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 | Television RolesSylvester McCoy's start into show business was in stage work. However, he soon moved to television starring in several children's shows such as Vision On and TISWAS. Perhaps his most famous television appearance was as the Seventh Doctor in Doctor Who. This is why I've made a separate category just for his Doctor Who appearances. |
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TISWAS
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SYNOPSIS Today Is Saturday Watch And Smile (or Wear A Smile or other variations). This series was a British children's TV show full of sketches, songs, custard, baked beans, water, and whatever else they could dump on the adults. The series regulars are all profiled at TV Cream. But this site, as usual, will profile Sylveste McCoy. (The "r" in his name came later.)
Sporting a black t-shirt which said "Sylveste is the Real McCoy," Sylvester guested in several episodes as Professor No Ken Do, the karate expert; a werewolf; a flower; a car; and other interesting identities. Some friends of mine have suggested that he might have been the Phantom Flan Flinger, but I don't believe it for a second.
REVIEW What is it about British kid's shows? I dearly love them for their warped senses of humor. And TISWAS is probably the most warped. (Yes, even more warped than Ghoul Lashed.) So far, only one DVD has been released (containing the three compilations released on VHS earlier). And there was a 25th anniversary special which aired recently and was released. Hopefully more compilations will be released in the future.
12 files, last one added on Jul 24, 2008
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The Last Place on Earth
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SYNOPSIS In 1911 Captain R. F. Scott (Martin Shaw) of England and Captain Roald Amundsen (Sverre Anker Ousdal) of Norway raced each other to the South Pole. This 7 part miniseries was based on the biographical book of the same title (well, re-named) by Roland Huntford. During the miniseries, the viewer discovers that Scott and Amundsen were men with the same strengths and weaknesses as the rest of us. Scott is shown to be a leader who doesn't listen to the advice of his experts. While Amundsen had to actually sneak to the South Pole (his backers all thought he was returning to the North). The tragedy of the story arises when Scott and his men fail to return from the South Pole alive.
REVIEW I know what you're thinking... *Seven hours*? But honestly, the miniseries keeps moving and you can watch the whole thing in one go. (Well, I've only done it once. On a night with a particularly bad case of insomnia. And the miniseries didn't put me to sleep.) I must admit, before I watched Last Place on Earth, my whole knowledge of Captain Scott came from Monty Python. So yes, I was a little disappointed when Oates wasn't attacked by a giant electric penguin. Um, yes, as I was saying...
I was under the opinion that Captain Scott was some fabulous explorer who conquered the South Pole. What I discovered was that he was a man under a lot of stress, with a wife who had grand designs for him, and who didn't always listen to reason. I had never heard of Amundsen until I saw the miniseries, and when it was done, I had a less than positive opinion of him. But of course, the main reason I wanted to see this miniseries was for Sylvester McCoy.
Sylv plays the part of Lt. "Birdie" Bowers, an unctuous underling to Scott. It's quite apparent that Bowers was smitten with Mrs. Scott (see the first scene with him and Mrs. Scott), and it's possible he was equally smitten with Mr. Scott. McCoy does a great job in this miniseries, as does the rest of the cast. And he looks *fine* in uniform. (Alas, Bowers was one of the men in Scott's party that continues to the Pole, but doesn't make it back.)
8 files, last one added on Jul 24, 2008
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Ghoul Lashed
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SYNOPSIS When Attracta Ghoul made her first husband, Crud (Sylvester McCoy), he was hideous to look at. So she made him her Butler, instead. However, as you can tell from the wavs below, Crud is still very much in love with Attracta. Her second husband, Ivor, is dumb as a brick. And her two children, Boris and Karla, are just as Ghoulish as the rest of the family.
Ghoul Lashed was a wrap-around kids' TV series in the UK. Several shows, like The X-Men, Spiderman, and others aired between scenes with Attracta, Crud, and the rest of the Ghoul family. Then they had their own episode somewhere in the line up, Ghoulish Tales, which usually had nothing to do with the outlying story.
REVIEW McCoy hammed it up (as did the rest of the cast) as the decaying Butler. The show was silly, full of in-jokes (including the occasional Doctor Who joke), and definitely for kids. I only wish something as goofy as this series had been on American TV when I was a kid.
6 files, last one added on Jul 24, 2008
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Beyond Fear
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SYNOPSIS This is a dramatized "true life" story about Stephanie Slater (Gina McKee) who was kidnapped and raped by Michael Sams (Sylvester McCoy). Told mostly in flashbacks, the story begins with Slater's boss paying off the ransom. Then Stephanie is returned home. The rest of the story is Stephanie remembering what happened and the police doing what they can to catch Sams.
During the course of the movie, Stephanie recalls how Sams tortured her by keeping her in a box, chained, with threats of boulders dropping on her and electric shocks awaiting her. She also finds that he's killed one other person, a prostitute called Julie Dart. She shows courage in testifying against this man, and he is eventually convicted of kidnapping and murder.
REVIEW I've seen both the Channel 5 version and the extended international version (as shown on Lifetime TV). I prefer the extended version because you get to see more Sylv. Sure, he's playing this horrible man (which is hard to stomach) but it's still fun to watch him act. The movie tries to pull at your heartstrings, which can become cloying, but the flashbacks are done well. Sylv's face isn't seen until 2/3 into the movie when Stephanie gets to see him during his trial.
14 files, last one added on Jul 24, 2008
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See It Saw It
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SYNOPSIS In the village of Much Jollity on the Mirth, the King and his Jesters, See and Saw, help young viewers learn new words. Also appearing in this children's television program is Sylvester McCoy as the very, very old Lord High Chamberlain. He tries to help the King out, but usually gets things wrong.
The children watching the program live are on a giant see saw. Whenever the King shows them a video clip, they have to decide on an answer by running from one side of the see saw to the other. The sketches themselves don't star the King and his subjects, but the actors in other roles.
REVIEW Yes, this program is for children a bit younger than I am. But it was certainly fun to see McCoy in yet another interesting role. And in one of the stories, he played the part of the King's Aunt Grizelda. This is probably the funniest episode I'd seen. Just seeing Sylv playing the spoons while wearing a dress and funny glasses... Ah well, guess you had to be there.
12 files, last one added on Jul 24, 2008
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| 13 albums on 2 page(s) |
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 | Doctor WhoSERIES SYNOPSIS Since November 23, 1963, Doctor Who has been entertaining millions of television viewers. This British television series has had 10 actors play the title role on BBC TV, one actor in two theatrical movies, and another actor in an audio production. The current Doctor in the series is played by another Scotsman, David Tennant.
Sylvester McCoy played the 7th televised version of the Doctor, even segueing into number 8 during the made-for-TV movie. His companions were Melanie Bush (Bonnie Langford), a computer programmer who'd been with the 6th Doctor (Colin Baker) first, and Ace (Sophie Aldred), a teenage rebel. Although he only had 12 stories (42 episodes), McCoy was able to bring back some of the mystery of the Doctor, a time traveler from another planet.
SERIES REVIEW I honestly would have no idea who Sylvester McCoy was had I not been a Doctor Who fan and seen his era. About the time of Remembrance of the Daleks I had decided I liked his Doctor a lot. And by Ghost Light had decided he was my favorite Doctor. So I'm a bit biased in my opinion of the McCoy years. (Consider that four of his stories are in my top five favorite Doctor Who stories.) |
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Remembrance of the Daleks
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SYNOPSIS The Doctor and Ace arrive in London in November, 1963. In fact, they arrive near Coal Hill School, where the Doctor's granddaughter, Susan, attended school (also in 1963). The Doctor has arrived to finish something he was working on before he kidnapped two Coal Hill teachers during his first incarnation.
The task should have been an easy one: get rid of an artifact from Gallifrey's ancient past. Unfortunately the local military has gotten involved. And two factions of the Daleks are interested in the artifact. Can the Doctor finish his task before the Daleks destroy each other and anyone else around?
REVIEW As I mentioned in my review of the overall Doctor Who series, Remembrance was the first McCoy episode that made me sit up and take notice of this diminutive Doctor. I am no fan of the Daleks (their voices just grate for me, though the design is rather unique) but enjoyed this story nonetheless. The Special Weapons Dalek was considerably impressive and the first cliff hanger managed to put a few myths aside. It's just a shame that so much of this episode was edited out. In the 71 edit, several scenes are clarified (especially the Cafe scene, which is one of my favorite scenes in all of Whodom). For a list of .wavs taken from the 71 edits, click here. Thankfully, the DVD release has included most of the cut scenes.
10 files, last one added on Jul 23, 2008
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Ghost Light
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SYNOPSIS The Doctor has given Ace an Initiative Test. It's up to her to figure out what's going on when they arrive in the upper observatory of a creepy Victorian mansion. As they investigate the house, they discover a big game hunter who's gone mad, a Neanderthal butler, the housekeeper from Hell, and Josiah Samuel Smith, the man in charge of it all.
Is Josiah actually in Control? For that matter, what is Control? Why is everyone afraid of Light? And what did Ace actually do to the house in 100 years time? Some of these questions are actually answered in the course of the story.
REVIEW Ghost Light always wins the spot for Trina's Favorite Doctor Who story. And it probably always will. So why? I hear you asking. Let's see, Doc7 in dark jacket? Check. Creepy atmosphere? Check. Quotable dialogue? Check. Rewatchability? Check. Moving music? Check. Plenty of Sylv & Sophie interplay? Check.
I know a lot of people have complained that they just don't understand Ghost Light (members of the cast included). I'm not one of them. Sure, I didn't get it the first time, but after repeated watchings, I took something away each time. The trick is to realize that Control is the control of an experiment. During the course of the DVD extras (commentary, etc.) Andrew Cartmel and Marc Platt explain all of this. I'm quite pleased that I had it figured out years before.
10 files, last one added on Jul 23, 2008
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Curse of Fenric
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SYNOPSIS Ace and the Doctor arrive at an army base in World War II. The base is home to the Ultima Machine, a device able to decrypt coded German signals. Shortly thereafter, the base is invaded by Russians after the Ultima Machine and Vampires (er, haemavores) after a "treasure" which happens to hold Evil, who sometimes goes by the name Fenric.
In the course of the story, friends are made and betrayed, Ace discovers more about her mother than she knew, and the Doctor's past catches up with him.
REVIEW Fenric has managed to stay as my second favorite Doctor Who story for over a decade, now. (Ghost Light is my favorite.) This is despite the excellent New Adventures of Doctor Who (Virgin Publishing's book series) and the many audio adventures (some of which have been excellent). So I was thrilled when it came to DVD. Thrilled enough that I bought it before it was available in the US. (OK, so I was a bit eager.) Hey, I'll be the same way with Ghost Light. And probably The Happiness Patrol and That Circus Episode of Doctor Who (AKA The Greatest Show in the Galaxy).
The DVD boasts a "Director's Cut" which, alas, was done after the director has passed away. But Mark Ayres (my favorite of the Doctor Who composers) had the original notes and they dusted off the extended scenes, remastered the music, and put together a movie-version of the story that improves upon the already exceptional story. They include the original story as aired, for those who prefer the original. And that has an entertaining commentary by Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, and Nicholas Parsons (the vicar, Wainwright). Definitely worth getting early. :-) (OK, so it's probably worth waiting for too, but in this day and age, who wants to wait?)
7 files, last one added on Jul 23, 2008
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| 14 albums on 2 page(s) |
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 | Movie/Video RolesSylvester McCoy is not a big name in the movie biz, but he's been in his fare share of flicks and vids. By movie, I mean a production that originally aired in movie theatres. By video, I mean a direct to video production. So productions such as Beyond Fear, which was a made-for-TV-movie, I'll include on the television page. |
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Dracula
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SYNOPSIS Dr. Seward's family-run Insane Asylum has a new neighbor. Yes, it's that wacky Transylvanian, Count Dracula. Once the Count joins in Seward's circle of friends, however, chaos ensues. Mina, the daughter's best friend, is drained of blood, and Lucy, Seward's daughter, is smitten with the Count, despite the presence of her fiance. But no matter, Van Helsing is on his way to save the day! Hooray!
This is yet another retelling of the classic story of Dracula. Made in 1979, it stars Frank Langella as Dracula, Sir Lawrence Olivier as Van Helsing, Donald Pleasance as Dr. Seward, and Kate Nelligan as Lucy. And, in a bit part worthy of Sylvester McCoy is, um, Sylvester McCoy, playing the part of Walter, a butler. (Despite my best attempts at enlivening the plot, the movie is a bit of a downer.)
REVIEW Not being a great fan of vampire films, especially the Dracula ones, I watched this one solely for the eye candy (vis Sylv and Frank Langella). I do like it better than the Gary Oldman Dracula -- there are no buckets of blood being thrown about in this one. But it's not a movie I actively seek out. As you can see from the sounds, Sylv's speaking part was rather limited (yes, those are ALL of his lines from the movie) and for much of the movie you can see him as the camera pans. You'd really have to ask someone who enjoys vampire films if this movie is good or not. I'm afraid I just don't enjoy 'em enough to be a good judge.
7 files, last one added on Jul 24, 2008
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Secret Policeman's Ball
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SYNOPSIS John Cleese put together several variety shows to help raise money for Amnesty International. The first was entitled The Secret Policeman's Ball. Several famous comedians were featured in the live production (which was performed for 4 nights) including Rowan Atkinson, Peter Cook, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Eleanor Bron. They also featured musical guests like Pete Townsend. The variety shows were popular enough for Cleese to hold a few more throughout the years.
So what does this have to do with Mr. McCoy? One of the groups who performed in the original Secret Policeman's Ball was Ken Campbell and a few of his former Roadshow folks: Sylveste McCoy and David Rappaport, most notably. During the 8 minutes they are on, Sylv does the famous "Indian Shirt Trick," hammers a nail into his nose, and escapes from some Metropolitan Police handcuffs while a model train (with attached fork) is set to hurtle toward his heart.
REVIEW I first saw the 8 minutes of Roadshow when a friend showed me The Secret Policeman's Other Ball, an out of print video compilation of the first two Policeman's Balls. I enjoyed it so much, I searched high and low for a copy of the video (and found it). Later on, Amnesty International re-released a video of the original Ball with proceeds going back to the charity. I ended up buying one of those too. (Be sure to watch the entire video. The game show with Terry Jones and John Cleese is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.) There's now a multi-disc DVD set with all of the Balls available.
11 files, last one added on Jul 24, 2008
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Three Kinds of Heat
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SYNOPSIS The Paper Chase Guy (Robert Ginty) and two gorgeous Amazons are chasing after a Chinese Mob courier named Harry Pimm (Sylvester McCoy). During the course of the movie, Pimm flies between JFK airport and Heathrow several times. No one is really sure why. He fires off his Uzi during a fashion show (no one is really sure why). And he shoots Mary Tamm and Trevor Martin. (No one is really sure why.)
A more serious synopsis: Eliot Cromwell (Robert Ginty), an Interpol agent, is trying to find Black Lion's courier, Harry Pimm (Sylv). He recruits JFK airport policewoman Terry O'Shea (Victoria Barrett) to help him, mostly because she's 6' tall and beautiful. They join forces with Hong Kong policewoman Major Shan (Shakti) because she knows more about Black Lion and because she's 6' tall and beautiful. And the important question is, who is Leo Kalb?
REVIEW Just to warn you, I classify this movie as the second worst movie I've ever seen. It's so bad it's funny. And it's a shame Mystery Science Theater isn't in production any more; this would be the ideal movie for them. Still, my favorite scene is when Sylv swears at Mary Tamm and then later shoots her. A classic wav played on IRC is pim.wav (when I say, using the nick Harry_Pimm, "Harry_Pimm shoots Mary Tamm"). OK, so that's a bit sad. Then again, so is the movie.
For more sadfan info, check out Harry Pimm's togs. With his white suit and white hat, he looks remarkably like the New Adventures 7th Doctor. I find it hard to believe the 7th Doctor would gun down people with an Uzi, though.
12 files, last one added on Jul 24, 2008
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Spellbreaker, Secret of the Leprechauns
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SYNOPSIS Young Mikey Dennehy is visiting his grandfather in Ireland. While there, he and his grandfather have to help the Leprechauns who live on Fairy Hill. After all, it isn't often that the King of the Leprechauns falls in love with Nuala, Queen of the Dead.
REVIEW Once again, Patrick, Flynn, and the other Leprechauns return to the screen in this sequel to Leapin' Leprechauns. And despite its being a sequel, it's actually a very good film. King Kevin shines in this movie in particular as he falls head over heel in love and later must endure a Fairy Initiation to undo Nuala's spell. And Sylv is just as cuddly in this flick as he was in the first.
7 files, last one added on Jul 24, 2008
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The Mumbo Jumbo
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SYNOPSIS What happens when you bring together such fine British talent as Brian Blessed, Joss Ackland, Richard O'Brien, John Inman, and Sylvester McCoy? Well, if you give them a decent script, you might get a decent movie. But the world will never know...
Young Tom Doubting (Jamie Walters) is on hard times. Out of work, evicted, girlfriend gone, crappy script, the usual tale of woe. But at his direst moment, he happens upon a bum who gives him a cheap plastic heart and tells him about a beautiful missing princess (Melinda Messenger) who needs rescuing. Tom's up for the job and sets off for the far-away island of Sinmouth. While there he meets some interesting characters. The butcher, the, er major, and the, um - well we never know what Tallman's job is, but perhaps he's a candlestick maker... ;-) (There is a rub-a-dub-dub scene later in the movie which originally put this thought in my head.)
Anyway, the Mayor of the village (Ackland) has summoned The Mumbo Jumbo in hopes that he can save the missing Princess Vanilla. And when he meets Tom, he's convinced he's found the Mumbo Jumbo. So it's up to Tom to confront the mysterious Mr Bounder (Blessed), the local fertilizer manufacturer. Can Tom save the princess before he and everyone else in the village become the world's best fertilizer?
REVIEW I wanted to like this movie, I REALLY did. But it didn't try to help me do this in any way, shape, or fashion. Firstly, it wasn't very funny. Secondly, it couldn't decide whether to be a hip musical/dance movie or a Carry On-style flick. Thirdly, Sylvester McCoy looked too much like Wilfred Brimley for my liking. (Still, the bits with him and his teddy bear were precious.) Now that I've seen this movie, I have a quandary... do I think it's as bad as Three Kinds of Heat, better than it, or worse? Hmmm, this is going to be difficult. I'll get back to you folks on that.
11 files, last one added on Jul 24, 2008
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 | Audio Adventure RolesSylvester McCoy has contributed his dulcet tones to several audio-only productions. Whether he's performing the Doctor (or someone like him) in an audio play or reading a children's book, McCoy really throws himself into the aural world. |
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Doctor Who: The Audio Adventures
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SERIES SYNOPSIS Doctor Who is back, and it's about Time. Only this time he's in Audio Adventures. Big Finish, the people who dramatized the Bernice Summerfield New Adventures novels, have been granted permission to make new audio stories for Doctor Who. So far, Sylvester McCoy, Colin Baker, Peter Davison, and Paul McGann have been recreating their roles for the series. This album will focus on the Sylv adventures solely. For information about the others, go to Big Finish's Doctor Who site .
28 files, last one added on Oct 25, 2008
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 | Stage RolesSylvester McCoy has done a lot of stage work in his lifetime. So much so that I couldn't tell you them all. However, the goal of this page is to give a bit of an overview of his work as well as share a few scant pictures (and one sound). Please do not consider this list to be complete and if you know of other productions and their dates, please let me know and I'll update them. |
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Noises Off
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Feb - Jul 2003: National Tour, Aug - Oct 2003: Piccadilly Theatre, London
Review While on its national tour, I caught Noises Off in Cheltenham. Noises Off is the Michael Frayn play which celebrates farce with farce. The play Nothing On is being performed by a second-rate theatre troupe and we, the audience, see the last rehearsal and two other performances both back stage and front. Sylv's character is a former well known Shakespearean actor, Selsdon Mowbray, who was brought on as a Name, but is more interested in drinking than in acting. He's also a bit hard of hearing. Sylv is a delight to watch, and so are the rest of the cast.
1 files, last one added on Jun 12, 2008
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 | Other StuffFan art, convention photos, and other things. |
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