Mark Owen
@marktowen.bsky.social
Writer, editor, photographer. I watch old TV programmes and live in the Isle of Man; these two facts are unconnected.
I can't say I'm familiar with Z Cars but didn't think it was the sort of show whose viewers demanded annuals.
Is the cover an accurate summary of the programme? Did it regularly have plots like Norman Wisdom helping a fully dressed policeman give birth while balancing a Ford Zephyr on his shoulder?
Is the cover an accurate summary of the programme? Did it regularly have plots like Norman Wisdom helping a fully dressed policeman give birth while balancing a Ford Zephyr on his shoulder?
November 10, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I can't say I'm familiar with Z Cars but didn't think it was the sort of show whose viewers demanded annuals.
Is the cover an accurate summary of the programme? Did it regularly have plots like Norman Wisdom helping a fully dressed policeman give birth while balancing a Ford Zephyr on his shoulder?
Is the cover an accurate summary of the programme? Did it regularly have plots like Norman Wisdom helping a fully dressed policeman give birth while balancing a Ford Zephyr on his shoulder?
I really hope this turnip grew around a top-secret microfilm that was dropped in a field by a klutzy spy played by Derek Nimmo.
Although anybody familiar with Mhelliahs will understand how this situation could have developed.
Although anybody familiar with Mhelliahs will understand how this situation could have developed.
It seems that Baldrick has won the lottery #Blackadder #IsleOfMan
November 3, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I really hope this turnip grew around a top-secret microfilm that was dropped in a field by a klutzy spy played by Derek Nimmo.
Although anybody familiar with Mhelliahs will understand how this situation could have developed.
Although anybody familiar with Mhelliahs will understand how this situation could have developed.
I had a lot of fun playing this game organised by the marvellous @tobyhadoke.bsky.social
Returning missing episodes of Doctor Who to the archives - just for larks...
Returning missing episodes of Doctor Who to the archives - just for larks...
I’m amazed at the number and quality of folk who contributed to this podcast (a Doctor! 3 companions! Writers! Actors! Lost Episode Finders! Fans of Yore!)
It’s just a bit of fun: a countdown of the most desired missing episodes of Doctor Who. Plus much arcana, natch:
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-8epk3...
It’s just a bit of fun: a countdown of the most desired missing episodes of Doctor Who. Plus much arcana, natch:
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-8epk3...
Indefinable Magic MISSING EPISODES SPECIAL - Fantasy Film Cans (Part One)
With all this missing episodes speculation in the air, your Host With The Most (that is "Most Patience For Wrangling Arcane Facts and Stats Because He's A Very Boring Man") Toby Hadoke has found the t...
www.podbean.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I had a lot of fun playing this game organised by the marvellous @tobyhadoke.bsky.social
Returning missing episodes of Doctor Who to the archives - just for larks...
Returning missing episodes of Doctor Who to the archives - just for larks...
Reposted by Mark Owen
There's understandably a lot of praise for Fawlty Towers today, but my favourite TV series of Prunella Scales remains After Henry.
As I say in this article that I wrote for the show's 30th anniversary, it's PS's thoughtful performance that's key to its success.
wearecult.rocks/after-henry-...
As I say in this article that I wrote for the show's 30th anniversary, it's PS's thoughtful performance that's key to its success.
wearecult.rocks/after-henry-...
'After Henry' 30 Years On » We Are Cult
News, reviews and features devoted to all things cult - we ARE cult... and so are you
wearecult.rocks
October 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
There's understandably a lot of praise for Fawlty Towers today, but my favourite TV series of Prunella Scales remains After Henry.
As I say in this article that I wrote for the show's 30th anniversary, it's PS's thoughtful performance that's key to its success.
wearecult.rocks/after-henry-...
As I say in this article that I wrote for the show's 30th anniversary, it's PS's thoughtful performance that's key to its success.
wearecult.rocks/after-henry-...
There's understandably a lot of praise for Fawlty Towers today, but my favourite TV series of Prunella Scales remains After Henry.
As I say in this article that I wrote for the show's 30th anniversary, it's PS's thoughtful performance that's key to its success.
wearecult.rocks/after-henry-...
As I say in this article that I wrote for the show's 30th anniversary, it's PS's thoughtful performance that's key to its success.
wearecult.rocks/after-henry-...
'After Henry' 30 Years On » We Are Cult
News, reviews and features devoted to all things cult - we ARE cult... and so are you
wearecult.rocks
October 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
There's understandably a lot of praise for Fawlty Towers today, but my favourite TV series of Prunella Scales remains After Henry.
As I say in this article that I wrote for the show's 30th anniversary, it's PS's thoughtful performance that's key to its success.
wearecult.rocks/after-henry-...
As I say in this article that I wrote for the show's 30th anniversary, it's PS's thoughtful performance that's key to its success.
wearecult.rocks/after-henry-...
Seen in Douglas harbour, #IsleOfMan Isn't she pretty?
October 18, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Seen in Douglas harbour, #IsleOfMan Isn't she pretty?
This bit of old #Manx business ephemera made me think of a boy at school with me in 1987. He got a Saturday job at the Manx Ices factory, putting the gobstoppers into the bottoms of Screwballs.
He alleged that he was given a big box of gobstoppers with a Best Before date in 1973.
He alleged that he was given a big box of gobstoppers with a Best Before date in 1973.
October 11, 2025 at 11:07 AM
This bit of old #Manx business ephemera made me think of a boy at school with me in 1987. He got a Saturday job at the Manx Ices factory, putting the gobstoppers into the bottoms of Screwballs.
He alleged that he was given a big box of gobstoppers with a Best Before date in 1973.
He alleged that he was given a big box of gobstoppers with a Best Before date in 1973.
Reposted by Mark Owen
Picture the scene: it's 1974. You're shown this photo and told that one member of this team of building site workers is going to be the new Doctor Who.
Working out which one would not exactly be what Sherlock Holmes called a two-pipe problem, would it?
Working out which one would not exactly be what Sherlock Holmes called a two-pipe problem, would it?
January 13, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Picture the scene: it's 1974. You're shown this photo and told that one member of this team of building site workers is going to be the new Doctor Who.
Working out which one would not exactly be what Sherlock Holmes called a two-pipe problem, would it?
Working out which one would not exactly be what Sherlock Holmes called a two-pipe problem, would it?
Officially visiting #Brighton for a wedding, but snuck in a little #DoctorWho location-spotting that's right on target.
September 25, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Officially visiting #Brighton for a wedding, but snuck in a little #DoctorWho location-spotting that's right on target.
Reposted by Mark Owen
I was sorry to learn of the death of Christopher H Bidmead on the same evening I started a 45th anniversary rewatch of the season of Doctor Who he script-edited.
It's a distinct turning point in the show's history and has his clear, clever intent for the programme running through every episode.
It's a distinct turning point in the show's history and has his clear, clever intent for the programme running through every episode.
August 31, 2025 at 12:32 PM
I was sorry to learn of the death of Christopher H Bidmead on the same evening I started a 45th anniversary rewatch of the season of Doctor Who he script-edited.
It's a distinct turning point in the show's history and has his clear, clever intent for the programme running through every episode.
It's a distinct turning point in the show's history and has his clear, clever intent for the programme running through every episode.
This is such sudden and upsetting news. John was a warm and erudite contributor to social media, and so much more. I had the pleasure of exchanging a couple of messages with him. His last Bluesky post was only a few days ago, brimming with joy and love as he celebrated his husband's birthday.
Very shocked and saddened to see the news of the passing of the lovely John J Johnston this morning. Egyptologist and Doctor Who fan. A very friendly presence online. RIP and condolences to his partner, John.
August 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
This is such sudden and upsetting news. John was a warm and erudite contributor to social media, and so much more. I had the pleasure of exchanging a couple of messages with him. His last Bluesky post was only a few days ago, brimming with joy and love as he celebrated his husband's birthday.
Oh, this is marvellous. (And I'm not just saying that because very kind words are said about me at one point.)
A warm, witty chat about why being enthusiastic about creative work that you love is a force for good.
It covers Doctor Who, the Isle of Man, and many other points of quirky interest.
A warm, witty chat about why being enthusiastic about creative work that you love is a force for good.
It covers Doctor Who, the Isle of Man, and many other points of quirky interest.
It's time for another trip to The Library of Impossible Things.
This week I'm joined by @cliffchapman.bsky.social for a chat about talking books, working with Catherine Tate and the joy of collecting. But what object will he bring?
Take a listen now wherever you get your podcasts!
This week I'm joined by @cliffchapman.bsky.social for a chat about talking books, working with Catherine Tate and the joy of collecting. But what object will he bring?
Take a listen now wherever you get your podcasts!
3.11 Cliff Chapman tells his story
The Library of Impossible Things · Episode
open.spotify.com
August 20, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Oh, this is marvellous. (And I'm not just saying that because very kind words are said about me at one point.)
A warm, witty chat about why being enthusiastic about creative work that you love is a force for good.
It covers Doctor Who, the Isle of Man, and many other points of quirky interest.
A warm, witty chat about why being enthusiastic about creative work that you love is a force for good.
It covers Doctor Who, the Isle of Man, and many other points of quirky interest.
Casually brilliant writing, acting, and direction; and evidence of only one degree of separation between Violet Carson and Lady Gaga.
Coronation Street - written by H.V. Kershaw (19th August 1970). Ena meets Tony's mother, Mrs Parsons (June Brown).
August 19, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Casually brilliant writing, acting, and direction; and evidence of only one degree of separation between Violet Carson and Lady Gaga.
We lost #Manx actor #DursleyMcLinden 30 years ago today, aged just 30. Always remembered.
August 7, 2025 at 12:45 PM
We lost #Manx actor #DursleyMcLinden 30 years ago today, aged just 30. Always remembered.
Harry Towb appears twice in Doctor Who, and once in The Champions.
In all three roles, his character dies near a chair without meeting the regular cast.
In all three roles, his character dies near a chair without meeting the regular cast.
Remembering Harry Towb, born this day in 1925.
July 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Harry Towb appears twice in Doctor Who, and once in The Champions.
In all three roles, his character dies near a chair without meeting the regular cast.
In all three roles, his character dies near a chair without meeting the regular cast.
"Oompa-Loompa
Doompa-de-ditch,
The lack of spacing
Makes my eyes twitch."
Doompa-de-ditch,
The lack of spacing
Makes my eyes twitch."
July 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM
"Oompa-Loompa
Doompa-de-ditch,
The lack of spacing
Makes my eyes twitch."
Doompa-de-ditch,
The lack of spacing
Makes my eyes twitch."
The decor of the head office of the #IsleOfMan bank is different to that of most banks these days. #decor #architecture #Manx
July 19, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The decor of the head office of the #IsleOfMan bank is different to that of most banks these days. #decor #architecture #Manx
The first issue of ver Hits I ever bought. 40 years on, and I still don't know the answer to the question, "Where is the Marilyn on the breakfast?" #SmashHits #LiveAid
*He did it" Smash Hits reviews Live Aid. 1/2.
July 13, 2025 at 11:53 AM
The first issue of ver Hits I ever bought. 40 years on, and I still don't know the answer to the question, "Where is the Marilyn on the breakfast?" #SmashHits #LiveAid
It's the birthday of #JonPertwee and here in the #IsleOfMan it's a bank holiday. Happy Pertday to all who celebrate.
Here's my article about the time JP put the Island's naval base on full alert after apparently spotting a German U-boat in Douglas Bay.
marktrevorowen.com/2021/02/08/p...
Here's my article about the time JP put the Island's naval base on full alert after apparently spotting a German U-boat in Douglas Bay.
marktrevorowen.com/2021/02/08/p...
Pertwee’s Pillbox
The pillbox of mystery. Here’s another of my pictures of Manx buildings. This one definitely isn’t too pretty but it has an interesting history. It’s a Second World War lookout pi…
marktrevorowen.com
July 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM
It's the birthday of #JonPertwee and here in the #IsleOfMan it's a bank holiday. Happy Pertday to all who celebrate.
Here's my article about the time JP put the Island's naval base on full alert after apparently spotting a German U-boat in Douglas Bay.
marktrevorowen.com/2021/02/08/p...
Here's my article about the time JP put the Island's naval base on full alert after apparently spotting a German U-boat in Douglas Bay.
marktrevorowen.com/2021/02/08/p...
My top five Davison wouldn't include Androzani anyway, and I think I'll take Five Doctors out of the running, as it's a special case. So that means today, it's:
1. Kinda
2. The Visitation
3. Earthshock
4. Castrovalva
5. The Awakening
1. Kinda
2. The Visitation
3. Earthshock
4. Castrovalva
5. The Awakening
Top Five #PeterDavison (excluding Caves of Androzani)
1. Planet of Fire
2. Snakedance
3. Castrovalva
4. Earthshock
5. Terminus
1. Planet of Fire
2. Snakedance
3. Castrovalva
4. Earthshock
5. Terminus
Top Five #PeterDavison (excluding Caves of Androzani)
1. Frontios
2. The Five Doctors
3. Castrovalva
4. Earthshock
5. Snakedance
1. Frontios
2. The Five Doctors
3. Castrovalva
4. Earthshock
5. Snakedance
July 6, 2025 at 10:28 AM
My top five Davison wouldn't include Androzani anyway, and I think I'll take Five Doctors out of the running, as it's a special case. So that means today, it's:
1. Kinda
2. The Visitation
3. Earthshock
4. Castrovalva
5. The Awakening
1. Kinda
2. The Visitation
3. Earthshock
4. Castrovalva
5. The Awakening
For #Tynwald Day, here's a #Manx artifact newly on-display.
The Manx Museum currently has an exhibition marking 90 years of George Formby's IOM-filmed flick, No Limit.
It includes this banjolele signed twice by George, and once by his remarkable wife Beryl. Turned out nice again.
The Manx Museum currently has an exhibition marking 90 years of George Formby's IOM-filmed flick, No Limit.
It includes this banjolele signed twice by George, and once by his remarkable wife Beryl. Turned out nice again.
July 5, 2025 at 11:53 AM
25 years ago this month, I bought Pop Trash, the least successful album by Duran Duran. Today I gave my copy a second listen, and pencilled in a third for 2050.
As a palate-cleanser, I listened to Duran's latest waxing, Danse Macabre. Goofy fun and arty styling - much more satisfyingly them.
As a palate-cleanser, I listened to Duran's latest waxing, Danse Macabre. Goofy fun and arty styling - much more satisfyingly them.
June 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
25 years ago this month, I bought Pop Trash, the least successful album by Duran Duran. Today I gave my copy a second listen, and pencilled in a third for 2050.
As a palate-cleanser, I listened to Duran's latest waxing, Danse Macabre. Goofy fun and arty styling - much more satisfyingly them.
As a palate-cleanser, I listened to Duran's latest waxing, Danse Macabre. Goofy fun and arty styling - much more satisfyingly them.