Revealed finally by Powell himself, this book objectively and plainly states the truth JNT was forced into carrying Doctor Who as nobody else would take it on. JNT often maintained he was ‘persuaded to stay’, cryptically refusing to fully explain the executive decision as to why he was continuously producing Doctor Who, much to the fury of some fans whom petitioned he leave. The depth and detail of Marson’s book is, arguably, the final say on what happened to Doctor Who in the 1980s, which is inextricably linked to JNT and his own career politics. The book also reveals the constant management restructuring and outright callous behaviour of BBC Bosses. The biography triumphs by painting a rounded portrait of JNT whilst also vividly presenting the environment of the BBC in the Seventies and Eighties, which contributed to make the misguided tyrant which JNT would become. Davies branding it, ‘the greatest mistake in the history of television.’ Still a topic of hot debate, the unshackled opinions of the cast some thirty years after the event makes for fascinating reading. Often insecure with a destructive paranoid, JNT's professionally impulsive and indulgent mistakes are also closely studied the costume designed for Colin Baker’s Doctor, which contributed to the massive downturn in tone for Doctor Who, is discussed at great depth, with Russell T. Marson’s research doesn’t relent in presenting all the nasty, weak elements JNT’s character, which would result in the parting of many of JNT's closest friendships. Flamboyant and outrageous, JNT could only wear his emotions on his Hawaiian shirt-sleeve, as demonstrated in his explosive hostility to the most benign incidents. An episode where he spits into a performer’s face, however, reveals the elements of his personality which verged on the monstrous. Instances of plates flying, faces being slapped and indecent behaviour buttress JNT’s reputation as drama queen extraordinaire. #Bright memory cheats fullA vivid and passionate retelling of events in the words of the people who were there, the biography is composed of anecdote which licks as much as it spits.īrimming full of salacious tales and gossip, the book makes for compulsive reading. The outright disdain JNT’s employer harbours to this day is barely veiled, referring to him as ‘f*****g John Nathan-Turner’, who he wished would ‘f*** off’, ‘or die’. Jonathan Powell’s contribution, whilst highly insightful, makes uncomfortable reading. The book does not shy away from JNT’s critics, some of whom remain aggressively damning. His faults are evident throughout the book, corroborating a reputation for being controlling, paranoid and occasionally outlandishly cruel, however the general view is that JNT was somebody that many people migrated towards due to his sheer love of life. Universally, JNT’s associates describe him as a bright, kind, perceptive and driven force who worked hard and partied harder. The sometimes colourful account paints a cohesive picture of the showman destined to work in the theatre, to rise up the ranks of the BBC and perhaps even become Controller of BBC 1. Marson has meticulously collected many witness testimonies, from JNT’s earliest school friends right up to BBC executives such as Jonathan Powell, a man who clearly could not tolerate Doctor Who or JNT. At the centre of this is JNT and his own heady journey from aspiring creative, to hotshot producer, to destitute and dying alcoholic, it tells a fallibly human story in a corporate world. The Life & Scandalous Times of John Nathan-Turner, either by fault or design, is a raucous exposé of BBC Television in the 1980s, revealing its wild drinking culture, abuse of power and downright mismanagement from the Sixth Floor down. Written by Richard Marson, a producer and journalist with a unique insight into BBC politics, JNT’s biography is much more than a potted history of somebody who happened to make a children’s television programme. #Bright memory cheats seriesIt would take sixteen years for the series to return with universal popularity under the guidance of Russell T Davies. Once celebrated for bringing the series ‘into the Eighties’, he was quickly blamed for the ultimate downward spiral and destruction of the series by 1989. Known simply at JNT, he oversaw the introduction of three new actors to play the role and suffered two cancellations in the process. A contentious and polarizing figure, John Nathan-Turner was a BBC staff producer who had risen through the BBC ranks from Production Unit Manager to become the longest-standing producer of Doctor Who from 1980 to 1989.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |