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ethsnafu

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Blog Entries posted by ethsnafu

  1. ethsnafu
    Dear friends,

    We wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a truly wonderful festive season and in doing so invite you all to spend it in the company of fellow Millennium fans who have come together to extend a little warmth to each other and enjoy the show they love this Christmas.

    From Wednesday 22nd December our 'Midnight Of The Century' celebrations begin and continue into the new year and we have a number of special events for fans to enjoy as the results of our Lucy Butler Audio Tale are revealed and the lucky winner will hear their Christmas chiller read exclusively by Lucy Butler herself, Sarah-Jane Redmond. Our celebrated vidder, Josef has created a stunning musical treat to celebrate the season, composer Steven Paul Katzenmoyer has created an exclusive composition to pay tribute to the episode "Midnight Of The Century" and our bloggers and writers, Darlene and Lisa have written a couple of superb articles on the subjects of Frank Black and the seasonal episode we are celebrating.








    If that wasn't enough there is still ample time to make a purchase of the scent
    'Midnight Of The Century' which was created by perfumier Vajra Wright with permission from the episode's writer Kay Reindl with a donation made to charity for each and every purchase. Fans dropping by will also have an opportunity to win a signed copy of the festive horror film "Black Christmas" kindly donated by Millennium's luminaries Glen Morgan and Kristen Cloke, an opportunity to win a signed photograph of Tucker Smallwood as Millennium's Steven Kiley that he very kindly donated to our Killer Karaoke Competition and to put the cherry on the top we have the first Millennium comic strip created exclusively for www.tiwwa.info by artist and illustrator Barry Renshaw. Yep, Frank Black's back in action this Christmas and what a long time coming it has been.
    As you can see we have plenty to get your teeth into and I do hope you will all drop by to partake of the fun.

    So here's to the Midnight Of The Century and to all of you....

    A Very Millennium Christmas.

    Mark Hayden ethsnafu

  2. ethsnafu
    TIWWA is a Millennium Community. There is no doubt about that but our admiration and appreciation for all things "Ten Thirteen" is reflected in the content our members share here as well as the flexibility the forum affords you all to indulge in your interests and passions.

    I am a long time admirer of "The Lone Gunmen" and, in particular, the sterling work Stephen Snedden and Zuleikha Robinson contributed to the enduring popularity of a group of geeks that the "X-Files" made us fall in love with.

    This is an interview I had always wanted to see. "The Lone Gunmen" never received the acclaim it deserved as a series and Stephen and Zuleikha rarely had a chance to tell their side of the story.

    I approached Stephen about the possibility of an interview and was delighted when he demonstrated a passion for the show that surpassed my own. He was a joy to correspond with, a man of immense heart, and I am grateful to him for his time.

    At first I thought the results would languish on my hard-drive but knowing I couldn't be the only fan of "The Lone Gunmen" out there I asked Graham for permission to share this with you all.

    If you want to take a peak behind the scenes of that show and read the words of a superb actor who was an wonderful addition to a near perfect recipe then please check out the interview here and share your thoughts.

    As it was said in the show, his kung foo is best. I couldn't put it better myself.

    Mark
  3. ethsnafu
    As TIWWA remains committed to its mandate to be the progressive face of Millennium Fandom, it is our intention to explore a new era in bringing enjoyable content to the supporters of our beloved franchise.

    Forum Elders and our forum's founder, Graham P Smith, have entered into discussion about the possibility of exploring providing a service for you good people that utilises video as means to entertain, inform and unleash your creativity. Something we know you have boundless reserves of.

    Today a topic was posted in the Blackcoat Forum that details what we have in mind and, hopefully, provides food for thought and encourages you all to dig deep and inspires you to contribute to an exciting and bold new era in fandom.

    If you are unsure what The Blackcoats are then this post will explain it all.

    We want to take the talent and admiration you all have for Millennium and encourage you to contribute to its continuing online presence. You don't have to consider yourself special, skilled or exceptional but we ask that each and every member who feels passionately about the show to consider contributing a little something to our intention to continue to celebrate it. As Graham has pointed out, there are incentives for doing so, joining The Blackcoats is fun and worthwhile. We appreciate your time and talent and you will be rewarded for this as much as we are able.

    So, are you interested in taking part in the new era of Millennium Fandom? Do you want to know more about it or volunteer your services to the TIWWA Blackcoats? If the answer is yes then drop me a personal a message and I will add you to the ranks and you will be able to see what we have in store.

    As Millennium so neatly put it: "We are not prepared to sit back and wait for a happy ending."

    This is who we are!

    Mark Hayden
  4. ethsnafu
    Wednesday May 5th sees Lance Henriksen reach the grand age of 70 years young and as this is a milestone birthday the Millennium Fan Community (thanks to the inspiration of our founder, Graham P Smith) decided it was right and proper to mark the occasion in style and bring as many people together at www.tiwwa.info to celebrate the continuing career of one of the acting profession's brightest luminaries. To help the occasion go with a "boom boom" we have some super articles and videos looking back over Lance's stellar career and celebrating his achievements in various roles with a special emphasis on Frank Black. We have an exclusive comic strip bringing "Frank Black" back in his first adventure for over a decade (courtesy of artist and writer, Barry Renshaw with an ongoing series to follow), contributions from Millennium cast and crew members, Mark Snow, Peter Outerbridge, Robert McLachlan and Marshall Bell and from Movie Director and Writer, Brett Hart and Author M R Sellars. In addition to which we have games, an especially commissioned birthday anthem, seventy reasons why we love Lance Henriksen and much, more more.

    Special thanks must be afforded to Matt Allair of www.x-fileslexicon.com and Laura and Frank of http://www.spooktalkular.com/ for their contributions and as the week unfolds we expect more surprises and fun.

    As we look forward to celebrating Lance Henriksen's 70th Birthday, with the great and the good assembled, it is also time to announce the third outing of our Millennium Skype Chat Group, "Millennium: The Family". We are inviting each and every one of you to join us on Friday May 7th 8:00 GMT as we take a look back at the continuing career of Lance Henriksen and the plethora of roles he has become famous for creating (with a little more emphasis on Frank Black of course).

    As always, we endeavour to keep the flame alive and hope that you will all join us on Wednesday May 5th to do so but, more importantly, we hope you will raise a glass to Lance Henriksen. Happy Birthday Lance, long may you reign.

    Mark Hayden
  5. ethsnafu
    Ladies and gentlemen,

    As you know, TIWWA has recently introduced a new Skype discussion group to allow members to come together in real-time to chat with each other about our beloved show. Our next meet will take place of Saturday 17th April 8:00pm GMT and all are welcome to take part.

    As our gathering focusses on Chris Carter's sublime creation, Lucy Butler, we dipped into her mythology to create a bit of fun that will allow Millennium fans to have the chance to win a gorgeous signed photograph of Sarah-Jane as Lucy Butler. Having seen it I can attest to how fantastic it is. Millennium fans will know that our beloved nemesis famously tempted Landon Bryce with her Apple Cinnamon Pancakes in Season Two's much respected "A Room With No View" and our challenge to you is to create a pancake filling befitting of The Devil's Liege Herself.

    It can be scrumptious, noxious or downright poisonousness but be we ask that you put your thinking caps on and create a culinary delight of demonic goodness. If you want to add chocolate sauce to lightly flambéed deadly nightshade and sprinkle it with saltpetre be our guest. It really is up to you.

    To enter, and stand a chance of winning this superb prize, simply leave your creative concoctions in the comments section here or send them to me (ethsnafu) as a personal message if you prefer.

    You don't have long, the closing date for the competition is Friday 16th April 00:00 GMT so make sure all your entries are in by then. The winning entry will be announced during the chat.

    Till then, love is blue!

    Mark

    Thanks, as always, to Sarah-Jane Redmond for her kind donation of the prize and to Graham for allowing us to use it in this way.
  6. ethsnafu
    Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pride and pleasure that two lucky winners have been selected from all those who took part in the Easter competitions. I am delighted to announce that the winner of the Millennium Trivia Pursuit Quiz 2010 is Coughcool and the winner of The Launderama of The Soul 2010 is Walkabout. Both these names were chosen at random from the many entries we received and I am sure you will join me in congratulating them.

    To claim your brand spanking new DVD prizes simply send me a PM with your names and addresses (confidential of course and deleted after mailing) and I will pop this in the post to you right away.

    To all those who took part and helped make this weekend the resounding success it was. Thank you.

    Here's to next time.

    Eth
  7. ethsnafu
    [bLOG TEST ENTRY]

    Down the lights, a city known
    Of romance high and glory gone
    Those reveal the hid and hide the shown.
    But now the clouds stuff and fill
    The broken heights of Eiffel
    That rose the pride and domed the will.


    And by the shores of darkened eves
    And the noon of fates the sun weaves
    Cried a sound in hearing heaves.
    A sound to depress and harass
    yet to abash and embarrass
    The current stillness of Paris.


    And pale grows the face of Chirac
    And so the nationals of bold Barack
    For loss has come to erode a name
    That donated earth a glorious fame.
    Then fades the dream of Liberte
    And trusted no more is Sarkozy
    Of clues ancient and demode.


    And mad goes yet insane
    The flowing Seine, the silent rain
    Till seas no more, no more main.
    Then fall the labors of Rodin
    Over the tunes of Chopin,
    Combine the thought of Renan.


    And now the thick, turning lean
    Lands and meadows, deserts green
    Of wail heard and doom unseen.
    Then lull the noise, the roads quick
    And so the times of scrambled tick
    Scouring through the city sick.


    But found nowhere, the Louver high
    The artful residence of the sigh
    Gowned in ruins by and by.
    Though remains are the greatest
    Of every modern and every latest,
    The fleeting flaws, the so faintest.


    Then Monks sprang to gather
    every Saint and every Father
    To witness a wound too profound
    Spearing the halo of their bound.
    But whose belief is a moonlight
    To prevent an end of doom tight
    Or flare a sun firm and bright.


    And out of done and coming day
    And of hopeless might and futile may
    Lays a gloom which has yet to lay
    To purr the sound of fore-dying way.
    A way to depress and harass
    Yet to abash and embarrass
    The current stillness of Paris.
  8. ethsnafu
    [bLOG TEST ENTRY]

    Down the lights, a city known
    Of romance high and glory gone
    Those reveal the hid and hide the shown.
    But now the clouds stuff and fill
    The broken heights of Eiffel
    That rose the pride and domed the will.


    And by the shores of darkened eves
    And the noon of fates the sun weaves
    Cried a sound in hearing heaves.
    A sound to depress and harass
    yet to abash and embarrass
    The current stillness of Paris.


    And pale grows the face of Chirac
    And so the nationals of bold Barack
    For loss has come to erode a name
    That donated earth a glorious fame.
    Then fades the dream of Liberte
    And trusted no more is Sarkozy
    Of clues ancient and demode.


    And mad goes yet insane
    The flowing Seine, the silent rain
    Till seas no more, no more main.
    Then fall the labors of Rodin
    Over the tunes of Chopin,
    Combine the thought of Renan.


    And now the thick, turning lean
    Lands and meadows, deserts green
    Of wail heard and doom unseen.
    Then lull the noise, the roads quick
    And so the times of scrambled tick
    Scouring through the city sick.


    But found nowhere, the Louver high
    The artful residence of the sigh
    Gowned in ruins by and by.
    Though remains are the greatest
    Of every modern and every latest,
    The fleeting flaws, the so faintest.


    Then Monks sprang to gather
    every Saint and every Father
    To witness a wound too profound
    Spearing the halo of their bound.
    But whose belief is a moonlight
    To prevent an end of doom tight
    Or flare a sun firm and bright.


    And out of done and coming day
    And of hopeless might and futile may
    Lays a gloom which has yet to lay
    To purr the sound of fore-dying way.
    A way to depress and harass
    Yet to abash and embarrass
    The current stillness of Paris.
  9. ethsnafu
    Well Bob's your Uncle and Fanny's your Aunt, another cult classic is heading back to British screens. ITV have confirmed the return of cult classis 'The Prisoner' which is something of a surprise as Sky One announced a remake of this not too long ago and had completed the scripts for the mini series. Not sure what happened there but obviously Sky have lost the rights and ITV have decided to offer up their own remake. Now all we need is Sapphire and Steel and the 70's/80's cult gems are well and truly back.




  10. ethsnafu

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIWWA

    By ethsnafu,

    Dear Friends,
    To mark the 6th Anniversary of TIWWA I have created a few simple ideas that people can get involved with to mark the occasion. Any Birthday is an event but this is certainly one to throw our support behind, six wonderful years of Millennium fandom is a wonderful achievement and I am sure you will join me in raising a glass to Graham, the reason we have this fabulous place in the first place. For today you will be able to play selected tracks from the three season's of Millennium, these tracks will rotate occasionally, head on over to my blog to see the last.fm playlist in action. If you are a Last.fm subscriber you can even access a whole range of Millennium tracks by searching for my library by selecting 'user' 'markhayden' - either way it's a great little playlist as takes you straight back to the wonderful episodes these tracks came from. Every party needs music people so crank up the volume.


    Here's your task, should you choose to accept it. What's a Birthday without a cake? All you have to do to get into the party spirit is bake a cake, buy a cake, buy a muffin, if you're dieting an apple with do, in fact, any treat of choice will do. Stick a birthday candle in it and share your honorary TIWWA munching moment with us. If we get a number of these I will create a gallery for them to mark today's occasion. Go on, you get to treat yourself and it isn't a difficult task to do, results of my own efforts shortly ;)

    Do keep your eyes peeled on the shoutbox for some fun topics to get involved with and head over to the Celebrity Deathmatch Topic to party on down in true MM style. That said, raise your glasses, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIWWA.
  11. ethsnafu

    It's not only actors!

    By ethsnafu,

    A few external grumbles from members of late has caused me to pause and simply enjoy being in TIWWA for a few seconds before posting. I think we all, without question, realise what a wonderful little corner of the web has been created here. Yup, we may venture south to the badlands once in while but I, and I know I'm not alone, have yet to venture into any online concern as friendly and respectful and encouraging as this one. We all of us have had 'those' experiences of slowly becoming cognisant that you are posting a forum somewhere that is currently embroiled in a world war of sorts, boy you guys should visit the Madonna Forums; members choose your weapons. I have oft wondered if said Madonna Forums have a code of conduct as such, my guess is that if they do it comprises of two points: slaughter your opponents mercilessly and ensure the optimum use of expletives in your posts. I am staggered to see staff members openly embroiled in conflict, members banned for standing up to said bullies and posts whose content veers dangerously into the slanderous or outright libelous. Is the aforementioned board alone in allowing itself to degenerate into some sort of theatre of personal conflict, hell no. We've all experienced situations such as these on boards across every spectrum and yet here, at TIWWA, it remains a constant haven of wonderful people engaging in only the most polite of discussions.
    Of course this is due in no small part to the way in which Graham and others created, and contributed to, this place conceptually. It has in place a tight system of operations designed to ensure that we all continue to enjoy our time here in only the most pleasant of surroundings. Common sense? Apparently not from the experiences a few of us have recently discussed elsewhere.
    Elder's often joke about the mythical 'big stick', a colloquial term for the additional tools at our disposal and let me let you into a big secret. Nothing scares you more when you are a junior Elder. Worrying about that 'big stick' and when and how to use it doesn't half play on your mind when you're new, I spent countless hours reading the 'terms and conditions' if you will to ensure my own conduct met up to the impeccable standard set by those who proceeded me in the role. For this reason, I take my hat off to you all for never giving me a reason to worry about the 'big stick'. The conduct and friendliness shown by all who come here is a credit to you all. If I was on the Madonna board, said 'big stick' would be whittled down to a 'pencil thin stick' by now but the people who come here have made, and continue to make, it a joy to contribute to the moderation of the community. There's an old chestnut that states that only actors are paid for doing something they love but I would contend that. Elder's here are paid in friendship and kindness for a job that is both an honor and a pleasure to do. So the next time you put something a little stronger than tea in your glass raise a toast to yourself and each other and more importantly to TIWWA. Cheers TIWWA, long may you reign.
  12. ethsnafu
    Whilst the campaign is underway it is true to say that little room remains for personal whimsies and trivialities so it's time for my Blog to undergo a little Who-like regeneration. From this day forth I intend to let this blog lead you all backstage for the latest news and gossip from the campaign team: think of this as the 'Heat Magazine' of Back to Frank Black sans the diet and make-up tips.

    This decision was in no small part spurred on by yesterday's gem of an event, not only were we proud to see our name in type over at John Muir's highly respected blog but we were, or more accurately I was, bursting with enthusiasm after hearing from my MM idol, Kristen Cloke. Now I don't pull punches when it comes to my love of Lara Means; there's no going round the houses on this subject for me, so it's fair to say this was the pinnacle thus far for yours truly.

    Being an adult, debate amongst yourselves if you wish, the 'fan moment' still has the same thrall it held for me all those moons ago when I was gibbering behind the sofa watching Doctor Who. Investing so much of yourself in a franchise or character pays dividends when said franchise or character looks right back at you at smiles. Though I accept that in reality celebrities are human beings prone to the occasional mundanity as is every 'Joe Soap', I've never quite gotten my head round this concept and still suffer the 'dropped jaw' syndrome on the rare occasion I have encountered a face from the goggle box (Dale Winton was the sole exception to this rule I hasten to add.)

    More than likely Kristen wrote a short reply ignorant of the effect it would have on one man and his day, in her world she sent an email, in my world she sent a quasi-mystical blessing that changed the whole fortunes of the campaign and rendered me feeling terribly mortal all of a sudden. Are words power?
    They certainly were yesterday my friends.

  13. ethsnafu
    You probably didn't hear it here first but the Beeb is providing us with a little genre treat this November in the shape of Apparitions. Now I'm reserved in my excitement for this project as the Beeb + Supernatural usually = caca (think Sea of Souls, Strange and other dodos) but sooner or later it will produce something worthy of the mantle of successor the X-Files or Millennium. So to whet your appetite, but don't whet it too much, here's a little promotional 'what not' about this forthcoming BBC Epic/Shite (delete as applicable).


  14. ethsnafu

    Flavouring The Meat

    By ethsnafu,

    Special 'meat coloured' entry today guys, hope it aint too troublesome to the eye!
    Ladies and gentlemen yesterday evening was a real benchmark in UK television for me and whilst it's true to say I am a biased consumer of 'Wire in The Blood' the conclusion of 'Unnatural Vices' stands as one of the rare moments when British Televisions disturbs and disturbs a lot. Working in the medical profession does leave you a little desensitized to sights of blood and flesh and viscera, no more so when you know it aint real anyway, but yesterdays denouement turned my stomach and I thoroughly enjoyed every toe curling second of it. If anyone thinks 'Wire' is afraid to venture into the same murky territories as gore shockers such as 'The Hostel' or 'Paradise Lost' then chaps it's time to revise your thinking and the reason? A stunningly crafted chiller which lead to the startling conclusion that the protagonists MO was to feed his victims 'flavoursome' food whilst slowly dismembering them over a period of weeks and consuming their flesh before them. Yuck on every level and for some reason it failed to inspire cries of 'Hannibal Lector' as it was managed so well it retained a sense of originality despite being no doubt influenced by the character. If I still haven't been successful in increasing anyone's interest in the series check out this fantastic scene when Tony Hill realises what's truly going off........oh and don't worry it aint a gory scene :) Missing Millennium? This is truly the next best thing.....
    MF2uCsYDlEA
  15. ethsnafu

    Frank Black UK

    By ethsnafu,

    With a somewhat misleading title I am chuffed to bits that 'Wire in the Blood' has burst like a blood vessel back on to British Screens and as I have oft stated it is the nearest to a British Millennium we have. After watching the latest episode I was startled by the degree of commonality between the depiction of Tony Hills 'Internal Perspective' in relation to how this was realised on Millennium. I grant you that similarities have been evident since the onset of this series and suggest that it is not an intent to ape Millennium merely a coincidence when dramatising a similar concept but: this has reached preposterously Frank-like levels in the latest offering and I challenge anyone not to think of Millennium when they are viewing it.
    The fascinating thing is this has never been dogged by questions of psychism as Millennium was and whilst it may never have been the intention to depict Frank as having a supernatural facility that was the only fitting conclusion to the subject as the use of his ability became broadened and less defined. With Tony Hill we merely presume that we are viewing the psychological process by which he dissects information and whilst it has been proposed that this reflects a form of autistic savant like thinking it has never been assumed that there is anything other worldly here. Of course MM Season Two opened the show's gates wide on the subject of the paranormal and established it as a reality at which point everything was viewed with new eyes and I guess this is why Wire has escaped some of the same debates Millennium engendered. Whilst not shying away from the supernatural in depicting cults, witches, voodoo and so on it leaves no question that there is anything other than malign human behavior or aberrant psychology behind the seemingly incorporeal events of certain episodes.

    That said if you aren't watching this ITV has the first episode on catch-up so there's ample time to jump in with regards to the series. I promise you once you start the only place you will end up is Amazon to swallow up the DVDS. A hotly tipped recommendation from yours truly :)
  16. ethsnafu
    The BBC has been airing trailers that you have no doubt seen for its forthcoming genre show 'Bonekickers'. Whilst the trailers do little to whet the appetite, mearly serving to dish the cheese and offer glimpses of a substandard Indiana Jones rip-off I am willing to give this a go and hope that it has an intelliegnce and seriousness not afforded us by shows such as Doctor Who. The latest information with regards to the show states that..


    We shall indeed see what the Beeb digs up this time.
    Bonekickers - Tuesday 15 July 9.00-10.00pm BBC ONE
  17. ethsnafu
    Well chaps, for those of you who saw Graham Norton last night this news will come of no surprise to you but it felt like Christmas at Chez Snafu last night I can tell you. Alan Davies talked of the new episode currently in production with a view to air it at Christmas. Just when you thought life couldn't get any better Sheridan Smith will star as his new assistant and if she is any where near as good in this as she is as Doctor Who assistant Lucy Miller we are in for a hell of ride.
    The only way life could get any better is to hear the news that Alan has been cast as the good Doctor himself when DT leaves the show.


  18. ethsnafu

    Seventh Dimension

    By ethsnafu,

    My sincere apologies for a lack of entries this week. I had to be strict with myself in order to finish a segment of my PhD but I have more time on my hands now and will update furiously until the next segment needs doing.
    As I have mentioned before, despite the lack of good genre shows on the Beeb there are some interesting things to be found on BBC Radio. BBC7 regularly airs genre plays and audio books and whilst it may not be everyone's cup of tea may I urge you to give them a try. Here are a few of the more intriguing plays due to air next week.

    7th Dimension
    David Calder stars in Alpha Omega
    This is the follow-up play to Mike Walker's award-winning 'Alpha', broadcast last week. Strange things start happening to a man called John Stone when he starts building a tower for the sinister, powerful architect Brandt. Starring David Calder (pictured), Penelope Wilton, Sarah Jane Holm, Helen Longworth and Philip Voss, the director is Gordon House. The play was first broadcast on the World Service in 2002.
    Sunday at 6pm

    The Laxian Key
    There's another chance to hear this 4 part sci-fi suspense thriller, written by Chris Larner and David Gilbert.
    Set in the future, mankind is now colonising Mars, but continues with destructive behaviour. The fate of the species lies in the hands of two bungling interplanetary decontaminationists. The Laxian Key was produced as a commission for BBC7 and the director is Peter Kavanagh .
    Monday to Thursday at 6pm and Midnight

    The Mortal Immortal
    A fantastical tale by Frankenstein author Mary Shelley which explores humankind's never ending fascination with eternal life. A young man working for an alchemist secretly drinks one of his Master's potions and discovers that he has accidentally sampled the elixir of life. Produced for BBC7 by Gemma Jenkins, the reader is Shaun Dooley.
    Friday at 6pm and Midnight

    Slaughterhouse 5
    Robert Jezek reads Kurt Vonnegut's psychedelic, darkly humorous anti-war novel, first published in 1969.
    Billy Pilgrim witnesses the complete destruction of Dresden and adjusts to his fate as a Prisoner of War. The producer is Mark Smalley.
    Tuesday - Friday at 6.30pm and 12.30am
  19. ethsnafu

    Apocalyptonet

    By ethsnafu,

    Hi chaps,
    Sorry there are no listings this week as I have had to chain myself to the PC and write some more for PhD and promise, and actually mean it, not to while away the hours on the net when I should be grafting.
    I have also mused about the content of the blog given the sheer lack of Cult TV news here in the UK and I truly do bemoan the British attitude to genre shows and its all pervasive obsession with saturating the schedules with reality TV. I have decided to branch out to cover 'Cult on the Internet' to highlight and bring attention to subjects such as fanfilms, online comics and the way fandom has continued to live its love for defunct shows through the medium of the Internet. Hopefully this section will broaden to cover news and spoilers on our own Virtual Shows such as VS6 and Dragonfly and hopefully I shall be able to encourage Erin and Joe to allow me to share some little nuggets from the development that is happening behind the scenes.

    My first entry is in regard to 'Big Finish Productions'.
    Moons ago the nation mourned, or at least the anoraks and sci-fi nerds (me) did, when the BBC brought its heavy axe down on Doctor Who. Whilst ratings were falling and the series clearly needed a revamp there was a huge vacuum created by its absence and a legion of fans still aching for a quick spin in the Tardis. A group of chums began created Audio adventures from their homes under the banner of Audio Visual Productions and these amateur episodes distributed on cassettes became a hit with the countless numbers of Who-starved fanatics around the globe. Over time the financial success of the venture allowed for the purchase of professional recording equipment, the hiring of studio time and the recruitment of actors and success was at its peak when, as Big Finish Productions, they were granted the licence by the BBC to officially continue the Doctor's adventures in audio.

    Now a big concern they hired Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy, Paul Mgann and Colin Baker to reprise their roles as well as brining on board the original actors who played Ace, Leela, Turlough, Tegan, The Master and a host of other favourites from the series.
    For an age these became the life blood of Who fandom and the freedom from the constraints of television allowed them to push the boundaries of the Doctor's stories beyond what they could achieve with the constraints of a visual budget. Those familiar with the Big Finish episodes will know that a fair number of them were revamped by their respective authors to become episodes in the New Series.

    As well as the beloved Doctor other shows were later given the same treatment with new series' being created for Sapphire and Steel, Stargate, The Tomorrow People and others using as many of the original cast as possible.
    If you have never heard of Big Finish or doubt the value of an audio episode can I note how truly wonderful they are. The sound effects, production values, music scores etc. are as good, if not better, than those used in television and the creativity they show in the episodes is magnificent.

    In recent times the Eighth Doctor's audio adventures were featured on BBC Radio with making ofs, interviews and such and were to my mind better than the Tenth Doctor's adventures airing on BBC1.

    So now I have brought it to your attention I hope you will pop over to their site and have a browse and if you are mildly curious might invest in a episode or two, pop it on the ipod, hide behind the sofa and remember what it was like to be frightened to death on a Saturday night all over again.
    Best wishes,
    Eth
    Big Finish
  20. ethsnafu
    Hot on the heels of news that Sky One is to remake 'Blakes 7' another classic scifi offering from the 70's has been commisioned by the Beeb for broadcast in Autumn 2008. Julie Graham, Max Beesley, Nikki Amuka–Bird and Paterson Joseph are to star in Adrian Hodges’s exciting new action adventure drama series for BBC One produced by BBC Drama Production.

    Set in the present day, the drama series focuses on the world in the aftermath of a devastating virus which wipes out most of the world's population. What would we do? How would any of us cope in a brave new world where all traditional 21st Century comforts – electricity, clean running water, advanced technology – have disappeared? These are the questions faced by the bewildered but resilient group of survivors at the centre of the drama. It is an opportunity for new beginnings, but with no society, no police and no law and order, they now face terrible dangers – not just the daily struggle for food and water but also the deadly threat from other survivors.
    "What would you do if you were faced with the unimaginable?" says Kate Harwood, BBC Head of Drama Series & Serials.
    "Survivors is an exciting new drama series which asks the most fundamental of questions. How would the human spirit endure when faced with the most exciting and terrifying adventures? We have managed to assemble a magnificent cast in a series set to take audiences on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Survivors is about what it means to be human," adds writer and executive producer Adrian Hodges (Ruby In The Smoke, Shadow In The North, Charles II and Primeval). It asks questions about our nature and confronts us with our deepest fears. When everything else is stripped away, would we band together and find the best in ourselves, or would we fall apart and retreat into barbarism and savagery?"

    Survivors by Adrian Hodges is a re-imagining of the classic Seventies BBC drama series, and is based on the novel by Terry Nation.
  21. ethsnafu
    After receiving its world Premiere at SciFi London, the Crowley inspired horror "Chemical Wedding' will hit the big screens in the UK on the 30th of this month. The movie is a sci-fi/horror hybrid starring Simon Callow and members of the Monty Python Team and for added celeb value was written by Iron Maiden crooner Bruce Dickinson. The plot revolves aroung the virtual reality reincarnation of notorious British occultist Aleister Crowley (Callow). Reviews of the movie in the weekend tabloids were largely favourable and despite this being a low budget offering it seems certain to maintain the air of controversy that dogged Crowley with sexual scenes, blasphemous speeches and scenes of blood letting and defecation.
    For those interested the Showbiz feed on Sky News is showing a preview of the movie and I have added the trailer here as I know there are a few on the boards who have an interest in the colourful life of the man once dubbed 'the wickest man alive'.
    YEzVfVgEeRI
  22. ethsnafu
    Here's a little something new for the 'Blog' but since there are a few scant offerings of genre related shows on radio I thought I would share them with you. Whilst I concur that most people view Radio as redundant the Eighth Doctor serial on BBC7 with Paul MGann and Sheridan Smith was absolutely amazing, better than the televisual cheese of the current Doctor's stories.

    SATURDAY 31 MAY

    BBC7 00.00 Heroes - The Official Radio Show

    SUNDAY 1ST JUNE

    BBC7 18.00 Earthsearch - Mindwarp (SciFi Drama)
    BBC7 20.00 The Elephant Man
    BBC7 00.00 Doctor Who - The Commentaries

    MONDAY 2ND JUNE

    BBC7 18.30 The Day of the Triffids

    TUESDAY 3RD JUNE

    BBC7 18.30 The Day of the Triffids

    WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE

    BBC7 18.30 The Day of the Triffids

    THURSDAY 5TH JUNE

    BBC4 23.00 Nebulous (SciFi Comedy)
    BBC7 18.30 The Day of the Triffids

    FRIDAY 6TH JUNE

    BBC7 18.00 Atomic Tales (SciFi Spoof)
    BBC7 18.30 The Day of the Triffids




  23. ethsnafu
    Hi guys,
    Just a little heads up that on Thursday 5th June the SciFi Channel is showing the 2006 Lance Henriksen horror Devil on the Mountain (or Sasquatch Mountain as it is also known). As with last week all film entries in the listings will be links to the film's IMDB page.

    SATURDAY 31ST MAY

    BBC1 19.00 Dr Who S04E08
    ITV1 22.00 Pushing Daisies S01E08
    C4 22.00 Blade II (2002)
    BBC3 19.45 Dr Who Confidential S04E08
    ITV2 17.50 Back to the Future III (1990)
    ITV3 03.25 Tales of the Unexpected
    E4 06.00 Joan of Arcadia S01E19
    E4 19.00 Lost S01E08
    ITV4 09.25 Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
    FLM4 19.20 Thunderbird 6 (1968)
    FLM4 23.35 John Carpenters Vampires (1998)
    UKGD 22.05 Species (1995)
    LVNG 20.00 Ghost Whisperer S02E16
    FVUS 22.00 Fortress (1993)
    FIVR 22.10 Californication S01E05
    PREM 20.00 Sunshine (2007)
    CLSC 22.50 Dead Silence (2007)
    MDGT 17.50 Deep Impact (1998)
    MDGT 23.50 Fright Night (1985)
    TCM 01.05 Forbidden Planet (1956)

    SUNDAY 1ST JUNE

    ITV1 00.45 The People under the Stairs (1991)
    FIVE 18.55 Gattaca (1997)
    ITV2 00.15 Jurassic Park III (2001)
    ITV3 23.00 Hammer House of Horror
    SKY1 21.00 Lost S04E12&13
    SKY1 23.00 Lost - The Answers Are Here
    HLMK 19.00 Jericho S02E03
    SKY2 00.30 A Town Called Eureka
    DCVY 22.00 A Haunting
    TCM 23.05 Westworld (1973)
    ACTH 18.25 Superman Returns (2006)
    ACTH 01.10 White Noise - The Light

    MONDAY 2ND JUNE

    E4 14.35 Joan of Arcadia
    FLM4 19.15 Addams Family Values (1993)
    NTGP 20.00 Stonehenge Decoded
    CLSC 01.55 Kiss of the Vampire (1963)
    TCM 01.05 Eye of the Devil (1966)
    SCN2 21.00 Silent Hill (2006)

    TUESDAY 3RD JUNE

    FIVE 22.00 Mystery of the Mummies
    ITV2 19.00 Smallville S01E19
    E4 21.00 Smallville S07E02
    E4 22.00 Smallville S07E03
    BBC4 22.00 Batman
    ITV4 13.55 Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
    SKY1 21.00 Battlestar Galactica S04E09
    LVNG 22.00 Moonlight S01E16
    SKY 2 20.00 A Town Called Eureka
    BRVO 22.00 Blade the Series
    ACTH 19.00 Alien Ressurection (1997)
    ACTH 00.55 Underworld Evolution (2006)

    WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE

    BBC1 22.45 Minority Report (2002)
    C4 22.00 Blade Trinity (2004)
    BBC3 20.00 Galaxy Quest (1999)
    ITV2 19.00 Smallville S01E20
    BBC4 19.35 Batman
    ITV4 09.55 Space 1999
    SKY2 20.00 A Town Called Eureka
    BBHD 2300 Torchwood S02E08
    TCM 00.50 Hysteria (1965)
    SCN1 00.40 The Crow (1994)

    THURSDAY 5TH JUNE

    BBC2 21.00 Heroes S02E07
    BBC2 23.20 Heroes Unmasked S02E07
    BBC3 22.30 Heroes S02E08
    ITV2 19.00 Smallville S02E08
    FLM4 21.00 AvP : Aliens versus Predator (2004) Lance Movie
    SKY3 23.00 Hex S02E06
    SCFI 23.50 Devil on the Mountain (2006) Lance Movie
    NTGP 20.00 The Apocalypse
    TCM 21.00 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

    FRIDAY 6TH JUNE

    ITV1 23.45 Raines S01E04
    FLM4 21.00 The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
    HLMK 20.00 Jericho S02E04
    BRVO 21.00 X-Men (2005)
    FIVR 21.00 Thir13en Ghosts (2001)
    DCVY 22.00 A Haunting
    NTGP 20.00 Dead Sea Scroll Secrets
    CLSC 23.45 Seconds (1966)
    MDGT 21.45 Excalibur (1981)
  24. ethsnafu
    I am currently adding HQ images of numerous Cult offerings to my 'Random Image' display all of which can be found in my gallery. They would make superb wallpapers should anyone want them and they can be found simply by clicking the image that is currently displayed.
    Cult TV listings will be up for the UK tomorrow evening and boy is it a better week than last for all things genre.
    Smiles as always,
    Eth
  25. ethsnafu
    Great news, especially for me as I love this series, 'Wire in the Blood' is filming its sixth series as we speak. Val MacDermid has confirmed this on her website.

    As far as I'm concerned it can't come soon enough. The nearest thing to 'Millennium' the UK has ever produced.
    Bring it on :)
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