Archive television podcast in which Andy Priestner and Martin Holmes explore a new UK drama every episode, offering informal critique, insights and trivia. Join them every fortnight for televisual-based larks.
[Spoiler alert! This series is almost 50 years old but we will be revealing - around 90 minutes - in who spectacularly dies in the literal cliffhanger to episode 7. You have been warned!]
Hey sis, it's Christmas, but this month Andy and Martin are visiting sunny Elounda on Crete for Michael J. Bird's classic revenge drama Who Pays the Ferryman? Featuring Jack Hedley, Betty Arvaniti, Neil McCarty and Patience Collier the series gripped the British public in 1977 and after its BBC2 transmission was immediately repeated on BBC1. The following year it became an even huger hit in the Netherlands.
The series also features prominent guest star roles for Lalla Ward, Gareth Thomas and Sally Knyvette, just before the roles that would make all three sci-fi icons.
As they review this 8-part series the pair consider the birth of the package holiday, influence on Howards Way, and the inherent dangers of tiny tartan swim shorts.
There are also lots of behind-the-scenes facts, many of which are admittedly lifted from the research of Dave Rice - do visit his website and buy his book. Patience Collier's biography by Vanessa Morton is also worthy of your attention.
Oh you daughters of Themis!
Next Time: 'X' (and yes we're going to be cheating)
23 Nov 2024
2.22 Vote, Vote, Vote, for Nigel Barton (and Stand Up, Nigel Barton)
Andy and Martin dissect Dennis Potter's autobiographical plays 'Vote, Vote, Vote for Nigel Barton' and 'Stand Up, Nigel Barton', exploring their enduring relevance to contemporary politics and society.
14 Sept 2024
2.21 Undermind
Andy and Martin travel back in time to the summer of 1965 and the adventures of HR consultant Drew Heriot and his sister-in-law Anne as they face up to the machinations of 'Undermind’: aliens who have brainwashed British citizens in order to cause national unrest ahead of their imminent invasion. Their various schemes include: spreading pirate radio misinformation; inciting youth violence in a seaside resort; influencing the works of a popular children’s author; the distribution of suicide-inducing birthday records; interference with the printing of exam papers, and most abominably of all, the assassination of Eamonn Andrews! Yes, really.
Starring Jeremy Wilkin (best known as Kellman in Revenge of the Cybermen) and Rosemary Nichols (Annabelle in ITC's Department S) Undermind is an, often overlooked, sci-fi oddity created and ‘evolved by’ Robert Banks Stewart and written by many familiar Doctor Who writers including Bill Strutton, David Whitaker and Robert Holmes.
Other regular cast members were John Barron and Denis Quilley, while big name guest stars included Michael Gough, Peter Barkworth, Barrie Ingham, Judy Parfitt, Derek Francis and Philip Latham.
Although there is much to enjoy here, the series' convoluted and sometimes incoherent plots tend to undermine (geddit?) its overall feel. Join Andy and Martin as they attempt to review all 11 episodes in 2 hours! And find out which of them was brainwashed into drawing Mulligatawny (a one-eyed turd with claws) while making their notes.
Next Time: Vote, Vote, Vote for Nigel Barton (and Stand Up, Nigel Barton)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
4 ratings
Host of An A to Z of UK Television Drama?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
