Niel Gaiman Drops Doctor Who Hints

SPOILERS!!!

Neil Gaiman has revealed more details about his forthcoming Doctor Who episode.

The writer confirmed to Doctor Who Magazine that the instalment will reference elements of the show's past.

"It all starts in void-space, with something or someone we have not seen since [1969 story] 'The War Games', and a knock on the Tardis door," he explained. "The guest star... is the brilliant Suranne Jones, playing someone who is beautiful... and who bites. [She] might just turn out to be an old acquaintance with a new face."

Gaiman's episode is expected to air third in the next run, but he explained that the story was originally intended to form part of Matt Smith's first series as the Doctor.

"Steven Moffat wrote me the letter telling me that they were out of money, and that because I'd written a very expensive episode they were bouncing me to episode three of the new season," he claimed.

He added that the move required rewrites to incorporate the character of Rory (Arthur Darvill).

"I wrote another version of it, with Rory in, because now he existed again," he quipped.

Series star Matt Smith recently told DS that Gaiman's episode is "brilliant" and "a real one for the ardent Who fans".

Doctor Who will return to BBC One for a full series in 2011, following a one-off special this Christmas.

Matt Smith Names Co-Stars He'd Like To See

Doctor Who star Matt Smith wants another redhead to take a spin in the Tardis - chart star Florence Welch.
He reckons the Brit-winning Florence And The Machine star would be perfect for a cameo role in the hit series.

Smith - who will next month be seen in a touring arena show, Doctor Who Live - said the singer was on his list of ideal guest stars for the BBC1 series. The Doctor is already accompanied across the universe by flame-haired assistant Amy Pond, played by Karen Gillan. Asked whom he would like to see make an appearance, Smith said: "Florence from Florence And The Machine - I'd quite like her to do one."

He also has his sights set on former soccer star Eric Cantona, who has moved into occasional acting roles.
"I'd quite like Eric Cantona to come and do one. That would be cool," Smith said.

French actor Vincent Cassel, Hayley Atwell and Helena Bonham Carter are also on his wish-list, along with comic Rowan Atkinson - who actually played the Doctor in a one-off BBC comedy special for Comic Relief. "There are many, many, many people," Smith added.

Smith, 27, will be seen during the new Doctor Who Live arena tour which begins on October 8 at Wembley Arena and visits nine cities. He will appear in specially filmed footage to be shown during the spectacular which will feature live monsters including Cybermen, Daleks, Weeping Angels and many others.

So does that mean she'll change the lyrics of her biggest hit to "WHO got the love?"*

*I apologise profoundly for this joke. My solicitors have advised me to say I will NEVER make a joke that bad again.

Matt Smith Comes To Karen's Rescue (If You Believe The Rumours!!)

It seems that rumours of poor Amy's demise in series six are getting more and more feverent as we approach the xmas special. Here's what The Sun - Britains best selling toilet news paper had to say:

DOCTOR: "I'LL SAVE AMY FROM AXE!!"

DOCTOR Who yesterday vowed to save sidekick Amy Pond from being killed off.
Fans feared actress Karen Gillan, 22, would be chopped from the new series now being shot.But Matt Smith, 27, who plays the Time Lord, said: "I'll rescue her." Amy was bumped off in the last series before being revived in the final episode. Fans thought that heralded her permanent death.But Matt said: "Amy Pond can't die, no way. I'd miss Karen. So don't worry, I won't let it happen."A nine-city Doctor Who Live tour begins on October 8 at Wembley Arena.

The Press Association were a little less dramatic:

Doctor Who star Matt: I'll save Amy

Doctor Who star Matt Smith has reassured fans that he won't let assistant Amy Pond be killed off - and vowed: "I'll save her." He said actress Karen Gillan - who plays his sidekick - will stay with the show because there's still "a lot more mileage" in their friendship.

There had been suggestions that fan favourite Amy would be given the chop in the new series. She was briefly bumped off in the summer but brought back to life in the final episode of the series, The Big Bang.

Matt - soon to be seen as part of a stage spin-off of the show - said: "She can't die, Amy Pond can't die. No way, I'd be sad. I'd miss Karen." He said: "I just think for this particular Doctor, his bond with Amy, I think there's a lot more mileage in it yet. I think there's a long way to go. So I can't see it happening any time soon." He added: "Don't worry, I won't let it happen - I'll save her, I'll save the day."

The new Doctor Who Live arena tour begins next month with a show at Wembley Arena.

Matt, 27, appears in specially filmed footage to be shown during the spectacular, but the monsters and narrator Vorgenson (played by Nigel Planer) appear live. The actor said he would be attending opening night on October 8 but was tight-lipped about whether he'd be making an on-stage appearance, saying: "Well, you'll have to wait and see."

Poor Karen! Only 22 and already rumours of her death are rife!!!

Steven Moffat Drops Hints About DW Xmas Special

Doctor Who' executive producer Steven Moffat has promised fans they are in for a ''big Christmas treat'' when the sci-fi show returns in December.

The BBC sci-fi show's executive producer and lead writer Steven Moffat is hugely excited about the upcoming episode and claims he has created a festive story he would love to watch. He said: "This episode is incredibly Christmassy. That's true of the previous ones but I wanted to go for broke. It's easily the most Christmassy thing you'll ever see. It's a huge, sentimental, lovely, jeopardy-driven story. It's the Christmas special I'd like to see. It's like a compilation of every Christmas movie - a big Christmas treat. But that doesn't mean it's without scares, and that doesn't mean it's without heartbreak. It has genuine tragedy in it."
The episode will see opera singer Katherine Jenkins and 'Harry Potter' star Michael Gambon join Matt Smith, who portrays The Doctor, and Karen Gillan, who plays companion Amy Pond, for the adventure.

Moffat also revealed fans of the show will finally find out who the mysterious character River Song is in the 2011 series.

In an extract from 'Doctor Who: The Brilliant Book', he revealed: "You're going to find out very soon, and that means we have to do it next series, really. The critical thing here is I want to explain who she is, not explain away who she is. If you don't deliver on most people's expectations, and you just say, 'Ooh, she's a specially programmed android who believes she's The Doctor's wife,' people will go, 'That's a cheat.' You can't do that. "It's a really good story, and it's sort of the story of next year."

River Song - who is played by Alex Kingston - has been a recurring character since the series returned to screens in 2005. She first appeared in the episodes 'Silence in the Library' and 'Forest of the Dead' - opposite Tenth Doctor David Tennant - before returning last series to star opposite Matt. Speculation has been rife to what is her true identity, with one rumour she is The Doctor's wife in the future.

Guardian Q & A Interview With Matt Smith

 

Hi, Matt. Doctor Who is off on tour (1). Does his sonic screwdriver double as an electric toothbrush?
Of course. He just lasers over his teeth and he's good to go.

The tour is nationwide. Is it safe to leave the Tardis in town centre car parks or will it end up smelling of wee and full of cards for "exotic massages"?
No one can get in. You could drive the Welsh rugby team at it (2). It's been in far more precarious locations.

You need to pull out all the stops to take Doctor Who Live, so presumably it'll be a musical, on ice. How does a Dalek put on an ice-skate?
Doctor Who on ice! But would we want to hear a Dalek sing? The great thing is that the monsters from the whole history of Doctor Who will be within touching distance.

Daleks never used to be able to go upstairs. Now they can. Seems unfair.
They sort of went upstairs, just with a really bad edit. At least now they don't have to live in bungalows.

Your Doctor wears a bow tie and a tweed jacket. Weren't you tempted to go for something more casual – like a tracksuit?
A tracksuit would have looked rubbish. I wanted it to feel professorial.

The Doctor never managed to snog any of his assistants until recently. Why the sudden interest in Earth girl tongue?
Steven Moffat (3) has an inventive mind. Amy wanted to snog the Doctor, not vice versa. This particular Doctor is a bit, "Woooh. Girls." It's fun to kiss the hot assistant once.

When you and Benedict Cumberbatch (4) go on holiday, who gets top bunk: him for having the world's daftest surname, or you for the most common?
He's a mate of mine, Ben. It's a cool surname, Cumberbatch. I'm happy with bottom bunk. It's cosier. If I have to get up for a wee, I won't wake him.

Eleven Doctors walk into a bar. David Tennant orders a pint of Tennent's. Sylvester McCoy, packet of McCoy's. Patrick Troughton, pint of Broughton. Jon Pertwee goes for a wee. Tom and Colin Baker are barred: troublemakers. Paul McGann sneaks in a can. William Hartnell sits on a bar stool. Christopher Eccleston is off his head again. Davison, Peter, pint of wife-beater (5). What are you having?
That's a canny question. Matt Smith has a pint of orange and a kiss with a girl with a quiff (6) (7)!

In the original draft of Back To The Future, Marty McFly has a time-travelling fridge, handy for keeping his beers cold. Fancy part-exchanging the Tardis for a time-travelling washing machine?
But I've got a washing machine in the Tardis that's as big as a house (8)!

Torchwood lacks the manliness of Doctor Who, doesn't it?
John's (9) quite manly, isn't he? I don't watch Torchwood but I'm sure John sprinkles it with magic and colour.

Thanks, Matt. People say Doctor Who made them hide behind the sofa, yet most people have their sofas pushed against the wall. Eh?
On what research have we got that most people have their sofas pushed against the wall?

You can be the bench test.
Er, yes, I do. Although when I stay in Cardiff, I don't. So when I watch Doctor Who, it's perfect for hiding behind.

Doctor Who Live tours the UK from 8 Oct to 7 Nov
1 Cast members appear on a screen
2 Doctor Who is filmed in Cardiff
3 Head writer and exec producer
4 BBC's Sherlock Holmes
5 Stella
6 La Roux?
7 Except aren't you dating model Daisy Lowe, Matt?
8 Check the label. Tweed is dry clean only
9 Barrowman

One last thing... Matt Smith

Knock knock. Who's there? Doctor Who's Matt Smith, that's who – talking tracksuits, tweed and toothbrushes with Rich Pelley

The Doctor Set To Land In The Black Country!

Doctor Who live stage show coming to Birmingham
(From The Birmingham Post)

A full-scale alien invasion is set to hit the Birmingham NIA next month with the first-ever stage outing for TV hero Doctor Who, writes Neil Elkes.

And while assorted Daleks, Cybermen and Silurians will be plotting the conquest of the Earth on stage, behind the scenes a Sutton Coldfield company is pulling the strings.


Steve Hill and David Andrews, owners of Events, Marketing and Other Stuff, based in Cofield Road, are more used to the rigours of life on the road with rock’n’rollers like Oasis.


But as tour manager for Doctor Who Live, Steve will be making a rare foray into theatrical production.

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He will be making sure the 80 or so cast and crew, including Young Ones star Nigel Planer, are in the right place at the right time for the 25-date UK tour.
“Doctor Who Live is a major show, with a live band, theatrical performances, lasers and pyrotechnics. It is quite ambitious,” he explains. “It’s a privilege to be involved. Doctor Who is a British institution, it is watched by millions. It’s part of our culture.”


A former bass player with local bands like The Starfighters, Little Big Horn and The Grip, he did not reach the heights of stardom he dreamt of – number 63 was his highest chart position – but found a place behind the scenes. 


That rock experience was channelled into a new career as production and tour manager which has grown over the last 15 years, first as a freelance and more recently with EMO. He has now worked on world tours with the likes of Bon Jovi, The Cure, Oasis, last year’s Take That spectacular and more recently this summer’s Radio 1 Big Weekend gigs.
“Having that experience of being in a band, even though they were not the most successful bands, I have seen it from their perspective. I think it helps,” he says.
“And Birmingham is the perfect location for our business, it is central, you can get to most places within two hours.”

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Steve admits getting into the concert and live show business at the right time. With album sales plummeting in the face of widespread online music piracy, tours and gigs are the only way bands and artists can sell themselves. “All the effort goes into live shows, they are the big earner for the industry,” he adds.
With the BBC now taking to the road there is optimism that the live circuit has even more room to grow.
Doctor Who Live is at the NIA from October 18-20. The show includes filmed parts starring The Doctor himself Matt Smith, while Young Ones star Nigel Planer and voice of the Daleks Nicholas Briggs perform live.

For full details visit www.doctorwholive.com/