Nice interview with Tom Baker in the Indy today. Ostensibly a puff for the Horror Channel, but Tom's marvellously quote-worthy views take centre stage...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/pe...c-9262630.html

If he did would the culprit be shrouded in mystery, with the authorities telling us it wasn't important who blew it up and it was probably him but we didn't need confirmation, then years later casually mention it as if it was no big deal whilst talking about something else

Well the Doctor does have form (sort of )

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x16...rld_shortfilms

I do too because davison never appeared in the 50th anniversary sorry 8th anniversary special.

Are you still whinging about the 50th anniversary special only being about the past 8 years despite the fact is patently untrue?

Yeah because zygons, the three doctors, coal hill school, tom baker, the brigadier, the opening of 'an unearthly child', Ian chesterton, were all really promiment in the 8 years preceeding the anniversary weren't they.

It was alway's going to be slightly more slanted to the new series, being what is current in it's 50th year, but Classic who got a multitude of references and appearances as stated above,not to mention the appearance of all the Classic who doctors. which added up enough so that the dedication was almost equal between the two era's and respectfully celebrating all 50 years.

Don't forget without the new series you wouldn't have had a 50th anniversary story to whinge over at all, and the Classic doctors would have likely had no tv recognition, except for perhaps some odd repeats or something. So be grateful to the new series, and the makers of which who respected Classic who enough to litter the special with such references.

I read this article in another newspaper a week ago, surprised it's taken so long to get in this paper.

Just shows how the demands of the job affected Tom Baker in the role both on and off set. I often think he is similar to Larry Hagman in Dallas, who's power over the producers was quite awesome. Though maybe not on the same scale, it's clear his popularity gave him a certain leverage that he tried to use for his advantage.

And why not? As a creative force on the show he was brilliant. When they stopped giving him creative input look at how dull the show became (his seventh season).

Don't we all?

Are you Stef Coburn?

Given that Tom Baker did appear, that sort of blows the "8th anniversary" nonsense out of the water, wouldn't you agree...?

I disagree. It was when Baker had a weak producer, in the form of Williams, that the show and TB's performance became self-indulgent.

Tom Baker shouldn't bother trying to blow up the BBC, it seems like some of the senior BBC management want it to happen judging from some of the decisions they have taken.

I wasn't criticising the fact he had power, it was merely a comment. However, I would disagree Season 18 is that dull though it's not one of my favourite Seasons.

Baker's performance is certainly a lot more serious but in some ways what JNT had done was right but he went too far. Hinchcliffe was the only producer who got it right with Baker's Doctor. There was just that nice balance between humour and seriousness. However, I agree with Irma that he was let of the leash when Williams took over and though entertaining to watch probably didn't do the show as a whole any favours.

JNT should have restored the Hinchcliffe Doctor but he we went too far by cutting out the humour altogether and therefore not only was Baker's Doctor stale in his last Season he wasn't his normal self either which didn't help.

No, he's Rupert Murdoch and Paul Dacre's secret lovechild.