WE ASKED FOR YOUR QUESTIONS TO COLIN, AND YOU SURE DID COME UP WITH SOME QUESTIONS. SO HERE WE GO...
An original question? That�s a toughie.
Okay, Colin. If you could go back in time, just time not space, is there any person or event that you would like to meet or witness? And I don�t mean the obvious (like meeting Shakespeare), unless that�s really what you would do, but maybe just something that happened that in your life that you would like to relive? Or something in your family�s background that you would care to see?
Suzanne Romano
West
COLIN: Having recently been digging out information about my ancestors, I would love to go back to to the end of the 18th Century and see just what it was like being a labourer on the land as my great, great great grandfather Thomas Baker was in Lound in Suffolk in the 1790�s and it would enable me to go back a bit further too and find out about Thomas� parents and where they came from. I would like too to find out about my mother�s Irish ancestry, which is quite difficult to uncover.
Hi, here's is my question to Colin.
Q If you had your own TARDIS and could go anywhere, back in time , forward in time, where would you go and why ?
Regards Steven Routley
Tring,
Hi Colin
My question is: What or who inspired you to become an actor?
Take care.
Cheryl Thorne, Manchester UK
Hello my old friend Cheryl � thanks for the good luck card for She Stoops to Conquer!
Acting for me all started when I went to see entertainers on the beach at
I�d like to ask how it is/was like to be THE DOCTORRRRRRRR
Katie Suoja aged 15
It was fab. Like being paid to play Cowboys and Indians!!
What role, on film, television or stage, do you wish you could have
played?
Many Thanks
David Meades
I would have loved to have played Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films � there that surprised you didn�t it?
When I read the books I felt I wanted to play him. And despite the wonderful performances of Richard Harris and Michael Gambon I felt that I was more physically as I imagined him.
- What is it like knowing that after playing a television icon that your
image will be remembered? - Does being an ex Doctor carry any curses?
- What would you go back and change from your time on the program?
- If you could travel in time, what item from your childhood do you wish
you still had?
From
Scott Fitzpatrick: Sydney Australia.
1. It is very uplifting and makes me feel that whatever else my happen I have achieved something professionally that I can be proud of.
2. Not really except when it stops me being cast as something else because the director feels that I am too associated with Dr Who � which does happen sometimes.
3. Nothing except the costume. I always fancied something like Nemo wore in the Matrix.
4. My teddybear � my mother threw it away when I left home and I was appalled when I discovered that years later. I can still feel his worn fur in my mind now.
My submission for the Q&A is twofold.
1) Do you believe you'd have been a more popular Doctor if the writing during your tenure had been better thought out and more consistant as opposed to the horrid "80's Badboy" drivel they seemed to stick you with making Doctor #6 so unlikable onscreen in spite of your clear excitement for the role?
And
2) Should Russell T Davies get the stick out so to speak and do a Multi-Doctors special like David Tennant, Paul McGann and so very many fans would like, would you get into shape and dye your hair to return or would you hand off the 6th Doctor to a capable lookalike? (As had to be done from the neccessity of William Hartnel being deceased).
Side note - If they do make one, I'd lobby for that guy from Dead Ringers to play the 4th Doctor, seeing as Tom Baker while preferred is obviously too old for the role now. Something that detracted from your serial The 2 Doctors, as Mr. Troughton had visibly aged past acceptable continuity explanations.
Thank you for your time!
Penny Allen-Fife,
1. No I don�t think my popularity or lack of it was affected as much by that as it was by the point at which my tenure came in the long unfolding saga of the Doctor at the BBC. There was a complicated chain of events that combined to thwart my time and I don�t believe that I was portrayed as an 80�s �badboy�
2. Well I am not deceased but I would not expect to look like what I did 21 years ago anymore than will look like what you are now in 2028! So I am not sure �getting into shape� and dying my hair� would make a ha�porth of difference� I don�t subscribe to your relating the Doctor�s to the age at which they were last seen Who said Gallifreyans don�t age?? Didn�t you see David Tennant age in the last series? And I thought Patrick Troughton looked just fine in Two Doctors! As does Tom now.
Do you still enjoy visiting conventions and how does
Yes I always enjoy meeting the fans at Conventions wherever they are. I particularly enjoy going to
I shall be over there in February with the play I am doing.
Hi there, I�m guessing this is an obvious question that I�m sure many others have asked but I�ll ask anyway J
Question: With the rumours that Peter Davison is returning as the 5th Doctor to TV in a cameo role for Children In Need, would you consider doing the same and returning for a multi doctor story?
From: Simon G, Guernsey, Channel Islands.
Of course I would consider it. But the programme is doing quite well already without importing us old fogies. Better to leave us a happy memory!
Dear Colin,
If you had a real TARDIS and you could use it only once, where and when would you go?
Thanks!
Dan Engfer
If you could have played a part/performed in any film, play, television, radio, commercial, concert, dance, etc.... regardless of year, era, country, language, gender, age, etc.... what would it be, and of course - why?
Declan Cardone,
Gosh that�s a big question!
I suppose to have been one of the Beatles would have been truly splendid. But there again to have composed just one Beethoven Symphony � the list is endless�.
What was Colin's favorite moment on Doctor Who?
If Colin had the chance to stay the Doctor how many years would he have stayed?
What are his current thoughts on the series?
Did Colin Enjoy working on Blake's 7?
Does Colin have a myspace?
Besides himself who was his favorite Doctor?
Does Colin laugh when he sees the phrase "Seventies Porn Colin" or does he feel a little ashamed?
-
The first moment on set!
Eight years!
I think it is fantastic and that both Chris Eccleston and David Tennant are very worthy recipients of the Doctor Who baton. They were/are both really great and the scripts are out of this world ( forgive the pun!)
Yes Blakes 7 was great fun too � almost (but not quite) as much as Doctor Who.
No I don�t have a Myspace � this website is it really!!!
Pat Troughton because he had the hard job of making the first regeneration work.
Without him the rest of us would not be here!
I find 70�s Porn Colin very funny. What is there to be ashamed of? The �70�s Porn� label has been applied recently to the picture. It wasn�t actually from anything like that, you know!!
Since you have been in Doctor Who for a long time, will you maybe ever write your own Doctor Who story? I'm you've got great ideas as you are a great actor with a great personality.
Vitas Varnas,
You never know � watch this space, as they say�..
Why won�t someone employ Colin to appear in more high profile drama series on British TV or Films?
Regards
Dion Page,
Poringland
A very good question Why won�t they? I have no idea!
I shall be in
Colin,
Do you feel a large section of Dr. Who followers have no idea what character
development means? Your performance as the Doctor added something which
hadn't been seen since the beginning of the programme probably but by then
everyone seemed to regard Tom Baker as the perfect Doctor and anyone else
was an impostor! Peter was too nice, you were too loud and Sylvester was
too mysterious if you read some people on these forums who like to criticise
instead of just enjoying the series for what it was.
On a separate note, I managed to see the Thursday matinee performance of
Bedroom Farce at the Theatre Royal in
irregular theatre-goer but MacConnell's across the road does a great lunch
and I went to the show on the off-chance I may bump into you. You'll have
heard this story a million times no doubt but that episode where you were
being pulled into the quicksand is an abiding memory of my childhood and
they say its the Doctor you grew up with who's your favourite! Shame I
didn't manage to meet you but I enjoyed the show nonetheless and hopefully
you'll be back up here soon in something else.
Finally, keep the faith with Wycombe, Paul Lambert is one of my all-time
favourite Celtic players and he's going places in management!
Kind regards,
Chris McMenamin
Glasgow
Thanks Chris and I agree that enjoying the show for what it is without feeling the need to compare and analyse is a good idea!
I am glad you enjoyed Bedroom Farce � I shall be back in
Yes Paul Lambert is good news and he is working hard to get Wanderers moving slowly upwards � we are just outside the play-offs right now and I feel it in my bones that we might make promotion this year. Fingers crossed � not that I will get to see many games this season alas, as Theatres and Football Grounds tend to be open at the same time!!
Hi Colin!,
In your career you have been in many theatre productions, is there still some stage role you would like to play if given the chance?
PS;All the best in
Garry Jones, Port Talbot,
Thanks for the good wishes for
With the range of characters and material that you have crafted in your career to date, what character from a play, movie, or TV show would you like to take on as something you've always wanted to do?
John Helmer
The
I would like to create a part on TV that will stand the test of time � like John Thaw did with Morse � but I guess time is running out for me�.
Hello Colin.
My son and myself saw you on the 27th August at
Regards
Richard Harris and Steven Harris age 7 Swadlincote Derbys
Gosh that�s a good question�
I think an enemy that seemed like a friend is always scarier. One where the viewer knew that the Doctor was under threat but the Doctor didn�t and one that always managed to escape detection at the last minute � that would be quite fun.
Hi Colin. My Question....
If you had been able to continue as the Doctor on television, in which direction would you have liked your character to have developed and under what circumstances would you have liked your doctor to have eventually regenerated? Not the most original of questions I know. :-)
Mick Boulden
Wellingborough,
Northants.
Just to keep developing is enough really. So that layer by layer over a long period one got to know more about the Doctor.
And as for regeneration � well sacrificing one�s own life for the good of others always works, doesn�t it?
1. Colin: You studied as a barrister, and in the 'Sixth Doctor's Handbook' you are quoted as stating that you don't regret doing so, as it allows you the opportunity to buy and sell your own houses and sue people. My question is, have you ever actively utilized that training before? In any sort of civil court, perhaps? And also, do you find yourself being judiciously critical of TV series such as 'Law And Order' (I presume you get that across the pond LOL), or other series or films that use law-themed plots or characters?
2. Do you like, or have you even heard of, hockey (or ice hockey, I suppose some call it)? As a Canadian, it interests me to know whether my favourite incarnation of The Doctor has a favourite team or is even aware of the game?
..and finally...
3. Given that you have submitted fiction pieces to 'Doctor Who Magazine' and wrote 'Age Of Chaos', and are well versed in 'Doctor Who', do you have any inclination to submit stories for the current 'Doctor Who' TV series, or it's spinoff 'Torchwood' (or even 'Sarah Jane Adventures'?)..sorry, obligatory 'Doctor Who' question! :-)
..thanks ever so much for the opportunity to pose these questions to Colin! It's an honor to do so...!
My name is Shannon Marshall Lush, I am from and currently reside in Mt Pearl, Newfoundland, Canada!
I did once sue a theatre producer for a large sum of money he owed me and even managed to use a little known legal process to actually get the money when he failed to pay even after I got judgement against him. That was quite satisfying.
But no I don�t judge (!) TV productions as everyone knows that TV is about entertainment and doesn�t have to resemble real life so closely that it would be boring..
I am aware of ice hockey and even have a young friend (now a very successful science teacher) who played in goal for
No I haven�t submitted any story ideas but do have it in the back of my mind to write a Dr Who story one of these days�. Watch this space.
From Greg Gick,
If you were invited to another planet to explain the best of humanity's accomplishments and could only take FOUR things with you, what would they be?
Thank you,
Greg Gick
Another good question.
It would depend whether I wanted that other planet to see us how we are � or to think well of us.
If the latter, it would be something like Sibelius� 2nd Symphony, the Taj Mahal, The Works of Shakespeare and The Cistine Chapel ceiling.
If the former
Then a tabloid newspaper, a 12 year old with a Kalashnikov, a burger and chips and any street in any town in the UK on a Saturday night.
I think you take my point!!!
Hello. My name is Joseph Corallo. I'm 22 and currently reside in
Doctor and his companions. Every other Doctor has had the opportunity
to have multiple companions as once. William Hartnell, Patrick
Troughton, Jon Pertwee although having only one travelling companion
at a time had the Brigadier, Captain Yates and Sergent Benton, and
even Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann had multiple companions in the
Big Finish Audios, but for some reason in the audios the 6th Doctor
has never gotten a string of multi-companion stories. Was this done
intentionally or is this just a coincidence? Also, do you prefer only
having single companion stories or would you wish to have multiple
companion stories? Thank you very much for taking the time out of
your busy schedule to read this.
I believe that the one companion stories work very well for me.
Hi Colin
During your time as an actor you must have seen lots of different plot devices to tell a story. Is there one that really really annoys you?
(Mine is setting up a main character in a story as guilty and having to prove their own innocence)
Thanks
Kathryn Williams
Not offhand no�. But nothing about Dr Who irritates me � except the costume of course. And Paul�. No I won�t say it!
Do you still have the Monster Scarf that ate
Milsy
Tampa, Fl.
Hello Mr. Baker,
First of all thank you for your excellent Q&A in Snibston on the 27th. I have recently introduced my twin five-year-old daughters to classic Doctor Who as they are, like so many children, completely hooked on the Eccleston/Tennant years. They've grown very fond of yourself (and Ms. Bryant). So seeing you in person was a VERY big deal for them. They've been telling everyone who will listen about how they saw The Doctor ever since.
So, again, thank you.
One of my girls asked you a question on the day... ("Where did you park your TARDIS?" in fact. Your answer that you'd changed it into a car and parked it went down well, especially during the two hours they, subsequently, spent hunting for it. Eventually they spotted an antique roadster and decided that you'd changed it into Mr. Pertwee's Bessie. They went home very happy girls.)
My other daughter Hero only got up the nerve to put her hand up as time was running out, so it is on her behalf that I ask her question.
"What are YOU scared of?" Biased though I am, I thought it was a pretty good question for a five year old to ponder of her own volition.
It would mean the world to her if you answered it. I'm also hoping she'll stop glaring at her sister whenever the subject of the Q&A comes up.
Thank you, Kenton Hall
on behalf of Hero Hall, aged 5,
I am glad you enjoyed Snibston � it was a fun day. And between us my Tardis was actually disguised as a G Reg Mercedes on that day � it would have been nice if it had been a lovely old roadster like Jon Pertwee�s � maybe next time eh?
As to what I am scared of � wow � I suppose the same things as everybody else really. But I must confess that spiders I find a bit tricky. I am better at dealing with them since I had children � because you have to deal with them. But I would prefer it if spiders kept as far away from me as possible.
And I am a bit scared about global warming too � for the sake of our children.
HERO HALL WINS THE SIGNED DVD FOR COLIN'S FAVOURITE QUESTION. YOUR PRIZE WILL BE ON IT'S WAY TO YOU SHORTLY HERO !!!!
From Michael Shakesby ,
Hi Colin
My question is two parted.
What has been the best job you have had up to this point in your career? You know a job that when you were doing it you though �Yes, thing are good�.
The second part is why do you not like your Sixth Doctor custom? Its just I think its pretty cool.
Thanks
I think Doctor Who is the job that fits the description perfectly, Michael.
And the reason I didn�t care for the costume is that if I were someone who wanted to pass unnoticed in strange environments in order to achieve my objectives, I would probably opt to dress in something a little less eye-catching. Can you imagine James Bond getting very far if he had had to wear clothes like that?
My name is Richard Hewett and I live in
My question for Colin is as follows:
I was interested to read in your latest blog about the actor's recurring
worry that each job will be their last. I'd like to know, if you were armed
with the foreknowledge that your next performance would definitively be your
last (let's say for argument's sake that you'd announced your retirement and
were open to offers; I don't want to get too morbid!), what text and role
would you choose for your swansong? And which medium would it be: theatre,
TV or film? I won't ask about casting, but if there's anyone you'd
specifically like to work with please feel free to give them a mention!
If this question is too ambitious, I'll pose another:
Did you ever get to work with Mike Pratt while on 'The Brothers', and if so
how did you find him as an actor? I'm always impressed by his performance in
'Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)', but you don't often hear much said about
him outside of the show.
All the best
Richard Hewett
Oh goodness what a question � your last job, Colin � sounds ominous doesn�t it.
It would be a TV series with a thousand episodes in it � well maybe a hundred � let�s not be too ambitious.
And yes I did get to work with Mike Pratt � he was a lovely chap � very laid back, a very good actor indeed � he died while we were making the Brothers � of lung cancer and sent us all a message to give up smoking. I did and I owe that to him. I am sure (as I have asthma now) that if I hadn�t given up thirty years ago, my lungs would be in a terrible state now.
I recently watched the BBV video 'The Airzone Solution', and, as a Doctor Who fan, the thing I found more unsettling than the plot was the bedroom scenes between yourself and Nicola Bryant (the Doctor and Peri 'get it on'). What were these scenes like to film?
Alistair Lawrence.
I will leave that to your imagination Alistair. It was a little strange. I seem to remember we laughed a lot.
From Jeffrey Lyons,
With 20/20 hindsight, do you regret not taking the BBC up on its offer to come back for a regeneration episode after you learned you were to be terminated?
Thanks for considering this question as part of the "Ask Colin Anything" program.
P.S., I always felt you got shafted.
No never regretted it. And thanks for the sympathy.
Hi
Great website, here are some questions you could put to Colin Baker:
-If you were the producer of Doctor Who today, who would you cast in the
lead role and what type of stories and direction would you like the series
to take?
-Is it true that you've fiction work published under a pen name? Can you
give any details of the type of work?
-John-Nathan Turner has received a great deal of criticism recently did
anybody from the cast and crew not question his decisions during the time he
worked on Doctor Who?
-What advice would you give to anyone entering the acting profession?
-Who has been the most difficult actor/actress you have worked with and why?
-Which actors/actresses do you admire the most?
Good to see that Colin has a website reflecting the affection fans have for
him.
Cheers
Paul Pickford,
Blimey what a lot of questions�.
I think they�ve done a very good job of casting and storylining without my help.
Yes � short stories. And the nom de plume must remain for the time being.
I thought JNT was great and the criticism mainly came from jealous fans.
Be passionate about it � or you won�t last five years.
Pass
Glad you like the website.
my questions:
Which Doctor Who story/episode (either classic or new series) in which
you did no play the Doctor, do you wish you could do or have done as the
Doctor? And is there anything you would have changed in that episode to
better fit your character? also
Since you are a new MacBook owner (as am I) are you finding the
mis-labeled "delete" key (which is actually a PC backspace) annoying?
The pressing of fn+delete to get the "delete" I'm accustom to is quite
annoying!
my name & addy is:
Derek Stevens
P.S. - tell Colin that he rocks and needs to get a guest role in the new
series!!!
I would have loved to have had a story like the World War 2 one done by Christopher Ecclestone (�Are you my Mummy?� � which I thought was quite simply superb.) No change required.
And yes the lack of the delete key on the macbook has frustrated me too. And thank you for letting me know about fn and delete � I didn�t know that and am grateful to you!
Otherwise I love it though.
Hi Colin. As someone who has had a successful career in TV and Theatre what advice would you give to struggling out of work actors like myself
Paul Clarke
Keep struggling! And if you believe in yourself � someone else might too.
Hi Colin,
I would like to ask you if you liked playing the Doctor in an inaccessible
moody way or whether you would have liked to have played the part
differently? I do enjoy the way you played the Doctor moody and how it was a
nice contrast for the sixth Doctor to the other Doctors.
Thanks,
Mark
Toronto
I played it the way I wanted to and would have relished the opportunity to develop the role further.
Hi,
I'd like to ask Colin :
Many of your fans love the "new interpretation" of your Doctor in the
Big Finish stories. Is this how you envisaged your Doctor mellowing
when on TV, and how would you like the character to develop in future?
Russ Hodges
Yes that�s pretty much how I had hoped it might have developed.. And I hope it continues to change and develop.
I know you're working, but might you be able to squeeze a convention in this year? Say, the weekend of November 23rd in
You're the only Doctor I've not met, aside from the Other Baker, but I don't get to
avidly and ever a fan,
MATTHEW TURNER
I have been invited to
Hello Colin Baker Online!
I think this Q&A is a fantastic idea and I thank you
for the opportunity.
Here is my question for Mr. Baker:
Do you have a certain method you use when approaching
a character? (and if so, what) Or do you change
tactics with each new role?
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Laura Hill
It�s the magic of �What if� � what would I do/say if I was that person in that situation etc etc.
But basically it�s all about learning the lines and not bumping into the Daleks.
Hi, here is my question for the great Colin Baker:
There has been a lot of discussion about the challenges Doctor Who faced during your tenure as the Doctor, could you give us your thoughts on 5 things that you would change about the show during this time if you had the power to go back and do so? By the way, I really like your coat so I hope that is not something you would change but everything is game!
Thanks,
Jeremy
PS Unlikely or not I will always hold out hope that you will get a chance to return to the screen in the role of the Doctor for at least one last episode, perhaps a proper story leading up to your regeneration?
I would change the length of the two series I completed to 52 episodes each.
I would have changed the costume to a nice black leather floor length coat.
I would have done the missing season � Nightmare fair etc.
I would have persuaded Nicola not to run off with King Yrcanos but to stay with me a bit longer.
And I would have met up with Leela too.
Hello!
My name is Margo, I live in
My question is, what do you think about
Personally, I like New Series - but Old School is so much better!
With best wishes, Margo
I think both old and new Who have their place and are/were right for the time in which they are/were made.
How come, and this happened with Peter Davison also, during your regeneration scene you had, I assume your natural color?, brown hair and then in all the other serials you had blond hair?
Robin Frankel,
That was John Nathan Turner and the make up designer�s �s decision that I should have blond highlights. I thought that it was quite fun to do it too.
But I did not have a perm as some people think. The curl was my own. I wish I had it now!!!
Good Morning,
I am from King,
Thanks Rodney Walls
And I may be over in some cities before then in the summer � watch this website for news.
hi colin
im andrew smith from
the question ive wanted to ask you is a very serious one.
its about how u feel about the disease called depression?
ive been depressed ever since my mother died from cancer when i was 17 and i
just feel that it needs to be brought out in the open a bit because
depression either seems to have people denying that its a big problem or
people thinking that people who are depressed are some sort of troublemakers
when really all that people with depression need is a bit of compassion and
empathy. i think thats really all the world needs in this age of terrorism
and worry about global warming.
I know that dr who has really helped me in my times of depression so id like
to take this opportunity thank you for what you have done for the programme.
Tho i do love dr who im not really writing this for the dvd but if you could
just read this e-mail and talk about depression in your blog then that would
be really nice.
thank you
andrew smith
Hello Andrew � Iam so sorry to hear about your depression and can understand why you feel this way given the sad loss of your mother at such a young age.
People who deny that depression is an illness are just stupid. It is a very common illness and can be very crippling to those who suffer from it. I know a lot of people who have suffered from depression at different times in their loves. The majority have responded to treatment and help and are now functioning well.
I am glad that Doctor Who has helped you in its way � but would recommend most strongly that you get medical help and ignore the ill informed idiots who think you are a trouble maker.
I wish you well.