Two very brief press mentions this weekend:

The June 8 edition of the web magazine lowculture features an article about how "Doctor Who is about to become cool! Not the shonky old version where everything was made out of egg boxes and bubble wrap, of course (although we still think that was a little bit cool). We mean the new one, the one they're about to start filming in Wales with Christopher Eccleston and (shriek!) Billie Piper." There are the usual facts and lots of comments about such, most of which are quite positive. (Please note: the language and terminology used are definitely for adults only!) (Thanks to Paul Condon)

The Fashion section of the Weekend Magazine in this past Saturday's Western Mail featured an article called "Dr. Who's Back in Fashion" about various Doctor Who fashions over the years, comparing various previous companions with the fashion sense of new companion Billie Piper. "It is the fantastic costumes of some of the Doctor's female companions which really stick in your mind," says writer Claire Hill. "Well, they do have to compete with the Doctor's multi-coloured scarf." Pictures of Piper along with such former assistants as Bonnie Langford, Louise Jameson and Sophie Aldred are featured. (Thanks to John Campbell Rees)

A recent posting by one of the hosts on the BBC Four message boards confirms that Episode 1 of The Web of Fear, the classic Patrick Troughton serial in which said episode is the only extant segment of the story, may be broadcast as part of the forthcoming Sixties Season event on BBC4 on June 26. "We are attempting to clear The Web of Fear, but it's not been confirmed yet; we're trying," said the forum host. We know that the Restoration Team recently lent out a cleaned up episode to be transferred for broadcast; meanwhile, the Sixties Season section of the BBC Four website has had a Cyberman as part of that particular week's lineup, but no confirmation of a Doctor Who story as yet. We'll keep you posted. (Thanks to Barry Piggott)

According to ABC Shop Online, The Green Death will be out on DVD in Australia (and presumably New Zealand) in August 2004, a mere two months after its UK release. Pyramids of Mars has just been released there as well.Update: June 10: The Australian release date is August 5 but the New Zealand release date is September 2. (Thanks to David Dungey, Paul Scoones)

The Scotsman interviewed Steven Moffat, creator of "Coupling" and a writer of the forthcoming first season of the new Doctor Who series. Moffat discusses writing for the new show, including the controversial topic of sex in the TARDIS. "There always was," Moffat says. "Patrick Troughton had pretty girl, and boy, assistants, both in skirts. Russell is quite keen on an element of sexiness and, anyway, all TV now is cast with this question high up the list: do we want to go to bed with these characters? But that will never be the central element of Doctor Who. The show is still about saving the universe. You canÆt be thinking about lovey-dovey stuff when thereÆs that level of jeopardy involved." And there's even a hint of dialogue: "Doctor, no! ... " Ur, right. You can read the full interview at the Scotsman website.

Outpost Gallifrey has received both the cover illustration and cover blurb for the forthcoming BBC Books novel The Sleep of Reason by Martin Day, due in August. The blurb itself is more detailed than the earlier short-list blurb we posted from amazon.co.uk (and gives slightly less of the plot away!) Day sent us a scan of the tentative cover illustration (it will likely be the final version, but could possibly include minor changes as it goes to press); click on the thumbnail at right for a larger version. (Thanks to Martin Day)

The next issue of Doctor Who Magazine, #345 interviews Russell T Davies on his quest to find "the perfect new companion for Christopher Eccleston's Doctor: 'It wasn't exactly the search for Scarlett O'Hara, but it was close! Billie Piper was perfect - shining and clever and independent...'" Also, new script editors Elwen Rowlands and Helen Raynor are interviewed and Davies discusses the "tone" of the new series ("and you can find out which
episode contains the words 'zig-zag,' 'Hannibal' and 'decanter'!"); a tribute to Master actor Anthony Ainley; the final episode of the current comic strip, "Sins of the Fathers," conclusion of the series examining the workings of the Doctor's TARDIS, an interview with the series' first director Waris Hussein, part five of "Marco Polo" in telesnap form, and the usual news, views and previews. DWM 345 is on sale on June 24. (Thanks to Clayton Hickman)

New series concept artist Bryan Hitch spoke to the readers of the Outpost Gallifrey forum today and made some comments about the current state of affairs on the new series. "Ed [Thomas, series designer] and I attached to the project around the same time in very early pre production and we've both been active on the game for about six weeks to two months," Hitch posted. "The crew is all set (just about) and major design work with the whole design team has been running about a month. A series this ambitious doesn't get done quickly and something as iconic as the TARDIS design is a lengthy process of approvals (though it actually went swimingly.) And to clarify, as Production Designer Ed's genius is employed in overseeing and coordinating the overall visual scope of the series from locations, costumes, lighting, set construction and of course design. He's a member of staff, I'm freelance. As Russell puts it, I'm more of a "consultant" who rushes into meetings, flings ideas and sketches at anyone and everyone and runs out leaving folks scratching their heads and looking shell shocked. I do have specific design duties such as the TARDIS set and other key wonders I can't say anything about. And the TARDIS is looking just doozy." Hitch also mentioned that, from all the speculation in the OG Forum, what he's seeing on the new show "is beyond all of your expectations. There as never been a more visually ambitious show made in this country and the BBC has never done anything like this before. I'm not teasing here either, Russell has it nailed." Finally, a joke about the TARDIS: "We are going for something completely different this time around by making the TARDIS much smaller on the inside than on the outside, sort of a novelty really; inside it will be the size of a poodle kennel." Or is it? Time will tell! (Our thanks to Bryan Hitch)

New Doc Christopher Eccleston is a featured player in "Crossing the Dark Sea", a 30-minute play on BBC Radio 4, 23:30 [BST] on Saturday 5th June. Eccleston plays the role of soldier Alec. The program should also (hopefully!) be available on the Radio 4 web-site for playing at any time during the following week at www.bbc.co.uk/radio4. (Thanks to Tom Boon)

According to today's Daily Record, Sylvester McCoy, our beloved seventh Doctor, has "threatened to chain himself to the BBC's gates in London to make them broadcast Still Game nationally." He's referring to the Scottish TV comedy series that isn't networked across the UK, created by Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill. Says the Scotsman McCoy, "'I find it completely incomprehensible why this series has not been shown down here. It is very well written and visually very funny. I can't understand it. There's no excuse. The BBC are desperately looking for good stuff and there is not one ounce of doubt that this is brilliant comedy." Read the full article by clicking here. (Thanks to Paul Engelberg)

The cover illustration for Synthespians™, this summer's BBC novel by Craig Hinton with the Sixth Doctor and Peri, is now online. Outpost Gallifrey previously brought you the cover blurb in late April; it's on the releases page. Click on the thumbnail at right for a larger version of the cover.