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BlogtorWho has delivered the delicious news that the new series of Doctor Who will begin in the US on April 17th, a mere two weeks after the UK airing (seems the Beeb has learned a bit about the futility of making the Yanks wait forever for new episodes…..)

Here is the trailer for the upcoming series, which is a sure-cure for any geek suffering from erectile dysfunction

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• The New Doctor Who Has A Start Date (cinemablend.com)

From Sense About Science comes the latest news on the British Chiropractic Association’s libel suit against science writer Simon Singh. Today is a big deal; I will post news as I hear it:

“Simon Singh’s libel case with the British Chiropractic Association appears before the Court of Appeal in London [...] Tuesday 23rd February. His case will be heard by three of the most powerful legal figures in the UK, Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger and Lord Justice Sedley and has been named one of the top ten cases to watch in 2010 by The Lawyer magazine.”

[I would like to point out that The Lawyer nicked my title -- "Simon Singh's Bogus Journey" -- which I first used in a post on May 15, 2009, and many times after. Frikkin' lawyers. Totally bogus. ]

If you haven’t done so already, you must check out the new FX series Archer, the hilarious secret-agent toon by the creators of Frisky Dingo. Its all-star cast features Jessica “Play Misty for Me” Walters, Chris Parnell, Aisha Tyler, and the funniest voice over actor EVER, H. Jon Benjamin (in the title role).

In tribute, here a a few Benjamin classics.

[read the rest....]

Andrew Koenig, funny actor and son of Walter “Chekov” Koenig, has gone missing in Vancouver. He didn’t make his flight home and has friends, family and BC police worried.

He was last seen on Valentine’s Day. His family says he’s been in a funk lately, but let’s try not to think of the worst.

Koenig’s friends are asking you to reblog this, and have given the following contact info:

If you’ve seen Andrew since February 14th, or have any helpful information, PLEASE call Vancouver authorities @ 604-717-2967 or 604-717-2534. Refer to case #202029519.

UPDATE, 2/26/2010: As you have no doubt heard, this story has ended in the worst way possible. Life is often unfathomably painful; I’m so sad Andrew opted for the most effective, yet tragically irreversible treatment.

More news from Simon Singh and libelreform.org’s continuing battle against nonsense in the UK, but this time it’s kinda fun. Singh and pals have organized a benefit featuring some of the UK’s top comedy talents, as well as some of the noble science geeks who are out to reform Britain’s ridiculous libel laws.

Readers of this site are well-aware of Singh’s “bogus journey” — he has been sued for libel simply for calling “shennanigans” on the practice of chiropractic. Follow the libelreform.org links for more outrageous examples of weird, anti-science lawsuits.

From the press release:

The Big Libel Gig on Sunday 14 March 2010 at the London’s Palace Theatre will raise funds to support the Coalition for Libel Reform. An eclectic line-up, including Dara Ó Briain, Tim Minchin, Marcus Brigstocke, Robin Ince, Ed Byrne, Shappi Khorsandi, Professor Brian Cox, Simon Singh, Professor Richard Wiseman, Dr Peter Wilmshurst and Dr Ben Goldacre, is supporting the campaign for a public interest defence to protect writers, bloggers, academics, human rights activists and performers.

The Big Libel Gig is the brainchild of comedian Robin Ince – whose previous successes include the annual Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People shows and who will be hosting the evening – and Simon Singh, the science author and broadcaster, who will be talking frankly about the impact of libel fears on scientific debate.

Simon Singh, who is currently being sued by the British Chiropractic Association, said: “Peter Wilmshurst, Ben Goldacre and I will talk about being sued for libel. Peter is being sued for raising concerns about a heart device. He faces bankruptcy by coming up against our draconian libel laws. We are all put at risk if doctors and scientists are scared to speak out because of English libel laws.”

Tickets go on sale today, so if you’re going to be in London, buy some by clicking here.

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• Video: Simon Singh on libel tourism and the ‘chilling effect’ on science journalism (blogs.journalism.co.uk)
• Danish scientist sued by drug firm under British libel laws to counterclaim (guardian.co.uk)