Nicholas Briggs interviews Tom Baker about his time on Doctor Who (1963).Nicholas Briggs interviews Tom Baker about his time on Doctor Who (1963).Nicholas Briggs interviews Tom Baker about his time on Doctor Who (1963).
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Could have been better, but enjoyable nonetheless
Anyone who's seen a Myth Makers interview will know what kind of format to expect here - take the ex-Doctor Who actor to a location in which one of their stories was filmed, and have a chat with them while walking around the place. This time around, Nick Briggs interviews Tom Baker in the village where 'The Android Invasion' took place, visiting that famous obelisk in the village square along the way.
Briggs focuses mostly on Tom's time in Doctor Who, which is a shame, as pretty much any aspect of the man's life is interesting, and highly entertaining when expounded upon by the man himself. When you point a camera at Tom Baker, the result is always good value, and even here you can easily see why he's one of Britain's greatest (if not THE greatest) personalities. This is Tom in 1989 before his comeback in programs like Little Britain and Monarch Of The Glen. Here, it's just 9 years after he quit Doctor Who, and typecasting is taking its toll. But Tom is very down-to-earth about it, and takes it in his stride, not to mention good humour.
As for Briggs' interview technique, I'd have to say it's not bad this time around. He'd done several Myth Makers by this point, and seemed better able to pick up on the discussion with his subject in making follow-up questions, rather than rigidly sticking to his prepared questions, which brings you out of the whole thing. He's not the greatest interviewer out there, but he has the sense to just let the subject talk. I hate interviewers who think the whole exercise is more about them, so I'd rather have someone unobtrusive than better-skilled but self-centred.
This one's mainly for Who fans, but anyone who appreciates Tom Baker will find something to enjoy. Not the most comprehensive interview - check out the video Who On Earth Is Tom Baker? and get the book/audiobook of Tom's autobiography of the same name for a more detailed and general look at the great man. But an enjoyable diversion nonetheless. Watch out for the surprise cameo appearance of another Doctor Who 70s regular.
Briggs focuses mostly on Tom's time in Doctor Who, which is a shame, as pretty much any aspect of the man's life is interesting, and highly entertaining when expounded upon by the man himself. When you point a camera at Tom Baker, the result is always good value, and even here you can easily see why he's one of Britain's greatest (if not THE greatest) personalities. This is Tom in 1989 before his comeback in programs like Little Britain and Monarch Of The Glen. Here, it's just 9 years after he quit Doctor Who, and typecasting is taking its toll. But Tom is very down-to-earth about it, and takes it in his stride, not to mention good humour.
As for Briggs' interview technique, I'd have to say it's not bad this time around. He'd done several Myth Makers by this point, and seemed better able to pick up on the discussion with his subject in making follow-up questions, rather than rigidly sticking to his prepared questions, which brings you out of the whole thing. He's not the greatest interviewer out there, but he has the sense to just let the subject talk. I hate interviewers who think the whole exercise is more about them, so I'd rather have someone unobtrusive than better-skilled but self-centred.
This one's mainly for Who fans, but anyone who appreciates Tom Baker will find something to enjoy. Not the most comprehensive interview - check out the video Who On Earth Is Tom Baker? and get the book/audiobook of Tom's autobiography of the same name for a more detailed and general look at the great man. But an enjoyable diversion nonetheless. Watch out for the surprise cameo appearance of another Doctor Who 70s regular.
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