05 July 2007

Doctor Who gets bigger (and gayer) for season 4



It now looks like Doctor Who is more of certifiable hit than ever, as the revived series -which just ended its season on June 30, and which hits the Sci Fi Channel on July 6 - scored its highest ratings yet for that season finale.

But at what point will the show get too big?

The upcoming fourth season in 2008 seems to indicate that it could be its biggest year yet. However, before that happens, the annual Christmas special will try to outshine last years, as worldwide popstar (and gay icon) Kylie Minogue will help the Doctor solve why the Titanic crashed through the TARDIS at the end of Last of the Timelords. Called Voyage of the Damned, this one full hour holiday special, and will not feature current companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman).

The departure of Martha has fans speculating as to why, but it really might be explained as that Agyeman appears to have fallen to the fate of not only being the replacement of popular Billie Piper’s Rose, but also following in the shadow of last years Christmas special, The Runaway Bride, that guest starred another popular star, comedienne Catherine Tate as Donna.

Catherine Tate had her own self-titled series that ran for two seasons on the BBC where she played a variety characters, where she used extensive make-up to play a dozen or so recurring characters -much in the same vain as the brilliant Little Britain. The show was a huge success and her recent gig on benefit show Comic Relief endured her more, where she went toe-to-to with former Prime Minister Tony Blair, new James Bond Daniel Craig and current Doctor, David Tennant.

Now, in what turned out to be a huge surprise -if only because rumors had been coming out that the Doctor’s new companion would be male - Catherine Tate will be returning as the belligerent bride-to-be for all of Doctor Who’s upcoming 13 episode fourth-season. Meanwhile, Agyeman will guest star on three episodes of the Who spin-off, Torchwood, before returning to the TARDIS later in season 4 (which more or less confirms that the BBC has a two-year contract with her, and should not expect her return for a 5th season on either show).

As of today, new rumors have come out concerning the series fourth season, as Outpost Gallifrey is reporting that actor Dennis Hopper might be a guest star, if schedules can be worked out. Also, looks like another Classic Series villain will pop up -one not yet seen on this revival series- though nothing has been confirmed (and one can expect a return of the Master, as I’m sure we’ve yet to see the last of him).

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