Several new images of Ncuti Gatwa from the upcoming series of Doctor Who have been released by the BBC this week. And, jolly tasty they are too. The Rwandan-Scottish actor is shown alongside co-star Millie Gibson, who will be playing The Doctor's companion, Ruby Sunday in the new series. Transported back to the 1960s, Ncuti is sporting a double-breasted pinstripe suit, Zapata moustache, dangerously pointy sideburns and a spankin' groovy afro. The whole thing has a very Last Night In Soho-type effortlessly cool vibe goin' for it. Which is, as dear blog readers will hopefully agree, absolutely fine and marvellous with all of us here at From The North.
Doctor Who, of course, returns to our screens in November with three episodes starring National Heartthrob David Tennant to coincide with the BBC's popular, long-running family SF drama's sixtieth anniversary. The Beeb has confirmed that Ncuti will then take over as The Doctor during an episode to be broadcast over the 2023 festive season (possibly on Christmas Day itself although that has yet to be confirmed). He will then return in early 2024 for an eight episode series. You knew all of that, yes? Okay, well, in that case this blogger is merely reiterating the point. Glad we got that sorted.
Filming on Ncuti's first series continues apace in both that there Welsh Wales and also, across the Severn Bridge, in Bristol with several media organs posting a number of on-location images of the latest filming block. Take, the Daily Scum Mail for instance. And Wales Online. And Bristol Live. And the Radio Times (which used to be written by adults). A number of these articles - and other online sources - have claimed that the specific episode being filmed at that time was Ncuti's debut although that, too, has yet to be confirmed by anyone from the production itself. Anyway, here are a couple of the latest images featuring Ncuti both in and out of his extremely snazzy tan leather coat.
Also released this very week were a couple of images of Jinkx Morrison news of whose casting was covered here on From The North recently. Described as 'a major character' and 'The Doctor's most powerful enemy yet' there has been somewhat inevitable fan speculation that Jinkx will either be playing the latest regeneration of The Master or the latest regeneration of The Rani. Or some sort of gestalt entity melding the two. Once again, however, no one that actually matters has confirmed or denied any of this. It's also worth pointing out - in an entirely justified guffawing way - that the article on What's On Disney Plus which revealed the new images, managed to misspell Jinkx's name (twice) and to list several of the guest stars for the next series, with the claim that 'Kate Lethbridge-Stewart' would be one of them. Rather than Jemma Redgrave, the actress who plays that particular character and has done, semi-regularly, for around a decade. Roger Palmer, the author of this seminal work of outstanding journalistic brilliance has, apparently, 'been a Disney fan since he was a kid.' But, a careful fact-checker? Not so much, seemingly.
As mentioned in the last From The North bloggerisationism update, the news of Jinkx's casting was greeted by some of the more, how shall we put this, scummish end of Doctor Who fandom with the sort of comments you really want to cross the road to avoid. A week on and the release of this week's batch of images of Ncuti and Millie has also brought out exactly the kind of sour-faced, rancid, puddle of phlegm you'd expect from 'those sort of people.' The - clearly racist - suggestion, for example, that because he's wearing a suit, Ncuti is 'dressed like a pimp.' Yes, dear blog reader, it is 2023 and, sadly, there are still people, recently released back into the community and with nothing between their ears except diarrhoea, who hold such utterly repulsive views. This blogger's own favourite negative reaction to the newly released images, however, was from one (obviously sane) woman on Facebook who, if we are to take her word for it, had not previously been aware of either Ncuti or Millie's casting (well, it's not as if either story had been in the news, or anything). She suggested, however, that on the strength of the one photograph she had seen, the pair had, clearly, been miscast since their body language - and the fact that neither was smiling - suggested they couldn't stand each other. Some Facebook fiends did point out to this lady (who, just to repeat, is clearly not mental, or anything) that, the pair had, in fact, been photographed together previously several times and they both look happy enough on those occasions. This blogger, just to be contrary, suggested that, since she appears to have such a unique ability to suss tension between actors at a glance, she ought to apply to the BBC for a job. Because, apparently, their own casting department are getting their money for nowt.
Murray Gold originally joined Doctor Who when Big Rusty first revived the show in 2005, going on to compose the popular, long-running family SF drama's soundtrack for over twelve years. He has, as a consequence, scored some of the most iconic moments in Doctor Who's history. From revamping the theme tune, to creating the music for the Dalek and the Cybermen to name but two, Murray has been widely celebrated for his role in forging a new musical identity for Doctor Who. And now, in keeping with Big Rusty's 'I'm getting the band back together' ethic, Murray, too, is back on board. He will, once again, work with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with his musical scores appearing when Doctor Who returns to our TV screens in November. Murray said: 'I'm so happy to be invited back for another joyful ride in the TARDIS. I didn't think twice. Working with Russell and his team is just a pleasure.' Plus, the money's good.
On Saturday evening the BBC broadcast a new - brief - teaser trailer for the Doctor Who sixtieth anniversary three-parter between the latest episodes of The Weakest Link and Blankety Blank. If you couldn't make head nor tail of what that was all about, don't worry, you're not alone, it would appear. But, the good old reliable Doctor Who TV website has an in-depth piece on the trailer offering a few possible clues.
Also this week, National Heartthrob David Tennant - ostensibly in-character as The Doctor, but sounding far more Scottish than he's supposed to - has been promoting a new fan art competition organised jointly by the Doctor Who production team and Blue Peter. Be aware, however, that you need to be aged between five and fifteen to take part. So, that's this blogger out for a kick off. Although, to be fair, he already has a Blue Peter badge. Or, he had one which he won in 1973 in an essay-writing competition but then, somewhere down the years, he only went and lost it. He has still got his 1973 Cycling Proficiency badge, dear blog reader. Will that do instead?
From The North favourite Karen Gillan believes that Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson will 'inject a new lease of life' into Doctor Who. Speaking ('exclusively', no less) to someone of absolutely no importance at the Radio Times (which used to be written by adults), Kazza said: 'My first reaction to both of them being cast was excitement. I feel like they're going to inject a whole new lease of life - like it really got my attention. When I saw both of them, I was like, "Okay, I'm ready to jump into this now."' She added: 'It's just exciting and it's new and [Ncuti's] clearly brilliant because I've seen him in other things. So I think it's a really good piece of casting.' And, this constitutes news, apparently. At least, it does at the Radio Times (which used to be written by adults).
There's quite a thoughtful and well-written article by the Screen Rant website's Mark Donaldson, Doctor Who's New Sixties Setting Continues A Theme Of RTD's Return which this blogger believes is worth a few moments of your time, dear blog reader. Check it out, here.
On the other hand, there's The Best & Worst Doctor Who Fashion - Ranked! by some Middle Class hippy Communist at the Gruniad Morning Star which, to be frank, you may wish to avoid. And not just because this odious numbskull believes Colin Baker's abomination of a costume (one that even Baker himself thought was hideous) is listed in the top five. Never trust a hippy, dear blog reader, that way lies madness.
In his latest Letter From the Showrunner column in Doctor Who Magazine, Russell Davies revealed: '... sometimes little surprises happen, way beyond anything we could predict. The other day, someone in Star Trek: Picard suddenly said one of our episode titles out loud! Okay, that's hardly surprising in a show where someone's always saying "This could be ... The End of the Galaxy!' But it was odder than that!'
Concerning the recently-broadcast finale of Star Trek: Picard, dear blog readers. This blogger, somewhat inevitably, thought it was great. Furthermore, if that surprise final scene wasn't a back-door pilot for Discovery's franchise replacement series sometime next year, yer actual Keith Telly Topping will be shocked and, indeed, stunned. Very stunned.
Speaking of being shocked (and stunned), how come this blogger never knew there was actually such a thing as a Rutles tribute band? Definitely a case of someone grabbing the wrong end of the stick and beating about the bush with it. They're also, obviously, significantly bigger than Rod.
Meanwhile, in what is rapidly becoming an annual (belated) tradition, yer actual Keith Telly Topping hopes that all of From The North's dear blog readers enjoyed a jolly happy St George's Day on 23 April. And, an exceedingly happy St Ringo's Day on 24 April.
Former BBC chairman Richard Sharp has extremely resigned after being found to have broken rules over his dealings with now extremely former Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of his appointment. A report found that Sharp 'created the appearance of a conflict of interest' by not fully disclosing his knowledge of the ex-PM's personal finances. His position was scrutinised after it emerged he tried to secure a high-level government meeting for a businessman offering Johnson financial help. Sharp defended his conduct but claimed that he 'did not want to be a distraction' and tha as the only reason he was resigning. One or two people even believed him. A critical report led by barrister Adam Heppinstall was published on Friday, after months of speculation about Sharp's position and a row about BBC independence. The probe was set up after reports in The Sunday Times revealed Sharp, a 'close associate' of Johnson, had 'played some role' in the PM's personal finances at the same time as he was seeking to secure the senior BBC job. In late 2020, Sharp sought to arrange a meeting between Cabinet Secretary Simon Case and Sam Blyth, a distant cousin of Johnson who had offered to support the PM financially, after reading press claims that Bashing Boris was 'struggling to make ends meet.' Much like many people in the country who don't have a Prime Minister's salary or, indeed, a distant cousin with a charitable nature and deep pockets.
Sharp, an ex-investment banker and Conservative Party donor, had already applied for the senior BBC job when he approached Case and was appointed to the job a few months later. The report found Sharp had 'failed to disclose' two potential perceived conflicts of interest: first, by telling Johnson he wanted to apply for the BBC role before doing so and, secondly, by telling the PM he intended to set up a meeting between Case, the country's most senior civil servant and Blyth. It notes that Sharp 'does not accept' the first conclusion, but he has apologised for the second, though described it as 'inadvertent and not material.' The report found 'there is a risk of a perception that Mister Sharp was recommended for appointment' because he sought to assist the PM in a private financial matter 'and/or that he influenced the former Prime Minister to recommend him by informing him of his application before he submitted it.' It described his involvement in Johnson's private financial affairs as 'very limited' but concluded that it should have been declared anyway - even though the meeting between Case and Blyth did not subsequently take place. The report did not make a judgement 'on whether Mister Sharp had any intention of seeking to influence the former Prime Minister in this manner.' Sharp has previously insisted he believed 'flagging' his BBC application with Case and agreeing to have no further involvement in any loan discussions 'resolved' any conflict of interest issues and, therefore, they did not need to be further disclosed - but the report disagreed with his position. He said he did not play 'any part whatsoever in the facilitation, arrangement, or financing of a loan for the former Prime Minister' but that he was quitting in order to 'prioritise the interests of the BBC.' No one with so much as an ounce of credulity in their body believed that. Sharp conceded that 'with hindsight' he should have disclosed his role in setting up a meeting between Case and Blyth to the appointments panel during the scrutiny process ahead of him taking up the senior role and he apologised for the 'oversight.' The report also called for an overhaul of the rules around public appointments and criticised the leaking of ministers' preferred candidates for senior jobs to the media - pointing out there were reports about Sharp being tipped for the BBC role in newspapers before the process was completed. Sharp's position came under further scrutiny in March following Gary Lineker's suspension over a tweet criticising the government's asylum policy, a decision which triggered a wider row about BBC impartiality. Critics of the BBC's handling of the issue contrasted Lineker's suspension with how allegations against Sharp were dealt with, pointing out the chairman was able to remain in post despite ongoing investigations. Lineker tweeted on Friday that the BBC chair should 'not be selected by the government of the day. Not now, not ever.' The BBC chair can only be appointed or sacked by the government. The BBC Director General, the executive who has ultimate editorial control over the corporation, does not have the power to remove them. Responding to the resignation, the BBC's former controller of editorial policy, Richard Ayre, said the matter came down to 'he integrity and transparency' of Sharp's application and that he 'had to go.' He continued: 'Meaningfully or not he had done a favour [for Johnson]. He didn't declare that to the assessment panel.' Tim Davie, the Director-General of the BBC and a spineless Tory apologist of the worst kind, said Sharp had made 'a significant contribution to the transformation and success of the BBC.' No one believed that either. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claimed he has 'not seen' the report into Sharp and did not guarantee a non-political figure would replace him. Speaking to reporters in Glasgow, Sunak said: 'There's an appointments process that happens for those appointments. I'm not going to prejudge that.' Labour's shadow lack of culture secretary Lucy Powell said: 'The Prime Minister should have sacked him weeks ago. Instead it took this investigation, called by Labour, to make him resign.' Sharp will remain in post until a successor is appointed in June.
And on that bombshell, dear blog readers let us move on swiftly to that popular semi-regular From The North feature, Magnificently Daft Lines From Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). Number Thirty Two: The Replacement.
Magnificently Daft Lines From Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). Number Thirty Three: Life Serial.
Magnificently Daft Lines From Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). Number Thirty Four: Storyteller.
Magnificently Daft Lines From Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). Number Thirty Five: I, Robot ... You Jane.
Magnificently Daft Lines From Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). Number Thirty Six: Lie To Me.
Magnificently Daft Lines From Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). Number Thirty Seven: The Yoko Factor.
Magnificently Daft Lines From Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). Number Thirty Eight: The Prom.
Magnificently Daft Lines From Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). Number Thirty Nine: Listening To Fear.
Magnificently Daft Lines From Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). Number Forty: Gone.
Magnificently Daft Lines From Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). Number Forty One: Sleeper.
Magnificently Daft Lines From Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003). Number Forty Two: Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight.
Amongst the various celluloid treats viewed on The Stately Telly Topping Manor Plague House widescreen tellybox this week was ...
As you will be aware, dear blog reader, via Keith Telly Topping's essays on British post-war B-movies, The Corpse, The Yellow Teddy Bears, Saturday Night Out and The Black Torment, The Pleasure Girls, Hell Is A City, Cup Fever, Face Of A Stranger and Yield To The Night, Hell Drivers, The Day The Earth Caught Fire and Game For Three Losers, Hammer Films, Blood Of The Vampire and Good-Time Girl, Beat Girl, The Earth Dies Screaming, Radio-Cab Murder, Seven Days Till Noon, Murder In Reverse, The Gelignite Gang, Dead Man's Chest, Danger By My Side, Night Of The Prowler, Impact, Smokescreen, Girl In The Headlines and The Narrowing Circle, From The North has sometimes seemed more like a film blog which, sometimes, discusses TV. Rather than the other way around which is, in theory, this blog's raison d'être. C'est la vie, chers lecteurs du blog. And, there still seems no reason to stop such movie-related malarkey any time soon.
One of this blogger's most favourite movies of all ever, Local Hero, is about to celebrate its fortieth anniversary (dear God, where have the last forty years gone?) And, it is the subject of a really rather splendid piece on the BBC News website by Ben Phillips which you can have a right good gander at, here. Highly recommended, dear blog reader. As, indeed, is the movie itself although Keith Telly Topping is pretty certain the vast majority of From The North's clearly discerning dear blog readers will have already seen Bill Forsyth's charming piece of Frank-Capra-goes-Scottish.
And, if you haven't, what's been keeping you, it's been out for forty years?
Now, dear blog reader, after quite literally minutes of careful consideration, this blogger has come to the conclusion that the current Rustlers Burgers' Red Riding Hood advert is the greatest thing that this blogger has ever seen. Bar none. Mind you, this blogger did only get about three hours of fitful sleep the previous night so it's just about possible this could be the fatigue talking.
Which brings us with the sad inevitability of the sadly inevitable to that part of From The North dedicated to this blogger's on-going medical malarkey. Or, strictly speaking, malarkeys as there are several of them. For those dear blog readers who haven't been following this on-going fiasco which appears to have been on-going longer than the building of the Great Pyramid of Giza, it goes like this: Keith Telly Topping spent some weeks around Christmas 2021 into New Year 2022 feeling rotten; experienced five days in hospital; was discharged; received B12 injections; then more injections; somewhat recovered his missing appetite; got an initial diagnosis; had a consultant's meeting; continued to suffer fatigue and insomnia; endured a second endoscopy; had another consultation; got (unrelated) toothache; had an extraction; which took ages to heal; had another consultation; spent a week where nothing remotely health-related occurred; was given further B-12 injections; had an echocardiogram; received more blood extractions; made another hospital visit; saw the insomnia and torpor continue; received yet more blood tests; had a rearranged appointment for his sick note; suffered his worst period yet with the fatigue. Until the following week. And, then the week after that. Oh, the fatigue, dear blog reader. The depressing, ceaseless fatigue. He had a go on the Blood-Letting Machine; got another sickie; had an assessment; was given his fourth COVID jab; got some surprising news about his assessment; had the results of his annual diabetes check-up; had another really bad week with the fatigue; followed by one with the sciatica; then one with the chronic insomnia; and, one with a plethora of general cold-related grottiness. Which continued over the Christmas period and into New Year. There was that 'slipping in The Stately Telly Topping Manor Plague House bath and putting his knee through the side' thing; the night-time leg cramps; getting some new spectacles and this blogger's return to the East End pool after over a year of constant inactivity. Only to discover that he is, currently, as weak of a kitten when in water. Or, indeed, when out of it.
To somewhat prove the latter point, this 'at death's door' selfie - taken in Morrisons café on Tuesday whilst this blogger was enjoying a much-needed cuppa - may be one of the few occasions in life where the phrase 'tired and emotional' actually means just that. Rather than, you know, drunk.
Nevertheless, later in the week, this blogger did manage to make one of his - increasingly rare - social engagements, meeting up with his most excellent fiend Young Malcolm for some relaxing and convivial chatter about what we're both watching on Talking Pictures TV these days. Between courses, obviously.
Because, after a lovely bowl of chicken and sweetcorn soup with prawn crackers, you really need a few minutes discussing Danger UXB, Justice, The Main Chance and Crown Court.
Then, after the sesame prawn toast and/or Cantonese ribs and before the main course arrives, you desperately need a discussion on the relative merits of Scotland Yard, Dial 999, Gideon's Way, The Four Just Men and The Saint. It's The Law, dear blog reader. Literally. And you can, of course, be certain that both this blogger and Young Malcolm really deserved this.
This blogger's general disposition was also, somewhat, improved by a trio of fine victories achieved by his beloved (and now, thankfully, sold) Magpies in the Premiership. Firstly a highly entertaining six-one thrashing of The Stottingtot Hotshots which included Th' Bonny Toon being five-nil up at St James' Park after but twenty minutes. All of which malarkey produced, shall we call it an 'emotional' reaction from several rather vocal Spurs vodcaters. Do not watch the latter, dear blog reader, if you are either a) easily offended by strong language or b) if you have a mouthful of a tasty beverage of your choice and you don't want to spit it all over your laptop. Swear down, blud.
Then four days later, on Thursday, there was an equally emphatic four-one win for the black and whites at Goodison Park. In which the relegation-haunted Toffees got munched somewhat. Needless to say, Blues TV was aptly named that particular evening.
On Sunday, United recorded their third win of the week, coming from behind to beat relegation-haunted Southampton three-one at Gallowgate. Callum Wilson scored twice to take his goal tally for the season to fifteen.
So why, you may be wondering, are The Magpies playing so well of late? This blogger certainly is (being a lifelong United fan and, therefore, both used to and expecting severe disappointment on a regular basis). FourFourTwo's Adam Cleary offers a couple of rather compelling arguments for just why Steady Eddie Howe and his team are proving to be a surprise package in the Premiership this season in two fine videos. Which you can check out here and here. Yeah. What he said.
Still on the subject of yer actual fitba, Jeff Stelling has announced he will leave Sky Sports' flagship Soccer Saturday next month. Again. Jeff has hosted the programme for more than twenty five years and, initially, said that he would step down at the end of last season, only to go on for another year. The sixty eight-year-old's final show will be on Sunday 28 May - the last day of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign. 'He will be sorely missed,' said Sky Sports director of football Gary Hughes. 'Jeff has been synonymous with Saturday afternoon football for decades, exciting and enthusing football fans everywhere. His unique broadcasting ability and passion for the game has made Soccer Saturday an unmissable fixture for fans and has won him a multitude of awards.' Stelling, who revealed his decision to step aside live on-air during Saturday's programme, is leaving the Sky company as well as the show. 'It is groundhog day, it is that time of the year, every year, where I announce I am leaving Sky Sports and Soccer Saturday,' he said bvfore geting a round of applause from his Soccer Saturday colleagues Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Kris Boyd, Michael Dawson and Sue Smith.
And now, dear blog reader, a new semi-regular From The North feature, Things That Keith Telly Topping Had Forgotten But Then Remembered As Part Of A Bid To Stave Off The Onset Of Dementia. Number One: The name of Hot Shot Hamish's pet sheep was ... McMutton.
Here are two of this blogger's favourite moments from Tune-In (which he is currently re-reading for about the eighth time) by miles (well, by Lewisohn, actually, but you know what this blogger means, dear blog reader). Firstly, a minor footnote to Britain's popular beat combo scene beyond the Greater Merseyside area in late 1961 which, out of nowhere, becomes an 'if you know what you're looking at this will be the 1960s' essay.
And, secondly, a minor squabble in the letters page of a popular music weekly between a well-known TV director, record producer and music aficionado and an, as-yet unknown, purist from Cheltenham. Which demonstrates a, necessary, example of how snobbery will get you somewhere. But, it'll get the non-purist there quite a bit quicker!
Aprpo nothing-in-particular other than the fact that it cropped up in the discussion that this blogger and his fiend Mick The Mod were having in Pizza Express last Friday (you had to be there), here is the greatest photo ever to grace the cover of a British rock and/or roll music weekly. August 1980. This blogger believes it was the Melody Maker (and not the NME as Keith Telly Topping had long thought). This blogger was also shocked - and stunned - to discover that it wasn't taken by Pennie Smith as he'd always assumed but, rather, by the very excellent Michael Putland.
Back Row: Siouxsie Sioux, Viv Albertine, Debbie Harry. Front Row: Pauline Black, the late and much-missed Poly Styrene and Chrissie Hynde. Heroines, all.
This blogger recently received the following e-mail from Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: 'To celebrate the King's Coronation and long weekend, we're introducing a fresh new twist on these classic British desserts for King Charles III. The limited edition Coronation Dozen includes the exclusive new flavours: King's Trifle, Berry Bakewell and Lemon Shortbread.' Because, nothing says celebrate the coronation like ... diabetes, clearly.
Meanwhile, dear blog reader, the Sunday Sport (so, not a real newspaper) came up with its own trademark unique angle on next week's coronation.
There's also, of course, Tesco Shopper Spots Princess Diana's Face In A Sliced Ham. Although, to be honest, the most remarkable thing about that particular story was that it appeared in the Manchester Evening News and not the Daily Scum Express.
Which brings us, nicely, to the From The North Headline of The Week award. The nominations for which are: the BBC News website (which used to be run by adults) for Sperm Donor Who Fathered Five Hundred & Fifty Children Ordered To Stop. The man should be given a knighthood. Although, whether he'd wear it is a different matter entirely.
Fair play to the Daily Torygraph, let it be noted, for having a right good go with this beauty.
The Taiwan News are also to be congratulated for alerting us to Rage Against The Machine: Chinese Woman Beats Hospital Robot With 'Golden Cudgel'. When the inevitable rise of the machines occurs, dear blog reader, this will be Exhibit A in the first war crimes tribunal.
Not forgetting the Brighton Argus's Shock As People Attacked With Fruit In Hastings & Eastbourne. The phantom fruit flinger has, apparently, thrown tomatoes and other fruit towards at least seven people. 'Two communities plagued by a fruit throwing trouble-maker have spoken of their shock as the random attacks continue.' That Rene Magritte has a lot to answer for.
Finally, last Friday was the tenth anniversary of the death of this blogger's late mother. The following day was the thirty second anniversary of the death of Keith Telly Topping's late father. This blogger, of course, misses them both every single day. So, as you can probably appreciate dear blog readers, each year this particular weekend has a somewhat melancholy quality to it. Hence the shortness of this latest bloggerisationisms update. Normal From The North service will be resumed. Eventually. (Extra special thanks to Keith Armstrong for providing the colourised photo.)
