The DVD in question is the Sooty Christmas Special, available from all good stockists! (They don't pay me to say this.) It's another fine selection of episodes from 2011's TV series what I co-wrote with Richard C and Winkleton T, but this disc has a twist; it also features a series of links adapted from last year's West End seasonal show, so for those who missed it, this is a good chance to catch up!
But onto the episodes! Do I have a favourite? The Great Race is certainly high on the list. It went through a lot of drafts, and just kept getting better, in my opinion. I tackled the first draft, which started with everyone at the starting line in their vehicles, each eager to win the annual race! "But why are they having a race?" Richard asked, curiously. "Oh they just are! I think that's funny!" I said. Since which time, I have come to learn that Explaining the Plot is actually a positive thing! ("Oh well - if we must!") Professor Fuel became Fred Flywheel, then finally Fred Firewheel, and the stupidly elaborate race course that we devised - taking them round the park, through Brean, and onto the beach! - became a much tidier go-karting circuit. And why not!Squeaky Clean pleasantly surprised me, because I rattled off a rushed draft, sent it, and then forgot all about it until I saw a rough cut during filming. My first reaction, (which was one of surprise, not arrogance), was "Did I write this?!" I am my own worst critic and I must say I was pleased at what the production team had achieved. As an ep, it also highlights my lifelong battle with vacuum cleaners, ("hoovering sucks"), and provides nifty tips for dealing with stains, cutlery, and tsunamis.
Watch The Farm for a splendid appearance from Keith Chegwin! Yep! The Keith Chegwin! Cheggers! I felt a complete div when I found out he was going to be in this episode, because I had no idea who he was! But I live in a world populated by retro SF and general nerdiness, so if the Cheggmeister didn't appear in an episode of vintage Doctor Who, there's little chance he'd ever flash up on my radar. But he gives a sterling performance in this ep and there are some very moo-ving moments...! Particularly the sweet montage of the puppets with the animals, and Wink Taylor's egg routine. One of the last to be written, and some solid stuff.
The Souvenir Stall features some lovely 'old school' goodness for Harry Corbett fans. Look out for the pottery-making routine in Sooty's tool shed, which was very faithfully, and comically, re-enacted for this series. (Harry's original ep is on The Lost Episodes volume 2 DVD, if anyone's interested!)
Finally, The Great Outdoors! Another (semi) re-working of a Harry Corbett episode from the 1970s. In Harry's original routine, he was trying to follow one of Sooty's maps, (which turned out to be a circuit diagram!), desperately searching for somewhere to camp. When he, Sooty and Sweep finally found the perfect spot, they woke up to discover they'd pitched the tent in the centre of a roundabout! It's good stuff, and you'll be able to spot the influences when you see it. The first draft featured a Hollywood-style lightning strike, which was sensibly downgraded as the writing process advanced!
So there you are! Should you buy this DVD? Most definitely! Even if you don't celebrate Christmas! This particular disc might even be worth something in a few years, for a very good reason. Trust me! But you'll have to buy it to find out why! How's that for a sales pitch?!
Wishing a you a merry November and a happy new Advent!
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