What a fabulous evening we had when LOUISE JAMESON (Leela) and Nigel Fairs (Big Finish) appeared at Pride Of Our Footscray Nightclub and Bar as part of the Sirens of Audio weekend.
Louise performed some of her favourite Shakespeare scenes, along with fascinating explanations, ably assisted by her “Gay Best Friend”, Nigel, and two surprised Audience Volunteers. Also sharing stories from other parts of her career and some of her own amazing work. Over an hour of captivating, funny, moving, heartbreaking, inspiring entertainment.
The Venue was perfect for it. Intimate, personal, just the right size for the audience. Great food and drinks were also available. Afterwards, Louise and Nigel “worked the room” as only professionals as they are could, as those with VIP tickets to the Sunday Event gathered in the Cocktail Bar after the show. This event replaced the usual VIP Dinner that comes with each visiting Doctor Who personality.
If you were not already in awe of these two amazing people, you certainly would be after such a magical evening!
I called the evening, in promotions on Gay pages, “Invasion Of The Geek Daddies”… 😊
Had a fabulous day in November with KATY MANNING (Jo Grant/Jones) and a bunch of enthusiastic fans at the SIRENS OF AUDIO event at the the Treacy Centre, in Parkville, Melbourne.
So many people there who hadn’t been in the same space for a long time and the energy was amazing. Familiar faces including many former Presidents of DWCV, and Sonic Editors, and also people that I’ve written about as I’ve gone through the history for the DWCV/Sonic timeline articles in this year’s Sonics. Great to see some for the first time in ten years and meet many others with brilliant stories from the past.
Katy Manning, at 77, is more sprightly, energetic and fired up than I am. She always brings a kind of full-on energy. She tells a story about how she shared an apartment in New York with Liza Minnelli when she was younger and they were the best of friends, and it shows. When she was introduced and came into the main room to talk to everybody, her energy is just like Liza Minnelli walking into the room… “Here I am, Hello, how are you,” a full-on the stage performance energy. In contrast to that, I arrived at the event early, wasn’t sure where to wait, there seemed no one around, then I turned around and there’s Katie and her good friend that was with her. Katie straightaway walks up, she says, “hello, darling”, gives me a great big hug, and we start chatting about things. Just a friendly, everyday person. Wonderful.
Katy was an absolute Star! Entertaining and delightful throughout the entire day. From the photo shoot, the interviews, the trivia session, the commentary on the last 10 minutes of The Green Death, to coping with the slowly rotating chair and finally the long signing session at the end.
I was fortunate to be in the front row so was able to take some video of her stories which I have uploaded to my Youtube Page for all to enjoy!
KATY MANNING: Moments In time! Is a Video Playlist at:
I’ve just watched The Daleks – Colourised… Well, about half of it so far… I had to take a break!
Now, I’m not a Purist who thinks that the old episodes should ONLY be in Black & White; in fact, I love the Coloured Animations that have been done. But this??? Oh dear! Oh dear, oh dear! Oh my!
The Colour, for a start, is like an overdose of candy… too sugary, and bright, and pink, and green, and purple, and blue… basically like one of us had done it at home for fun… definitely not the professional standard that is achievable these days. Maybe an explosion in a Candy Factory? Sadly, I found it a bit sickening to watch.
The seven episodes have been cut up and rewritten into 75 minutes. The pacing is weird, the performances look bad because of the way it has been re-edited, the Daleks have been revoiced (at least some) and words changed. The music is updated with new music that just sounds all wrong.
All of this because Russell and Disney+ think that kids won’t watch the old episodes in Black & White! They have imaginations, don’t they? Why care if they watch old episodes or not… apart from making money! Nothing justifies this half-baked butchery of classic television. I am starting to think that this new incarnation of Russell T Davies and Disney+ are proving a bad move for Doctor Who!
Don’t rush to see it, or to buy it!
1 out of 5. (The look on Barbara’s face in the attached pic sums it up well! And why does her shirt have to be such a horrible shade of pink?)
I’ve been fortunate to see The WAR BETWEEN The LAND And The SEA before it was made available on Disney+ in Australia. I was expecting to be disappointed, as I had been with most of the past three years of Doctor Who, but instead, I was astounded!
It is Epic, Powerful, Stunning… Utterly Magnificent!
This Doctor Who spin-off, basically a UNIT show, and long overdue, is the last adult part of the Whoniverse to come from the Disney+ deal, and it has been a very long wait to see it. There has been much online criticism and hatred directed towards this show, but I say, those critics have all lost their minds! Or they are just desperate for excuses to be ‘controversial’ and get Views and Likes.
The Writing is powerful, Pete McTighe’s work is particularly brilliant. The Direction is stunning, beautiful. The performances are powerful, breathtaking, and deeply moving. Russell, Gugu, and Jemma are magnificent. The message is far greater than the trendy Woke agenda that it has been accused of pushing.
Five out of Five Sea Devils from me!!!
PART TWO:
It’s HERE (on BluRay)!
The WAR BETWEEN the LAND and the SEA.
Looking forward to watching it all again, and all the new Extras!
Despite all the Negative Responses to this WHOniverse offering, I really loved it.
If it is watched with an Open Mind, and looking above what can be misunderstood as just Woke Propaganda (which it actually isn’t, at all), you may see the Truth and Brilliance in this.
Ignore the negative “Reviews”, view it like it was Torchwood, and enjoy it!!!
The same applies to the new STARFLEET ACADEMY series, which has been attacked by so many… it is a Series targeted at the YOUTH… it does that perfectly and appropriately. Funny, Moving, Quirky!
So what if a character or two are Gay or Lesbian, that’s the real World… get over it! It is NOT made for the long-term ST Fans… or for overly judgmental Religious Bigots… it is specifically for a new generation. Just like the Below Decks animated series is a complete bore to me… that isn’t made for me… it’s for kids!
The WAR BETWEEN The LAND And The SEA is for Adults.
1975 – The year I discovered Doctor Who, the year I discovered ABBA, the year I discovered I was Gay. Now, 50 years later, those three life-changing moments collide in what is for me, “the perfect storm” of The Interstellar Song Contest! The Eurovision Song Contest, on which this episode is based, has also been a yearly viewing tradition for me for almost as long.
Although this episode may be lost on most American and non-European viewers, Eurovision has always been an obsession of many in Australia, even leading to us competing in the contest in recent years, although we are a long way from Europe! It began in 1956, a very small affair, and has now become an internationally watched extravaganza viewed by millions. They usually say, “May the best song win!” and in this episode, they said, “It’s not about winning, it’s about the joy of each other,” but the truth is that it has always been very political, and the best song often doesn’t win. Well, one exception was when ABBA won in 1974!
The Doctor and Belinda stop off to take another Vindicator reading. It turns out they are in the Harmony Arena, a Space Arena where the 803rd Interstellar Song Contest in 2925 is just beginning to be broadcast to 3 trillion viewers. (The 2025 Eurovision, not one of the best years’ shows, I thought it was more of a freak-show, had 166 million viewers,) They become immediately captivated by the event and decide to stay, not knowing they have stolen the booth from Gary and Mike, the gay couple who become essential to the action of the episode. We also see Mrs Flood in the audience, pleased to see that the Doctor has taken his final reading, which means that her plans are about to come to fruition.
40 worlds are competing in the contest, which is hosted by British celebrity Rylan Clark, who is defrosted from his cryo-chamber when he is needed to make a public appearance. Sponsored by Poppy Honey, the show begins, and the Broadcast Control Room is hijacked by Kid, a Hellion from the planet where the poppies were harvested for the sponsor corporation’s honey product, to take revenge against their destruction of his home world. As the rehearsal recording is transmitted to the viewing worlds instead of the live feed, Kid unleashes Hell. It results in most of the arena audience, along with the hosts and the Doctor, floating in space, frozen.
The sudden appearance of Susan, the Doctor’s granddaughter, still played by the wonderful Carole Ann Ford, blew my mind as she calls into his mind to come back and find her… I screamed when she appeared. Things escalate, including the Doctor losing control as Kid’s attempt to kill 3 billion viewers triggers him over the destruction of Gallifrey. This all culminates in Mrs Flood being revealed as the Rani, or A Rani, setting up a major part of the final episode of this season.
There was an abundance of Eurovision references and nods in this episode.
The doctor’s comment, “I was there in 1974 when ABBA won, and Olivia Newton-John came fourth,” made me cheer, as did his later comment, “I thought it was my Waterloo, but it was my Rise Like The Phoenix,” which referenced both ABBA from 1974 and the brilliant winning song from 2014 by the Austrian bearded Drag performer, Conchita Wurst.
The track Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz, 1981 winner from the UK, who were two girls, two guys, modelled on ABBA, was heard.
In the Museum section we had a hologram of Graham Norton, the commentator of the show for the UK for many years. Dana International, an Israeli Trans performer who won in 1998 with her hit, Diva, was playing on the TV screen. The costume worn by the Australian entry, Sheldon Riley, in 2022. A copy of the Eurovision 1975 record release. The list goes on…
The songs created especially for this episode by Murray Gold and others were also outstanding.
I Love You But My Heart Says No by Liz Lizardine from Lizardo was a brilliant example of the perfect Eurovision song.
My Big Feet by Cora from Trion was a typically wacky Eurovision song.
Cora’s Hellion Anthem at the end of the show moved me to tears, even though I didn’t understand the words; that is also something that happens with some Eurovision songs.
Dugga Doo… what can I say, it sticks in your head and tortures you, another typical type of Eurovision song. It reminds me of Dustin The Turkey’s song Irelande Douze Pointe for Ireland that was in the 2008 Semi-Final… yes, a song by a glove-puppet. Dugga, dugga, dugga, doo… I loved it! 😊
Susan’s return was a wonderful surprise, despite the constant suggestions that she would. Archie Panjabi as the Rani (“…the definite article, so to speak…”) is perfect. Writer Juno Dawson did an excellent job of capturing the spirit and history of Eurovision as this episode’s setting. For me, this was the gayest/campest Doctor Who episode ever… glitter cannon to the rescue, topping it all off! This was my favourite episode of the recent two seasons and specials; however, there were a few small things that I was put off by, so I give it 4.5 out of 5 Jelly Babies! 😊
Having only ever seen the fourth episode previously, I was eager to view this new animation. Although I found the promotional clips a little unappealing, I purchased it anyway. When I first opened the case, I was thrilled to find that the cover insert was reversible. The new-style artwork on one side, and traditional-style DVD artwork on the other side. I immediately swapped it for the more appealing traditional version.
I started viewing the Colour version with the 3D Animation, then looked at the Photo Reconstruction version, which included some 2D-style animation. While I appreciate the attempt at a more 3D Animation style, I was not sold on it overall, and I far prefer the usual 2D style. My biggest problem is that they made the massive mistake of allowing the final version of the main cast’s faces to look so ugly! They are just unattractive, particularly Steven and Dodo, and it makes the entire show difficult to watch. I also found the reworking of the “Celestial Toyroom” episode looked too weird and made for an all too “psychedelic” experience. When compared to the Photo Reconstruction version of this episode, I found that far better, and the small bits of 2D-style Animation much more watchable.
I liked episodes 2 and 3, the new “bigger” perspective of the scenes, and the “clues” between episodes. I loved the Queen and King of Hearts referring to Steven and Dodo as “peasants” and being “not amused”! Also liked the TARDIS within a TARDIS idea. Great to see that Russel T Davis didn’t get to “cancel” the name of this story and remove “Celestial” from it as he did with the character in the 60th Anniversary Specials!!! (Such absolute idiocy!)
Some interesting Extras are included in this set:
The Doctor Who Collection Escape Room: Team First Doctor was both fascinating and frustrating. Obviously, the first in a series of these, we find Maureen O’Brien, Peter Purves, and Lisa Bowerman experiencing this Doctor Who themed Escape Room… My, some people are getting grumpy in their old age! 😉 It is a great idea, which I suspect is designed to replace the wonderful “Mini Episodes” that were previously done to promote the Blu-ray Box releases. Nice to see K-9 trying to advise them as well.
The other “Extra” that I looked forward to was the Rare Audio Interview from1986 with actress Carmen Silvera, who I have adored for decades as the gullible Edith “You Stupid Woman” Artoir in the British comedy series ‘Allo, ‘Allo:
Edith: “Rene! What are you doing with that Serving Girl in your arms?”
Rene: “You stupid woman! Can you not see that she is feeling faint from exhaustion? You overwork these poor girls!”
Edith: “Oh, my. Sit down here, child, and rest a while. What has made you so tired?”
Rene: “Too much of the flying helmet and the wet celery with the Colonel, I would think.”
Yvette: “Not to mention the egg whisk, too.”
Edith: “No, best to not mention the egg whisk in mixed company…”
Unfortunately, the original recording of the interview was so bad that, even with today’s technology, it was hard to listen to. They could at least have adjusted the sound levels between the loud and soft sections!
The remaining Extras include New Commentaries moderated by Toby Hadoke, with Peter Purves, Dudley Darby (Camera Operator), Delia Lindon (Dancer), Sylvia Kames (Make-up), and David Devjak (Animation Producer/Director). The Making The Animation documentary is an all too unjustified self-congratulation session by the Australian team responsible for this not-so-brilliant outing. Also, the full original The Final Test episode, Sylvester McCoy’s introduction to that episode from The Hartnell Years video and the usual Production Subtitles and PDF materials.
Overall, it was fascinating to see the other episodes for the first time.
However, DO NOT use this style of animation again! Please!!!
It’s great to have Christmas Specials back again; the New Year Special idea never really worked for me. Also a little sad that it wasn’t free on ABC iView anymore.
As the first full Ncuti Gatwa/15th Doctor episode, it focussed on establishing his version of the Doctor and introducing the new companion, Ruby Sunday, along with her adoptive family and nosey (or is it knowledgeable) neighbour, Mrs Flood. Some of this episode skated dangerously close to turning the Doctor into some kind of Marvel Superhero and the new Sonic Screwdriver was more Star Trek Tricorder than a logical adaptation of a Sonic Screwdriver.
Early on, we find the Doctor dancing in a nightclub, in a scene that looked straight out of RTDs big gay hit series from 1999, Queer As Folk. No question that this is the sexiest Doctor ever! He can sing and dance as well as save the Universes, but I desperately hope that we won’t be assaulted with song-and-dance numbers in EVERY new episode!
Ruby’s mother, who left her on the steps of the Church on Ruby Road at Christmas, appears to be someone of future significance, as does Mrs Flood and her strange familiarity with TARDISes. However, on another viewing of the episode, Flood could easily have Googled “Disappearing Blue Police Box” in her reality and found out all the info she now knows. We fans have a tendency to imagine and expect much more than is currently being delivered; the once so-mysterious Anniversary Second Special is a perfect example of us being led to believe for great and amazing things and ending up with none of what we hoped for.
Cherry was just fabulous, and she knows how to fight hard for a good cup of tea. Davina McCall was also a great and fitting addition to the story. I find Ncuti’s performance very moving at times, giving it a tangible emotional sincerity.
The big problem, for me, was the Goblin Song. Not in any universe is it acceptable to have evil Goblins singing about stealing and eating babies, definitely not in the Whoniverse, and adding insult to injury by making it a Charity Single for BBCs Children In Need! There is nothing funny or charming about any of it, including the painfully weak lyrics, and I found it just sick, offensive, and vile.
Overall, this episode served other purposes, but it was so not Christmassy for me – a long way from most of the old Christmas Specials. A bit of tinsel, a few stars, and a Christmas tree do not automatically create a Christmas feeling! Overall, the whole thing felt too complicated and dark. Will I buy it on Blu-ray or DVD? No. Will I watch it again? NO… because of all the stuff that offended me. Has RTD lost his old Magic? Ask me after the first three episodes of the new season.
I keep watching these new BBC/Disney+/Wolf created episodes and wanting desperately to like them, but… Minus 1 for the un-Christmassy-ness of it. Minus 2 for the “Goblins eating babies and singing about it for charity” insanity. That leaves 1 for Ncuti’s great performance, and 1 for the amazing CGI and all that stuff.
Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, and John Leeson take on a season that pushed the limits of what could be done with new technology and limited time and money, but fans usually remember it fondly.
All six episodes are beautifully upgraded in visual quality for Blu-ray. Horror Of Fang Rock gets the best treatment with a 5.1 Surround Audio mix and new updated SFX, which were excellent, particularly Ruben the Rutan in Episode Four and the Rutan Ship, apart from the Rutan climbing up the side of the lighthouse and the Doctor hanging from the window, which were still crap. A beautiful new Making Of called Inside The Lighthouse, featuring Louise and Toby Hadoke at Belle Tote Lighthouse in Beachy Head, shows why we love Louise and her time on Who was too short. It focuses on their time filming the episodes at Pebble Mill in Manchester. New Audio Commentary by Tom Baker (with Matthew Sweet) on episodes 2 & 4, and a hilarious Denys Fisher Toys Advert with a reaction from Louise.
Other new shining lights on this set are Louise Jameson in Conversation with Matthew Sweet, another Tom Talks, The Final Battle where Leela finally meets the Daleks on screen (in Dolby 5.1 and Atmos), new Audio Commentary from Tom on episodes 4 & 6 of Invasion Of Time, the rushes for Tom’s Greetings for fans at the first Doctor Who Exhibition at Longleat, The Panopticon Archive interview with Louise and John, a 50th Anniversary Interview with John, and the magnificent and moving Graham Williams Documentary, Darkness And Light, from Moon Balloon Productions.
Behind the Sofa is again a highlight of this Collection featuring Louise Jameson, Colin Baker, Katy Manning, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton, Matthew Waterhouse, Pennant Roberts’ wife Betsan, and Toby Hadoke. All are in fine form and often hilarious.
Other notable inclusions were the “Making Of” documentary on the Underworld disc which is old but fascinating, and the idiotic and appalling Doctor Who Dustbin Skits by Emu Broadcasting Company on Image Of The Fendahl disc.
A treasured addition to the Who-ray Collections!
Topics Discussed in Interviews:
Tom Talks. On the Image Of The Fendahl disc, Tom looks older and frail but soon lights up with that youthful joy and devious tongue-in-cheek humour. Tom discusses… being in the Merchant Navy, serving on a passenger ship, serving in the Medical Corps. The Medics series, visiting Children’s Wards, being a patient. Being in his own head, being admired, dabbling, being phony. Shakespeare, Sir Laurence Olivier, Magie Smith. Revolution, Malcolm Tierney and political actors, Bertrand Russell, being arrested. Taxes, Banks, power, death. Being younger, saying goodbye.
Louise Jameson In Conversation. On The Sunmakers disc. Delightful, magnificent, moving! Louise (Leela) discusses with Matthew Sweet… Playing Blanche Summers in Tenko, Pennant Roberts. Who I want to be, accents, class. Childhood spent in theatre wings, mum, family, private school, Mrs Tipping. Drama school, RADA, Royal Shakespeare Company, John Barton, do the ‘text’ work to make it flow as fresh. Ambition, auditions, Leela, fame. Tom Baker, Paddy Russell, Tom’s eye contact and charisma, Graham Williams, Tom’s attitude to the text. Sexism in the BBC and showbusiness. Stuart Fell, Feminism, psycho-dynamic therapy. Theatre after Who, Bergerac, Lavinia Warner series and the Christmas scene, lack of older female characters, Coronation Street. Paparazzi, press office secrets. Offer to return for Tom’s departure, working with Peter Davison, Tom’s apology. Big Finish, working with Tom now, writing for Leela. Back to 1976, major movie role.
Darkness and Light.The stunning new Graham Williams documentary on the Bonus disc featured everyone they could find: Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, John Leeson, Phillip Hinchcliffe, Lalla Ward (old interview), Jackie Williams (wife), Katie Williams (daughter), Rick Williams (eldest son), David Williams (younger son), Richard Astbury (school friend and college), June Hudson (Costume Designer), Eric Saward (Script Editor), Ann Davies (Production Secretary), Anthony Read (Script Editor), Robert Shearman (Writer), James Goss (Writer), Colin Mapson (VFX), Darrol Blake (director), Maev Alexander (actress), Norman North (Agent), Paul Seed (Actor/Director), Jeremy Bentham (DWAS).
Tom’s New Commentary on Horror of Fang Rock.
Part 2: Working with Terrance Dicks, Pebble Mill, meeting Sue Gerard there in Birmingham. Acting styles, criticisms, enjoying the madness of it all. Hypocrisy of the current world compared to the 70s. Louise, Graham Williams, and the perfect companion.
Part 4: More about meeting Sue Gerard. Delivery, Beryl, Sir Laurence Olivier, pronunciation. Joan Plowright, Colin Douglas (Ruben), one line in George Of The Dragon in 1968. Acting is anxiety, Alan Roe and Geoffrey Bayldon. Agents, ratings, family response, character development. Watching Who with a family by accident.
Tom’s New Commentary on Invasion Of Time.
Part 4: Keeping it interesting, lodging with Andred, recommending an actor for a part. Everything changed, living with other actors, Max Faulkner. To speak or not to speak, cutting room floor performances. Breaking the fourth wall, alternate takes, the Benevolent Alien. Changing opinions.
Part 6: March 1978, Louise, Derek Deadman, Inside the TARDIS. Reconnecting with Louise, Big Finish. The obsequious Milton Johns, John Arnatt as Borusa. Playing a horse with Derek Godfrey, whistling for variety. McBeth, The Solution, directing. Thank you from all of us. Goodbye, Savage.
Behind The Sofa.
Three teams: Colin Baker, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton. Louise Jameson, Betsan Roberts, Toby Hadoke. Katy Manning, Matthew Waterhouse. It was good that at least one from every “team” knows the story and what is going on.
“Evil green blob. Evil maniacal prawn, cook him up and eat him.” By Image Of The Fendahl, Colin, Janet and Sarah had started to go stir crazy. “Rock salt! Rock salt!”
Sunmakers was acknowledged as a partly accurate prediction of what was to come. All three “teams” were saying the same things about this story. Colin’s comments about the censorship of his episodes in the 80s compared to all this violence and murder were very valid.
Matthew started mirroring Katie’s responses a bit too much as it went on. “The Quest Is The Quest!” All were underwhelmed by Underworld. “The season of oppression.” There was great excitement when the Sontarans appeared. Katie and Matthew had gone a stir crazy by the last few episodes and needed “a nice cup of tea and a good lie down.”
Louise confirmed Sunmakers as her favourite story of this Season, and all found good in each story.
OVERALL… it felt like a Warm Hug from an Old Friend! 🙂
Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, and John Leeson take on a season that pushed the limits of what could be done with new technology and limited time and money, but fans usually remember it fondly.
All six episodes are beautifully upgraded in visual quality for Blu-ray. Horror Of Fang Rock gets the best treatment with a 5.1 Surround Audio mix, new updated SFX, new Making Of featuring Louise and Toby Hadoke at Belle Tote Lighthouse in Beachy Head, new Audio Commentary by Tom Baker (with Matthew Sweet) on episodes 2 & 4, and a hilarious Toy Advert with a reaction from Louise.
Other new shining lights on this set are Louise Jameson in Conversation with Matthew Sweet, another Tom Talks, The Final Battle where Leela finally meets the Daleks on screen (in Dolby 5.1 and Atmos), new Audio Commentary from Tom on episodes 4 & 6 of Invasion Of Time, Tom’s Doctor Who Exhibition Introduction rushes, The Panopticon Archive interview with Louise and John, a 50th Anniversary Interview with John, and the magnificent and moving Graham Williams Documentary.
Behind the Sofa is again a highlight of this Collection featuring Louise Jameson, Colin Baker, Katy Manning, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton, Matthew Waterhouse, Pennant Roberts’ wife Betsan, and Toby Hadoke. All are in fine form and often hilarious.
During my five years of Creative Fire focussed on SONIC SCREWDRIVER MAGAZINE, from 2008 to 2012, I also created a range of Giveaways that went out with Sonics and other Promo Items through Vistaprint. I became quite an expert at their products as a result. This was at a time when their prices were more affordable and they offered a lot of “Buy one, get one free” options as well. NOTE: All contacts are now Invalid except for DWCV.org.au ones.
They are, in order of appearance:
Big postcards (A5) front and back | Notebooks | Bookmarks | Caps | Desk calendars | Keyrings |
Large magnets (A6) | Postcards (A6) front and back | Membership postcards | Rack cards (DL) |
MICHAEL YOUNG 