Pheaturing Mary Tamm

PHIRST OF

Hey there, welcome to the Phile. I am so excited. First, Mary Tamm is today's guest, and she is my first "Doctor Who" related interview. Second, tomorrow we are going to Boston. We were supposed to go over the weekend but Jen had a camera class to go to and my nephew Aiden had his baptism. And today, I had to post this entry, so tomorrow we are going. We'll be flying on Jet Blue, so I imagine we'll be sitting on the plane for a few hours before it takes off. Jen is excited, she wants to do the Freedom Trial, Boston Harbor and Faneuil Hall. Logan wants to see Plymouththe USS Constitution and I want to see Newbery Comics and the Hard Rock Cafe. Oh, and that Cheers bar. So, at a town hall meeting in New Orleans, President Obama said that he would rebuild the Louisiana coast, and the crowd cheered “Yes we can! Yes we can!” Then Obama said that he would fix the economy, and the crowd was like, “Not so sure! Not so sure!” A new survey found that the average man cries six times a year. That number would be a lot lower if it weren’t for Glenn Beck. The Democrats' healthcare bill made it past the Senate Finance Committee in a 14-9 vote. Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe broke ranks with her party and voted for the Democrats' healthcare bill. She’s been missing ever since. The bill easily made it through the committee with a vote of 9-14. Or as Roman Polanski calls it, the perfect age range. Even though the Democrats’ healthcare bill was passed, President Obama said that now is “not the time to pat ourselves on the back.” Mostly because you might tear a muscle. Okay, in the past I showed you some motivational posters that are out on the market. I found this one and at first was confused.

And now for the popular game here on the Phile...

Check out this new statue of Ronald McDonald. I think they are changing the clown;'s image. Bet you're really scared of clowns, now, aren't you?

I like to apologize to Mary, who is a real lady. Sorry, Mary.



1982
Maverick carmaker John DeLorean is arrested in Los Angeles with $24M worth of cocaine in his suitcase. The case is later thrown out of court when a judge rules that the FBI sting operation constituted entrapment.
1987
The New York Stock Exchange suffers its worst crash in history, when the market suddenly loses $500B. The Dow Jones Industrial Average drops 22.6%, twice the amount of the 1929 crash.
1997
During the warm-up act at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, 4,642 Mötley Crüe fans - including a few minor children - are treated to a vignette from a pornographic video projected above the stage. The scene depicts a naked woman masturbating with a dildo and performing fellatio. Tommy Lee does not appear in the video.
1998
The ClubLove website posts nude photos of irritating radio personality "Dr." Laura Schlessinger. At first, Schlessinger denies the pictures are of her, but then inexplicably files a copyright infringement suit against IEG, publisher of the site. In doing so, Schlessinger tacitly admits the authenticity of the nudie pictures, which includes a "money shot." Ultimately, IEG prevails, and the photos remain on the site. Dr. Laura's radio show consists of a prudish, moralistic and religious advice show, making this whole episode highly amusing.

This is so cool. Long time readers of the Phile know I am a huge "Doctor Who" fan, so today's interview is so bloody amazing. She is best known for being the first actress to play the character of Romana in the science fiction television series "Doctor Who", opposite Tom Baker as the Doctor, from the 1978 - 1979 season known collectively as "The Key to Time". She is a graduate and an associate member of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her autobiography entitled "First Generation" was published on 14 September 2009 by Fantom Films, and that book is the second in The Peverett Phile Book Club. Anyway, please welcome to the Phile... Mary Tamm.


Me: Hello, Mary, welcome to the Phile. So, how are you? I must say you look as gorgeous as ever.

Mary: Thank you thank you - you are too kind!

Me: You were one of my first "Doctor Who" actors I have ever met back in the 80's at a convention on Long Island. Do you still do conventions and enjoy meeting with fans?

Mary: Yes, very much so - partly because of the new fan base- I have fans who range from 4 to 80 in age. Of course, I remember you well....

Me: Let's talk about "Doctor Who" for a bit. You were on one season in "The Key To Time" series. Did you know that by the end of that season you'd been regenerating?

Mary: Oh yes, in fact there is a long section about this in my book. I knew I would only do one season almost from the beginning, it was a question of persuading the producers of this, who could not believe I would not stay.

Me: Do you watch the new show? What do you think of it? If you were asked to make a cameo, would you do it?

Mary: I love the new show and would love to do a cameo - although I would prefer a juicy leading role, of course, preferably as the Doctor.

Me: You have played Romana again a few years ago in some audio plays, right? Was that fun to do? Those Big Finish audio plays are very popular, aren't they? You were Romana in the "Gallifrey" episode, right?

Mary: I loved doing the audios, although it was strange at first, to hear Lalla doing "my" part. She is so good in it, however, and we are such good pals that I soon got over it! I was playing a very different version of Romana. Not sure whether I liked her or not.

Me: Okay, Mary, let's talk about your book "First Generation" as your book was chosen to be part of the Peverett Phile Book Club. That's an honor, by the way. Does the name "First Generation" have anything to do with you were the first Romana?

Mary: I was given the title as a suggestion a long time ago, as I am first generation Estonian. It was only when I started writing that I realised it tied in with the Time Lady regeneration theme too. I am humbled by the great honour of being chosen for your book club, by the way.

Me: It's an autobiography on your life, starting when you were a child, right? What made you write a book, Mary, at this time?

Mary: A I said, the idea has been in my mind for many years, and I began the book a few years ago. It was only when a publisher approached me that I got going on it full time- I need an incentive!

Me: I read Tom Baker's autobiography. Did you read it, and do you still keep in touch with him?

Mary: I did read it- Tom now keeps emailing me, and badgering me for a copy of mine so he can review it- I suppose I will send him one, if there are any left- sales are going really well.

Me: The forward in your book was done by Colin Baker which I thought was kinda odd, as he wasn't the Doctor you were with. How did you get Colin to do your forward, Mary?

Mary: We are good pals, and as Colin and I go back a long way, he can touch on stories which no one else knows about - and he does!

Me: One thing I found interesting about you is that you are of Estonian descent. I don't know much about what that means, so can you explain? Are you from Estonia? Where were you born?

Mary: Well, that is part of the book's theme - don't want to give too much away here, but I am actually half Estonian, Half White Russian (as opposed to Commie). You will have to refer to the book to obtain a full picture here... I was born in England, in Yorkshire.

Me: A lot of Who fans would love to know how much of your book is about Who.

Mary: Quite a lot, although volume two will have the main section about Who - yes, I am working on the second part already!

Me: Mary, how long did it take you to write the book? Did you use a computer or typewriter

Mary: Computer - quicker- about 14 months in all, I guess.

Me: One of your first roles was in the movie The Odessa File. Isn't it funny that now you're on the Peverett Phile, by the way? Was that one of your biggest roles before DW, Mary? You have done quite a few films, right?

Mary: Yes, what an amazing coincidence. I had a varied and extensive career before DW , and continued to work in many different roles after. "Brookside" (major British Soap) was the longest running one, and was good for me as it lead to a lot of other good stage and TV parts.

Me: You have also played on "Coronation Street" and now this year will be appearing on "Eastenders". Who will you be playing on that show and have you been a fan of "Eastenders"?

Mary: I play a Russian con woman. Type casting, obviously - ho ho. I do not really get enough time to follow soaps, I'm afraid.

Me: So, what's next for you, Mary? I hope you'll be coming to America again soon... especially Orlando where we have the HurricaneWho conventions.

Mary: I would love to visit Florida, as I have never been - perhaps you could arrange it for me? Thanks. My demands are few...

Me: Go ahead and plug your website and anything else you would love to plug. I wish you lots of luck with it and hope to meet you again real soon. All the best, Mary.

Mary: Thank you so much. My website is marytamm.com. Hit that button! Lots of love to your readers, and I hope they enjoy my book.

PHINALLY

That about does it for the Phile this week. Thanks to Mary Tamm and Dexter O'Neill for hooking this great interview up. Hope he is happy with it and will set me up with more DW interviews soon. Don't forget you can order Mary's book "First Generation" from Amazon.com or fantomfilms.co.uk. Well, as I said tomorrow are going to Boston for a week so the next entry of the Phile will be posted on Tuesday, October 27th with Preston Hubbard, ex-bass player for The Fabulous Thunderbirds. So, until then, spread the word, not the turd, autism is reversible, bye love you bye.