Tom Corrects HimselfBookmark and Share

Monday, 20 October 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
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)




FILTER: - Tom Baker - Press

It's Not EddieBookmark and Share

Friday, 10 October 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
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)




FILTER: - People

Telegraph Says NighyBookmark and Share

Friday, 10 October 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
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)




FILTER: - Production - Series 1/27 - Press

Tom Baker in the HouseBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 7 October 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
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)




FILTER: - Tom Baker

Anniversary Hardcover changes for TVBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 7 October 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
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):

Doctor Who: The Legend -- a celebration of 40 years of the UK's favourite time lord will go to the printers this week with an 11th hour amendment courtesy of BBC One's controller Lorraine Heggessey. Her decision to restore the Doctor to our screens required a quick revision by author Justin Richards, who was far from unhappy about the extra work. The return of his hero almost 15 years after the series was axed is 'terrific news', says the creative consultant for BBC Worldwide. And along with many loyal fans, he welcomed the decision to enlist Russell T Davies, author of Channel 4's Queer as Folk, to write the script: 'He's an obvious, but inspired, choice. He knows the subject and is respected within the industry.' Details are a long way from being finalised as the programme is not scheduled to return for around two years, but the identity of the next reincarnation of the Doctor, previously played by the likes of William Hartnell, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker and Sylvester McCoy, is sure to be a hot topic with both fans and the press. 'He's a deep character,' says Richards, 'I would like to see someone slightly older. It works better if the character is quirky and eccentric rather than an action hero.' Richards is also hoping to that the new production retains an element of the original music -- and some old enemies. 'It would be a shame not to have the Daleks just around the corner,' he says. Earlier this year, Doctor Who video and DVD sales reached 3m. More than 100 Doctor Who novels have been published by BBC Worldwide.




FILTER: - Books

Another Actor PurportedBookmark and Share

Monday, 6 October 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
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.




FILTER: - Production - Press

Curse of Fenric OutBookmark and Share

Monday, 6 October 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
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.




FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Talons, DIOE and End of Universe outBookmark and Share

Sunday, 5 October 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
BBC America and Warner Home Video have just released The Talons of Weng-Chiangand 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 areThe 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.




FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Is It Bill Nighy?Bookmark and Share

Sunday, 5 October 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
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!




FILTER: - Press

Australian Campaigns to be New WhoBookmark and Share

Saturday, 4 October 2003 - Reported by Shaun Lyon
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)




FILTER: - Press - Australia