Craig Ferguson - The lost Doctor Who cold open

"Doctor Who" star Matt Smith's appearance on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, during which he announced that this year's "Doctor Who" Christmas Special would air on Christmas Day (December 25) here in the U.S. on BBC America.

The air date for "Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol" was big news in and of itself, given that American fans generally have to wait several weeks to a month after the special airs on BBC to see it here, but that wasn't the only great moment in "Doctor Who" geekery to transpire during the show. Ferguson also flaunted his "Doctor Who" fandom by orchestrating an elaborate music-and-dance intro to the show, set to the "Doctor Who" theme and featuring a cameo by The Doctor himself.

Sadly, the intro was axed at the last minute due to rights issues, and Ferguson subsequently called on fans to start a public campaign to get the clip online by any means necessary. The campaign took shape on Twitter via the #leaktheclip hashtag, and now just a few weeks later, the intro has indeed found its way to the Internet.

So, presented here for your viewing pleasure, is the amazing "Doctor Who" cold opening to the November 16 episode of The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson. It is truly a thing of beauty.