feeling listless: 03/27/2005

TV Goodness, who saw that coming? Although cleverly not mentioned by name, poof goes Gallifrey, The Doctor's home planet. And the rest of The Timelords. Fans everywhere wonder if the series is going to suddenly become a continuation of the books (where it also apparently happened) in what's probably the most comitted and gripping plot point in telefantasy since Buffy died. As the for the rest of tonight's Doctor Who, wasn't it just excellent? Exciting, scary, emotional. Eccles demonstrated what a loss he'll be and Billie continued her one girl battle to prove that you shouldn't assume anything about anyone. Yes it was very Hitchhikers but in a good way. And one of the issues I had with the first episode has already been fixed -- the music here was fine. Including the pop. Who the hell expected Soft Cell and Britney Spears? Very zeitguesty. It also, unlike last week, featured scenes which went on for longer than a few seconds and allowed the characters to breath. It's just a shame The Moxx of Balhoon bought it. I liked that little blue alien. I can smell chips...

Over on BBC4, The Quatermass Experiment was an impressive piece of drama. It was pleasingly small in scale, but some of the acting was superb, particularly from Jason Flemyng, Mark Gatiss and the 10th Doctor, sorry, David Tennant. Indira Varma was also excellent. This could have been made using tradition programme making techniques, but that would have ruined the tension -- the live performance made things feel more real somehow, especially in the closing moments when Bernard confronted the whatever. I was on the edge of my seat wondering if they would actually bomb Tate Britain ...

"Can I ask you a strange question?"

Radio Just to show that good things can happen to good people: I don't listen to local radio so I hadn't noticed one of my commuter buddies, Claire Hamilton, from way back when I used to work in Manchester, has a nightly slot on BBC Radio Merseyside -- and I only found out because I'd seen an article in the Liverpool Daily Post saying that she's taking over the much covetted Breakfast slot very soon. Even though I got her number I bone-headedly failed to keep in touch, but it's really nice to know she's doing so well. I wrote about meeting Claire for the first time here.

Flat.

Advertising That's just what I needed to see. Someone has taken one of my favourite pieces of the architecture, one of the only buildings whose photograph graces my wall. And stuck an advert on it!

Partridge?

TV The Alan Partridge programmes are finally being shown in US:

"(Steve) Coogan finally makes his American television debut this spring in The Alan Partridge Experience, a compendium of three short series shown in the U.K. between 1995 and 2002. Taken together, these 19 episodes trace the hilarious downward spiral of a second-rate talk show host. His abject failure on his prime-time program Knowing Me, Knowing You With Alan Partridge turns into even more palpable humiliation on the two later series, when our hero returns to his provincial hometown with his tail between his pasty legs. Dumped by his wife and living alone in a generic businessman's "travel tavern," he DJs at the local radio station, trying to tempt listeners to stay tuned with promises like "In three minutes' time I'll be talking to Norwich's youngest butcher."

At least it's not The Tony Ferrino Phenomenon ...

Really?

TV According to the Western Mail, the original inspiration for the timelord was "Gethin Who, a popular doctor from Carmarthen, (who) met with Winston Churchill in 1940 to discuss the use of time travel as a weapon against Nazism."

According to Contact Music, Australian actor Andrew Merkelbach has already launched a campaign to fight David Tennant for the role of the 10th Doctor. "Merkelbach, who has starred in a string of Doctor Who-inspired films playing a character called THE TRAVELLER in his native Australia, admits he's a huge fan of the cult show."

One or all of the above may be an April Fool...

Updated: Digital Spy are reporting that The Daleks won't be back for series two. But given that they're under the impression that Terry Nation negotiated the deal himself, and that the source is the paper whose name I dare not type ...

Fishy

The combination of shrimp and Vitamin C tablets will cause arsenic poisoning. [thanks Franchesca!]

'Don't they know it's ...'

TV Of course the silly sausages who consider themselves to be Doctor Who fans have been up in arms about Chris leaving. Neil has said some excellent things about this. Apparently the actor was receiving death threats in certain places, leading Shaun to temporarily close the forums at Outpost Gallifrey. It's all a horrible over-reaction considering that show is coming back next year. Although some people have (a) forgotten that and (b) it's only a tv show and (c) it's not the end of the world. Except for tomorrow night's episode, which ironically is called, The End of the World.

'The book.'

Life Not that I'm trying to spend the week blogging in usual places, especially since I do have a connection at home, but here I am at Sefton Park Library. Someone's just looked over. What am I typing too much? Spent last night with Chris in town -- went for a meal then drinks, celebrating various things. It was actually oddly quiet for a Thursday night, which is reputed to be the best night in the city. We kept wondering if something big had happened, like the Pope dying. Not yet, bless him.

'Don't look now...'

Life I'm currently sitting at an EasyInternetCafe work station in Clayton Square Shopping Arcade. There are about twenty of them, right next to an escalator and I'm feeling a bit exposed to be honest. There are people passing by on both sides, with the odd teenager sitting down, hammering the keys until they realise they have to pay, then moving on. Also the only technical support available is an 0800 number which is plastered on signs to the side of each terminal, which isn't terribly re-assuring. I couldn't imagine doing any kind of serious work here, but I suppose that isn't the point. We also have people's eyes fixed on us from everywhere. What are you people looking at? Haven't you seen someone using a computer before!?!

"Not The Doctor..."

TV New series commissioned, and they're already having to look for a new Doctor. It's hardly a surprise given that Eccleston hasn't exactly been entirely upbeat about the prospect of a second series. I wonder how far back they knew and if its been factored in. As I said here: "I keep look at the title of the final episode, The Parting of the Ways. It has a certain funerial feel to it. Are we hinting at a regeneration this early into the run? Is that going to be the big series cliffhanger?" Did they specifically sign Chris for just one series knowing he wouldn't be there for series two, or did he decide some way into the run when he realised what the part entailed. Either way, David Tennant is apparently in talks which doesn't shock me judging by his performance in Casanova. That said, Paul McGann is available, and they've done the false regeneration thing before in the comics ...

31 questions

Meme I was sent this as part of an email circular earlier. And since I'm lacking in inspiration...

1. What time did you get up this morning?
9:00am

2. Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
The Life Acquatic with Steve Zissau

4. What is your favourite TV show?
Doctor Who

5. What did you have for breakfast?
Croissant

6. What is your middle name?
Ian

7. What is your favourite food?
Bolognaise (pasta optional)

8. What foods do you dislike?
Liver. Most fish.

9. What is your favourite crisp flavour?
Ready Salted

10. What is your favourite CD at the moment?
I don't really have one, so here are the next ten random tracks as selected from WinAmp from my PC:
Some Kind of Wonderful Joss Stone
Crazy Catherine Porter
God In His Culture Anika Moa
Mistletoe and Holly Jack Jones
That I Would Be Good Alanis Morissette
La Verdolaga Toto La Momposina
Electric Light PJ Harvey
Mon Legionnaire Edith Piaf
The Obvious Child Paul Simon
Just A Photo Jesse Harris & The Fernandos

11. What kind of car do you drive ?
I don't.

12. Favourite sandwich ?
Cheddar Cheese and Tomato

13. What characteristic do you despise?
Igorance

14. Favourite item of clothing?
Jeans

15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation,where would you go?
New York

16. What colour is your bathroom?
White

17. Favourite brand of clothing?
No Label

[What happened to 18 and 19?]

20. What was your most memorable birthday?
Inviting everyone I know to the pub for I think my 27th. Yeah, that was a good idea.

21. Where were you born?
Liverpool

22. Favourite sport to watch?
Triathlon

23. Who do you least expect to send this back to you?
Everyone

24. Person you expect to send it back first?
Me.

25. Which fabric detergent do you use?
Don't

26. Coke or Pepsi?
Coke

27. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Depends,

29. Do you have any pets?
No.

30. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with your family & friends?
Dr Who. Second series.

31. What did you want to be when you were little?
Zoologist.

'Thrift, thrift'

Hamlet Just posted at review of Tony Richardson's version of Hamlet with Nicol Williamson at The Hamlet Weblog.

01 Nicol Williamson

Hamlet played by Nicol Williamson
Directed by Tony Richardson

The opening moments in any production of Hamlet are critical because the audience, assuming they know the play fairly well, will already be asking the 'How are they going to do...' question. It's the ghost. Hamlet senior. What is he going to look like? In a film, it's an even bigger challenge, because some people watching might expect a special effect. The approach here is a shot of bright light across the young Dane's face and his voice echoing through the frame. The style of the film is already crystallised. It's not about the surroundings or set dressing. It's about the emotion of the piece, the words. In this key moment we are looking in his eyes as he hear's his fathers words, and that's a device used throughout the piece.

On first appearance, Nicol Williamson might seem a bit old for the part. Certainly, I've seen Claudius's who look younger. But that does a disservice to his performance, which commands every scene he appears in. His Hamlet is far from mad; he's using a bluff technique to search for the why's of his father's death and how he's reacting to it. Unusually. in the intimate moments, during the soliloquy's he's at his most vulnerable, as though he's unable to come to terms with these feelings, and only really comes to life when he has someone to relate to.

A very young looking Anthony Hopkins makes a compelling Claudius, who with his gluttony seems like a man who could do wrong. Equally Judy Parfitt passes the test of being attractive enough for a man to kill for even if her skin is worryingly grey. Although not at grey as Ophelia, played by Marianne Faithful who in some shots looks positively black and white, almost as though the trickery of the film 'Pleasantville' had been used. Which is a shame because it detracts from rather a good performance.

The production was filmed at The Roundhouse Theatre which explains that use of extreme close up and the complete lack of establishing shots. The lighting absolutely picks up the actors faces, making what settings there are perfunctory. It mustn't have been a very easy shoot -- most of the speeches and scenes are played out in one shots -- there is very little editing in places, which allows the text the breath. I've seen the play many times and it was a joy on this occasion to hear how much of our language found a basis here.

The main oddity this time are the supporting actors. This is the only Hamlet you'd expect to find Michael Elphick and Angelica Houston standing around in the background, along with Roger Lloyd-Pack popularly known as Trigger in 'Only Fools and Horses'. The latter is particularly distracting because his face is so familiar and he appears, not only as Ronaldo, but also as a player, one of Laertes friends and a miscellaneous bystander in the duel at the end. One man should not have that many different beards. Also worth noting is the approach to the credits at the end, which are spoken, in a style similar to Truffaut's 'Farenheit 451' over a shot of Hamlet.

I watched the dvd of the film on the 30th March 2005.

And a Merry Christmas to you all at home ...

TV I think this headline says it all really ... "Second Doctor Who series already in pipeline":

"The BBC has wasted no time in commissioning a Christmas special and second series of its Doctor Who revival, less than a week after the time traveller returned to BBC1 after an absence of 16 years with nearly 10 million viewers.

However, the BBC head of drama commissioning, Jane Tranter, was unable to confirm whether Christopher Eccleston, the ninth doctor, or Billie Piper, who plays his sidekick, would be returning - opening up the possibility that the man with the sonic screwdriver might have to undergo yet another regeneration within a year.

Ms Tranter said she had commissioned the Christmas special and a second series of Doctor Who yesterday - just three days after the sci-fi show began its new 13-part run on BBC1 with 9.9 million viewers, beating off stiff opposition from Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway."

Amazing news, especially considering a Christmas special is in the offering. Would love to see Chris turn to the camera at the end and say those immortal words ... "And a Merry Christmas to you all at home ..." [via]

Updated! This has just been confirmed by the official site. I'm off to eat some mince pies to celebrate. [via]

Kenny Bruce is not afraid...

Radio Like a good episode of the series it essayed, tonight's Project Who on Radio 2 was filled with thrills and chills. All of the talk of a second season and thirds and fourths unless something utterly silly happened (10.5 million. Do I need to say it again?) The great moment when Nick Briggs, talking about the essence of the series was interspersed with moments from each Doctor. All the talk of Gallifreyan colours in the design work. Dave Golder from SFX name checking a bunch of sci-fi which you're not likely to hear talk of anywhere else on Radio Two (not unless Ken Bruce suddenly reveals a crush on Eliza Dushka anyway).

But oh the chills, chief of which continues to be Chris Eccleston. Erm, why does he keep referring to the series in the past tense, as though its done and dusted and he's moving on to the next project? I draw your attention to the moment (I'm paraphrasing) when he says he hasn't quite come to grips with what he's done and he looks forward to sitting down in two or three years and seeing what he's done. But Chris -- if this is a success, aren't going to still be playing the part in two or three years? I keep look at the title of the final episode, The Parting of the Ways. It has a certain funerial feel to it. Are we hinting at a regeneration this early into the run? Is that going to be the big series cliffhanger? Is Chris just playing with us as a kind of misdirection, or is something else going on?

On a lighter note, I was flicking through Damaged Goods, Russell T Davies Virgin New Adventure novel and noticed that one of the main families has the surname Tyler. This seems to be a popular surname for Russell, as there was a Ruth Tyler in Revelations, Vince Tyler in Queer As Folk and a Johnny Tyler in The Second Coming. Well, Terry Nation had his Tarrant I suppose ...

76?

Online According to this MSN survey I have a computer IQ of 76 -- which is higher than I might have expected.

'You just don't get it do you?'

h2g2 Promo site for The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy rendered in the style of The Book from The Film. Very odd seeing much the same text from the radio series rendered in a different way. Arthur's house was demolished to make way for a 'freeway' aopparently. [via]

Puny tracers

Blog! Hulk smash?

"Stupid puny human comic book drawing person "KEVIN MAGUIRE" drew Hulk "Digging For Green Gold" and that is gross and Hulk wants to tell little children that they should not do it! Hulk maybe had a fly go up his nose or something during the stupid photo shoot so he could DRAW FROM A PICTURE BECAUSE HE CAN NOT DRAW WITHOUT TRACING IT."

Seriously, Hulk, go to a different publisher. I hear Dark Horse are hiring ...

Macro

Blog! Maciej Ceglowski of Idle Words is following the jkottke model and looking for macropatrons. If that word doesn't sound quite right, it's worth noting that there is a particular figure being looked for:

"I want to help, but I don't have $300,000. Can I send you a smaller amount?

No. Many other worthy weblogs will welcome smaller contributions from micropatrons and mesopatrons. As an experiment in novel funding models in the blog space, I want to focus my efforts strictly on macropatronage."

Anyone have that kind of money going spare because it would be really funny if you could send it along. Might start a trend.

The Doctor's Audience

TV Outpost Gallifrey has overnight ratings for 'The Doctor Dances' etc.

Strictly Dance Fever - 4.2m (28.8%)

Dr Who - 6.17m (35.9%)
X-Men - 3.2m (19.9%)

National Lottery - 4.98m (27.2%)

So still beating ITV for the timeslot, and with a good audience share. Yes, the number of actual viewers watching is down, but it'll be worth waiting for the aggregated BARB finals before worrying about that. It should also be noted that the BBC itself suggested people video the episode and then show it to their kids once they've reviewed it, due to the higher horror content, so that'll help to a degree.

"I'm consumed by the chill of solitary..."

Life Sometimes you just don't need to do anything at all. I've booked this week off work and I've got absolutely nothing planned. Nothing. I'm usually going on city trips, or cinema trips or whatever, but I'm not doing anything at all. I don't want to. I've got some election training on Thursday night and I might go and buy some music and a magazine, even go for a drink in the evening. But other than that it's just about me, the tv and the sofa. I needed a break, so here I am. I'll write later about how its going.

Links for 2005-03-27 [del.icio.us]

Links for 2005-03-27 [del.icio.us]

Shauna explains for me the slight irritation which come with every episode of 'Desperate Housewives'
"I still couldn’t get past the horrible...voiceover of the dead lady. Her saccharine, schmaltzy tones felt like piranhas were attacking my eardrums. But even more infuriating was how she just burst in and explained the hell out of Every Freaking Thing!"

BBC Sky At Night Magazine
Pulsars and quasars

"Als das Kind Kind war, spielte es mit Begeisterung ..."

Life After all the excitement last night, I almost forgot it was Easter Sunday today. Happy Easter! Some eggs and boxes of (aptly) Roses waiting for my attention, as is a dvd of The Incredibles.

We've had the Circus Berlin on the field in Sefton Park this week. I was tempted to visit to see if there were any tall, broody types in long black overcoats, but with the number of these things which turn up during the year I think I'm getting clown fatigue.

Reviews of a certain tv show have been overwhelmingly positive, and even better news is that the show averaged a viewing audience of 9.9m over Ant & Dec's 7.2m. Which is something of a result.

Hey, I died twice

Petra, the dog from BBC's Blue Peter whose death was mourned by million in the 70s and honoured by a bronze bust effectively died twice. The animal was introduced to viewers as a puppy in the mid-sixties. But that baby dog died of complications the day before the next programme was due to go out, and so the then producer of the show had to rush around all the pet shops in north London with a photo looking for a duplicate pup. Luckily he found one and none of children watching knew any the wiser.

The End of the World.

God bless

'I can smell chips...'