Month: October 2023

Strangers in Space podcast considers Survivors

THE LATEST EPISODE of the TV Club strand of the Strangers in Space podcast (13 October) spends an hour reappraising the impact of Survivors.

Host J R Southall is joined by Jon Arnold, Jim Cameron and Dylan Rees, and reflects on the impact of the series at the time of its original transmission and the legacy of the series nearly five decades on.

Almost fifty years ago a nation huddled around its television sets imagining the oncoming apocalypse and wondering when it might be best to plant corn crops in the devastation that followed; our thoughts on Terry Nation and Terence Dudley’s Survivors

It’s nearly half a century since Terry Nation’s story about the aftermath of a genocidal virus, so how’s it looking in 2023?

Survivors

This episode presented by:
J.R. Southall

With:
Jon Arnold
Jim Cameron
Dylan Rees

Strangers in Space

Strangers in Space. 2023. Survivors. 13 October. https://strangersinspace.libsyn.com/tv-club-60-survivors-1975-77

In addition to the audio version, the version available on YouTube provides Zoom-style visuals of the foursome’s discussions.

Survivors series three audio offer in latest Big Finish podcast

Big Finish - Survivors - series three - cover

THE RANDOMOID SELECTORTRON in this week’s Big Finish podcast (29 October) chose the third series boxset of Survivors audios for its one-week-only special discount offer.

Each week, the podcast hosts Nick Briggs and Benji Clifford use the enigmatic Randomoid Selectortron device to choose a random release from the Big Finish back catalogue.

That release is then made the subject of a seven day discount of 25% on the list price.

To take advantage of this offer, which will expire on 4 November 2023, visit the podcast listing on the Big Finish site, follow the Randomoid Selectotron link and enter the code ‘BUCKUP’ when prompted to purchase the download-only version of this well-reviewed Survivors audio box set.

In the podcast, Nick and Benji share their memories of working on this 2015 release, with Benji recalling his conversations with Richard Heffer and his work on the sound design, Nick remembering the powerhouse performance by Paul Thornley (as bad boy Vinnie Vincent) and both hosts expressing their undimmed enthusiasm for the world of Survivors on audio.

Big Finish. 2023. Omega Audacity. 29 October. https://www.bigfinish.com/podcasts/v/2023-10-29-omega-audacity

Gone Fishing returns to Monsal Dale for series six finale

Gone Fishing - Series 6 - Episode 6 - Monsal Dale - the pair enjoy an ice-cream at the top of the Monsal valley

THE CLOSING EPISODE of series six of Gone Fishing, with Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse, returned its two stars to the Monsal Valley (the key filming location for the third series Survivors episode Mad Dog), revisiting the same stretch of the River Wye where the pair filmed the show’s first ever episode.

The episode, first shown on the BBC earlier this month, included shots of the Monsal Viaduct, and the footbridge close to Netherdale Farm, as well as many evocative aerial shots across the valley.

Paul and Bob return to the Peak District, this time with Ted, where they filmed their first episode of Gone Fishing back in 2017. Will the memories of that first trip come flooding back? 

They start by fishing the Wye at Haddon Hall, hoping to catch chub, rainbow trout and wild brown trout, before moving on to the Derwent. As they cast, they recall memories of that first trip and look at how they’ve changed over the last six years.

BBC

The episode is available to stream or download for offline viewing (for UK viewers) from the BBC’s iPlayer service for 11 months (until October 2024).

Gone Fishing. 2023. Series 6, Episode, 6. BBC. First broadcast 8 October.

Gone Fishing - Series 6 - Episode 6 - Monsal Dale - The Monsal Viaduct seen from above

Gone Fishing - Series 6 - Episode 6 - Monsal Dale - the footbridge in the heart of the Monsal valley

Gone Fishing - Series 6 - Episode 6 - Monsal Dale - the vista of the Monsal valley

Gone Fishing - Series 6 - Episode 6 - Monsal Dale - Bob views the valley

Big Finish share video interview with Carolyn Seymour and Lucy Fleming

Big Finish share video interview with Carolyn Seymour and Lucy Fleming

BIG FINISH HAVE released a short behind-the-scenes video interview with Carolyn Seymour (Abby Grant) and Lucy Fleming (Jenny Richards) reflecting on the legacy of Survivors and the pair’s work on the audio series.

Published today (1 October 2024 – Seymour’s 76th birthday), five days after the release of Survivors: New Dawn 4, the interview sees the two actors describe the impact of the original TV series and their pleasure at being able to revisit and continue on audio the storylines of characters they first played almost 50 years ago.

“It’s always fun working for Big Finish,” says Fleming. “It’s just a joy. We’re really lucky to be doing this.” Seymour agrees. “We have a wonderful team. We just love it. We have such a good time.”

Big Finish have made clear that the release of Survivors: New Dawn 4 brings to an end the company’s work on the series – after nine boxsets inspired by the events of the original TV series, the four box set New Dawn imprint and three Survivors audio books.

Big Finish. 2023. ‘Survivors with Carolyn Seymour and Lucy Fleming’, 1 October. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jLVzjYfXZ0.