I haven't watched Dr. Who in, literally, many years but I have to say that my greatest ambition in my early teens was to be one of his companions. That would be the Tom Baker Dr. Who with the long scarf. Rowr. Or words to that effect.

I'm sure we'll get to see the edited down Xmas special sometime next April.

I'm pretty sure Tate is only signed on for this one year, i.e. the fourth series. For one thing, don't forget that the show is going on semi-hiatus and will have three specials in 2009 instead of a full series, so that Tennant can play Hamlet (while he's still young enough to) at the RSC with Patrick Stewart. The fifth series won't be here until 2010.

octothorpe, I thought the Skiffy Channel was caught up (not that I'd know, I torrent on my own clock).

believe me, I know... we're already planning to stock up on all the Doctor Who Confidentials we never watch now to tide us over during the long break.

I can usually get the current episode via a series of tubes by 10 pm eastern on the day it airs.