The latest issue of Enlightenment, (#139), the fanzine of the Doctor Who Information Network -- North America's largest Doctor Who fan club -- features an interview with writer Steven Moffat (The Empty Child,The Girl In The Fireplace, Blink) where he talks about his work on the series, what makes Doctor Who so great, and gives us a glimpse into writing Blink, an episode where the Doctor isn't around much. Also: DoesDoctor Who have an agenda? How does Doctor Who's changing cast connect to a new shipping fanbase? And can the Two-Four crew survive 15 episodes with the Roger Delgado Master? Enlightenment is available from the Doctor Who Information Networkwebsite.

What's On TV and The Sun are reporting that Doctor Who star David Tennant is to guest in an 80-minute Christmas special episode of the popular BBC Two / HBO sitcom Extras, playing himself. The series, written by and starring Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, features celebrity guests playing parody versions of themselves in each episode, and according to the What's On TV report: "TV bosses are keeping quiet about David's appearance in the final episode of the award-winning comedy - but insiders have hinted that it will be linked to his role as The Doctor."

Tennant's girlfriend, Doctor Who guest star Sophia Myles, appeared in an episode of the second series of Extras in 2006.

Perth Now has reported on the 'outrage' of local Torchwood fans at Channel Ten's decision to move the show to a midnight timeslot. A 'publicist' for Channel Ten is quoted as saying: 'Although 'Torchwood' launched to an impressive number it was not able to sustain ratings up against particularly tough competition. We thank loyal fans for their support and we will play out the series, albeit on Tuesday's late night.'

Meanwhile, Judy Adamson of the Sydney Morning Herald writes, in a review of 'Blink', that 'the monsters are not only fabulously inventive, they're uncomfortably scary.' The Melbourne Herald-Sun also writes of the 'downright scary' statues in 'Blink', describing it 'the best episode of the series so far' and gives it four stars.Greg Hassall, also of the Sydney Morning Herald, gives 'Utopia' a thumbs up, writing that 'it's a great episode, with plenty of wickedly barbed dialogue between Harkness, Martha and the Doctor. The pay-off comes at the end, setting up a stellar conclusion to the season.'

Finally, in the ratings, Doctor Who has risen again: 'The Family of Blood' scored 865,000 viewers in the 5 major capitals, while 'Blink' was also the ABC's top rating Saturday programme, scoring 873,000 viewers. Meanwhile, Torchwood'sratings have remained steady in the Tuesday midnight timeslot on 'Channel Ten'. 'Combat' received 147,000 viewers while 'Captain Jack Harkness' received 151,000 viewers. For more ratings details see the Sydney Morning Herald’s Tribal Mind.

Thanks to Kamelian for the 'Perth Now' story.

Following media speculation, the BBC have confirmed future plans for Doctor Who in a press releasetoday.

After the fourth series airs in 2008, David Tennant will continue in the role of the Doctor for a Christmas special at the end of 2008. After that, instead of a full series beginning filming, the production team, with Tennant still in the role, will be working on three Doctor Who specials, led by Russell T Davies, to be shown on BBC1 throughout the year of 2009. A fifth full series is scheduled for 2010, though asBBC News point out, casting is unconfirmed for that far ahead.

Media speculation was sparked by reports that Tennant had been cast in the title role of Hamlet, in a production for the Royal Shakespeare Company from July to November 2008. This would have conflicted with filming a fifth series for airing in the spring of 2009. The RSC 2008 Flyer and BBC News are confirming Tennant's role in the play.

Rumors over the past several months have suggested that the show would be going on a sort of 'temporary hiatus' after the fourth series, though the BBC has emphasized the series' return for a full fifth year. It is not known whether Davies will continue in the helm of the series when it does return on a weekly basis, however.

The press release included the following quotes:

The Friday Night Project, a variety show airing in the UK on Channel 4, has included a question which furthers a casting rumor for Series Four. One of the questions was, "Which rockstar is set to appear in Doctor Who?", to which the answer by them was David Bowie. This follows from a week of rumors, which have all been denied by representatives for Bowie.

Matt Roush, the main critic for TV GUIDE reports just how much he enjoys Torchwood.

He writes, "Over the years, I've somehow resisted the lure of the iconic British fantasy Doctor Who, in all of its incarnations. So imagine my surprise to be hooked on Torchwood, a cheeky and often startlingly adult spin-off."

To read the entire review, click on the TV guide link above. The full review contains a few spoilers.

David Bowie's website has debunked a story in The Sun that claimed Bowie would be appearing in Doctor Who as "an evil alien abductor". The Sun connects the Bowie rumor with the upcoming Agatha Christie story, which they erroneously describe as a two-part special. Bowie's website says, "... the whole story is as much news to [Bowie fans] as it is to him. David Bowie is not planning to star in Dr Who and the whole story is 'absolute tish and tosh'." The Bowie site goes on to mention Dalek operator and Big Finish regular Nicholas Pegg, who is also author of The Complete David Bowie.

UPDATE: BBC News has also released a story debunking the Sun's claim. The BBC's story adds that "a spokeswoman for the BBC One show also denied the story.