Tom Baker to do Big Finish?

[23skidoo]

After recording the Hornets' Nest series for BBC Audio last year, Tom Baker reports that he's in talks with Big Finish to do more audios:

http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.com/2010/03/tom-baker-to-record-for-big-finish.html

Baker has always been the Holy Grail for Big Finish, so if this comes together this could create a sea change for the line.

Sadly, Elisabeth Sladen isn't recording for them anymore because of her commitment to SJA - but that doesn't mean she couldn't be brought back as Sarah Jane. And Louise Jameson, Lalla Ward, Mary Tamm, Sarah Sutton, and Janet Fielding have all recorded for BF in the past. There's potential here for some great stories from the classic era.

Not to mention the door would open for a true Five Doctors scenario. And Big Finish seems to like mixing up companions and Doctors (for example they're just starting a series of stories with the Sixth Doctor and Jamie) so we could see, for example, the Fourth Doctor and Susan sharing an adventure. And they also are doing adaptations of unbroadcast stories, so maybe someone might track down the infamous Scratchman script?

Of course this is getting ahead of things: negotiating and getting Baker behind a microphone are entirely different things, and according to the news report Baker has his own ideas for stories, but if this comes together this could be pretty cool regardless what happens. They better not wait too long, though. As I understand it Big Finish's DW licence ends at the end of 2011 and I don't know if a renewal is guaranteed (witness the sudden ending of the Short Trips book series last year).

Alex

 

[Allyn Gibson]

As I understand it Big Finish's DW licence ends at the end of 2011 and I don't know if a renewal is guaranteed (witness the sudden ending of the Short Trips book series last year).

The Short Trips books were expensive to produce for very little return. That's the reason Big Finish gave up on them.

 

[23skidoo]

The Short Trips books were expensive to produce for very little return. That's the reason Big Finish gave up on them.

No, the licence expired. I just checked the original announcement again from last year. But the audio licence has been extended to Dec. 31, 2011, which allows them to continue doing Short Trips as audios.

It ties in with recurring (if unconfirmed) rumors that BBC Books might be considering bring back past Doctors in the lead up to Year 50. I'll believe that when I see it, but taking back the literary licence could be the first step.

Alex

 

[Captain Pike]

Lets hope this pans out. If so, I will soon be buying a lot more BF audios.

 

[Rarewolf]

Baker has always been the Holy Grail for Big Finish, so if this comes together this could create a sea change for the line.

Sadly, Elisabeth Sladen isn't recording for them anymore because of her commitment to SJA - but that doesn't mean she couldn't be brought back as Sarah Jane. And Louise Jameson, Lalla Ward, Mary Tamm, Sarah Sutton, and Janet Fielding have all recorded for BF in the past. There's potential here for some great stories from the classic era.

And they also are doing adaptations of unbroadcast stories, so maybe someone might track down the infamous Scratchman script?

I think Tom not being involved has really been to the benefit of his successors and their fans. He didn't exactly have a short run in the role. Of the other 4 Peter's the only one who chose to when to leave.

Maybe he's heard Paul McGann's done more stories than him

There's a suggestion BF aren't allowed to use SJ (like the Master) but would be able to with Tom. No way he'd work with Lalla though. They've not spoken since their divorce! I think she'd be willing, but not him

Incidentally, the licence, if it was extended to 2013 (50th anniversary) and then they called it a day, I'd be satisfied. It won't be pleasant when we start to loose actors.

 

[Guy Gardener]

I read something really interesting on wikipedia the other day... Jackie Lane who played Dodo against William Hartnel's Doctor is Tom baker (And Paul McGann and Janet Fielding's) agent... I mean she might not be any more for all I know, but how sad that she's yelling at these Big Finish people about money for Tom and they aren't trying to nab her too, for at the very least a Companions Chronicle?

I could see Tom doing an impromptu Doctor who. "No script" he says "Lets just make it up!"

 

[The Nth Doctor]

After recording the Hornets' Nest series for BBC Audio last year, Tom Baker reports that he's in talks with Big Finish to do more audios:

http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.com/2010/03/tom-baker-to-record-for-big-finish.html

Baker has always been the Holy Grail for Big Finish, so if this comes together this could create a sea change for the line.

I've been following the thread at Gallifrey Base with peaked interest. Someone posted a link from Tom's site yesterday where he said he'll be doing a story for Big Finish and one for BBC. I'm trying to contain my excitement until we get an official annoucement from Big Finish, but I have to say this looks promising.

Not to mention the door would open for a true Five Doctors scenario. And Big Finish seems to like mixing up companions and Doctors (for example they're just starting a series of stories with the Sixth Doctor and Jamie) so we could see, for example, the Fourth Doctor and Susan sharing an adventure.

Well, it should be noted that The Sixth Doctor and Jamie already shared one adventure together already. The only other mix and match companion that I can think of is Charley.

And they also are doing adaptations of unbroadcast stories, so maybe someone might track down the infamous Scratchman script?

I would love to that story or The Krikketmen being made into an audio.

 

[Piper]

And they also are doing adaptations of unbroadcast stories, so maybe someone might track down the infamous Scratchman script?

If Tom really is on board, this would be top of my list of hopes of what they do with him.

I think Tom not being involved has really been to the benefit of his successors and their fans. He didn't exactly have a short run in the role.

I completely agree with this, it's been wonderful over the past ten, eleven years to hear the Eighties (and Nineties) Doctors come into their own and be given scripts far more worthy of their time. As much as I love Tom, I don't think his absence has been felt one bit at BF.

No way he'd work with Lalla though. They've not spoken since their divorce! I think she'd be willing, but not him.

I dimly recall, when BF did Shada (which they did ask Tom to take part in) Lalla saying in an interview she wouldn't have minded (although whether she was saying that with the safety net of his not having said yes I don't know), and she certainly can talk about him with perfect equanimity on the DVD commentaries. It could be incredibly awkward though...

 

[davejames]

It would be awesome to hear Baker as the Doctor again, although I can't imagine him wanting to share the spotlight with someone else. From what I've read, he always preferred the idea of the Doctor travelling alone, so that's probably how it would be here.

 

[Rarewolf]

I read something really interesting on wikipedia the other day... Jackie Lane who played Dodo against William Hartnel's Doctor is Tom baker agent... I mean she might not be any more for all I know, but how sad that she's yelling at these Big Finish people about money for Tom and they aren't trying to nab her too, for at the very least a Companions Chronicle?

I don't think she has been for a long time, in fact he probably has an acting agent and a voice over one anyway. Don't think it's ever been about money either, I think his wife is well off.

Jackie's an odd one (well same Birthday as me so nuff said ) she almost did a commentary for the Ark, but had cold feet at the last mo, and has had no interest in doing an audio. She's done signings, but not for 3-4 years now.

 

[danjamesb]

The Short Trips books were expensive to produce for very little return. That's the reason Big Finish gave up on them.

No, the licence expired. I just checked the original announcement again from last year. But the audio licence has been extended to Dec. 31, 2011, which allows them to continue doing Short Trips as audios.

You're both right. The licence expired, but it was because BF chose not to renew it.

 

[Guy Gardener]

I read something really interesting on wikipedia the other day... Jackie Lane who played Dodo against William Hartnel's Doctor is Tom baker agent... I mean she might not be any more for all I know, but how sad that she's yelling at these Big Finish people about money for Tom and they aren't trying to nab her too, for at the very least a Companions Chronicle?

I don't think she has been for a long time, in fact he probably has an acting agent and a voice over one anyway. Don't think it's ever been about money either, I think his wife is well off.

Jackie's an odd one (well same Birthday as me so nuff said ) she almost did a commentary for the Ark, but had cold feet at the last mo, and has had no interest in doing an audio. She's done signings, but not for 3-4 years now.

I like Dodo, and what the Master did to her (in some novel) is about the most thrilling thing ever, but from Jackie's perspective, she was doing a fine job and then they said a stacked blond twice her height could do her job much better so she should just piss off.

"Events" like that give birth to complexes.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

I think Tom not being involved has really been to the benefit of his successors and their fans. He didn't exactly have a short run in the role. Of the other 4 Peter's the only one who chose to when to leave.

And from what I've heard, Peter Davison changed his mind at the last minute. But my that point, it was too late because they'd already signed Colin Baker as his replacement.

No way he'd work with Lalla though. They've not spoken since their divorce! I think she'd be willing, but not him.

I thought that was the case. IIRC, on the DVDs of their stories together, it's always one or the other on the commentary track, never both. But then, I always preferred Mary Tamm's more regal portrayal of Romana.

 

[Marc]

I think Tom not being involved has really been to the benefit of his successors and their fans. He didn't exactly have a short run in the role. Of the other 4 Peter's the only one who chose to when to leave.

And from what I've heard, Peter Davison changed his mind at the last minute. But my that point, it was too late because they'd already signed Colin Baker as his replacement.

I gather that he wasn't happy with some of his earlier stories (such as Timeflight) which made him reluctant to cotinue but then they picked up in later series started to have a change of heart but as you say by the time it was too late and they'd already hired Colin Baker.

 

[StCoop]

http://www.bigfinish.com/news/Fourth-Doctor-Rumour-Control

and

http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-De...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268936941&sr=1-1

 

[Guy Gardener]

If he had trouble digesting Timeflight, i have no idea how he would have handled some of Collins stock of stories.

 

[Captain Pike]

So Liz Sladen, Louise Jameson & Nick Courtney have all expressed interest in working with Tom.

This is HUGE! I can't wait!

Or, as the 'boppers would say - Squee!!

 

[The Nth Doctor]

http://www.bigfinish.com/news/Fourth-Doctor-Rumour-Control

Thanks for sharing that link. Cool to hear that Sladen, Jameson, and Courtney have all expressed interest in working with Baker again. Makes me all the more excited.

http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-De...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268936941&sr=1-1

I would take that information with a HUGE grain of salt. Amazon has been notriously wrong items like this in the past.

 

[23skidoo]

I was just about to post the Big Finish link. It is notable that Big Finish stressed that if this comes together it wouldn't interfere with the BBC Audio Books work (I wonder if a phone call wasn't exchanged by some parties!). Best of all, it wasn't a denial. When I saw the headline "Rumour Control" I thought "uh-oh". It's still not a done deal, but at least it's promising.

I agree with EMH to take Amazon listings (especially for something apparently not being released until next year) with a grain of salt. That said, if Baker is indeed doing another DW audio for the BBC, that would explain the CYA (cover your a--) statement included on the Big Finish announcement...

Alex

 

[Marc]

If he had trouble digesting Timeflight, i have no idea how he would have handled some of Collins stock of stories.

Well the twin dilemma might not of been made for starters (being the first post regen story).

Also I think the stories would of been very different because we wouldn't have the angry 6th Doctor.