Relief is at hand, with Sarah!

At the Eleventh Hour

Following on from a comment I made in reply to Karen, attached to my previous post “My Ideal Companion!”, I asked myself the question if the eleventh Doctor were to be female, who would I cast? More to the point, who would Russell T Davies cast? He has, of course, just cast ex-“EastEnder” Michelle Collins in a supporting role in one of the upcoming episodes but who could fill the shoes, albeit more feminine ones, of the previous ten incumbents? I mention her because this does seem to be the sort of area the executive producer looks to when choosing actors and actresses to play all the various parts. Last year, we had another ex-“EastEnder” in the shape of Tracy Ann Oberman, as head-of-Torchwood Yvonne Hartman, who did her duty in the final two episodes of the season. In the first of those episodes, ex-“Crossroads” actress Freema Agyeman died in confrontation with the Cybermen and we all know what’s become of her! Even Barbara Windsor popped up in the same story playing herself, no less!!

Having said that soaps appear to be a favourite hunting ground for new guest stars to appear in “Doctor Who”, Russell also does look further afield. Stars from sitcoms, such as Richard Wilson and Zoë Wanamaker, have made their mark on the programme, although, to be fair, these are “serious” actors who have needed to make a living by whatever work comes their way. This tradition continues next season with Ardal O’Hanlan and Mark Gatiss. Then there are what you could call the cream of the crop, hopefully without appearing to be snobbish about it! In the recent past, actors as diverse as Simon Callow, Pauline Collins, Sophia Myles and Maureen Lipman have all graced the series. Coming up this season, viewers are to be treated to performances by Sir Derek Jacobi and “Life on Mars” star John Simm. In what capacity? I couldn’t possibly comment!!! And, while the original series might cast those who are generally regarded as light entertainers, such as Bonnie Langford and Ken Dodd, in the new series we’ve even seen an ex-pop singer in a pivotal role.

So, who could one choose who has had diverse experience hitherto and might fulfil some or all of the criteria required to play our good lady Doctor? I suggest Martine McCutcheon. She’s undoubtedly best known for playing Tiffany in 165 episodes of “EastEnders” between 1995 and 1998. Like Billie Piper, she’s had number one chart success with “Perfect Moment”. She’s appeared in “serious” drama such as “The Knock” and I loved her performance as Tash in “Spooks”. Coming up, later in the year, is an appearance in “Marple: At Bertram’s Hotel”. Martine’s also dipped her toes in the movie world playing alongside Hugh Grant and Bill Nighy in British romantic comedy “Love Actually”. She’s worked in the theatre in the musical “My Fair Lady” and she’s just been seen as a judge in “Soapstar Superstar”. I think she might just be loverly in the role of the next female Time Lord. In the pictures above, she’s even wearing Chris Eccleston’s leather jacket and the scarf is very appropriate, not to say fetching! Below, from “Party in the Park 2000”, Ms McCutcheon is seen in rock chick mode, alongside Queen guitarist Brian May in one of the pictures. And, who do you think was on the bill with her? None other than our very own Billie Piper!

When the T-shirt Says it All!

My Ideal Companion!

If I was about to cast the role of companion in “Doctor Who”, the first person I would have in my office would be children’s television presenter Anna Williamson. She currently co-hosts “Toonattik”, in the GMTV weekend slot, which I presume is aimed at pre-teens, mainly running imported cartoon fare. Quite probably, the main reason I’d consider her for a major part in “Doctor Who” is that she looks like a younger version of Caroline Harker, whom I’ve always thought would’ve been terrific in the programme. Anna is lively and spirited in a job which isn’t exactly awe-inspiring, but maybe she enjoys it, although, unfortunately, she has been absent rather a lot just recently!

Of course, it doesn’t follow that being good looking means Anna can necessarily act. In the past, this hasn’t stopped casting directors on “Doctor Who”, or indeed many other series, when choosing a new, usually female, face to play alongside the leading man. I wouldn’t have chosen Billie Piper to play Rose but then I wouldn’t have cast Sophie Aldred as a companion in the classic series either, and, like Anna, her talents lay mainly in presenting shows for a younger audience. Back in the late 80s, they had a choice between Sara Griffiths, as Welsh tomboy Ray in “Delta and the Bannermen”, and Sophie, as teen tearaway Ace in “Dragonfire”. They went with the latter while, based on the evidence of those two stories, I’d have gone with the former.

Quite why Freema Agyeman has been cast as Martha is beyond me. Yes, again she is good looking but, on the evidence of “Crossroads”, as well as her very brief appearance as Adeola in the penultimate episode of last year’s season of “Doctor Who”, I wouldn’t have chosen her. As I’ve said before, had I been choosing from the actresses appearing in year two, I’d have gone with MyAnna Buring (Scooti) simply on the level of commitment she showed, getting in the water tank for such a short scene, in recording “The Impossible Planet”. I’m no doubt considered old fashioned in my choice but I see Ms Williamson playing a character along the lines of Polly, Anneke Wills’ mid 60s companion who saw Hartnell regenerate into Troughton. The above picture shows Anna in pantomime “Jack and the Beanstalk”!

This Little Piggy Went to Market!

The unfortunate creature, in the picture above, found itself in a spot of bother during the first part of a story from the Christopher Eccleston season of “Doctor Who”, in an episode entitled “Aliens of London”. It was all about a family of extraterrestrial beings, the Slitheen, who take over the bodies of humans but with what can only be described as inappropriate social skills! In one sense, the pictured animal is not out of place amongst such company. But, in light of what seems to have been a major talking point over the last week or so, maybe it would’ve been more apt had this little piggy appeared in episode twelve, “Bad Wolf”, and, in particular, in the segments devoted to “Big Brother”!

I’m not a fan of reality TV shows but it would be wrong of me to suggest that everybody who has ever appeared in one is a no-hoper. While some well-marketed, but set to self-destruct, contestants gas ignorantly in every direction, there are those, although very few in number, who genuinely have talent. It might be because they have come from a privileged background but there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, thank heavens! Without aspiring individuals, there would be no Symphony Orchestras and the world would, indeed, be a truly poorer place. Spiritually, not economically. Perhaps Classical music isn’t your cup of tea. But, without these highly trained musicians, just imagine what “Eleanor Rigby” would’ve sounded like?

One such particular person to come to the fore, through a reality television show, is Myleene Klass. She is 28 now but her “big break” came six years ago in an ITV1 show called “Popstars”. That’s not what’s important though. What is important is that she started learning the violin and piano at the age of four. She took up the harp at the age of twelve. She received an A grade in A level Music. I could continue but you get the idea. She is very accomplished, and probably because she is a very determined young woman. You can see it in her face. There are many in the “music business” (and what does business have to do with music?) who claim to write their own material that couldn’t tell a piece of manuscript paper from a piece of toilet paper! Whilst co-hosting “CD:UK”, Myleene presented some rapper, whose name I forget, with a framed notation of one of his “songs”. When she is obviously skilled, I wonder what she hopes to achieve by going down the populist route? Whatever happened to violinist Vanessa Mae?

Now, of course, after appearing scantily clad in another reality show, Myleene is best known for taking showers in a variety of different coloured bikinis. There is nothing wrong with that in itself. She is a beautiful girl with a beautiful body. It’s the spin the media put on it that should perhaps be questioned. And yet, I’m sure she knows what she’s doing. There is a set of photos, and you can’t tell from just a single image, showing Myleene with her ex-Hear’Say band mate Suzanne Shaw, out on the town, and it is quite clear which of the two girls is in control. Ms Shaw is hanging on for dear life while Myleene is obviously trying to get her associate away from the glare of the photographers. Anyway, make up your own mind. Below are a couple of galleries showing Myleene looking far more sporty than Melanie C ever did!

C’mon Myleene!

In a Klass of Her Own!

Invasion... of the Dinosaurs!

Hannah Spearritt

is

Abby Maitland

Happy Birthday, Tom!

73 Today!

In a Flap about Cats!

The final, 155th, story of the original “Doctor Who” series, “Survival”, is out on DVD on 16th April as a two-disc set. The BBC are promoting this as the fortieth release from the classic series, on this format, although story wise it’s actually the 43rd. “Lost in Time” contained no complete stories while the Hartnell set and forthcoming Anthony Ainley box both contain three apiece. And the 40, or 43, also includes the 1996 TV movie which some would argue isn’t part of the original run even though the DVD was marketed as though it is. It just depends on your point of view. I’m sure, sometime in the future, new “Doctor Who” will be reissued as though it belongs with the original series, maybe in the event of a further revival. It’s interesting, though, how time changes perception of how these things are distinguished.

In light of the recent budget release of the two-part story “The Sontaran Experiment”, I wondered how the BBC would now deal with three-parters considering, in terms of length, “Ghost Light” doesn’t represent value for money in comparison with the eight-part Troughton story “The Invasion”! The answer is simple, loads of extras. I was lucky in purchasing that McCoy story as part of a BOGOF (buy one, get one free) offer but as its companion was the six-part “Genesis of the Daleks”, even then, length wise, “Ghost Light” is still poor value. It’s a terrific story though so, in this case, quality overruled quantity and, besides, I had to have it as I was at University with one of the night maids - in the cast! That probably sounds a bit naughty so let me put your minds at rest. She trained as a musician and played flute in some first performances of my compositions. If you’re reading this, Vivienne, I still have the tapes!!

“Survival” was the last broadcast story but not the last to be made. That was “Ghost Light” and so, in one sense, my friend has the honour of appearing in the last ever original “Doctor Who” story alongside the legendary Sylvia Syms. But, in the eyes of the viewing public, Anthony Ainley’s swansong, and perhaps his best performance in the role of the Master, was the proper close of a terrific 26-year run. And, this release complements this month’s release of his first three stories. I have to admit, I would’ve preferred “The Greatest Show in the Galaxy”, from the Sylvester McCoy era, as this would’ve completed my favourite quartet of his stories, adding to the three already available. Same director (Alan Wareing), same location, better story. No matter, the last episode of “Survival” does boast a brief appearance by a very young Adele “bad cat man” Silva, now better known for her part in soap opera “Emmerdale”. And, as she also contributes to a two-part documentary on the story, by way of celebration, below is a six-picture gallery in which she looks a little older! Vivienne, by the way, is the redhead in the picture above, back left, under the word THE.