October 2003

At last, we're getting details about North America's 2004 list of Doctor Who selections. Having now exhausted the VHS range, the current plans call for the distribution of two DVDs per quarter, released at the same time, likely in February, May, August and November. According to email from BBCAmericaShop, the first two DVDs for 2004 will be The Seeds of Death starring Patrick Troughton and, in a surprise move, The Three Doctors starring Jon Pertwee, Troughton and William Hartnell. ("Three Doctors" is only seeing release next month in the UK!) This is, of course, subject to change. We do know that at this time there are no plans for an additional North America-only boxed set (like "The Key to Time") and that only stories released first in the UK will be on this schedule. More details as we get them.

The Doctor Who Appreciation Society is releasing two new publications for the 40th anniversary. In November, the regular DWAS newsletter Celestial Toyroom will take a monthÆs break and there will be a special issue of TARDIS, the SocietyÆs other publication. TARDIS will have a colour cover (right) and features articles and interviews as well as details on the forthcoming "Doctor Omega 2". Also, Ian WheelerÆs collection of drabbles, entitled Who XL, will also be available soon and will feature contributions form the likes of Colin Baker and Nicholas Courtney. They hope to make both publications available to non-members. More information can be had by emailing wheelersworld@tiscali.co.uk. (Thanks to Ian Wheeler)

Bid on a Beanie Baby signed by Colin Baker to benefit UK childrens' hospices! Click here for details!

Former DWM comic strip writer Tony Lee makes his US debut in Marvel Comics' new "Unlimited X-Men" series according to this article. (Thanks to Geoff Wessel)

The forthcoming UK Gold Anniversary Weekend will feature, if our information is correct, the following stories selected out of their recent viewers' poll: "The Time Meddler," "Tomb of the Cybermen," "The Daemons," "Pyramids of Mars," "The Caves of Androzani," "Attack of the Cybermen" and "Dragonfire". The stories will be aired over the weekend, with various interviews/features interspersed throughout. Hopefully, UK Gold will avail themselves of restored-quality prints as some of their viewing prints (specifically "The Time Meddler") are "virtually unwatchable". (Thanks to Mark Campbell)

More of the same... today's Daily Mirror features a sidebar article that says that Eastenders actor Shane Richie is one of the candidates to be the next Doctor. We've provided the article which you can read by clicking the thumbnail at right... but of course this is likely just more from the publicity mill. (Thanks to Gallifrey 5)

More on that special Doctor Who anniversary album we reported some time ago: it's called Resistance is Futile and includes "a series of remixes, modern interpretations and re-workings of Radiophonic Workshop material and classic Doctor Who music." Says BBCi: "Artists, which include Lemon Jelly, The Orb, Radioslave, 808state, Unkle, Howie B, Coldcut, Mark B and St Etienne were all given access to parts of the extensive archive of material which help shape the sound of modern dance music. The results are a unique insight into how artists of today were influenced by this groundbreaking music of the past. The album ... is out at the start of 2004, and all attendees to Panopticon 2003 will receive a free limited edition 3 track promo sampler. Numbers are limited so make sure you don't miss out." A small version of the cover is at right. (Thanks to BBCi)

The BBC has released press details for the forthcoming The Scream of the Shalka, which has been announced as starting on Thursday, November 13 on BBCi. Says the press release:


The article from the BBC Press Office goes on further to describe the story, the first story information so far released:


Looks like it's only a few weeks away. (Thanks to Phil Creighton, Steve Tribe)

At right: the new cover illustration from The Wormery, the November 2003 Big Finish audio starring Colin Baker with Katy Manning as Iris Wildthyme (click on the thumbnail for a larger version). Also at the BF site - a preview of the forthcoming The Inside Story book with PDF copies of the pages for two stories, "The Sirens of Time" and "The Spectre of Lanyon Moor". Visit the Big Finish website to view them.

In a message today to the Outpost Gallifrey Forum, author Peter Anghelides attempted to deconstruct some of the disinformation surrounding the forthcoming new Doctor Who series with details freely available on the web about some of the people behind it. We felt it was too important not to share with readers of our news page.



We guess, as do our readers, that the BBC "is looking for a drama series that'll run for five years - provide some innovative and character-driven drama (either period or futuristic will do) and come off with a bang for a large viewing audience. My, but doesn't that sound like a made-to-order job for Doctor Who." Of course, all this is speculative, but it's a good primer on what we might expect from a future serise. (With thanks to the brilliant Mr. Anghelides for his insight, and Forum user "No Heroics" for the 'five year' summation)

Big Finish producer and BBC author/editor Jacqueline Rayner ("EarthWorld") was married this autumn. Our long-belated congratulations to Jac and her husband Nick Farrow on their nuptuals.

Author Martin Day has listed a new Doctor Who novel on his personal site, yet to be confirmed by BBCi: "The Sleep of Reason," due out in 2004.

A new article in tomorrow's The Independent in the UK picks "The A-Team," the cult 1980's television series, as the show they most want returned to the airwaves. "Doctor Who" came in ninth place with a mere 1% of the vote... falling behind such "classics" as "The Dukes of Hazzard," "Knight Rider," "Dallas" and "Miami Vice" (just who were they talking to, anyway?) but, of course, the numbers could be skewed because ... Doctor Who's already scheduled to return! Read the article here. (Thanks to Andrew Harvey)

The 1906 French proto-SF novel Doctor Omega, the remarkably prescient novel by Arnould Galopin recently translated to English by Jean-Marc & Randy Lofficier (previewed on Outpost Gallifrey here), is about to get a sequel. Doctor Who novelist David McIntee will be penning Doctor Omega and the Electro-men for release during 2004 (exact date to be determined) by Black Coat Press. This original sequel will draw elements from another French novel, Gustave Le Rouge's "La Conspiration des Milliardaires" originally published in 1900; that book featured deadly robotic "Electro-Men," the creation of a mad American scientist, even though the word "robot" was coined only in 1920 by Karel Capek in his classic R.U.R. McIntee (whose next Doctor Who novel "The Eleventh Tiger" is due out mid-2004 from BBC Books), says, "I hope that what I do with the story would have been approved of by the original authors and their contemporaries." Meanwhile, Jean-Marc Lofficier has given an interview about both "Doctor Omega" and its sequel, including exclusive information about McIntee's upcoming volume, to be published in the November issue of TARDIS, the magazine from the Doctor Who Appreciation Society. (Thanks to Jean-Marc & Randy Lofficier, Ian Wheeler & David McIntee)

You may laugh, but we didn't says the new Radio Times, in reference to The Dalek Invasion of Earth which features as one of "TV's scariest moments" in a new Channel 4 documentary. (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

Several new DVD releases coming in the next two months will feature appearances by Doctor Who alumni. In North America, Patrick Troughton appears in "Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell," just released yesterday; Jon Pertwee's film "The House that Dripped Blood" is due out October 28; and Paul McGann stars in "FairyTale: A True Story" due out November 11. Over in the UK, Peter Davison appears in "A Very Peculiar Practice: Season One," a two-disc set, due out November 24. (Thanks to Steve Hill.)

We've just learned that the forthcoming BBC Radio Collection audio release of Marco Polo will, like the "Daleks' Master Plan" relase, contain MP3 files of the "clean" soundtrack, without William Russell's narration. The package
will also contain a fold-out colour map, on which the caravan's journey can be traced as the story progresses, and this will also be included as a jpeg file. The "extras" will be on the first of the three discs. (Thanks to Stephen James Walker)

Katy Manning joins the list of Doctor Who celebs signing at Tenth Planet UK on October 25; click here for details!

In an interview on Sunday with the Telegraph, Tom Baker set the record straight on his comments about Eddie Izzard being in the new series. "I went on the radio last week and told someone it would be Eddie Izzard. I have been putting the word around that it's him, with Sue MacGregor [formerly of Radio 4's "Today" programme] as his assistant. Sue MacGregor is a joke, but Eddie Izzard would be politically interesting..." In other words, don't count on it. (And we've since heard in the papers from Eddie, who discounted it anyway.) (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

Kate O'Mara (the Rani) has written her autobiography, "Vamp Until Ready". You can check out details about the book by clicking here.

The Rani's ready to return. Kate O'Mara, in an interview with the Daily Mail promoting her new autobiography "Vamp Until Ready," which was released October 16, mentioned that she'd be happy to return to the role she played in the television series, the "Children in Need" special "Dimensions in Time" and the BBV audio "The Rani Reaps the Whirlwind." She mentioned that she was always open to roles that would bring work (ever the life of the actor), and if asked, would be quite happy to appear in the new Doctor Who series.

The newest issue of Doctor Who Magazine suggests that, contrary to earlier reports, the show will have either 8 or 12 episodes of 45-minute length (even at 8, it's more footage than the last four seasons of the original show!)

The 2004 Big Finish limited series taking place on Gallifrey will be called... Gallifrey! Big Finish recently confirmed that the audio series, which features Lalla Ward as Romana, Louise Jameson as Leela and John Leeson as K-9, will be four parts; parts one and four are written by Alan Barnes, part two by Stephen Cole and part three by Justin Richards. Also recently confirmed: the special one-shot CD featuring the single-episode story Living Legend will be attached to the cover of Doctor Who Magazine #337, and includes both the story and interviews with much of the cast of "Zagreus", BF's 40th anniversary story due in November. Finally... could there be more Doctor Who Unbounds? No plans as yet for a second series, according to John Ainsworth, who would not be producing one if there were, he says. However, Ainsworth does mention one interesting possibility: "Having said that we MAY do one more Unbound as a one-off special which I will both produce and direct. We'll see what happens." More of the interview with John Ainsworth is at the Total Telly site. (Thanks to DWM, Brian Edwards, John Ainsworth)

A new hour-long documentary about The BBC Radiophonic Workshop, Alchemists of Sound, has made its debut. Says the BBC press release: "In the Sixties, Delia Derbyshire frightened thousands of children every week, forcing them to hide behind sofas, cover their ears, and run crying to daddy. She did it by twanging strings, fiddling with wobbulators, and sticking tiny bits of tape together to create the theme tune to Doctor Who. Delia was part of a dedicated band of ground-breaking experimenters in the electronic manipulation of sound who laboured quietly behind the door of Room 13 in the BBC?s Maida Vale studios. They went by the name of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, and received regular calls from members of the public who thought they repaired wirelesses. They were unsung pioneers in the field of electronics, whose strange inspiration was rooted in the curious constraints of the available equipment, and the combination of mathematical, musical, electronic and manual skills that their work required. Alchemists Of Sound is a lovingly crafted documentary in which those involved in the Radiophonic Workshop tell the story of this creative, and occasionally haphazard, group. It contains original footage of the team and the amazing machinery that created some of the best-known sounds of the times. It also reveals that the entire output of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, from 1983 onwards, would have been lost to posterity had it not been for a series of legendary mishaps. Their work added intense dramatic impact to productions such as Quatermass, The Hitch-Hikers Guide To The Galaxy, The Body In Question and countless children?s television programmes, including Blue Peter. It was a style particularly suited to sci-fi and, in many respects, these 'alchemists' shaped the future of sound. The airing of this documentary coincides with the 40th anniversary of Doctor Who?s first transmission, which the BBC and BBC Worldwide will be celebrating with various activities." The programme contains archive footage and clips, and interviews with numerous Radiophonic Workshop luminaries including Delia Derbyshire (on archive film), Brian Hodgson, Dick Mills, Desmond Briscoe, Paddy Kingsland, Peter Howell, Roger Limb and Malcolm Clarke. A certain Radiophonic Workshop 'associate' by the name of Mark Ayres also features...and one segment in particular should be of interest to fans of the Doctor Who theme. The documentary was broadcast today in the UK (October 19) at 9pm, on BBC4, and will be repeated Monday 20th at 1.10am, Tuesday 21st October at 8.30pm, and Wednesday 22nd October 3.30am; it's hoped that a BBC2 replay will happen soon. Click here for the BBC4 webpage and full details. (Thanks to Mark Ayres)

At last... we have the UK version of the video cover for The Reign of Terror, the final VHS release in Britain due out in November; click on the thumbnail at right for a larger version.

Tenth Planet has sent us the revised version of the package cover for The Three Doctors, the November DVD release in the UK which features a Corgi model of Bessie. According to the Restoration Team, the cover of "The Three Doctors" will match the other releases in the UK's DVD series, and has not been redesigned; this, however, is the full package. (Thanks to Tenth Planet)

The new issue of Doctor Who Magazine features illustrations of the Doctor, Alison Cheney (the companion), the Master and Shalka in the forthcoming BBCi webcast The Scream of the Shalka. Below are smaller versions; for much bigger, clearer versions, pick up issue 336 of the magazine, which is on sale now.

Below are much better versions of the artwork on the Doctor Who DVD boxed set from WHSmith, including the previously-released Dalek DVDs in the UK: "Resurrection of the Daleks," "Remembrance of the Daleks" and "The Dalek Invasion of Earth". Click on the thumbnail of each for a larger version. (Thanks to Tenth Planet for the images)

     

You can't keep Tom Baker down... he just keeps doing outrageous and extremely funny interviews. In a new chat with Metro Cafe Tom talks Doctor Who and more. Some of the highlights: Have you kept any memorabilia from the show? "I did have quite a lot but it was all begged off me. You know, smart begging. It is very highly organised now, isn't it? If I had held on to some of it, it would have been terribly valuable. I just gave it away." Tom on sexuality and the ladies: "Well, I tell you this: I am sexually - even as Tom Baker - irresistible to ladies over 80. They often say: 'It's Tom Baker, isn't it? The old Dr Who?' And I say: 'Yes.' And they say: 'I thought it was. As soon as I saw you, my bosoms began to tingle.' In Waitrose, there are lots of old ladies trying to pull me. They smash their trolleys into mine, saying: 'I live quite close by, dear.'" On his ex-wife: "I married one. I married Lalla Ward, who played Romana - she is terrifically articulate and witty. She was in New York at some science fiction bash. Somebody from the floor said: 'Ms Ward, what was your favourite monster?' and she said: 'Tom Baker.'" More on the new series: "Eddie Izzard would be excellent. Because he is so mysterious and strange, yet benevolent. He would be very good indeed. And Judith Chalmers perhaps as the assistant? Or am I getting her mixed up with Melinda Messenger? Oh yes, that's right, Melinda Messenger then." Would he reprise the role? "I might jib at that but I want to suggest the BBC makes me The Master. The new viewers wouldn't be bothered as they wouldn't recognise me - but for older people, there would be a certain frisson. The BBC wouldn't like it because it is a bit witty. But I am used to rejection." And on death: "What do you mean? I have a bloody coffin ready and waiting full of cat litter in the garage. You have got to be prepared these days. I am a professional. That's why I go to bed early. I am rehearsing for death." Click on the link above for the whole very entertaining article.

Cards Inc has produced a new range of limited edition Doctor Who plates and ceramic cookie jars that will be available in mid-November, according to Tenth Planet. These include three ceramic jars -- a Cyberman, a Dalek and the TARDIS -- as well as commemorative plates featuring Davros, the Daleks, the Cybermen and the Fourth Doctor. The plates are limited to 1000 pieces, while the cookie jars are limited to 3000. Click on the thumbnails below for larger versions of each. (Thanks to Tenth Planet)

     
   

Issue #336 of Doctor Who Magazine is now in bookshops; the cover is below. Included in the issue are an article by Benjamin Cook focusing on the new BBCi webcast "The Scream of the Shalka," Daniel O'Mahony's "The Accidental Tourist," interviews with BBC Radio Collection Michael Stevens and audio guru Mark Ayres, an interview with Paul McGann, the final chapter of the comic "The Curious Tale of Spring-Heeled Jack", plus all the usual reviews and features. Also due out soon is "We Love Doctor Who," the 40th anniversary DWM volume, which is due November 6. "Based upon the results of the DWM Anniversary Poll, this special 84-page commemorative edition examines the very best that Doctor Who has to offer - as voted by you! As well as counting down the Top 50 TV stories of all time, DWM examines books fictional and factual, novelisations, audio dramas and comic strips. Moreover, it is revealed who you consider to be Doctor Who's best-ever writers and which individuals you feel have made the greatest contribution to our favourite series! The best writers in Doctor Who fandom are gathered to take an in-depth look at what makes the series so special in all its varied forms. Beautifully illustrated throughout with a wealth of photographs, this issue is destined to become the ultimate souvenir of Doctor Who's 40th anniversary."

   

Canada's BBC Kids network is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Doctor Who with 40 back-to-back episodes starting on November 23 at 10am. The marathon runs through Monday, November 24 at 6am. "Forty years after it's debut, Doctor Who û airing exclusively in Canada on BBC Kids û consistently attracts loyal viewers and has spawned legions of followers and exhaustive fan sites," says John Gill, Senior V.P. Programming, BBC Kids. "BBC Kids is celebrating this milestone in style, offering viewers the opportunity to relive The Doctor's many adventures while introducing a whole new generation of fans to the classic villains and monsters of intergalactic travel." BBC KidsÆ time travel marathon will feature nine favourite storylines featuring Tom Baker as The Doctor, including two stories written by the late Douglas Adams (HitchhikerÆs Guide to the Galaxy). The marathon includes "The Ark in Space," "Genesis of the Daleks," "Pyramids of Mars," "The Deadly Assassin," "The Robots of Death," "The Talons of Weng-Chiang," "The Pirate Planet," "City of Death," and "Logopolis". (Thanks to Graeme Burk)

According to ezyDVD.com.au, The Three Doctors DVD is due for release in Australia on November 12, before it comes out in the UK. The DVD package is priced at $32.95 AUS, while the deluxe edition with the Corgi model is packaged for $46.95. (Thanks to David Dungey)

A recent press release by BBC Worldwide entitled The TARDIS lands down under talks about tribute programming to honor the show's 40th anniversary. "ABC TV is currently screening the entire Doctor Who series every Monday to Thursday at 6pm," says the press release. "Mrena Manzoufas, Head of Programming, ABC TV says, 'Doctor Who made its debut in November 1963 and ABC TV last screened it in March 1994. Since then we have received an endless number of requests from Doctor Who fans who want to re-live the whole Doctor Who experience and have decided to re-screen the entire series from episode one.' In addition, UKTV in Australia will run an extensive schedule to celebrate the anniversary year. Hosted by Katy Manning (the voice of UKTV and former companion to Jon Pertwee), the channel will show selected episodes featuring the eight Doctors who have steered the TARDIS since 1963, on Saturday mornings from 11 October - 22 November. Tony Iffland, Chief Executive, UKTV says, Doctor Who is an iconic British programme - we could not let the 40th Anniversary pass without a special UKTV celebration.' Julie Dowding, Head of Sales Australasia, BBC Worldwide says, 'The Doctor Who franchise has always been incredibly popular in this territory and this is reflected by the strong support from our broadcast partners in this anniversary year." The press release also mentions that "BBC Worldwide is currently exploring the possibility of developing Doctor Who into a major US studio film, and last month BBC green-lit scripts for a brand new television series from writer Russell T Davies," possibly keeping alive the word that a film may indeed happen as well as a TV series!

Alan Davies appeared on BBC1's "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" on October 17, coming onstage to an a capella version of the Doctor Who theme by the house band. Davies, who has been featured as a possible new Doctor in the media, made some comments rejecting the press stories: "Well, now you see, thatÆs just paper talk. ... No. Sadly, IÆm not the new Dr Who," he said. "I havenÆt been asked. Two years ago it was in the News of the World, GoÆ bless æem. They said I was signed up under a massive deal." Apparently a lot of his friends have already contacted him asking to play Daleks and/or Cybermen! They also showed an article from the Express newspaper that had a composite photograph of Alan in Tom Baker Who costume. Davies later talked about Mary Tamm and K-9, the Daleks, and even the new guy behind Doctor Who, his namesake, Russell T. Davies. "The thing is I would do Dr Who because Russell T Davies is writing it," he said. "HeÆs BritainÆs nicest man and best writer and he wrote Bob & Rose, so I sent him an email saying if youÆre really stuck and you canÆt get who you want, IÆll fill in but IÆm not wearing that hat." And who would make a good Doctor? "Annette Crosby," he answered, of BBC1's "One Foot in the Grave". "No, I mean it!" Davies cried. This all gives solace to -- or perhaps takes the wind out of the sails of -- a "prevent Alan Davies from being the next Doctor Who" campaign launched in the Diary column of Matthew Norman featured in the Guardian newspaper; the latest chapter was printed here (it's the fourth story down). (Thanks to everyone who wrote in, Craig Potter for the quotes and Steve Tribe for the "campaign" info)

Eddie Izzard recently told BBC Radio 1 that while he appreciated being thought of, he wasn't going to be the next Doctor, despite Tom Baker's claims to the contrary. "Tom Baker threw my name up which was fantastic," he says, "it's a wonderful honour. I hadn't considered it, I didn't even know (the series) was happening, and I don't think the BBC would want me. They'd probably rather spit on me and slap me about with fish. ... I'm really into doing my films, and so 26 weeks is a big commitment. There are other people that are up for it that everyone else wants. I'm slightly more on the edge. I think the BBC would say 'Well we want someone simpler and safer.' ... I think my breasts are too dangerous."

Who will play the new Doctor? Coventry City/GMK writer Neville Hadsley speculates the likes of Arsene Wenger, Peter Reid and Gordon Strachan in the role; click here to read the article. (Thanks to Chuck Foster)

Keeping up with a contender for the role of the Doctor: A comic version of the hit single Love Is All Around is being released as a contender for the Christmas number one spot, renamed Christmas Is All Around and sung by Bill Nighy. It's from the new film Love Actually. Read more about it by clicking here. (Thanks to Jonathan Baldwin)

Sylvester McCoy and Bonnie Langford reunite again... this time on stage. Both will be featured players in "Dick Whittington"; Bonnie's featured as the title character, Sylv as King Rat. The play will be on for three weeks starting December 12 at the Yvonne Arnaud theatre in Guildford.

According to a report on BBC News, the Daleks, sworn enemies of eccentric timelord Doctor Who, have been voted the most evil villains on TV. Footballers' Wives' Jason Turner (Cristian Solimeno) came in second place, Soames Forsyte (Eric Porter) in the 1960s version of The Forsyte Saga took third place, and rounding out the top five were Jewel in the Crown's Ronald Merrick and House of Cards' Francis Urquhart. More than 3,000 GMTV voters took part in the poll, which also voted best TV Drama ("Cracker"), top TV detective (Inspector Morse) and many others.

The new series of "Fort Boyard" starts at 5.00 pm in the UK on Monday 20th October on Challenge TV Satellite Channel 121, starring Tom Baker (who took over the role previously played by Geoffrey Bayldon).

Tomb of the Cybermen production designer Martin Johnson died on October 9. A small obituary and picture can be found by clicking here.

At right is the illustration for the DVD package The Three Doctors, featuring both the DVD as well as the included Corgi model car. Click the thumbnail for a larger version. (Thanks to Tenth Planet)

"The House that Dripped Blood" will be out on DVD on October 28, 2003, according to Amazon and other sources. Besides starring roles for Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Denholm Elliott, the film also stars Jon Pertwee, the late Third Doctor. "House" is comprised of three short stories: "Method for Murder," "Waxworks" and "The Cloak"; Pertwee appears in "The Cloak" as a famous horror film star who visits an odd little costume shop for an unusually authentic vampire's cloak. (Thanks to Matthew Wilson)

Bill Nighy appears to be the front-runner for the role of the Doctor, being writer/producer Russell Davies' first choice. Now, another article in the Telegraph quotes television presenter Richard Bacon, who says the veteran actor is a "shoo-in" for the job. "I'm very good mates with the League of Gentlemen writer Mark Gatiss, who's going to be writing the show with Russell T. Davies. Mark says it's Nighy for the lead, and he's in the know on this." Of course, this is all second hand. (And the quest continues... Thanks to Matthew Sweet)

Eddie Izzard told BBC Radio 1 on Thursday that any casting of him as the new Doctor would be a surprise to him - probably too much of one. "Tom Baker threw my name up," Izzard says, "which was fantastic, it's a wonderful honour. I hadn't considered it, I didn't even know (the series) was happening, and I don't think the BBC would want me. They'd probably rather spit on me and slap me about with fish." Izzard, who is currently on tour in America, wasn't aware of the rumours or about the series revival. "I'm really into doing my films, and so 26 weeks is a big commitment. There are other people that are up for it that everyone else wants. I'm slightly more on the edge. I think the BBC would say 'Well we want someone simpler and safer.'. I think my breasts are too dangerous." Of course, stranger things have happened. (Thanks to Chuck Foster, William Duffy, Stuart Ian Burns, Michael Eggleston, Jason Zerdin)

Doctor Who is finally back on the air in Australia; the Sydney Morning Herald covers the relaunch of classic stories on TV this week.

Colin Baker comes to Des Moines, Iowa on December 5 to raise money for Iowa Public TV; local news is picking up the story. Click here for local press reaction.

An article by Morwenna Gordon in the BBC's internal magazine "Ariel" notes a change to the forthcoming Doctor Who: The Legend anniversary hardcover book by Justin Richards due to the forthcoming new series. The article text is as follows (with thanks to Henry Potts for the article's text):

Cult TV Convention this weekend (Oct 10-13) in Bristol, with Nicholas Courtney, Paul Darrow, Bernard Horsfall, Michael Sheard, Gareth Thomas & more!

Today's installment of The Age, a Melbourne Australia paper, features a very flippant (and quite amusing) interview with Tom Baker, among which he discusses why he left the show, tripping over his scarf, sipping gin and tonic in his French countryside house, and even the fact that the TARDIS didn't have any lavatories! "It didn't," Tom says. "The extraordinary thing was there was no sign of anyone eating either, was there? It's funny, in literature no one ever goes to the lavatory. No one ever says, 'Dorothy's just having a great Rabelaisian bowel movement.' No one ever says that, do they?" You can read the full article by clicking here. (Thanks to Catherine McIver, Steve Tribe)

The Cuttings Archive is back in business with clippings from the Doctor Who newspaper articles from the past couple of weeks.

An article in the new The Sun claims actor Andrew Lincoln ("This Life," "Teachers") is on the BBC's "wish list" of actors to play the Doctor. The story hasn't been corroborated anywhere else, leading us to believe it's just a publicity move.
      Outpost Gallifrey would like to assure all of our loyal readers while we're following all of these leads, it's very likely that these are simple publicity put out by agents to increase visibility for their celebrities.

BBC Worldwide has released The Curse of Fenric on DVD in the UK. Among the highlights on this new disc are a new extended 'movie format' version of the story in addition to the original four-part episodic version, as well as commentaries by Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred and Nicholas Parsons, an isolated music soundtrack, a cast & crew discussion at the 1990 Nebula convention, "Take Two" (a BBC1 children's programme), "Modeling the Dead" from BSB's Doctor Who weekend in 1990, "Claws and Effect" (a behind-the-scenes featurette), "Shattering the Chains" (an interview with author Ian Briggs), "Costume Design" (interview iwth costume designer Ken Trew), "Recutting the Runes" (interview with musician Mark Ayres), plus easter eggs and photo gallery. The disc is in wide release today all over Britain, though some stores have been selling it since last week.

Today's Sunday Times weighs in on the debate over who the next Doctor is with a startling announcement: they say that it's Bill Nighy -- previously said to be Russell T Davies favourite -- to be the Doctor in the new series. Says the article by Arts Editor Richard Brooks, "The BBC is to approach Bill Nighy, one of BritainÆs most sought after character actors, to become the new Dr Who. Nighy, who played the crusading newspaper editor in the BBCÆs hit political thriller State of Play, is said by friends to be very interested in the role." The article does go on to mention other actors: "Other names mentioned include Alan Cumming, Jonathan Pryce, Paul McGann, the black actor Chiwetel Ejiofor ["Dirty Pretty Things"], Eddie Izzard and Mark Gatiss, from BBC2Æs The League of Gentlemen." You can read the full article by clicking here. Please note that we haven't heard whether this is the real thing or not, but apparently a lot of people read this article and let us know!

BBC America and Warner Home Video have just released The Talons of Weng-Chiang and The Dalek Invasion of Earth on DVD. Both are two-disc sets and match their UK counterparts in features, except "Talons" includes more of the Howard DaSilva narrative introductions as an extra.
      Also just out: The End of the Universe Collection (seen at right). As Outpost Gallifrey previously reported, this eleven-story video collection is a set of the final VHS Doctor Who releases that will be issued in North America! Included in the package are The Reign of Terror Collectors Edition (which includes "The Web of Fear" episode 1 and "The Faceless Ones" episodes 1 and 3), The Sensorites, The Time Meddler, The Gunfighters, The Ambassadors of Death, The Mutants, Invasion of the Dinosaurs, The Invisible Enemy, The Creature From the Pit, The Horns of Nimon and Meglos. This pricey set (but well worth it) will complete American and Canadian VHS video collections.

Why was the Three Doctors DVD delayed until late 2003? Only because of the Corgi toy car that comes along with the package! OG worries about BBC Worldwide sometimes...

At right is a better version of the cover illustration for the second tape of the Reign of Terror Boxed Set, the tape with the single stories "The Web of Fear" episode 1 and "The Faceless Ones" episodes 1 and 3. We're still waiting for the final cover illustration for the "Reign" tape.

Janet Fielding to TSV on why she's not doing Big Finish audios: "If you don't shut the door behind you at some point in your life, you'll never move on... I've been there, I've done it. On to adventures new."

Fandom's latest Monthly Rankings of favorite books are out, check out the listings!

Radio Times editor Gill Hudson on BBC Radio 4's "The Message" on October 3: discussing RT's 80th anniversary and the "Doctor Who is #1" poll, Hudson mentions she had no idea DW was coming back... she thinks the news leaked and the Beeb was forced to announce the return before they'd planned!

David Bishop's Doctor Who novel Who Killed Kennedy, which was originally published by Virgin Books as an "extra" for their line of Missing Adventures novels, will soon be revived as an e-book on the TSV New Zealand website. The book, out of print for six years, was given to TSV to make the text of the novel freely available for readers, as has been done by BBCi with their current run of Doctor Who electronic book reprints. "IÆm immensely fond of Who Killed Kennedy," the author says. "It was my first official Doctor Who novel and a true labour of love. Alas, Virgin losing the licence meant the book has been unavailable for years. But getting it republished online is the next best thing." The novel will be made available in weekly instalments, building up to a complete online novel. Bishop will also provide background information on the genesis of his novel and notes on each of the individual chapters, including explanations of the huge number of continuity references seeded throughout the text. "Fortunately IÆve got help from New ZealandÆs continuity guru Jon Preddle to annotate the many, many Who references in the story. IÆll also be writing about the genesis of the book and how it became a JFK tie-in." Additionally, Bishop plans to produce a rewritten æauthorÆs cutÆ that will appear alongside the original novel as an alternative version. This new version will remove the JFK elements of the story altogether, thus giving the novel a new climax. "I was never satisfied with the Kennedy aspects of the novel," David says. "They felt bolted on at the time and still donÆt sit well with the rest of the story, seven years later. So when the NZDWFC started talking with me about putting the book online, I suggested publishing two versions - the printed novel with the Kennedy elements and a special online version with a freshly written beginning and end. Anyone visiting the site can choose which version they prefer to read." The e-book is planned to launch on the TSV website at www.doctorwho.org.nz on 22 November 2003 - the 40th anniversary of the assassination of JFK, and of course just one day before Doctor WhoÆs own 40th anniversary. (Thanks to Paul Scoones and David Bishop)

Issue 68 of Time Space Visualizer, the journal of the New Zealand Doctor Who Fan Club (NZDWFC) has been released. TSV 68 features a rare interview with Janet Fielding (recorded during her New Zealand visit earlier this year) in which she talks about life before, during and after Doctor Who, provides a Snakedance commentary and tells how she was asked to do Big Finish and what her response was. The packed, 100 page issue also features Robert Shearman's views on Season 20, a history of Target Books distribution in New Zealand, Andrew Pixley's guide to script cuts from Day of the Daleks, reviews of the latest books, DVDs, CDs and more. TSV is available by mail order - details available at www.doctorwho.org.nz. (Thanks to Paul Scoones)

BBC Worldwide has issued full press releases for two forthcoming, previously announced, releases: the UK DVD release of The Three Doctors and the UK VHS release of The Reign of Terror Boxed Set. The press releases are below.

BBC-1 Controller Lorraine Heggessey earlier this week confirmed to various UK listings magazines that when Doctor Who returns to television, it'll be running in the traditional Saturday evening time slot. But, more interestingly, before the new series kicks-off, Heggessey is proposing to run polls in the UK TV listings magazines to find out which Doctor Who stories are the public's favourite (on a Doctor, by Doctor basis). The BBC will then run a repeat of each of the favourites in that Saturday night slot to drum up publicity for the new series. (Thanks to our friends at tv.cream.org)

Australian journalist, writer and actor Chris Thomas has his sights on travelling through time in the TARDIS and taking on the Daleks, after launching a campaign to become the next Doctor Who, according to local papers in Australia. The eclectic Thomas, age 31, lives in Perth, Western Australia, and has a string of stage credits to his name; he says he is determined to be considered for the coveted role. "I know it's a long shot but when you get one chance to fulfil your ultimate ambition, then surely it's worth doing all you can to pursue it?" he says. "There are bound to be howls of protest from some quarters when they hear an Australian wants to take on the part but it's simply a matter of doing it with a British accent. Besides, Sylvester McCoy had a notable Scottish lilt when he played the role." Thomas is asking fans to write to the BBC to suggest his name. Innnnteresting.... (Thanks to Rick Hughes)

Outpost Gallifrey has now launched our New Series News Page, which will keep you informed of any updates on the progress of the new show. A recent poll taken on OG's main page found that over two-thirds of our readers wanted a separate page... and never let it be said that we don't respond! You'll also find handy links to the major news stories on that page at right.

Also, you'll see that the news section is now tabbed; click on one of the tabs to bring up that page's information. The Release Guide and This Week in Doctor Who pages have been brought in under the banner of the News Page. Feedback on these changes are always appreciated, too!

Daily strip in the October 3 "Guardian" by Steve Bell, "Queer as Daleks"... featuring Tony Blair and his cronies as Daleks at the Labour Party conference. Bell's done Blair as a Dalek before but this must be a reference to Russell Davies & the new show... closet Who fan??

Telos Publishing has released details about the final two Doctor Who novellas to be produced under its license. The fifteenth novella, The Dalek Factor by Simon Clark, was previously confirmed, but new details today indicate that the one novella previously unmentioned is Blood and Hope by Iain McLaughlin, which brings the Fifth Doctor and Peri together with Erimem, the companion created for the Big Finish audios starring Peter Davison and Nicola Bryant. This is Erimem's first appearance in print. Full details of both novellas are listed below. Also noted are the second and third novels in their "Time Hunter" series, spun-off from the Doctor Who novella "The Cabinet of Light" with characters Honor? Lechasseur and Emily Blandish: they are Stefan Petrucha's "The Tunnel at the End of the Light" and "The Clockwork Woman" by Claire Bott. Meanwhile, Telos has noted that Tara Samms' Doctor Who novella "Frayed" has been delayed due to approval issues and should be released in December. (Thanks to David Howe, Roger Anderson)

BBC News responds to yesterday's claims by Tom Baker that Eddie Izzard would be the next Doctor: "The corporation says no final decision has been made on who will star in the TV show when it returns in 2005," says the report. "A BBC spokesman described Baker's comments as speculation." Read the full article here.
          Dead Ringers' Jon Culshaw was interviewed on BBC1's about the Labour Party conference. The conversation moved to Iraq & the Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon. Culshaw said he was delighted that "Dr Hoon was returning' and that he didn't feel that they would have much problem against the Ice Warriors! A bit of free series publicity there... (Thanks to Stephen Graves, Steve Jones)

WH Smith has posted a thumbnail of the cover illustration (at right) for the exclusive Dalek DVD boxed set in the UK, which features the DVD releases of "Resurrection of the Daleks," "Remembrance of the Daleks" and "The Dalek Invasion of Earth". The release is due out on Monday, October 6. (Thanks to WH Smith and Planet Who)

The first photo from the forthcoming animated Doctor Who serial The Scream of the Shalka, premiering online on BBCi later this year, was revealed in an article at the Guardian Online website; the Cosgrove Hall-animated cel is seen at right. Outpost Gallifrey has a slightly better version of the graphic, at right. The picture is of the Ninth Doctor (played by Richard E. Grant) and, we presume, companion Alison Cheney (played by Sophie Okonedo, who was most recently in the film "Dirty Pretty Things"). (Thanks to Peter Shaw)

BBCi has named the forthcoming 40th anniversary of Doctor Who documentary on BBC-1: it's The Story of Doctor Who. The hour-long documentary is being produced in-house at the BBC, with Kevin Davies ("More Than Thirty Years in the TARDIS") acting as advisor. Actors and crew from the series will be interviewed and filming will take place over the next several weeks, with a target date of airing sometime in December. (Thanks to BBCi)

While no official word has been released as to the content of 2004's list of DVD releases in the UK, except for the confirmation that Pyramids of Mars (the winner of the DWM poll) will be released at some point that year, a report on the Sci-Fi Online page purports to reveal some titles under consideration, including "The Green Death" (for which Katy Manning recorded a commentary in 2002 since she was in the UK at the time) and "Ghost Light". The report also mentions a box set called "The Beginning" featuring the first three stories, "An Unearthly Child," "The Daleks" and "The Edge of Destruction" -- a report that curiously sounds like the aborted 2001 VHS release boxed set. The site also suggests that 2004 will see no Patrick Troughton story releases. We emphasize that this is ONLY a page of rumor and speculation and no confirmation of any of these titles (except "Pyramids") has been released. (Thansk to Carl Simpson)

Would popular transvestite comedian Eddie Izzard make a good Doctor? Tom Baker thinks so. In an interview on the Teletext website Baker notes the following: "I think Eddie would be good as he's so strange, he looks like he has secrets. There is a benevolent alien quality to him." Baker goes on to stated that former Sun Page Three girl Melinda Messenger would be a great companion: "Melinda would be good as she can scream and has bosoms. It doesn't really matter if she can act." Tom would like the opportunity to play the Master in a new production; "I want to play the villain instead of the goodie," Baker says. "Then the Doctor could say lines to me like, 'You look very familiar'."
          Update: Forget being Tom Baker's favorite... the former Fourth Doctor says that Eddie Izzard is the next Doctor, although it's more than likely to be in jest. Tom, speaking on BBC London News this evening, said in a three-minute interview that he was "sworn to secrecy" but then later outed Izzard (see next news item) as the new Doctor. In response to Richard E. Grant playing the role on TV, Tom said "Oh Christ, no, not Richard E. Grant"; then, he stated that it would be Izzard. Again, we'd like to stress that it's very likely Mr. Baker was being clever rather than legitimately announcing Izzard being the Doc. You may be able to find the video of it here.
          We've been told that one other fan news site is suggesting that it will be Paul McGann reprising the role, but Outpost Gallifrey has been told that it will likely be "a new actor" by several sources.

There's a brief mention of the new show in the Daily Mirror's column today by Sue Carroll, mentioning an earlier letter published in the Telegraph from DWAS coordinator Ian Wheeler defending Russell Davies against suggestions that the writer would create a Doctor who was "dressed in pink, mincing about, saying: 'Shut that TARDIS door'". Carroll notes that "he can be Graham Norton as far as I'm concerned, provided the show looks as if it's been filmed in a sandpit up the M25, the walls are wobbly and the Daleks still can't get up a flight of stairs." You can read the article here.

Russell Davies, the new series writer, will be appearing at the Hull Literature Festival 2003, which takes place on November 6-16. Davies is one of many writers and performers who will be participating; click here for the Festival website. (Thanks to Jon Preddle, Matthew Harris, Chuck Foster for this and other October 1 stories...)