TVSquad

The Guinness Book of World Records folks put a cap on last week's Comic-Con International festivities by handing out official records to several of the convention's most popular TV franchises, including The Simpsons and Doctor Who (right).

The Guinness Book recognized Doctor Who as Most Successful Sci-fi TV Show -- as it premiered in 1963 and is now readying its 32nd complete season.

Stargate held that title incorrectly in a previous edittion of the "Book of Records" before Guinness fixed the mistake.

Apparently, holding the Guinness World Record for the most time spent in front of a television camera isn't enough. The AP is now reporting that 76-year old Regis Philbin has been signed to host the red carpet show for the upcoming Oscars. Dennis Doty, producer of the show, says he's a great host because "he knows everyone, and everyone loves Regis." The arrivals show for the 80th Annual Academy Awards airs at 5/4c February 24, 2008 on ABC.

I bet Ryan Seacrest is pissed. How dare a hosting gig come up and not be his. How do they expect him to become the new king of all media? But Philbin is one of the most beloved people. I mean seriously, does anyone not like the man? How do you achieve that level of likeability, anyway? I can tell you from personal experience it's not achieved by offering free back massages to everyone you meet. And I thought everyone liked massages, but no! Apparently, they like restraining orders more.

[via Yahoo! ]

With more than 700 episodes, Doctor Who is the longest running science-fiction series of all time, says the Guinness Book of World Records. Long ago, the series hit on the clever idea of creating a sci-fi explanation that would allow the Doctor to appear in a various "incarnations" therefore neatly explaining away periodic changes in actors, and allowing the series to remain fresh. In fact, in its twenty-first century version, which followed a near-decade break in production from 1996 until Christopher Eccleston picked up the role in 2005, The Doctor seems as popular as ever.

Doctor Who first appeared on the BBC in 1963. "The Time Lord" has been played by ten actors in all. David Tennant now has the role, and season two episodes of the new Doctor Who will appear in the U.S. on the SciFi Channel beginning tonight, with "New Earth." Billy Piper is still along as plucky Rose.

Who's your favorite Doctor?