TME > Video > Commercial Releases

Bidding Adieu

Sylvester McCoy presents a 51'36" video diary of the making of the TV movie. Mark Gatiss provides off-camera interviewing duties, but at first glance the entire programme is "hosted" by McCoy himself.

On the flight to Vancouver, McCoy explains why he agreed to take part and the hopes for the future, reassuring us of the Britishness of it. While driving to the location, he discusses the comparisons between Scotland and Canada and reminisces about his childhood and upbringing. On the first day of filming McCoy has his big toe recorded and we see him in hair and make-up, and then we also see Phil Segal during the alley shooting from 1st/2nd Feb. McCoy shows us his new costume before visiting Anneke Wills at her shop in Vancouver. They talk about the Hartnell/Troughton changeover and the importance Doctor Who plays in both their lives. Daphne Ashbrook is then interviewed about the Grace/Doctor relationship and where she expects it to go. McCoy and McGann then discuss the importance of the role, the best monsters (McGann compares the Yeti to Jesus) and what attracted McGann to the script. McCoy talks about the changing script, and the massive cut to his lines after he'd agreed to appear, and later about fandom. McGann exspresses hisss concerns about the fans and then talks a little about the plot, and the appearance of a certain long scarf. The day after filming the regeneration, McCoy talks about the professionalism of the crew, why his episodes failed and how great Geoffrey Sax's direction is. Returning to the McGann interview, the new Doctor discusses the production values, the Britishness of it. Ashbrook expresses how clever it all is and Wills talks about fruit. McGann and Ashbrook wonder about the future and McCoy says goodbye to everyone...

This was initially released by Quantum Leap in April 1996 (a departure from Bill Baggs' usual self-publishing route) as QL0008. In 2000 it was paired up with the third Stranger story as part of Reeltime Pictures' range of BBV reissues, under catalogue number RPT0211). The video is a somewhat rushed affair, not even including a title caption...