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Posted by quitebrucie (U7022849) on Wednesday, 3rd January 2007
The consultant that Roy and Hayley visited on 2 january, sounded remarkably like Robert Winston. was it he, or an actor trying to sound like him?
It was indeed Lord Winston.
As I have posted on several other threads on Discuss Archers that Roy & Hayley's consultant was played by Christine Kavanagh.
I've checked in the Radio Times for TA cast list on 29 December 2006.
The press office got it wrong and the consultant didn't sound one bit like Prof Winston
Wed, 03 Jan 2007 19:34:46 GMT, In reply to: happytabby-cat
Christine had a remarkably deep voice, then...
As I have posted on several other threads on Discuss Archers that Roy & Hayley's consultant was played by Christine Kavanagh.
Ìý
If the consultant Roy and Hayley were talking to about IVF treatment tonight really wants to be called Christine, then the SW's really have lost it! The idea of parachuting in a cross-dresser (or even a trans-sexual) as an IVF consultant is, frankly an ishhoo driven SL too far!
Get over it! His name is Robert; he has a deep voice because his voice broke around the time he hit puberty and started growing facial hair; he undoubtedly has his own willy; he is not Christine!
It was Lord Winston. Unfortunately the casting was changed after the original information had gone to press.
Keri Davies - Host
I have just checked Wikipedia for Robert Winston and his recent appearance on the Archers, is up on the Wikipedia website.
More worrying - is he an Equity member?
....but if he's (more or less) playing himself, does he have to be?
if he's (more or less) playing himself, does he have to be?Ìý
Well, yes, I'd say so. Princess Margaret playing herself is a guest appearance. John Peel playing himself is a guest appearance.
Someone playing "a doctor" in a radio drama is an actor, and thus needs to be an Equity member, I'd have thought?
Fri, 05 Jan 2007 12:25:35 GMT, In reply to: RosieT
As he's fronted a number of TV programmes I'd guess his Equity membership is up to date.
Do you *really* need an Equity card for "fronting" a television programme? Is it considered the same as proper acting on the radio? How odd!
Fri, 05 Jan 2007 15:53 GMT, in reply to RosieT in message 12
You need an Equity card to read from a script, whether it be radio or television. Unscripted contributions such as audience participation are exempt.
So, Princess Margaret had an equity card? And Anne Moore?
And Xandra Rhodes? And John Peel?
Not any more. Such closed shops were outlawed in the 80s.
And just to be absolutely clear, Robert Winston didn't play himself, just an "ordinary" consultant at Felpersham Hospital.
I think the point being made was that they DON'T need to be 'proper' actors because they are really just being themself. Whereas RW was acting the role of a Borchester hospital employee. Of course Equity as such is irreleveant nowadays.
Well exactly - so why not use an actor? I can understand bringing in John Peel to play John Peel opening the fete or whatever it was, but if the script involved an Archer buying a record at the local record shop and you suddenly brought in John Peel to play the shop assistant I'd find it an unnecassary and confusing intrusion of real life into a work of fiction.
Apart from anything else the nobel Lord is rather wooden and patronising in his tone. His TV progs sound as if he is talking to 5 year olds
I thought he was excellent - don't most consultants have a rather patronising tone? Arguably he was portraying a younger version of himself, so whether he was acting (or not) is rather a moot point?
, in reply to message 19.
Posted by rosietonthemove (U2260932) on Saturday, 6th January 2007
I know you regard it as Kentonesquely postmodern, but there is a case for noting that a Real Actor could have portrayed Smug and Doctory, so why use a so-called celeb, unless he IS being Himself as a Great Expert? Not that it matters that much.
On reflection I think I like the celeb appearances on TA because it symbolises how TA is integrated into our national culture, not just an isolated little low brow soap.
[Pseud alert]
, in reply to message 21.
Posted by Borsetshire Blue (U2260326) on Saturday, 6th January 2007
And on reflection I come to a rather different conclusion mike. I hate "celebrity" appearances on TA because it symbolises just how desperate these so-called celebs are for exposure - at any cost. BB
[Cynic alert]
But then, was he only second choice in the auditions to Christine Kavanagh? And when she dropped out, he was first reserve?
, in reply to message 23.
Posted by antiquelemonsqueezer (U5585422) on Saturday, 6th January 2007
Agree with Rosie appearances by celebrities as themselves is one thing, appearances by celebrities pretending to be unknowns but in the same line of work, is another thing and the thin end of the wedge. The only reason the actress was bumped was because someone at the Beeb thought Doc Bob would carry more weight in the campaign, although judging from the very late publicity and the fact there were umpteen threads doubting whether it was him, I think WHAT he actually said got a bit swamped - bit like those memorable adverts when you can't remember the product
Or are auditions outlawed as well as equity closed shops?
, in reply to message 25.
Posted by antiquelemonsqueezer (U5585422) on Sunday, 7th January 2007
I will lay odds Ms Kavanagh auditioned, Doc Bob didn't. She probably got the money she was contracted for, but that's not really the point. The whole thing was a very late-in-the-day alteration as witness the RT billing and the on-the-day press release which caused a lot of confusion..
I think WHAT he actually said got a bit swamped - bit like those memorable adverts when you can't remember the product
Ìý
Oh I don't know, I think I picked up plenty of details I didn't previously know about matters gynaecological (and apologies if I've spelt that wrongly, but I maintain it was a bludy good try!).
....and I think it's great that the equity closed shop (and all other closed shops) have been outlawed, although sadly many clandestine closed shops still operate.
>Or are auditions outlawed as well as equity closed shops?
No. But it would be very unusual to audition for a brief appearance such as this, although we usually do for permanent characters.
If I was an out-of-work; desperately seeking work actor, I think I would be a rightly-so miffed one!
"don't most consultants have a rather patronising tone?" - slightly sweeping staement Mike!! My OH is a consultant surgeon and is not the least bit patronising.
Welshteddy (grumpy and having a really bad day or wouldn't have posted at all)
welshteddy, I'm sure your OH is one of the few exceptions to this otherwise accurate generalisation ...
One man's generalisation is another man's patronisation (or something).
If they can afford Sir Robert Winston, how come they can't afford IVF?
, in reply to message 30.
Posted by Iva Nedake (U4264966) on Wednesday, 10th January 2007
The consultant who saw me for what was a terrifying operation (I had half my face peeled back to facilitate the removal of a benign lump from my cheek - I could have ended up with nerve damage, drooping eye, drooping lip) was absolutely fantastic and kindly and extremely good at his job because none of the worst case scenarios happened.
Over 2006 I saw at least seven consultants with my Mum and every one of them was wonderful.
I suppose that I should own up that most of my medical knowldge is based on watching Holby City so you could be right (i.e. most consultants are not like Connie Beachamp). Should I also start questioning my legal knowledge (Judge John Deed) or my farming knowledge (you know where)?
PS I did once meet a very arrogant, patronising consultant, so they do exist!
, in reply to message 35.
Posted by Iva Nedake (U4264966) on Wednesday, 10th January 2007
Wed, 10 Jan 2007 18:08 GMT, in reply to mike ....
Hello Mike,
I wouldn't deny that patronising consultants exist, just as there are patronisers in every profession or walk of life. I was just saying that in my experience they are the exception rather than the rule.
Connie Beauchamp can be a witch can't she? I watch Holby City with my Mum and we are getting very good at diagnoses and guessing which patient won't last until the end of the programme.
Yes, I wonder if the SWs realise they're ruining the sweepstake when they have a week when nobody dies?
, in reply to message 37.
Posted by Iva Nedake (U4264966) on Wednesday, 10th January 2007
LOL Mike.
, in reply to message 33.
Posted by Keri Davies (U2219620) on Thursday, 11th January 2007
>If they can afford Sir Robert Winston, how come they can't afford IVF?
Sir Robert wasn't appearing as himself. He was playing the part of an "ordinary" consultant at Felpersham Hospital.
, in reply to message 39.
Posted by Keri Davies (U2219620) on Thursday, 11th January 2007
I beg his pardon. *Lord* Robert.
I beg his pardon too!!
, in reply to message 33.
Posted by singingBeebee (U7096980) on Thursday, 11th January 2007
I was thinking how lucky they are to have Lord Winston as their consultant - surely the man can work a miracle if one is required?
R&H didn't seem to recognise him at all though...
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