Ed Bishop and Michael Billington R.I.P.

>
> Hi All,
>
> Today would have been Ed Bishop's 81st birthday... So much time has gone by since UFO was made, and yet to me the show looks just as mesmerizing, fresh and thought-provoking and as it was the first time I saw it as a very young kid.
>
> Whilst on that note, I find it even harder to believe that eight years have gone by since Ed Bishop and Michael Billington passed away - June 8th and June 6th respectively - back in 2005.
>
> Of course we also lost Gerry last Christmas (Boxing Day)...
>
> All have now gone, but will never be forgotten. For me, UFO was their finest work, and I feel very grateful and privileged to have had the chance to have met and shared some time with them.
>
> Although the initial tone of this missive may sound sad, I know that UFO and all the other GA series really have inspired whole generations of people such as myself, and I was so very happy - and in some way relived - to see my five year niece and nephew 'glued' to the TV and later their tablets watching Gerry Anderson shows with the same eagerness and concentration that I must have shown back in the late sixties... As long as this infectious enthusiasm continues Ed, Michael, Gerry et al will always be remembered.
>
> Best regards to all,
>
> Griff
>

> Thanks Griff. I find that idea of Ed being 81 hard to imagine.
>
> You always talk very personally of how important Gerry and his shows were to you and I appreciate your thoughts. Even now at the grand old age of almost 51, UFO remains right up there for me. And I'm not a particularly avid SciFi fan, but UFO's been part of my life in various ways since I was 9 or 10 and no other show has been woven through my life the same way.
>
> Here's to all the cast and crew of UFO who are no longer with us.
>
> BW
>
> David
>
> --- In [hidden email], "griffwason" <griff@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi All,
> >
> > Today would have been Ed Bishop's 81st birthday... So much time has gone by since UFO was made, and yet to me the show looks just as mesmerizing, fresh and thought-provoking and as it was the first time I saw it as a very young kid.
> >
> > Whilst on that note, I find it even harder to believe that eight years have gone by since Ed Bishop and Michael Billington passed away - June 8th and June 6th respectively - back in 2005.
> >
> > Of course we also lost Gerry last Christmas (Boxing Day)...
> >
> > All have now gone, but will never be forgotten. For me, UFO was their finest work, and I feel very grateful and privileged to have had the chance to have met and shared some time with them.
> >
> > Although the initial tone of this missive may sound sad, I know that UFO and all the other GA series really have inspired whole generations of people such as myself, and I was so very happy - and in some way relived - to see my five year niece and nephew 'glued' to the TV and later their tablets watching Gerry Anderson shows with the same eagerness and concentration that I must have shown back in the late sixties... As long as this infectious enthusiasm continues Ed, Michael, Gerry et al will always be remembered.
> >
> > Best regards to all,
> >
> > Griff
> >
>
>

>
>
> I am from England and now 44. One of my earliest memories is watching UFO when it must have been originally transmitted as I was very young and did not understand. The images were embeded into my mind and the only evidence of this strange series was an old Coundown Annual I had handed down. It had a full page colour spread stills from what I now know is my second favourite episode "Timelash". What I am trying to say is the series and especially the regular cast actors (yes M Billington and E Bishop) are my deeply missed by me and despite never meeting or knowing them feel a loss. So many of my heroes have died in the last decade or more; I have very few people to look up to. I think everyday if I had a wish it would be to have some part in my two favourite sixties Television series: The Prisoner and UFO! I just wanted to convey my thoughts.
>
> stevan warburton
>
> ________________________________
> From: Charlie & Lorraine <[hidden email]>
> To: [hidden email]
> Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 4:53 AM
> Subject: Re: [SHADO] Ed Bishop and Michael Billington R.I.P.
>
>
>  
> Very well said Griff! We have very fond memories of UFO from childhood and will continue to remember the great people who were in it and helped create it.
>
> No matter how many years go by, we will never forget those who have passed. We're very happy to hear that your niece and nephew are showing interest in Gerry Anderson shows. I have tried through the years to introduce younger people to them.
>
> Rest in peace Ed and Mike and thanks to Marc Martin and everyone in the SHADO yahoo group for helping to keep their memories alive!
> Lorraine
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: griffwason
> To: [hidden email]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 3:52 AM
> Subject: [SHADO] Ed Bishop and Michael Billington R.I.P.
>
> Hi All,
>
> Today would have been Ed Bishop's 81st birthday... So much time has gone by since UFO was made, and yet to me the show looks just as mesmerizing, fresh and thought-provoking and as it was the first time I saw it as a very young kid.
>
> .
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

>
>
> I am from England and now 44. One of my earliest memories is watching UFO when it must have been originally transmitted as I was very young and did not understand. The images were embeded into my mind and the only evidence of this strange series was an old Coundown Annual I had handed down. It had a full page colour spread stills from what I now know is my second favourite episode "Timelash". What I am trying to say is the series and especially the regular cast actors (yes M Billington and E Bishop) are my deeply missed by me and despite never meeting or knowing them feel a loss. So many of my heroes have died in the last decade or more; I have very few people to look up to. I think everyday if I had a wish it would be to have some part in my two favourite sixties Television series: The Prisoner and UFO! I just wanted to convey my thoughts.
>
> stevan warburton
>
> ________________________________
> From: Charlie & Lorraine <[hidden email]>
> To: [hidden email]
> Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 4:53 AM
> Subject: Re: [SHADO] Ed Bishop and Michael Billington R.I.P.
>
>
>
> Very well said Griff! We have very fond memories of UFO from childhood and will continue to remember the great people who were in it and helped create it.
>
> No matter how many years go by, we will never forget those who have passed. We're very happy to hear that your niece and nephew are showing interest in Gerry Anderson shows. I have tried through the years to introduce younger people to them.
>
> Rest in peace Ed and Mike and thanks to Marc Martin and everyone in the SHADO yahoo group for helping to keep their memories alive!
> Lorraine
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: griffwason
> To: [hidden email]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 3:52 AM
> Subject: [SHADO] Ed Bishop and Michael Billington R.I.P.
>
> Hi All,
>
> Today would have been Ed Bishop's 81st birthday... So much time has gone by since UFO was made, and yet to me the show looks just as mesmerizing, fresh and thought-provoking and as it was the first time I saw it as a very young kid.
>
> .
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

> Thanks Pam; means a lot to me. I should have mentioned The Big Guy himself G A and Patrick McGoohan who left us in 2009 (the day I didn't get a permanent job and was heading nowhere again) so that was a real sad day for me.
>
> Stevan
>
> ________________________________
> From: Pam McCaughey <[hidden email]>
> To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 11:01 PM
> Subject: Re: [SHADO] Ed Bishop and Michael Billington R.I.P.
>
>
>  
> Hi Steve: I feel the same way you do about losing my heroes. DeForest Kelley and James Doohan, along with Ed, Mike, Peter and GA himself are all gone now. I grew up in the 60's when TV actors/actresses actually had talent, looks, charisma and personal presence. Nowadays too many actors etc look like they were all cut from the same cookie cutter (likely the same plastic surgeons and dentists!). There are a few remaining who stand out, but the days of actors who stood out by their talent and differentness are definitely over!
>
> Pam the Canuck
>
> Sent from my iPod
>
> On 2013-06-12, at 5:45 PM, Stevan Warburton <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > I am from England and now 44. One of my earliest memories is watching UFO when it must have been originally transmitted as I was very young and did not understand. The images were embeded into my mind and the only evidence of this strange series was an old Coundown Annual I had handed down. It had a full page colour spread stills from what I now know is my second favourite episode "Timelash". What I am trying to say is the series and especially the regular cast actors (yes M Billington and E Bishop) are my deeply missed by me and despite never meeting or knowing them feel a loss. So many of my heroes have died in the last decade or more; I have very few people to look up to. I think everyday if I had a wish it would be to have some part in my two favourite sixties Television series: The Prisoner and UFO! I just wanted to convey my thoughts.
> >
> > stevan warburton
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: Charlie & Lorraine <[hidden email]>
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 4:53 AM
> > Subject: Re: [SHADO] Ed Bishop and Michael Billington R.I.P.
> >
> >
> >
> > Very well said Griff! We have very fond memories of UFO from childhood and will continue to remember the great people who were in it and helped create it.
> >
> > No matter how many years go by, we will never forget those who have passed. We're very happy to hear that your niece and nephew are showing interest in Gerry Anderson shows. I have tried through the years to introduce younger people to them.
> >
> > Rest in peace Ed and Mike and thanks to Marc Martin and everyone in the SHADO yahoo group for helping to keep their memories alive!
> > Lorraine
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: griffwason
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 3:52 AM
> > Subject: [SHADO] Ed Bishop and Michael Billington R.I.P.
> >
> > Hi All,
> >
> > Today would have been Ed Bishop's 81st birthday... So much time has gone by since UFO was made, and yet to me the show looks just as mesmerizing, fresh and thought-provoking and as it was the first time I saw it as a very young kid.
> >
> > .
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

>
> On June 13, Stevan Warburton <stevanbcool@...> wrote:
> > Pam, yes it does. It was just one of those moments when crap is heaped upon you.
> > He was 81 when he died. I always mention Prisoner because there are so many
> > UFO actors who were involved in Prisoner which was filmed between 1967-68.
>
> Although McGoohan himself referred to UFO as "crap" in an interview that
> appears on the UK Prisoner Blu-ray discs...
>
> Marc
>

> That is a deep pity he felt that way about the series.
>
> --- In [hidden email], Marc Martin <marc@...> wrote:
> >
> > On June 13, Stevan Warburton <stevanbcool@...> wrote:
> > > Pam, yes it does. It was just one of those moments when crap is heaped upon you.
> > > He was 81 when he died. I always mention Prisoner because there are so many
> > > UFO actors who were involved in Prisoner which was filmed between 1967-68.
> >
> > Although McGoohan himself referred to UFO as "crap" in an interview that
> > appears on the UK Prisoner Blu-ray discs...
> >
> > Marc
> >
>
>