworld takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 3 in White City, London Underworld
17 Recording for Underworld takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 3 in White City, London Underworld
18 Recording for Underworld takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 3 in White City, London Underworld
20 Douglas Adams is commissioned to write The Pirate Planet The Pirate Planet
22 Debut broadcast of The Invisible Enemy episode four on BBC One The Invisible Enemy
26 The last naturally-occurring case of smallpox is diagnosed, after which the disease is considered to be eradicated thanks to a program of vaccination
29 Debut broadcast of Image Of The Fendahl episode one on BBC One Image Of The Fendahl

November
1 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place at Bray Studios in Water Oakley, Berkshire The Invasion Of Time
2 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place at Bray Studios in Water Oakley, Berkshire The Invasion Of Time
5 Debut broadcast of Image Of The Fendahl episode two on BBC One Image Of The Fendahl
6 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 8 in White City, London The Invasion Of Time
7 Louise Jameson's departure is announced to the press Leela
7 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 8 in White City, London The Invasion Of Time
8 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 8 in White City, London The Invasion Of Time
8 Moris Farhi is commissioned to write “The Divided” The Fourth Doctor
12 Debut broadcast of Image Of The Fendahl episode three on BBC One Image Of The Fendahl
14 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
15 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
16 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
17 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
18 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Hammersmith, London The Invasion Of Time
19 Egyptian President Anwar Sadat makes a state visit to Israel, becoming the first Arab leader to do so
19 Debut broadcast of Image Of The Fendahl episode four on BBC One Image Of The Fendahl
25 Tom Baker is contracted for Season Sixteen The Fourth Doctor
26 Debut broadcast of The Sun Makers episode one on BBC One The Sun Makers

December
3 Debut broadcast of The Sun Makers episode two on BBC One The Sun Makers
5 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
6 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
7 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
8 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
8 David Fisher is commissioned to provide a storyline for The Stones Of Blood The Stones Of Blood
9 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
9 Robert Holmes is commissioned to write The Ribos Operation The Ribos Operation
10 Debut broadcast of The Sun Makers episode three on BBC One The Sun Makers
12 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
13 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
14 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
15 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
16 Recording for The Invasion Of Time takes place in Redhill, Surrey The Invasion Of Time
17 Debut broadcast of The Sun Makers episode four on BBC One The Sun Makers

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