Ed Bishop's full interview

Hi all,

On [hidden email], Amelia posted the entire Ed Bishop
interview prior to being edited for that Philadelphia Inquirer article.
For those of not on EBF, here are the questions put to Ed and Ed's reply:

---------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTION: what do you think keeps fans interested in UFO after all
these years and what do you think was the show's initial appeal?

ED: The shows initial appeal was, I believe, based on its 'look'. It was
shot in 35mm which was unusual for a tv series at that time. The
excellent costumes, hair styles (all conceived by Sylvia Anderson)
were certainly eye catching. The special effects were also an
essential contribution as were the imaginative sets and props. The
reason for its current appeal is the show's accessibility. By that I
mean there is no threat or danger in the series. The audience feels
comfortable and unchallenged.


QUESTION: Would you like to see UFO remade today?

ED: I've hammered on for years that some kind of spinoff from the series
could be made either a one-off feature film or another series. It has
almost happened a coupla times but those projects failed for a
combination of reasons. I must be absolutely candid here and say I
would only like to see it remade if I was to be some part of the
production. Otherwise a remake (or whatever) would be of complete
indifference to me.


QUESTION: What do you think of the fan clubs, merchandise, books
and fan magazines that were and still are prouduced for UFO?

ED: I think the merchandising, fan clubs etc. of which you speak are an
necessary adjunct to a project of this nature. I've met thousands of
UFO supporters (I dislike the word "fans" ) and, with the exception
of a few unpleasantnesses, I have enjoyed meeting them at
conventions and even on a bus or subway!


QUESTION: Do you have any plans after your current West End play
ends?

ED: No plans. These days, in my semi retirement, I just get up in the
morning and see what the day will bring. I say semi retirement
because I really don't have to work to set my table but if a project
comes along that I like, I will go for it. The current
play "Americans" by Eric Schlosser (author of "Fast Food America"
and "Reefer Madness" ) was an example. When I read the script I
jumped at the offer! Wonderful theatre and we got across the board
good reviews. The only firm thing I've agreed to is a personal
appearance (which will be my third visit) in Australia in September
of 2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Ed's comment about the audience feeling comfortable and unchallenged
seems a bit odd to me...

Marc

"Marc Martin" wrote:

> Ed's comment about the audience feeling comfortable and
> unchallenged seems a bit odd to me...
>

Yep - I very much disagree with Ed on that one. Even by today's
standards, let alone those of three decades ago, UFO contains
more than its fair share of uncomfortable moments. There is a
surprising amount of potentially disturbing content.

I'd also have to agree (ie disagree with Ed).

What I think are the stand out elements of UFO are the dynamism and
tension between well cast and very strong characters. This still
endures long after the peripheral stuff like the technology /
clothing loses it's appeal/ impact. I suppose it's a bit like the
original Star Trek - it's still (only ?) worth watching because of
the main characters and their interplay etc

I think UFO also maintained suspense very well - not any easy thing
to do.

Thomas


--- In [hidden email], James Gibbon <james.gibbon@v...> wrote:

Also, at the time, the story was fantastically possible yet futuristic enough
that it got us all thinking...what if there was a SHADO somewhere out there?

Mary



-----Original Message-----
From: teee_peee [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2003 15:10
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [SHADO] Re: Ed Bishop's full interview


I'd also have to agree (ie disagree with Ed).

What I think are the stand out elements of UFO are the dynamism and
tension between well cast and very strong characters. This still
endures long after the peripheral stuff like the technology /
clothing loses it's appeal/ impact. I suppose it's a bit like the
original Star Trek - it's still (only ?) worth watching because of
the main characters and their interplay etc

I think UFO also maintained suspense very well - not any easy thing
to do.

Thomas


--- In [hidden email], James Gibbon <james.gibbon@v...> wrote:


 

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[hidden email] wrote:
>
> Unless he means intellectually unchallenging, which doesn't
> quite ring true either.
>

Well - I'd say that DOES ring true, quite honestly. There's
nothing highbrow or hard to get about UFO - it's really only one
step up from Captain Scarlet, an action programme with
futuristic designs. Frequently more adult in terms of subject
matter, but not in terms of intellectual stimulation.

[hidden email] wrote:

> Well, I'll see if I was initially correct, if I get an response.
> It has me curious now, and as I said, that was my initial feeling,
> reading between the lines from other interviews he's given.
>

I'd have to agree with him about 'unchallenging' in the sense
that UFO isn't particularly questioning or thought-provoking,
but definitely not about 'comfortable'.

I would beg to differ with you. There was plenty to challenge people and to make them think. Besides some plot holes that you could drive a truck through, that were good for a laugh, there were also parts that made you think.
How about Alex and the drugs about the transport? If Straker had told him about them, would he have changed the order back to London? In Conflict, was Henderson being an asshole because he didn't like Straker, or because he truely believed that he was right?
These are just some of the ones that I could think of off the top of my head. Anyone else?

James Gibbon <[hidden email]> wrote:
[hidden email] wrote:
>
> Unless he means intellectually unchallenging, which doesn't
> quite ring true either.
>

Well - I'd say that DOES ring true, quite honestly. There's
nothing highbrow or hard to get about UFO - it's really only one
step up from Captain Scarlet, an action programme with
futuristic designs. Frequently more adult in terms of subject
matter, but not in terms of intellectual stimulation.