OK … so David Walliams is facing allegations from various women.
I’m glad to hear it.
And assuming that he’ll be facing trial, at some point.
The sooner that’s done, the better: although I realise police will want to investigate these allegations, and the evidence gathered by the Guardian, and Channel 4.
I do know this, though: that I, like every other Dr Who fan in the country, have been mildly affected by the situation.
On the one hand, I can understand Aunty taking the episode — and other work by Walliams — down.
They’d rather be seen to be keeping a distance from a controversial person, and be seen to not hand license fee money, as residuals, to a disgraced performer.
Fair enough.
But?
I’m a completist: and would rather see the episode still on the service.
That way, I have a choice over whether to watch it.
And whether to watch the iPlayer version, the bluray version, or a locally stream digital copy.
~≈📺≈~
Even given I’m a layman with little industry understanding, I know there’s other aspects to this.
Yes, I can appreciate the BBC taking the episode down: to avoiding Walliams any royalty fees.
But … ?
That seems unfair to the other artists involved in the episode: as they’d lose income.
It strikes me that future contracts will need to include clauses that cover this, that cover what happens if an episode is taken down through no legal fault of the performer.
That makes payment to an artist who’s lost income … because of someone else’s actions.
That’s relevant to Doctor Who.
Noel Clarke appeared in many early episodes of the revived Doctor Who: and, years later, was convicted of many sexual offences.
And yet … ?
His episodes still stand.
I know his stories are far more integral to the Christopher Eccleston, and David Tennent years: and I personally have enjoyed the work of Clarke’s I’ve seen.
I’m aware taking down the many episodes Noel Clarke was in, would affect many more performers …
But … ?
If the BBC is going to take down one episode because of one performer, but not take down others because of a different performer??
As someone who played the game when I was younger?
That’s made my morning!
~≈🧌≈~
Back in October, I wrote how an unnamed celebrity had been seeking a court injunction: to stop themselves being named in a joint report from ITN and The Guardian, as the alleged perpetrator behind some serious sexual offences.
The celebrity was threatening suicide, if revealed: something I felt was an effort to avoid problems.
I felt it was an attempt at blackmailing the court to not name names.
That attempt has failed: and, as the court has lifted the injunction, the celebrity has been revealed to be comedian and writer, David Walliams.
Some of his alleged victims were between fifteen, and seventeen.
I’m … not surprised by the reveal.
Especially as Walliams faced similar allegations, last year.
I note that Walliams is denying things.
I think that’s par for the course.
And can only hope a trial happens soon.
The sooner cases like this are brought to trial, and perpetrators convicted, the better.
OK … Prunesquallor — the faux-Gormenghast version of me lurking in the above video’s thumbnail — has escaped.
Oh, at least, is in the thumbnail, picking up my new spectacles!
Something I’m going to be doing myself, later today: as the new set have turned up, and need to be fitted.
The only problem?
Is that the appointment’s at one.
Lunch may have to wait.
~≈🥸≈~
As you’re no doubt aware, Russell Brand has been convicted of various sexual offences: and is now facing sentencing, on Monday.
I’m tempted to call him a comedian: except I never found him especially funny*.
At any rate?
The former performer has spent his first night in HMP Wandsworth.
In what’s called the Care and Support Unit, where especially vulnerable prisoners end up: a block that’s separate from the usual Vulnerable Prisoners wings.
Even knowing Wandsworth’s reputation?
I’m not exactly sympathetic.
If he didn’t want the time, he shouldn’t’ve done the crime.
Right … I’ve officially had my eye test: and — through a mix of NHS vouchers and pricing — picked my new frames and lenses.
Those … ?
Should be at my opticians by this coming Saturday.
Hopefully?
They’ll be worth waiting for …
~≈🤓≈~
Did I mention my nephew was over, last night?
My nephew, Jude, was over last night.
You can tell what’s coming, can’t you?
Yes: Jude’s latest video!
Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button!
~≈📹≈~
Do you mind a contentious view? One’s that going to be thought os as bad taste, right now?
I’m a Terry Pratchett fan: one genuinely left devastated by the man’s diagnosis with a form of Alzheimer’s called Post Cortical Atrophy … and by his resulting support for assisted dying.
Why mention that now?
Because of the recent death of the late Sir Patrick Stewart.
Because?
Because his spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, said that he’d died after “following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.”
A brief and poignant journey.
Brief.
I know, having seen a grandmother’s death from Alzheimer’s, that her death took time.
As did Sir Terry’s death.
So an Alzheimer’s-related death that’s described as brief?
Bothered me.
And, having found he supported assisted death, and had spoken in favour of it?
I could only conclude one thing.
Sir Patrick was helped to die: something allowed by the law in California, where he lived.
~≈§≈~
Am I right?
I don’t know.
Would I be raising it with his family, right now?
Good lord, no!
But … ?
But couldn’t not say what I felt: that he made the brave, and wise, decision to die at a time he chose, rather than face a humiliating condition that would kill his mind slowly.
Well played, Sir Patrick: well played.
“We must be free from torture and suffering, we must have the freedom to choose for ourselves. We have no choice about how and when we come into this word, but it seems that we should be able to have a choice in how we leave it if our death is fast approaching.”
And, hopefully — given my optician’s prices — I have enough money, and discounts, to be able to afford the required new spectacles!
Here’s hoping!
~≈🤓≈~
There’s a small estate in Brentwood: called Sawyer’s Grove, near to where my sister, Ruth, lives, with her son, Jude.
It’s a nice place, from what I know: and a mixture of social housing, and private properties.
And … ?
It had a bomb scare, yesterday: apparently, a man and a woman were arrested after three “small homemade explosive devices” were found in their property.
Sir Patrick Stewart has died: after what’s described as a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s, and with Lewy body dementia.
A brief journey …
I best remember him as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation: and can also remember him in I, Claudius, as the villainous Lucius Sejanus.
I am — here’s the word, again — saddened to hear about this.
After all: the man was a seriously good actor.
And … ?
Took one hell of a punt with his career, taking the lead role with a strange little SF show that wasn’t guaranteed to work.
Despite the fact he didn’t unpack his suitcase for some time?
The show was successful.
And influential: I’m convinced the US TV companies behind franchises like Law and Order, CSI and NCIS saw Star Trek: The Next Generation, and it’s host of spin-offs, and thought “Hang on … they’re on to something, there.”
I think the same applies to the revived version of Dr Who.
I don’t know if Russell T Davies and company would have mentioned it to sceptical BBC executives, back in 2005, would’ve mentioned the fact TNG showed how successful a revival could be: but would’ve been stupid not to make a point of it!
TNG’s success? And its influence?
Would not have been possible, would not have been the same, without him.
I also think the show’s success in the UK wouldn’t have possible, without he and the producers decision to cast an English lead.
For that?
I’m grateful to the man: and sad to hear of his loss.
~≈🖖≈~
Just as an extra thought?
I note that the BBC articles have said the Sir Patrick died after a a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s, and with Lewy body dementia.
I have mixed feelings, there.
Yes: I am saddened about both his death, and to hear about the diagnosis.
But also mildly grateful to hear his death seems to have come only a short time after diagnosis.
Having seen what the condition can do, I’m grateful the journey was brief: death can be a mercy in these circumstances.
I’d doubt that makes the death easier for his family, friends and cast mates.
