TARDIS Transfer: Catherine Tate Returns to "Doctor Who"

While the episode that featured her character may not have yet aired in the States (catch it tomorrow night), comedian Catherine Tate has been tapped to reprise her role as Donna, the uppity runaway bride, in the fourth season of Doctor Who.

Tate, known for her hilarious eponymous sketch comedy series (which aired last year on BBC America), will return to Doctor Who as Donna, the aforementioned runaway bride who found herself aboard the TARDIS rather than preparing for her nuptials.

Tate will appear alongside series lead David Tennant in all thirteen installments of Season Four as the Doctor's companion. (Yes, fortunately, David Tennant WILL be back after all.)

Lest you worry about the fate of Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), who joined the Doctor at the beginning of Season Three (also airing this Friday night, natch), she'll be returning to the series as well, following a three-episode stint on Who spinoff, Torchwood.

"We are delighted that one of Britain's greatest talents has agreed to join us for the fourth series," said executive producer Russell T. Davies. "Viewers can expect more ambitious storylines and a whole host of guest stars in 2008."

The casting announcement for Tate follows that of another high-profile casting on the series: as previously reported, Kylie Minogue will appear in the Season Four Christmas special, entitled "Voyage of the Damned."

The third season of Doctor Who kicks off this Friday on Sci Fi.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Big Brother 8 (CBS); My Name is Earl/30 Rock (NBC); Smallville (CW); Ugly Betty (ABC); Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? (FOX)

9 pm: Pirate Master (CBS); The Office/Scrubs; Supernatural (CW); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? (FOX)

10 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); ER (NBC); Men in Trees (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8:30 pm: 30 Rock.

On a repeat episode of my absolutely favorite new series ("The Break-Up"), Liz finally dumps her beeper-salesman boyfriend (Dean Winters) and tries to enter the the dating world of Manhattan with Jenna, while Jack has some romantic issues of his own when he begins seeing a high-ranking government official.

9 pm: Pirate Master.

On tonight's episode ("Lambs to the Slaughter"), the pirates may actually consider mutiny (chance would be a fine thing) after the Captain becomes enchanted with their rank and privilege, while members of the crew form a secret society.

9 pm: The Office.

On tonight's repeat episode ("Initiation"), Dwight takes Ryan on his very first sales call but they get sidetracked by Dwight's rather, um, innovative approach to initiating Ryan into the brotherhood of salesmen.

10 pm: Hey Paula on Bravo.

I won't be watching (wild horses and all that), but if you want to find out if drugs/alcohol/crazy pills were to blame for Paula's erratic behavior on her vanity reality project, find out here.