www.nickgriffiths.co.uk

Love Mandragora - Baker's pronunciation is a marvel.

Bakerathon sharing time with audiobooks of the Sansom Shardlake series, largely because I await dvd release of Face of Evil. Anyhoo next stop that pesky Mandragora helix.....

Still decorating. Am in a nightmare sandpaper-paint-sandpaper vortex. Hope to return to pottering in front of Mac middle next week. DILY selling very well on Amazon last two months - get yours by clicking that thumbnail. Just 99p! (Practically giving it away.) PS If you've read and enjoyed it, pls do bung up a review. (If you didn't, well, fuck you.)

Decorating. Bloody bored. Decorating.

made me think of "TARZANS NEW YORK ADVENTURE" 1942 film...though im sure id rather watch that than some american sherlock attempt!
news update...appparently BBC are threatening legal action as CBS network were offered Sherlock a while ago and wernt interested ...then suddenly they come up with an idea...wonder where they got that from?

Nearly forgot. That rarest of creatures appeared of late: a review of Mrs D! http://www.writersbox.net/fiction-reviews.html#looking-for-mrs-dextrose

Royston - That's a fabulous trio, right up there with the best. I adore Android Invasion, though that is partly for its setting and those Androids. Morbius stands out for the plot over setting - boy that scenery was unconvincing - and for that "We take head now?" line. And Seeds of Doom is just genius. Harrison Chase = delightfully bonkers.
Dave E - Nothing surprises me in television. It will no doubt be shocking (if it ever gets made). The americans remade - did it ever air? - Ashes to Ashes and I interviewed Matthew Graham at Ashley Pharoah's house while he watched the pilot, incredulous and groaning.

Bakerathon update...
Android Invasion-great location filming, terrible plot. Morbius-good all round, and Solon's castle suitably gothic. Seeds of Doom pending completion, Harrison Chase top villain.

I hear the americans have pissed off the BBC with the annoucement that they are making a version of Sherlock based in New York called "Elementary"...Moffatt will be well happy?!

Am yet to watch second half of Sherlock pt 2 and all of pt 3. Will thus reserve judgement. However am amazed you prefered Dinos to Androids, poss because am such a huge fan of the latter. Must give Dinos another whirl mind - been a good 20 years since I last watched it.

Have watched 'Invasion Of The Dinosaurs' & 'The Android Invasion' & was suitably impressed, more so by 'Dinosaurs'. The model dinosaurs weren't all that bad & it's always good to see a few shaking walls! Plus a certain UNIT officer turning traitor...
Have to say I was let down by the 'Sherlock' finale. I found Moriarty unconvincing & credulity stretched just too much, especially at the end. Having said that, I'd still watch it over most of the bilge pumped through the telly screen. Cheerio!

G'day. Forgive current sporadic updated - 'tis all go here. Agree with both comments below. I adore Pyramids of Mars - those Mummies were among the best realised of all Who monsters. More shortly...

Bakerathon update-just watched Pyramids of Mars. And has there ever been a better opening episode or cliffhanger ' I bring Sutekh's gift of death to all humanity...'

Hello! I've thoroughly enjoyed 'Sherlock' so far even though I'm still a huge fan of the Jeremy Brett version. The chemistry between Messrs. Cumberbatch & Freeman is superb & I love the fact that it all seems to belt along at a 100 mph! One of the best things to be on telly for a while...
Just bought 'Invasion Of The Dinosaurs' & 'The Android Invasion' so that should keep me busy for a while. Hopefully they'll be better than the last Christmas special which had it's moments before being engulfed in a tidal wave of schmaltz at the end... although that probably had something to do with it being Christmas no doubt. Bah!

PS been away, yet to catch up on Sherlock ep 2

A most excellent selection of opinions. I do take on board what Michele says re Moff's females. I also loathed Coupling, incidentally, though not sure whether that was shallow women or achingly middle-class sitcom.

oooh just had given to me some VHS tapes of the entire Blakes 7 series...i used to love that!!
Avon what a ruthless bastard he was...
Theres also some Who tapes too...Tom baker yahool...thats me sorted for the entire winter ...goody!

Sherlock? Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant!!!
i loved the bit when Sherlock admitted he was scared...this guy can act!
just realised how he and the Doctor ,matt smith, could swap jobs and both do the part justice quite wonderfully actually!

my new year resolution is to become a time lord

Sherlock was fantastic (to coin a phrase). Not as good as Rathbone, natch (-: Shame only 3 episodes, but quality over quantity would seem to be the watchword with this one.

Gatiss is pure vanity casting as Mycroft Holmes, whomever's playing Moriarty is too young and utterly unconvincing as a braniac villain likely to defeat Sherlock, and what they did with Irene Adler last week WAS a scandal (it takes some doing when the 21st centruy version of a Victorian female character is WORSE than the 19th century version). I feel like beating Moffat over the head with multiple copies of 'Scandal in Bohemia' and insisting 'Read the damn story properly!'

Have come to the conclusion Moffat's incapable of writing a strong woman character who isn't in the end defined by her relationship to the lead male (cf River Song, who in the Library episodes with Tennant was REALLY GOOD, and has now been reduced to a begging crying damsel in distress).

That said, I love Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in the lead roles. It's just everything else that pisses me off!

Any views on Sherlock? Immensely watchable, I find.

Best of luck with that.

Up to Planet of Evil eps 2.

Belated Happy New Year to all! I've not seen the new Day of the Daleks, but I'd love to. Do elaborate pls. I agree with Dave E that once we hit the tower the whole thing started to disintegrate - but before that I loved it. New year resolutions, anyone? And news from Royston on his Baker T watchathon?

yes crimbo special scored 8/10 for me was great until it got to the top floor of the tower then it just fell apart,still it was worth watching and looked fantastic as the xmas ones always do...but then again who,excuse the pun,am i to say...coz i thought last years xmas special was superb...so it goes to show how much i know?! loved the odd referal to past doctors ...

'Day of the Daleks' Special edition - New effects, new Dalek voices. I really like it. Anyone else seen it/have an opinion?

Happy New Year (-:

Ainley it is (-: so Nick can forward the winning case of champagne to Dave.

G'day Dave L. Delighted to hear of your Who-fest - the Pertwee Dalek stories were generally brilliant. I've managed to watch the Chrimbo special at last, by retiring beneath my covers with the iPad. And I too loved it (with reservations). First half was wonderful, then it got a bit flakey - forgiven by the fact it was Xmas. A good old-fashioned linear story at last! Perhaps the best of the Xmas specials - and helped no end by the near-total absence of Amy & Rory.
I'll go with Dave L's Anthony Ainley, now we're clear.

perhaps actor who was in Doctor Who would be a better wording....

Wrong again

Hope you all had a good Christmas and Santa brought you everything that you wanted.

A bit of a Who-fest in our house -

10th and 11th-era Tardis playsets and the 2012 Annual and Brilliant Book for Aimee and a stack of DVDs (Season 6 Boxset, Dalek War Boxset, Key To Time Boxset, Day of the Daleks and Planet of the Spiders) for me. Wahey!!!

Lots of quality viewing time ahead.

Now then, a deceased cricketer/Who related actor?

Hmmm...I'll have a punt at either Nick Courtney or Anthony Ainley.

Then it has to be Pertwee.

Wrong!

Royston's Q. Guess has to be Troughton.

Evening, chaps. Bloody relieved to get rid of that stupid DILY advert, which was doing my tits in. Should be able to update blog more regularly now t'is gorn. Thanks for all the comments. I'm yet to watch the Xmas special - had just pressed Play when a series of mini relatives arrived, adding the mockers to that idea - so will add judgement once had a chance to settle down in peace with the puppy. Did enjoy the daft opening spacesuit segment.
Happy Chrimbo, all!

Xmas Who-Great piece of whimsy-a million times better than last year. Just shows what 1. a linear (ish) plotline and 2.a solo Doctor can do.

Merry Xmas and here is my Who related quiz question

Which Doctor Who actor, according to his Wisden obituary, opened the batting in swimming goggles.

Your quiz of the year should have had a q like 'What best rated book is now available on special offer via dalek.webden?'

pertwee 3 in a row has to be the Daemons...well that did have five episodes so il say the first 3...great stuff

Well each to there own...but i think anybody that thought Simm was rubbish is totally entitled to there opinion!! its xmas why argue!!
Yes xmas special around the corner...wait till you see the Doctors spacesuit!! talkabout a throwback to the cult classic scifi movies...Plan 9 from outer space springs to mind or the day the earth stood still...the original not the new one! yippee...and watch out for the doc getting in the wrong Tardis...spoilers!

Hello other Dave-best ever qualification of a judgment = 'Adric aside.' Fairly fatal flaw in that trilogy methinks.

Hi Dave-Simms master lacked genuine menace and the ominous feeling of dark, brooding power just held under restraint. Played way too large and one dimensional. Derek Jacobi was more menacing in his 3 minute Master slot than any of Simms hours of performance-and that was the problem, I felt I was watching an actor performing rather than a genuine character.

Hello Dave L, Hello Michele! Ignore Roy, he's been banished to the corner. Well, I thought Simm was masterful (geddit?!?!??!) and am not for turning. Barrowman, on the other hand. * shudders involuntarily * And Dave L, I rather concur. Four days till Chrimbo, and the Chrimbo special. Trailers look rather good, just hope it makes more sense than last year's.

Hello!!! I'm back for Christmas. Everybody good?
3 in a row outside of the Hinchcliffe era?
Pick any 3 from the first 5 Pertwee stories.
Other than that, possibly the E-Space Trilogy?
Actually there's a pretty good run (Adric aside) from Full Circle through to Logopolis.

go on roy why did you think Simm was rubbish?

Actually, I'm with Roy. Simm's Master is an even more over-the-top pantomime villain than even Eric Roberts'. Roger Delgado remains the definitive incarnation of the Master, though Sir Derek Jacobi comes close. I wish we'd seen more of him because I've a feeling HE would've been truly scary and menacing.

*applies solvent*

* Superglues strap to chin *

*straps on dunces cap* I absolutely hated Simms portrayal of the Master.

Some people are idiots. Strike that. Most people are idiots.

Its interesting what you say about John Simms Master Nick...i thought he was brilliant in that part in fact amazing...he really came across as power hungry...dont give a damn ... completely bonkers ...deranged ...wonderful!!
Of course Jacobi"s Master was superb too...i still love to watch the part when he says "i am The Master" terrifying... menacing!!
What i find incredible is the fact iv read more than one article about the episode saying it was good and how great Jacobi was yet Simms performance was embarrassing and the less said about it the better???
Am i going mad i thought ...how could i be so wrong?
Yet you agree with me!! yahoo!!!
sometimes i think these so called "critics" have there heads up there arses...

OK, best three in a row. Let's try Pertwee, shall we? Day of the Daleks, Curse of Peladon, The Sea Devils. Or how about Planet of the Daleks, Green Death, time Warrior? Baker's tricky outside of Phil. Best I can do is Pirate Planet, Stones of Blood, Androids of Tara. New Who-wise you'd do well to beat Human Nature, Family of Blood, Blink, though I loved John Simm's Master so much I'd put Utopia, Sound of Drums, Last of Time Lords thereabouts. Elsewhere, Silence in the Library, Forest fo Dead, Midnight as a strong outsider?

Shit-wise, I don't think we can argue with that, can we Royston?

Worse 3 possibly

Time and the Rani
Paradise Towers
Delat and the Bannermen

*shudder*

The pic of me and mr harkness is from Hub 7 torchwwod convention at the end of november.
somebody said your like twins,yeah bloody rite!!!, i said you mean like twins in a schwarzenneger devito way and im devito! twins my arse!

yes a great run of episodes those Roy i totally agree with you...tooth and claw particularly brilliant...do you realise the CGI of the werewold transformation was much more advanced that the ground breaking werewolf changing scene in "an american werewolf in london" and that apparently was the first use of CGI in cinema history...just shows you how much they have moved on....
my fav 3 in a row episodes was Human nature ,family of blood and Blink...human nature and family of blood really showed off tennants acting skills...he actually plays a mild mannered wimp very well and of coarse Blink...what can you say about that...apart from the Doctors hardly in it...which is very interesting as its looked on as one of the best ever episodes by many critics?
Any body else for there fav 3 in a row?

Now I'm thinking of the worst 3 run of episodes...

Click the thumbnail top of the Links pile to see our very own Dave Edwards with some bloke called Barrowman...

Interesting. Anyone else with a run of three outside the Hinchcliffe era? (I'll have a think meself.)

Just watching the trio of Tooth and Claw, School Reunion and The Girl in the Fireplace. Can't think of a better run of 3 outside of the Hinchcliffe era.

Thoroughly enjoying-with a tinge of sadness-Elisabeth Sladen's autobiography.

I do know-anecdotally of course rather than empirically-that he has lost teenage female viewers in their droves. It is now back to being a nerdy boy cult. Such a shame as it used to be accessible and genuinely popular. Oh and enjoyable too.

PS Sorry I don't update this as often as I used to. My stupid DILY ad puts me off logging in, as each time I do there's a bug in the system which means I have to tinker with bits to return it to normal. So - get your flippin' Xmas orders in early and I can pull the bugger down!

Royston, aimless rambling is what we do here. We like aimless rambling. And I'd say you're pretty close to the mark. The only part I disagree with is your finding Smith's Doc more distant. I agree that DT was warmer, more loveable, but Smith has a similar boundless enthusiasm that I find infectious. That said, if you asked me who I'd rather share a Tardis ride with, it'd be DT every time; with Smith, I'd end up sitting in the corner at the party nursing a Jelly Baby, while the in-crowd boogied on down. And therein lies Moff's style - as you said, it's his Doctor and we can tag along, but we ain't in with the in crowd.

more aimless rambling about new Who... I think the major change from RTD to SM is that RTD created a sense of us viewers feeling we were watching'our' Doctor, using his experience of t.v writing for a 'family' context (Jackie et al) that echoed the UNIT era. Also he had quite an open and 'touchy feely' style Doctor with Tennant. With SM it feels that we are watching 'his' Doctor rather than 'ours' and the character is more austere and remote and very difficult to emotionally enagge with. the stories also firmly belong to the writers and are over intricate. In music terms, Tennant was 'the blues' and Smith 'cerebral Jazz.'

We have a winner! Even though I'd forgotten about the 1/8th of a million compo - lattery renamed the 126,081st compo - not everyone had. So hearty congrats to Rich Preston who wins himself a signed copy of the Dalek I Loved You eBook. Nice work!

Well, the American input into the McGann TV movie certainly dragged a disaster from a potentially wonderful experience. I somehow doubt it'll see the light of day, anyway, as BBC already pouring cold water on the idea.
PS Not had chance to put these on WGT site yet, but here are a couple of Dave E's excellent walk-thru vids.
God Complex http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDavethebiker#p/a/u/0/SKIjrZ5F8so
Hungry Earth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hC1kU2nUtA

mmmm doctor who movie?
not sure about this at all....great idea but look what happened to torchwood with its american input?
I love torchwood but the americans fucked it up if im honest...they completely lost the feel of the series.
and im afraid that could happen with a who movie too!
though the harry potter director has assured us it will maitain its" englishness" even though it will have american writers...extreme reservations about this.
Hope they dont mess it up ...this is a great chance to make a bigger who universe....or reduce it with a single stroke.!!

That video of tom baker is brilliant!!!!
why cant matt smith turn up in his "doctor outfit" when he does his appearances? certainly keeps old tom in character...watching him running into the school it could easily be a clip from an episode...great stuff!!!!

Couldn't be worse than the t.v. movie (I hope). Would be utterly disastrous if Moffat's autistic fanboy approach was allowed to dominate the script and filming. As one of my y10 (female) students bewailed-what happened to all the good stories with monsters?

PS This is wonderful http://blogtorwho.blogspot.com/2011/11/1978-tom-baker-school-visit-footage.html

Good idea? Bad idea?

Via the Beeb: "There's been a lot of talk today about the possibility of a Doctor Who movie - a feature film remains in development with BBC Worldwide Productions in Los Angeles. But, as of yet there is no script, cast or production crew in place."

Via Dave E http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2061496/Doctor-Who-movie-Series-turned-Hollywood-blockbuster.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Dear Bellend [Is that right? - Ed.]
I assure you I allowed no such thing. A succession of toffs have appeared in my blog, demanding money with menaces. That they cannot spell Grosvenor seems to me a sign of their provenance. Personally, I can't wait until they try to spell Cholmondeley.
Yours etc

Sir
I represent the Grosvenor Square Pedants and Preserve It in Aspic Society.
It would appear you have allowed faulty spelling of our esteemed area of London on your-what my younger colleagues assure me- electronic inter web device. Please pay the sum of £200,000 immediately to the above address to remove this black calumny from the Society's reputation.
I remain etc

PS The original and just as good as its sequel, In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose, is on Kindle sale for barely more than a quid. A bargain? I should coco. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1906558000/dily-21

Carryington-Bladderweed. I'm wondering when the people who can actually spell Grosvenor are going to get in touch - I assumed the other lot were mere cowboys. Yours etc
Dave E - please do!

Sir

The Committe of the Grovesnor -Square Billiards and Elephant Hunting Club are in no way related to the Grovesnor Square- Billiards and Elephant Hunting Club, and are happy for you to remain a member.

I Remain etc

hey Nick have you seen my wonderful location pics of "The God Complex" on my FB?
had some fun getting them as the hotel was full of polish staff...and when i said Doctor Who they pointed me to the first aid box hanging on the wall in reception!!
would you like me to send you some reduced size ones to stick on your web page?
also have some mean walkthrough videos of "The Hungry Earth " that iv just completed and about to put on youtube would you would like the links?
God this is like xmas ...im giving away soooo much!!!.... titter!

PS Two of my eBooks on promotion here, for mere pennies... Legend_Press Legend Press
Amazon Ebooks on promotion bit.ly/twowSa

Curse you, Carryington-Bladderweed. You shall not diminish my curious love for Bakelite.

Sir I hereby notify you that your membership of the following clubs is forthwith immediately suspended. Kindly collect your belongings from the Gentlemen's Room of each establishment. To wit

Madam Agatha's House of Correction
Pall Mall Small Things Collectors Club
Blake's House of Ease
Grovesnor Square Billiards and Elephant Hunting Club
The Strand Bakelite Appreciation Society

I Remain etc

PS it should come as no surprise to me - since I did it myself (hem hem) - that someone missed spotting the 125,000 visitor mark and thus missed out on winning a free signed DILY eBook. Let's give it one more shot. I'll give out that same prize for my 126,081st visitor - just e me a screenshot as proof

Sir. The day you can entice into your company a single gentleman of quality is the day I buy myself a hat in the shape of a teapot and consider it not to be a novelty item. Yours dismi... Actually, not even yours. Balls to you.

Sir I acknowledge receipt of your private communciation to my client with regard to the matter previously discussed. He regards you as a cad, bounder, rogue, and blackguard of the first water and demands satisfaction. He will be attended by gentlemen of quality upon Bodmin Moor at dawn upon the 5th day of this month, and will allow you first choice of pistols.

I Remain, Sir, your Most Obedient Servant

Mmm... Tardis T http://riptapparel.com/shirt/11/02/2011/nyan-tardis

PS Looking for Mrs Dextrose now available as an ebook - though currently almost twice the price of the actual paperback on Amazon. How does that work? Publishing needs to sort out its ebook pricing.

Don't forget this, y'all...
Prize of a signed DILY eBook to the 125,000th visitor, who should send a screen snapshot showing that figure to me at dalekilovedyou@yahoo.co.uk.
Only 492 visits till the magic number (which according to De La Soul is 3; mine is 125,000 - who's thinking bigger, yeah?).

Just received what, I suspect, may be my favourite review ever, on the goodreads site. Concerning Looking for Mrs Dextrose, it reads, succinctly, thus:

Amy rated it *****
Midgets, motorbikes and pooing in crisp packets!

I have contacted my late partner Alyuisious Rhodes-Bugler (1895-1974) who is prepared to pursue the suit in the Realms Beyond. He shall be contacting you shortly....

PS I spotted only yesterday that the site's none too far off its 1/8 of a millionth visitor! Prize of a signed DILY eBook to the 125,000th visitor, who should send a screen snapshot showing that figure to me at dalekilovedyou@yahoo.co.uk.

All dead. I know! A tragic case. Lost in an explosion that took all his worldy goods. Oh, the inhumanity.
Yours, in all sincerity
W B-T

As Founding Partner of Fender-Rhodes-Bugler, Mr Ferrywheel-Theodius has rightly referred the matter to me. Pausing from my work on the justly famous Jaryndice versus Jaryndice case-well documented elsewhere-I feel obliged to inform you that the Estate, goods and Chattels of any such deceased are material objects in any legal case. As such kindle forward your late clients child, wife and worldy goods. I Remain etc.

Dear Mr Ferrywheel-Theodious
I refer to your communication with my client (who is dead) below. Sadly my client - as previously hinted - passed away only last night. Since one cannot sue the deceased, I suggest you desist. (It's OK, I know my client kept a few bob under his bed, in a sad little Tardis moneybox, so I'll get my fee for this correspondence.)
I remain, your esteemed similarly loaded legal type,
Winston Barrington-Toss

As senior partner in the firm Fender-Rhodes-Bugler I have been referred the case by Mr Perrygrew-Smythe. As fortune would have it I represent both Mr Bowie and Dynamic Reconstruction Inc ( a well known Californian body reshaping company). Both our clients are desirous of an out of court settlement as you now appear to have also cast aspersions on the quality of support offered to Mr Bowie by Dynamic Reconstruction Inc (TM). A sum of £750,000 would be acceptable.

PS Phil Harding would make an awesome Doctor. Perhaps with Mick Aston as his companion. And Tony Robinson as Sil.

Royston, my eBook is friendly to every kind of eReader you can imagine. It positively loves Kindle. And Sebastian, my friend, I suggest you check your client below the neck - that's how he actually looks now. Maybe you've only spoken to him on the "blower" (your client's phrase), or perhaps he was seated behind a very high table? If anything, he owes me money (from 1989, when I bought the Tin Machine album).

I represent an international artist, a Mr David Bowie. It has come to my attention that you have infringed a number of copyright laws in appropriating the image of my client. Kindly forward monies to cover this infringment to the appended email-my client has instructed me to settle for a sum of £250,000.