Kathie and I -- and about 400 other people spent a great couple of hours yesterday meeting Philip Bretherton. This was his first stop and he was so nervous we could see his hands shaking when he walked out. People near us had had dinner with him on Friday night and said he was apprehensive about this whole endeavor and when he heard the number expected ....well, that didn't help...Highlights for me:
- The 9th season is written, but there's no word about when or even if it will be produced. He hopes this spring or summer. A lot depends on Judi's schedule, but also on Geoffrey's salmon fishing. Philip also mentioned that Bob Larbey and others behind the scenes are in their late 60s and early 70s so don't feel the need to push to do any more projects.
- Philip talked about what a wonderful person Judi is, mentioning her great sense of fun, the fact she falls off her chair at first read-throughs because she hasn't even looked at the script, etc. Her Christmas gift list is in a huge binder. One thing that was especially touching to me: Just a couple of days before Michael died, Judi remembered to send gifts to Moira's two daughters and a baby gift to Jenny. He said that's exactly like her.
- Geoffrey is "meticulous" about his work and is a lot of fun. At one point, he was considered to look so much like Richard Nixon that he was up for a part (don't know in what). Janet Henfrey has led quite a life -- is the "single mother" of a child by a painter from Chile -- and is never out of work, chiefly because of her "wonderful face." Moyra Fraser is like Penny, larger than life, and you can "smell the rosewater two corridors away." She isn't a batty as old Pen, though. Great praise for the actor [Paul Chapman], who plays Stephen who projects bewilderment in such an endearing way. Frank Middlemass is "up there," but still not old enough to be Lionel's father. Joan Sims is not well, which limits country home scenes.
- Philip does watch American TV shows -- Frasier and Star Trek are two favorites. Seinfeld is, too, but in the UK it's a "cult show," on at 11:30 p.m. and pre-empted for anything. He would like to work in America, but that would mean living here.
- The "Mercury" episode is a great favorite and he did enjoy doing the striptease. Philip thinks the country episodes tend to be weak because they don't focus on domestic or ordinary things.
After the question-and-answer period, Philip stayed to shake hands, sign autographs and pose for pictures. Then from 8:00 - 10:00 he was at the 45/49 PBS station for the membership drive and the last three episodes of Season 8. (ATGB starts from the beginning in two weeks -- we are really blessed here). Some clips were shown and he said a couple of times how different they all looked. I'm not sure he remembered every clip.
This was one terrific day.
Thanks to Marla for agreeing to let me post her observations.