Author: Martyn

Episode 188: Daniel Lawrence Taylor

Martyn chats to actor/writer Daniel Lawrence Taylor.

Daniel Lawrence Taylor is a British actor who has appeared in several sitcoms including Uncle, How Not to Live Your Life and Hunderby. He starred in ITV2‘s 2015 comedy Cockroaches and had a small role in The Inbetweeners. He is one half of the comedy duo Ginger & Black (with Eri Jackson).

Martyn and Daniel talk about writing to deadlines, the pressure of social media and Daniel’s ITV2 show, Time Wasters.

The podcast is available from all good podcast services, such as but not limited to Spotify, Amazon Music, Podchaser, Player FM, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts.

We also have a Smartlink.

You can follow Daniel on Twitter-@DanielTaylor247

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Episode 187: Gareth David-Lloyd interview

Martyn is joined by Welsh actor/writer/director Gareth David-Lloyd, who is perhaps best known for his role as Ianto Jones in the Doctor Who spin-off, Torchwood.

Gareth talks about his latest project, Black River meadow, and gives his thoughts on Cardiff Bay’s famous ‘Ianto Shrine’.

You can support Gareth here.

You can follow Gareth on Twitter.

The podcast is available from all good podcast services, such as but not limited to Amazon Music, Podchaser, Player FM, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts.

Check out our Youtube.

If you’d like to support the show, then please shop via our Amazon link. A small percentage goes our way, at no extra cost to you.

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Interview-David Bradley and Claudia Grant

Recorded, at MCM London 2017, here’s the full press panel with David Bradley and Claudia Grant.

Both talk about their involvement with An adventure in space and time and Big Finish. David talks about his experiences on the upcoming Christmas special, twice upon a time.

David Bradley is an English actor, known for playing Argus Filch in the Harry Potter film series, Walder Frey in the HBO series Game of Thrones and Abraham Setrakian in The Strain. He is also an established stage actor with a career that includes a Laurence Olivier Award for his role in a production of King Lear.

Claudia Grant is a British Actress, she trained at LAMDA graduating with a degree in Acting. She is perhaps best known for her appearance as Carole Ann Ford in the BAFTA nominated BBC Drama, An Adventure in Space and Time (2013) directed by Terry McDonough and written by Mark Gatiss. As well as Headlongs’ production of Spring Awakening directed by Ben Kidd (2014).

Big Finish Review-Torchwood: Aliens Among Us-Part 2

Torchwood: Aliens Among Us 2 is a bold and gripping addition to the Torchwood series. Picking up where Miracle Day left off, the Torchwood team finds themselves in a Cardiff that’s darker and more dangerous than ever before. The four episodes included in this set explore complex storylines and pack an emotional punch, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating what comes next.

The first episode, “Love Rat” by Christopher Cooper, sets the tone for the rest of the set with a complex storyline that brings Captain Jack back from the dead with a surprising twist. The subsequent episodes, “A Kill to a View” by Mac Rogers, “Zero Hour” by Janine H Jones, and “The Empty Hand” by Tim Foley, continue to up the ante with a mix of action, drama, and suspense.

The addition of Yvonne Hartman to the mix adds a layer of intrigue and excitement, with the Torchwood team facing their toughest challenge yet. The writers skillfully weave together the various storylines, and the performances by the cast are top-notch.

The standout episodes of the set are “A Kill to a View” and “Zero Hour,” which delve into the mysterious rift and bring back fan-favourite character Bilis Manger. Murray Melvin’s performance as Manger is nothing short of exceptional, adding depth and complexity to the character and the story.

Overall, Torchwood: Aliens Among Us 2 is a must-listen for fans of the series and newcomers alike. With its intricate plotlines, strong performances, and cliffhanger ending, it leaves the audience eagerly anticipating the next instalment of the Torchwood saga.

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“Ashamed” Kevin Smith to donate future royalties

After many allegations of sexual harassment, assault and rape against Harvey Weinstein. Writer, director and actor Kevin Smith spoke out on social media in answer to a Twitter prompt.

“He financed the first 14 years of my career – and now I know while I was profiting, others were in terrible pain,” Smith said of the powerful producer in a tweet on Oct. 9. “It makes me feel ashamed.”


Now, Smith has vowed to donate all future royalties, from his Weinstein-produced films to women in film, a nonprofit organisation.

Smith spoke about his decision, on the latest episode of his Hollywood babble-on podcast. Telling co-host Ralph Garman:

“My entire career is tied up with the man… It’s been a weird f***ing week, man. I just wanted to make some f***ing movies and that’s it. That’s why I came, that’s why I made ‘Clerks.’ And no f***ing movie is worth all this. Like, my entire career, f**k it, take it. It’s wrapped up in something really f***ing horrible.”

Smith hopes the money he’s donating will help women succeed without having to encounter men like Weinstein, in Hollywood.

He added, that even if the Weinstein Company goes under, he’ll donate $2,000 a month, to Women in Film. He has also offered to serve as a mentor to female filmmakers.

https://soundcloud.com/hollywoodbabbleon/294-october-13-2017

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Episode 185: Capaldi’s balls

In which Martyn and Gerrod discuss an important issue, as well as the 2002 werewolf movie, Dog Soldiers.

Dog Soldiers is a 2002 action horror film written and directed by Neil Marshall, and starring Kevin McKidd, Sean Pertwee, and Liam Cunningham. A British-American-Luxembourgian co-production, set in the highlands of Scotland.

Martyn also tells the story, about the time he caused a major security alert at the Dutch Embassy.

The podcast is available from all good podcast services, such as but not limited to Amazon Music, Podchaser, Player FM, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts.

Check out our Youtube.

If you’d like to support the show, then please shop via our Amazon link. A small percentage goes our way, at no extra cost to you.

Socials:

Twitter:

Martyn – @BadWilf

Gerrod –@InGerrodsMind

Pete – @BeeblePete

Instagram:

Martyn-@BadWilf

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Big Finish Review-Aliens among us: Part 1

Torchwood is back, and this time it is on audio with a brand new boxset, Aliens Among Us. The first volume of Aliens Among Us sets the stage for the new Torchwood, introducing us to new characters, and old favourites.

  1. “Changes Everything” by James Goss “Changes Everything” opens up the new Torchwood, introducing us to the new team of Jack, Gwen, Mr Colchester, and Orr. Mr Colchester, played brilliantly by Paul Clayton, is a grumpy civil servant who has been tasked with managing the new Torchwood. Meanwhile, journalist Tyler Steele, played by Jonny Green, is questioning him. Tyler is a great new character, both likeable and unlikeable at the same time. Through his eyes, we meet the new Torchwood, and this is a really well-written story that sets up the future of Aliens Among Us while remaining self-contained.
  2. “Aliens and Sex and Chips and Gravy” by James Goss This episode takes us on a funny, fast-paced romp that tackles murderous aliens who’ve invaded a hen night. It focuses on Gwen and Colchester and hints about where Gwen is headed in future box sets. What distinguishes this episode from TV Torchwood is that it has a more mature approach to mature subject matters. The title will no doubt remind you of the first series, but this episode deals with adult themes throughout. It is another really strong entry for Aliens Among Us.
  3. “Orr” by Juno Dawson “Orr” introduces us to the titular character, an alien sexual psycho-morph. Similar to “Changes Everything”, this episode is focused almost entirely on Orr’s introduction. The character is played excellently by Samantha Béart, who manages to make the character feel believable. This episode also tackles an adult subject matter with a level of maturity that was unfortunately never seen on TV. This is another stellar episode.
  4. “Superiority Complex” by A.K. Benedict The final episode of the first volume of Aliens Among Us gives the new Torchwood team a chance to shine. A new luxury hotel has appeared in Cardiff, with refugees right outside. The script highlights the problem with another script that, apart from the aliens, feels like it could be a true story. Every member of the team gets a chance to shine here, including Tyler, who keeps popping up. This is a brilliant way to end a brilliant box set, and it ends with an excellent cliffhanger for the second volume.

Overall, Aliens Among Us 1 is a great introduction to the new Torchwood. The boxset shows that Torchwood is at its best on audio. The stories are very politically charged, but each of the three writers on this set delivers amazing stories that feel natural and real. The characters are all well-written, and the new Torchwood team is a great mix of old favourites and new characters. With its compelling storytelling and excellent performances, Aliens Among Us is a must-listen for any Torchwood fan.

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Fan makes death threat to Dan Fogler

This weekend saw thousands of comic book fans attained London film and comic con. However, one fan had dark intentions…

Fantastic beats and where to find them actor Dan Fogler, made an impromptu and unannounced appearance at the Heavy Metal Magazine stand, to promote his new comic book.

Obviously, as soon as Harry Potter fans heard he was there, his line grew very long, very quickly. He signed prints, posed for selfies and all was well.
However, staff were alerted to an individual acting suspiciously in line.

When asked why he was there, he stated he was on a mission to kill Dan Fogler, whom he beloved was the evil wizard Grindelwald using Polyjuice to disguise himself as “Jacob Kowalski”, Fogler’s character from Fantastic Beasts.

Luckily, a quick thinking member of staff was able to convince the deranged fan that Fogler is indeed, just an actor, as Kowalski was from the nineteen-twenties, so couldn’t possibly be at a convention in 2017.

The fan then insisted Grimwald had used a “time turner” to move forward in time. To which, the member of staff reminded him that they only work backwards.

The man then concluded that Dan, must be the grandson of Kowalski and decided to go visit Benedict Cumberbatch instead. He was escorted out of the building by security.

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Big Finish review-Torchwood: The office of never was

Although Ianto Jones is a beloved character among the Torchwood fandom, most would agree that he was often relegated to the background despite his intriguing backstory and secret cyber-girlfriend. However, the audio revival of the show, with full-cast dramas that focus on individual characters. Has given him and others a chance to shine.

In “The Office of Never Was,” Ianto takes the lead as he investigates a haunted building, displaying impressive deduction skills and carrying the drama with ease.

This is an extremely well-crafted and engaging story. James Goss, the producer and scriptwriter, delivers a dark tale that cleverly addresses one of Torchwood’s central conceits and provides some hard-edged, real-world consequences. The limited cast is used to great effect, allowing for strong character development and building tension as the story progresses. Goss’s nods to “The Avengers” add an extra layer of entertainment value, while his use of humour helps to balance out the story’s darker moments. The script for is a testament to Goss’s talent as a writer and his understanding of Torchwood and its wider universe.

Gareth David-Lloyd, is a skilled voice actor and brings his A-game to this audio. He effortlessly carries the drama on his own for the first few minutes of “The Office of Never Was,” showcasing his talent for conveying Ianto’s internal struggles and thought processes. His performance is nuanced and engaging, capturing the character’s dry humor and emotional complexity.

Overall, “The Office of Never Was” is another smartly directed, strong and entertaining outing for Cardiff’s favourite member of Torchwood.

Review-The lives of Captain Jack

One of the most interesting character’s in Doctor Who’s history is, Captain Jack Harkness. The con man-come immortal-time traveling adventurer, with a wink and a swagger.

Altough we got to see more of the character in Torchwood, I’d always wanted a Captain Jack spin-off. I wanted to know what happened after The Doctor and Rose left him. Finally, Big Finish have answered that question.

The Year After I Died by Guy Adams.

As the title suggests, this story takes place a year after ‘The Parting of the Ways’. We’re presented with a very different Jack, he’s tortued, trying to lead a quiet life, he’s living alone and has shun human contact. He’s also trying to figure out how he survived the Dalek attack and why The Doctor and Rose abandoned him.the-year-after-i-died

His quiet life is turned upside down when a young reporter named Silo Crook (Shvorne Marks) comes investigating, he again finds himself tasked with saving humanity.

‘The Year After I Died’works extremely well as a direct sequel to ‘The Parting of Ways’. It builds on the story told in the series 1 finale, but doesn’t fall into to the sequel trap of telling the same story. As far as opening stories go, this is a great installment. John Barrowman shins in this, delivering the most subjude/reluctant version of captain Jack we’ve ever seen. This is a very well-written story, with great performances. I would like to see more set in this timeline.

9/10

Wednesday’s for Beginners by James Goss.

After reprising her role as Jackie Tyler for ‘The Ninth Doctor Chronicles’, Camille Codouri returns as everyone’s favourie mum.

The first 15 minutes focus on Jackie Tyler, as she pushes the story forward with monologue. We learn what happens when Rose is away and we experience the true pain and lonliness she feels, it’s heart breaking.wednesday

Soon after, she meets her “handsome American stalker” (Captain Jack) and the story really kicks into gear.

Jackie and Jack make a great duo, Barrowman and Coduri have chemistry to spare and clearly had a blast recording this. Fun and flirtacious inuendo are a bounded around and it’s an absolute joy to listen to.

Jackie’s feeling of isolation and loneliness really resonates and is perfectally juxtaposed with the adventure angle.

Deep down, this is a fun adventure that will have you howling with laughter.

8/10

One Enchanted Evening by James Goss.

This story takes place mere minutes after the Doctor leaves Jack in the bar in ‘The End of Time’.

It turns out the Tenth Doctor wasn’t just trying to get the pair laid, he had an ulterior motive.evening

Jack and Alonso are both in dark places, Jack had just murdered his grandson, Steven, to save man kind and obviously feels a lot of guilt. Alonso had just walked off the Titanic, a broken man. Feeling he should have been braver, more like The Doctor.

The pair bond over the course of an hour, as they work to save a spaceship from being destroyed. The villain is voiced by Katy Manning, whois camping it up no end and clearly having the time of her life.

Although the villain feels very generic, character wise this is the best in the box set. Captain Jack and Midshipman Frame both help each other exorcise their demons.

This is a character driven story, that allows both characters the redemption they feel they need.

8/10.

Month 25 by Guy Adams.

This is the story we’ve spent 12 years waiting for. When we were first introduced to Captain Jack (12 years ago!) we learned he was a former time agent, with two years of his memory missing. Now, we’re finally getting some answers. We even learn his real name..month-25

I’m a long time fan of Guy Adam’s work with Big Finish, but this could well be his best story. It’s gripping spy/conspiracy drama, that some how manages to be laugh out loud funny. This is well-written and well acted. Barrowman perfectly manages to speak the way we imagine a twenty-something Captain Jack would speak.

9/10.

‘The Lives of Captain Jack’ is a remarkable set, which I highly recommend. John Barrowman delivers some absolutely stunning performances.

James Goss and Guy Adams have managed to take such a well-known character and find new ways to make him to grow and mature, as well as answering questions fans have had for well over a decade.

It’s a must have box set, let’s hope this becomes an annual release. Maybe Jack could even meet a certain Professor Song…