Tom Baker returns as Dr Who!

[parasearchers]

Tom Baker is taking on the role of that mysterious time-traveler, the Doctor, for the first time since 1981. A new series of five linked Doctor Who audio plays brings back Baker's anarchic portrayal... with a surprising old companion.

Of all the companions you'd expect the BBC to pair Tom Baker with, in his new series of audio plays, probably the last one you'd think of would be retired Army Captain Mike Yates, last seen in 1974's "Planet Of The Spiders." The mixed up, conflicted Yates had to leave the paramilitary world-saving organization UNIT after he secretly joined a team of mad-scientists and fanatics who were flooding London with dinosaurs. (It's all because an evil computer brainwashed him and he got confused. But then he got into meditation, so it's okay.)

Anyway, according to writer Paul Magrs, the five stories take place after the Doctor leaves his savage hunter companion Leela and his tin dog K-9 behind on his home planet Gallifrey. He goes and settles down for a bit in an old English cottage in Sussex, and then a strange buzzing sound is following him. Magrs says Baker had no trouble settling back into the role:

He was on top form. Unbelievable. Full of charisma, bursting into the studios. Then he was at the mike with other cast members, and suddenlyI can picture the very moment he turned back into the Doctor. One minute it was introductions and actorly chat and then all of a sudden he was rehearsing lines his first being, ‘Hullo, I'm the Doctor'

It was a very shivery moment.

And here are the descriptions of the audio plays, going on sale soon:

Doctor Who: Hornets' Nest - The Stuff of Nightmares
‘Wanted: retired army Captain for light household duties and fireside companionship. Must tolerate mild eccentricity and strong scientific advice. Knowledge of Giant Maggots, Super Intelligent Spiders and Prehistoric Monsters a positive boon.' Responding to an advert apparently worded for him alone, Captain Mike Yates (retired) is reunited with a ghost from the past. But why has the Doctor, that mysterious traveller in Time and Space, sent for his former UNIT acquaintance? Trapped by a horde of vicious creatures in an apparently innocuous English country cottage, the two old friends are on the brink of an enormous adventure. As the Doctor relates his recent escapades, it becomes clear to Mike that they - and the Earth at large - are facing an enemy of unimaginable power and horrific intent. The nightmare is only just beginning… With Tom Baker as the Doctor, Richard Franklin as Mike Yates, Susan Jameson as Mrs Wibbsey and Daniel Hill as Percy Noggins, The Stuff of Nightmares is the first of five linked stories written by the acclaimed Paul Magrs.
Release Date: September 3, 2009

Doctor Who: Hornets' Nest - The Dead Shoes
What is so special about a pair of ballet shoes on display in Cromer's Palace of Curios? When the Doctor meets Ernestina Scott there in 1932, they discover the horrific truth together. The second of five linked stories written by the acclaimed Paul Magrs, The Dead Shoes also features Susan Jameson, Clare Corbett and Christian Rodska.
Release Date: October 8, 2009

Doctor Who: Hornets' Nest - The Circus of Doom
In Blandford, 1832, ringmaster Antonio exerts a strange influence on the townsfolk. When the Doctor steps into the ring, he discovers that Antonio has some familiar demons of his own… The third of five linked stories written by the acclaimed Paul Magrs, The Circus of Doom also features Michael Maloney, Jilly Bond, Susie Riddell and Stephen Thorne.
Release Date: November 5, 2009

Doctor Who: Hornets' Nest - A Sting in the Tale
In a bleak midwinter, an order of nuns protect their Mother Superior from ravaging dogs. But something is very wrong here indeed - and the Doctor is about to get badly stung. The fourth of five linked stories written by the acclaimed Paul Magrs, A Sting in the Tale also features Clare Corbett, Susie Riddell and Rula Lenska.
Release Date: December 3, 2009

Doctor Who: Hornets' Nest - Hive of Horror
The Doctor and Mike must face their enemy in a final battle. They have an unwilling accomplice - and loyalties are about to be tested to the limit. The fifth of five linked stories written by the acclaimed Paul Magrs, Hive of Horror also features Susan Jameson and Rula Lenska.
Release Date: December 3, 2009

[Dr Fate]

1. He's not called "Dr. Who", ever. But Tom Baker is the only "real" Doctor.

Nerd Nit pick alert: The character is not called "Doctor Who"- only the show.

;)

[BadgerKid]

3. Amen.

See avatar
;-)

[parasearchers]

10. UPDATE

A source claims to list Doctor Who's 2010 writers — including Neil Gaiman. Also: Lost, Fringe, The Sarah Jane Adventures, V, FlashForward, Smallville, and Heroes.

Doctor Who

A poster on the Gallifrey Base forums claims to have a list, from an inside source, of which writers will be writing which episodes in season five. If he's to be believed, Steven Moffat will be writing the first, fourth, fifth, seventh, twelfth, and thirteenth episodes; Mark Gatiss the second episode, which features Daleks in WWII; Gareth Roberts the third; Richart Curtis number five; Torchwood's Chris Chibnall the eighth and ninth; Neil Gaiman the tenth; and Toby Whithouse will write the eleventh episode. And the list puts the story featuring Professor River Song in episodes four and five. Note: This is purely a rumor, and should be taken with many, many truckloads of salt. Neil Gaiman has never said he is writing for Doctor Who, and there's no actual evidence that he is doing so.

Returning to more evidence-backed claims, another poster has images of the set, but Matt Smith is still hiding his wardrobe. The pictures do include a glimpse of a new guest star, Annette Crosbie.

[timeforpeace]

16. 4th'd. Tom Baker is the only real Dr Who once you've seen him in the role. Neil Gaimon? Great!

[donco6]

2. I've never seen a Baker episode.

But I loves me some Doctor.

[frog92969]

4. He is THE Doctor Who

All the others wish they could be him!

Yes, I'm a big fan.

[donco6]

5. But I like the others, too!

So I guess I just HAVE to see some of his now.

Seriously, though, the whole concept is fascinating. I love the show.

[Dr Fate]

9. I agree that the new Dr Who episodes are terrific as well.

The Baker episodes are more like plays (think 60's Star Trek)

Not a knock on the newer series (which I love), but you might not the Baker episodes it if you expect Sci Fi to be all expolsions & CGI.

[donco6]

13. No, not at all.

I don't give a fig about all that. In fact, the cheesier the sets and effects, the better. It's not that stuff that fascinates me - but the concept itself. The rest is just dressing, and I don't like it when they waste too much time on that.

I remember seeing a storyteller when I was a kid, and all he used was a big puppet on a pole - but the story was so amazing I've remembered it to this day. That's what Dr. Who is to me.

[frog92969]

17. Then you'll definitely like the Baker era

Highly imaginative stuff, Douglas Adams (creator of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)
wrote more than a few episodes from that time period (some under pseudonyms).

I too like the camp and budget effects and sets, the stories and acting stand on their own.

I was dissapointed with the new Who, but not for any flaws.
Just that the original was a masterpeice, and you don't "upgrade" a masterpeice.

[juno jones]

22. The acting is so good that it transcends the effects.

I like the newer Doctors too, especially Tarant (sp?), but the enthusiasm with which Baker performs the role is memorable.

I first saw it when I was thirteen or so. It certainly whet my already budding appetite for conceptual science-fiction.

[tigereye]

6. this is so cool!

My husband was just telling me there were 100s of these Dr. Who radio plays while the show was off the air. I had no idea!

[Laelth]

7. k&r for the Great Tom Baker. THE DOCTOR to which all other doctors aspire. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[Forkboy]

8. He also did one of the funniest characters ever on an episode of Blackadder.

Captain Redbeard Rum!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIF6pneS4ro&feature=related

[frog92969]

11. You have a woman's post!!

:rofl:

[Forkboy]

12. LOL

good one! :D

[donco6]

14. OMG. I forgot about that.

I had no idea that was Dr. Who. I wasn't into it then.

[rantormusing]

15. I'm too tired to remember his name at the moment,

but the third doctor is pretty decent. I couldn't latch onto the first two despite trying, but the third doctor, and colin Baker are pretty good to watch. I think my favorite episode, besides Tenant episodes, is Mark of the Rani. I remember the Rani as Patsies sister in AbFab. Hyacinth's husband (keeping up appearances) is in one or two episodes, Revelations of the Daleks. Anyways, i just started with Tom Baker episodes, so my opinion is still unformed on him, but i want one of those scarfs.

[VMA131Marine]

18. Third Doctor

Third Doctor = Jon Pertwee (RIP)

[frog92969]

20. Welcome to DU

You beat me by 1 minute...damn newbee!
:toast:

edit: just saw your profile, sorry for the newbee crack.:blush:

[frog92969]

19. Jon Pertwee

Also a VERY good Doctor,
in fact, my second favorite behind Tom Baker.

[juno jones]

21. My first, my only Dr. Who.

:loveya:


I had just seen the OP about Sarah Jane and was wondering what Baker was up to these days. Thanks.

[ki83760]

23. woohoo