The PerformingMonkey

[The PerformingMonkey]

> How many people, for instance, would have predicted the vast majority of the writing staff of G&T would be raving about the show – after the general reaction VII/VIII got?

Not many. It was good to hear tbh because I know a lot of people, maybe not on this level of fandom but still definitely fans of the show, didn’t. Those unfamiliar with Blade Runner didn’t appreciate it as much. More casual fans were never going to be that affected by the Lister character stuff, whereas most of us have been on a pretty long journey with these guys so material like that hits home, even if Kochanski has been sort of universally despised (her onscreen incarnation anyway).

When you’ve seen the episodes as many times as we have you DO yearn for something fresh and different. Each series has been different from its predecessor and that’s surely one of the key reasons Dwarf kept running, why it’s STILL running? If the attitude was ‘oh we’re gonna make it like series *insert numeral*’ then you might as well forget it. VIII turned out a little like that. It’s like ‘oh shit, they didn’t like what we did in VII, let’s go back’ it was one step forward and too many steps back. *sigh* it’s not like anyone cares about this anymore…I feel like I’m having a relapse.

[The PerformingMonkey]

My biggest disappointment this year wasn’t BtE it was other people’s reactions to it.

A couple of pacing issues aside I loved it. With no film on the cards BtE was the next best thing. It did exactly what, in retrospect, I thought VII should have done which was to be MORE ‘filmic’, less gags for gags’ sake, more true to character. VII was neither here nor there but BtE was…er, there.

Top performance from Craig and everyone else slipped right back into their roles, partying like it was 1993. Excellent effects, breathtaking in places. Sophie was lovely AND indeed Chloe, who’s appearance really did take us all by surprise.

It wasn’t the sitcom Dwarf but it never needed to be. We’ve already been treated to plenty of the sitcom Dwarf, and who knows maybe we’ll get some more in the next series (still can’t believe there’s actually going to be a new series…).

As for Planet of the Dead, tbh I’ve done tastier shits.

[The PerformingMonkey]

It’s sad that all some people can do is whinge whinge whinge. Is all.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> This is a criticism I?ve never heard before and strikes me as more than a little patronising.

It’s partly the truth though. It’s a question that’s been asked a lot, why are people laughing so much at the crap gags? But it’s the same at any sitcom recording. You are there to laugh at the gags, crap or not. If you are a fan of a show you are more likely to laugh because of the situation you’re in, watching you’re favourite show being made. You want to laugh. You want it to be funny. Some of VIII WAS funny FFS.

Steve Coogan apologised for the use of audience laughter on series 2 of I’m Alan Partridge. That was a mistake IMO. The audience suits that series so well. It will be interesting to see how Partridge comes across on film without that laughter. Incidentally, it seems Armando Ianucci IS working with Coogan on the Partridge film, despite saying he never wanted to do Partridge again. Peter Baynham’s also doing it. I say a resounding FUCK YES to that!

[The PerformingMonkey]

Every comment waiting for approval. How fucking fantastic. Approve my shitty arse.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> Yep, no word on Martha from the cast list or set reports.

That’s becaus Freema told them to fuck it when they wanted her for Children of Earth.

[The PerformingMonkey]

I like that Peter mentioned Psychoville when he went up. I also like that there was zero response to it from the audience. If they had clapped I would have been a bit worried that Reece and Steve had got too popular!

[The PerformingMonkey]

> Yet whenever I see something like this, I still find it a bit astonishing.

It makes me feel good inside that at least some of those kids might check Dwarf out throught playing this music.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> I don?t have time to provide a full list as I?m on my phone

Ooh hark at her.

> I reckon Performing Monkey?s got it about spot on.

Blatantly. Though I missed out The Christmas Invasion which was probably a schoolboy error. Though every time I think of it it’s always Tennant’s ridiculous ‘Blood control!! Oooooh I haven’t seen blood control for yeeeeeears!!!’ performance. I think Eccleston would have been so much better than Tennant in this episode, as well as several others in series 2, New Earth, Tooth & Claw, School Reunion etc. The Girl In The Fireplace is the first real Tennant episode, and even that has the embarrassment of his Doctor ‘drunk’ acting!

[The PerformingMonkey]

Rose
Dalek
Father’s Day
TEC/TDD
BW/TPOTW
Fireplace
TIP/TSP
Runaway Bride
Smith & Jones
Human Nature/FoB
Blink
Utopia/Sound of Drums (not TLOTTL)
Pompeii
Library 2-parter
Midnight
Turn Left
Waters of Mars

EVERY SINGLE OTHER EPISODE CAN SMASH INTO THE SEA IN A BIG BALL OF FLAMES FOR ALL I CARE. Apart from The End of the World and The Unquiet Dead and a couple of others…Tooth & Claw, Gridlock, Shakespeare…but that’s besides the blummin point. That point being that –

NEW WHO IS CRAP APART FROM THE ABOVE.

[The PerformingMonkey]

There’s no way that guy is Anthony Hopkins. For a start I think he’s Asian, and, with him being outside there, it’s just an impossibility that no inkling of this would have gotten out before now, even if it was just a cameo.

The only big name we didn’t know was Brian Cox and that’s because he only did ADR for the elder Ood. If he had been on set it would have at least appeared as a rumour. If a past Doctor DOES make an appearance it wouldn’t be a bolt out of the blue because past Doctors are constantly rumoured. They could have slipped in a past Doctor fairly easily without it getting out. Only McGann and/or Eccleston would have any relevance plot-wise so if there IS a past Doctor it better be either of those, otherwise it really will be 100% fanwankery and little else!

They need to save the fanwankery for the 2013 anniversary. EVERY Doctor should be involved then, even the incarnations no longer with us. An animated episode featuring all 11 (perhaps 12 by then!) Doctors! That would be fantastic. With voice actors doing Hartnell, Troughton and Pertwee. You know it makes sense. The Twelve Doctors!!!

[The PerformingMonkey]

I am from where the guy was from. Is all.

[The PerformingMonkey]

Take a little trip back with Father Tiresias…

Genesis and Peter Gabriel rule.

[The PerformingMonkey]

Not the pre-credits scene because that’s probably going to involve Wilf/Donna or perhaps the Master’s return. The Doctor’s a fucking nutcase now anyway. The line about Good Queen Bess losing her nickname is about as cheeky a line RTD has ever had the gall to throw in. Especially when this involves the Doctor himself doing the deed (or at least that’s what he implies).

You can tell RTD is pleased with the Ood, probably his best original alien creation. It’s good that they’re playing an important part in the finale. Brian Cox as the lead Ood’s voice? You can’t argue with that. Where it’s all going is something we’ll have to wait for New Year’s Day for. The Christmas Day episode is IMO likely to be the better one because I’m guessing it won’t have the wanky cameos by Rose et al and the story involving nightmares has the potential to be quite powerful. The New Year’s Day one will no doubt be the huge RTD bombast fest with all the returnees and music threatening to drum you into oblivion.

I hope we get the truth about the Time War and final redemption for the Doctor over his actions in it. That way a line can be drawn, a fresh start can be achieved for the 11th Doctor.

Btw, who else reckons the only reason RTD included the Dalek scene in Waters of Mars was the Terry Nation estate deal the BBC have? It makes sense if the deal is the Daleks must be used at least once a year. Even if they crop up briefly in the finale that will be New Year’s Day, 2010, i.e. next year!! So he had to do the scene in WoM to satisfy the estate.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> Tsk. You know I?m allergic to Jim Carrey.

Brilliant performance as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Dodgy accents for the spirits though! But I reckon it added to the charm. Did anyone see it in 3D. Bet you almost soiled yourself in a couple of places! The chains flying towards the screen. IMO the best Marley scene in any adaptation and the best coda. Is Carrey the best Scroooge? No, but he’s close to the top. Alastair Sim will never be beaten, it seems. His performance remains the definitive Scrooge.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> and I stand by my opinion that Beyond A Joke is hands down the worst episode of Red Dwarf EVER.

No. Though VII is shit.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> The Knights who say raNi!

The most epic of epic wins this board has ever witnessed.

[The PerformingMonkey]

Everything from ‘Rose’ onwards has been building to that moment in WoM where he finally snapped. OK it sort of happened in ‘The Runaway Bride’ as well but Donna was there to bring him back down

Now we’ve got a Doctor where ‘coward, every time’ doesn’t apply. The 9th Doctor was in a dark place but Ten has gone beyond that, out of anger, frustration, panic, sheer desperation. The cocky exterior has always been a mask.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> The confidential opening titles have the new TARDIS in.

I think it’s just the old Tardis with the St John’s sticker on there. I don’t think it has the white windows. Aaaaagh!!!

The Biggest Reset Button Of All Time, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, BBC1.

[The PerformingMonkey]

See you in 10 minutes.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> The Doctor also attended her wedding which never ended up happening though because of the Trickster.

D’you know, one thing I wondered during that episode was whether Sarah Jane and Nigel Havers had sex. It made me feel so…wrong I had to cool myself down with a little hand fan.

The Trickster just wants to lay Sarah anyway. He wants her ‘agreement’. That sounds like he’s looking for consent to me. Any Srickster fic out there? Or Trarah? Sarah Janester? God I’d still have Lis. What is she, 70? She doesn’t look a day over 50. Gimme that sweet stuff. And Rani can watch. And Clyde… but not Luke.

Incidentally, is anyone else really fed up with Clyde’s ‘cool’ intro to each episode? It’s interesting how he says Rani is a ‘schoolgirl investigator’ as though they’re making a point about her being a schoolgirl. Personally I love her midlands accent.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> But how about those who don?t wish to contribute to Sony?s already ample bank balance?

Oh FFS.

[The PerformingMonkey]

I think something worth mentioning is that regardless of the show’s attitudes towards the Doctor and sex, just about every companion has been fancied like heck by at least several fanatical individuals over the years. Loads of people’s first TV crush was a Who companion. And look at all the women, including my bloody girlfriend, who want to heck that long streak of piss Tennant’s brains out!

The show thrives on sexual attraction even though it hardly ever goes down that road. I think in many ways it makes it more exciting for many viewers that sex isn’t explicitly dealt with. Well, it wasn’t until Moffat took the reins… Amy in the police uniform… Though the short skirts she’s wearing in the new episodes ARE comparable to classic companions’ wardrobe. Who has just naturally moved with the times. Well, good Who has. When it didn’t it got axed.

[The PerformingMonkey]

I wish I could reuse Sophie Winkleman’s footage.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> any mpre examples of Dwarf being name-checked/referenced on other shows?

Points of View.

[The PerformingMonkey]

Look at Kate on Lost (go on, I dare ya). Since they mostly took away that ‘grey’ side of her she has been an extremely boring char IMO. Not that she ever had the most thrilling story (or the best actress playing her, let’s be honest, though Evangeline is bea-ea-utiful to behold) but when there was at least some danger about her it felt refreshing. Now she’s goodie goodie blandness what’s the point??

Of course, Jack has also been a weak link. So much so that his ending better be bloody specacular to merit him being the ‘main’ char. I think he was improved in season 5 to an extent, though it felt like he had less screentime. Sawyer was definitely the main good guy in season 5.

[The PerformingMonkey]

Oh yeah, don’t know how I could forget that. Sort of a happy ending then, what with Jack in his non-brooding days.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> there?s no rules to driving bar ?beep your horn continuously so other cars know where you are as you all suffer epic fail in keeping to one lane?. Cows just wander down the street. There?s amazing, yummy cheap food everywhere. And there?s a bunch of parrots that sit in the tree next to our balcony and stare at you.

Ever been to Lancashire? It’s just like that. Except for the ‘yummy’ part, obviously.

Hope you have a great time!

[The PerformingMonkey]

Hmmm. Happy or sad endings in the new series, let’s see…

Rose – happy
TEOTW – melancholic, bittersweet maybe
Unquiet Dead – bittersweet again (Gwyneth dead, Dickens happy)
AoE/WW3 – not really that happy all round
Dalek – fairly happy, strangely enough
Long Game – funny, throwaway ending
Father’s Day – sad end, not dark though
TEC/TDD – happy, the most uplifting ending so far
Boomtown – unsure (can’t fucking remember the ending tbh!)
BW/TPOTW – emotional, all over the place

TCI – very happy indeed, self-congratulatory bollocks
New Earth – sad with Cassandra, happy Doc and Rose smug
Tooth & Claw – ominous Queen Vic warning but mostly smugness
School Reunion – very happy, self-congratulatory smugness(…)
TGITFP – sad, moving, masterpiece-like
Cybes – who actually cares??
TVs and shit – smug as fuck
TIP/TSP – mostly happy
L&M – hey I’m shagging a paving slab, how happy can you get??
Fear Her – a storm’s coming, Tennant with Olympic flame!!
AoG/Doomsday – sad, emotional departure

That’s only a handful of happy endings in 27 episodes (series 2 smugness and all that). Expect plenty of happy endings in series 5 (of course, I mean the new series 1…) because Moffat seems to like them. All except TGITFP. Speaking of TGITFP, if he’s ever capable of that form again WE will be the happy ones.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> The Noel Gay Motion Picture Company produced the movie, a Grant Naylor sister company, so it?s probably not just coincidence?

Lol, ‘Gay’.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> Maybe it?s just me, but I so completely didn?t care.

RED DWARF ASSISTANT SCRIPT PRODUCER EDITOR WHATEVER ‘I’M OK WITH CHILD KILLING’ JIBE

[The PerformingMonkey]

I thought only 12-year-olds liked Red Dwarf.

[The PerformingMonkey]

So did I. In bloody good seats as well. Though Richard Burton’s voice is still the best thing about the whole show. His CGI’d face at the side was pretty cool. That bloke from the Moody Blues can still sing, too.

[The PerformingMonkey]

While Pitt is too old for Lion-O I think Vin Diesel and Hugh Jackman would be such perfect casting for Panthro and Tigra. But come on, like Jackman would do it after Wolverine.

[The PerformingMonkey]

I would love that but you just know they would fuck it up. Shia LaBeouf as Lion-O!! (actually I think someone like Andrew Garfield would be quite good). They could basically adapt the opening Exodus episodes as the film.

One KEY element to get sorted (one that infuriates Thundercats fans the world over!) is the age-old ‘why don’t Wily-kat and Wily-kit age in hypersleep?’ They should show that ONLY Lion-O ages in hypersleep, due to some malfunction of some kind? though really it’s divine intervention of sorts. That means that it makes sense that Wily-kit and kat are still kids and yet Lion-O grows up. OR just axe that whole part of the story and have Lion-O an adult from word go, but that would suck (yes, suck).

[The PerformingMonkey]

No Dwarf stuff in bed, sadly, though my g/f likes the word ‘frak’.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> I was young with a new car and had other, more interesting things to do late night.

Warhammer?

[The PerformingMonkey]

Take a deep breath, I’m sure this will work out fine! No doubt a member of the fanclub team will reply to this at some point to reassure you. Welcome btw.

> Silly me, missing out one of the MAIN pieces of information????

Lol, for a split second I thought you were talking about registering with a card on HERE. Now that’s where I’d draw the line, actually paying to post utter drivel on a site viewed by drivelers.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> Series One

*openly weeps*

[The PerformingMonkey]

After seeing Tennant’s appearance in SJA I think it’s safe to say even I will be shedding a tear when he goes (though obviously not as many as I was doing over Sarah Jane during the latter parts of this episode. ‘Mr. Smith, I need you…’ good one, Mr. Roberts)

[The PerformingMonkey]

> and the Michael Jackson special was borderline offensive on occasion (even to someone with a very thick comedy skin) and deeply unfunny most of the time.

Come off it. While some of it was naff I was laughing at most of it, especially the parts that could have been deemed to be ‘offensive’. FFS, everyone should know what to expect in an MJ Bo Selecta special, it’s not going to be pleasant… The best Bo was always the topical stuff and ripping the piss. The WORST was the stupid sketches like MJ does Porridge and Mel B and Patsy Kensit living together (though the outtakes for that are really funny)

I liked the end part where he took off the glove and mask and placed them on the piano. Bizarrely it felt like the most respectful thing anyone has done so far in relation to really laying MJ to rest.

I still love the Bo Selecta DVDs. So much care and attention went into them, especially the menus which I have yet to see bettered. All the extras were beyond the normal shite fare too.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> `http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s110/Scootyboy/24th%20October%20-%20D…

Oh, it’s all happening… So, er, what does everyone think about the pedestrianisation of Norwich city centre?

[The PerformingMonkey]

> Anything Leigh Francis has done since (Bo! related anyway) has been shite, IMO

Apart from series 3 and the Michael Jackson special, obviously. Bo In The USA was dire, indeed. And A Bear’s Tail…FFS.

[The PerformingMonkey]

God it’s so so bad. In fact, that whole clip with the Waiting For God trail and oh so straight BBC announcer just makes me feel ill. No-one has any right to complain about current TV. This is without getting into the whole BBC sitcom debate, of course. Or the children’s TV debacle. But other than that things are far better than early ’90s.

[The PerformingMonkey]

Oooh it’s so realistic. Like The Wire, you know, but with government and stuff.

The popular Front. Do you know, I used to want to make her come.

[The PerformingMonkey]

THE ABYSS. Oh, and THAT STUDENT SHORT HE DID.

Hell, might as well name all his films. Hardly made any films at all, the crazy guy, however this has probably helped him stay well-respected. If he had churned out half a dozen stinkers over the last 10 years or so I don’t think we’d be holding out much hope for Avatar at all.

We’ve all seen huge effects spectacles like Avatar before, except normally the underlying elements (story, dialogue, tension etc.) are seriously lacking. The focus is on the technology not the guts. The tech seems to have been the main focus of Avatar’s production similarly, and that’s the worrying thing. You watch The Terminator back and the danger is very real, the dialogue strong and pace totally perfect. You come out of something like that thinking ‘fuck yes!’ You come out of a 3hr overblown CGI nonsensical, pointless mess thinking ‘fuck’.

[The PerformingMonkey]

Everyone’s going to see it, I don’t think there’s any question of that.

[The PerformingMonkey]

> http://prazzi.com/goldstarawards/pic198.html

> Posey pose pose.

Epic win. Is all.

[The PerformingMonkey]

That’s a really good review. He’s honest about not watching much Dwarf over the years but he doesn’t then proceed to slag off people who have. Care and attention has been made to getting the show and extras details right.

[The PerformingMonkey]

A couple of years ago in my hairy phase

Me now I’ve cut and dyed my hair (ginger, what else…)

Some human in the avatar claims to be me now but it’s doubtful.

[Author]

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