DVDs - GREAT EXTRAS/EASTER EGGS

[Tardis-Console]

For the first time ever this week I actually sat and listened to a commentary on a whole story. I've never done that before. I've never seen the point in listening to someone talk about the story. I'd rather just watch it for myself. I'm glad I did though. It was quite fun. I did it for the Time and the Rani DVD, which I got for Christmas. Some of the insights were funny and interesting and Bonnie (I keep wanting to call her Tyler) was very gracious and open about the stick she took for Mel. Pip and Jane Baker, however, annoyed the hell out of me. Absolutely down right refused to see anything wrong with their writing or script whatsoever and anything they did have to complain about saw them shifting the blame on to just about anyone else, but they were more than happy to take credit for anything that worked, even the CGI which I am certain they had no part in. I know writers will always want to defend their work, but these were a right pair!

I'd definitely listen to others.

[Peri-Peri]

I have to be in the mood for the commentaries and it is rare that I will listen to them more than once, but every now and then they get the panel right and it's brilliant to listen to. You should check out some of the others, too.

As for Pip and Jane Baker, I know exactly what you mean. They are the same in every interview they ever do.

[Tardis-Console]

I'm actually getting really into them now. I'm currently listening to another for Tom Bakers last story. Janet Fielding is a whiner, ain't she!

[Tardis-Console]

Actually, I think whiny is unfair. She's just really negative. She doesn't seem to like anything about anything. Tom Baker is quite funny though.

[Tardis-Console]

Also, I take back the comments about Pip and Jane. Sort of. They were annoying, but I think it's a writer thing. Chris Bidmead was equally as annoying. Tom Baker and Janet Fielding were being quite funny in the one I listened to yesterday but he kept interrupting them to talk about how funny his jokes were and stuff like that. I want the anecdotes and jokes, not self congratulatory smarminess from the writers. Insights are great, but I think perhaps the writers shouldn't be on these things.

Also, I moved on to Castrovalva (I'm getting quite addicted to the commentaries) and Peter Davison is a bit of a nob. If he hates the show so much he should stop accepting the royalties to do these voiceovers. He isn't just negative, he is often just plain rude and mean. And he seems to lead Janet Fielding astray too. It's like she has a little crush on him and the meaner he gets, the more she follows suit. I don't like him at all based on what I've heard so far. It's putting me off his Doctor, too.

[The Doc]

You know what, I'd actually agree. Peter Davison often comes off terribly in the audios and he seems to, as you say, bring JF down with him. She is a lot nicer and funnier in ones where he isn't involved. If they are ever doing ones alongside Matthew Waterhouse who played Adric they are particularly mean to and about him.

[Tardis-Console]

I really don't know what to make of her, to be honest. Sometimes she just seems so sour and then other times she seems lovely. She's funny and laughs at herself and often compliments others like Adric or whatever and points out when they have done something good but then all of a sudden she will change and lay into the tiniest of things.

I love the commentaries, but I don't look forward to more of her and PD together.

[Mr Chinn]

I love Davisons Doctor but the way that guy talks about the show on the commentaries is so unkind at times. Yes, we know that production values were low and we know that the effects are bad and some of the acting is questionable, but the way he derides it and points out every last flaw, as though he is embarrassed of his connection with it, really is disappointing. All of the other actors talk about their time as the Doctor with such fond memories but he seems to want to do nothing but mock it as though the whole thing is completely beneath him. Perhaps it isn't the job he is most proud of but it paid his bills for three years so it wouldn't hurt to show some sort of gratitude, if even only for the fans who are still lining his pockets.

[Twisted-Sister]

Davison and Fieldings commentaries are famous for their negativity. You'll begin to not even notice it before too long. Everyone complains about them and I think I even read somewhere that Davison had a telling off from some producers for always being so down about everything. A quick search on google will show you hundreds of websites and forums where people complain about them.

[Peri-Peri]

I hate to say it, because I love the Fifth Doctor so much, but I agree with what everyone is saying about his attitude on the commentaries. I try to overlook it and put it down to him having an odd humour about it all, but he's just pretty negative.