Russell T. Davies, in the newest issue of Doctor Who Magazine, comments on the new series that "at the moment, we're planning thirteen episodes, 45 minutes long. The 13 would be a mixture of one-off episodes, and two-parters, complete with cliffhangers." However, he does emphasize that all of this is subject to change. "I can certainly tell you that the BBC talks about this show as a potential long-runner," Davies says. "We aren't looking at a special one-off series for nostalgists only - we all want this show to succeed, to gather viewers, to exhilarate and stimulate and create new memories, and return every year. ... I did an interview with DWM a few years ago, where we speculated how Doctor Who could return. In that, I said that budgetary restrictions would make the show Earth-bound. Well now we're here, and it's real, and I'm looking at the budget and thinking to hell with it. Let's voyage. In time and space. As a programme, it's always going to use present-day Earth as a touchstone.... but it would be a shame to ignore the endless vistas offered by a fully-functioning TARDIS. The Doctor and his friend Rose will be able to travel anywhere, any time, every Saturday night." (Thanks to "Bobbyfischface" on the OG Forum)

Issue #337 of Doctor Who Magazine is soon to be released (November 13, actually). Featured in the issue is, as expected, the CD of "Living Legend," the Big Finish single-episode audio play starring Paul McGann and India Fisher, as well as an interview with the stars of Big Finish's "Zagreus". Inside the magazine are interviews with Russell T. Davies (producer of the new series) and Barry Letts & Terrance Dicks (discussing the novel "Deadly Reunion"); a look at the production of "Zagreus"; The Fact of Fiction looks at "100,000 BC" (aka "An Unearthly Child"); "Happy Ever After," a single-episode anniversary comic from Scott Gray, Martin Geraghty and Daryl Joyce; and all the usual features. The cover illustration is at right.

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."

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)

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 reporton 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)

Fourth Doctor Tom Baker will be a guest on UK's GMTV this Wednesday morning. Tom will also appear on Radio 2 during Mark Goodier's show this Friday afternoon; the show is broadcast between 1400 and 1700 GMT but it's unlikely Tom will be no before 3.15pm. Tom will likely be discussing his thoughts on the show's return on both shows. Tom will also be a guest of BBC Radio London 94.9 chat show host Danny Baker this Friday morning and the show will be webcast (listen by going to this website); Tom will be discussing the new series announcement among other topics. This is in addition to his Wednesday GMTV and Friday Radio 2 appearances (see next item). (Thanks to Lloyd Ellis)
          According to BBCi, Jon Culshaw did his impression of Tom Baker on the "Dead Ringers" comedy sketch series in a performance that pinned the new Doctor Who series as a "makeover/reality TV" show, with the first 'episode' ending as the Doctor regenerates into "Changing Rooms" designer Linda Barker ("well, at least I'm not Sylvester McCoy!")
          The gentlemen behind BBC's South East Today contacted us regarding last Friday's news item they ran regarding the return of the seris. The show also featured a rundown of the top three locations used in the South East (such as Brighton) and an interview with DWM's Clay Hickman in the DWM offices at Tunbridge Wells, among others. Certainly there's a lot of press interest now that the BBC's made their announcement.
          (Thanks to Richard Allison, Ian Robinson, Andrew Curry, Dan Hadley, Andrew Swann & Stuart Maisner for the September 29th stories)

Today's review section of the Independent asks the big question "Are you looking forward to Doctor Who's return?" to such notables as Colin Baker (who describes the news as "a cautious pleasure"), DWM's Clayton Hickman ("dancing on the desks"), League of Gentlemen's Mark Gatiss ("simultaneously sick with excitement and trepidation"), Dead Ringers' Jon Culshaw ("delighted, but don't Americanise it too much"), Kylie Minogue's tour set designer William Baker ("ecstatic") and British Medical Association Press Officer Linda Millington ("we're short of Doctors, does he know of an intergalactic planet with a surplus of GPs?") The Times today quotes Paul McGann's comments from the weekend regarding a female Doctor, and yesterday's Sunday Times featured a cartoon of a BBC man ordering a Dalek to "Exterminate Alastair Campbell" in the News Review section.

An interview with Doctor Who Magazine editor Clayton Hickman was broadcast on this morning's "Today" program on Radio 4 (listen to it by going here until Monday) in which Hickman stated that Russell Davies prefers actor Bill Nighy("Still Crazy," "Underworld," "The Maitlands") as his choice for the Doctor. Hickman later added a comment on the lines of "maybe I wasn't meant to say that..." Meanwhile - Could it be eight episodes instead of the rumored six? We've even heard a tip that the show has been pegged for eight 50-minute episodes. Of course, Outpost Gallifrey cautions that this is simply just a rumor at this time, as it's still very early in the game.