Television

If it’s a BBC costume drama, it must be Andrew Davies

December 19, 2003

BBC Television’s latest foray into costume drama is to be another adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Bleak House, reports MediaGuardian.co.uk. In a move that shows a spark of imagination, it’s going to be packaged into short half-hour segments, in an attempt to recreate the suspense of the original serial publication of Dickens’ works. In a move […]

Continue reading →

Ta-ra Tara, hello homophobia?

May 8, 2003

After the producers of cult TV hit Buffy The Vampire Slayer killed off a recurring character who was also an out lesbian, this article examined the accusations of homophobia aimed at a show which was historically regarded as being gay-friendly. Written for Gay.com UK.

Continue reading →

To boldly come out?

February 6, 2003

For a television series and multi-million dollar movie franchise that loves to wear its liberal agenda on its sleeve, Star Trek has not been well known for covering gay issues. Indeed, on the few occasions in the past when it has approached the edge, it has done so in such a ham-fisted manner that it’s […]

Continue reading →

A kiss is just a kiss – or is it?

February 25, 2002

Suddenly, everybody wants to get into the same-sex kissing market, it seems. Started by the two policemen in the Bill, who gave new meaning to the term “bent coppers”, now the BBC is getting in on the act with a storyline that features in both Casualty and its midweek sister soap, Holby City. In both […]

Continue reading →

The Savage tongue of Paul O’Grady

July 30, 2001

It’s a funny old world where an over-the-hill prostitute and former stripper lands a lucrative deal with ITV Light Entertainment. That’s exactly what happened to Lily Savage, the blond bombsite from Birkenhead, though. Now the man who plays the Blankety Blank-ing drag act, Paul O’Grady, is making a further bid to be known in his […]

Continue reading →

Bob & Rose

July 7, 2001

There’s a growing sense these days that Manchester’s Canal Street is far too, well, straight. Many ascribe this to the appeal of Queer As Folk: All the straight girls started coming down to gawp, with the hetero lads in hot pursuit. If there is any truth to that, it’s only partial. The area was already […]

Continue reading →

Folk Off to America: An interview with Russell T. Davies

November 30, 2000

Scott: The American-made version of Queer As Folk starts this Sunday, December 3. Russell: It does, doesn’t it? Bloody hell. Apparently there are billboards all over New York, and things like that happening. Marvellous! And what am I doing in Manchester, I ask myself? So what has it been like handing the series over to […]

Continue reading →

Another Year On

November 28, 2000

She strolled down towards Via Fossa. Three hours to get ready tonight, more than she spent for her first date with Michael Chambers in Year 12. The door swung open, knocking the gift from her hand. Picking it up, she realized who was passing her. “Nathan!” she called. “Happy seventeenth!” He looked at her like […]

Continue reading →

The Cherub

June 27, 2000

He had skin of gold. In all Stuart’s nights of searching for the perfect man, he’d never found flesh of such perfection. The boy stared all around, taking in the sights of the cobbled street. Every so often their eyes locked, and a gentle smile emerged. All too soon, his gaze started wandering again, desperately […]

Continue reading →

New Best Friend

June 21, 2000

Every part of Hazel that wasn’t supported by an underwire sagged visibly as she sat down at the kitchen table. ‘Well, that’s that,’ she said to the toaster in the corner, there being no one else in the house. ‘It’s just you, me and half a loaf of Mother’s Pride from now on. D’you think […]

Continue reading →

Unconventional

June 20, 2000

Vince took a deep breath and burst through the door. It wasn’t what he had been expecting. No long scarves, no silver foil Cyberman costumes - some of them even had decent haircuts. It was nice to feel like he wasn’t alone. There were other Doctor Who fans out there. He bought a Budweiser (declining […]

Continue reading →

Imperfect Timing

June 6, 2000

“You will wait for me, won’t you?” The warm squeeze of her shoulder told her everything. Mel began the walk up the driveway. It had only been a few months since leaving home, yet to her parents she had been away for nearly fifteen years. She wondered what to expect: would Dad have given up […]

Continue reading →

Today…

May 16, 2000

Stuart Alan Jones had done some seriously stupid things in his time, but this had to be right up there with the worst of them. For someone who normally felt no shame, he was absolutely shitting himself. He looked over to his mother. She could barely raise a smile in support, but her presence was […]

Continue reading →

Post mortem

May 14, 2000

“Well I think he captured us all really well,” Vince said as the Weather Girls segued into the theme music. “Of course you do,” grumbled Stuart. “You’re the everyman hero who every mother wishes their faggoty son will meet and settle down with.” “But you’re the one that everybody will want to fuck all night.” […]

Continue reading →

Facade

May 8, 2000

We switch the light off and snuggle down for the night. “G’night, John Boy,” quips Alexander. We giggle gently together, then fall into that uncomfortable silence where you really want to fall asleep as quickly as possible. Only you can’t, because you want to so much, and the more you try and force yourself, the […]

Continue reading →

And So, It Begins

May 8, 2000

Friday night started with the usual tales of previous exploits. Vince was bursting. “You’ll never guess who he was,” he said. “Works in television: fantastic! He lists all the programmes he’s worked on and I’m thinking: Oh my God! And then when he tells me his name, it’s like I’ve died and gone to heaven. […]

Continue reading →

The Nightingale’s Song

January 8, 2000

This short story has since been revised and republished.

Continue reading →

Where the Hearts Are

October 23, 1999

“Where do you keep your heart, love? Is it free and allowed to roam?” The Doctor initiates a long overdue reunion.

Continue reading →

Genesis of Despair

August 18, 1999

Despair had been trying to ensnare her nemesis for aeons. Now she had hit on the perfect plan. A quick manipulation of a backwards little planet (whose inhabitants were far too up themselves for her liking) and the plan was in place. How ironic — that the bringer of hope would trap himself in her […]

Continue reading →

Time For Bed (Boing!)

July 21, 1999

“Wheeeee!” squealed Jo as the Magic Roundabout span. “This Land of Fiction is fun!” “Watch out!” cried the Doctor, as Ermintrude stampeded through the garden. Her distress’ source was soon apparent. Imhotep and the remainder of the cast of The Mummy ran amok. A eunuch servant jumped piggyback onto Florence, causing her great discomfort. The […]

Continue reading →

Destiny’s Book

July 19, 1999

Destiny casts no shadow as he walks through his garden. His blind eyes read every page of the book chained to his arms. He knows he should not express opinion on the truths therein, but feels a thrill as the one known as The Doctor appears once more within its pages. He frowns. Surely not…? […]

Continue reading →

So the costume was HER idea…

July 8, 1999

He sat on the bridge between the Dreaming and her own realm when she found him, thin and blond this time. “Hello,” he beamed. “I don’t believe we’ve met.” But when she smiled, he remembered and his face fell. “Oh. You. Does that mean I’m… Are you going to…?” “Maybe one day, but not today.” […]

Continue reading →

Funeral blues (And yellows. And reds. And greens. And…)

March 31, 1999

The mourners wore black. The Doctor wore every other colour. He told Peri that funerals should be a time of celebration. “Life is ephemeral for the individual, but eternal for society.” Peri replied that the melancholy atmosphere at funerals was necessary. The Doctor shushed her. “Killjoy.” On his other side, a friend of the deceased […]

Continue reading →

Next Entries →